Chapter 17: Side Himari

[Himari PoV]　

The time goes back to right after Soma and Shogo Kito were taken to the student guidance office.

“Hahahahaha!　That Yagami guy was super creepy!”

“There’s no way you can tell her, in that situation!”

“Ah, ha ha ……”

　My best friends Sayaka and Reina make fun of me for saying that Yagami likes me.

　Is it really that creepy?　I think it’s very manly of him to be able to confess so openly in front of everyone…….

“Himarin, I’m really sorry for your loss.”

“It’s tough being liked by a guy like that.”

“Y-yeah…….”

　Sayaka and Reina looked at each other.

“…… Don’t be so downhearted, Himarin. It’s good that you found out that Shogo is an asshole before you had sex with him.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m happy that you broke up with that guy early!　Right?”

“T-that’s right!　Aha, ahaha……!”

　It’s not that I’m upset about Shogo!

　It’s that I’m upset about Yagami being taken to the student guidance office because of me!

　No…… What I’m more interested in is about that confession.

　He just said it on the spur of the moment, didn’t he?　He clearly said he had his eyes on Sakurako.

　But what if he was serious……

“I’m going to the bathroom.”

“See you later.”

　I did not go to the bathroom, but went to the front of the student guidance office.

　I peered inside through the window of the door and saw Yagami’s back.

　I saw Yagami stand up with his head down, so I hurriedly stepped back.

　And then. Yagami came out of the student guidance room.

“‘Why did I hit him?’ If you ask me why I hit him, I’ll just say because I was pissed off.”

“Yagami, I’m sorry …… it’s my fault …….”

　I’m sure he’ ll be punished in some way.

I got Yagami into a lot of trouble because I had a night out with Shogo.

“No, don’t worry about it. It’s my fault. It’s just that lately I’ve been using my hands more than my mouth…….”

　You’re kind…… Shogo on the other hand would definitely blame me like he always does.

　And he won’t forgive me until I cry and apologize.

“I think it’s totally possible.……”

　I really mean this. Even though he’s a gloomy guy, he’s strong and violent in a fight, and I’m kind of attracted to him.

“I’m glad you said that.”

　Seeing Yagami smiling, I couldn’t hold back any longer.

　I’ve made up my mind!　I’ll listen to him!

“Ah, you know, Yagami ……, what you just said in the classroom was just a …… random thing you said, right?”

　What will you say?　Aah, I’m nervous.

“Yeah, I said it on the spur of the moment. I’m sorry.”

“Ah…… yeah…… that’s right. Yagami likes Sakurako, right……”

　I knew it. …….

　Sakurako has a prettier face and personality than me, she is shorter but has bigger boobs, and the only thing that can beat her is her youth. It’s all too obvious.

“I see….. Yagami, thank you for helping me…..!”

　I laughed so he wouldn’t realize how shocked I was, and rushed into the women’s restroom, crying my eyes out.

　During my lunch break, I received a text from Shino.

　She said Sakurako had asked Papa to drop the punishment for Yagami.

　Thanks, Dad!　Sakurako!

　I also asked Shino for advice.

　She has a high level of girl power, so she can help me with my love life.

　By the way, she told me that I should definitely not go out with Kito-senpai, so I guess she has an eye for men.

“There’s a classmate I’m interested in.”

　Pilon. The reply came quickly.

　Shino is a very fast typist.

“[Is that person in a club?] What? Yes, he joined recently, didn’t he? For Sakurako.”

　I felt a little sad.

　I said yes. Pilon. I get a reply right away. So fast.

“[Then why don’t you become a manager like me?] huh……I see, what a bad girl!　Good idea!”

　I took one of the club entry forms and went back to my desk.

　As I was filling out my name, class, and desired club activities, Sayaka and Reina came over to me.

“What are you writing, Himarin?　…… Eh!?　No way?!　You’re going to join a club?!”

“Hey, don’t look at it!”

“Seriously?　Where, where?　–Whaa!?　Track and field club!?　And manager?”

　Sayaka and Reina looked at each other and nodded.

“Hey, Himarin ……, I hope you’re not kidding…….”

” About Yagami…”

“O-of course not!　It’s just a way to get a higher grade!”

“Grade……..It’s not like you’re going to get a lot of points on your internal exams, Himarin.”

“I’m being serious!　Wai- I’m going to be smart!”

“Dehyahya! !　That’s really funny!　But if that’s the case, why don’t you go for an easier club activity?　The manager of the track and field team has training camps and is pretty demanding, right?”

　Their intuition and analytical skills are quite sharp!

“Sakurako’s the track advisor, so she’s got a lot of flexibility!　What do you think?　Do you have a problem with that?”

　The two of them looked at each other.

“Well, it’s fine, but…”

“Just don’t do it with Yagami.”

“I know!　There’s no way I’m going to fall in love with that creep!”

“Oh, Yagami’s talking to a woman.”

