Oregairu Vol. 6.25 Chapter 3

Vol. 6.25 Chapter 3

[Just as I expected, Minami Sagami has not changed.]

When Meguri senpai arrived at the clubroom the next day after school, I was all alone inside watching over it.

The refreshing autumn breeze blew in from the opened window. The clubroom was quiet, except for the ticking of the clock and the flipping of pages.

Staying alone in this club room felt strange.

Come to think of it, I was always the last to arrive here.

The two people who were normally here before me, were not here today.

Just as they discussed with Meguri-senpai yesterday, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama had gone on ahead to persuade Sagami to take up the position of Sports Festival committee chairman.

Because this was an activity of the Service Club, perhaps I should’ve gone along as well.  But I was on really bad terms with Sagami, so I were to be present, Sagami would probably adopt an obstinate attitude. That much I could envision.

Hence, I was in charge of looking after the club-room.

With no noise around me, it was a pleasant reading experience with the temperature even lower than normal in the club room.

This was totally like the room of spirit and time. [1] As I progressed through the strings of characters and lines, before I knew it, I had already arrived at the final page of the book.

When I finished reading, I let out a yawn owing to the satisfaction and tiredness that I felt.

I had already been here for 30 minutes.

They have probably reached a stalemate with regards to the negotiations with Sagami.

Since I was great at wasting time, I didn’t really have any issues with staying alone here but I was still curious as to the progress of the negotiations. If Sagami rejected the position of chairman, then that position would naturally be pushed to us.

Even if I didn’t become the committee chairman, that position would most likely be taken up by Yukinoshita or Yuigahama. The person who recommended Sagami was Yukinoshita, and from her point of view, Yukinoshita would feel responsible for it. Hence, if Yukinoshita became the committee chairman, Yuigahama would try to replace Yukinoshita out of her own chivalrous spirit.

In the end, I was definitely going to be dragged into it.

In all probability, Hiratsuka-sensei will throw me into that messy whirlpool.

Since one couldn’t reject the work that was allocated to you, then one should be involved with the work allocation from the very beginning, and try to get oneself into a favorable position as much as possible such that one will have a much lesser burden in the end.

This was an era in which even the demon-king had to work. [2] Maybe even I had to work. Since the day will come where I have to work, then I should try and work under the most favorable conditions. Well, if I can get through this without working then that would be the best.

For the purpose of preparing myself for the worse, I wanted to know all the more how their negotiations were turning out. I guess I should go and take a look. As I thought that and stood up, soft voices could be heard coming from the distance doorway.

The door opened rudely all of a sudden.

“Ah~ I am so tired.”

“…….Good grief.”

Both Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were complaining as they entered.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Hearing my voice, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama gave a short sigh, and nodded their head together. Ah, they look really tired. Their fatigue seemed to have already spread to me. Or rather, I was going to be depressed at this rate. The current atmosphere was really unbearable.

And then, a warm air flowed out from behind the two of them.

“Thank you both. Hikigaya-kun as well.”

The one who said that with a bright smile was Meguri-senpai. She seemed to have followed them here after the negotiations with Sagami.

Ah, I feel refreshed by that. That smile and those kind words.

I see, those who were at the top really do act the way as I expected them do. Even if they didn’t, they also couldn’t quite possibly tell their subordinates “Eh, already going back?” to pressurize them.

On this note, even if Meguri-senpai did say that, the intention behind it would have felt something like “Already, going back…… I want to stay with you all just a bit longer…….” I have no doubt that it would not only have calmed everyone down, but would also have led people to happily stay back and work overtime.

My imagination was amazing. I had even imagined it to the extent whereby I confessed to her after a misunderstanding, at which she will reject me gently with that warm smile of hers and I would leave the place because I wouldn’t be able to endure staying around her any longer.

Those warm and gentle type of girls had an abnormally high chance of being confessed to by dull guys.
Just as I was fleeting between psychological trauma and rehabilitation, Yukinoshita’s voice washed over me like cold water.

“Shiromeguri-senpai, that guy is not particularly tired, nor is there any need to take notice of him.”

Eh eh, although you are not wrong in saying that I am not worn out.

“Yukinon, that’s just a form of greeting so it’s all right.”

Exactly! Yuigahama-san! I know that! But you don’t have to say it out! Also, what do you mean by “It’s all right?” I have no idea.

There was still one more thing that was more worrying than the above.

“So? What about Sagami?”

Hearing me ask that, Yuigahama drooped her shoulders with a fed-up expression on her face.

“Sagami was a pain to deal with……. Sagamin was quite unwilling, she said a lot of things……..”

“A lot of things, huh.”

That phrase probably had some meaning to it so I repeated it. Yuigahama nodded her head.

“Yes, that is, how to put it, I felt that we were trying to psyche everyone up[ワッショイ].” [3]

This girl, she probably meant suck up to everyone[ヨイショ]. [4]

Although I was already capable of translating Yuigahama-ese to Japanese, Meguri-senpai cocked her head in puzzlement with an “Um?”

“Well, since we did have to suck up to her quite a bit for her to do it, she’s not exactly right yet not exactly far from it either….. Something like that.” [5]

Yukinoshita quickly followed up on Yuigahama. No, those two words are totally different.

