Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatte Iru - Volume 7 - Chapter 4

4

At the end of the day, Hina Ebina is rotten?

Finally, the field trip was the next day. We were having our last meeting before departure in the clubroom of the Service Club.

Since group formation had gone well the other day, it seemed one way or another we would be able to achieve our initial goal of making sure Ebina and Tobe would be together in Kyoto. Though I think it would have ended up like that naturally even if we didn’t do anything, but, well, the difference here was my presence. Though it wasn’t like anything was going to change anyway.

Our task now was the producer’s job of making Tobe look attractive—somehow. Producing Tobe. We’re producing, Producer!

And so we decided to carefully examine Kyoto hot spots with the help of travel magazines and even restaurant review apps.

“All right, let’s plan this thing!” Yuigahama lined up a whole array of tourist guides and travel magazines on the desk.

“Where’d you get these from…?” I asked her.

“Huh? There’s the stuff I got from Yukinon, the stuff I borrowed from the library, and some from Miss Hiratsuka.”

I get the first two, but what about that last one? She’s all gung ho about this trip, too? …Well, whatever. I was actually looking forward to Kyoto myself. If this hadn’t been a field trip, I’d have been even more excited.

For now, I flipped through a magazine at hand. Why do these sorts of travel magazines use tons of feminine colors like red and pink anyway? Are there no cool travel magazines called manly things like A Man’s Journey Alone: The Kyoto Arc or The Ten Warrior Conspiracy Arc or Trust and Betrayal?

For now, I flipped past the standard tourist spots and flipped past the dining information that frequently appeared between them. Just call me Flip Turner.

Generally, you’d do this schedule planning with your own group, but Yuigahama said she’d take care of the tour schedule for the girls, while I made the one for the boys, so that we’d inevitably stage something like fate: “What a coincidence! We ended up on the same tour!”

But, um, hey, I don’t really think anyone is going to fall for this…

“If we just run into one another, it’ll feel destined or something!” said Yuigahama.

Except it wasn’t. Just how much of a romantic are you? Stop it! Stop the romance!

I mean, if you happen to run into a girl during your free day, you’re gonna be like, Oh crap, I have to make it look like I wasn’t following her! And then you have to deliberately shoot past them or end up turning down some side road you didn’t plan to go on. Don’t underestimate a boy’s self-consciousness.

But Yuigahama didn’t understand even a fraction of the pure feelings of high school boys as she flippity-flipped open the travel magazines. “I wonder where would be good…,” she said, but she wasn’t looking very closely at the details of any of the articles as she skimmed through page after page. I’ve seen that speed-reading technique before. Her method of reading travel magazines was to rely purely on feelings. Truly Yuigahama-like.

This contrasted with Yukinoshita’s style, which involved drinking in every single letter as if she were reading a book. “Where indeed… The leaves will still be red around the time we go, so perhaps Arashiyama or Toufuku-ji Temple would be nice. And if you’re going all the way over there, Fushimi Inari Shrine is close by…”

“You even know the geography… Wait—have you been there?” I asked.

For some reason, Yukinoshita gave me a puzzled look. “No.”

“So you looked up all that stuff?”

“The fact that I’ve never been is why I’m looking it up. And besides, we have an opportunity for all of us to go. It’s best to enjoy it,” Yukinoshita said, smiling.

Surprised by her positivity, the only reply I could muster was a weak “Uh-huh.”

She’d softened from before. Yuigahama was probably a big part of that. I think those changes aren’t a bad thing, though. I would just appreciate it if those gentler moments were clearer and more predictable. You can still have a pretty sharp tongue sometimes, y’know.

“Oh, look, look, Hikki,” said Yuigahama. “I hear this spot has, like, mysterious energy!”

“That’s just where you want to go, isn’t it?” said Yukinoshita.

As the three of us were doing our research and engaging in asinine conversation, suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It was so tentative, we hadn’t noticed it the first few times. Then another one: tunk, tunk.

“Come in,” Yukinoshita, the master of this clubroom, called out.

“Per’n me!” came the bungled greeting as the door slowly slid open. A girl stepped into the room.

She had black shoulder-length hair and red-framed glasses, and the eyes behind her thin lenses were clear. She appeared somewhat dainty, thanks to the shape of her face and her build. If she were behind the counter at a library, she would make a wonderful picture.

“Oh, Hina.” With a scrape of her chair, Yuigahama stood, and Ebina acknowledged her presence in return.

“Hey, Yui. Hallo-hallo!”

“Yahallo!”

…Huh? What’s that? The greeting of some tribe? Miura must have suffered so much, being forced to deal with this.

