Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 5 - Chapter 2.2

The Reikozuka. This shrine is deep inside the encirclement of over a thousand fox statues. These stone statues were dedicated by people who had their wishes granted.

This is a breathtaking view. Yanami and I dropped our jaws as we stood next to each other.

“Uwah, there are so many. Let’s split up and count them. You start from the left, Nukumizu-kun.”

“Eh, we don’t need to count them, right?”

“Ah! That fox looks a lot like Nukumizu-kun, right? Look, the 25th one from there.”

“I won’t count them even if you say that.”

Sheesh, how naive of you to think your words will have an effect on me. You’re wrong. All of them are fox statues. It’s hard to even think about which one to start counting from.

That fox over there, does it look like me? The one next to it looks so slim and cool as well.

I asked Yanami quietly.

“...So, which one do we start counting for the 25th one?”

*

I collapsed onto the bench in the manju shop after returning to the shopping street.

I had to stop Yanami from naming the fox statues and keep an eye on her as she fed the koi. It was exhausting.

“Nukumizu-kun, I won’t eat koi feed no matter what, okay?”

Yanami handed me a package saying “Pearl Manju” before sitting beside me.

This girl bought me another thing without asking me again…

“Then why did you look up ‘koi feed’ and ‘is it fine to eat them’ on your phone?”

“It looks pretty tasty when the koi are eating them. That’s why I wonder how they taste. Nukumizu-kun is curious too, right?”

I’m not. Don’t ask for my opinion either.

“Also, are you still going to eat, Yanami-san? Didn’t you already eat a lot before we visited the temple?”

“We were walking and eating. Now we’re sitting. It’s different.”

Well, indeed, a manju is nothing to Yanami. She was showcasing what “walking and eating” actually meant just then. Even the foreign visitors wanted to give her a round of applause.

I looked outside dazedly. The store entrance is right by the street. Many visitors are coming and going.

I searched for Kaju in the crowd before gradually giving it. My eyes are just following people’s direction.

…What was I even thinking?

I went all this way just because of such an uncertain piece of news. There’s no way to find Kaju this way, even if she’s here.

“...Yeah, Kaju isn’t here.”

I spoke up calmly.

“Yeah, Imouto-chan isn’t here.”

Yanami said it, too, as if it was to confirm my words.

Finally noticing her tone, I realized Yanami came here just for my sake today.

It’s not easy to accept something and let it slowly sink into your heart.

Not only does your mind have to understand it, but your heart also needs time to digest it slowly. It takes time.

So, Yanami isn’t just worried about me. She went out of her way to come here to accompany me as my senpai, right?

Yanami swallowed the manju and spoke up calmly.

“It takes a long time to get used to the feeling that you’re no longer the most important person in that someone’s heart.”

Yanami’s smile has a tinge of confusion and loneliness.

“Is this life…?”

“Yep, the most important person in that someone’s heart has changed, but the most important person to you can’t change right away.”

I’m being a bit narcissistic, but I always think I’m the person who matters the most to Kaju.

One day, Kaju will have another most important person to her.

I thought I would understand, but I wasn’t prepared to accept that day is right now.

The same goes for Yanami. She must have felt the same way after Hakamada and Himemiya-san started going out-

No, hold on. Come to think of it, was Yanami really his most important person…? Maybe not, …but I guess the result is the same, right…?

Just as I’m thinking about these things-

“-Hey, you’re not eating that?”

Yanami looked at my manju. She returned to her usual cheerful tone and asked me.

“I just ate senbei. I don’t have the appetite.”

Yanami looked at me in disbelief.

“The senbei is pretty thin. It doesn’t count as food, right? Seaweed has low calories as well. From my perspective, it’s pretty much zero.”

Is this Yanami Theory really correct? I think something’s wrong.

I handed the manju to Yanami silently. She smiled and took it.

“You’re too slim, Nukumizu-kun. You should eat more. Speaking of which, what is your weight?

Weight? I don’t think I’ve paid attention to it.

“I think…it was 52 kg the last time I measured it.”

“Eh.”

Yanami dropped an “eh”.

She stopped unwrapping the package and sat there silently.

What? Did I say something weird…?”

“What’s wrong, Yanami-san? Is there any issue with my weight-”

“It’s nothing! Show me the photo you just took! Now!”

