Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 6 - Chapter 2.2

After seating the captured Komari next to me, Himemiya-san leaned forward across the table with sparkling eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Komari-san. Anna has told me all about you. You write novels, right?"

“Ueh, a-ah…”

Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle. Komari is completely intimidated by Himemiya’s aura.

Realizing this, Himemiya-san stuck out her tongue with a playful chuckle.

"Sorry for monopolizing the conversation. Let's start with a toast, shall we? Cheers!"

“Oh, a-ah…”

With trembling hands, Komari clinked her mug cup before freezing again.

These two...seem like a bad match.

"Karen-chan, Komari-chan seems scared. Sorry for calling you out so suddenly, Komari-chan." 

Yanami intervened between them. Komari nodded vigorously before pointing her phone screen toward Yanami.

“<What do you need?> …Eh? Komari-chan, why are you talking to me with your phone?”

I took a sip of coffee as Yanami kept messing up other people’s charm-meter of her.

"Actually, we called you here for a specific reason, Komari-chan. We're about to start Nukumizu-kun's impeachment trial."

"Wait a minute, Yanami-san. Going out with Yakishio was just to give her advice. Nothing shady happened."

Strike first to avoid accusations. I immediately started explaining before Yanami could attack. However, she just snorted dismissively.

"Yeah, yeah, advice, advice. It's always 'nothing' until you two somehow end up closer. What 'advice' were you giving, I wonder?"

What's gotten into Yanami? Did she relive some unpleasant memories?

Then, Himemiya-san mumbled while looking in a completely different direction.

"...Uh, Anna, it really wasn’t like that during that time, okay?"

"I know. As if you could be like that, Karen-chan. As if..."

Wait, don't suddenly shift to such an eerie atmosphere. Please, I'm begging.

Komari is clutching my jacket under the table, trembling.

"Can we get back to talking about Yakishio? After all, wasn't that why we all gathered here?"

The three exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

...Why does the guy being accused have to be so considerate?

"The whole thing started because of you, Nukumizu-kun. You were whispering meaningfully with Remon-chan in the classroom. Would you like to make a statement before we deliver a guilty verdict?"

Yanami said that while blind-typing on the tablet for ordering.

"Look, the reason Yakishio invited me out was that she had something difficult to discuss...or suggest. Uh, basically-”

Yakishio's timid voice asking me to join the going home club still echoes in my ears.

Of course, I have no intention of quitting my club activities, so the point is this:

“I’ll be frank. Yakishio is planning to quit the club.”

Perfect explanation. They should realize now it's misguided to blame me.

Contrary to my expectations, Yanami gave me a stern look.

"...Nukumizu-kun, what did you do?"

"Eh? I told you, I was just advising- hey, Komari, stop kicking me. She's considering quitting not just the Literature Club but also the Track and Field Club."

Yanami's eyes widened in surprise at that.

"Wait, quitting the Literature Club is one thing, but she can't quit Track and Field."

"Y-Yeah, take responsibility, Nukumizu."

Why am I being blamed even more?

Himemiya-san watched the commotion calmly, her brows knitted cutely.

"Hmm, I don't know the details, but she's really fast, right? It seems like a waste for her to quit."

That's a normal reaction. Wholly reasonable and not at all mistaken.

But those anxious eyes of Yakishio from yesterday gave me enough reason to question.

"...Yeah, I think everyone's right. But if Yakishio feels that strongly about it, I don't want to simply say what she should do."

Silence enveloped us, but Himemiya-san's gentle smile soon broke it.

"Right, we shouldn't say much without knowing her circumstances or struggles."

It's easier to talk to her than the Literature Club girls, even though she's ultimately an outsider.

As I was wondering how to politely send her back since she's an outsider, a message from Komari popped up on my phone.

<Why is she here?>

Yeah, I wonder why. I finished typing my response just as-

"Here's your extra-large serving of rice!"

The always cheerful waitress places a mountainous plate of rice on the table and leaves. What’s this…?

"Yanami-san, did you order this?"

“...I ordered the wrong dish.”

With a solemn look at the tablet, Yanami reached for the table salt after muttering that.

*

The sky had started to darken by the time we left the family restaurant and bid farewell.

