Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 3 - Chapter 2.2

I opened the door to the club room. Komari is the only one inside. She’s writing something in her notebook.

She immediately closed her notebook upon noticing my arrival.

“T-Too late. What were you doing?”

“Reporting our progress to Konuki-sensei and discussing the plans for my class. Komari, are you sure you’re fine with your class?”

I sat before Komari. She raised her head and glared at me.

“I-I told you. The class d-didn’t tell me a-anything.”

“O-Oh, …I see. So, how about we check out the desserts right now?”

I’ve already investigated Yanami’s schedule today beforehand. However, I still locked the door, just in case. After that, I took out a bag.

I brought the final complete version of the desserts that Kaju had been experimenting with last weekend.

There are 4 types of desserts to match the number of showcases.

The first one has to do with Natsume Soseki’s anecdotes.

“First, Natsume Soseki likes peanuts dipped in sugar, right? We tried adding cocoa when we were making it this time and kind of modernized the style. You should try how it tastes.”

I handed her the bag. Komari carefully took some and put them into her mouth.

“T-This is good. D-Did Nukumizu make t-this?”

“Oh, no, my little sister made it along with the rest of the desserts too.”

“T-Then what did you do…?”

“I did the dishes and rubbed her shoulder. Ah, I made the packaging as well.”

Komari seems to have accepted my excuse. I took out the next dessert.

The second one has to do with Dazai’s novel, <Cherries>.

“The next one is <Cherries>. So, we made cherry cream cake. This is the most recommended one from the taste.”

“M-Marble pattern…? T-That’s beautiful.”

“Decorating with canned black cherry and adding colors with syrup. My little sister made it.”

“...H-How about you just switch your soul with your little sister?”

In that case, will I turn into a middle school girl? I feel like that’s a nice timeline too.

I handed the remaining desserts to Komari as I thought about the fantasy story.

“The rest has to do with picture books. The first one is <Swimmy>.”

“F-Fish-shaped cookies?”

<Swimmy> is a picture book about a small fish with a different color than the rest. That’s why there’s one single chocolate cookie inside the bag. This is a way to recreate the story while saving up ingredient costs.

“I-It smells pretty good. D-Did you put anything in it?”

“Uh, well, I don’t know why either. I just saw my little sister shaking a small bottle.”

“Y-You really didn’t do anything…”

That’s impolite. I helped Kaju to collect the washed and dried clothes, you know?

The last one is <Guri and Gura>. The protagonists in this picture book are two voles.

I remember them finding eggs in the forest and making a cake with a pan. That scene left a deep impression on children.

“Even though it’s just ordinary cupcakes, I’ve found some pan-shaped paper cups. Also, you can put the handle part on it after baking.”

“Oh, it looks just the same as the picture book…”

Komari’s eyes are sparkling. She grabbed a cupcake.

“Y-Your little sister i-is amazing.”

“I was the one who found this cup, you know? Can you at least praise me a little?”

I thought she would use her venomous tongue again. However, this time, Komari showed a delighted smile.

“N-Nice work, N-Nukumizu.”

“O-Oh, I’m the older brother, after all. This is only natural once I’m serious.”

What’s wrong with Komari? She has never really praised me before. I couldn’t react for a moment…

I still couldn’t snap out of my confusion and uneasiness. Then, Komari started putting the cupcakes into her bag.

“You aren’t trying them out?”

“I-I have kids i-in my house. I want to bring these to them.”

Right, Komari has a little brother and sister.

“Well, how about you bring all of it back?”

“Eh? J-Just two are enough.”

“It’ll be three, including Komari, right?”

I forcefully put the dessert in Komari’s hand.

Yanami will finish them off if we leave them in the club room, anyway. In a sense, I’m helping her to lose weight.

“Well, that’s all of the desserts. We’ll start making them for real tonight and bring them a day before Tsuwabuki Fest.”

“W-Well, there are also photos for the recipes and dishes.”

“Got it. I’ll do all of that.”

Good. That’s everything. Things surely go well when Yanami isn’t here…

“I still have something to do in the activity room. What about you, Komari?”