Ehh, …why is she suddenly angry?

The photo I just took, she meant the one with the pharmacy billboard sign, right?

I took out my phone and opened the album. No photos were taken after that, so I just needed to send her the latest picture-

“...Huh?”

For some reason, there’s an unfamiliar photo in the album.

“Hmm? What’s wrong, Nukumizu-kun?”

Yanami got close and looked at my phone. She tilted her head unbelievably.

“...Nukumizu-kun, when did you take this photo?”

I don’t blame Yanami’s disbelief.

There’s a photo of Yanami and me walking on the street with senbei in our hands. Some other ones show we’re eating burgers, me feeding the fish cake to Yanami- and even one for her feeding the koi.

“I’m in the photo. I didn’t take it.”

“Then why are these photos in Nukumizu-kun’s photo?”

I know who it is- or I should say, only one person could’ve pulled this off.

A person shares the apps and folders on my phone while knowing I’m coming here.

Another photo is uploaded when we’re looking at the screen.

“Huh!?”

I hastily stood up. The photo shows a boy and a girl sitting on a bench inside a store.

-It was Yanami and me a moment ago.

*

It’s the evening. I sank my shoulders into the bathtub in my house and sighed.

“Today is exhausting…”

I watched the water drops dripping from the ceiling as I remembered what had happened during the day.

-Yanami and I immediately ran out of the store after receiving the sneak shots, but Kaju was nowhere to be found.

Kaju must have been there. In other words, the <Going to Toyokawa Inari with Tachibana-kun ♡> on the calendar isn’t my hallucination.

“Well, I guess it’s a draw, right?”

Ultimately, I didn’t even know whether that counted as a date.

We’re covering each of our expenses if it’s a draw. I guess it makes sense-

…………

…Hmm? Does it? I did what Yanami said, but don’t tell me she tricked me…?

I’m starting to suspect things. Then, a black shadow suddenly appeared on the glass of the door.

“-Kaju?”

I subconsciously stood up from the tub.

“Onii-sama, how’s the temperature?”

Kaju’s familiar and bright voice resonated.

I sank my body into the tub again.

“Ahh, it’s just right. Uh, what’s wrong?”

“The shampoo ran out, so I took a new bottle. Excuse me.”

Creak…

The door squeaked and opened slowly.

Kaju reached her petite hand inside and put the shampoo bottle on the bathroom floor.

Her hand quickly retracted, but the door remained slightly open.

“Thank you, Kaju. I’m finishing up. You can go back now.”

No answer.

Kaju is standing still on the other side of the frosted glass.

The silence is unbearable. I was about to speak up, but Kaju asked me in her usual tone.

“Where did you go during the day?”

Eh? Why did she ask that? Isn’t Kaju the one who took the photos?

No matter what, there’s no way Kaju isn’t involved, right…?

I hesitated before speaking up.

“Uh, I went out with my friend. Why did you ask?”

“It’s because the lunch in the fridge is untouched. I thought something happened to you.”

…I completely forgot about that.

For some reason, Yanami kept shoving me all kinds of food on our way home. That’s why I’m not hungry at all…

“I just ate outside. What about you, Kaju? Where did you go?”

I asked casually. After a moment of silence, Kaju answered with the same casual tone.

“-I studied with my friends.”

I’m the one who falls silent this time.

Shake. Kaju’s long hair swayed on the other side of the frosted glass.

“Dinner is onii-sama’s favorite inari sushi. You look exhausted, so I made them sweeter.”

Creak…

The door squeaked before closing.

“Take your time, onii-sama.”

Intermission: Everyone in the Student Council

After school, student council room.

Vice president Teiara Basori slammed open the door.

“Listen to me, Prez!”

Teiara dashed straight toward Prez’s seat and slammed her hands on the table.

The student council president of Tsuwabuki High School, Hibari Hokobaru, raised her head from the table. She tilted her neck in a calm demeanor.

“What’s wrong? You look so freaked out.”

Teiara approached Prez. Her face is as red as a tomato.

“Shikiya-senpai untied my bra again! In front of a guy as well!”

Hokobaru gave a wry smile as she closed the reference book.

This is her third time hearing such a complaint this year.

A shadow suddenly appeared behind Teiara just as she was about to say something.

It’s the secretary of the student council, Yumeko Shikiya. She wrapped her arms around Teiara and leaned on her softly.

