Oregairu Vol.11 Chapter 5

Volume 11 Chapter 5

[Unexpectedly, Hiratsuka Shizuka talks about the present and the past.]

There were not much obstacles hindering the event nor did it contain any sort of eye-catching performances. The event continues to progress on slowly.

As the scheduled time for the event’s beginning approaches, everyone was merely looking at each other and the atmosphere surrounding it had the feel of ‘It’s about to start’. Isshiki gave a simple opening speech and everyone then proceeded to do their own cooking.

Naturally, I wouldn’t go and make chocolate and so had nothing else to do. If I had to describe what I was going to be doing in this event, it would be along the lines of being an assistant, a helper to support and do follow-ups. In other words, I was like an unemployed person.

In contrast to me, Yukinoshita immediately hurried off to begin her work.

At the kitchen table in front of me, I could see Yukinoshita, Yuigahama as well as Miura, who were standing in front of the cooking utensils, each with a serious expression on their face.

“First is to cut up the chocolate then warm them up by immersing it in hot water. Although it slightly differs depending on what you want to make, but this step is necessary in any case.”

“Just that?”

“……Well, this is the basic. Although I might say that, but the following steps after this are very important as well.”

Whilst answering Miura’s question that sounded like she was quite disappointed, Yukinoshita began to start cutting the chocolate into fine pieces with the carving knife in a rhythmical manner.

Seeing how she cut the chocolates so smoothly as though she had had a lot of practice on it, Yuigahama went ‘Oh!’ in an exclamation of praise.

No, I didn’t think that there was anything worth admiring at this point in time.

Thereupon, Miura began to imitate Yukinoshita as well. Perhaps it was because she was not too used to using a carving knife, she set about crushing the chocolate nervously, making a ‘Ka-cha’, ‘Ka-cha’ sound as she did so. Incidentally, Yuigahama has still not been allowed to touch the carving knife. Oh well, guess that can’t be helped.

When the chocolates were almost all chopped up into fine pieces, Miura looked up from her work. Her expression suggested that she was somewhat satisfied. It’s still not completely done, you know……

However, Miura seemed to feel that she was quite skilled at this.

“Hmm…… Isn’t this super easy?”

Miura gave a proud smile as she said, “How’s that” in a boastful voice. However, two voices flew towards her from her sides almost immediately.

“So naïve, Yumiko!”

“You’re so naïve.”

Yuigahama said so forcefully and without hesitation. Yukinoshita said that with a scornful smile on her face. Miura shook her head, probably because she was still stuck in the impression that doing the actual task was way easier than the instructions had sounded.

“Huh? What great difficulty is there?”

Hearing that, Yuigahama puffed out her chest proudly.

“The difficult parts starts now! Warming something by immersing it in hot water is just about putting it in the hot water. You have to do it like Gwa---- Gwa---- something like that.”

I guess that what Yuigahama was saying was something related to mixing or tempering. Or perhaps she was actually referring to the progressive tense of Tenpa? That surely can't be it! [1]

On the other hand, upon hearing what Yuigahama said, Yukinoshita placed her hand to her temple as though remembering something headache-inducing, and in between sighs, spoke.

“If you just let the melted chocolate harden like this, the white fats will rise to the surface, making it unsightly, and affect the taste as well. Furthermore, the time and effort spent in the process after this will take a lot of effort as well.

Come to think of it, the way in which they conveyed the same thing differed so much. The difference between them was like the difference between a P2W and a causal player.

However, looking at how Yuigahama was backing up her words with such conviction and how logical Yukinoshita’s statements seemed to be, Miura seemed to have changed her opinion as well.

“Hmm. I see. ……Then, what’s next?”

Although the words that she said seemed very much like her usual self, her attitude had changed admirably. At least she seemed humble enough now that she wants to seek advice from them.

Seeing Miura like this, Yukinoshita gave a small smile.

“For now, we will just start with the mixing and tempering. After this, the work that is to be done will be different depending on what you want to make…… Well, there’s a quite a bit of people here so let’s just go with baking a chocolate gateau.”

“Chocolate gateau! Isn’t that like something made by shops?”

“It’s not really that difficult…… I will use black chocolate, while Miura-san and Yuigahama can just use whatever you like.”

Yuigahama’s eyes were sparkling and she looked at Yukinoshita with respect whilst Miura-san gaze had a “Hnng, this girl is really good at this” sort of feeling to it.  Yukinoshita responded to these with a wry smile.

Well, I was still a little worried for Yuigahama, but with Yukinoshita there, there shouldn’t be too many problems.

Now then, time to see what the others were doing, and so I shifted my gaze to the kitchen table next to the current one, and saw the figure of Isshiki Iroha making her sweets at her own pace.

From where I stood, she seemed to be doing just fine at her cooking.

The chocolate had already been melted, and the chocolate in the bowl had a smooth finish to it. In another bowl, there was meringue that was already whisked. Seeing this sight, one could easily tell that she was quite used to doing this sort of baking.

Isshiki continued to drip small drops of something that resembled Western liquor in to the bowl, and then proceeded to mix it. Then she took a spoon to scoop some of it out, and proceeded to taste it.

As she bit on the spoon, she shook her head, seemingly not very satisfied with the result. Then, once more, she begin to add sugar, fresh cream and cocoa powder and all sorts of things into the mixture.

“My word, you are really good at this, aren’t you.”

Perhaps one could say that it was unexpected, but I spoke that out of surprise as I didn’t really think that she was this proficient at cooking.

Thereupon, Isshiki glanced at me scornfully.

“Senpai, are you doubting my words?”

“No, it’s not that…… I only felt that you were really good at this, and you are putting in a lot of effort in this as well.”

If she was working so hard just to be able to get Hayama to eat her chocolate, then this earnestness in her would let one have a good impression of her. ……Well, perhaps she also had the hidden intention of raising the value of her obligatory chocolate, but maybe it was because of her uniform and her apron, this also let me feel that she really was putting in great effort in this. How strange. I want to reiterate my point here, that a naked apron was still better than an apron worn over a uniform! Still, the best is Komachi wearing sleeveless short pants.

When I was done with what I had to say, Isshiki blinked several times in surprise at what she heard, but almost immediately, she thrust both her hands outwards so as to keep a certain distance away from me.

“Are you hitting on me? It’s sweet, but naïve at the same time if you thinking that whispering sweet words to me would work just because I’m making sweets. You’re going to have to try again. I’m sorry.”

She lowered her head politely and rejected me bluntly.

I am not hitting on you and I am not going to ‘try again’……

Isshiki was acting just like she always did. No, that slyness of hers had probably grown quite a bit. I respected her and was amazed at the same time as well, for that, I couldn’t help but sigh. Thereupon, a spoon came passing by the side of my mouth.

“Eh!”

Following Isshiki’s voice, the spoon flew by the side of my jaw and was thrust straight into my mouth. Being surprised by this sudden turn of event, I was blinked my eyes several times, clearly flustered, and in my flickering vision, I could see Isshiki’s alluring smile.

“Senpai, this sort of sweet thing, do you hate it?”

As she shook her spoon, she tilted her head, and looked at me with upturned eyes. Her smile was one that was like a child’s smile upon a successful prank, but her puffing out her chest was provocative, which formed an imbalance.  That’s why this was seriously alluring.

“…... I don’t really hate it.”

