oregaiu-vtc3

Chapter t3. Naturally, Iroha Isshiki Doesn’t Forget About the Landmine
The first three days of the new years had passed, and the whole New Year fuss had died down. My parents, who were previously resting, went to work again and became busy as usual. Komachi started seriously studying for exams. Because of it me and Kamakura were left to our devices.  But relaxing atmosphere doesn’t mean relaxed mind for me. Leisure instills a sense of dread in the hearts of people. When you’re constantly busy you don’t have time to ponders about such things. When you’ve got nothing to do, you can’t help but start thinking about your aimless future and become depressed.
Ah, I don’t want neither to go to school nor go to work. Such were the thoughts that visit me during the short winter vacation. It’s as if these thoughts make a hint: the time of leisure always comes to an end. In fact, we all know that this time never lasts long. And since you have so little time, your mind becomes burdened with a task of wasting it. I wonder if that’s how it is for NEETs who suddenly realize their parents are getting old? Such thoughts I was thinking while lying on the floor and scratching the cat’s fluffy belly. But the true strength was in being able to withstand that burden! I’m a real unemployed guy. Sometimes they say “time to show what you’re capable of”, mister unemployed ranobe writer. In other words, “ranobe writer” = “unemployed”. QED. Or Spiral, if you prefer.
Today the school starts. Because of the mesed up daily rhythm I was in a hurry this morning. After washing my face, wetting and combing my hair and checking my look in the mirror I felt cold morning air washing away the remainder of my drowsiness.
All right, let’s do our best today too!
x x x
After the first day after vacation the class was noisier than usual. Overly excited students greeted each other and wished happy new year. Probably their excitement to meet each other was combined with one from the New Year.
Even after the classes had ended the excitement was still there. Many of the students stayed in the classroom, probably to discuss all sorts of things. Hayato Hayama and Yumiko Miura’s group was especially outstanding. They always were the noisiest, but today they outdid themselves. Ooka, Tobe and Yamato, as usual, were chatting about various stuff, while Hayama was sitting near the window and looked outside, his head resting on his hand. Sometimes, as if remembering about their existence, he said something to keep the conversation going and smiled. The girls, on the other hand, appeared to not be interested in guys’ talk and were chatting about something other. Though one of them didn’t talk at all.  She simply was sitting fully  leaning on the chair and twirling her hair with a miffed expression. Though time after time she threw condescending glances at Ooka and others. Maybe Ooka was scared of her scorn, or maybe just decided to switch the topic, but, as if remembering something, he coughed and asked:
“By the way, Hayato-kun, is it true you’re going out with Yukinoshita-san?”
“What?” Miura reacted without fully realizing what he had just said. So probably was I. What the hell was he talking about? That just… plain can’t happen… right? Or can it? Upon hearing the question everybody froze. Too bad time can’t freeze like that.
“Say what?!” Miura jumped up, her chair rumbling loudly behind. Everyone fell silent and turned to her. It’s as if the whole classroom was submerged into water-- so quiet it was.
“N-nah, no way it can happen!” Yuigahama quickly said, sensitive to the atmosphere in class. Ebina-san agreed. There also was one more person speaking:
“Exactly. I heard that...” Yamato said, slowly and calmly, the Yamato no one usually noticed despite his height and physique.  Everyone waited for him to continue, but he just fell silent. Instead he decided to turn his eyes to Yuigahama. The rest of the class followed suit.
“Wha?.. Me?.. She asked, shuddering. Maybe I shuddered too. The hell’s Yamato blabbering about? That just plain can’t happen… or can it? Throwing a glance at Yugahama’s direction I notice another person also looking at her.
“Yu… Yui? Eh?..” Seemingly having spent all the air in her lungs, Miura didn’t shout anymore, only opened and closed her mouth like a fish. Yuigahama and Hayama looked at each other.
“No-no-no-no-no! No way! Ain’t happening! I mean, I’m… Anyway, no!” Yuigahama defended herself while swaying her hands.