“You are warming up to Yuigahama quite a fair bit recently, aren’t you?”

Was this world so yuri yuri? Which publisher? Is it that, time something? [6]

Yukinoshita didn’t seem to know what I mean. Her face had a puzzled expression on it.

“It’s nothing like that, it’s very normal.”

“Really?”

Seeing my gaze that was implying that it was ‘totally not normal’, Yukinoshita lowered her gaze as though she was hurt.

“……. Sorry, Hikigaya-kun has never had any normal interactions with anyone and so he wouldn’t know. This is called normal, please remember it.”

Oh really, so this is normal. This world sure was peaceful.[7]

Well, never mind.  Now was not the time to be concerned with the Yuri affairs of Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, about how I was badly treated by them or my human rights problems. The problem was whether Sagami had accepted the position of the Sports Festival Committee chairman.

“So, what happened exactly?”

Having asked as such, Yukinoshita answered with particularly cold look.

“She accepted it more or less.”

“More or less?”

I cocked my heard in puzzlement as she added the pillow word to her answer. [8]

Thereupon, Yukinoshita let out a short sigh as though she had given up and gazed outside the window.

“Yes. After us, or rather Hayama-kun implored her to do it. That would be a more accurate way of saying it, I think.”

“So you made use of Hayama? Smart idea.”

To Sagami, the longing for Hayama could be said to be the reason for her existence, and so he would score higher points with Sagami than if Yukinoshita or Yuigahama were to ask her. Hayama was a useful card, but only at this kind of time.
However, it was really strange that Yukinoshita would ask a favor of Hayama. Don’t tell me that there’s going to be a typhoon tomorrow, or that the Keiyou line would stop operating?

Just as I was thinking about that, Yuigahama added on to Yukinoshita’s comment.

“To be more accurate, I think it was more like Hayato-kun intervening because he could not bear to watch us anymore.”

Ah, a vivid image sprang into my mind.

She was probably going all “I can’t do it~,” whilst having a happy expression on her voice as she accepted the task.

The nature of humans do not change that easily.

“Well, at least she agreed to it.”

Meguri-senpai joined in the conversation to smooth things over. Indeed, as long as one obtained the end-result, the process was not the problem. The lack of a committee chairman, the bad atmosphere surrounding class 2-F, all these problems could be said to have progressed a little. Or rather, you could say that the groundwork for it has been prepared. It would be great if all things could progress smoothly from here on, but I really doubt that it would be the case…….

Although she seemed she like she wanted to sigh as well, Meguri-senpai seemed to hold it back and continued speaking.

“Then, we should start…. Moving as well.”

“To where?”

Yuigahama asked and Meguri-senpai smiled.

“What’s next is the conference between the Sports Festival committee.”

Conference……. Ah, seems like I heard an annoying word.

However, this smile was not something that could be resisted. Furthermore, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama had nodded their heads and were standing up…….

If things were going to be like that, I had no choice but to go to the conference. I rose from my seat in resignation and left the clubroom.

          X                                                                                   X                                                                                      X


The conference room that was used to hold the Sports Festival conference was the same one used for the Cultural Festival. It was a place where the committee gathered each day.

Although I had not come here for quite some time, the conference room was neat and tidy, and did not have any semblance to the way it looked during the Cultural Festival.

People from the Sports Festival had begun arriving in twos and threes.

Amongst them, most were student council members. Seems like the core of the committee was comprised of student council members.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

As Meguri-senpai called out to the rest, the student council members bowed and stepped aside to open up a path for her. She’s a ninja now?

Besides the student council members, there were also students who were in sports attire. From their physique and aura, they seem to be members of the sports club.

Just as I was wondering about their purpose in being here, Meguri-senpai whispered into my ear.

“I have invited all the sports club to send out some helpers to help out on the actual day. We would be too busy with all the personnel cut and preparation work. “

Ah, I get it now…….. Although it’s supposed to be the administration committee, but in practice, it was made up of student council members and us as well as Sagami, those sort of willing volunteers who would help out.

To put it simply, the committee consisted of the executive portion and the team that worked on the grounds.

And so, the group that would come up with the ideas and plans was probably going to be us, the executive committee.

There was a familiar face in the field team.

It was the same for that person. After exchanging gazes with me, that person started to converse in a secretive manner with those around. This fellow was really familiar.

Judging by his attire, and a basketball sports bad on the table. That is to say that person is part of the basketball club?

Where have I seen this person……… I couldn’t find a suitable match in my memory that fitted the clues.

Well, I definitely can’t remember all these unimportant people.

For the sake of engraving memories, humans would need a strong provocation in order to get a strong stimulus in return. Precisely because of that, Kawa-something would reveal her black lace panties for me to see.

Ignoring those two minor characters for the present, I turned my head along with the rest towards the front of the conference room under the direction of Meguri-senpai.

Then, in the deepest corner of the room, there was a female there flipping through a document folder. Her long legs were crossed, and the white shirt fluttered about.

“Hiratsuka sensei…….”

