Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 2 - Chapter 3.2

I looked at the greenery on the mountains over the minivan’s window. It’s been 4 hours since we departed from the roadside station.

“Where are we…?”

We’re supposed to look for Yakishio, but Tsukinoki-senpai doesn’t care at all. Time flies as we’re traveling on road after road casually.

This person will drive until sunset in the mountains if I don’t say anything…

“Senpai, it’s time for us to look for Yakishio.”

The minivan is shaking violently as if trying to cancel out my protest. Tsukinoki-senpai stepped on the brakes as she twisted the steering wheel.

“Uh, you’re supposed to have your lights on during a turn. I think.”

“S-Senpai, i-is this a…wiper?”

“Wait, so this is the right handle?”

“L-Look in front of you…”

This is a hilarious scene after getting a driver’s license.

Honestly, she has been like this ever since we left Toyohashi. Yanami and I at the back are already used to it.

However, Komari can always make refreshing reactions. That’s admirable.

Tsukinoki-senpai looked at me from the rearview mirror.

“Right, Nukumizu-kun, were you trying to say something?”

“Well, are we really heading to Yakishio’s house?”

“We’ll definitely be fine this time. Her house should be near. Trust your senpai!”

Tsukinoki-senpai laughed.

I trusted her for the first time. The consequence is that we’re brought to the ruins of Nagashino Castle instead. I said it the second time, and we were already in the hot springs when I snapped out of it. This is just a tour, but, honestly, I’m enjoying it.

“I’ll leave it to you if that’s the case. You’ve been driving into the mountains, right?”

“Wait, what’s happening? Come to think of it, isn’t this weird? I think we’ll arrive in Nagano Prefecture if we continue driving. Do you know that?”

“Yeah, that’s weird. We can’t cross prefectures.”

I was about to complain. Yet, the minivan suddenly started shaking violently. Yanami opened her eyes. She was taking a nap.

“Uwah, I fell asleep. Are we there yet?”

“Nope, Yanami-san, you’re drooling.”

“…I’m not.”

Yanami wiped her mouth with the paper towels I handed to her.

Right now, the tanned girl is more important than the drooling girl. I leaned toward the driver’s seat.

“It’s almost evening already. Are we still not at Yakishio’s place yet?”

“Relax. We’re almost at her grandma’s house. No, wait, it’s still pretty far away.”

Really? I opened the map on my phone.

“…This place is just 20 minutes from the highway resting station. We aren’t even far from there, right?”

“I say it because it’s you. You’ll definitely rush there if I say we’re close, right?”

Of course, we’re here for that.

“You need to take the long way in life sometimes. To put it simply, I want to have fun for a while longer.”

“I admire that you’re being honest, but the reason we come here today is…”

“No, no, that’s why I don’t like this part of you, Nukumizu-kun.”

Yanami interrupted.

“Your bad point is that you only know saying no. We enjoyed the scenery, got into a hot spring, and ate some good food. Aren’t those all we need to accomplish today?”

Yanami’s chic face still has a grain of rice sticking to it.

Yanami’s pretty happy after having tonkatsu at the hot spring’s canteen. No wonder she drooled during her afternoon nap.

“Yanami-san, aren’t we here to find Yakishio today…?”

“…I think so.”

The unnatural pause. It looks like she has already totally forgotten about it.

No, wait. I’m the only one who’s surprised right now. In other words…

“By the way, Yanami-san and Komari already know today’s schedule? I’m the only one who didn’t know anything!?”

Instead of answering, Yanami and Komari gave me big smiles.

“Alright, alright, stop fighting. You should be mad at me only. Onee-san loves watching Nukumizu-kun’s reaction the most.”

Tsukinoki-senpai laughed after saying that. Whose fault do you think this is?

However, if she has already said she loves my reaction the most, I can’t just give in to her casually. After all, the most effective way to make an annoying otaku shut up is to cut their supply lines.

“Nukumizu-kun, we’ll be there. I already typed Yakishio’s grandma’s address on the GPS.”

“Glad to hear that, but how did you know where Yakishio is? Didn’t she ignore your emails and Line messages?”

“Didn’t I tell you the Girl’s Field and Track Club captain looked for me? I helped her a lot when I was still in the student council. Also, we often talk about stuff, even right now. That’s why we went to see Yakishio-chan’s mom.”

…Student council? Senpai? There’s too much intelligence. My brain can’t accept the information at all.

“I think things will be even more complicated if I ask further, so let’s forget about that first. Simply put, Yakishio’s mom requested us to check in on Yakishio, right?”

“Yeah, close. Yakishio-chan’s mom and grandma are really worried about her right now.”

Tsukinoki-senpai glanced at the GPS screen.

“We’re almost there. This is an emotional reunion, everyone. Did you think about what you’re going to say? Don’t try to prank a girl who has cried before, okay?”

The GPS signals that we’re approaching the destination. The road is getting wider as well. Tsukinoki-senpai stopped at the side.

“Alright, we’re here. Is there anything that looks like a house?”

“…Is this really the right place?”

The sides are covered by dense woods. Yanami opened the window and looked around.

“The sign over there writes ‘Snow Chain Installation and Removal’.”

I don’t think that’s where Yakishio’s family lives.

The two kouhai looked at the senpai. She hastily poked at the GPS screen.

“…Huh? That’s the address I’ve heard.”

“Should we call Yakishio’s grandma?”

“I don’t know her house’s number. The Field and Track Club captain should know.”

After that, senpai took out her phone and made a call, but it wasn’t picked up. So, she could only leave a voice message. Senpai leaned on the driver’s seat forcefully.

“Ah, …I guess we can only wait before she answers me. Is there anywhere you guys want to go?”