The amount of sugar in this was definitely not little, and my tongue was about to numb from all that sweetness. Come to think of it, wasn't this spoon the one that you just used for…… Doing this sort of thing was really bad for the heart so could you please stop doing this the next time…….

Although it could be said that sweet things were good for fatigue, but the adverse effect was larger this time. Suddenly, a wave of fatigue wash over me and I couldn’t help but sigh, to which Isshiki did the same as well.

“Haa. I am not really interested in hearing your thoughts about the taste.”

Although she seemed disinterested from the way she spoke, but her gaze seemed to be suggesting that she was waiting for an answer.

As I savored the remaining sweetness in my mouth, I pondered over the unspoken meaning of Isshiki’s words.

“Even so, my answer will still not change.”

“……Is that so.”

Isshiki seems to be thinking about something, and stared at the bowl in her hand, then nodded her head. She raised her head almost immediately again.

“I could use this as reference. Then, I will be leaving for a bit. Hayama sen------------- pai---------“

As she wrapped up what she wanted to say with a smile, she started running towards Hayama with a light pitter patter of footsteps.

I watched her leave, and with my finger, wiped the chocolate off my face and put it into my mouth. The smell of chocolate and rum entered my nose.

“It’s too sweet……”

Just as I was murmuring my thoughts, I suddenly heard the sound of metal objects scraping against one another.

That sort of noise sent chills down my spine, and I turned my head to look at the source of the unpleasant sound, and saw Yukinoshita hugging a bowl, and stirring the contents in it with a spoon.

“……Come to think of it, Hikigaya-kun is in charge of tasting. Because you have been useless up till now, I have completely forgotten about you. By all means, won’t you come over here as well and give your opinions (on the taste) as well?”

Saying that, Yukinoshita extended the spoon handle towards me. The spoon itself was filled with pure black chocolate.

“Your cocoa content is over 90%, it will definitely be very bitter……”

I didn’t have to eat it to know. That there wasn’t sufficient sugar or fresh cream in it, and at best, there was only a little bit of unsalted butter in it.

From the appearance and the smell of the black luster of the chocolate, it gave off a ‘super cocoa’ feeling.

However, Yukinoshita continued to look at me coldly, and didn’t seem like she was going to back off. She even proceeded to take another step towards me, and thrust the spoon silently in my direction. I wasn’t going to accept this sort of spoon and so the two of us continued to stare at each other, until Yuigahama came between us.

“Ah, how’s mine! What about mine!”

As she said that, she brought her bowl over to me as well. The fluid in the bowl was a light brown color. It would be ridiculous to call that thing in the bowl chocolate. In fact, it wasn’t even really appropriate to call it chocolate sauce, perhaps it would be more believable to call it chocolate milk.

Without hesitation, I thrust my nose forward and took a sniff. There was a sweet smell to it.

“I think that Hikki will most likely like this……”

As I watched Yuigahama pass me the bowl with an “Ehehe------- How’s this” sort of expression, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. That was a choking and sweet fragrance that reminded me of coffee. There was a whiteness amidst the brown color, the foam that made me feel as though it had a high sugar content…… It kind of looks like MAX coffee……

However, the person who made this was Yuigahama, its actual taste was definitely different from its appearance…… This girl, the taste will shock you just like a jack-in-the-box.  I mean, weren’t we supposed to be making chocolate here?

The bitterness that was evident in the dark matter without even having to eat it. As well as the dark matter whereby I had no way of guessing how it would taste like. This sweetness and bitterness caused me to feel faint.

Facing the both of them, my voice clammed up in my throat.

“Wai, wait just a moment?”

As I was still deliberating, the door of the cooking room was thrown wide open.

What followed next was the sound of high heels striking the floor with displeasure. The person who made that noise swiftly walked towards us, and the breath from that person sounded like it was the wind from the depths of hell.

[Tsk, even the air is full of the sweet fragrance……”

Her annoyed murmur seemed to suggest that the air was like a noxious miasma, and the owner of that voice, was unmistakably Hiratuska Shizuka-chan (Single woman of around thirty) ! (TL: No good translation on my part, it’s just supposed to be (SINGLE • アラサ) )

Although Hiratsuka had said so in a very displeased manner, but there really wasn’t any trace of the sweet smell that she spoke of in here……

“That, Hiratsuka-sensei why are you here……”

“Hm? Ah, because I heard Isshiki’s reports. So, I decided to come down here and take a look.”

Hearing Yukinoshita’s question, Hiratsuka sighed before responding. Then, she glanced at the contents of the bowls that Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were holding, and laughed softly.

“I forgot to say, that chocolates are not allowed to be brought into school.”

“There’s such a rule?”

Yuigahama tilted her head, and Hiratsuka-sensei revealed an evil smile.

“There’s no such rule, however, it’s still banned. This thing is not related to school work and it’s also very troublesome, very annoying. Why do you think I supported the abolishment of obligatory chocolate in the staffroom? Although it will be quite a bother, but students too should undergo the same pain as well. Because love and feelings can only grow stronger from the existence of obstacles in its path!”

This fellow, how is she able to give such a pretty smile but say such lousy things! This aspect of her, was really lovable! However, frankly speaking, I think that romances that begin from obligatory chocolate do exist as well! People who can take both chocolates and teachers as their partner, were being mass-recruited everywhere!

“Anyway, no matter what, I will take a one-day leave on the day of the entrance examinations.”

As Hiratsuka-sensei said that, she gave a gentle smile before adding “Just kidding.”

“Well, do you best~”

Hearing her words, Yuigahama gave a little troubled smile, whereas Yukinoshita turned her face away abruptly. Seeing the attitude of the two of them, Hiratsuka sensei gave a wry smile as well, but patted their heads once more in the end.

X                                                 X                                                               X

Thanks to Hiratsuka-sensei, or perhaps I should say thanks to the existence of this intruder, the mood of the current situation seems to have changed slightly. Accompanying the spread of the sweet fragrance, the cooking room began to be filled with a calm and quiet air.

Then, another person who fitted the image of this calm and quiet atmosphere appeared.

This kid’s bluish-black hair was split into two, and extended down to her shoulders. She wore an appropriate sized apron as well. She was someone who I definitely believed will grow into a beauty in the feature. Her set of facial features was something that I remembered clearly.

Kawasaki Keika. The sister of Kawasomething-san.

Kawasaki had first went to the nursery to pick up her sister, and had arrived here quite late with a hand carrying a grocery bag. She was now making the preparations for Keika’s clothes, and sighed in satisfaction when she was done. Then, she began snapping photos of her, probably as a memorabilia.

That apron was probably specially modified for Keika’s size; the applique and the name embroidered on it was very cute as well.

After taking countless photos of Keika, she seemed to remember that her own preparations were not yet complete.

“Th, that, I will be doing my preparations over that…….”

She waved to me slightly in greeting, and spoke to me as though with some discretion.

Fumu. Although I didn’t know why she had to leave this place to do her preparations, girls will always have a lot of their own matters to attend to. If I were to pursue the matter further, it would only lead to anger. Komachi was proof of that. Furthermore, in this crowded place that was full of dangerous cooking utensils, I guess she would be worried to have to take her eyes off her for even a second.

“Ah, don’t worry, I will look after her.”

“Well, then I will be…….”

Saying that, Kawasaki nodded in reply and walked out of the cooking room.