So it’s really her……. Just as I murmured her name in a despondent voice, Hiratsuka sensei noticed us, and turned her head to face us.

“Oh, I see that you managed to get them.”

Hiratsuka sensei smiled when she recognized the people behind Meguri-senpai. To this, Meguri-senpai responded back with a smile as well.

“Yes, just as Sensei put it, it really can’t get any better than this.”

“So, this is once again sensei’s suggestion?......”

Noticing that I was looking at her with a rotten look, Sensei chuckled happily.

“I was also starting to dislike the Sports Festival that was more or less the same each year. I have great expectations as to what your will come up with.”

“Seems like she’s having fun…….”

Yuigahama said it in an overly honest manner. Well, of course she will start to detest it if it’s the same thing getting repeated each other. How many times has this Sports Festival been held again?

Hiratsuka sensei seemed to have experienced it many times but nevertheless maintained a cheerful disposition. Yukinoshita nodded her eye as though she wanted to confirm something.

“Is this Sports Festival also under your charge, Hiratsuka sensei?”

“Yup. This kind of job is done by those who are young. See, I am a young person, a young person.”

Is it because it was that important that you had to repeat it twice. Tsk, this person.

We felt sorry for Hiratsuka sensei who was saying it so joyously. No matter who it was, no one was able to make any comment. Quick, someone marry her already! Take the chance to grab hold of happiness while she’s still young!

We sank into silence owing to our sadness. Hiratsuka sensei probably noticed the change in mood, cleared her throat as though to clear away the past and began to speak again.

“Come to think of it, what about the committee chairman? Has it been decided yet?”

Meguri-senpai smiled vaguely at the question at which she was asked.

“I was rejected by Yukinoshita-san. However, because she recommended someone else so I asked her that person to do it instead.”

“Oh? Recommendation……”

Because of that word, Hiratsuka squinted her eyes in an instant in surprise. That was a look that was urging Meguri-senpai to continue. Understanding that, Meguri-senpai nodded her head.

“Yes. We have decided to give the job to Sagami-san.”

“Sagami? Oh…… I see…….”

Hiratsuka sensei seemed to be thinking of something as she folded her arms.

“Well, as long as it’s someone chosen by your, then there’s no problem Then, what about the committee chairman? Seems like she hasn’t arrived yet….”

Hiratsuka straightened herself as though searching for someone behind us. However, even if you do that, Sagami still wouldn’t be here. Then again, why wasn’t Sagami here? Although it was good that she wasn’t here.

I looked at Yukinoshita searching for the answer.

Thereupon, Yukinoshita answered without hesitation.

“Sagami-san will arrive here soon.”

“Is that so…… Then we will begin the conference once Sagami is here.”

Hiratsuka sensei glanced at the door as she said that.

We glanced at the door as well. There was no sign of anyone about to enter at all.

                     X                                                                        X                                                                        X

We had arrived at the conference room not long before.

The sound of people engaging in light-hearted talk and coughing, as well as the silence that resembled the intermission of a play. All these repeated itself over and over again.

I glanced at the clock on the wall.

It was already past the scheduled time for the conference.

But still, the conference would not start because of the reason that Sagami was late.

Well, being late for 5 to 10 minutes was no big deal. This was a common affair. Being late for a couple minutes was still tolerated.

Yet, being late for 15 minutes gave people the feeling that you were seriously late. After all, workplaces also used 15 minutes as a measure to whether you were absent or present.

Finally, everyone glanced at the executive committee with a look of “Has it not begun yet?” as though they were waiting for a game that was supposed to be selling in the winter but only appeared in stores in spring.

We had no choice but to continue waiting. Although Yuigahama had already sent a text and made a call, but there seemed to be no response from the other end. She sighed tiredly.

This sigh spread to everyone in the room.

Because of the fact that she still hasn’t arrived after so long, my skin started to clam up slowly upon feeling the mood of the conference room.

I made small idle chatter with Yuigahama and Yukinoshita who were beside me.

“Should we go and send someone to look for her?”

“Ah, probably…..”

Yukinoshita replied in a small voice as she glanced at the clock.

“Ah, then I will go and …….”

Just as Yuigahama was about to stand up, the door burst open. Everyone shifted their attention to the door.

“I’m really sorry for being late--------------“

As though she wasn’t actually sorry at all, Sagami walked in leisurely.

Not even waiting for the others to reply, she walked up to the seat in front, as though she had no doubts as to whether she should be in that position.

Midway, she probably noticed some familiar faces, and even waved to them. I wondered who they were and realized that they were those two minor characters that I saw earlier.

“Haruka and Yukko are also part of the administration committee. Please take care of them.”

“…… Un, please take care of us.”

The two of them wave their hands with a somewhat stiff expression.

For some reason, I started to remember their names.

Minor character A and B, those two were together with Sagami during the Cultural Festival. Probably because they were part of the basketball club that they were sent here be part of the Sports Festival administration committee.

As though she was relieved that she had found her friends here, Sagami became even more raucous.

The one who asked her to be the committee chairman was indeed us. Since she was invited here, I imagined that she thought that she was at an advantage.

Despite that, the one who knew that was only the executive committee, the other students had no idea. They looked at Sagami with frustration.