　Yes, yes, yes, I’m not going to get involved— I thought, but I turned around. It’s really embarrassing.

“What!　Isn’t that Shino!”

　Shino is bowing to Yagami.

　What the hell is she doing here?

　As I was firing away at Shino, I was tapped on the shoulder with a pop.

　When I turned around, Sayaka and Reina were looking at me with grins on their faces. –Seriously embarrassing.

“Himarin has bad taste in men, doesn’t she?”

In order to become a top-notch manager, I absorb a lot of knowledge from Sakurako and the Internet.

“I see.…… Sport drinks are made to be diluted. –Let’s make a diluted drink.”

　I take a sip of the Himari-made sport drink.

“Ugh!　What, won’t he hate me if I give him this tasteless stuff?”

　I’m worried, but I have to trust Sakurako and the internet health geeks!

　I put the sample bottle in my bag and headed for the ground.

　I only made enough for one person, but that’s okay. I don’t have a bottle.

　When I arrived at the ground, Sakurako urged me to introduce myself. I’m so embarrassed!

“I’m Rurikawa …… Himari ……, nice to meet you.”

　Yagami looked at me and smiled. I’m a little happy.

　After that, Sakurako pouted when I asked her about some unfamiliar competition called Inter High. She’s always been like this.

　I’m a good person, so I soothed her.

　The test was about to begin to determine the members who would participate in the qualifying round.

　I did my best to keep track and hand out towels. I think I came off as a pretty good girl, if I do say so myself.

　The last event, the 1,500-meter run, was about to begin.

　Yagami was going to participate in this event. I was really nervous.

“Okay, start!”

　Sakurako gave the signal, but Yagami was in a daze.

　He was completely late and became the last one to start.

　I gave Yagami a shout as he finally started running.

“Yagami!　Keep up the good work!”

　Yagami raised his hand to me.

　This is a good sign, isn’t it?　I’m sure he’ll choose me if I work hard enough.

　I watched the race unfold, thrilled in many ways.

“Amazing …… He is overtaking …… more and more!”

　What does it mean to be smart, a strong fighter, and a fast marathoner?

　And he’s kind, yet masculine. ……

　I felt like my face was getting poppier.

　Yagami is now in first place. And he is making a gap with the second place.

“Yagami, go!”

　Yagami comes to the finish line. He’s in first place, by far.

　I thought he would be very happy, but he looks sad. Why?

“First place, Yagami-kun.”

“Kyaaa!　Yagami, that was awesome!”

　I can’t control myself and express my joy with my whole body.

　I’m really glad Sayaka and Reina aren’t here.

　After Yagami and the head of the men’s department finished talking, I took my special sport drink and went to Yagami’s place.

“Yagami!　Here’s your sport drink!”

“Oh, thank you!”

　No doubt about it. Yagami was crying. Why?　Even though he won.

　The sad expression on his face made my heart skip a beat.

　I wanted to give him a hug, but I didn’t want Yagami to think I was a slut. I’m going to be patient.

“—n, It’s thin.”

　I was startled.

　Was it too thin?　What if he doesn’t like it?

“Isn’t that better?”

“Yeah. –Hmm?　Did Himari make this?”

　Thank goodness for …… Sakurako, internet health geek.

“Yeah!　I did my research!”

“That’s great. You’re a good manager.”

　I’m so happy!

　I wanted to keep my composure, but I couldn’t resist smiling. It’s embarrassing.

“Hey, Himari. Does anyone ever tell you that you have strange taste in men?”

　Eh!?　What, what!?　What do you mean?!

　Did he hear my conversation with Sayaka and the other!?

“S-so Suddenly?　But how did you know?　Someone just told me that a few minutes ago too!”

　Yagami nodded in satisfaction and began to gulp down the sport drink.

“…… Ah.”

“Nn?　What’s wrong?”

　I put my mouth on the bottle when I was tasting it.…… This is an indirect kiss.……

　My face turns bright red, as if I could see it myself.

“It’s nothing!”

“Really……?　Ah, You’re so red!”

“It’s so hot!　 H-hot, hot!”

　I fanned my face with my hands, trying to cool down the heat on my face.

“‘Why are you so hot when you haven’t even been running?　Are you having juvenile menopause?”

“No, of course not!　That’s Sakurako!”

“Seriously?　That’s too soon, Sensei. Oh well, do you want some of this?”

　Yagami handed the bottle to me.

　No way.　Seriously?　Oh no, what should I do?　I’m so embarrassed!

　If I put my mouth on this, I might get pregnant.…… But if I do, you’ll have to take responsibility!　…… Well, Himari do your best!

　Just as I was about to take the bottle into my mouth, my eyes met with Sayaka and Reina, who were smirking and looking at me.

“You can’t do that because it would be an indirect kiss!”

　I pushed the bottle back to Yagami.

“O-oh……yeah, that’s right…….”

　Unable to stand the embarrassment, I ran as fast as I could on the ground, shouting, “Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!”