“Yes, Yui’s correct,” Hayama said calmly; that shifted everyone’s attention to him. Class fell silent yet again. So his words were clearly heard by everyone.
“Where did you get this irresponsible information from?” Hayama asked and looked at Ooka and Yamato; both shivered under his stare. Hayama always was detached, so now that he said it head-on, they stumbled, not knowing what to say. A drop of sweat appeared on Yamato’s forehead. But Hayama’s look clearly said “spit it”. I’ve seen that face of his once. It was in late autumn, at the double date with Orimoto and her friend. Under the pressure of this look Ooka started haltingly explaining himself:
“N-no one. It’s just… rumors… that you were seen together in Chiba during winter holiday.”
“Yeah. Heard that too,” Yamato confirmed. Hayama sighed lightly; the corner of his mouth raised slightly.
“Oh, got it now. I’m sorry, but it wasn’t that much of a rare event. Just family business and met Yui by accident.”
“Y-yeah! Exactly!” Yuigahama eagerly confirmed Hayama’s words. He just smiled and nodded:
“Besides, no way it can happen. Right, Tobe?” Hayama asked with his usual smiled, tapping Ooka’s shoulder.
“Y-yeah, totally no way.”
“All right?” Hayama asked, as if to assure himself, and looked to Ooka and Yamato.
“Yeah, no way! I thought so myself!”
“Shouldn’t have said it in the first place then,” Hayama said and jokingly touched Ooka’s face with his fist. Everyone could clearly see the boys were joking, and the class settled down again. Hayama took his bag and stood up:
“To the club?”
“Yeah, ‘bout time.”
“Let’s go then,” He said calmly. Ooka and Yamato followed Tobe and said goodbye to the girls, then left. Miura wordlessly followed them with her eyes. She was still sitting there, biting her lip, her fingers grabbing her hair motionlessly. Yuigahama carefully put her hand on Miura’s shoulder and seriously looked into her face:
“It’s  true, someone got mistaken. There were others with us too.”
“R-really?” Miura worriedly asked. Yuigahama just smiled:
“Yep. I was out shopping that day and met Yukinon’s sister by accident. Her and Hayato-kun’s families are actually friends, so they wanted to celebrate New Year together. Yukinon was just called there.”
What’s with this silly explanation? Like explaining things to a little girl. Ebina-san summed it up:
“I see. So someone accidentally saw them meeting for family business and the rumors spreaded.”
“Yeah, probably.”
“You three really stand out, so it’s easy to notice you.”
I finished listening, stood up and exited the classroom.
x x x
Even the corridor was noisier than usual. Winter vacation had just ended, so everyone made a fuss over that. The students even gathered in the club wing.
“Hey, you heard? About Hayama-kun.”
“Yeah, heard that! Believe that, for real.”
I heard that all from the girls passing by. Maybe, as Ebina-san noted in classroom, they’ve heard some bits and pieces, assembled them as they pleased and spreaded them further. Thing is, it didn’t concern me in any way, but every time I heard that I felt an unpleasant sensation. It probably was the disdain for the people who I don’t even know who still were spreading those rumors. Though there probably wasn’t any evil intent in their actions. Maybe it was because those concerned the two people constantly on the tip of everyone’s tongue that this info was even juicier. So everyone naturally started gossiping about it without even checking the source. They mindlessly spread the rumors no one even could confirm. And if someone’s got caught on that, they could always disclaim responsibility by saying “it’s just a rumor”. Usually they always tried to grab as much attention as possible, but as soon as it all goes south they prefer to blend into the crowd. I really disliked that.  I’d rather hear shit about myself eye-to-eye.
Thinking about that I heard perky footsteps behind, seemingly trying to catch up to me. That couldn’t be anyone else but Yuigahama. I slowed down a bit so she could approach me. Yuigahama hit my thigh with her bag.
“You left without me again.”
“Well, you were talking about something.”
Besides, I didn’t promise to wait for you to go to the club. Though I did make such promise all the way back in December. Apparently Yuigahama thought it was still valid.