In the end, we agreed that each of us would try to talk to Yakishio, and incidentally, Yanami ended up enjoying the extra-large serving of rice. Apparently, Tabasco sauce goes surprisingly well with it. 

As I walked alone through a residential area toward the nearest station, a bicycle approached from behind and stopped beside me.

"Nukumizu-kun, can I walk with you- wait, why are you running away!?"

"I thought I might get tangled up in something."

Yanami grumbled as she got off and started walking beside me while pushing the bike.

I quickened my pace, feeling a bad premonition, but Yanami kept up without missing a beat.

“Uh, is there something you want to talk about with me?”

"Nukumizu-kun, there's something you still haven't told me, right?"

I shrugged while feigning ignorance.

"I said everything that needed to be said earlier. Yakishio is so stressed about quitting her club that all we can do is watch over her."

"Then what was up with the two of you in the classroom?"

“Uh, that was…”

I hesitated before speaking.

"I was invited too. To join the going home club together."

"Together? There's no actual going home club, so joining together doesn't really make sense-”

Yanami's expression changed as she cut herself off.

"Wait, did Remon-chan really say that? Nukumizu-kun, you understand what that means, right?"

Do I understand what it means? My my, I'm being underestimated here.

"Yeah, it means she wants me to quit the Literature Club too. Yakishio probably felt too awkward to quit alone, right?”

Yanami's eyes widened in surprise when I answered with a confident look.

"Eh, that's what you're focusing on?"

"Hmm? What else should I be focusing on? Besides, I have no intention of quitting the Literature Club."

Yanami nodded with a relieved look.

"Yeah, keep being who you are, Nukumizu-kun.”

...I feel like I'm being dissed here.

Yanami teased me further with a refreshing smile despite my inner turmoil.

"But still, a date with Remon-chan. You must have been a little conscious, right?"

"Well, yeah, I'm not used to dating or anything."

"Right? Remon-chan is cute. It's natural to get a little excited once or twice. I'll let it slide."

What an attitude.

"I mean, I might have gotten excited like 10 or 20 times-”

“Isn’t that too many times?”

Yanami shot me a displeased look.

"Is it a matter of how many times?"

"It is! That means you were excited during the entire time! Mixing public and private matters, that's not very proper of you!”

Was there a public element to my date with Yakishio?

"It's not like Yakishio sees me as a romantic interest. It's Yakishio, you know? And it's me, you know?"

"...Well, that's true. It's Remon-chan and Nukumizu-kun, after all."

Glad she understands. But she could have denied it a little.

With her mood apparently lifted, Yanami got on her bicycle again.

"See you tomorrow then. I'll keep an eye out for Remon-chan, too."

"Uh, yeah, see you tomorrow."

What exactly was Yanami so unhappy about, and why did her mood suddenly improve?

...Well, it's Yanami, so it can't be helped. With that conclusion, I quicken my pace towards the station.

*

<I’ll be taking a break from the club today.>

I sent a message to the Literature Club's group chat and sank deeper into the train seat.

The day after the so-called impeachment trial, I headed straight for the train after school without stopping by the clubroom.

Please don’t misunderstand. I'm not running away from my problems. I tried to talk to Yakishio but ended up losing sight of her.

"I thought she got on this train..."

While searching for Yakishio, the doors closed, and the slow vibration of the train began to sway my body.

For some reason, the train was quite empty, and I comfortably settled in the middle of a long seat.

“...Welp, it can’t be helped if I lost sight of her.”

With unexpected free time on my hands, I pulled out a paperback from my bag.

This light novel is called <The 101 Transfer Students Targeting Me>, abbreviated as <Zeroten>. I’ve already read half of the latest volume.

It's a rom-com about the protagonist dealing with a new beautiful girl transferring to his school for 101 consecutive days. The series is known for its character introduction section, which grows thicker with each volume.

By the way, 27 transfer students had appeared in the last volume, 18 of whom had already left the school.

Characters fade out when they're no longer needed in the story, but outside of it, they continue their lives just like anyone else. Starting the day, going to school, studying, hanging out with friends, sometimes falling in love. 

I tried to read, yet I couldn’t focus, so I closed the book.

Yakishio is the track team's rising star. I wonder what role awaits her if she steps down.