Yanami raised her hand after hearing that.

“Can I make a suggestion? There’s a very grammable place nearby.”

“Sure, do you know the exact spot?”

Yanami looked at the map on her phone.

“Let me see. …Follow this road and head north. There’s a branch at the left side of the billboard.”

“Okay, let’s go!”

The minivan’s wheels rustling against the ground signals our second departure. Senpai drives so fast that Komari screams.

Based on Yanami’s guidance, we arrived at the destination within 3 minutes. The minivan slowed down.

“That’s the place, right? I think we can go down.”

Tsukinoki-senpai stopped the minivan at the side of the road.

This is a small path that leads down to the river. Cars can’t get there.

“It looks like there aren’t any parking lots around. I’ll wait in the car. You three should go.”

“Senpai, are you sure you don’t mind being alone?”

“I have to wait for her call, and I have to give Shintaro a call as well.”

“Prez?”

“…Actually, I missed our tutorial class promise with him today, so I have to explain to him.”

I see. Yeah, we should let senpai chill alone. I think she’s pretty soft when it comes to her boyfriend.

The three of us left senpai and came to the river along the path. It’s around 10 meters wide. The water is shallow, but the stream goes pretty fast.

The place we came to is a beach that extends on both sides of the river. The narrowest spot has a small stone bridge built from concrete.

The small bridge doesn’t even have railings. It’s more like a cobblestone path instead.

Yanami handed me her phone.

“Nukumizu-kun, look, it’s that bridge! I’ll go up there while Nukumizu-kun should prepare to be washed away by the river while helping me take the best photo ever down the stream.”

“I’m fine as long as Yanami-san doesn’t mind me bringing your phone down with me.”

“It’s fine. I bought insurance.”

I see. I’m fine with it too, since I have tuition insurance.

Yanami stepped onto the stone bridge and put out a double V pose with a smile.

“Alright, you can take the photo, Nukumizu-kun.”

Luckily, the shot is clear even from the beach too. I went around the stream and raised her phone.

The screen neatly cuts at the bottom of her feet. This looks like she’s standing on the river. It does make a good photo.

“Hey, with the rare opportunity, Komari should come too.”

I looked for Komari. She kneeled and looked at the gaps between the rocks.

“What are you doing?”

“T-There are Sawagani crabs.”

Oh, we have Sawagani crabs too? Interesting. I squatted down next to Komari as well.

“Where? This gap?”

“Y-Yes, …b-be quiet, o-or else it w-won’t come out.”

She’s right. I closed my mouth and watched the gaps between the rocks. …Ah, I think something just moved in there.

A clean “thud” could be heard when I was waiting for it excitedly.

Thud? Do crabs make sounds like that?

I held my breath not to make any noise. This time, I hear something hitting the ground next to my feet.

I turned around dumbfoundedly. Yanami is tirelessly waving on the bridge- and throwing stones at me.

“Uwah, watch out! Why are you throwing rocks at me!?”

“You still ask why? What are you doing when I’m making poses here!? Don’t I look like an idiot for being all excited by myself!?”

I really forgot about her. Welp, I guess I deserve to have rocks thrown at me by a losing heroine.

“Sorry, Yanami-san. I was too invested in the Sawagani crab and totally forgot about you. My bad.”

“Eh, you can still forget about me when I’m making poses in front of you…? Are Sawagani crabs that attractive…?”

Do you know how damn awesome this thing’s pincers are?

Even so, I don’t want to get stoned anymore. I comforted Yanami and took a photo of her.

“Did you take it properly, Nukumizu-kun? I look better than the crab, right?”

“Yeah, you look good. You look good.”

“Nukumizu-kun, I can’t feel any emotion in your words. Ah, Komari-chan, you want to take a photo with me too?”

Komari flinched at the sudden conversation.

“Ehh…? I-I’m good. I-I want to look at the crabs.”

“Komari-chan chooses the crab too…? Why does everyone love crabs so much? Is it because they are delicious?”

Everyone doesn’t just judge crabs based on their taste, okay?

“Alright, calm down, Yanami-san. Let’s record a video too, alright?”

“Oh, you’re smart. Nukumizu-kun starts to understand me too.”

Since when do I understand you? Guess I should watch out.

I calmly recorded a video of Yanami as I enjoyed the scenery around.

I think Yakishio’s grandma’s house is nearby. I wonder what Yakishio’s ancestors look like when they live in the mountains.

….Hmm? Yanami isn’t moving. I’m recording a video for you here.

“Why aren’t you moving?”

Yanami tidied her hair embarrassedly.

“You tell me to move, but I can’t think of a proper way right now. I thought about singing a song, but I forgot the lyrics.”

“How about a nursery rhyme? Like Elephant-san.”

“Don’t you think it’s really pathetic to sing a nursery rhyme in the mountains? Is your brain alright?”

I guess I’m not alright.

In the end, Yanami just waved her hand. What a boring video. Suddenly, another person appeared on the screen.

A petite face wrapped around by short hair, there are tans on her limbs too.

The person is who we’re looking for, …Yakishio.

“…!”

Just as I’m about to yell, Yakishio gives me a mischievous smile and put her finger on her mouth. I guess she wants me to remain quiet.

Yakishio crept toward Yanami. Yanami saw my weird reaction and tilted her head.

“What’s wrong, Nukumizu-kun? Is there a king crab? Or an opilio crab?”

Yakishio gradually approached Yanami. She slowly opened her arms.

“Uh, it’s something even rarer.”

“Really!? Don’t tell me it’s a horsehair crab?”

Yakishio hugged Yanami when she suddenly squatted down.

“…Ah.”

Both of them fell into the river on their backs. Screams can be heard.