“I-I’m returning books to the library. T-That’s because I-I’ve researched what I need.”

She’s talking about the books she’ll be referencing in the exhibition, right? I saw the thick pile of books on the table.

Komari shoved all of that into her big canvas bag and tried standing up. However, she wobbled and fell back onto the chair.

“Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine. I-It’s just a bit heavy.”

She tried standing out again, yet her feet couldn’t find the balance.

“How did you bring so many books here?”

“I-It’s cheaper to print in school, so I’ve been taking little by little into the club room. I-I have to r-return them today.”

It can’t be helped. I left my seat and took a bag from Komari.

“I’ll take half of it. Which library are we going to?”

“C-Central Library. I-It’s in the same direction as my house, so…”

Komari looked at me anxiously in the middle.

“Eh…? I-Is Nukumizu going too?”

“Komari goes to school by bicycle, right? You’ll definitely trip over alone.”

I grabbed the bag and tried to leave the room, yet Komari fiddled around. She seemed like she wanted to say something.

“I can go ahead first if you mind.”

“T-That’s not it. Y-You don’t have a bicycle, right?”

…Right, I think that’s true. Walking to the library will be exhausting.

“Sorry, Komari. It seems that the load on me is too heavy.”

I tried giving the bag back to her. Komari then looked at me like I was a piece of garbage.

“D-Don’t break a promise. Alright.”

Indeed, those are the eyes I’m talking about. The usual Komari has finally returned. However, what should I do about the bicycle…?

Eventually, a person came to mind.

*

Ayano headed out from 1D’s classroom and handed me a bicycle key.

“Don’t worry about it. Just use it as you like. It’s fine even if you return it late.”

As usual, he’s carrying his charming smile. Even a guy like me is intoxicated by it.

“Thanks, I’ll be right back.”

“You can ride it home if you don’t need to return to school, okay?”

“How will Ayano go back then?”

Ayano looked at me with a meaningful expression. I’m confused.

“I go to school by bicycle, while Chihaya goes by tram. Do you remember? I want to go home with her on a tram sometimes.”

…He grabbed the opportunity to show off again. Whatever, let’s just think of it as rent for borrowing his bicycle. I should just listen to him for now.

“We planned to ride on the same bicycle last time, but it didn’t work. Chihaya isn’t willing to budge an inch, either. Ultimately, I gave up. ‘Let’s just take the tram back home next time.’ She said.”

Alright, I think I paid enough of my rent already. I raised the key and interrupted him.

“Sorry, you’re a great help. Well, can I send the bicycle to your house later?”

“Just put it in the bicycle parking lot at the prep school in front of the station. I have a spare key.”

I thanked him once again and headed to the bicycle parking lot.

After I arrived, I saw Komari wearing a white helmet. She’s standing there dazedly with sleepy eyes.

“Sorry for the wait. I got a bicycle now.”

“S-So late. Let’s go.”

Komari got on her bicycle impatiently.

Hmm, …by the way, isn’t this-

“Hold on, Komari.”

“W-What’s wrong, Nukumizu?”

Come to think of it, isn’t this an important event with a girl after school? The latter part will lead toward the climax if we’re in a light novel.

Right now, this is my first time going with a girl after school. Is it okay to just skip it after a brief description…?

“...Sorry, Komari. This must be your first time, right? But I feel like we match each other quite well.”

“W-Why did you suddenly say something s-so lewd…?”

Komari looks visibly disgusted. She stepped on the paddle.

“Go away, N-Nukumizu. S-So lewd.”

“The lewd part is unnecessary, alright…?”

I think saying I’m “lewd” hurts more than “disgusting”.

I thought about that as I followed Komari on my bicycle.

*

Toyohashi City Central Library is the largest library in town.

Even though a more modern one was built in front of the station recently, this is where I’ve been going since I was little. That’s why I love this antique building more.

Komari went over to the desk after returning the books. She went into the children's reading room next door.

“Didn’t you just return your books? Are you borrowing again?”