I watched leave, then turned my attention to Keika.

Keika was probably tired from the day at the nursery, or perhaps she felt tired after having her photo taken countless times by Kawasaki. She seemed to be very tired, and her eyes were about to shut.

However, upon seeing me, she blinked her eyes repeatedly at me with her mouth agape.

“It’s Ha-chan!”

Seems like she still remembered me, and so, she pointed a short finger at me using all her strength

“Oh, that’s right, it’s Ha-chan. Well, technically, my name is Hachiman. Also, don’t point your finger at other. They will get pierced----“
I crouched down beside her and look at her, and at the same time extended my finger and poked her cheek. So soft, no way……

I kept poking her cheek rapidly, and Keika kept making those queer ‘Ou, ou’ sounds like a seal, looking very confused. ……Umu, the punishment shall end here. She wouldn’t be randomly pointing her fingers at other people from now on.

Although I had already achieved my objective, but the softness of her cheek made it really hard for me to put my finger away. Uh-oh, this was bad, her cheek really was that soft…… Komachi had a period of time where her cheeks was this soft as well. No, it would still be that soft even today…… As I thought this, I resumed my continuous poking of her face. Keika still had a puzzled look on her face, but then with an ‘Oh’, she seemed to have thought of something.

“Ei.”

With a shuuuu, she poked my face without any restraint.

“Ouch…… That’s why I said don’t point your fingers at others. It would be dangerous if you poked their eyes.”

As a punishment, I began to poke her again. She probably felt that this was some sort of game, and with a laugh, began to poke my face back in return. U, Un…… seems like I failed in teaching her a lesson.

I continued to poke Keika’s face, all the while pondering over how did it become like this, when suddenly, a cold voice could be heard from behind me.

“……Hey, what are you doing.”

“Eh, no, nothing really.”

Turning my head around, I saw Kawasaki in an apron. With a bowl and chopped chocolate in one hand, she was looking at me with an apathetic expression in her eyes. She took a deep breath, as though there was something that she found difficult to express in words.

“You know, although you were a great help in looking after her, but this is, this……”

“No, hold your horses. This is not what you think it is.”

A dangerous looking male with rotten eyes poking a cute little girl’s cheeks…… The impression that one got from this was sufficient to get me into trouble with the law. If this incident took place outside, I could see this incident being circulated around on notices, and my mom making fun of me “Isn’t this you? Hahaha” to which I could only reply “O, Ah” helplessly…… Besides the above, Kawasaki’s “I thought I trusted you……” gaze made me feel a queer sense of guilt in my chest.

“This is, well see……”

I stood up and raised both my hands, indicating that I have no intention to oppose, and considered what sort of justification that I could say next. Thereupon, I felt something slumping against my feet. Looking down, I saw that I was Keika hugging my waist.

“I was playing with Ha-chan~~”

“Un, well, yeah, something like that.”

Although I had indeed wanted to play with her, but from another point of view, it was more like a young girl wanting to play with me. Ever since I was attracted by those cute soft cheeks of hers , I can hardly say that that sort of interpretation was hardly wrong.

To be able to grasp a guy’s heart at such a young age, this kid sure is scary……

Well, however, to anticipate this future prospect of hers was not wrong. In actuality, one could see that from her sister Kawasaki Saki as well, in general, she was a beauty. The only problem was that the first impression she gave was that of a Yankee. There was no trace of that intimidation or scariness in her eyes when she looked at her sister.

“……Is that so?”

Seeing Keika’s cherubic actions, Kawasaki seemed taken aback and smiled. Then, Keika smiled as well, and tilted her head, all the while clinging onto me.

“Want to play as well, Sa-chan?”

“No, no thanks. Ok Ke-chan, come over here.”

Kawasaki pulled Keika away from me, and hugged her tightly. No, seriously. I wouldn’t do anything to do her even if you weren’t so cautious.

In any case, it seems like I manage to avoid getting into trouble this time. I heaved a sigh of relief. However, compared to how relieved I was, Kawasaki seemed a little anxious. As she patted Keika’s head, she looked towards the inside of the cooking room and began to speak.

“Is it really okay to bring her here?”

It’s not like I didn’t understand what she was so worried about. Afterall, everyone here was a high-school student, not to mention that there were people from another school as well. Keika would be a most unnatural presence amidst them. However, this event itself wasn’t any official event, and so there weren’t any clear rules to follow.

I looked at the nearby diagonal kitchen table, and saw Haruno-san talking over there with Meguri-senpai. If even that person was here, then there was no point in talking about participation criteria and the like anymore.

“Well, it’s going to be alright. There are others here as well.”

“Un……”

Hearing my words, Kawasaki nodded her head as though accepting what I had said. Well, first and foremost, the reason why this event could even take place was because of Kawasaki’s request. If she was going to feel uncomfortable staying here, I would be most apologetic, because I would at least want to fulfill her request properly. ……Then again, originally, this wasn’t part of the request but I will see what I can do to make her feel more at ease.

Just as I was searching around for the existence of those who could help accomplish this request, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard coming from behind me.

“Oh, Kawasaki. You made it in time.”

The cheerful voice belonged to Yuigahama, with Yukinoshita following behind her.

“I haven’t see Keika in quite a while.”

Saying that, Yuigahama too, began to pat Keika’s head. Both she and Yukinoshita had seen Keika during the Christmas event, so they could be considered Keika’s acquaintances.

Yukinoshita however, walked to Keika’s side but her hand seemed to be hesitant in reaching out to her. She extended her hand a little then retracted it. Seems like she was worried about whether it would be all for her to pat Keika’s head. So clumsy.

As I thought that, it seems like there was someone even clumsier.

“That……. Today, I look forward to working with your……”

Kawasaki seemed to be vexed at what sort of greetings she should give, and in the end, managed to utter those words shyly. Maybe she felt that was unbecoming of her sister, and so, Keika who was looking up at her sister, straightened her posture and bowed deeply.

“Please take care of me.”

She probably learnt that in nursery. Although she said those words slowly, but compared to her sister’s curt way of saying it, it still felt more amicable, and let those who see it be more at ease.

Not only me, but Yuigahama too was struck by her cuteness and writhing about going “Kya~”. Kawasaki’s eyes were moist, as though touched by her sister’s growth.

Thereupon, Yukinoshita too smiled with affection. She grasped her skirt and slowly squatted down, and looked at Keika directly and spoke slowly.

“I look forward to working with you as well.  Well then, what sort of candy do you want to make?”

Having been asked such a question, Keika raised her head and looked at Kawasaki’s face, and Kawasaki nodded in reply.

“Ke-chan, what kind of sweets do you want to eat?”

Hearing this question, Keika seemed stunned for a short while, then spoke suddenly.

“Eel!”

“O, Oh…… I see……”

I couldn’t think of anything else to say at that point in time. I see. Eel, is it?

“Sorry, our family had eel previously, and she really liked it.”

Kawasaki lowered her head, seemingly embarrassed. However, kids were all like that, and at times they will spout some nonsensical things, and other times they would say the very first thing that comes to mind without giving it further thought…… Something like this really can’t be helped.

As I thought that, Yukinoshita-san was instead placing her jaw between both her hands and seemed to be thinking about something seriously.