…This isn’t my fault, right? The two of them fell on their own.

I even have the video as evidence. I don’t think I’ll be the suspect in any case.

I pressed the “Stop Recording” button and thought about Judo’s ranking as I went over to pull them up.

*

I leaned my body deep into the curved leg sofa and looked at the high duplex ceiling.

We’re in Yakishio’s grandma’s house. Yakishio brought all of us here after falling into the river.

This is a lonely house away from the village. Unexpectedly, the design is after a double-story mansion. Yakishio said that this was rebuilt from a cheap villa.

Since her grandpa works overseas, grandma is the only one living here. I think she’s shopping outside right now.

The second floor faces the hollowed-out patio. There are several doors in the corridor, which means that there are a lot of rooms. Not much furniture is in here.

A bunch of English books is shoved onto the bookshelf at first glance.

At this time, Yakishio and Yanami are taking a bath. I glanced at Komari. Her entire body is buried in the gigantic sofa. Then, I walked toward Tsukinoki-senpai. She’s shaking on the massaging chair.

“Senpai, can we talk?”

“What’s wrong, kouhai? I’m relieving my stiff body. …Phwah, this is where my pelvis…should stay…”

Tsukinoki-senpai looks fully intoxicated.

I looked at the door to the changing room. Yanami isn’t coming out yet.

“Forget about your pelvis. We’ve already found Yakishio. What should we do next?”

“You want me to answer you? Yakishio-chan looks pretty energetic. Isn’t that nice? Ohhhh….”

The chair is smacking senpai’s back. Her body is shivering along with it.

“I’m saying that it’s understandable if she looks clearly depressed, but it makes people feel there’s something wrong with her if she looks so energetic.”

Indeed, based on that model-like appearance back then, Yakishio is a bit too excited. Even though she looks cheerful, I don’t think she’s okay.

“One of your bad points is that you always try to solve something right away.”

“Ha…”

“Being energetic on the surface is still energetic, alright? The first thing we should do is stay with her.”

I can hear the sound of gas being released. The massaging chair stopped moving.

Tsukinoki-senpai came off the chair. She shook Komari’s shoulder, who was taking a nap.

“Alright, the chair’s empty. It’s your turn, Komari-chan.”

“Uwah!? M-My shoulders a-aren’t stiff…”

“Don’t say that. It would help if you got a massage for future reference. Come, sit here.”

Komari was dragged onto the chair forcefully. Her petite body made a deafening scream. This girl’s scream is just as cute as ever.

“Yo, everyone’s having fun. Isn’t this chair nice? I sit on it every day.”

Yakishio came back. She’s wiping her hair with a towel. The simple t-shirt and shorts match her really well.

“Are you hurt anywhere, Yakishio?”

“I’ve told you I’m fine. It’s just that I didn’t expect to fall into the river as well. Yana-chan is heavier than I thought-“

“Remon-chan, what did you just say!?”

Yanami’s voice came from the changing room.

“Nothing at all! I was just about to say it-“

“I heard you! By the way, sneak over here, Remon-chan!”

She said sneak, yet her voice was so loud.

Yakishio whispered with Yanami in the changing room for a few moments. After that, she ran back here and took Yanami’s white bag.

“What’s wrong with Yanami-san? Is she hurt?”

Yakishio waved her hands in front of me.

“Nope, Yana-chan wearing clothes in my size seems too-“

“Remon-chan! Didn’t I tell you to keep this a secret!?”

“Sorry, I forgot. It’s just Nukkun, anyway. It’s fine.”

“You’re right!”

Is it fine, though?

…I listened to their conversation. It’s hard to believe that happened just 4 days ago.

Nothing has happened. Everything is like before. If only that’s true.

Yakishio sat next to me when I pondered about it on the sofa.

I can smell shampoo, soap, and a faint citrus scent.

“Nukkun, what were you guys doing back there?”

“We were…just hanging out there. It’s a coincidence. I nearly jumped when Yakishio popped out.”

“Heh, you’re saying that like I’m a tanuki.”

Both of us laughed after that. Silence ensues. However, Yakishio calmly broke it at the next second.

“Nukkun lied, right? You asked Mom, right?”

“Eh? No, well…”

“Thanks. Don’t worry about me.”

She suddenly stood up. I didn’t even have the chance to peek at her expression.

The entrance door was opened. An old lady came inside.

“I’m back, Remon. We have guests?”

The white hair represented her age. However, she looks brilliant while standing straight. I can’t look away from her.

Her face has wrinkles, but it doesn’t affect her elegance. She must be gorgeous when she was young. This old lady has to be Yakishio’s grandma.

“Grandma! Welcome back!”

Yakishio dashed over and took Grandma’s shopping bag.

“My friends from school came around here. I brought them to our house after wetting my clothes.”

“Remon, did you play by the river again? Did you cause any trouble to your friends?”

“It’s fine. We just fell into the river together.”

Grandma dropped her jaw. Tsukinoki-senpai approached her.

“Sorry for the intrusion. We’re classmates with Remon-kouhai. All of us are in the Literature Club. I’m sorry for our sudden visit.”

“Hiya, welcome, welcome. It must be a long trip. Is the friend who’s fallen into the river okay?”

Grandma reached her hand out. Tsukinoki-senpai held it.

“Yeah, she’s borrowing the bathroom right now. Remon-kouhai was a great help.”

“I’m relieved to hear that. I don’t think this child just dragged you guys into the house, right?”

She glanced at her granddaughter after that. Yakishio rolled her tongue out and shrugged.

“Remon-chan, didn’t you say there’s ice cream after the bath?”

Yanami walked out of the changing room with a towel on her shoulders. Her scorching cheeks look very doughy.

