Oregairu Vol.11 Chapter 2 (Part 3 of 3)

It had been a short while since they had left the club room. The room returned to its peaceful quiet state at last and Yukinoshita let out a quiet sigh.

“Somehow, today feels especially tiring……”

As we sip the newly brewed black tea, we finally managed to calm ourselves down. There had been an unusual amount of visitors today. Three people in one day. If we included Isshiki, that would make it four. This could perhaps be the highest record of visitors since this club started.

Looking back at the past, business today was really thriving.

This empty room that resembled a storage room could actually turn into such a bustling place. The chairs that were here originally, were put haphazardly, and were facing random directions. But, since some time ago, they had begun to form a sort of distorted circle around a long table that had a tea-set on top.

The clubroom had changed a lot since the past.

The warm air, tea-set and blankets, the paperbacks that had accumulated. The number of chairs as well as the placement of various objects. The intensity of the sun shining in and the coats hanging on the wall.

The room that had been the color of frost, had turned into a hue of warmth following the end of spring.

It wasn't clear at all whether this was due to the changing of the seasons, or maybe some other reasons behind it.

The air around us was inducing us into a slumber, making us feel quite uneasy, and so I looked outside the window reflexively.

According to the weather report, there will a massive cold wave these few days, and so right now, a strong wind had already begun blowing.

The sound of the glass rattling and the girls' talking intertwined with one another, reaching my ears distinctly.

At this time, the door burst open rudely, making a huge noise. Then, a loud roar rang out.

"Isshiki!"

"Eek!"

Isshiki's shoulders jumped in shock, and she glanced timidly at the door.

Hiratsuka-sensei stood by the doorway imposingly, looking really furious with a frown on her face.

"Sensei, knock......"

"Ah, sorry. Because this is kind of urgent. ...... Isshiki."

With a slight smile in response to how Yukinoshita was pressing her fingers against her temples, Hiratsuka-sensei walked into the room with great strides.

Then she walked next to Isshiki, crossed her arms and looked down at her.

"Work, huh?"

"Eh......"

Isshiki seemed to be at a loss for words, and she looked around her nervously. Then her suspicious gaze met mine.

"Didn't you say you were very free?"

"...... I am very free."

Hearing my question, Isshiki turned her face away, and replied me in a peevish tone.

Hearing that, Hiratsuka-sensei took a deep breath.

"Although the student council is indeed functioning as per normal, you still have other jobs to attend to. Didn't I tell you to think about the graduation ceremony farewell speech and pass it to me?"

Graduation ceremony...... Was it already that time? Isn't it held around the second week in the month of March? If so, then there's still plenty of time...... It seems that Isshiki thought so as well. [Ahaha, noooo~☆], she had that sort of cute smile on her face.

"But there, there's still another month......"

"Too naïve! If you neglect it, you are going to be so dead!"

Hearing Hiratsuka-sensei's stern tone, Isshiki shrugged her shoulders.

Indeed. One more month, don't just think that there's 'still' one more month.

Whether it was work or the summer holidays, if you keep thinking about how much time you have left, then for sure, in the next instant, all these 'excess' time that you thought you had will vanish.

Time and tide waits for no man. There's still hope, there's still hope, hope, hope, Tasmania devil! [1] People who keep thinking that, will soon reach a truly hopeless situation. Such cases are definitely not in the minority.

"You can't really count February as a 'month'. Not only are the number of days lesser, but there's also the entrance exam. Hence, there will be so much to do. In short, there's just no time in February."

Hiratsuka-sensei said those words sharply.

"Yes! I will do it! I will do my best! I will think of something! That's why I am here to consult with them! I am here to hear about the situation in the previous year!"

Isshiki's answer was pretty spirited. That's really wonderful of her. However, what is that that you are saying? I am pretty sure that the contents of what you wanted to talk to us about was the obligatory chocolates......

Although it didn't really matter either way, there wasn't anything more unreliable than the words "I will domy best" and "I will do something about it." ......

You can't believe anything of that sort when it's said by a corporate slave. The source is my father. Although this person would say something nice-sounding when he was discussing work on the phone at home, as soon as the call ended, he would be saying "Like hell that can be done, idiot!"......

Of course, Hiratsuka-sensei saw through Isshiki shallow response and as she combed her hair upwards, she looked at Isshiki with a frustrated expression.

"I am saying, you can't do it this way. Next year, you are going to have be independent. You can't keep relying on your senpais, right?"

Hearing Hiratsuka-sensei's words, Yukinoshita continued to grip her tea cup as she nodded her head.

"Indeed."

"Un. Although it's quite a big thing to deal with......, but Isshiki-San is the president after all......"

Yuigahama too, was looking at Isshiki with a troubled smile.

