Higashi Hazuki Types Fast

[Ahaha, that guy is so funny.

As expected of the number one comedian.

It feels like even a random movement is enough to make people laugh.]

[This teacher’s explanation is so hard.

I really can’t understand it at all.]

[It’s really romantic.

If only I could meet such a good man too.

Damn it, why is it that no man ever confesses to me.]

In the hallway, students passed back and forth.

Some were heading back to their classrooms, chatting loudly.

Others whispered quietly to one another.

Those voices entered my ears just like that.

[Excuse me, is Murata Daisuke here?]

I stopped a boy who was about to return to his classroom.

He seemed like the type who could talk to anyone.

Just earlier, I’d seen him laughing and chatting with a group of people.

After I spoke to him, he turned around with a puzzled look.

Then his eyes lit up slightly.

[You’re… Higashi-san.]

Looks like he knows me.

[Sorry, may I ask who you are?]

[Ah, my name is Ōta Mamoru.

I’m a student from Class 1–8.]

The rather ordinary-looking boy straightened up, clearly nervous.

[Yes, nice to meet you, Ōta-san.]

[Y-yes, I’m happy to meet you too, Higashi-san.

After all—]

He lowered his head shyly.

As expected, was he captivated by the beauty of this body?

Perhaps he’d even learned about me through some channel, which was why he could call my name so easily.

If that’s the case, then he’s someone easy to control as well.

[Um, may I ask why Higashi Hazuki is looking for Daisuke?]

From the familiarity of his tone, it was clear they weren’t strangers.

At the very least, they talked daily.

They might even be friends.

[Well—]

I hesitated slightly, but still showed him a smile.

[I have something I’d like to talk to Murata-san about.

Would that be alright?]

[Ah, ah, then I’ll go call him.]

In a hurry, he rushed into the classroom.

Perhaps because a strange girl had appeared, a few people inside glanced over curiously.

I responded to all of them with a smile.

After a short while, Murata Daisuke was pushed out by a group of boys.

They looked like they were enjoying the spectacle, whispering things to him as they came.

[It’s that really pretty Higashi-san.

Daisuke, you’re so lucky.]

[Damn it, when did you get to know her?

I’m jealous.]

Once we were outside the classroom, it finally quieted down.

[Higashi-san, may I ask what this is about?]

Murata Daisuke was the one who’d swung the bat that hit Tsukihi.

His malice was obvious.

So obvious that he didn’t even bother hiding it at school.

Now he looked fearless, completely unconcerned, still pretending to be gentle.

[Can’t I look for you if there’s nothing in particular?]

[Oh—]

At that line, the boys behind him immediately started making a fuss.

[If you’ve got something to say, just say it.

I’m busy.]

Murata Daisuke clearly didn’t want to get involved with me.

He frowned.

As expected, a firm supporter of Nangō Rin.

[I’ve already recorded what you did last night.]

I lowered my voice and said it to him.

[You’re trying to scare me, right?

We cut the power last night.

Even if there were cameras, there’s no way they could’ve recorded us.]

His expression changed as he spoke in a hushed voice as well.

[If you don’t believe me, Murata-san, then I’ll just put it online.]

[Or maybe I could show it to a teacher and ask them to help me figure something out.]

[Or I could hand it over to the police.

I’m sure they’d give me justice.]

[What happens after that will depend on your luck, Murata-san.]

After those words, Murata Daisuke’s face changed again and again.

[Hey, Daisuke, what are you guys talking about?]

One of his friends started egging him on, like a radio tuned to gossip.

[Haha, it’s nothing.]

Using laughter to mask his anger.

That’s what Murata Daisuke was doing.

Then—

[What are you planning to do?]

[You wouldn’t come looking for me without a purpose, right?]

He’s fairly sharp.

I’d thought he might be consumed by anger and lash out immediately.

That would’ve been something I’d gladly watched.

Though it would’ve become troublesome afterward.

[I just need you to tell me the details about your group.]

[What do you mean?]

[For example, how many people are in that so-called Rin Protection Squad.

And who’s the one really behind all this.]

[You think you can threaten us?]

[At the very least, I can make you pay some price.]

I said that, then let out a light laugh.

[Well then, I won’t bother you any longer.]

Ignoring the gaze behind me that felt hot enough to burn, I walked away just like that.

The rest depended on what moves they’d make.

[Look, these are the laptops Noriyuki sponsored.

Three in total.]

Kudō Yoshiko greeted us with a bright smile the moment we entered, gesturing enthusiastically.

[This one’s already in use.

Ichijō is typing.]

She pointed toward Ichijō Riku, who was quietly typing away.

He turned his head and greeted us when he noticed.

[Higashi-san, Tenzan-san.]

[Ichijō.]

Facing his ever-gentle smile.

[This computer is for Kaoru.

Make sure you design things well.]

[Mm-hm.

I’ve already got some ideas.]

Tenzan Kaoru was brimming with excitement, already pulling out the designs she’d drawn in class.