Whatever it is, she's bound to face it with a smile as bright as the summer sun…

Someone sat next to me while I was lost in thought.

The train must have gotten crowded without me noticing. I lifted my bag onto my lap and glanced around. The carriage is still comfortably sparse.

…What? A glance at my neighbor reveals an unfamiliar Tsuwabuki student clutching her bag to her chest and sitting down. She has shoulder-length straight hair and is muttering under her breath in a low voice. Creepy.

I quietly stood up and moved to the next carriage, taking a seat.

…What’s with that girl?

I've heard stories of people who become anxious if they can't sit in their favorite seat. Perhaps the one I took was such a spot for her. So, I did another good deed by giving it to her.

Content with my conclusion, I soon felt someone's presence next to me again.

I found the same girl mumbling beside me once more as I tentatively looked sideways.

Wait, this is genuinely scary. What if she's some kind of ghost only visible to me?

As I sat there, frightened, the train began to slow down. We've arrived at Shin-Toyohashi Station, the terminus of the Atsumi Line.

I disembarked with the other passengers, but the person next to me followed closely behind. Suppressing the urge to run, I bolted through the ticket gates as soon as I was out.

I’m a guy. She can’t catch up to me that easily-

“Wait a moment!”

She quickly caught up to me. The mysterious girl grabbed my arm at the south plaza just outside the station.

“What do you want!? I don’t have any money!”

The mysterious girl shouted loudly as her hand remained on my arm.

"Tea! Won't you go have tea or something with me?"

“...Huh?”

Could this be what they call a reverse pick-up? It's a staple scenario in light novels where an unassuming guy gets approached by a girl out of the blue, but this is a bit different. Significantly different.

"I have my water bottle, so I'm good! Now, could you please let go of me!?"

I tried to escape with all my might but ended up being dragged along instead.

"It's just tea! I won't do anything. Just keep me company for a bit!"

So this is what the protagonists of rom-coms go through. Terrifying. I’ll only read isekai novels from now on.

I nodded in defeat as I resigned to my fate.

*

I'm caught by the mysterious Tsuwabuki girl at the south plaza of Toyohashi Station.

We sat across from each other in a coffee shop that faced the plaza.

The reason for choosing this place was simple- there's a police station right next door.

I sipped on the "Coffee of the Day" while covertly checking her out with a glance.

She's looking down, so I can't see her face clearly, but she's definitely not someone I know.

She has a petite face and a slender body that looks like it could belong to an athlete.

She's sipping on a layered strawberry and yogurt drink.

This girl is drinking something quite cute for someone who looks like a mountain bandit…

“Uh, have we met somewhere before?”

The bandit girl trembled.

“W-What kind of girls do you like, Nukumizu-kun!?”

What a sudden question. And how does she know my name?

The bandit girl finally looked up as I remained in my intimidated silence.

Her round eyes are brimming with tears, and her lips are slightly pale.

“I said what kind of girl do you like…”

So we're still on that topic. She definitely isn't interested in what type of girl I like.

"Uh, since you know my name, is there something you need from me? Or did someone send you?"

That’s right. I’m sending her ass straight to the police station if she dares to bully me.

If it’s a prank- go straight to the police station. Praise the police station.

The girl, previously frozen by my words, suddenly raised her voice while looking around.

"See, I told you I couldn't seduce him!"

Was I being seduced? And who was she talking to just now? As I wondered, about ten customers sitting around us stood up energetically.

"Go for it, Captain!" "He's almost falling for it!" "Just one more little push!"

…What the hell is happening?

As I stood there dumbfounded, the girl they called Captain scratched her head and offered a wry smile.

"Sorry, Nukumizu-kun. Everyone just followed me here."

“...Uh, and you are?”

"Ah, I knew you didn’t recognize me. Hold on.”

She quickly tied her hair into a ponytail and pinned her bangs back with a hairpin, transforming her appearance into that of a lively and energetic girl.

“Alright, now you recognize me, right?”

Who are you? As I remained clueless, the ponytailed girl’s wry smile intensified.

"Come on, we've met at the club presidents' meetings. I'm from the girls' track team, Kurata."

Ah, the second-year captain of the girls' track team. I remember being approached by her a few times.