As Sagami took her seat, she probably noticed the gazes and flinched a little.

“Eh, sorry. ……. I am the committee chairman, Sagami Minami.”

With a fair bit of stammering, she made a bow.

The conference had finally arrived at a state whereby it could begin.

As though to confirm this point, Hiratsuka sensei who was seated at the front surveyed all who were present.

“Shiromeguri, let’s begin the conference.”

Having heard her name being called, Meguri-senpai nodded her head, and meted out an order in a gentle voice.

“Yes, then, let the conference begin. Sagami-san.”

“Yes, yes.”

Sagami seemed a little flustered at having her named called so suddenly.

“Today, you will do this with me. From the next time onwards, you will be hosting it.”

NICE decision. With that look she’s giving, I didn’t think that Sagami would be able to advance the discussions in the conference anyway. It was bound to end up like that time during the Cultural Festival.

Rather than letting Sagami stammer through the meeting from the start, it was more appropriate for Meguri-senpai to go over the important points of the meeting with her.

Meguri-senpai stood up and walked over to the whiteboard. A student council member followed her, and stood beside the whiteboard with a marker.

“Then, today’s topic will be about the main events of the Sports Festival.”

After that announcement, Meguri-senpai took the marker from the student council member, and wrote the topic on the whiteboard in big, round, cute letters.

Then, she smacked the whiteboard.

“Everyone come out with some ideas! Those who have ideas please raise your hands!”

Even after Meguri-senpai had looked about the room, people were just looking at each other and not making any noise.

In the midst of it all, Yuigahama raised her hand.

“Yes! Yuigahama-san!”

During this kind of time, as long as someone raised a proposal from the very beginning, it would change the mood and activity level of the conference. No matter what sort of proposal it was, the most important was to start the fire. In other words, the stupider the proposal, the better.

In this case, Yuigahama could be said to the trump card for this occasion. As expected of a bitch who was good at reading the mood by simply looking about or whatever. Because of the fact that she always looked about restlessly, she has found the only way out…….amazing.

This person sure has grown…… Just as I was touched to the point where my eyes were becoming slightly moist, I saw her expression. She was happily saying things like “Even though that isn’t bad, but this is quite good as well~”. This person, seems like she was only considering the things that she wanted to try without giving it further thought.

Well, that’s to be expected! This person was not the type to go about thinking of deep strategies before entering a conference.

Yuigahama was standing up, saying things like “I want to try this, I want to try that, I want to try that again!” in an super high-spirited voice.

“Something like inter-club relay!”

“If you did that, then those who don’t have a club won’t be able to participate. You will draw their ire, won’t you……”

The instant Yuigahama was done talking, Hiratsuka had murmured those few words.

And so, the words that were written on the board <<Inter-club relay>> , was struck out with a line.

That look of being rejected so quickly. I don’t know what to make of it…….

Yuigahama returned to her seat dejectedly.

Yukinoshita seemed like she was unwilling to accept it and tilted her head. She patted Yuigahama’s shoulders, probably to console her.

“Please don’t hesitate to speak up about any ideas you have!”

Meguri-senpai spoke cheerfully.

This time, it was Yukinoshita who quietly raised her hand.

“Okay! Yukinoshita-san!”

Yukinoshita responded calmly when she was called.

“An orthodox, bread eating competition.”

“I am afraid there will be complaints from the rice faction.”

Hiratsuka sensei replied in a flash. Why was there that deep, mysterious expression on her?
Was factional strife that serious?

The rice faction was probably a martial arts faction, what kind of monster were they to make those claims. [9] Rice monster Papp? [10]

“Then, what about a rice-eating competition. Like eating rice balls or something.”

Although Meguri-senpai suggested that, but it was probably going to be rejected for the same reason as before.

Naturally, Hiratsuka sensei shook her head. The reason given was the same as the bread eating competition.

After being rejected, Meguri-senpai muttered “un-un-“ and then clapped her hands together.

“Ah, what about a Mochi eating competition. They will even stick to your face, which will make it more enjoyable to watch!”

“- If they aren’t careful, they are going to die.”

Hiratsuka sensei looked at Meguri-senpai with a shudder. No, Meguri-senpai was scary……. Was it scary because of her innocence? The terror that came along with innocence was really something.

“Ah, what a pity…….”

As she said it, she crossed out the <<Bread eating competition>> <<Rice eating competition>> and <<Mochi eating competition>> with a line.

Looking at the board once more, this time, even Meguri-senpai’s face turned cloudy, but she quickly perked herself up, and said in a even more energetic voice.

“Get your spirits up and let’s try again! Next!”

Hence, no one dared to raise their hands out of fear. Even so, Yuigahama today seemed different from the rest.

Once more, a shout of “Me!” came from her as she raised her hand energetically.

“Okay! Yuigahama-san!”

Meguri-senpai called out her name lightly.

“Scavenger hunt!”

As soon as Yuigahama completed her sentence, Hiratsuka sensei murmured something again once more.