Thereupon, as though seeking an ally, she moved her chair bit by bit. Then, with tears welling up in her eyes, she tugged lightly at my sleeves.

I am totally weak against people who used this sort of method to seek help.

Komachi would often shed tears for me to see over all sorts of things, I, as an elite class Onii-chan would stand unconditionally by my sister's side. I wouldn't even mind destroying one or two worlds for my sister's sake. Ah, as expected of me this Onii-sama.

Guess it can't be helped. Time for me to say something to wrap all these up...... As I was about to speak, I will interrupted by the sound of Yukinoshita's voice.

"Hikigaya-kun, you mustn't pamper her."

"Nothing like that, it's just that she is here to discuss something after all......"

Hearing me say that, Isshiki leaned herself forward.

"Exactly! Aren’t you supposed to at least listen to someone who's here for a consultation?"

“But, Iroha-chan’s case is slightly different from Yumiko and Saki……”

As Yuigahama troubled herself over this, Hiratsuka-sensei blinked her eyes in surprise.

“What, you mean there were others who came here too?”

“Yes! It’s just as you said! There were many people who came! So, I thought I would lend them my aid as well……”

“That’s not your job.”

Hiratsuka-sensei swiftly rejected her excuses. To that, Isshiki had no response but to grind her teeth in vexation.

Isshiki, you are too naïve. Even if you tell her a decent reason, it would still be impossible for Hiratsuka-sensei to forgive you. As for why that is so, no matter how hard you try, Hiratsuka-sensei’s words will always be much more logical that yours. In any case, Isshiki herself was not ‘decent’ at all. A better word choice to describe her would be flat…… Well, not really. What she ought to have, was there, un. Flat would be referring to that somethingnoshita-san!

After all, people only adopt that sort of righteous tone when criticizing others. You are not supposed to use it when accepting criticisms. Therefore, the right thing for you to do would be to ignore her.

Let me show you how it’s done……

"Well, the contents of what they are discussing is more relatable to girls, so it would be better if we had more girls discussing it. At least, that's what I think since I am not too sure about it. See, isn't it going to be Valentine's Day soon?"

Valentine's Day. As soon as I said that magic word, Hiratsuka-sensei froze on the spot. Then, she immediately cast her gaze outside the window, a faraway look in her eyes.

"Valentine's day, is it...... So nostalgic......"

Then, with a self-mocking sigh, Hiratsuka-sensei's gaze returned to us. Staring at us, she uttered "Valentine's day......" in a small voice once more.

Her eyes no longer contained the playful look of just now, but one of melancholy.

Hiratsuka-sensei cleared her throat lightly and readied herself.

"Since someone came to your with a request, I guess the matter with the farewell speech can wait a bit. You do need Isshiki to help you out every once in a while."

"Eh, not really, I don't really need Isshiki to help out with anything......"

"Isn't that just mean!?"

Isshiki turned to face me with a look of indignation. No, seriously, I think you will just make it worse...... As I tossed her a cold glare, Yuigahama began her intervention.

"Alright alright...... It's not really a bad idea. If she can lend a helping hand, we would have less to deal with......"

"Are you sure?"

"Senpai, what do you take me for......"

Ignoring Isshiki, I turned to look at Yukinoshita.

"If Yuigahama-san says as such, then I have no objections."

At this point, Hiratsuka-sensei clapped her hands together.

"Then it's decided. Isshiki will, to the best of her abilities, settle the farewell speech herself. Also, since everyone has beseeched you with a request, I think you all deserve some praise for all your performance up till this point in time."

"Isn't that just because they treat us as some handyman......"

It is indeed true that the number of people who came to us with requests has increased. Thanks to that, the amount of workload has also increased. The problem lies in the fact that we didn't get anything in return at all. It wasn't even on the level of being unpaid for overtime anymore.

What was this? Treating overtime as flexible working hours? Please, this was already like training us to dedicate ourselves to a black business.

Seeing my eyes convey this message in resentment, Hiratsuka-sensei winked at me.

"Even if so, you are still helping others. An existence whereby you are push yourself a little is very important. I think it's not a bad idea for Isshiki to possess this trait."

"Yes! I will continue to put in my best efforts!"

Although Isshiki replied with a lot of vigor, but it was obvious, that big smile of hers was saying "Noooo, extend the deadline~~"

"......My original intention was to correct some of your flaws. Anyway, just do your best."

With a bitter smile, Hiratsuka-sensei gently patted Isshiki's head lightly. Then, waving her hands slightly, she left the club room.

Watching her leave, we heaved a sigh of relief as well.

"But, it really is quite troubling."

Hearing Yukinoshita, who was now crossing her arms, murmur that; Isshiki, who had her arms crossed as well, looked serious as she sighed.