"Long time no see. But what about everyone around us-"

The girls simultaneously pointed their phone cameras at me as I looked around.

"Yeah. These are the club members who were on standby to catch you cheating."

"...Cheating? Uh, what do you mean by that?"

The track team girls exchanged glances and then bowed at the same time.

“Please! Break up with our Remon!”

What!? Their voices echo through the store.

A group of girls just bowed to me in the coffee shop before the station that’s next to a police station.

"Please raise your heads! Before talking about breaking up, Yakishio and I aren't even dating."

The track team girls slowly lifted their faces as I hurriedly responded.

Did they understand? My relief is short-lived as the track girls begin to whisper ominously among themselves.

"Playing around...?" "That's too cruel." "Just like Satoko's ex-boyfriend." "But they're not exes yet, right?"

This is bad. Baseless rumors are swirling around, and Satoko's ex sounds like the worst.

My gaze met Captain Kurata’s serious eyes as I looked around for an ally.

“Are you two- just playing around?”

“No, we are not! Our relationship isn’t like that! We’re just friends.”

The track team girls fall silent.

The tension ballooned until it nearly burst, but Captain Kurata raised her hand to calm everyone.

“Can we trust that?”

Trust or not, while Yakishio and I have held hands, it's not in a romantic context.

I nodded earnestly, and Captain Kurata responded with the same action.

"Everyone, take a seat. We're causing a disturbance to the other customers."

The girls weren’t entirely convinced, but they returned to their seats and started sipping on their cute drinks again.

Captain Kurata let go of her straw and began to speak in a calm tone.

"Remon-chan could potentially compete in this year's Inter-High if she keeps up her performance. It's crucial for her university recommendations, and we all support her."

She glanced at her team members before continuing.

"We didn't interfere with her being in both the Literature Club and track because that's what she wanted. But if you're trying to pull her away for real, we can't just stand by."

"Eh? I'm not trying to pull her away or anything-”

Captain Kurata shook her head and interrupted me.

"Our club has a policy where individual training can be approved upon request. Remon-chan applied to do solo training for a while. And by the way-”

Captain Kurata smiled with a piece of strawberry stuck to her lips.

“I’ve heard that there was a strange atmosphere between Remon-chan and someone in class 1-C. Is that true?”

She knew about that. I recognized some faces from my class around as well.

It seems impossible to dodge the question, but discussing such matters in public…

I finished my cold coffee and placed the cup on the saucer.

“...Senpai, could we talk, just the two of us?”

"Eh, just me and you?"

Captain Kurata was immediately stunned.

"I would like to talk with you alone, somewhere quiet if possible."

“...U-Uh, well, if it’s just for a moment, then sure.”

Captain Kurata fumbled for her phone as she became flustered and avoided my gaze.

"Kalmia has a cafe known for its delicious matcha sweets, and if we walk a bit, there's karaoke. …Oh, do you like movies? There's a Slow Town Film Festival happening this weekend."

...Wait, what is she talking about? As Captain Kurata tapped on her smartphone, one of the track team girls poked her shoulder.

"No, no, Kura-chan. He just said he wants to talk things over as club presidents."

“...Eh?”

Kura-chan, I mean Captain Kurata, stared at me with a blank expression before looking around.

The track team girls avoided eye contact. Honestly, I felt like I was sitting on a pile of needles.

"Uh, sorry. I was hoping we could have a little talk."

“T-T-T-That's right! Yeah, understood! Let's walk around and talk!"

Captain Kurata hurried out of the shop with her face flushed red.

I returned the coffee cup to the drop-off and bowed to the track team members before following her.

…That was really awkward.

*

The place I’m in right now is your best bet if you’re looking for a quiet spot near Toyohashi Station.

The area is known as "West Station". It can get crowded with pick-up vehicles depending on the time, but aside from that, it's surprisingly quiet, almost like the station's liveliness is a lie.

We walked without much conversation, leaving the station building and heading right along the street parallel to the railway tracks.

A row of small izakayas slowly start their day, almost as if it's early morning.

"Sorry for taking your time."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize for the weird way I approached you. That was out of line."

Yeah, it was. Kurata-san scratched the tip of her nose in embarrassment.

"I thought Remon might have a boyfriend, and that's why she’s planning to quit the club."

"And you thought that was me?"