She immediately freaked out and straightened her back after seeing Grandma.

“Ah, sorry for the intrusion! I’m your granddaughter’s classmate.”

“Oh, welcome. Sorry, it seems that my granddaughter is a bit impolite to you all. Remon, did you serve tea to your friends?”

“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll go make them now. Grandma, I’ll grab the ice cream as well.”

Yakishio walked to the kitchen with Grandma.

…Isn’t this weird. Even though she’s Yakishio’s grandparent, Grandma is unexpectedly reliable.

I looked at the grandparent and grandchild’s departure. At this time, Yanami quickly sat next to me.

A sweet scent is tickling my nostrils. Even though they use the same shampoo and soap, how are their scents so different?

“I’ve heard from Remon-chan in the bath. Her grandma used to be a university professor.”

In other words, Yakishio is the granddaughter of a retired university professor.

“How come she turns out like this with such a grandparent…?”

“I wonder why…”

Yakishio and Grandma brought us a plate of wheat tea and ice cream.

“Please enjoy these, everyone. We can have dinner together if you don’t mind.”

Don’t tell me eating dinner here is part of the girls’ plan too? I hesitated to accept the offer. Yakishio’s grandma clapped.

“Right, with the rare opportunity, let’s have sushi, alright? Anyone not like anything?”

“We’re causing you too much trouble- Uwah!?”

A cushion was glued to my face when I tried to reject politely.

“Eat! I can eat anything!”

Yanami used all of her strength and pushed me onto the sofa. She answered with a clear voice.

“H-Hey, Yanami-san, breathe…!”

“Can you remain quiet for a second, Nukumizu-kun?”

…Being pushed over by a girl at 15 years old. I’m planning to brag about this to someone in the future.

*

The sky goes dark really fast in the mountains. The night is already everywhere as soon as the sun goes down from the mountain top.

I sat next to the table and observed the night sky through the skylight.

Even though the moon is out today, I can still see the stars.

“Nukumizu-kun, you aren’t eating? It’ll be all gone if you don’t hurry up.”

Yanami’s cheerful voice interrupted my train of sentimental thoughts. She shoved eel sushi into her mouth. Her hand pressed against her cheeks as she shivered.

“This eel is so soft! Delicious! Ah, can I grab some sweet vinegar ginger?”

Yanami poured a mountain’s worth of sweet vinegar ginger into her plate. After that, she shoved half of that into her mouth.

“Aren’t you reducing your sugar intake? Isn’t there a lot of rice in sushi?”

“I’m just controlling my intake of snacks. Do you know why? Balancing between sugar and lipid is of the utmost importance when it comes to beauty. …By the way, Nukumizu-kun, you can’t even finish sushi in one bite?”

Why are you complaining about how other people eat sushi? I ignored her and put half a slice of egg sushi into my mouth.

"Won’t you get tired with a mouth full of stuff? That’s why people take breaks during meals.”

“Eating…tires people out…?”

Yanami’s face is full of disbelief.

Jesus, how about this? I put a bucket of sukeroku sushi in front of Yanami. [TL: It combines sushi roll and oily tofu sushi.]

“Here, look at this maki sushi. Get it? This is literally too big to finish in one bite-“

“Hmm? What’s this? Can I have it?”

With that, she shoved the entire thing in one go.

Instead of saying I dropped my jaw, it’s more like my mind left my body when I saw how she ate it. Ah, she swallowed it already.

“I guess…it feels nice to finish it in one bite. I should try it too.”

“I don’t really get it, but try your best. Ah, can I have another eel sushi?”

Yanami put another eel sushi into her mouth.

A lot of the sushi buckets around Yanami are already empty…

“You should hurry up too, Komari. The sushi is disappearing faster than I’ve thought.”

As for Komari, she just stared at the salmon roe gunkan sushi without moving.

“S-Salmon roe, …t-this is my first time eating it, …so I-I’m a bit scared…”

I see. Girls should treasure their first time, after all. I should leave her alone.

I sipped some fish Bolognese soup and observed everyone.

Yakishio’s grandma and Tsukinoki-senpai are unexpectedly close. They are having fun talking about cooking.

I can hear the term “bride training” from senpai from time to time. Is she serious about the permanent employment thing she said in the clubroom…?

Yakishio picked some relatively expensive sushi and put them onto Komari’s plate.”

“Here, Komari-chan. You should try these out.”

“S-Sea urchin and…m-mushroom?”

“This is abalone, okay? It’s so soft and tasty.”

“Ohh, …I-I’ve never tried a-any of these before.”

Komari keeps having her first-times taken away. This must be an experience during the summer, right?

I stopped after eating 6 nigiri sushi and a piece of inari sushi. I observed Yakishio as I ate chawanmushi with a spoon.

…In the end, I still couldn’t have a proper talk with Yakishio. Her grandma is here too. I can’t just bring what happened up.

Yakishio noticed my look. She put her wooden bowl of fish Bolognese soup on the table.

“What’s wrong, Nukkun? You’ve been staring at me.”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I’m just thinking about when you’ll go back.”

“I still haven’t decided yet. I’ll probably stay here until the day before the opening ceremony. Ah, I’ll still go to school on time, alright?”

Yakishio put the lid on the wooden bowl calmly and smiled.

…Whatever, I guess that calls a day. I finished the chawanmushi and closed my hands.

Yakishio can communicate properly, and she has an appetite as well. The best out of the worst is that she’s not in the same class as Ayano and Asagumo-san. I can imagine things will die down when the new term starts, right.

Actually, there’s no need for this to be solved at all as well. Reality isn’t a game or novel, after all. No one knows whether there’s a correct answer. Everyone just tries to live their days out in constant confusion.