“I-I need picture books f-for the exhibition drafts. T-The kids in my house w-want them too.”

Komari squatted down before the bookshelf filled with picture books.

Komari’s eyes squinted as she stared at the picture book titles. Her side profile seems a bit tired.

I don’t think I’m just imagining things.

“How’s the exhibition draft going?”

“A-Almost done.”

With that, Komari’s back recoiled in embarrassment.

The plan for this exhibition is for Komari to write drafts and hand copy them onto a 1-meter-long molded paper.

Tsuwabuki Fest is on this Saturday. Even though all classes are canceled on Friday to give students more time to prepare, the Literature Club has 4 exhibitions. I want to start preparing earlier if possible.

“At least let me help you out.”

I took a picture book. Komari looked at me dumbfoundedly.

“Y-You still haven’t finished your club magazine draft, right? G-Go write that.”

“...Yeah, I will.”

A member who doesn’t follow club magazine deadlines doesn’t have human rights.

I stopped talking. Instead, I peeked at Komari’s opened picture book.

The story is about monsters appearing before kids who stay up the night.

“That book was nostalgic. What’s the ending again?”

“G-Getting kidnapped by the m-monsters.”

What a simple, violent, and lousy ending.

Komari put several picture books under her arms. She stood up with a satisfied expression.

“You borrowed a lot of other stuff too.”

“T-The brats in my house can’t sleep if I don’t read p-picture books to them.”

Komari stopped when she walked to the desk.

“What? Did you forget…”

“Q-Quick. Get down.”

Komari suddenly pulled my uniform downward.

“Hey, what’s wrong? That’s sudden.”

“T-The senpais are here.”

“Senpai?”

I hid behind the bookshelf and observed in secret. Prez Tamaki and Tsukinoki-senpai are going down the stairs in front of the desk.

“We don’t actually need to hide-”

I swallowed my words before I could finish speaking.

Those two are holding hands cheerfully. They look even more like a mature couple than in school.

Komari’s body and shoulders curled. She hugged the picture books on her chest tightly.

…One is the person who rejected her, while the other is a close senpai. The two of them are walking shoulder to shoulder peacefully.

Appearing before them- is perhaps very brutal for Komari right now.

Those two will never reject Komari.

It’s more like they will be happier if we walk out to them.

That’s why Komari really doesn’t want them to see how she looks when she’s with me.

…The two have disappeared. Yet, Komari remained frozen in the bookshelf’s gloomy corner.

I’m starting to get tired from bending down constantly. I tried to find something appropriate to say.

“Well, …maybe the senpais were just studying in the study room on 3/F. Yeah, they are about to take the exam, after all.”

I don’t even know what I’m talking about.

However, after that, Komari finally raised her body slowly.

“L-Let’s go borrow the books.”

Her petite body put the books on the borrowing desk.

The librarian spoke to her. She hastily flailed her hands around to try and explain the situation. I can tell she’s working very hard, which is way different from what she was in the past. However, I feel worried instead of happy about her.

Komari came back after signing the papers. As usual, she lowered her head and mumbled.

“W-Well, I-I’ll go back and finish the exhibition d-draft.”

“Hey, …Komari, can you wait for a moment?”

Komari was about to make her departure. I reflexively called her.

…Why did I stop Komari?

“Eh? W-What’s wrong?”

Komari turned around confusedly. I decided to press on.

“There’s a family restaurant next to the highway ahead. Should we go check it out?”

Komari gave me a surprised look.

“B-But I don’t have any money…”

“Well, I’ll pay for you.”

“W-Why?”

…Yeah.

It’ll be awkward when someone suddenly says he’s treating you, unless you’re Yanami.

“Right, I want to try out the desserts there, but people will give me weird stares if I go alone, right?”

“Y-You literally don’t care about these things, right?”

Yep, you’re right. This excuse won’t work on people who understand me even slightly.

“Anyway, please go with me! I’ll accept any request you have.”

“Eh, well, …i-it’s not like I mind that much.”

Komari finally nodded under my pressure. I’m relieved to see that.