She nodded with a wry smile.

"You were at Tsuwabuki Fest for Remon, right?"

Tsuwabuki Fest- right, a classmate from middle school had tried to approach Yakishio and was utterly rejected.

"Yeah, I did go to see the track team."

"She's popular, you know. Despite appearances, she's careful about how she interacts with boys."

Huh, being popular is really tough.

“That’s why I got curious when I saw how different her attitude is to you compared to other boys.”

Does she mean I’m not really a guy in her eyes…?

"But the track team doesn't have a rule against dating, right? No need to worry so much."

“Remon’s the type to be ruined by guys, don’t you think?”

“That’s imposs-”

...Well, actually, it might be.

Given how she reacts around Ayano, who isn't even her boyfriend, having an actual boyfriend could indeed be a problem…

"Indeed, Yakishio does seem like she could fall for the wrong type of guy. Yeah, I need to be careful."

"...Yeah, you really do need to be careful."

Kurata-san stared at me intently for some reason.

"So, you were trying to take a photo of me 'cheating' to show Yakishio? To make her break up with me?"

"Well, yeah. We thought we'd rescue our ace of the track team from a bad guy trying to lure her away."

She laughed, showing her white teeth. Seeing that smile- I decided to trust her.

I called out to Kurata-san as she walked ahead.

"...Yakishio talked to me before. She asked if I would join the going home club with her."

Kurata-san looked back over her shoulder as we walked.

"Together? You mean both of you quitting the Literature Club?"

I nodded, and Kurata-san chuckled brightly.

"That's just like her. She probably feels bad quitting just the track team. You really got dragged into this, huh?"

Kurata-san laughed again.

"Remon is amazing, you know. I could tell because we used to compete in short runs when she joined."

"Does that mean you aren’t doing short runs anymore, senpai?”

"I wasn't fast enough. When Remon joined, I even got dropped from the relay team. So, I switched to middle distance."

She silenced me with a look just as I was about to say something.

"I was told early on to take over as captain. It wouldn't look good if the captain couldn't compete in races."

She wasn’t looking for sympathy or consolidation when she said that.

It's likely her pride, an essential part of her identity.

We stopped as we reached the end of the path without the need to say a single word.

"I wonder if she's still worried about me moving to middle distance..."

Kurata-san turned around before I could think of an appropriate answer.

“I’ll head back first. I need to group up with everyone.”

"Yes, thank you for everything regarding Yakishio."

"Thank you, too. I'll keep an eye out on my end as well, so if there's anything, just let me know."

“Hey, senpai!”

I called out to her unconsciously. Kurata-san turns around with a puzzled look.

"Ignoring your identity as the captain, as her senpai, do you want Yakishio to come back?”

Her eyes widened as she started to respond, then paused and closed her mouth.

She then offered me a shy smile, something I hadn't seen from her all day.

"Sorry, but I'm her biggest fan."

I thought about Yakishio as I watched her running away after saying that.

Always incredibly bright, yet so incredibly delicate.

Because she rarely shows weakness, when her smile dims, it means someone should be by her side-

Screech! The sudden sound of bicycle brakes shattered my sentimental thoughts.

Thud. And it crashed into me.

"Y-You're in the way, standing in the middle of the road like that."

“Why did you suddenly run into me like that then…?”

Indeed, it was Komari who had charged into me. She glared up at me through her bangs.

“W-What are you doing? You didn’t come to the club.”

-Because an unhinged girl kept messing with me.

Holding back the urge to say just that, the more mature me simply shrugged.

"I was looking for Yakishio. Didn't find her, though."

Komari got off her bicycle and glared in the direction Kurata-san left.

“...W-Who was that girl just now?”

"Hm? She’s Kurata-san from the second year, the captain of the girls' track team."

“T-Track team…? S-So, you two were talking about Yakishio?”

"Yeah, Yakishio seems to be taking a break from the track team, too. So, we were just exchanging information about her."

I decided to keep the near setup for a honey trap to myself to avoid misunderstandings.

Komari made a troubled face just as she was about to push her bicycle away.

“Ueh…?”

“Hmm, what’s wrong?”

“U-Uh, the chain came off.”

That's what happens when you crash into things.