“And Yukinoshita, and Hikitani. Hallo-hallo~.”

“Hey,” I responded, reminiscent of a certain NHK character.

Yukinoshita responded calmly. “I haven’t seen you in some time. Please sit wherever you like,” she prompted.

Ebina seated herself in the nearest chair and looked curiously around the clubroom.

During the summer camping trip, Ebina had spent time with us and helped us deal with an issue then, so she would have had at least a passing understanding of what the Service Club did.

“Hmm. So this is the Service Club, huh?” she muttered, then gently leaned forward, focusing on Yukinoshita directly ahead of her. “I came because I wanted to consult with you about something…”

So she’s come with a request? I was curious as to what she needed help with. She sure didn’t seem like the kind of person who’d have problems, at least, or maybe just not the type to rely on someone else when she did run into trouble. My impression was that her personality was hard to grasp.

I must not have been the only one thinking that, as Yukinoshita and Yuigahama both sat up a little straighter, too, listening seriously.

“U-um…” Ebina took a good look at us, then blushed and looked away in embarrassment. But still, her strong determination gave her the courage to speak. “I kinda wanted to talk to you about something—about Tobecchi…”

“About T-T-T-T-Tobecchi?! Wh-what, what?!”

No wonder Yuigahama was champing at the bit. Just a little while ago—well, actually, for the past few days, we’d been up in arms because of Tobe’s issue. Specifically, his feelings for Ebina. Though I didn’t let it show in my behavior, I was curious about how she felt about him.

With all our eyes focused on her, Ebina blushed even redder. “Um, i-it’s hard to say it, but…” Her eyes kept flicking downward to the hem of her skirt as she twisted it around her fingers, searching for the right words.

U-um, i-it’s hard to say it, I can’t help staring at that gesture, so if possible, I would like you to not.

But that aside, just what was making the cheerful Ebina stutter so shyly?

…I-it couldn’t be—was this a sweeping victory for Tobe? Absolutely unforgivable.

“So Tobecchi…”

“Yeah, Tobecchi?!” Yuigahama reacted intensely, urging her on.

This seemed to help Ebina muster her resolve at last: She took a little breath, opened her eyes wide, and shared her honest feelings with us.

“Tobecchi seems too friendly with Hayato and Hikitani lately, and Ooka and Yamato are so frustrated! But I wanted to see them cling to their passion! This will ruin the love triangle!!”

Angle! Angle! Angle! Angle…gle…gle…gle…gle…

Ebina’s voice echoed in the quiet room. Nobody else could say anything. All we could do was stare into space.

We were completely dumbfounded. Not just astounded or confounded but dumbfounded… We had found all the dumb there was to find.

The first one to reboot was Yuigahama. As expected from someone who hung out with her regularly, she was swift at dealing with this. “Um…so what does that mean, exactly?” she asked.

Ebina nodded deeply. “Tobecchi’s been talking with Hikitani a lot lately, right? And the groups we’ve set up for the trip seem weird, too. The two of them keep giving each other meaningful looks… Guh-heh-heh-heh-heh…”

This chortling mid-explanation is terrifying…

“Oh, bad Hina, bad Hina.” Coming to her senses, Ebina wiped the trickle of drool from her mouth. It seemed that without Miura to stop her, she couldn’t curb her fantasies. Miura was actually not entirely unlike a mom… And her tastes were a little out there, with Ebina and Yuigahama the idiot as her friends. I was starting to feel sorry for her lately. It was kinda cute.

But this wasn’t the time to be avoiding reality with such thoughts. Ebina’s explanation wasn’t over. With a look, I prompted her to continue.

Catching my gaze, Ebina grinned. “I don’t know why you’re suddenly friends…but Tobecchi seems kinda distant from Ooka and Yamato, and it’s been on my mind.”

I understood that Ebina was concerned. Hayama’s group of four splitting up to make way for me and Totsuka was a break from the norm. Ebina wouldn’t be the only one who found it strange; our other classmates would have probably noticed, too.

“That’s, uh, you know…” How would I talk my way out of this? We’d basically convinced Ooka and Yamato, but we couldn’t explain the rationale for this to Ebina herself, so I found myself unsure how to proceed.

But Ebina shook her head as if to say I didn’t have to finish for her to understand. “Hikitani, listen. If you’re going to invite people, I want you to invite everyone. I want you to take all comers, with your deepest sincerity. Basically, I want you to take them all at once, right to the bottom…of your heart.”