“If that’s the case, then how about, eel pie? If it’s pie alone, it’s easy to do it, but as to the preparation and cooking of the eels, I will have to look it up……”

“Oh- can that sort of pie really be made?”

“Yes.”

Yukinoshita replied in a matter-of-fact manner. This girl really does know everything. Yet considering all that, it was strange that her own ‘pie’ was not made properly. (TL: Pie = pai = oppai = tits)

“If you don’t mind, want to give it a try?”

Kawasaki’s face was flushed a deep crimson as she shook her head at Yukinoshita’s question.

“No, no need for that! Just teach her something that any kid could make…….”

“Alright then, then something like chocolate truffle I guess…… Let me go collect some additional ingredients.”

Saying that, Yukinoshita walked towards the teacher’s desk at the front of the cooking room.

While waiting for her, I looked at Keika, wondering if I should continue to take care of her. However, it seems that this babysitting job was snatched away by Yuigahama.

Yuigahama took no notice of her skirt, and squatted down immediately and began to converse animatedly with Keika.

“About eels, I know what you mean. I want to try them too~”

“Eels are delicious. Can be eaten together with rice and sauce.”

“I know right, eels are so tasty~”

“Un, rice is very nice.”

“Eh, rice…….”

Although the subject of their conversation was totally different, but the two of them seemed very happy. Come to think of it, it would really be trouble if Yuigahama were to try her hands at making the pie.

However, it probably wouldn’t be a massive flop if Kawasaki and Yukinoshita were around. It seems that I, as a taste tester, has yet a need to make an appearance.

Well then, before my job starts, I guess I should go take a walk around.


X                                                               X                                                          X


Under Yukinoshita’s guidance, Kawasaki and Keika began to prepare the chocolates. Now, there wasn’t even the job of looking after the kid. Thus, I was now a truly unemployed person. If this were to continue on, I think I am going to pick up stones by the riverside and sell them. Eh wait, that’s a [useless person]. [2]

Hayama, who was a taste-tester like me was still stuck between Miura and Isshiki, and Tobe who wanted to try and taste the food as well, was making a ruckus near Ebina-san. Dude, isn’t it obvious you are being snubbed.

Haruno-san and Meguri-senpai was talking with Hiratsuka-sensei all this while. The current and old members of the student council were at various kitchen tables, taking down various orders, whereas the vice-president and Secretary-chan was chatting away and laughing from time to time. Vice-president, go and do your job!

Kaihinsougou High school was having a DISCUSSION with Tamanawa at the center of it all. Seeing how they haven’t really started their cooking, they were probably still in the midst of BRAINSTORMING.

Seeing that, I was really the only one not doing anything.

Anyway, I guess I should just stand at one corner and observe so as not to get in the way of others, when out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed the door of the cooking room being opened gently.

The person who opened it was perhaps observing the situation inside, as the door only opened a few centimeters before stopping.

What……don’t tell me that some other group who were using the communication center had come to complain that we were being too noisy……

Seems like I was the only one who noticed the situation with the door, and so I had no choice but to go take a look.

I walked to the door, but was a little hesitant.

It was going to be scary if it was some old auntie or someone like that…… If they are coming to come up and complain I am going to just apologize. Anyway, being scolded by people in society was a common fact of life. That is to say, being scolded could be said to be a job. Well, although there wasn’t any salary in such a job. The Service Club has no wages for the entire year!  ……Unpaid

As I steeled my resolve, I opened the door forcefully.

The person outside was someone I knew.

That person was probably on the way home after club activities, wearing a baggy windbreaker that was too big for him. Owing to the overly long sleeves, the hands that were unable to fully extend outside were now crossed in front of his chest in uncertainty. Was it because of the special aura that came about with this person? Because whenever he made this sort of pose with his back hunched-over, even the stiff material of his nylon shirt and coat become soft.

Then, his eyes met mine and his face beamed.

“Hachiman!”

“To, Totsuka…… I see that you came.”

“Un, although I am a little late cause I was held back by club activities.”

The one standing in front of the door was my classmate, Totsuka Saika. Although I did tell him about today’s event when I met him in school, I didn’t really expect him to come.

“That’s great, I thought I had gotten the wrong location.”

As he said that, he looked towards the group of Kaihinsougou High students. I see, he would be able to see only them if he opened the door by that little amount.

Yup, if your vision is too narrow, you would be unable to see other things.

For example, the existence of this fellow standing behind Totsuka.

“Ha------chiman-----“

The person who was standing behind Totsuka was my….. was my what……… Well, let’s just say he’s my partner during sports class. My sports class partner, Zaimokuza Yoshiteru. Although I clearly did not meet him in school, not to mention that I didn’t even tell him about today, then why was he here? If it’s why, then probably it’s because he’s Zaimokuza. It’s bad if you take too much notice of the finer happenings.

“So, Zaimokuza? What are you doing here? Getting ready to go back?”

Hearing me ask that, Zaimokuza gave a fake cough.

“Ahem. Ahem. First of all, Totsuka and I were asked by Hiratsuka-sensei to run an errand for her, therefore, we cannot go back yet.”

“An errand? Are you still not going back yet?”

“That’s why I said, I am not going back yet.”

He was waving his hands in front of his chest, whilst replying me in some unrecognizable dialect. Come to think of it, what is Hiratsuka-sensei’s errand…… As I was thinking about this, Totsuka unslung his bag from his back.

“That, she wanted us to bring this here……”

With that said, Totsuka began to rummage through his bag.

“Oh oh, you guys are here, you guys didn’t have trouble bringing it here right?”

Hiratsuka-sensei seemed to have discover the situation by the door and hence had walked over. Totsuka was still searching in his bag, with a puff and a smile, passed something to Hiratsuka-sensei.

“Here. Please take this.”

The thing that Totsuka passed Hiratsuka-sensei, seemed to be several refrigerated bags that the supermarket would give you for purchasing frozen foodstuffs. After receiving those bags that were emitting a silver glow, Hiratsuka-sensei gave her thanks whilst confirming the contents of the bag.

“What’s inside?”

“Un. Ah, you came at the right moment. Please spread these out over there.”

As I asked my question, Hiratsuka-sensei was picking up the bags and walking towards the window of the cooking room. She grasped a chair beside her, and seemed to be in a good mood as she hummed a song and began taking out the contents of the bag.

“I thought that everyone would like to eat these afterwards. Anyway, I bought these as a sort of reference material as well and accidentally bought too much of them, but I was able to meet them when I went out and so I sought their help to bring it over.”

“I see.”

During this period of time, whether it was the greengrocer, the department stores or even the mail order, you could buy branded chocolates from all of them. Hiratsuka-sensei had probably used some of these stores’ services and had gotten Zaimokuza and Totsuka to go and collect them on her behalf.

However, what Hiratsuka-sensei had ordered was no small amount. She took out a great assortment of said chocolate from the refrigerated bags that had the store’s name printed on it.

These high-class chocolates that kept spreading across the tabletop drew the attention of others, and I could feel the glances that were coming my way.

Amongst them, Haruno-san had a knack for eating. Accompanying her was Meguri-senpai, and Haruno-san was looking at the chocolates one by one with a deep interest.

“Eh, Shizuka-chan, you really went all out—Godiva is a given, there’s also Pierreherme, as well as Charbonnel…… There’s also those from Imperial Hotel, New Otani hotel…… Ah, there are chocolates made by Sadohari Aoki too---“

“Ah, yes that’s about it.”