“Hey, did you… hear our conversation?”
You were really standing out as you were, even without Miura shouting. I think the whole class heard it.
“T-There wasn’t anything! Honest!” Yuigahama quickly said taking several steps ahead and looking me in the eye. You don’t have to persuade me like that, you know.
“I’ve been there and seen everything. You forgot or something?”
“I didn’t… It’s just… not about that.”
“Rumors are rumors. A fiction.”
“Yeah, but...” Yuigahama said and stopped. Moment later she raised her face..
“But you know… One day it may become true for Yukinon and Hayato-kun… and me too...”
I tried to imagine that and failed. Yukinoshita was one thing, but Hayama dating someone specific was impossible to visualize. Yuigahama on the other hand was easy to imagine. She’s really popular with boys, according to Tobe. Besides, when we helped organizing the Sports Festival, I constantly saw other boys cling to her. Can’t think I like to think about it all though. So I tried to wrap the conversation up.
“Don’t know, just… Don’t talk about it in club, okay?”
“Hm? Why?” Yuigahama frowned and looked at me.
“She’ll get angry, you know.”
“Oh, right!”
That’s knowing someone for a year to you. I could easily imagine an angry Yukinoshita. She really would be mad when she learns about those irresponsible rumors. Me and Yuigahama looked at each other, nodded and opened the clubroom door for the first time since long ago.
x x x
The clubroom was already warm. Sighing, I took my usual seat. Yuigahama’s cake was already on the table, cut into slices.
“Happy birthday!”
“Congrats.”
“Happy birthday, Yukinoshita-senpai!“
Yukinoshita appeared to be flustered by our words.
“T-thank you… Should I prepare the tea?” She asked and started brewing the black tea. Along with the sound of tableware clinking I heard the familiar surprised voice.
“Yukinoshita-senpai, so your birthday is January 3rd, huh… By the way, mine’s on April 15th, senpai.”
“Didn’t even ask.”
The hell was she doing here anyway? She lightly tilted her head, her flaxen hair swaying. Her cardigan’s sleeves showed underneath the well-worn school uniform. In her small hand was a fork, as if she wanted something. Iroha Isshiki was in our club as if it was normal. She had one of the four slices and a paper cup full of tea. You’re really good at adapting. Are you from TOKIO or something? She would probably survive on an inhabited island.
“What are you doing here?”
“Eh? Well, you know. There’s really nothing to do in student council this time of year.”
“What do you mean ‘nothing’? There’s always something to do. Not that I know the details. Then, I don’t know, go to your club. You’re still manager there, did you forget?” I said. Isshiki tapped my shoulder.
“Eh, what’s the big deal? Oh! I came here to pick things I’ve left here before Christmas.”
“You just made that up, didn’t you.”
Such a convenient excuse that was.
“Hm…”
Yukinoshita sighed while Yuigahama showed a strained smile. Damn you, Irohasu… We all understood everything but Isshiki still behaved like nothing happened. Like a Keroyon or something. May as well put her near the drug store. Still, she felt uncomfortable under our stares, so she started blowing the already lukewarm tea to distract us.
“Ah, by the way!” Isshiki suddenly switched the topic while smiling widely.
“Is it true Hayama-senpai is going out with Yukinoshita-senpai or Yui-senpai?”
“Uogh!” Yuigahama shouted.
“...Excuse me?” Yukinoshita abruptly said. Damn. How can Isshiki step on landmines with such a calm expression. What are you, from Hurt Locker? Not to mention a four-seam fastball without any warnings. With you as a pitcher any game would be over soon. And if anyone learns about your fastball you’ll become famous very fast. Though, it’s Iroha Isshiki I’m talking about. No doubt she’d done that on purpose. And she came here specifically to check if the rumors were true or not.
“Iroha-chan, you know...” Yuigahama started explaining.
“Isshiki-san...” … but was immediately stopped by a scary cold voice. I looked at her. Her smile was like northern lights, her eyes were forged from ice caps. Isshiki clearly saw that and now was shivering. Even her voice was shivering.
