Chapter 23.2
Summer break is ending soon . I continued going to the Student Council as usual .
Tomotaksenpai and I didn’t get awkward or hostile subsequently, our relationship didn’t change .
Rather, the distance between us might have shortened as a result of him being able to talk to Chako directly .
Just like the summer break in the 2nd round when I worked hard in the Student Council, I wake up in the morning and head to school slightly early .
Chako comes and picks me up and we separate after entering school .
While I work at the Student Council, Chako waits at Tomoyuki-san’s house, studying or gaming .
“The aircon is cooling, the television is huge, the food is yummy”, Chako grinned from ear to ear .
Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun would apparently visit at times and everyday seems really fun .
Tomoyuki-san, too, doesn’t find Chako who goes there everyday, troublesome . He keeps her company while handling his work moderately .
If you didn’t read this at nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
In the morning, I chat with Tomotaksenpai a bit before doing the Student Council work .
After completing the work, I’d go to Tomoyuki-san’s place and if time allows, play with everyone .
Sometimes I’d also forcibly bring Tomotaksenpai…
And walk home together with Chako .
After that, I’d change my attire and train with Yuusei-kun .
I feel pretty worn out in terms of stamina but everyday is truly fun and fulfilling .
Everyone weren’t connected to each other before, but their connections pile up even without me now and it’s a little amusing to watch .
“I respect you, Kamo-senpai . ”
We’re relaxing at Tomoyuki-san’s house after Student Council when Kousuke-kun talks to Tomotaksenpai, all of a sudden .
It appears Kousuke-kun finally told the person in question his sincere sentiments[1] .
Tomotaksenpai, sitting across me at the dining table, chuckles and looks at the Kousuke-kun sitting beside me .
Translated by nakimushitl
“You won’t get anything flattering me, you know?”
“No, that isn’t it…”
Kousuke-kun probably startled himself too .
His eyes swim around a little… but are still fixed on Tomotaksenpai .
“I thoughtlessly sympathised with you . It may just be me, but I thought our problem was similar . ”
“… Aa . ”
Tomotaksenpai returns only a troubled smile at Kousuke-kun’s direct words .
Kousuke-kun and Tomotaksenpai’s problem .
That is, self-deprecating because there’s someone amazing nearby . It’s probably that .
“I have a big bro . You probably know, but I’ve always been told I’m a『Good-for-Nothing Fox』 . Even I think of myself as one . ”
Kousuke-kun spoke indifferently .
Tomotaksenpai didn’t stop him, and simply stares .
On the other side of the living room, Chako and Yuusei-kun can be seen laughing happily .
“Not liking myself, or the existence of my big bro… all I did was rot away . Even though I wanted to be strong, I didn’t know how… So all I did was deny . ”
Translated by nakimushitl
Kousuke’s brows knit in pain .
“Even if I persuade myself, “I’m not weak, I’m not weak”, the sense of hunger in my heart didn’t fade . ”
The amber eyes sway .
“However, Kamo-senpai even went to serve as the Student Council president of this school . Your upright figure… was amazing, I thought . ”
“… It wasn’t upright . ”
Tomotaksenpai laughs self-derisively at Kousuke-kun’s words .
Yet, Kousuke-kun shakes his head lightly and stares at him .
“Kamo-senpai has always been working hard, I thought . ”
“Working hard… is it . I think the fact that one has no choice but to do so is pathetic, though . ”
“… That isn’t true . Because I didn’t even do that . ”
Kousuke-kun gives a small sigh and bites his lips .
Seeing such a Kousuke-kun, Tomotaksenpai stops speaking, as though he’s thinking .
He then slowly spins his words .
“… Phantoms don’t get stronger by working hard, right?”
“But there should’ve been things I could do…”
“And you, did do them . ”
If you didn’t read this at nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
Tomotaksenpai’s deep blue eyes narrow gently at Kousuke-kun, who closed his eyes in pain .
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“I think that you, who do what you can and is able to accurately put them to words like that, is amazing . ”
Those words of Tomotaksenpai weren’t consolation . One can feel that they truly came from his heart .
Kousuke-kun’s momentarily stunned at those words, before he looks at Tomotaksenpai with a troubled smile .
Looking back at such a Kousuke-kun, Tomotaksenpai then glances towards the living room .
There, the back of a laughing Chako playing games can be seen .
“Besides… doesn’t Tomonagsan have fun when she’s with you?”
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At those words, Kousuke-kun makes the most astonished expression he’d made so far, and looks at Tomotaksenpai .
