Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 7 - Chapter 2.3

Hint: To Play after pausing the player, use this button

Add to favorites

Record of Interview with Riko Shiratama

Interviewer: Anna Yanami

The interviewee, Riko Shiratama (hereinafter referred to as Shiratama-chan), sat nervously across from me. Her tension made me feel a bit nervous, too.

I offered her a bag of mixed gummies, and Shiratama-chan took a square one. Her hands are petite and delicate, her skin pale and beautiful- truly matching her name.

But I was just as beautiful back in my first year. Trust me.

"Thank you, senpai. These are the ones with the edible paper coating, right? I like these."

Shiratama-chan smiled happily as she opened the gummy package.

Indeed, I've eaten a lot as well, but gummies with edible paper are better than those with just sugar.

They stick to the inside of your mouth, so you can enjoy them for a long time.

"These are popular in Toyohashi, right? I was surprised to see that other places often have the sugar-coated ones."

...Huh? The ones with sugar on the outside are high-end treats only eaten on special occasions, aren't they? Dad always gave them to me as birthday presents when I was little.

Shiratama-chan giggled when I mentioned that.

"That's the first time I've heard that. Your dad sounds fun."

Shiratama-chan smiled and popped the gummy into her mouth.

I definitely have to call a family meeting soon. Anyway, let's get back to the topic first.

"Hey, Shiratama-chan. About last Sunday..."

Shiratama-chan suddenly ceased all movement.

As I started to speak again, Shiratama-chan quickly bowed her head.

"Yes. I'm sorry for monopolizing Prez. I regret my actions."

"...No, you can do whatever you want to Nukumizu-kun, okay?"

"Is that okay? I thought I might be overstepping because Prez is such a wonderful person. I came prepared to be scolded by you today, Yanami-senpai."

…Huh? What is she talking about?

Calling Nukumizu-kun wonderful? She must have been forced to say that.

As a senpai, it's my duty to guide my kouhais. I straightened my back with a serious expression.

"Shiratama-chan, calm down and listen to me carefully. We're talking about Nukumizu-kun, you know? Are you sure you're not mistaking him for someone else? He's a socially awkward yet real mean siscon who's even heavier than me- never mind, forget that last part."

Shiratama-chan tilted her head cutely, looking puzzled.

"...Uh, I think he's okay. So, Yanami-senpai, are you going out with Prez?"

What!? What is she saying? I stood up reflexively.

"No, we're not! Why would you think that? Did I do something wrong?"

...Oops, I lost my composure for a moment. My outburst scared Shiratama-chan.

Even though that is cute, I used to be quite something myself back in the day.

I sat back down and bit into a gummy to calm down.

"Uh, you see, the Literature Club has a no-dating policy, so there's nothing like that. Besides, Nukumizu-kun is such an indecisive little... wait, what were we talking about?"

"Well, what was it again...?"

Shiratama-chan pressed her index finger to her temple, looking troubled.

She's cute, very cute- but I used to be just as adorable when I first got into high school, too. Trust me.

AV Room, after school.

I slowly looked away from the monitor after reading Yanami's report.

What even is this report?

"...Yanami-san, did I do something wrong?"

"Your entire existence is wrong, Nukumizu-kun."

"E-Enemy of girls."

Yanami and Komari scolded me for some reason.

Weren't they supposed to have a one-on-one talk with Shiratama-san to understand her...?

"Uh, Komari, what do you think? She said I'm wonderful, so I think she has a keen eye for the truth."

"H-Her eyes are just holes."

Komari turned away, looking displeased.

Yanami sat back down at the keyboard and resumed writing.

"No need to add your popularity stories, Yanami-san. We're trying to understand more about Shiratama-san as a person. There's more important stuff to write about first, right?"

Yanami stopped typing and glared at me.

"This is all your fault, Nukumizu-kun. Your being all smitten made her misunderstand and think you're wonderful."

Is it so bad for me to have such a wonderful misunderstanding in my entire life for once?

Komari stood up determinedly as Yanami and I bickered.

"I-I'll go talk to her then."

...Komari? She looked down at us with a smug expression, surprising us.

"G-Girls can u-understand each other better, after all."

"I feel like I heard that line somewhere yesterday."

Still, if she's motivated, we should leave it to her. Go for it, vice prez.

Record of Interview with Riko Shiratama

Interviewer: Chika Komari

She was doing her homework when I entered the club room.

I sat down in the chair across from her, but she didn't seem to notice me.

...There's no other choice. I started reading a book on my phone.