“If we were to take into consideration the students of which their parents still owe debts……”

…….Must you go that far, monster complainer. Hasn’t that come yet! The monster hunter! [11]

However, it couldn’t be helped. Debts were tough. Before I knew it, I had chalked up some debts to my parents and Komachi. Because this debt was between family members, I would probably default on them when they were due.

Out of consideration, a line was drawn over the words <<Scavenger hunt>> as well.

The whiteboard was a tragic sight to behold even if Yuigahama and Yukinoshita had suggested that many ideas. Yukinoshita eyes shifted between the whiteboard and Hiratsuka sensei, and said in a disgusted tone.

“Being considerate is all we are doing here…….”

“Recently, there are many complaints….. There are many limitations as well…….”

Even Hiratsuka sensei had a look of irritation on her.  I see, if Hiratsuka sensei were to approve any thing risky, she would be reprimanded by her superiors and the children’s guardians……. The middle management sure had it tough.

As the fire in the conference room started to subside, Meguri senpai tried her best to get her spirits up.

“Anyway, everyone please try and think about it. Please do give more suggestions!”
Probably because of the sight of Meguri-senpai trying her best, everyone was roused and Yuigahama, Yukinoshita and the members of the student council started to give out suggestions.

One after another.

Even though there were suggestions, but they were all rejected by some opposing voice coming from somewhere.

The whiteboard had already become one scary mess.

<<Ball throwing competition (Meaningless)>>

<<Ball-pushing competition (Meaningless)>>

<<Handicapped race>>

<<Eating contest>>
<<Summoning war>>

<<Decathlon>>

<<Decamelon>>

<<Botticelli>>

<<Chim Chim Cher-ee>>

<<Ooka Cherry>> [12]

All the above were struck out with a line.

Did it somehow change to a word association game in the middle? Wasn’t it fine to just leave it at the magical something? Also, stop making jokes out of the virgin Oooka Tadasuke! There’s nothing wrong with being a virgin!

If this goes on, the conference was going to end without having decided on anything,

Even if I were to say something now, I fear that it would just be struck down like all the other ideas. There the existence of this “flow” concept in a conference. When the mood was set, ideas and suggestions were more easily accepted. In a negative state, no matter how good the ideas were, they would be rejected or simply put into consideration.

Humans were social creatures. They would change along with the mood and atmosphere of their surroundings. They are fluid, ever changing, and will change along with the flow of people.

That’s why, no one can go against this flow.

To oppose this flow will result in discord. If it was not a person like me who had a steel resolve of never backing down, for example, I was like the concrete dike that protected the solitary island. If the person was not like me, they could never go against the flow.

Those who did not understand this would be continuously eroded.

“Please give some ideas, everyone.”

The one who said it was one of the person who was in charge of this conference, Sagami.

The voice was not particularly loud. Although she was in charge of the conference, but because it was Meguri-senpai who did most of the work, I guess that not many people will notice Sagami.

Yet, there will still some people who looked in Sagami’s direction.

Familiar voices easily found their way into your ear. It was not because of some simple perceptual awareness, but it was established because of the connection of awareness between people. Hence, only those who had personally interacted with Sagami before would hear her voice.

This, just as the conference was about to come to a halt, this lethargic person’s irresponsible remark.

This person…… It’s obvious that she didn’t do anything, and yet still have the nerve to ask people for suggestion…… Are you the boss!

Although I thought that way, but I didn’t speak my mind. That is to say, I am the boss!

Although I feel that I would be amazing in the future, but if a fellow like me became the boss, then my subordinates were going to be in a pitiable state, so I have decided to never work. Never work, absolutely never. To work is to lose.

As I added one more layer of resolve of never working, I stared at the window as I had nothing better to do.

       X                                                                                  X                                                                                  X

The setting sun was glowing outside the window. Autumn was progressing, the days were getting shorter.

Seems like once the days become shorter, the air will also grow colder. I didn’t know when but the mood in the conference room now could not get any worser.

Long conferences made everyone who were involved weary.

Weary till they were playing with phones, staring lifelessly into blank space or fanning themselves with the printed materials. The administration committee themselves too had a look of unhappiness.

“Uuuuuu……. If, if there are still other suggestions, please say it…… Are there any others……”

Meguri senpai said it in a tired voice, the responses from the crowd were pretty slow.

Towards Sagami’s “Any more suggestions?-----“, no one made any reply.

As the two of them went about uttering the same thing in between breaks and pauses, Hiratsuka sensei maintained her silence.

Just like protecting her chastity. Protecting it way too strongly!  [13]

As though my thoughts had reached her, Hiratsuka sensei who had always been folding her arms and closing her eyes, now opened one eye and looked at me. Then she moved her jaw in a queer manner as though giving me a secret signal.

She probably wants me to think of something.

I sighed unintentionally.

“Ha, if this goes on we won’t decide on anything…..”

Yukinoshita’s words followed closely behind mine, and pressed her forehead and made a tired sigh.

“Yes. They are far more lacking in ideas that I expected……”

“No matter what we say, objections far outnumber the ideas…..”

Although Yuigahama had raised several proposals, but these few times, not only Hiratsuka sensei, but the others as well rejected her with an avalanche of reasons.

