Nanjo Rin’s Situation Takes a Turn

[Not bad, not bad.

This piece of yours is pretty good too, Tsuki.]

Hisateru Yoshiko nodded her head back and forth as she looked at the article I wrote.

[Tsuki really has literary talent.

At this rate, our Yueji is definitely going to sell well.]

She reached that conclusion all on her own, and it sounded exactly like the kind of death flag that often appears in stories.

An ending born of such arrogance usually turns out completely opposite to expectations, and who knows, this failure might even knock her flat and keep her from getting back up.

Well, it has nothing to do with me anyway.

If anything, it might calm this overly energetic club president down and stop her from constantly thinking up random nonsense that could even interfere with my plans.

So really, part of me just wants to see what kind of expression she’ll make.

I suppose I’m simply looking for a bit of pleasure to pass the time in this boredom.

As for the article, while it was a little troublesome, for someone reasonably smart like me it wasn’t much of a challenge.

Being acknowledged was well within expectations.

That should mean the trouble is over for now.

What I need to do next—

I narrowed my eyes slightly, then opened them wider, letting a happy look show.

[Really, President.

I was actually a little nervous, worried it might not pass.]

[How could it not.

Tsuki, this is really very well written.

It almost feels like it’s catching up to Noriyuki’s piece.]

That sounded like very high praise for Nishimura Noriyuki’s article.

I did feel a little curious about what she had written.

Just a little, though.

[Noriyuki, how about Ichijou’s.]

Ichijou Rikou submitted his piece at the same time as mine, and as vice-president and tea attendant, Nishimura Noriyuki naturally became the reviewer for Ichijou’s work.

Of course, she had no complaints about this at all.

If anything, she even seemed a little happy.

Ever since that conversation before, their relationship had warmed up quickly.

They talked for longer periods, and from an outsider’s perspective, there was a hint of ambiguity.

At the very least, that’s how Amayama Kaoru saw it, as she kept glancing at me with worried eyes.

As for me, I naturally had to put on a bit of an act.

I paid attention to the interactions between Ichijou Rikou and Nishimura Noriyuki, and at times even showed a trace of discomfort at how close they seemed.

Just like now—

Watching Ichijou Rikou and Nishimura Noriyuki talk quietly, I pressed my lips together.

[Ichijou’s piece passes as well.]

Still answering in her usual stiff manner.

Perhaps because she didn’t want to betray Ichijou Rikou’s friendliness, she reviewed it with extreme care and even gave far more comments than usual.

[Ichijou’s understanding of the Man’yōshū is very deep.

He quotes poems with ease, and his explanations are interesting.

Even someone without prior interest could still learn something and end up wanting to read it.]

[Ichijou, you’re impressive.]

An extremely high evaluation.

I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a bit of personal feeling mixed in.

[Good.

With Noriyuki saying that, I’m relieved.]

Hisateru Yoshiko nodded in satisfaction, the braided tips of her hair swaying happily.

A quiet-looking girl who is actually lively and noisy.

That kind of strong contrast.

[But with just these pieces, we still can’t make a magazine.

We’ll need to collect a few more articles from around campus.]

She said that, then made a decision before we could even respond.

[It’s decided.

Noriyuki and I will review the submitted articles.

Tsuki, Kaoru, and Ichijou, you’ll handle promoting the fact that the Classical Literature Club is looking for submissions.

Any type is fine, as long as it’s related to literature.]

She directly assigned our work.

[Kaoru, I appoint you as the Classical Literature Club’s official publicity officer.

Lead Tsuki and Ichijou and get this done quickly.]

[Y-Yes.]

So in the end, she shoved a pretty troublesome task onto us.

Reviewing articles wouldn’t be easy either, but—

Ah, this is still such a pain.

And there’s no way to refuse.

I really should hurry home.

Please, don’t make someone who’s practically already rotting do something this annoying.

That’s what I thought in my heart, without much feeling attached.

It was more like complaining out of habit.

On the surface, I nodded enthusiastically.

[I’ll complete the task, President.]

[That’s the kind of enthusiasm I like.]

Hisateru Yoshiko was fired up.

[So how should we promote it, Tsuki.]

As we were about to part ways, Amayama Kaoru, who had been given the important role, looked troubled.

For someone as airheaded as her, this kind of problem was simply too much.

[Isn’t that something the publicity officer should think about.

Kaoru, I’m not the publicity officer.]

[Eh, but I am the publicity officer, Tsuki.

Why would you say that.

Aren’t we best friends.]

[But having Kaoru as the publicity officer somehow makes me unhappy.]

[Eh, eh.

Do you want it, Tsuki.

Then let’s go ask President Hisateru to give the position to you instead.

I mean, you’re clearly more suited for it.

Giving it to me really is strange.]

I have no habit of creating trouble for myself.

[Puhahaha, I’m kidding, I’m kidding.

Kaoru, you’re so easy to fool.]

[Then don’t tease me like that, Tsuki.