"Yes, Miura-Senpai showing her seriousness there is indeed a little troubling."

"What I meant was the amount of request......"

Laughing wryly at the exchange between the two, Yuigahama began to speak.

"But then, I think I kind of understand how Hayato-kun is feeling......"

Hayama's feelings, no, I don't really understand him...... I looked at Yuigahama questioningly, asking her for the intention of that line. Yuigahama thought for a while, and then spoke once more.

"Ah, you see......, how should I put it.....as expected I still can't really say it openly, or maybe I just read too much into things......"

This sort of worry was really like her. Hearing her, Isshiki nodded her head

"Ah, that is so like Yui-Senpai. So kind."

"Is that, so......, ahaha...... Just like me, huh......"

Yuigahama laughed awkwardly at Isshiki's words, and had a slightly dejected look on her face.

She was probably shy from being praised. It's probably just that. Or rather, she was the same as Hayama Hayato. Because they were both kind, they were probably suffering from being too concerned about others.

Thinking about it, Yuigahama was on very good things with Hayama, Miura as well as Isshiki. Her trouble with getting caught between the three of them had already surfaced during the ride to Destiny Land, and it was all the more obvious now.

'Ah, such a huge problem......' It was very easy for an outsider to make such a comment. However, I was unable to do so.

I had a hard time understanding why someone would keep worrying about the relationships between others. However, I had the same feeling as her. That feeling of wanting to obtain a conclusion.

Probably, Yukinoshita felt the same way as well. I could tell from Yukinoshita's expression that she was quite concerned over Yuigahama's dark mood.

For example, if I could obtain the same conclusion as Hayama, then perhaps everything I have done up till now was a waste of effort.

Hayama Hayato, who has chosen to live up to everybody's expectation, has decided to fulfill it flawlessly. To undertake the greatest compromise without compromise. Dedicating himself to using such a measure to prolong such a life.

There was nothing as sincere as this insincerity.

For such a [kind] person, there wasn’t much that an [unkind] person could do. The most they could do was to engage in monologue, or to repeat the same thing over and over again.

“…… Well, isn’t it enough to just use an excuse? Some sort of official reason to convince Hayama.”

“Huh?”

Isshiki seemed to have no idea what I was talking at all and the upper half of her body followed her head’s movements and tilted to the side, whilst looking my way. Although this action of hers was very cute, but her answer was really annoying, Isshiki……

“Just as long as you get him into a position whereby he’s forced to accept it, or rather, whereby he can accept it naturally.”

Hearing my follow-up, the corners of Isshiki’s mouth curled upwards, a queer expression that didn’t really seem to suggest that she understood it completely. Then, Yukinoshita placed the tea cup and cup holder to one side and with her eyes, told me to be quiet.

“That is to say, it’s fine as long as there is an excuse? …… If you were to give him in a closed environment, Hayama-kun wouldn’t be troubled by it.”

“That’s right, closed, that thing.”

Actually whether it was closed or worst or QP [2], it doesn’t matter. The important point was that Hayama doesn’t have to worry about how others looked at him, that all we needed to do was not damage his public image.

Though I have said so much, Isshiki and Yuigahama still did not seem to understand and remained tilting their heads. Yuigahama was still muttering “Cu-ro-se-to……?” Erm, what exactly is a closet environment? Doraemon’s living environment? [3]

“For example…… Don’t mention Valentine’s Day, just get him to taste it. Something like that, I don’t have an exact idea.”

“So it’s like that…… It would be okay as long as everyone makes (the chocolates) together?”

Yuigahama inhaled a deep breath as she spoke, her expression suggesting that she was quite relieved. Un, I think that it would be best if you understood it without much trouble.

“Well, something like that. Whether it’s Isshiki or Miura, as long you made it with Hayama and get him to test its taste, that guy will have no way of rejecting you.”

“I see…… I understand the gist of it now! I just have to drag him to a place where no one with interfere with us?”

“Although you aren’t wrong, but please note how you say it……”

Hearing me chide Isshiki, Yukinoshita let slipped a chuckle.

“However, the main point is indeed as such. As expected of a genius who specializes in disappearing from the public eye and unfair tactics.”

“Un, you need to take notice of how you speak too.”

Sometimes, you do need to put further thought into how you extend your praise to others. As I was thinking of that, Yuigahama slapped her thigh and stood up.

“Then, let’s all do it. Us together, I mean……”

“……Indeed. If we could teach at the place as well, then there will be no need to suggest menus to each individual person too.”

“Ah, isn’t that great!  To be able to doing an event together with those who came here with their requests, to learn from each other too. Also, if Yukinoshita-senpai would teach, then that would be really great.”