[So, how do I put this into the computer?]

[Well—]

Kudō Yoshiko rubbed her chin.

[I think you need to learn some software for that.

But I believe that with Kaoru’s intelligence, it won’t be a problem at all.]

Tenzan Kaoru froze completely.

For an idiot like her, learning new things was an extremely difficult task.

But—

Do your best, Kaoru.

I decisively sat down in front of another computer.

Imitating Ichijō Riku, I opened a document and started typing in the handwritten manuscripts.

Since we still needed to check for typos afterward, I had to read carefully as I typed.

[I won’t betray President Kudō’s trust in me!]

Tenzan Kaoru declared boldly, then plunged into learning design software.

Meanwhile, Kudō Yoshiko and Nishimura Noriyuki weren’t idle either.

They began reading through the next batch of submissions.

From that point on, the Classical Literature Club became the Yueji Editorial Department.

It sounded like a joke.

But in reality—

That was exactly what it was.

[Ah, it took so long just to type two manuscripts.]

By the time it was about right to leave, everything finally wrapped up.

Ichijō Riku stretched lazily, looking a bit tired.

Considering he wasn’t used to computers, this speed was already quite impressive.

In any case, the curve of my smile deepened.

[What about you, Higashi-san?]

[Me?

I typed eight.]

[Eh, that’s fast.]

Don’t pretend my dried-up, decaying life never existed.

[You did great too, Ichijō.]

[Compared to you, that’s really not true at all.]

He sighed, but didn’t seem particularly discouraged.

[At this rate, the magazine the president talked about should be out pretty soon.]

At this pace, that’s true.

[By the way, Higashi-san, when you went to see those people, nothing happened, right?]

[I believe Murata-san will make the most correct decision.

Though during the process, someone might misunderstand and think there’s some kind of relationship.]

[I see—]

He was thinking.

It seemed even the gentle music in his ears couldn’t distract him.

What are you thinking about now?

Or could it be—

[Hehe—]

I let out a soft laugh.

[Ichijō, you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable, aren’t you?]

[Eh—]

[I can imagine it.

The beautiful girl who’s always by your side never once comes to look for you.

Instead, she goes to the door of another classroom to find another boy.

Even if you know the reason, it still feels a little uncomfortable inside.]

[That’s right, isn’t it?]

No answer.

Then it probably is.

[I’m sorry, Ichijō.

Higashi Hazuki could also come to your classroom door on her own.

She could even confess to you in front of everyone.

That kind of thing wouldn’t be difficult for me.]

[But I still have to think about the other heroines.

At the very least, right now, I’m not ready to break with Tsukihi.]

[These things—]

I winked at him.

[Let the original Higashi Hazuki handle them.]

Compared to a counterfeit like me, the original, flawless Higashi Hazuki is far more worthy of your affection, Ichijō.

[Ahem—]

He withdrew his gaze from me.

[Higashi-san, does this song sound nice?]

I didn’t get the answer I wanted.

Feeling a little disappointed, I still obediently closed my eyes and listened carefully.

Just like before, it was gentle and relaxed, yet moving.

Like a spring rain at noon, nourishing the body and mind.

Even something already rotten could still feel a trace of it.

In the end—

[It sounds really nice, Ichijō.]

I said it softly.

Immersed in it, together with the evening breeze.

[I’m really sorry about last night, Higashi-senpai.]

Amano Sora apologized repeatedly the moment he saw me.

[It was my mistake.]

Just as everyone said, Amano Sora was rather absent-minded.

To be honest, it was my fault.

I hadn’t considered that factor.

As for how he could absurdly mistake Muromachi Road for Edo Road, that could only be blamed on some unseen presence that wanted to see me embarrass myself.

In any case, getting through it without incident was enough.

[It’s alright, Sora-senpai.

If anything, I troubled you.

I’m really sorry.]

I bowed slightly.

Let this be an apology for wanting to use him before.

Not that I care much about it anyway.

[Ah, even though it was my fault—

But this time too, please watch our training properly.]

Halfway through his words, Amano Sora suddenly changed tone and looked at me with intense enthusiasm.

So—

What a hassle.

But I couldn’t refuse.

It was an invitation from a senior.

And after our deliberate closeness yesterday, I couldn’t just brush him off.

It just meant—

I’m troubling you again, Ichijō.

I glanced at Ichijō Riku.

He didn’t seem particularly resistant.

Could it be that he really wants to learn kendo?

In that case—

[Sorry to intrude again.]

This time, different people sparred with Amano Sora.

But without exception, they were all defeated within a few moves.

Honestly, someone not versed in it would get sleepy watching.

That was pretty much my state.

Still, I maintained an enthusiastic expression, watching Amano Sora show his strength.

And Ichijō Riku watched very seriously.

[Alright, I’ve more or less grasped your current level.]

That should be enough, right?

[Junior Ichijō, would you like to come up and try?]

Amano Sora looked toward Ichijō Riku.

How unexpected.