Why am I inviting Komari? It’s whatever.

I just don’t want to see Komari going back alone. That’s enough of a reason.

*

I’m a regular at this family restaurant. There aren’t many Tsuwabuki students here.

I took a sip of hot cocoa and looked at Komari sitting before me.

With a puzzled look, Komari held the cup of hot strawberry milk.

…This is the same seat where Yanami and I met for the first time.

“Here’s your soft pudding. Thanks for waiting!”

The waitress is as energetic as usual. She put the pudding in front of Komari.

“I-I’ll be fine with drinks.”

Good grief, Komari doesn’t understand.

“Listen. You get a discount for drinks when you order snacks. In other words, you earn more when you order snacks. …Isn’t that great?”

“W-Why do you suddenly sound like Y-Yanami now?”

Oh, did I sound like Yanami? I see. …Shit.

Komari leaned forward a bit and stared at the pudding’s surface. She carefully put a spoon in it.

“N-Nukumizu, y-you’re being considerate to me, right?”

“Well, a little. We were in that situation, after all.”

“D-Don’t worry about me. T-Those two are going out. It’s normal for them to hold hands.”

Komari frowned and glared at me.

“A-Aren’t those two always together in s-school as well?”

“But it’s different outside of school, right?”

I continued blowing the slightly cooled cocoa.

“We are still in the same space in school, no matter what. However, what happens outside is unknown to us. That’s a world where only the two of them exist.”

…I’m probably talking too much.

I stared at the cup to avoid this awkward atmosphere.

As for Komari, she continued scooping the pudding silently with her spoon.

“This is your extra large french fries. Thanks for waiting!”

The waitress’s cheerful voice resonated again.

“D-Didn’t you say you’re here for the desserts?”

“According to Yanami-san’s Dessert Nine-Square Division, hamburger counts as desserts. If that’s the case, it’s completely okay to treat french fries as desserts, too, right?”

After that, I kept recommending the fries to her. Komari hesitated for a while before picking up a short one with the tip of her fingers.

“D-Don’t misunderstand. I-I wasn’t hiding in the library b-because the two of us w-were together.”

Komari pondered for a long moment, but she finally put the fries into her plate.

“I was there during the f-first term too, so…”

She lowered her head and whispered. It’s almost like she’s talking to herself.

“When I realized I couldn’t go back anymore, …I felt very lonely.”

Perhaps Komari was the one that felt she was saying too much this time. She tried to cover up the awkwardness by chugging the strawberry milk. She ended up burning her tongue and mumbled, “Hot.”

…Komari’s confession was rejected by Prez before the summer holiday.

There’s nothing to say at this point. I know Komari has already accepted the conclusion as well.

In the end, Komari, Prez, and his current girlfriend, Tsukinoki-senpai, remain on good terms.

Nothing’s wrong. Komari’s first love came to a peaceful end. Everything is perfect.

Too perfect.

“...I-I joined the club in April. I-I get along very well with the two of them.”

Komari put down her cup quietly.

“I-I don’t have friends in class. They cared about me a lot. T-That was my first time feeling so happy in school.”

The pudding’s form collapsed. Komari smiled self-mockingly.

“I-I’m back to where I started again…”

The silence lasted for a long time.

I finished my cup and spoke up calmly.

“I think Tsukinoki-senpai will be willing to hang out with you during study breaks.”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Prez isn’t avoiding you as well.”

“I understand, but-”

Komari lowered her head. Her bangs covered her eyes.

“I-I wonder the three of us c-could’ve spent more time together i-if I had never confessed.”

I didn’t say anything. The silence continued.

Komari spoke up again just before the awkwardness was about to take away the final space we had left.

“T-The senpais are leaving after T-Tsuwabuki Fest. I-I’ll be all alone. So, I have to hold myself together and stay strong.”

…I’ll still be there for you. However, the intimacy required for saying that is something we don’t share. I don’t have the confidence either.

“Feel free to talk to me if there’s anything I can do.”

The only thing I could do was saying unremarkable lines like that.

Komari shook her head.