Both of them seemed to be in the given up on conference mood. Not the cat ears mode. [14]

In the situation whereby the flow did not feel right, even an assertive proposal will have a weak effect. This useless conference should just hurry up and end.

“There’s a limit to how much we can think. Just thinking alone is pointless.”

Just as I was done saying it, Hiratsuka sensei stared at me.

Also, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were also staring at me.

Really…… So you guys are really not giving up…….

“Then what shall we do?”

I started to think after being asked that by Yuigahama.

We can’t do it alone. Then we should just let others who could do it, do the job. Or we could force those who cannot do it. Who knows, maybe they will do it by the stipulated time. As expected, we should let someone else other than me to do it.

As expected, we should just let Master Shinran take over from here. I will be awaiting others to help me with their strength. I was seriously a Buddhist. Well, although I am pretty sure Master Shinran didn’t mean it to be like that. [15]

“This what probably what they meant by ‘getting the right person for the job.’”

Hearing that wonderful idiom from me, Yukinoshita nodded her head.

“That indeed is an important line of thought.”

Yup yup, this way of thinking is very important

Whether you were working or not, for some reason, whenever you displayed your specialization, work that were in that field would come non-stop to you from that point on. It was the same in a convenience store. A boy who was drawing some illustrations would always be asked to do some form of signage for the store. The store owner would say thing like “Since your drawing is not bad, you can complete the drawing really quickly right? I will leave it to you”. Just because one could do it doesn’t mean that one would want to do it. People ought to really consider this point more often.

I continued speaking in relation to my past experiences.

“Well, to put it simply, it’s a common fact that people are milked for all they are worth by the organization. Yet, they never get a wage increase so they look like an idiot when they continue to work.”

“I know! That, I know!”

I looked in the direction where the sudden loud noise was coming from. Hiratsuka sensei was banging her knee-caps and nodding vigorously.

“Hiratsuka sensei, I don’t think you should be agreeing with him here…….”

Yukinoshita’s cold gaze stood out from amongst the pitiful gaze that the other students were giving Hiratsuka sensei. To be able to say such things were truly remarkable. My eyes were starting to tear now and I can’t even see my front clearly now. If no one is going to take her away soon, I might just start working seriously to raise her. Hurry! Someone marry her already! Please!

I wiped away the tears in the corner of my eyes gently and continued.

“It’s pointless to try and get people who can’t do it to do the job. It’s better to just call the experts in the field.”

“That is to say, to give up the request?”

Yukinoshita looked at me in surprise. However, I too can make an assertion proudly.

“Wrong. Work-sharing. Job rotation. Outsourcing.”

Upon hearing those foreign words, Yuigahama made a sound like she was impressed.

“Although I don’t understand the meaning but it sounds impressive.”

Thank you for your praise. Anyway, this girl seems like she would be easily bluffed by others so she watch out for that. Seems like she would be buying those natural or whatever kind or food products and fall prey to a pyramid scam.

On the other hand, Yukinoshita seemed to be greatly troubled. If you could trust others more you would have a happier life, I think.

“I’m just impressed that you came up with so many terms that mean the same thing……. It’s really how you say it huh…….”

Yukinoshita sighed and Meguri-senpai who was next to her, stood up partially.

“However, as long as it can solve the problem it’s okay! Placing your trust in others is very important too!”

I received such strong support. I nodded my head at her and looked at Yukinoshita.

“Yukinoshita.”

“Eh eh.”

Just as I opened my mouth, Yukinoshita replied me immediately. Although it was a short exchange between us, but it seems like my thinking had reached her.

Then, I raised my hand and looked at Meguri-senpai.

“Shiromeguri senpai, as part of the external staff, I want to recruit some advisers.”

Hearing that, Meguri-senpai blinked her eyes.

“A DO BAI ZA-“

“…….. BAI ZA-“

Meguri-senpai tilted her head and repeated the words, Yuigahama followed suit.

“There’s no meaning in relying on us since we can’t get you a conclusion. Now, let’s hear the opinions from the pros, shall we?”

Hearing my follow-up, Meguri-senpai gave a smile.

“That is so. I would be happy if they would come and help. Right, Sagami-san?”

Although only in name, but Sagami was the committee chairman after all. Hence there was a need to more or less confirm it with her. Meguri-senpai had already settled everything smoothly, Sagami was probably afraid that she would be left out of the topic and so she replied in a flustered manner.

“Yes, Yes. That’s just what I was saying. No good ideas……..”

Sagami had also recognized the current situation, and would probably not have any reason to object. Those who attended the conference would probably say the same thing.

But then, just after Sagami was done talking, ever so quietly.

Just like the ink that drips into the water, came the sound of a small, faint voice. A voiceless sound that emitted without the vibration of the vocal cords. Although it did not echo, it nevertheless left an impression in my ear.

“Sensei.”

But, that sound disappeared when Meguri-senpai said that word. Meguri-senpai was now looking at Hiratsuka sensei.

Noting her gaze, Hiratsuka sensei nodded her head.

“Okay. ……. I want to settle this quickly as well. Pushooo---- Just like that.”

Whatever you just said was not adviser, but Budweiser maybe? Except for the “er” at the end, everything else was wrong.
(TL Note: Yes, they are still trying to figure out the word adviser.”