He glances at Chako’s back and speaks with knitted brows .
“… Chako smiles prettily only when she’s with you, Kamo-senpai . ”
Tomotaksenpai returns a bitter expression to those words .
They exchange glances, and both avert their eyes .
I burst out laughing at the atmosphere that turns strangely fidgety .
“Why are you giving way and ceding Chako to each other?”
“… Naba . ”
“I’m not ceding though?”
Translated by nakimushitl
Finding the two looking at me with exasperated faces amusing, I laugh out loud even harder .
“Too bad, but Chako laughs the most happily when she’s with me . ”
“… Well, can’t deny that . ” [Kousuke]
“That’s true . ” [Tomotaka]
“By the way, right now she’s laughing with Yuusei-kun, not any of us three . ” [Yui]
“… Right . ” [Kousuke]
“… Aa . ” [Tomotaka]
If you didn’t read this at nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
All three of us look reproachfully at Chako, who’s joking around with Yuusei-kun .
It seems Chako felt something . She turns our way, looking at us with her deep blue eyes, “What? What happened?”
When we stare at Chako silently, she speaks in hushed tones into Yuusei-kun’s ear as though she thought of something .
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Then, Yuusei-kun mumbles something too, and looks at us with a smirk .
Chako starts smirking too .
… These two are definitely talking about something improper .
As my brows knit tightly, Tomotaksenpai swiftly stands up .
“It’s about time I leave . ”
“Yes . I will be heading home with Chako . ”
“Aa, you’ve worked hard . ”
“Yes, you have worked hard too . ”
Kousuke-kun silently stare at the exchange of words between Tomotaksenpai and I .
Tomotaksenpai smiles gently at such a Kousuke-kun .
“… Thanks . I was happy . ”
“No, I was glad to have spoken to you too, Kamo-senpai . ”
Tomotaksenpai gives Kousuke-kun’s shoulder a goodbye pat .
Kousuke-kun responses with a small smile and sees off Tomotaksenpai’s back figure .
When Tomotaksenpai’s figure can no longer be seen, Kousuke-kun places his left hand on the shoulder that was patted .
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“Just now… something…”
“Nn? What’s wrong, Kousuke-kun?”
“Ah, nah… It’s nothing . ”
Although Kousuke-kun’s expression remains quizzical for a while, he shakes his head, going “Was it my imagination?”
I give a smile to such a Kousuke-kun and stand up .
“Let’s play a game together . ”
“Yeah, we should . ”
Kousuke-kun stands up too, and heads to the sofa Chako and Yuusei-kun are on .
All four of us sit on the sofa and start the usual party game .
Wanting to corner everyone, Chako picks one of the larger game pads .
Apparently, she wants to play the role of the villain .
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“UHAHA, try escaping!”
“Wait, Chako! My side is…!”
“Okay, I’ll let Yui-chan off . ”
“Alright, I think we’ll be let off if we stick with Naba . ”
“Stop! Don’t come here, Yuusei-kun!”
“Ehh, so troublesome . I’m gonna erase everyone along with Yui-chan after all . ”
“Chako, you idiot!”
If you didn’t read this at nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
Yuusei-kun’s character approached mine, who was taking refuge in a corner .
Grabbing that opportunity, Chako who didn’t attack my side until now, starts attacking us .
The mushroom character I’m manipulating is baked by flames and its hearts[2] disappeared in the blink of an eye .
By the way, Yuusei-kun is skilfully jumping and avoiding Chako’s attacks . How mean .
“I had to retire because of Yuusei-kun…”
“It can’t be helped . Just diligently send us 4, 5 and 6 dice blocks, Naba . ”
When I glare silently at Yuusei-kun, he snorts and orders me arrogantly .
When my brows knit tightly at that, Chako looks at me, nodding “Leave it to me” .
“Wait for me, Yui-chan . I’ll let Kousuke-chan and Yuusei-chan join you . ”
“… Un . Bring them down, Chako . ”
“… Naba . You’re part of our team, right?”
I look at Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun with resentment-filled eyes, and Kousuke-kun gives me an exasperated look .
I shake my head lightly .
My hearts probably won’t recover .
In that case, ending the game quickly so the next will start is more beneficial for me .
Translated by nakimushitl
“I’ll play the villain next . And defeat Yuusei-kun . ”
“Nah, you suck, Naba . You’ll probably just end without retiring anyone . ”
“I can do it . I’ll work hard . ”
When I clenched my fist and make a resolution, Chako cheers “So cool!” .
The summer break we spent spiritedly was really fun .