Hiratsuka-sensei puffed out her chest proudly, probably because someone understood the value of those chocolates.

Actually, from my point of view, I was thinking something like “Aren’t they all just chocolates?” However this was something who had experience with chocolates would know about. I have heard of Godiva chocolates, so I guess the rest were probably an assortment of branded chocolates as well. Was that French that Haruno-san was speaking just now? Is it? Well, I don’t know.

What did she say just now again? Something like Pi, Pier…… Pierretaki? Janpieru……porunarefu? I really couldn’t wrap my head around those names, but I just knew that they were all branded chocolates.

Opening those fashionable packaging, one could see the gorgeous chocolates lined up neatly in rows just like the display in a jewelry shop window. Seeing all these, Meguri-senpai couldn’t help but give a sigh of admiration.

“Wa--, looks delicious.”

“Ah, Meguri knows as well? This is really tasty, I recommend all of these as well.”

“Wait a minute, why do you look so proud, Haruno? All these were chosen by me.”

Seeing how Haruno-san was saying all these so proudly caused Hiratsuka to reply unhappily to her.

As expected of Shizuka-chan who took great pride in her own interest…… Her car seems to be of the high-end as well…… Towards her own likes and hobbies, she would willingly pour in her own passion and money in it. This sort of man-like behavior, amazing.

As a male myself, towards this display of extravagance by her towards her likes and interests caused me to look at her with a newfound sense of respect. Totsuka too, was staring at Hiratsuka-sensei.

“Sensei, so you eat sweet stuffs as well?”

Seeing Totsuka’s sparkling eyes, Hiratsuka-sensei seemed to be temporarily at a loss for words.

“……Well, something like that. ……Don, Don’t tell me that this doesn’t suit me?”

“Ah, no, nothing like that…… I think that it suits sensei!”

Seeing Sensei drooping her shoulders, Totsuka became flustered and tried to smooth it over. Seeing all these, Haruno-san on the other hand, laughed happily.

“For Shizuka-chan, she probably eats it along with alcohol. Sounds great~ I too, want to eat these tasty chocolates as I drink alcohol.”

“Indeed, I do eat chocolates with alcohol……. However, I can’t do that today.

Hiratsuka scowled at her, to which Haruno-san seemed dissatisfied, and pouted.

Watching their interactions, I felt surprised.

In truth, Yukinoshita Haruno was the sort of person who did things with a purpose, as well as one who commonly made a mockery out of others. But now, her response towards Hiratsuka-sensei seemed completely natural, at least, that’s what I thought. Of course, this could be a special ability of her strong exterior appearance.

Yet, it could be said that I knew next to nothing about Yukinoshita Haruno. Yukinoshita’s elder sister, Hayama’s childhood friend, Meguri-senpai’s senpai, a former student of Hiratsuka-sensei, a superdemon with a perfect exterior appearance. Even if I knew all these superficial facts about her, I still couldn’t peer through the murky, bottomless marsh to get a peek at her true nature.

Thinking about it carefully, this was the first time I had seen Haruno-san spending a long time conversing with someone older than her.

I was somewhat taken aback, and kept looking in the direction of Haruno-san, all the while thinking that the water surface of that bottomless lake was being distorted gently.

She deliberately drooped her shoulders, and Haruno-san proceeded to lie flat on the kitchen table, and looked at Hiratsuka-sensei sweetly.

“That’s a pity then. Next time, bring me out with you~ there’s so many things that I want to talk to you about.”

That was just a casual lip service.

However, Hiratsuka looked at her seriously in return.

She ceased her unwrapping of the chocolates, and clasped her hands together. Slowly, she looked at Haruno-san’s eyes as she crafted some words and spoke gently.

“Haruno, if you…… really do have something you wish to tell me, I can entertain you anytime.”

The instant she had said her piece, Haruno-san’s shoulders shook ever so slightly.

She was still lying flat on the kitchen table, and the eyes that were looking at Hiratsuka-sensei was like glass-works, devoid of any color. However, in that instant, I thought I saw a pale flame flash across her eyes.

Although that instant lasted less than a second, but the time that the two spent looking at each other felt very long, to the extent that I had even forgotten to breathe.

The silence was broken by the sound of Haruno-san’s laughter escaping from the side of her mouth.

“Really? Then you’d best schedule your time------ Ah, Hikigaya-kun is here too? Come and drink with the big sisters~”

Jesting, she intentionally shifted her body towards me, and looked up at me. Immediately, I moved myself away to increase the distance between us.

“I am still not of age yet. I can’t drink alcohol, how about orange juice instead.”

Zaimokuza laughed derisively. Hiratsuka lost the serious edge from just now, and her shoulders shook from the laughter.

Seeing that my joke was effective against the two of them, in other words, it was useless against the others.

Totsuka had a “And so?” expression as he tilted his head, whereas Meguri-senpai continued to smile with an expression that she didn’t quite understand what was going on. Haruno-san frowned and shook her head.

“It’s too bad if you can’t drink. Well whatever, can’t be helped since you aren’t of age, how about Meguri?”

“Haru-san, I am still not of age yet~ But it’s ok if we go for tea……”

“I see. Ehh, what should I do then? Find my classmates?”

Hiratsuka-sensei watched Haruno-san picked up her mobile phone and seemed to be dialing some numbers on it, and she sighed deeply.

“Well, if you want to, just call me.”

With that, it signaled the end of the subject, and Hiratsuka-sensei pushed a bag of a seemingly famous brand of chocolates in my direction.

“Hikigaya, Shiromeguri, both of you take it and split it amongst yourself as you see fit. Also, take the rest and give it to everyone here as well.”

“Okay. Um, how many should I give to each person?”

As Meguri-senpai answered as such, she placed the chocolates on the paper plates next to her.

“Whatever you deem fit.” Although Hiratsuka-sensei gave her such an answer, Meguri-senpai looked up in vexation.

“Well then, Hikigaya-kun, I will leave this to you.”

As she said that, she passed me a couple of the paper plates. It looks like this was the result of Meguri-senpai’s meticulous distributions of the chocolates. In each of the plates were an assortment of multi-colored chocolates and different brand of chocolates. All in all, they were distributed quite evenly throughout.

I was in awe of the Meguri-power(star) in spite of myself, coming from Meguri-senpai standing beside me, looking quite proud of herself.

“Understood.”

“Un, let’s get started then, everyone.”

Meguri-senpai picked up a few paper plates as well, and everyone began to walk towards the various kitchen tables. Even though I might say that, but we didn’t really spread ourselves out. Generally speaking, we just split into three directions.

Meguri-senpai was heading in the direction of Kaihinsougou High and the student council. Totsuka was heading in the direction of the Kawasaki sisters, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama whilst Zaimokuza seemed to trailing behind Totsuka’s shadow.

That means, the only kitchen table that was left for me was the one where Miura and Isshiki were fiercely duking it out.

I observed their situation from afar; Miura was glaring pointedly at Isshiki, Isshiki was grinning from ear to ear and Hayama, who was stuck between the two, was maintaining his refreshing smile the whole time.

Tobe seemed to be quite concerned about Hayama’s situation, and would often throw in a word or two, and doesn’t seem to be trying to appeal to Ebina-san.