“Y-Yes?” Isshiki managed to reply and immediately hid behind me, only peeking from behind my shoulder. Hey, stop using people as shield, you! Yukinoshita’s killer stare was directed at Isshiki.
“There is no way it can happen, don’t you think?”
“O-of course! I thought so too!”
“Yeah! No way!” Yuigahama eagerly confirmed.
“No-no, Yui-senpai, in your case it totally can happen,” Isshiki said waving her hands..
“Why?!” Yuigahama cried. What do you mean why?.. Well, take your looks for example. Looks is a scary thing! Seriously. While I was thinking about it, Isshiki again started saying something to a miffed Yuigahama and still mad Yukinoshita while swaying her hands all the while.
“Well… I knew from the start that neither Yui-senpai nor Yukinoshita-senpai don’t go out with him. But I’m still interested in those rumors.”
“Rumors?” Yukinoshita asked looking at me and Yuigahama.
“Yeah, people talk about stuff,” I said.
“I was surprised too. You know, about us going out? Remember we met back then? Seems like someone has seen us and jumped to conclusions.”
“I see. The usual gossip of the lowly trash.”
Oh come on. Others’ love life is always a favourite topic for any high school student. Add to that the fact that Hayama, Yuigahama and Yukinoshita and very noticeable people who everyone wants to discuss even more. Isshiki had a crush on Hayama, so it was only natural for her to check the rumor. I looked at her. Isshiki seemed to be in doubt, tilting her head and thinking about something.
“But that’s real bad.”
“Indeed. It’s very inconvenient for those who perpetuate the rumors.”
“Ah, no, that’s not what I’m talkin about,” Isshiki carefully said. Yukinoshita tilted her head.
“What, then?” She asked. Isshiki lifted her finger.
“It’s kinda strange, but until now there weren’t any rumors about Hayama-senpai’s love life.”
“True,” Yuigahama noted, looking at the ceiling as if pondering some idea. Ah, got it. I indeed didn’t remember ever hearing about this aspect of Hayama’s life. Though it’s not like I would really know about any aspect of his life. Not that anyone makes reports to me specifically about that or something. So all I can do is suspect. May as well google with Kokkuri-san.
“So many girls are worried about those rumors,” Isshiki muttered crossing her hands. Yep, no one ever gossiped about Hayato Hayama dating anyone. Hayato Hayama… It honestly wouldn’t be strange if he did date. His good-natured behaviour attracts girls. And I think many of them were afraid of such developments. And now, not thanks to the gossiping, the possibility of him going out was now obvious to everyone. I wonder how his closest environment would change regarding that.
“Rumors… He’s really unlucky...” Yukinoshita muttered to no one in particular. I saw ripples in her teacup.
“Oh come on! Don’t worry about that! They’ll die down eventually! You know what they say, all the rumors only last 49 days!” Yuigahama tried to console her.
“It’ actually 75 days.”
What, someone’s died recently?
“Anyway, let’s not dwell on it!” Yuigahama exclaimed for Yukinoshita’s sake. Indeed, everything we could do was just keep quiet. Fighting those who feel delight in spreading the rumors was meaningless. One just needed to crawl into a dark place and shut up. That was the only way to counter the negative misunderstandings and the tendencies to mock someone. Any attempts to persuade them otherwise while you’re red from shame would only agitate them further, because all they really want is entertainment. Besides, if anyone tried to defend the bullied person, they’d become the target themselves. This game always has a loser, like in rock-paper-scissors. A person could be criticized even for doing nothing, but in any case the damage will be minimal. Yukinoshita apparently knew it too, as she nodded:
“All right.”
“Would be nice,” Isshiki’s words were similar, but their meaning was slightly different. You start worrying me, so don’t do that anymore. I looked at Isshiki. She was simply drinking tea, like some granny on a veranda. She doesn’t plan to stay here until she gets some work in student council, now does she?