In Yanami’s words, we only need to let Yakishio knows we care about her. At least that’s the best we can do right now.

*

It’s already completely dark outside.

The sukeroku sushi bucket in front of Yanami is already empty. Komari also bulged her eyes after her first taste of abalone. Tsukinoki-senpai is still chatting with Yakishio’s grandma.

“By the way, Yakishio-chan’s grandma, don’t you feel lonely living in the mountains alone?”

“There’s internet in the house. I don’t feel inconvenient at all. Moreover, my granddaughter brought her friends here as well.”

She reached her hand out and patted Yakishio’s head. Yakishio smiled excitedly and embarrassedly. With the opportunity, I spoke up to senpai.

“By the way, senpai, are we going to be fine going back? It’s pretty dark outside.”

“It’s fine. We’re just going back on the road. Nukumizu-kun surely loves worrying about things.”

Tsukinoki-senpai laughed cheerfully with a teacup in her hand.

I’m perturbed due to what happened during the day, but she’s the only one who can drive us back.

I made up my mind and chugged the tea. At this time, Yakishio suddenly thought of something and yelled.

“How about everyone just stays the night here!? We have a lot of rooms, anyway.”

No one answered. I spoke up.

“I really appreciate it, but none of us has spare clothes for change.”

…No, wait, I started searching my memory.

Yanami changed her clothes after falling into the river. Also, I think everyone but me has a big bag. I looked at Tsukinoki-senpai.

“…Senpai, don’t tell me you girls plan to stay here from the beginning?”

“Didn’t I say it before? Depending on the situation, we may have to stay over, and everyone should bring spare clothes just in case.”

She said that calmly, and then she froze for a moment. Then, she realized something and blinked.

“Ah, did I not tell Nukumizu-kun?”

That’s the first time I’ve heard about this. Come to think of it, this is how this person is.

“I came here with bare hands, okay? Moreover, we’ll definitely cause trouble for them if we suddenly decide to stay here, right?”

Indeed, there are too many things to prepare for a 4-people sleepover.

Yakishio’s grandma will be very bothered.

“Hiya, isn’t that great!? Grandma will be pleased if you guys can stay over!”

Yakishio’s grandma laughed and clapped.

….Come to think of it, we know about this place from Yakishio’s mother. It’s evident that Grandma knows we’re coming too. She must have considered the possibility of us spending the night here.

I sheepishly raised my hand.

“I’m sorry, …but I don’t have any spare clothes.”

“Leave it to Grandma.”

Yakishio’s grandma gave me a thumbs-up to ease my worries.

Yakishio and Yanami also followed and gave me thumbs-up. Even Tsukinoki-senpai did it too.

Komari looked around anxiously. She raised her thumb sheepishly as well.

…Even Komari is doing this.

It can’t be helped. I gave up and raised my thumb too.

*

Yakishio’s grandma brought me to a room on the second floor.

The bookshelf reaches the ceiling. It’s utterly filled with books. Most of them are about engineering, but there are some Japanese books.

“It’s a bit messy. Please spend the night in there today. My husband is always overseas. Make yourself at home.”

She said that as she handed me a stack of clean pajamas and underwear.

“I’ll give you a toothbrush later. Is there anything else you need?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you very much…”

I can’t even speak properly. Even though she’s my friend’s grandma, I’m really anxious when someone I’ve just met is being so considerate to me.

Naturally, Grandma won’t know what I’m thinking. However, she suddenly lowered her head.

“Sorry for forcing you to stay here.”

“Eh? There’s no need to apologize to a kouhai like me for something so trivial.”

“You guys came here because all of you were worried about Remon, right?”

“Yeah, …we are.”

“Even though I don’t know what happened to Remon. She’s my granddaughter, after all. There’s something that I can’t ask her. I’m glad you guys are here.”

After that, Grandma looks at me like I’m her child.

“You’re Nukumizu-kun, right? You look slightly different from what I’ve heard from Remon, but Grandma will support you. Do your best.”

“…Ah?”

Do my best for what?

“You mean she talks about me in front of you?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard all kinds of things about you before. I didn’t expect for us to meet so early.”

Wait, this is getting more and more ridiculous. Before? Yakishio talked about me?

“Uh, please wait. I’m not Yakishio-san’s boyfriend. I’ve only started talking to her recently.”

“…Really?”

I nodded.

“I guess. Grandma, the person you have heard isn’t me. …It’s because something happened between him and your granddaughter. That’s why she suddenly came here.”

Ayano’s face came to my mind as I carefully chose my words.

Yakishio’s grandma thought about it for a moment. She asked me sternly after that.

“The person Nukumizu-kun mentioned…isn’t Remon’s boyfriend?”

I shook my head silently. The room is filled with an awkward silence.

“…I understand. I feel even more sorry for you guys. Remon really makes other people worry about her.”

“Ah, it’s nothing. In a sense, we’re involved in this matter as well.”

We are involved, but not like deeply involved. However, you can’t say we are irrelevant as well. People like us can’t exist. Well, it’s pointless to say that right now, anyway.

“Well, what do you think then?”

…What do you mean? I was confused. Yakishio’s grandma gave me a meaningful gaze.

“You know, Grandma thinks Remon is an adorable child.”

“Yes, you’re right. She’s popular in school as well.”

I agree in honesty. As for Grandma, she bulged her eyes and gave me a wink like her granddaughter.

“So, you should hurry up too.”

“Eh, what does that mean?”

Grandma didn’t answer. She turned around with a smile and opened the door.

“Anyway, Grandma really welcomes your visit. You should rest.”

*

Yanami’s full clear brought dinner to an end.

Everyone must be exhausted. All of us prepared to sleep right away after doing the dishes.