Un…… Seems like big trouble. I mean, I didn’t want to join in the fray at all.

I approached their table slowly, all the while thinking of what I ought to say when Hayama seemed to have noticed my approach.

“Sorry, excuse me for a bit.”

With that, he smoothly extricated himself from Miura and Isshiki and walked towards me.

“Is something the matter?”

“Ah, ah. Just here to bring some refreshments from Hiratsuka-sensei.”

As I explained, I passed him the paper plate in my hand, only to see Hayama’s expression darken.

“Chocolates again……?”

“Seems to be quite tasty ones.”

“……Is that so?”

With a short reply, he took the paper plates from me and walked back swiftly to the kitchen table.

My mission was now completed without a hitch. Just as I was thinking to go back since I had done what I was supposed to do, I heard the light sound of metal behind me.

I looked in the direction of the noise, and saw that the noise was caused by Hayama flicking his finger against a coffee can. He was waving two coffee cans about, and with his smile, asked me wordlessly if I would care to have a can.

Well, I guess that even Hayama would be more or less tired after having to put up with both Miura and Isshiki for so long. Perhaps he wanted to use me as an excuse to take a break from them. In any case, I wasn’t doing anything anyway.

With a ‘Oh’, I nodded my head slightly and Hayama took a seat at a kitchen table nearby Miura. I followed his suggestion and moved a seat there as well.

When I sat down, Hayama placed a can of coffee in front of me. The brand showed that it wasn’t MAX coffee, but BLACK coffee. Seeing me look at the brand name again and again, Hayama gave a bitter smile.

“You like it sweeter?”

“Not really.”

Even I, had no interest in drinking something sweet now. Besides, I still had to eat chocolate after this. I opened the can of coffee, and drank it in big gulps/

Hayama did the same as well, and with a ‘Fuuuuuuuuuuu” exhaled greatly.

There wasn’t any sort of conversation between us, just the sound of coffee cans hitting the table as well as the occasional sighs that escaped our mouth. This sounds of this exchange replaced any possible conversation and continued on intermittently.

From the weight on my hand, I knew that I was nearly done drinking the can, when Hayama suddenly said, “Even so.”

“I thought about it properly as well.”

“Huh?”

My reply to him was serious, as I really had no idea as to what he was trying to tell me. However, he gave his usual Hayama Hayato-like smile that everyone was familiar with and continued on gently.

“If it’s like this, then everyone…… everyone can behave more naturally that way.”

Saying that, he took a glance round the cooking room. Following his gaze, I could see all sorts of things happening around me.

Miura who was looking at the weighing scales seriously, or Isshiki who was whistling as she operated the oven, or Yuigahama whose face was flushed pink as well as Yukinoshita who was hugging her head as she watched Yuigahama.

Soon, Hayama’s gaze returned to me again. That expressions that he now had was one that I knew fairly well, a lonely bittersweet smile that was characteristic of Hayama Hayato.

The ‘everyone’ that Hayama spoke of.

Who was he referring to? And who was included in this ‘everyone’ that he keeps referring to? I noticed this faintly and averted my gaze from Hayama, and took a sip from the bitter coffee.

I had no response to his soliloquy, and Hayama added in another sentence suddenly again.

“It’s all thanks to you, that Tobe could get to eat chocolates and feel happy.”

Hayama was saying this with a fair deal of jest. From his words, Tobe seemed to have managed to eat Ebina-san’s chocolates that were still works in progress. He was being quite noisy his with exclamations of [Delicious!], [So sweet!] and [Awesome!]. Oh, you did try your best after all. But still, Ebina-san is one of those type of girls that were way more trouble than they would appear. To these type of people, they will only open their hearts in stages. Or perhaps, their mental make-up was just structured like that. I too, gave a wry smile thinking about it.

However, well, at least till now, I should at least congratulate Tobe for trying till now. Although, that’s just my style of saying it.

“I don’t really care about the chocolates or Tobe…… Especially Tobe.”

“Haha, that’s so mean.”

Hayama laughed, then downed the rest of the bitter coffee, and shook it as though wanting to confirm whether it was really empty. Then, he stood up and prepared to throw away his empty can. Miura had probably seen him doing that, because she was now calling out to him in a sweet voice.

“Hayato~~~~~~~~”

“I will be right there.”

With that reply, Hayama turned his head back the last time, to give a short and simple goodbye, before walking back to the kitchen table where they were waiting for him.

I watched him leave and raise the empty can once more to my mouth.

X                                                         X                                                        X

The confection making had already entered its climax.

Those that worked the fastest had already put their dough into the oven, or already putting the near-completed product into the fridge to chill, and were now advancing towards the final step.

Even Haruno-san, who kept talking non-stop, seemed to have at some point in time, completed most of the work. Not only that, Meguri-senpai as well as the previous student council that were under her charge had also more or less finished too. The only thing left for them seemed to be setting the shape as well as decorations and toppings for it.

Just how good was this person at multitasking exactly? As always, she seemed to always able to do those sorts of things that was quite impossible for humans to understand. In all aspects of the word……

However, she was probably getting tired of looking after others, for she was now leisurely enjoying a cup of tea with Yukinoshita.

“Yukino-chan, what are you making? Let your Onee-chan have a taste~”

Haruno-san’s insistent voice was completely ignored by Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita was now supervising Miura and Yuigahama.

Under Yukinoshita’s watchful eyes, Miura was molding the dough into shape with a serious look, whereas Yuigahama was shaping the mold with another piece of dough.

She was probably displeased with how Yukinoshita ignored her, and so her tone changed to one that was pouting, and spoke again to Yukinoshita.

“Hey, Yukino-chan, can you hear me~”

“……Haruno0san, Yukinoshita-san is still quite busy.”

Seeing this situation, Hayama had a wry smile, and walked up to Haruno-san’s side as though wanting to try and dissuade her. If the surroundings were going to be that noisy, Miura would probably get distracted. Maybe Hayama said such things because he felt concerned about this as well.

Those who were focused on their work were not only Miura and Yuigahama, Isshiki was squeezing out the fresh cream, and were doing some sort of cute decoration, devoting herself to it. Amongst the Kawasaki sisters, Keika’s face was full of chocolate, but she did succeed in making something that sort of resembled a chocolate truffle, which Kawasaki was busy taking photos of. Oi, you, how many are you going to take……

As everyone focus on doing their own things, my job as a taste-tester was probably about to begin as well.  As I thought that, I watched from the sidelines, maintaining my ‘Not going to be a bother’ pose. Thereupon, Orimoto came running my way, and spoke to me, who had currently nothing to do.

“Hikigaya, are there still spare chocolate cutters?”

“Oh, oh oh…… just wait a bit.”

Seems like the progress over at Kaihinsougou High was not bad as well. Although they had kept arguing over how they wanted the end-product to look like, it looks like they were gradually inching closer to completion.

As I told her to wait, I walked over to Yukinoshita.

“Excuse me, are there still spare chocolate cutters?”

“There’s still some over there, you may take those if you need them.”

“Oh, thanks.”

And so, the one answered her wasn’t me.

It was the one who had followed me here, Orimoto Kaori.

Yukinoshita looked surprised at the figure of Orimoto who had suddenly appeared and became quiet. Yuigahama raised her head and looked on with a curious expression, probably because Yukinoshita’s instructional voice had suddenly disappeared.