“I don’t wanna… It’s not gonna happen…” I instinctively shook my head violently as utter hopelessness descended on me. This was the feeling of overwhelming despair you get when there are still two more transformations left. I felt like I might even cry a little.

Ebina must have understood my shock, as her expression wilted into something meek. “I see… Of course.”

So she understands…

“You’re not a slutty bottom. You’re a fail bottom. Sorry for asking too much.”

“No, no, no, I’m not; that’s absolutely not what’s going on here.” This was more than just a misunderstanding. My head sank into my hands. Of course, I wasn’t the only one. Yuigahama softly sighed with the look of one who has given up.

The only one who was somehow keeping it together was Yukinoshita. Closing her eyes, she pressed her temple and said, “Which means…? I would appreciate it if you would explain for us.” Her expression utterly exhausted, Yukinoshita did her best to somehow interpret this. Girls who give it their all are great. I’d given up trying to understand Ebina, so I very much wanted Yukinoshita to make up the difference with her efforts.

“It’s just… I get this feeling that maybe the group’s kind of changed from how it used to be…” Ebina’s voice shifted, hiding something more melancholy.

Yuigahama attempted to jump in and relieve her concern. “But you know, I think maybe Ooka and Yamato sometimes deal with complicated stuff, too, right? Guys in general. With relationships and stuff.”

“Complicated relationships between boys… Oh, Yui, that’s so dirty…”

“Did I say something weird?!”

“No, what you said was normal,” I told her. “Don’t worry.” The weird one here is Ebina. Why’s she blushing? “Well, everyone has their issues. You can’t know what other people are feeling. Maybe they’re close and just not showing it on the surface.”

“You might be right. But I’m certain things are different from how they were before. And I don’t really like that,” Ebina said with a smile. “I want us all to get along, like we have been.”

There was nothing rotten or naughty about that expression. It was an extremely natural smile.

It seemed Ebina liked the status quo with relationships in her class right now—and not as seen through slash goggles but including her own position, too.

Everyone getting along.

I hate those words, but of course, some people want that. But was that all she was saying? I couldn’t really tell just who Hina Ebina was.

That made me want to guess at what she really meant.

…No, forget it. Always trying to read into what people say is a bad habit of mine.

Right when it seemed this bad habit would rear its head yet again, Ebina seemed to suddenly rethink the matter and add, “Oh, but…I’d like it if you joined the boys’ group and made friends with us, though, Hikitani. It’d be nice for my eyes anyway.”

“I’m not gonna join their clique, so take care of your eyes yourself,” I replied. “You should eat some fruits and berries.”

And when she says “nice for my eyes,” she doesn’t mean me on my own. She wants me together with someone else, doesn’t she…?

Ebina chuckled and stood. “Well, that’s all, then. I’m expecting hot stuff out of this field trip!” Hastily slurping up the drool pooling in her mouth, Ebina winked at me. No, I think you’re expecting the wrong stuff. “I’m counting on you, Hikitani,” she called out to me as she left the room. I watched her go, and our eyes met.

“Whatever was that about…?” Yukinoshita asked the extremely obvious question.

“I dunno. Well, I guess we should make it so they can all be friends? I don’t feel like we have to do anything, though. They get along well already.” They’d put together groups with Tobe’s romantic success in mind. You could say that act itself was proof of their friendship.

Yuigahama gave a couple of nods in apparent understanding. “Yeah. Besides, even if she does want the guys to be friendly, I wouldn’t know anything about that… Hikki, how do guys become friends?” she asked.

But before I could reply, Yukinoshita patted Yuigahama on the shoulder, giving a rather sad smile. “I think it may be rather cruel to ask him that. Yuigahama, let’s be a little more considerate. All right?”

“Yeah, exactly, be more considerate—Yukinoshita,” I shot back.

Cruelty posing as kindness is way worse.

Anyway, the field trip would start tomorrow. The only unresolved matter for the Service Club was Tobe. In other words, there was nothing to worry about.

But the words meant for me alone were echoing in my ears.

I went home and started getting ready for the field trip the next day. Not like I had much to bring, except for a few changes of clothes. Wait, do you need anything else for a school field trip?

Thinking wasn’t bringing up any ideas, so for the time being, I hovered in front of my dresser, pulling out clothes that seemed suitable. If you pack extra underwear and socks, you don’t need to worry, even on heavy flow days.

Next, I’d grab toiletries… Don’t they have these where we’re staying? Well, I guess I’ll bring ’em, just in case.

And that was everything. One bag was enough for my stuff.

