My Childhood Friends Reign on Top of the School Caste

Chapter 8

I wondered if this was even possible, but now that I think about it, it was possible.

Erika and I met up at the station where Sayuri and the others met up before. So, it would be easier to meet up after club activities. Of course, there are karaoke bars in the area. It was awfully convenient. However, I regretted choosing this place. I should have chosen a better location, considering that other students could easily use it.

“Um… Speaking of which, what’s your name again?”

“It’s Ninomiya Etsuji.”

“Yeah! Ninomiya!”

I don’t know if he was teasing me or not, but he finally recognized my name.

Judging by how Hayashi-kun dressed in his uniform, he must have dropped by his house after club activities.

“Are you here by yourself?”

Before I could answer his question, he assumed that I was a lonely person. It’s as if he wants me to be. I can tell that he wants to make fun of me.

“I’m here with a friend.”

I could foresee the trouble I would get into if he knew who my friend was, so I gave him the bare minimum information he needed.

“Oh, well, he’s probably just like you, right? It’s okay, you know, plain people are companions.”

Hayashi seemed that he also came to get Coke and was pouring t in line.

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t pry too much.

And just as I was about to return, “Since you’re here, let me see him. I want to see what he’s like.”

He made the suggestion I didn’t want him to make. It might have been a natural thing to do if I met someone I knew at a karaoke bar. But this time, there was Erika.

She even went to the trouble of asking me to join her so that the others won’t know about it. It would be a bad idea to join her. She got used to singing and felt a bit more relaxed, but it was still difficult to overcome her nervousness.

“No, we’re doing our own thing in private, you know… Besides, it might bring down their spirits.”

Hayashi was grinning as he said, “It’s fine, I’ll just watch.”

I wondered if he wanted to tease me that much.

Perhaps, my attempt at deception had backfired.

“Etsuji-kun, what’s wrong?”

Since I was taking too long to fetch a drink, I bumped into Erika, who came to check on me. The timing couldn’t be worse.

“Mayumi-san was there too?”

“Oh, Hayashi, you’re here too.”

Erika’s expression remained unchanged.

“That’s right. I just met Ninomiya, and he said he was here with his friend, so I was wondering what he was like.”

“That’s me.”

“Eh, what?”

“It’s just Etsuji and me.”

“W-why are you here with this guy…?”

“I told you, didn’t I? I told you we get along.”

My eyes met with Erika’s, who let out a breath. I wouldn’t go so far as to say eye contact, but I could somehow sense her intentions. She was probably aware of the situation.

“That’s how it is. Let’s go back, Etsuji-kun.”

I grabbed my drink and headed back to Erika. I was wondering what would happen when Erika arrived, but that actually saved my life.

“If you’re okay with it, let’s sing together. I’ve always wanted to go to karaoke with Mayumi-san.”

“I want to hear Mayumi-san sing!”

The girls were cackling and screaming. Erika is popular with girls as well as boys, so it’s a natural reaction.

It seems that Hayashi-kun is here with these three girls. Hayashi caught up with her from behind, saying, “Everyone else is saying this too.”

It was hard for Erika to say no because of her position, and moreover, it was unnatural for her to refuse after being told so much. We had no choice but to visit the other side of the room.

“What should I do?”

Erika whispered in my ear.

“We’ve been practicing the song over and over. What’s going to happen is going to happen.

“But… I’m getting nervous after all…”

“Just think of it as practice. I’ll be right next to you.”

While I was giving her words of comfort, we arrived at the room. As soon as she sat down, she asked, “What are you going to sing?” Erika’s pressed. They gave her a list of songs to choose from, though she probably decided on a song already. But she pretended to be confused. During that time, she probably didn’t hear anyone else’s voice.

Time passed, and soon it was Erika’s turn.

Erika looked like she was overwhelmed. Her hands were shaking as she held the microphone in her lap. In response, the people around her said, “I’m looking forward to it.” and “You’ll be great.” She’s trying to look calm, but I can see through it.

I wondered if Erika would be nervous about something like this, but maybe that’s just how it is. Only perfect people tend to be overly conscious of even the most trivial things and take them seriously. One of those trivial things was probably singing.

Erika’s question about wanting to become a better singer may have deeper meaning than I thought.

I know because we were singing together earlier. I can’t go on like this. They might label me as tone-deaf. It’s not that big of a deal, but Erika is worried about it again. I don’t want to see her like that. What’s more, I can’t do anything about it.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

My voice didn’t reach Erika.

“Hey, Erika, are you okay?”

The intro starts playing, and the intensity in the room rises in response.

“Erika!”

I put my hand on top of Erika’s trembling hand. I’m not sure what to do, but I’m going to do it. You’ll be able to see that she’s not the only one.

“Calm down, Erika. Just sing like before.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll be fine. I’ll be fine…”

Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

He squeezed the overlapping hands.

“Erika can do it. If you fail, don’t worry, I’ll make you forget about it afterward.”

Erika’s face lit up with a smile.