As the interim president of the Literature Club, I dealt with that story by vaguely beating around the bush for now.
It’s my suggestion, and I could just not do it, but it’s a bit strange to dissuade someone who wants to join the Literature Club directly.
Of course, at the start of the first semester, I asked Yuuki to block quite a few new students from joining, but unlike those kids, Sota is someone I can trust.
There might be some issues arising among the girls surrounding that boy, but I thought it was almost impossible for Sota himself to cause any trouble.
“So, I think I can’t stop Sota from saying he wants to join.”
The problem, however, is that it’s quite bizarre for Nanami to be talking about this instead of me.
“Well… I suppose so?”
Not knowing what to say in response, I just nodded and said that.
But Nanami didn’t look particularly reassured by my answer.
“Therefore, I also want to join the Literature Club like Sota.”
“……”
I pondered for a moment.
Sota could naturally join our club. It’s almost a done deal that his younger sister, Shii, will join us next year. Since she’s coming anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to have a cheerful time together at school.
After all, we will be in our third year from next year, so our activity level might drop a little, but there are still the second and third semesters left. Izumi and Kaoru were quite active until the first semester too.
However…
“Why? I like reading.”
No, that’s not the issue.
If Nanami joins our club, the next person coming in is naturally decided.
Hagiwara.
That person will be graduating next year, but I have no desire to watch my club members engage in love battles.
Even if it’s just Nanami and Sota joining, it would be complicated along with Tsuneda, and if Hagiwara joins in…
Even though she says she will graduate next year.
“…It’s fine for them to join.”
I told Nanami.
“But once they join, you can’t fight with the other members.”
I decided to emphasize that for now.
Since the other person said they want to join, if we refuse, things will become complicated. If they were in different classes, it might be less messy, but they’re in the same class. It feels a bit odd to just keep refusing when we have to see each other’s faces every day.
“I absolutely won’t fight.”
“…Really?”
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Nanami.
“You were with Sota, talking to him all day today.”
“I didn’t fight!”
I’m not sure if I should call that progress.
“…I think it’ll be hard for Sota to get closer if he just keeps pestering.”
When I said this, Nanami’s face turned a little red.
She averted her gaze slightly.
“W-well, I’m still a bit anxious.”
Why? Is it because Sota is good-looking?
While I think that’s a somewhat valid reason, to be honest, I don’t think she needs to worry that much.
It seems that Hagiwara became a bit obsessed with Sota after entering our third year. Of course, that doesn’t mean her feelings of affection have disappeared. It’s just… I wonder if she’s become a little more ordinary for some reason. We don’t have any significant interaction aside from greeting each other in the hallway.
So, if I had to choose between romance and studies, academics would be the more important one. Nanami has feelings for Sota because of the backstory where he rescued her when she was very young, while Hagiwara only met him after becoming a high school student.
…
Thinking of it this way makes me feel a bit bittersweet.
When reading a school harem story with a teenage protagonist, it’s best not to think about the future ten years down the line.
It’s one thing for the protagonist to marry one of the heroines, but the idea of the other heroines marrying other characters is somewhat unsettling.
We tease each other about being “virgins” and whatnot, but the plot where a heroine likes someone other than the protagonist is similar to a side story where a couple, living happily ever after after the war ends, gets killed by a revenge-seeking boy soldier.
It just feels uncomfortable. If someone enjoys a story where they like a heroine other than the main one, it can be quite irritating.
But this isn’t a light novel; it’s just reality that closely resembles a light novel.
“Even if you feel anxious, you naturally end up being drawn to someone who treats you normally at a distance rather than someone who is overly clingy.”
“…Really?”
This time, Nanami looked at me closely and asked.
“Have you ever been in a relationship?”
“……”
“…You haven’t either, right?”
No, I haven’t.
Between my previous life and this one, I haven’t.
Both of us fell silent simultaneously.
Instinctively, we realized that any further conversation would only lead to hurting each other.
“…No fighting with the members.”