Yanami’s lying on the sofa with a full stomach. I dragged her into her bedroom. The once lively living room returned to silence.

“Yanami can get full as well…?”

In a light novel, this is like a strong character showing her soft side sometimes. That’s what we call a gap moe.

Moans let out by a satisfied foodie, …does that count as moe? At least, I don’t think so.

I lay on the bed and looked at the ceiling.

I don’t have the energy to tidy up my messy brain. I just turned over and entered dreamland.

*

…I don’t know how long I’ve slept.

The clock is barely visible in the darkness. It’s already the next day.

Feeling thirsty, I walked out of the room and headed to the first floor. We can have as many beverages as we want in the fridge. Well, I shall accept the gratitude.

I was heading back after getting a bottle of mineral water, but I suddenly discovered someone sitting on the sofa in the gloomy living room.

“…Yanami-san?”

“Oh, Nukumizu-kun, are you still awake?”

Her cheerful voice remains the same. It looks like Yanami’s stomach has conquered the sushi already.

I hesitated for a moment before sitting on the sofa.

“I’m a bit thirsty. Is Yakishio in bed already?”

All of the girls should be in the same room.

“She just said she wanted to run for a bit.”

“Right now?”

I couldn’t help but stand up, but I instantly changed my mind.

I’ll just get lost because I’m not familiar with the place. I gave up and twisted the cap open.

“I can’t sleep because she said that as well.”

Yanami stretched her back.

I carefully listened to my surroundings to see if anyone was there.

“Yanami-san, did you tell Yakishio what happened before?”

“About her accidentally confessing?”

I nodded my head while Yanami shook hers.

“I see, but it’s indeed really hard to tell her.”

“Hmm, that’s part of the reason. How should I put it? I feel like I’ll say something bad if I do tell her.”

Something bad…?

“I decided to intervene because I don’t want other people to see Remon-chan as evil, but how should I say this? What I mean is that-“

Yanami looked at the gloomy and tall ceiling as she searched for the right words.

“…I can’t support either side about this.”

“You can’t support?”

Yanami looks serious.

“I understand that Asagumo-san has been very worried about this since the start of their relationship. Her own boyfriend is always closer to Remon-chan than her. He also looks completely different when he’s with her.”

Yanami kept fiddling her fingers and continued.

“But that can’t be helped, right? The boyfriend has spent a lot of time with Remon-chan and has accumulated a bunch of memories, yet the boyfriend still loves Asagumo-san. So, she should tell her boyfriend if she worries about it. Using vague tests to verify their feelings is definitely wrong!”

Yanami took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“Here’s an example. I think Karen-chan must feel insecure at times after going out, right? She must be able to see part of my shadow when she’s with Sosuke, right?”

…Her shadow. I thought about what she said.

“Eh, don’t tell me Yanami-san also stalks-“

“Why would I do that!?”

Yanami sighed dumbfoundedly.

“This is one of your bad points, Nukumizu-kun. …I’m saying examples like how Auntie reacts when they are going to Sosuke’s house and how Sosuke frequently goes to a small store that boys don’t really go to. Karen-chan must know I’m that person, right? Also, she must be worried when she sees something that’s standing out in Sosuke’s room. Karen-chan can definitely guess either I gave that to Sosuke or we went outside to buy it.”

Well, it’s not like they can’t just throw all of that away.

Yanami noticed something and frowned.

“…Hmm? Have those two gone this far already…? It’s more like they have gone well past that stage, right. Uwah, what am I even thinking in the middle of the night?”

Shit, Yanami fell into the losing heroine spiral.

“Are you okay? Do you need a sugar cube?”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she started counting quietly.

“Uh, …Yanami-san?”

Yanami suddenly clapped her kneecaps.

“Alright, it’s over! I’m already fine!”

Glad to hear that. It looks like she got over it.

“Where were we? Uh, Karen-chan won’t test Sosuke. The possibility of her dragging me into it…is probably minuscule, but she still has her own consideration. She definitely won’t behave like Asagumo-san.”

“The boyfriend has his own issues too, right?”

I interrupted her forcefully.

…Of course, that wasn’t what I honestly thought when I interrupted her.

It’s just that I don’t want Yanami to continue anymore. That unreasonable urge caused me to act.

Yanami’s lips curled down after being interrupted by me. She doesn’t seem to find this acceptable.

“You’re right, but…”

“I know Ayano isn’t a bad person, but I disagree with him getting away with making other people worry just because he’s dense. He’s clearly making Asagumo-san anxious, right?”

“But Asagumo-“

“Stop it.”

I raised my hand without hesitation. Yanami frowned in surprise.

“What’s wrong with you? Nukumizu-kun.”

“No, how should I put it? I just don’t want to see Yanami-san badmouthing others.”

What am I even saying? Even I’m disgusted by myself.

“Sorry, I just said something weird. Anyway, I should be the one to say bad things. Yanami-san, you should-“

“Alright, I got it!”

Yanami suddenly stood up.

“Well, this is what I have to say at last! Remon-chan didn’t hide her feelings properly at all! If she can treat this as an accident, then why didn’t she just confess a year prior!?”

Like you’re the one to talk. Yanami continued presenting her final argument excitedly.

“Whether it’s Asagumo-san or Ayano-kun, both need to properly communicate to ease their worries if they love each other! All three of them are bad! They must reflect on themselves!”

Yanami took a deep breath after saying that out loud.

“Alright, that’s all I have to vent. Now I’m the good child Yanami-chan!”

“Ohh, welcome back, the good child Yanami-san.”

…Her way of talking is a bit over, but Yanami’s right.

In the end, this requires proper communication between Ayano and Asagumo-san.