“I-I can handle the p-presidents’ meeting and activity report by myself”

Then, as if she was trying to say that to herself, Komari added quietly.

“And it has to be done by myself too.”

…Students from other schools laughed as they passed through us.

The customers are slowly leaving the restaurant. Komari took the opportunity and stood up.

“W-Well, it’s time for me to go back.”

“I see. Well, I should head back too.”

We left the restaurant after paying. It’s already dark outside.

It’s getting windy.

“T-Thanks for treating me.”

“Me too. Thanks for coming with me.”

We just exchanged gratitude.

There seems to be a needle in my heart. I turned around and took out my phone.

I checked Kaju’s message and sighed.

I was the same with Yanami and Yakishio. Even though I was there, I was just a spectator.

I just said unnecessary things, as usual.

I just couldn’t do anything, as usual.

I thought about that as I answered her text.

-Bam.

Someone’s body seemed to have hit my back.

“...Komari?”

“S-Sorry. I-I didn’t have enough sleep and tripped over.”

Komari pushed my back and got on her bicycle.

“Hey, are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine. T-This is pretty close to my house.”

She buried her head deep inside her helmet. The girl wobbled as she stepped on the paddle.

I watched Komari as I remembered what she had just said.

She tripped over because of sleep deprivation. Komari indeed said that. However, at that time-

Her weight-

-felt the same as Kaju's when she was depressed.

*

Two days later. Wednesday.

Tsuwabuki Fest is right around the corner on Saturday. However, we’re making good progress with our prep work.

Of course, that includes me as well. I continue working silently in the corner of the classroom.

“Well, that’s all of the pumpkins. Let’s do the bats next.”

Pumpkin-shaped gadgets are piling on my table. With this window, I started looking around the classroom.

The back of the room is split between changing rooms for boys and girls with stage curtains.

The normies, who are headed by Yanami are trying out clothes.

Then, the large props group is working before the blackboard.

They are making the stage background for the Street Halloween play. It seems to be a banner.

Adding images and decorations to a long enough banner and opening it when necessary makes it a portable stage anywhere. As for the bats I’m making right now, I guess they will also be used for decorating the curtain, right?

Even though the Literature Club’s preparation work is falling behind, we’re making steady progress. The club magazine only needs Tsukinoki-senpai’s part.

…I remembered how helpless Komari looked when we were returning home from the library.

She must be all alone in the club room today, too, right?

My heart is full of restlessness. I clenched the knife in my hand. During this time, cheers can be heard from behind.

I stopped working and turned around. Karen Himemiya appeared before the spotlight.

She’s wearing a one-piece short skirt. It looks like she’s dressing up as a demon girl.

…By the way, Himemiya-san is really amazing.

Aside from her ridiculous bust size, there’s a heart-shaped hole on the tightest part. Another huge heart can be found at the tip of her tail-

She’s more of a succubus than a demon girl, right…? Is this really alright…?

I thought about indecent things. The next one to show up is Sosuke Hakamada.

Tuxedo, black cape. It’s a standard vampire cosplay.

Hakamada’s appearance is excellent as well. They are like an art piece when he’s standing together with Himemiya-san.

“Even though I feel sorry about Yanami when I say this, those two match each other very well…”

I mumbled to myself subconsciously. A white shadow slid into my view.

“Hmm? Are you calling for me?”

Anna Yanami appeared with a shaking voice.

She’s wearing a white kimono. She raised her sleeve and spun around in a circle once before me.

“Hey, how do I look? Isn’t this nice?”

“Uh, well, are you dressing up as…”

A white kimono and a triangular paper on her forehead, in other words, this is-

“...Are you dressing up as a corpse?”

“It’s a ghost! Nukumizu-kun, what are you talking about!? Have you seen such a healthy corpse?”

Have you seen such a healthy ghost, then?

“Fine, fine, fine. I know that already. …Why are you cosplaying as a ghost?”

“Think about it. Don’t Japanese ghosts give people a withered yet elegant impression? I suddenly had this idea since winter was coming.”