I felt so good about Komari essentially walking into her own mess, but I couldn’t just let her freak out here alone.

I moved the bicycle to the side of the road and started turning the pedal to check the chain.

“Haha, looks like the chain came off.”

“I-I know that already.”

Right, but this is your fault, no matter what. How do we fix this, though…?

As I crouched down to search on my smartphone, Komari came over to stand next to me.

“C-Can you fix it?”

"Hmm, could you look up how to fix it on the net?"

“G-Got it.”

Komari showed me the screen after tapping on her phone for a while.

“F-Found a video.”

“Oh, nice.”

Her hair brushed against my cheek as she leaned in. It tickled.

Komari started speaking softly while I was duking it out with the chain.

“W-Will you come to the c-clubroom tomorrow?”

"I want to, but I'm also worried about Yakishio."

“Y-Yakishio is important, but think about the Literature Club too.”

Right- though, right now, I'm fixing a chain because of you.

"T-The graduation ceremony is this weekend. I-It's the last chance to see the senpais in their u-uniforms."

It's March. The senpais time is running short, and preparations for next year can't wait.

“Sorry, I’ll be there tomorrow.”

I apologized sincerely, but Komari still seems to have something on her mind.

"Is there something else?"

"...U-Uh, about making the c-club magazine."

"The one to prepare for the graduation ceremony? My manuscript is ready."

This edition of the club magazine is a surprise gift for the senpais on the day of their graduation.

I fear nothing since I’m the first one to finish the draft.

"Let's print it tomorrow. Or we could go do that now.”

“L-Let’s wait a bit before making the magazine.”

"What's the matter? Isn't your draft ready?"

"It's been ready for a while, but-"

Komari hesitated before continuing.

“I-I want Yakishio to w-write something too.”

“...I see. I understand.”

Yakishio was the first student Komari befriended in the first year.

She must be feeling troubled by the current situation.

"Plus, Tamaki-senpai's exam results are out next week. Maybe it's better to wait until then."

“Y-Yeah, Tamaki-senpai’s up n-next…”

The end of her sentence faded away, lacking strength.

The situation for Tamaki-senpai, who switched to the sciences in his third year, is far from optimistic. His self-scored results from the early exam put him right on the borderline, and the later exams will be even more challenging.

I’ve noticed Komari becoming increasingly nervous since Tsukinoki-senpai’s successful admission.

"By the way, Komari, why were you running around this street? It's quite far from the main road."

I changed the subject in an attempt to dispel the awkwardness, which prompted Komari to look up.

“U-Uh, I've been visiting shrines for good luck with exams lately. A-And, I read online that praying to Jizo statues is good."

"There are Jizo statues around here?"

“I-I've tried all the places I could think of, so now I'm just s-searching around the station."

No wonder she was wandering around here. But, man, she's surprisingly serious about this…

"I'll try to look around when I have some free time too."

“T-Thank you…”

Following the video's instructions, I hooked the chain back on and rotated the pedal in the opposite direction.

The chain wrapped around the gear with a solid click.

“Alright, done.”

“O-Ohh, amazing.”

It took about 10 minutes. Online tutorial wins again.

"The chain seems loose, so you might want to get it checked at a bike shop."

Komari handed me a white handkerchief just as I stood up and searched my pocket.

“I’ve got oil on my hands. I can just use mine.”

“D-Don’t worry about it. A-Also, your finger is b-bleeding.”

...Bleeding? I must have cut it without realizing it. Blood is seeping from my index finger.

Komari took out a band-aid from her bag, pressed the handkerchief against the wound, and then skillfully applied the band-aid.

"M-Make sure to wash your finger and reapply i-it when you get home."

“Sorry. The blood must have gotten on your handkerchief, right?”

“D-Don’t worry about it.”

Komari said that while holding my hand before falling silent.

“...Komari?”

“Y-You always worry about others too much, N-Nukumizu.”

Komari opened and closed her dry lips repeatedly before finally speaking.

“S-So, that’s why i-it’s time for me- to worry about you too.”

She fell silent again.

“O-Oh, sure…”

Komari nodded and let go of my hand without a word.

I traced the texture of the band-aid on my fingertip as I watched her ride away on her bicycle without saying anything more.

…Well, it was her fault to begin with, after all.