Isshiki moved her chair closer and closer to Yukinoshita. She grabbed Yukinoshita’s hand, who seemed to be thinking of something at the moment, and with a slight tilt of her head, looked at Yukinoshita in a pleading manner with upturned eyes. Then with an “ehehe”, she smiled at her.

“E, eh eh…… I don’t really mind……”

As always, Yukinoshita didn’t have much resistance to skin ship and body touch. Throw in a sweet pleading voice, and Yukinoshita would fall for it, hook, line and sinker.

Although the difference between this gesture of hers and Yuigahama’s was just like the difference between something natural and cultivated, the exceptional effectiveness that both had on Yukinoshita didn’t seem to change.

Yukinoshita cleared her throat, and shot a glance at me.

“If it’s help, I don’t think there’s much of a problem in providing it…… What do you think?”

“I can’t really care, even if you ask me what I think……  The one’s who’s doing the teaching is you, so if you don’t think you will be tired out from it, then it’s alright.”

Also, Yuigahama seemed to be really into it. Hence, it doesn’t really matter even if I rejected it.

“Is that so? Then we have to think about the way in which this event could be held……”

Yukinoshita placed her hand underneath her chin and began to think. Isshiki, who was sitting to her side, suddenly picked up her phone and called someone.

“Ah, Vice-president? I need you to help me write a proposal. Something along the lines of a cooking class event. Something like that. …… Huh? No, just make something that I can put up on the noticeboard of a community center. Also.”

Despite the obviously troubled voice that could be heard on the other end of the line, Isshiki tutted and began to give her instructions. Also, what's with this 'community center' thing....... Didn't this girl the other day say something like, "If we don't do this real fast, we are going to hit the deadline!"

“Ne ne, Yukinon, what about me?”

Yuigahama too, shifted her chair closer and closer to Yukinoshita, asking her what she should do. Hearing that question, Yukinoshita thought for a little bit before replying.

"As for Yuigahama-San......"

Then, she placed her hand solemnly on Yuigahama's shoulders, and began talking to her in a gentle voice as though talking to a small child.

"I will do it together with you."

"You don't trust me at all!? U u, then...... what would Hikki be doing?"

Though she turned her head all of a sudden and asked me that question, there was nothing that I could help her with regards to that.

“What will I do…… Ah…… Well, I have no experience on cooking or baking.”

Hearing my answer, Yukinoshita gave a little chuckle.

"It doesn't matter. You just need to taste it and give us your opinion."

I think I have heard those words somewhere before. But the tone used back then and now was different. Yuigahama, who was sitting next to her seemed to have remembered something as well and let out a laugh.

"...... Leave it to me. I specialize in that field."

As I recalled the answer that I had given that time, I said as such. The three of us looked at one another, and broke into a hearty laugh.

Isshiki, who was still in the midst of her call glanced at the three of us, probably because she noticed our laughter.

Her gaze was asking us why were we laughing and to that, I answered by shaking my head, telling her it was nothing.

There is really no proper explanation for this sort of thing. There were some things whose importance could only be understood through the passage of time as well as the shared memories of it.

Isshiki shook her head lightly at my actions, and before long, finished her conversation with the Vice-President and ended up the call at long last.

"Okay, alright, yes, thanks for your trouble."

The Vice President on the other end seemed to be on the verge of tears, but Isshiki just ignored it and hung up the call. Having completed her call, she stood up, looking refreshed.

"Well, that settles it. The finer details will be settled by the student council, so I will leave the cooking room up to you~"

As she muttered "sorry for bothering you" in a small voice, she bowed to us and prepared to leave the club room.

She was probably going off to do some preparations for the cooking room or something like that.

That unreliability that had been present in the past no longer existed.

Although her way of doing things seemed to be a little high-handed, I did think that this also reflected her growth. No, it's a little extreme to call it growth. Well, I think it's more appropriate to say that she was just
good at dealing with things. Also, the way that she treated the Vice President was practically the same way in which she treated Tobe.

"Well then, sorry to trouble you, Isshiki-san."

"Un! Do your best! Iroha-chan!"

Towards Isshiki who was bowing to us at the doorway, Yukinoshita smiled warmly at her whereas Yuigahama was pumping her hand into the air cheerfully. I nodded my head and watched her leave.

Watching her close the door quietly behind her, I had a sudden thought.

......I see, because of how Isshiki was seriously doing this right now, I didn't have to do anything in particular.

Somehow, it feels a little lonely when I couldn't help out.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
[1] Just Hikki fooling around with the word, 助かる(Tasukaru) Whole sentence (Romanized) is mada tasukaru mada tasukaru tasukaru tasukaru tasumania debiru (Tasmanian Devil)
[2] A manga by Hiroshi Takahashi,  QP（キューピー）
[3] Doraemon lives in a closet.