Naturally, I will not tell it to her directly. You see, there was nothing to be gained by pampering her.

Hiratsuka looked at me with displeasure, but I ignored her. And so, after a bit of thinking, she spoke again.

“So? Who do you intend to call? I want to settle this and go and eat.”

That, is appetizer. Probably. Except for the ‘er’ at the end, nothing was correct. This was pretty hard to understand, it seems.

Naturally, I won’t say that out. Hehe, if you feed a wild cat, it will follow you home once it knows you better.

“I have someone who has produced tangible results in my mind, I will ask that person.”

Seeing that I wasn’t baited at all, Hiratsuka narrowed her eyes. Then, as though she had the target in her sight, she raised her time.

“Alright, this is the final fusion, I will admit as such.”

“………”

That is Gaogaigar probably. There isn’t even a ‘er’ at the back.  But it somehow did feel close from the impression of the word. As expected from the King of Braves. [16]
I quickly swallowed what I was about to way, and wiped away the sweat on my forehead.

That was close! I was that close to making a retort…….

As I stopped my thoughts, Hiratsuka sensei looked on with a gaze of loneliness. Although I felt somewhat pained to see her like that, but there was a need to settle this main event problem. I will accompany you next time when I am free, so I hope you will spare me the next time.

I averted my gaze from Hiratsuka sensei’s look of longing and looked at Yuigahama.

“That, I will leave that fellow up to you, Yuigahama.”

“Eh?”

Yuigahama blinked as she pointed at herself.

I waved my hands and Yuigahama moved her chair closer towards me, and leaned towards me.

Closer than I had expected…….

The light perfume and fragrance of the shampoo tickled my senses. In order to calm myself down I took a deep breath. Because of brief pause, Yuigahama looked at me curiously. That’s why you are too close.

Because we met each other’s gaze under such close distances, we were both understandably embarrassed. We both averted our gaze.

I conveyed my message to her in a way that required me to not look at her as much as possible. In the process of listening, Yuigahama lowered her face. Her ears that was covered by the tawny hair seemed a little red, but that’s probably because of the light.

When I had finished, Yuigahama raised her head.

“I get it now. I will go and call them.”

Holding her mobile phone in one hand, she left the conference room to make a call.

I watched her leave and slumped my tired body back onto the chair.

      X                                                                                      X                                                                                      X

In a short moment, the advisors had arrived.

“So, it’s them?”

Yukinoshita glanced at the two people at the door way.

“You called me here for something?”

“FUMU?”

Ebina-san was looking at us blankly and then there was also ……… Zaimokuza.

Rather, I felt strange as to why Zaimokuza was here as well.

“Why is Zaimokuza here? Who? Who called him?”

“That’s a stupid question. Where Hachiman is, I will be there. When Hachiman thinks of me, I will be there.”

I totally did not understand him…….. Also, it’s particularly disgusting……. Don’t tell me it was that final fusion just now? Ha. I definitely do not want to fuse with Zaimokuza, especially when Ebina-san is here, this is bad!

Although I thought that way, Ebina san remained puzzled as she conversed with Yuigahama.

“Hey, Yui. Why did you call me here?”

…….Seems like in Ebina’s heart, there wasn’t such a thing as ZaimokuzaXHachiman. That’s great……. No, shipping people together was bad in the first place.

“I have some things to discuss.”

Yuigahama brought up the topic as I had forgotten to tell her since I was so relieved that she did not pair me with Zaimokuza. Was it because ZaixHachi seems like ostracism? [17]

“Discuss?”

Ebina-san scanned the room and cocked her head. Indeed, this sports festival committee was totally not related to her at all. No matter how hard people tried to think of a reason, they wouldn’t be able to come up with one.

“Yes, exactly that……”

“Each year during the Sports Festival, we would come up with some main events. However, we couldn’t think of any good ideas this year…… So I wish to have your creativity aid us in this matter.”

Before I could even explain, Yukinoshita had already touched on all the key points of the matter.

“I am bored so it doesn’t really matter…… But why me?”

“Ah ah, because Hikki chose you.”

Hearing that reply from Yuigahama, Ebina looked at me with deep interest.

“Chosen by Hikigaya-kun…… Heh.”

Ebina-san stared at me as she commented in a surprised tone.

“…….. During the Cultural Festival, wasn’t the Little Prince act a big hit? Well, you seem to be able to come up with all these strange ideas so I thought we could rely on you.”

Truth be told, Ebina-san was highly applauded for her creativity.

Producers were normally able to create a 1 from a 0 and change a 1 to a 10. Well, there are those people who had a negative effect. Those who would change the 1 to a 0 and the 10 to a 1.  Ah, Zaimokuza gave off that vibe.

If we were talking about Ebina-san, then she excelled in both arrangement and direction, a producer that could change a 1 to a 10. Furthermore, it was obvious that she could be relied on the aspects of projection and management from the results she had shown during the Cultural Festival. Also, she had connections with the school’s top class Hayama and friends. In the whole of Sobu High, there could not possible exist any producer who was more qualified than she was.