"Oh, Komari-senpai, you're here. You should have said something."

It must have only been a few minutes.

Noticing me, she smiled shyly and put her stationery back into her pencil case.

"What's with everyone today? Each of you coming into the club room one by one, it feels like I'm being interviewed."

A probing look is hidden behind her smile.

She's aware of something. I decide to keep looking at my smartphone with a nonchalant expression.

"Senpai, you want to talk about Sunday, right? Go ahead, ask me anything."

She brought it up herself, perhaps due to impatience.

Typically, it would be best to start the conversation here.

However, as a member of the Literature Club, I must constantly confront the infallibility of words. Just as I was about to opt for communication through my smartphone instead of verbal conversation, an unexpected situation arose.

"Uh, is your phone running out of battery? Would you like to use my cable?"

Indeed, my battery was on the verge of dying.

I have no choice but to leave the room-

Again, what even is this report?

After I finish reading Komari's report, I exchanged glances with Yanami, who seemed to have something to say.

"Komari, don't tell me you just sat there quietly the whole time?"

Komari flinched and muttered tearfully.

"I-I did…my best…"

"Yeah, you did your best. Nukumizu-kun, aren't you too harsh on her?"

Yanami patted Komari's head gently. Really, Yanami? I can tell you were thinking the same thing as me.

I composed myself and turned to face them.

"Well, I had you two interview Shiratama-san, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we achieved our initial goal."

"Initial goal? We weren't told about any initial goal."

Yanami crossed her legs and gave me a provoking look.

"Isn't it obvious? The goal is to get her to open up and let her know we are on her side. Maintaining her connection to society will help prevent any repeat offenses."

"Wait, our mission is that serious?"

It is. I need the two of them to take this more seriously.

"Well, that's that. Shiratama-san is waiting in the club room, so we should all-"

Noticing their stares, I stopped mid-sentence.

"What now?"

They just glared at me instead of answering.

"Hey, if you're going to say all that, how about you, Nukumizu-kun?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"I-It's your turn next."

...My turn? You mean I have to interview Shiratama-san? I waved my hands in front of my face.

"No way. I always say this, but I'm not good with girls. I had no choice back then because of the circumstances, but having a one-on-one conversation with her is impossible- uh, what's with you two…?"

Yanami and Komari stood up slowly, looking down at me with expressions full of menace.

"Huh? Huhhh? You two were pretty cozy for someone who's not good with girls, right!?"

"A-Apologize to the cat."

Hold up, why are they turning on me...?

"But Shiratama-san won't open up to a guy like me, right?"

"According to her, you're a wonderful club president, aren't you? Perfect fit."

"Y-You enemy of g-girls."

…These two have been getting more feisty lately.

Knock, knock. I rapped on the door of the club room, and Shiratama-san's voice called out from inside.

"Come in."

I opened the door slowly, and Shiratama-san greeted me with a formal smile.

"Please, have a seat over there."

"Ah, yes."

I sat down across from her as she gestured.

"Now, please state your name and your reason for applying within one minute."

Huh? As I stared in confusion, Shiratama-san covered her mouth and giggled.

"Sorry. This scene just reminds me of my entrance exam interview, and I couldn't help but joke around."

I see. Cute girls make cute jokes, too.

…My my, now's not the time to be admiring her.

"I should apologize. Sorry for making things weird."

"No, it's natural for the senpais to be worried. You told them, didn't you?"

Shiratama-san suddenly became serious. Feeling a bit pressured, I gave a noncommittal smile.

"Well, yeah, I had to let them know..."

"Don't worry about it. Even I think someone like me is scary."

She gave a self-deprecating laugh as I hesitated.

...This isn't going well. I steeled my expression and turned to face Shiratama-san more seriously.

"Don't get me wrong. We're not here to blame you, Shiratama-san. We just want to get to know each other better and make the Literature Club a place where you feel at home. Uh..."

I fumbled for the right words, but nothing convenient came to mind.

With a feeling akin to resignation, I continued speaking.

"Neither Komari nor I had a place in our class during our first year."

At my sudden self-disclosure, Shiratama-san seemed about to say something but then closed her mouth.

"I'm not saying that's a bad thing. But the Literature Club gave us a place, and through it, we made friends. Looking back now, it wasn't so bad."

I scratched my cheek in embarrassment after saying that.

After a moment of silence, Shiratama-san quietly murmured.

"...All of you are very kind."

"Well, it's not so much kindness as it is just returning the favor we received..."

Shiratama-san tried to smile but quickly gave up.

"...But I can't give up on my feelings."