A withered, beautiful, and healthy ghost. …Whatever, as long as she’s happy.

Moe is a constantly updating concept in this world too. I hope Yanami can work harder on this.

Uh, for some reason, Yanami’s giving me a confused look.

“Eh, …what’s wrong?”

“Something feels wrong whenever I talk to Nukumizu-kun in the classroom today. Where did those nasty words of yours go? You’ve been stabbing my heart with a carving knife, alright?”

“Eh, that’s how people feel about me?”

“Well, yes.”

“Eh, really…?”

“Yep, really…”

Yanami shrugged with a helpless look.

“Nukumizu-kun feels a bit unusual today.”

I think I’ve been unusual ever since Yanami dragged me into her shenanigans.

“Well, whatever. Right, Nukumizu-kun, you’re in the small gadgets group, right? I have a little favor to ask you.”

Yanami took a small pumpkin-shaped item from the table and put it on her shoulder.

“With the rare opportunity of dressing up as a ghost, I want to feel more like one. Can you make something like that?”

“Sure, but how large do you want it to be?”

“Hmm, about a right-sized dessert.”

A right-sized dessert for this girl, …I guess I need to make it volleyball-sized.

“Oh, yeah, got it. I’ll make one.”

“Hey, Yanami, the rehearsal’s about to start.”

A guy spoke to us as if he wanted to interrupt our conversation.

If I remember correctly, this guy in a Shinsengumi costume should be Nishikawa.

“Alright, I’ll go now. Well, bye-bye, Nukumizu-kun. Thanks for the help.”

Yanami waved and left.

For some reason, Nishikawa glared at me before leaving.

…What? Do you want to be a ghost too? No way that’s true.

Even though Yanami doesn’t feel reliable, she’s still very popular. Well, it must be that, right?

Honestly, Yanami is very adorable. I wonder how guys who have a crush on her feel…

I started cutting the bats restlessly. Then, another shadow loomed on my hands.

“Nukkun, how do I look? Am I scary?”

Sigh, it’s Yakishio this time, right? I raised my head. The first thing I saw was her cute belly button.

Yakishio is wrapped in bandages. She raised her hands and made an intimidating pose.

“Yakishio, you should cover up your stomach in front of everyone, right?”

“It’s because I want to dress up as a mummy. Look. Isn’t this tied pretty nicely?”

Even so, her exposure is still too high. There are just bandages around her chest and waist. It’s literally like a swimsuit.

Her body curves are very apparent, too- wait, don’t tell me.

“Yakishio, are you not wearing anything below…?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong with it? It’s covered, anyway-”

The girls in class already surrounded Yakishio immediately before she even finished talking.

“...Remon, come here.” “Alright, out-” “Hey, don’t look over here, boys.”

“Eh? What’s wrong with everyone? W-Wait.”

Yakishio disappeared into the changing room under the girls’ barricade.

…Hmm, even though it’s Halloween, calling that a trick is a bit too much.

Just as I’m reminiscing what I’ve seen, a vampire flips his cape and sits in front of me.

“Nukumizu, did you see? I didn’t see anything because the girls blocked me.”

Sosuke Hakamada lowered his voice on purpose.

“Well, she was in front of me. So, basically-”

“Really? How was it?”

So straightforward. Nice as usual, Hakamada.

“Honestly- my eyes have been blessed.”

“Really!? I was late-”

Hakamada wrapped his hands around his head regretfully. Two figures approached him from behind.

“So! Suke!”

The 12K group, Yanami, and Himemiya-san appeared.

“Anna, this guy needs a proper lecture.”

“Right. Karen-chan, grab him by that side for me.”

The two girls grabbed Hakamada’s arms and dragged him away without hesitation.

“Wait, I actually didn’t see anything!”

The vampire was brought away by a ghost and succubus.

Indeed, only the MCs get extravagant screen time. A background board like me should just continue cutting the bats.

Hmm? I feel like Yanami is staring at me.

“You too, Nukumizu-kun. We need to talk later.”

…Why me-

I stared at the round eyes of the bat in my hand and sighed deeply.