Amongst the Kaihinsougou high crowd, a particular person wearing the Kaihinsougou High uniform stood out a little more from the less. Although there were a couple of people looking at her, Orimoto didn’t seem to really mind them, and was now scrutinizing the chocolate cutters one by one. Then, she spoke something casually.

“……Come to think of it, have I ever given some to Hikigaya?”

Her tone suggested that she really had no idea which made me smile bitterly. You don’t remember? Well, that’s to be expected.

Although Orimoto was the type who would give obligatory chocolate to whoever it was as long as they asked, I somehow did not fall under that category of ‘whoever’.

How did I accept that reality last time…… I reminisced about that and my reply came slightly late.

I coughed a little to make up for the silence, when I suddenly heard the sound of ‘Ka-cha, Ka-cha’ sound of tableware. I took a look and saw that It was Yukinoshita holding her jaw with her hand as she looked at me, Yuigahama had averted her gaze and her hands were moving about in circles, Isshiki went ‘Eh’ and nodded her head as though interested in the topic, Kawasaki was looking at me with a somewhat shocked expression, Tamanawa coughed and went ‘Fuuu, fuuuu’ as he blew he fringe. Tamanawa-san, you are a little noisy, you know……

“No, ……probably never.”

I tried not to let that memory reside within me and answered as naturally as I could. To that, Orimoto laughed ever so naturally as well.

“I see, then I will give you some this year.”

“Eh, no, a, that’s……”

Those unexpected words of her easily collapsed the façade that I was maintaining, and my words came out in a fluster.

No, perhaps this was my true natural response……  What’s this, am I really that disgusting?

“Then, remember to come eat it when I am done.”

After saying like that so simply, Orimoto picked up the chocolate cutter and walked back to her kitchen table.

Having heard what she said, I couldn’t just reject her without any reason, but maybe that was just lip service from her…… I watch her leave as I pondered over her words endlessly.

Well, this was definitely Orimoto’s unique ability to be able to say anything so casually, and that there was no deeper meaning hidden behind them. Finally, I don’t have to read between the lines of someone’s words, nor would I misunderstand their intentions and just accept the words as they are. Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but smile and sigh as well.

I carried with me a small sense of satisfaction and turned my head back at the kitchen table, and my eyes met with Haruno-san, who was standing by the window.

Haruno-san seemed to have been watching our exchange with a great smile on her face. Her expression seemed to suggest that she had spotted something fun to toy with.

Then, her expression changed from the soft smile to a sadistic one. The corners of her mouth curled upwards, and her eyes that were now narrowed had a sharp edge to them. Haruno-san looked at Hayama who was beside her.

“Come to think of it, Hayato seemed to have receive some chocolate from Yukino-chan some time ago?”

Although she was talking to Hayama, the truth was that the voice could be heard by everyone present.

Yukinoshita who had been ignoring her all this time seemed to have reacted to it. She looked at Haruno-san with a confused expression and glared at her without saying anything. Those who couldn’t find their voice was not only Yukinoshita, but also Miura. Even Isshiki shrieked softly.

I scratched my head briskly as I smiled bitterly. There was no need at all to say this in front of both Miura and Isshiki. But what was surprising, was that my hands had somehow became fists at some point in time. It’s going to be hard to comb my hair like that……

Yukinoshita did not deny Haruno-san’s words, and looked at me with a troubled look in her eyes. Her expression seemed to suggest that she felt troubled because she didn’t know what to do at having the past suddenly brought up. She bit her lips lightly, and her eyes betrayed a sense of the unease she was in.

However, I probably had a similar expression as well. The discomfort I felt was as though I had phlegm stuck in my throat, or the insides of my stomach crawling about due to indigestion.

Yukinoshita lowered her head, and I averted my eyes as well. In front of me, I could see Yuigahama’s uneasy expression as she seemed to be quite worried about us.

A short silence. Still, it felt as though a long period of time had passed. I wanted to say something to break this silence, but I couldn’t find anything appropriate to say.

“Ah, that’s true, that’s probably during elementary school or so. Haruno-san received some as well.”

The person who gave such a correct answer under this sort of situation, was of course Hayama.

Hayama answered with an ever so magnificent, refreshing smile on his face, and dodged the question. Hearing that, Haruno-san seemed to be a little let-down.

Hearing his answer, Miura looked relieved, and Isshiki heaved a sigh of relief as well.

Yet, in contrast to their reaction, Yukinoshita Haruno’s expression seemed to grow even colder. She glanced at Hayama with a disinterested look, and left the window side as though she was bored with the development. Hayama watched her leave with a lonely look in his eyes.

Haruno-san stopped by Yukinoshita’s side.

“Then, Yukino-chan, who are you planning to give this to?”

Her voice seemed to suggest that she was just joking with her. If one did not have a good understanding of the two of them, it would surely have sounded like some cute teasing between the two sisters. In fact, Yukinoshita who now looked away with a “Hnng”, looked like she was just responding to her sister’s teasing with a playful sulk.

“……This has nothing to do with Nee-san.”

“Eh, you are not going to give your Onee-chan?”

Haruno-san laughed softly, and hearing her joking tone, Yukinoshita glared at her, seemingly a little angry.

“Of course not. There’s absolutely no reason for me to do that, not to mention that I have never received chocolates from Nee-san even until today.”

“Uh, that’s indeed true.”

Haruno-san nodded her head, indicating her understanding, and then, she smiled bitterly as she sighed.

“Well, Yukino-chan say she wouldn’t be giving me and so she definitely won’t be doing so. She has never lied after all.”

This point was very close to my impression of Yukinoshita in the past. However, Yukinoshita Haruno definitely had a greater understanding of her than I had in the past.

“But, there are still times when she wouldn’t say the truth.”

Haruno-san was looking at Yukinoshita coldly as she said that, a great change from her previous warm and cheerful gaze.

“You didn’t say that you were not going to give it to anyone. That means you are indeed going to give it to someone.”

Yukinoshita maintained her silence and continued to glare at Haruno-san coldly. Although I saw her accepting her sister’s conclusion, but the smile on Haruno-san’s face did not change.

“Well, but the people to whom Yukino-chan can give chocolates to are very limited.”

“Asinine. Whatever you say.”

Yukinoshita discontinued the conversation, and once again, began to work.

She reached her hands out towards the empty bowl and tray in front of her, and began to keep them, deliberately making “Ka-cha, Ka-cha” noises as she did so.

The exchange between the Yukinoshita sisters had finally come to an end, and the cooking room resumed its usual clamorous state. This clamorous atmosphere gave everyone present a sense of peace and calm.

Just as I sighed in relief, I heard a loud clanging noise. Looking in the direction of that noise, I saw a metallic bowl spinning on the floor, spinning towards me. Accompanying the ringing sound of the bowl, was a small voice.

“Sor, sorry.”

Yukinoshita lowered her head, her face a shade of red all the way till the tip of her ears, and she came running over to pick up the bowl.

This sort of mediocre mistake was really rare ; As I thought so, I squatted down to pick up the bowl that had come spinning to me.

Thereupon, I locked eyes with Yukinoshita, who had also squatted down to pick up the bowl. Both of us extended our hands, and froze in that posture, searching for hints as to who would be one to pick it up

We looked at each other, separated by just a few centimeters.  Yukinoshita hurriedly retracted her hand that was so close to touching mine.