“…Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Nanami replied to me and extended her hand. I took her hand and shook it lightly.
Well, I still need to talk to the other members, but I doubt they will oppose it.
However, from the moment she joins, she won’t escape my relentless writing guidance. This year will probably be our last proper year of activities, so I need to hand over at least one decent piece of writing by the cultural festival.
This year’s anthology will definitely have more content than last year.
I thought with a slight sense of satisfaction.
*
Even though it’s called a school trip, in reality, it was just a time spent having fun with my classmates for three days and two nights.
The duration of the school trip was four days and three nights, so we’ll be returning tomorrow.
Even though the sun hadn’t completely set yet, it had already sunk quite a bit in the west, painting the sky with a red twilight.
We climbed to the rooftop of a two-story cafe, savoring the light of that twilight while drinking our beverages.
I drank freshly squeezed orange juice. The refreshing sensation made me feel good.
Koko was drinking the same thing as me. Normally, Koko didn’t have anything she couldn’t eat, but these days, she had a definitive “preferred thing.” In fact, this was something I had sensed last year, but it had become clearer this year.
What Koko likes is usually the things I enjoy.
While the other kids occupied the table, Koko and I leaned against the railing. I was the first one there, and Koko followed behind me.
She even mirrored my posture.
Of course, Koko still looked younger because of her carefree, innocent vibe.
“Koko, did you have fun?”
“Yeah!”
Koko nodded her head vigorously.
“Right….”
Though I didn’t bring her here, I still felt a strange sense of pride.
If I had to trace it back, I suppose it’s technically because of me. I found Koko, named her, and constructed our relationship.
But that doesn’t mean Koko did nothing.
Thanks to her, my life here became incredibly enjoyable. I probably wouldn’t have been able to smile like this without Koko.
“I’m glad.”
“Yeah!”
Koko nodded.
Then she asked me,
“Did you have fun, Koto Ne?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded without hesitation.
“I’m glad!”
Koko mimicked the same thing I said, which made me chuckle.
“I had fun the whole time!”
However, Koko didn’t stop there and continued speaking.
“Since I met Koto Ne, I’ve had fun every day!”
Was she saying this because she was genuinely excited about how fun it was to play here?
Whatever the reason, her words were enough to make me feel a swirl of emotions.
I couldn’t always treat Koko well.
At first, it was hard to think of her as a person, and teaching her various things sometimes annoyed me.
I even went so far as to die in front of her, didn’t I? Koko even ran around holding my corpse back then.
Nevertheless, she still says such things.
“……”
I was at a loss for words for a while, finally replying, “…I see.”
Then I sipped my orange juice with ice and looked up at the sky.
From here, I can’t see the direction where Kagami is. The Earth is round, and the sea is curved like this.
Still, I couldn’t help but think about Kagami.
Perhaps, the feelings that Kagami has for Koko and me are similar to this.
No, it must be even stronger. Given the time it has been.
Thinking that I should treat Kagami better, perhaps that’s a bit misguided.
Rather, receiving Kagami’s goodwill without saying anything would surely be much more helpful for her.
Since too much time has passed without us having a childhood together, maybe we should enjoy the remaining time a bit more pleasantly and peacefully.
“How about we all go for tea together next time as a family?”
When I said this, Koko looked back at me again.
Her eyes were sparkling. Not just reflecting light, but genuinely glowing.
Koko nodded vigorously and shouted.
“Wow!”
Maybe it was because she heard that; a little giggle came from where the other kids were seated.
Going back tomorrow… or rather, there’s still so much left to do.
There’s also the sports meet and the cultural festival.
Kagami didn’t participate in last year’s sports meet, but this year is different.
I’m sure Kagami will cheer very enthusiastically, with something in hand. I don’t know what that would be, but I have that kind of certainty.
It might be a little embarrassing.
And happy.
…
I sincerely hope that such times will continue on and on.
That we can have fun for as long as we live.
That’s all I wished for.
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