Yeek! It’s like I’m a seasoned traveler! I’m so cool! Everyone always struggles carrying so much junk with them, like Uno and cards and mah-jongg tiles. I hear some people even bring full game consoles, which is frankly awe-inspiring. But come on, in the modern world, you can get most things at your destination if you have any issues, and you can look up almost anything else with just your cell phone. Travel is convenient now but somehow bland.

With the packing completed, I brought my bag out into the living room and tossed it on the floor.

Now, since I’ll be getting up early, let’s go to bed early. We were meeting at Tokyo Station to go to Kyoto on the Shinkansen.

If I was late, I’d get left behind.

Technically, I could ride the Shinkansen by myself, and I could also contact the others with my cell phone. The cost of the ticket…would hurt, but couldn’t you transfer that? And, like, why can’t you pick whatever time you want when you’re the one paying for it? What’s the deal? Is there any love there?

In fact, wouldn’t being late actually be better so I could experience the feeling of traveling alone at a leisurely pace, eating a lunchbox from the station? I thought, and my desire to wake up early suddenly deflated.

Throwing myself deep into the sofa, I was considering having a coffee (MAX Coffee), when I heard the tappity-tappity of Komachi trotting up to me. Stop running in such a small house.

“Bro, you forgot this,” she said, dangling a certain device on its strap before me.

“…I don’t need a camera.”

There’d be no opportunity for me to use one. For scenery, there are tons of better photos already out there anyway.

“Then your Vita?” She’d taken the trouble of putting my darling little Vita in its special case and even attached a strap so she could swing it in front of me.

“Vita’s staying home. You take care of her.”

“Roger.” Komachi nodded, seeming especially amenable to the idea, and softly tucked my sweet Vita into her pocket.

…Y-you’ll give her back, right? I—I just lent her to you, okay? This isn’t that thing where a brother lends his little sister an electronic dictionary or something and suddenly it belongs to her, right?

As I bit my tongue to keep from making sure, Komachi was poking her cheek with her finger in puzzlement, blissfully unaware of my turmoil. “But then what’ll you be taking, Bro? Won’t you have a hard time alone without anything to kill time with?”

I’m thankful for your concern, but you underestimate your big brother.

“E-books are a thing these days, so I won’t be bored.”

You really do underestimate me, Komachi. When you’re at my level, with just one cell phone, you can kill time easily, and I can even do it with nothing at all. In class, your big brother can make a frog with his fingers. Ribbit, ribbit.

I could never, ever say this to my little sister.

“And anyway, it’s not like I’m going out there to have fun,” I said.

Komachi blinked, then asked me doubtfully, “…What are you going for, then?”

“Asceticism, I guess…” Unconsciously, I looked off into the distance. These school trips have never left me with any decent memories. Sometimes I even wonder if it’s supposed to be a test of endurance, a seventy-two-hour no-talking contest. Of course, I’ve won.

As I was silently drifting into the past, Komachi slapped her fist into her palm as if she’d just thought of something. “I nearly forgot! Here.”

She handed me something white. Underwear? No, a piece of paper. Well, I wouldn’t have wanted underwear, though. Um, you know, I mean, like, in terms of how I’d have to react considerately and stuff.

But no matter how dumb my little sister was, she had enough sense for this, at least; what she handed me was actually a paper folded in that distinctly girly way.

This diamond shape, this box thing, that gets passed down in classes made me remember that one time in middle school when I passed one of those on without knowing what it said. It was nasty stuff about me, and when they were all giggling about it at the back of the class, I felt so hopeless. Don’t fold your letters like this.

When I opened the paper, I discovered rounded characters written in vivid pink and yellow crawling all over the place. Crawling with love, I might hope.

Komachi’s Recommended Souvenir List!

In third place! Nama yatsuhashi! (Original sweets, or authentic ones from the flagship shop or main shop or whatever is good.)

In second place! Youjiya’s oil-absorbing sheets! (Please get some for Mom, too.)

In first place! See after these messages!

…What an irritating way to end it.

“What the hell is in first place?”

“The number-one souvenir is talking about your wonderful memories with you.” Komachi gave me a sweet, sweet smile. Sly-cute… “I hear there’s a ton of matchmaking shrines and stuff, so you should go get matched!”

“Don’t worry about that junk. Just study.”

“Okaaay! All righty, then. Say hi to everyone for me.”

“Sure.”

Now there were even more places I had to go. Well, I could buy nama yatsuhashi at the station…and the Youjiya oil sheets were so famous even I’d heard of them, so I bet they were selling them at the station, too.

So that meant the one place I had to go was…

…Maybe I’ll go visit a god of academics.