Also, Yakishio is being too careless for getting voluntarily swept into this incident. Ayano and Asagumo-san ignored others when they dragged Yakishio into this.

“But I’m Remon-chan’s friend. I’ll definitely tell her this if I can.”

The good child Yanami paused for a moment.

“…What would you say?”

I urged her to continue. Yanami showed an expression that I had never seen before.

“I’ll tell her, why don’t you just go out with him?”

I’m staring at Yanami’s unprecedented expression in the gloomy room. I can’t look away from her.

“Why can’t she just take him away? Asagumo-san has mentioned she doesn’t mind giving up.”

“But that-“

“-Isn’t what Remon-chan wishes for, right? Even though I can’t accept this, I still know that she’s right.”

Yanami returned to her chuckles and sat back down on the sofa.

…I chugged the bottle of mineral water at once to cover the awkwardness.

I can clearly feel how much better Yanami is than me at this moment.

Yanami has lost, but she did fall in love. She can tell everyone her opinion without fear. I’m like a child in front of her sometimes. It makes me anxious.

“…I’ll go for a walk.”

“Right now?”

“The moon is quite pretty outside. I just want to walk.”

After that, my heart gradually calms down.

…I couldn’t do anything when I chased after Yakishio. Her lonely shoulders on the bus are still a fresh memory in my mind.

Yanami glared at me silently. She calmly spoke up.

“…There’s a shrine on our way here if you walk down.”

“Why did you bring that up?”

“Remon-chan says she always goes there when there’s something on her mind.”

Yanami rubbed her sleepy eyes. I looked away to cover my embarrassment.

“…I’m not going to find Yakishio.”

“Heh, then I’ll go.”

Yanami looked at me cheerfully. She’s messing with me.

“-and then I’ll turn Remon-chan into a naughty child like me.”

“…Please spare her.”

It’s already enough with a naughty child like you. This can’t be helped. I decided to stand up.

*

The pale moonlight sprinkles along the cobblestone path that I tread.

I scratched the sleeves of my shirt. I just returned to my room and changed into the clothes I wore during the day. Even though I wouldn’t say I like wearing the same clothes twice a day, I don’t want to have a serious conversation in my pajamas.

“Is Yakishio really there…?”

There’s no light along this mountain path. I can’t even see my shoes if the shades of trees cover the moonlight.

After a while, paved roads appeared beneath my feet. I paid attention to my battery as I opened the map. The shrine seems to be ahead.

I left the path and made my way to the shrine. The scenery seems much broader.

There are a few enormous cypress trees here.

The moon is hiding behind the clouds. Heavy darkness covers the surrounding. I just stood there, not moving an inch. Then…

-Sha.

I can hear someone kicking the ground gently.

I faced toward the sound’s direction and waited for a moment. The clouds soon floated away. Moonlight is shining across the cypress forest.

Someone’s in the woods.

-Sha.

The person who kicked off the ground and dashed out was Yakishio.

Then, she quickly stopped and bundled her hair together.

Her sweat is flying off in mid-air and sparkling in the moonlight.

-Gorgeous.

That’s the only thing I can think of right now. I watched the scenery before me dazedly.

Yakishio returned to her initial position. She quickly made a pose and dashed before stopping again.

She keeps doing that repeatedly.

I don’t know how many times I’ve watched her. Yakishio’s already looking at me when I snap out of it.

I feel like someone in a picture is looking at me. It’s strange.

“Ah, Nukkun. What’s wrong? It’s so late.”

Her tone remained casual. She has always been like this. Then, she brushed her hair.

“I’ve heard Yakishio’s going for a jog, so I’m a bit worried.”

“Glad you’re here. I’m practicing my starts. Help me count my time.”

Yakishio threw me a stopwatch. I finally managed to grab it after it bounced several times in my hand.

“I’ll leave it to you. Press it when I pass that tree.”

“Oh, got it.”

The distance is only around 5 meters. Start, and then stop. Rinse and repeat.

“How long did I take?”

“Let’s see. Exactly one second.”

“That’s not what I’ve counted at all. Are you taking your job seriously?”

“Of course, it’s just that humans can’t count decimals at all.”

“That’s impossible. You should at least aim for a single decimal.”

Yakishio laughed as she wiped the sweat off her face with the bottom of her shirt. Even though I can see her tanned stomach, she doesn’t seem to mind at all.

“I’m a bit tired after all that running. Nukkun, do you want to take a break?”

“Yakishio can feel tired as well?”

“Who do you think I am? I get tired as well.”

A tired Yakishio. This is another rare sight after Yanami with a full stomach.

The shrine is in front of the cypress forest. Yakishio walked toward the main hall.

“There’s really no one here. This is the first time I’ve visited this shrine too.”

Yakishio passed through the two torii in the courtyard. She turned around and waved at me.

She feels like she’ll bring me into another world. After that, I passed through the torii as well.

Yakishio sat on a bench and knocked on an empty spot next to her. I hesitated for a moment and sat on the other end.

“Going your way out to visit me this late, do you have- …aren’t you sitting too far away!?”

“Ah, but-“

Yakishio moved closer to me.

“We couldn’t talk like that. Moreover, it hurts me when you purposefully distance yourself from me.”

Yakishio protested calmly. I gave her a genuine apology.

“Whatever, I forgive you. Well, you’re here because of what happened earlier, right?”

“I guess. I know how you feel, but everyone is worried when you just disappear without a trace.”

“Sorry, this is one of my bad habits. I always try to run away when I’m scared.”

Yakishio looked at the sky with mixed feelings.

“I’ve never thought about confessing, but I don’t know what I can do after things turn out like this.”

I understand that you want to run away. After all, that’s a terrible way to represent something you’ve decided to keep deep inside your heart forever.