“Un, since you all have placed your expectations on me then let’s do our best together.”

Ebina-san laughed lightly.

Zaimokuza who was beside her looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

“Hachiman! Me too! I will do my best too!”

“Yes yes yes.”

I quickly tried to appease Zaimokuza who was trying to appeal to me by tugging on my sleeve as that was creeping me out.

“So, I will leave it to you. For an eye-catching main event, I will leave it to you.”

Hearing me, Ebina-san quickly straightened her spectacles.

“Eye-catching….. That is to say, an exciting event?”

“Yea, to put it simply.”

“They just have to be exciting right? They can be exciting in ANY way right?”

Ebina-san had a pensive look on her face but laughed almost immediately. What? What do you mean by in any way. This person was scary…… scary…….

Zaimokuza turned his head towards me for some reason. What? Do I have to attack with the wicked sword Ryushikae? [18] What a weirdo ----- As I verified that fact for myself once again, Zaimokuza turned his neck and called to me.

“Hey, Hachiman. Let me get this right……. Even if it gets everypme riled up with excitement, it doesn’t matter right?”

“Yea, no problem. Yes, do your best.”

As expected he was still a pain so I just briefly replied him. And then came the sound of hands clapping.

“Un un. It’s great that you can leave it to them. Then, we shall have to come up with the main event for the boys, can you help us with that?”

Meguri-senpai who had been watching the proceedings concluded, and Ebina-san and Zimokuza both nodded their heads.

“Then I will think about it~”

“Leave it to Yoshiteru~☆”

They said it at the same time and looked at each other.

“Do your best. Eh, Za, Za?  Za Za mushi?” [19]

Sounds about right to me.

However, Zazamushi Yoshiteru seemed to unhappy as he shook his fists.

“Don’t laugh! I will win this current show-down. Al, Also, don’t call me a Zazamushi! You, you prawn!” [20]

After saying something that sounded like some insult from an elementary school student, Zaimokuza ran.

How do I put it? This person seems to have taken Ebina for a rival now……. I guess it was an idiot otaku’s pride to not lose to a fujoshi. This is bad, but it really doesn’t matter. [21]

“When did it become a show-down……..”

Yukinoshita asked with a puzzled expression.

“Who knows? However, perhaps it will turn out great now that he is trying to do it on the basis of a showdown.”

“You are right in that regard.”

As expected of Yukinoshita who wants the loser and winner to be a black and white issue. She was so quickly convinced. Is that the reason why she likes Pan-san? That was black and white too.

Thus, the showdown between Zazamushi and the prawn begins……..

_____________________________________________________________________________________

[1] Dragonball Z reference. http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/Hyperbolic_Time_Chamber
[2] Reference to The Devil is a Part-Timer
[3] ワッショイ: A cry generally used to rally people when lifting up a palanquin.
[4] ヨイショ Something like Heave-ho. Has the addition meaning of sucking up to someone, hence Hikki’s monologue.
[5] Implying that they were lifting Sagami up on a pedestal (i.e. like a god) to get her to take the post. The actual words used here were 神輿に担ぎ上げる. Literally, it simple means, to lift the palanquin, but担ぎ上げる also means to convince someone to take up a postion, generally through flattery. Hence the reason why Yukinoshita says that Yuigahama is not far from the truth.
[6] Yuri- lesbian love. Also maybe a reference to Houbunsha, which published After-school tea time.
[7] Reference to the phrase今日も日本は平和です. No idea where it originated from though. Seems like a popular one on nico nico.
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makurakotoba
[9]The monsters here refer to people who make unreasonable complains.
[10] Referece toごはんかいじゅうパップ, a children’s anime in 2011.
[11] Monster Hunter is a game. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Hunter
[12] The stuff at the bottom is just random bullshit. Chim-chim-cher ee is by Mary Poppins and Botticelli is a game whereby you guess the name of a person that someone is thinking. Also decamelon seems to hint at big breasts although it could just refer to the book title, which I doubt.
[13] Word play on守. It quickly went from沈黙を守って (Maintaining the silence) to貞操を守って.(Protecting one’s chastity) Probably just Hikki doing his usual mock-the-sensei.
[14] Tsukuyomi’s opening theme song.
[15] Shinran(親鸞) is a Japanese Buddhist monk. The note sentence is a pun on the doctrine of the浄土真宗 (Joudou Shinsuu) of which Shinran founded. The doctrine is that one cannot hope to extricate themselves from the cycle of life and death by their own power(自力) and hence seek the salvation of the Amitabha. (他力) 他力本願 in the LN means salvation by faith in Amitabha or more obviously, replying on others to achieve one’s goal.
[16] The King of Braves Gaogaigar is an anime that began in 1997. Ultimate Fusion is some technical term in the show.
[17]Screwing around with the Kanji of their names. In the LN, their pairing is shortened to just ZaiHachi which is (材八) which is closely similar to (村八分) meaning ostracism.
[18] Reference to a series of short stories: The hidden sword.
[19]It’s a bug. Lol.
[20] Ebina  Ebi which is Japanese for prawn.
[21] Fujoushi  Girls who likes stuff depicting male homosexual love.