“Bad sizes, …not good…”

“T-The size is fine! It will be sit soon!”

“But the…shape…will change, …right?”

“It won’t! Even though I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Hokobaru watched the two girls’ interaction. She waved her hand without attempting to hide her smile.

“You haven’t changed, Shikiya. But it’s bad to do this in front of people, you know?”

“Yes, …next time, …I’ll find a empty place…to do it…”

“Good to know.”

The two senpais nodded. Teiara couldn’t help but yell.

“What’s good!? She isn’t supposed to take it off in the first place! Say something too, Prez!”

“But there’s no point in me talking, right?”

Hokobaru smiled bitterly and frowned.

“...What? What’s wrong with pointing out a problem?”

“No need to hide. Basori-kun and Shikiya are like that, right?”

“We’re not, okay!?”

“There are many types of love. I’ll do my best to clear my biases. Feel free to talk to me if you two have any-”

“I said we’re not like that, okay!?”

Teiara denied it vehemently. Shikiya slowly shook her head.

“You found out. …It can’t be helped…”

“No one found out! No, we aren’t like that in the first place. I should say it’s the opposite- a-ahh! What on Earth is happening!?”

Teiara is going haywire. Then, she heard a gentle voice.

“Alright, I prepared tea for everyone. Let’s take a break.”

The person watching the three girls having fun is the last student council member, the first-year treasurer, Hiroto Sakurai.

He’s the only male member as well. There’s a teapot in his hand.

Sakurai-kun put the cup on Shikiya’s seat and poured the steaming black tea inside.

“Peach tea, …I like…”

Shikiya’s attracted by the tea. She approached her seat dazedly.

“Take a break too, Basori-chan. Here, sit down and have some tea.”

“Sure, I’m exhausted…”

Teiara put her hand on her forehead and slumped onto the chair.

After checking it, Sakurai-kun distributed small plates to everyone.

“There are chocolates as snacks as well. Feel free to try them. It’s handmade, you know?”

“Oh? Handmade. Who gave them to you?”

Hokobaru looked at the chocolates curiously.

Sakurai-kun poured tea into Prez’s club as he answered with a warm smile.

“You girls know about Nukumizu-kun from the Literature Club, right? He gave me these.”

“Ha!?”

Clang. Teiara dropped the cup on the floor.

“Basori-chan, are you okay?”

Sakurai-kun quickly ran toward her.

Teiara immediately stood up and ignored the handkerchief he handed over. She grabbed Sakurai-kun’s wrist tightly.

“Sakurai-kun!? You received the chocolate from Nukumizu-san!?”

“Y-Yeah. I gave him info on last year’s open day. He gave me these as thanks.”

“That person…is not satisfied with Prez. He now wants to drag Sakurai-kun down too…?”

Teiara held Sakurai-kun’s arm tightly as she mumbled.

“...What was that?”

“Sakurai-kun! Please tell me more about when you received the chocolate-”

Teiara suddenly covered her nose with her hands.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Basori-chan?”

Teiara-san raised her head and looked at the ceiling. She slowly shook her head.

“Nothing. Well, I’m just too excited. …Nosebleed.”

“...Why?”

Sakurai-kun is confused. Shikiya appeared out of nowhere and put her hand on Teiara’s shoulder.

“No, …you have to take a break…at a quiet place…”

“Ah, sure. Sorry, let’s take a break on the sofa in the corner- hold on, why are you bringing me out of the room? Shikiya-senpai? Where are we going!?”

“It’s okay. …I won’t do anything, …really…”

“Why are you bringing me out if you’re not going to do anything-”

Bam. The student council room door closed.

Sakurai-kun watched their departure before sighing deeply.

“It can’t be helped. Hiba-nee, let’s have a cup first.”

He turned around. Hokobaru is standing there awkwardly with the cup handle in her hand.

Again, only the cup handle is in her hand. The shattered pot and tea are all over the floor.

“The handle broke when I was about to pour tea for Hiroto. I didn’t do anything.”

“Are you okay? It’s fine. I’ll take care of it. Have a seat.”

Sakurai-kun pressed his stomach lightly as he squatted down and picked up the teapot pieces.

Tsuwabuki High School Student Council. Even though it’s an elite group, not everyone knows the fourth person who is truly carrying it yet.