"Uh, that means-"

"I'm not trying to take onii-chan away or anything. ...I know it's impossible."

Her voice had a hint of self-deprecation again.

"But I don't want to have any regrets. I want to give it my all, leave a mark, and then come to terms with my feelings."

Her low voice lacked emotion.

As her quiet soliloquy filled the clubroom, I spoke up.

"So, what exactly are you planning to do...?"

I had to ask, even if it felt tactless.

This girl has one offense already, after all. I can't just sit there if she plans to commit another.

"...Well, last time, I intended to wear my sister's dress and take pictures in the chapel. But there were two miscalculations."

"Miscalculations?"

Shiratama-san blinked her large eyes and returned to her usual inscrutable smile.

"The first was that the dress isn't brought to the venue until right before the ceremony. It was a completely wasted trip."

Oh, is that so? Good to know…

I turned off my brain and nodded.

"The second was that I thought sneaking in at night would avoid any attention, but as soon as I got inside, the security company showed up. Professionals are amazing, aren't they? Before I knew it, I was surrounded, and the police were there too-"

"Hold on! How did you even get into the building in the first place? The doors were locked, right?"

I quickly changed the topic, and Shiratama-san's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, I used a homemade tool to pick the lock-"

Holy shit. I'm standing in the middle of a minefield.

"Okay, let's change the subject! It's not good to cause trouble for others, right?"

"Yes, I learned my lesson from last time. Next time, I'll try something more peaceful."

She lightly tapped her head with a "tehe".

I have mixed feelings, thinking she's not really reflecting but also finding her cute. However, it's crucial that she doesn't break the law. Seriously, please.

"Don't worry. I won't cause any trouble for the Literature Club- I'll keep my distance."

"...Eh?"

Something slipped through my fingers. A sense of unease enveloped me.

"Wait-"

"I can't cause trouble for the Literature Club with what I plan to do. I'll handle it alone from now on."

She stood up silently, her bag in hand.

"No, wait-"

"...If everything goes well and I can stay at Tsuwabuki, can I come back here again?"

-If she can stay at Tsuwabuki.

In other words, she is prepared to do something that might get her expelled.

I stood up, my chair wobbling.

"Wait, Shiratama-san, you can't…do that alone."

"Then- will you do bad things with me, Prez?"

"Uh, that's…"

-I used to be like that too.

Keeping my distance from others. Trying to be alone.

The Literature Club members were the same.

Always deciding for themselves. Trying to bear everything alone.

But it was those troublesome people who reached out to me-

I quickly closed the few steps between us and grabbed her arm.

"No, Shiratama-san."

My words made Shiratama-san's body tense up.

"...I don't want to cause trouble for everyone."

She muttered in a faint voice, looking down.

"Cause us as much trouble as you want to."

Yanami, Yakishio, Komari, even the senpais, and, of course, me too.

We've caused trouble for each other countless times.

And despite that, we've stayed together, and I've never thought it was- maybe I've thought it was annoying five or six times, but I've never actually hated it.

"Feeling overwhelmed is exactly when you shouldn't be alone. I'll be here, and the Literature Club will be here with you. So..."

The tension drained from Shiratama-san's arm.

"With me..? Is that really okay...?"

"Yes, of course."

Shiratama-san turned around quickly.

Tears welled up in her eyes, ready to fall.

"That means you guys are going to help me, right!?"

Yeah, of cour- wait, did I really say that?

What I meant was she shouldn't be alone and that the Literature Club would be with her. Wait, did I actually promise to help her…?

"Uh, well, yes, I did say we would be together. But, uh..."

"Thank you. I've been so anxious. I never thought someone would say something like this to me. Oh, dear. Crying here will make me look like a manipulative girl, won't it?"

Shiratama-san chuckled softly as she wiped her tears away.

She's cute, but hold on. That's not what I meant-

Slam. The door to the club room burst open, and the two veteran club members barged in.

"Shiratama-chan, we're borrowing this for a bit!"

"G-Get over here, you!"

I, referred to as "this", was forcibly dragged into the hallway.

"Nukumizu-kun, are you serious!? Are you really planning to help her commit a crime!?"

"I-Is that what you're t-trying to do!?"

Yanami poked my chest with her finger while Komari's tied-up hair bounced vividly.

"Well, it wasn't my intention, but you know how things just flow sometimes? Like, there's this...m-mood."

"You never bothered to read the room usually, so why now of all times!? This is exactly why you need to read the room, Nukumizu-kun!"

"T-Think about what you did!"