“I’m thinking whether time can gradually wash this away, and things can return to normal after-“

“That’s impossible.”

Having your true feelings known by a male friend who has a partner, those two’s relationship can never return to what they were before.

Obviously, the two can’t go out alone like they used to anymore.

“I can’t stay next to Mitsuki as a friend anymore? Even though I don’t want to interrupt the two of them?”

Yakishio looked at me with her crystal-clear eyes. I suppressed my desire to comfort her and shook my head gently.

“Yakishio has seen Ayano privately, right? I saw you two coincidentally before.”

“Y-You saw us!? W-Well! T-That’s-“

Yakishio immediately stood up and freaked out. I raised my hands to signal her to calm down. This is my usual gesture toward Kaju when she’s too excited.

“It’s fine. I know. He just wanted to discuss things with you. That’s all, right?”

“…You even know that as well?”

Yakishio collapsed onto the bench.

“Ahaha, …you know everything. That’s a bit embarrassing.”

Yakishio scratched her cheeks to cover her embarrassment.

“Ah, don’t tell me Yana-chan knows too?”

“Hmm, I guess. Also, Komari probably noticed it very early on. Tsukinoki-senpai knows about this too.”

“Uwah, even Komari-chan knows too.”

“Also, there’s no way things can stay the same when Ayano knows your feelings.”

“You’re right, …and I understand as well.”

Yakishio’s head plopped down. After a while, she carefully chose her words and slowly squeezed a sentence out.

“Mitsuki. …He doesn’t know how much distance he should keep from Asagumo-san.”

Yakishio picked up a pebble next to her feet and threw it out.

The pebble seemed to be absorbed by the darkness. I couldn’t even hear the sound of it falling to the ground.

“Look, this is his first time having a girlfriend, right? For example, …how much should he answer Asagumo-san’s request? How should they deepen their relationship? He’s having trouble over these things.”

“No, hear me out. Forget about him discussing relationships with you, asking a girl how to make a couple closer is a big no-no. Moreover, you actually don’t want him to ask you about that, right?”

Yakishio waved her hands dumbfoundedly.

“Listen, I’m not a child anymore. I know they’re going out. I’m a high school student, you know?”

…Yakishio seems to have accepted that very early on.

Although Ayano and Asagumo-san’s progress is minuscule compared to Hakamada and his wife Himemiya (scheduled), they are a high school couple. I bet their relationship will deepen at their own pace.

“Trivial things like holding hands are bound to happen. Not to mention they will-“

“Eh? They have already kissed, right?”

“Kiss!?”

Yakishio quickly reacted.

I don’t know how I should say this. Anyway, Yakishio is trembling and shivering.

“T-They have…already…kissed…?”

Oops. She didn’t know that. Ayano actually does care about Yakishio’s feelings but in weird places.

“Ah, that can’t be helped, right? They are dating, after all.”

“But this is too fast, right?”

“You think I can judge whether that’s fast or slow?”

“…Nope.”

Glad you can understand. Perhaps everyone has forgotten already, but I’m Nukumizu, you know?

“I guess. …They are going out, after all.”

Yakishio hugged her legs and buried her face into them.

“I know, but, but-“

“Yakishio, I feel like the same thing will happen again if you two keep trying to be friends like you’ve used to.”

“…Yes.”

“I don’t mean to say that you two can’t be friends anymore. However, even if your relationship with Ayano remains unchanged, the situation between Ayano and Asagumo-san will.”

“…Yeah, I understand. That’s why I want to listen to Ayano’s trouble as a friend. I wasn’t thinking about anything else. I just tried to convey my kindness to him as suggestions. I thought I had accepted the reality as well, okay? I thought I could do it. But-“

Yakishio’s body straightened up and mumbled.

“…I want him to think I’m cute.”

Cute…? Well, we’re talking about a girl seeing her beloved boy, after all.

“What’s wrong with such a trivial thing like that?”

She shook her head after listening to me.

“Aren’t my hair and clothes always soaked with sweat after my club? Even though I used to go home without a care, I started worrying about whether I smelled when I had to meet with Mitsuki. Yet, I didn’t want him to think I spent extra time preparing myself. So, I went back home, changed my clothes, and went back to school to pretend that I had just finished my club. I even prepared another set of uniforms in the clubroom to avoid getting home late.”

Yakishio closed her eyes and smiled cheerfully. She must have remembered how blessed she was when they were alone.

“At first, I really just wanted to listen to his trouble. However, I felt really excited after seeing each other. …I thought about how good it would be if this could continue forever. Then…”

Yakishio’s lips trembled slightly. She then clenched her fists.

“-Then, one time, and it really happened once only, a bad idea appeared in my mind.”

“A bad idea…?”

“If only they could break up. Such a terrible thought…came to my mind.”

Yakishio started choking before she could finish her sentence.

I dropped my jaw. Yanami’s words flashed in my head.

“Why can’t she just take him away-“

Yanami looked like she was an entirely different person when she said that.

I held my breath and observed Yakishio. She bit her lips and tried her best to hold back her tears.

“Mitsuki b-believed…me, yet I…”

Yakishio wrapped her arms around her shivering body.

“I…I’m nothing but a bad girl.”

A massive drop of tear dripped from Yakishio’s eyes. Then, the dam collapsed, and everything came watering down.

Perhaps she was at her limit. She cried to her heart’s fullest.

“I-I’m…sorry. …I’m r-really sorry.”

Yakishio wept like a child. As for me, I sat next to her silently.

The only thing I can do is stay with her.

-Perhaps Yakishio may forget about what happened tonight.

Yet, I made up my mind. I absolutely can’t forget her tears today.