Come on, tell me what to do.

I seriously have no ideas.]

[Let me think.

For promotion, the usual way is putting up notices, like club recruitment posters.

Stick them on the school bulletin boards so people passing by can see.]

[But for that, we probably need permission from the student council.

Ugh, that sounds hard.

Dealing with the student council.]

[That’s fine.

Then let’s go submit an application to the student council now.]

[Yeah, okay.]

Amayama Kaoru nodded happily, and I turned to look at Ichijou Rikou, who hadn’t joined the conversation and was immersed in his music.

[Sorry to trouble you, Ichijou-kun.

You’ll have to come with us.]

[Of course, no problem, Touha-san.]

Ichijou Rikou, who rarely refuses requests, agreed readily, and then—

The gentle music in my ears stopped.

Perhaps he thought listening to music wasn’t appropriate while on a task.

But really—

You didn’t have to stop it, Ichijou-kun.

I felt a slight regret at losing that rare bit of mood, though it didn’t really affect my emotions.

[Let’s go.]

The student council room wasn’t far from the Classical Literature Club room, but on the way we ran into something unexpected.

[Hey, you there.

Touha, Ichijou, and that woman who looks stupid at a glance and feels like I’ve seen her somewhere.]

Nanjo Rin stood there with her hands on her hips, calling out rudely.

The track-and-field club and the Classical Literature Club aren’t that far apart, so running into her wasn’t strange.

If anything, it was more surprising that it took this long to meet her in this hallway.

[Eh, it’s that person from before.]

Amayama Kaoru remembered, then added sadly.

[Th-That’s so mean.

I have a name.

I’m Amayama Kaoru.

And do I really look that stupid.]

[Yeah.

No matter how you look at it, you’re stupid beyond belief.

You’re the first person like this I’ve ever met.

Amayama Kaoru, right.

I’ll remember you.

You should feel honored to be remembered by me.]

[You’re so cute, so why are you saying such mean things.]

[W-Who are you calling cute.]

She was getting angry, but—

[Ichijou-kun—]

I spoke quietly to Ichijou Rikou beside me.

When he looked at me in confusion—

[Handle her roughly.

With lots of manliness.]

[Eh—]

[Hey, aren’t you going to say anything.]

Nanjo Rin raised her voice and turned her gaze toward us.

[Eh.

Why are you ignoring me.]

While Amayama Kaoru was hurt at being ignored, Ichijou Rikou had already taken two steps forward, closing the distance.

[W-What are you doing.]

Nanjo Rin’s bluster vanished instantly.

She shrank back, taking two steps away, clearly afraid of Ichijou Rikou.

He understood my words so quickly.

Well done, Ichijou-kun.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, feeling a bit of happiness at his quick thinking.

At least my smile deepened a little.

[Hah—]

Ichijou Rikou walked up to the trembling Nanjo Rin and reached out.

He rubbed her head.

[Good children shouldn’t be so rough, okay.]

[I-It’s none of your business.]

How should I put this—

It’s still not rough enough, Ichijou-kun.

Well, since his selling point is gentleness, suddenly turning domineering might even scare me.

Anyway—

[So, what is it, Nanjo-san.]

I showed her a soft smile, one that would win over most people, but when it came to Nanjo Rin—

[I just hate people like you, Touha, who can smile at anyone.]

She looked even more annoyed.

As expected, she really doesn’t like the way I act, but—

There’s nothing to be sad about.

[Hey, hey, what are you doing to Rin.]

Another uninvited guest appeared.

It was a bespectacled man I’d seen before.

[You again.

I already told you not to follow me.

Are you deaf.

Or are you just too stupid to understand what I’m saying.]

It was the man who barked like a dog at the gate that day, now shrinking his shoulders under Nanjo Rin’s scolding.

[I’m helping you, Rin.

Hey, kid, don’t touch Rin’s head, got it.

You’re not qualified.]

As he said that, he stepped forward and knocked Ichijou Rikou’s hand away.

[My name is Ichijou Rikou.

May I ask who you are.]

Introducing himself on sight had practically become Ichijou Rikou’s habit.

[My name is Yamashiro Okita.

Listen up.

Stay away from Rin from now on.

Otherwise, you’re dead.]

Though shorter than Ichijou Rikou, Yamashiro Okita still forced himself to raise his head.

[Is that so.

But are you really planning to drive everyone away from Nanjo-san’s side.

Wouldn’t that affect her.]

[Rin doesn’t care to talk to anyone else.

She only needs me—no, she needs us.

We’ll protect her.]

I noticed a particular choice of words.

So they’ve already formed some kind of group.

A “protect Nanjo Rin” team or something like that.

This wasn’t in the game.

So another variable has appeared after all.

Ah, this feels troublesome.

Dropping someone like me, already completely dried out, into a world full of variables.

Is this your idea of entertainment.

So then, what can I even offer you.

No matter how much I think about it, I can’t find an answer.