What are you so agitated about? Seeing you like that will make me agitated too as well.

“That……”

I looked away from her, and left the job to her as I tried to apologize.

Yukinoshita picked up the bowl in a hurry.

However, probably because of her unstable grasp of the bowl as she picked it up, the rim of the bowl that was still in contact with the floor once more made its annoying ringing noise and rolled someplace else.

The noise made by it continued to reach my eyes, and even if it finally stopped moving, that noise would still be stuck inside my head.

It was not until when someone picked up the bowl gently, did that noise finally cease.

I raised my head, and saw Yuigahama spinning the bowl on her fingers, puffing out her chest with pride.

“Hehe, Yukinon, you still need have quite some way to go. My ability in handling metals bowl and cooking equipment is top-notch.”

Seeing her laugh like that as she said it, I sighed with relief. The thing that had been stuck in my chest seemed to have disappeared as well. I said a few words and stood up at last.

“……No, apart from this, everything else is a fatal flaw.”

“That is indeed so. ……Thank you.”

Yukinoshita too, had a smile on her face, and with her thanks, extended her hand to take the bowl from Yuigahama. Yuigahama nodded her head with an "Un” and passed the bowl back to her. Yuigahama ha d a somewhat lonely expression, and looking at her now empty palm, clenched her hand into a fist.

That action caused me some degree of concern, and I looked at her for a while. When and where have I seen that expression before?

Exactly when was that? As I searched my memories, I sat down on the chair by the wall.

Just as I let out yet another sigh, I seemed to feel that somewhere, someone was gently laughing away.

X                                                                                 X                                                                                 X

The sweet fragrance had already begun to spread about the cooking room.

Several people stood in front of the oven, all waiting anxiously for the product to be completed. Miura, who was amongst them, stood out from the rest. She was looking intently at the glass window of the oven.

When they were all baked, it would then be time for taste testing. I too, could finally strip myself of the label of being an ‘unemployed person’, and begin doing my job.

Just as I was resting at a place nearby the oven, getting to recharge my energy, I felt someone tap my back.

Turning my head round, I saw Hiratsuka-sensei standing there. The paper plates that she was holding in her hand were probably the extra chocolates.

“It’s a really nice event.”

As she talked to me, she pulled a chair near me and sat down, and held out the paper plate of chocolate to me. I took one from it and began to eat, then replied.

“Haa, although this event is pretty nonsensical.”

In fact, I couldn’t really tell if this could even be considered an ‘event’. This was just gathering people from all walks of life, where everyone would then proceed to do the things that they want to do, or so I felt.

Hiratsuka-sensei seemed to understand what I was getting at, and chuckled happily. Then, she looked at the students in the cooking room warmly.

“That is fine. From the start, you are a nonsensical person anyway. The people associated with you are as such as well. For it to become like this, that is to be expected.”

“Nonsensical…… Isn’t that a little mean?”

“Well, compared to the past. I guess I can understand you a little better now.”

Hiratsuka-sensei gave a broad smile as though teasing me, and began to eat the chocolates as well.

“People’s perception of others continues to be renewed day after day. If you continue to spend time with them, and grow together with them, you will gradually get to know them.”

“I don’t really feel like we’ve grown though. We keep doing the same things over and over again.”

“Even so, there will be more or less some changes.”

Hiratsuka conversed with me as she continued eating her chocolates. She swallowed the chocolate and proceeded to wipe her mouth with her finger. This action was sexy, or rather, youth-like. I laughed unintentionally.

Indeed, my impression of Hiratsuka-sensei had sort of gradually changed. Hence, other people’s perception of me would have more or less changed a little as well.

However, towards this sort of change, I harbored a sort of fear, the type that was hard to put in words.

“Change, that huh…… To hear it mentioned like that, gives me a sort of weird feeling.”

“A strange feeling?”

Hiratsuka cocked her head and observed me. I felt embarrassed and turned my face away, and hurriedly continue on with what I wanted to say.

“Ah, something like discomfort and unease?”

After saying it out, I felt an unexpected sense of satisfaction.

That was something that had always been bugging me.

That feeling would strike me unexpectedly at times; that feeling was somewhat different from what I had always felt.

When I interacted with those people, a doubt would surge forth from the depths of my heart as I questioned myself, “Was this really right?”

“Unease, huh…… I hope that you will never forget that feeling.”

Hiratsuka-sensei was staring into the distance, and spoke in a tone that seemed like she was reminiscing of something. Although the target of her words was me, she seemed to be saying that to someone else as well.

However, as expected, she was instead talking to me, and her gaze returned back to me.

“This is probably what they deem as signs of growing up. When you become an adult, you will often gloss over such things. That’s why, right now, I wish that you would take a closer look at this ‘unease’ that you are feeling. This is extremely important.”

“But there’s a saying that says that important things can’t be seen.”

I said that on purpose to poke fun at what she said, to which Hiratsuka-sensei chuckled.

“You are not meant to see it with your eyes. You are supposed to look at it with your heart.”

“Don’t think, feel. That sort of meaning? I don’t have that sort of force.” [3]

What was this person talking about…… Was she just saying this for the sake of being able to say some lines from a shounen manga……. I looked at her with that sort of expression, and Hiratsuka coughed intentionally, probably from embarrassment.

“Just the opposite. Don’t feel, think.”

Hiratsuka-sensei who repeated her words once more, no longer had a joking expression on her face, her eyes was filled with kindness and sincerity. Slowly, quietly, she continued to convey her intentions to me.

“Towards this sense of unease, please, always continue to think about it.”

“Always?”

I repeated that word, trying to digest the meaning of it completely. Hiratsuka-sensei nodded her head in reply.

“Un. Always. If you do, you will definitely be able to understand it one day. People don’t look back to see how much distance they have covered when they are walking. In fact, from the viewpoint of those who have stopped walking, the more they progress, the more they feel betrayed.”

Hiratsuka spoke until here, and took one more look at the people in this room one by one.

“Right now, I am glad to be able to see this sort of scene up close.”

Saying that, Hiratsuka-sensei stood up.

“……After all, I can’t watch over you guys forever.”

Hearing that sort of voice, I looked at her, and saw Hiratsuka-sensei flexed her shoulders, and stretched herself lazily, making it impossible to take a peek at the expression on her face.

I turned my head once more to look at her, and she had already returned to being the Hiratsuka-sensei that I had always known.

“Alright, it’s about time for me to get back to my work.”

“Aren’t you going to stay behind a little and try some?”

“No, there are still some things that I need to attend to…… It’s quite close to March now, so I think I want to get it done as quickly as possible.”

Hiratsuka-sensei let loose a loud laugh. Then, she raised her hand to bid me farewell and walked away. Following the sound of her high-heels, Hiratsuka-sensei left the room jauntily.

Watching her leave, I put another chocolate into my mouth.

The chocolate that I had picked at random began to dissolve in my mouth, just like the words of sensei, leaving a faint bitter aftertaste in my mouth.



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[1] Tenpa -> When you are one tile away from completing the winning hand in mahjong, you "listen" for this last tile that player either discards/drawn by you.

[2] Old superstition in Japan, where they believe that said stones actually come from graves. Some think that it would be bad luck to pick them up, while others think that if you bring them to a shrine, you would be blessed with good fortune.

[3]From Bruce Lee.