"You two are in major trouble."
"We're sorry." The pair said in unison.
"We asked you to come here to provide a good example for our younger students."
"Yes, understood." Again, they continued to speak in sync.
"So this will be your punishment…" And that was pretty much how the conversation went when Ishi and Ryugi were caught sleeping outside in the forest. It caused quite a stir among the students when they learned of a pair of older students sneaking off to be alone at night. After all, what else would high school minds think of when a boy and a girl were caught along as they were?
"I told you to make sure we didn't fall asleep." Now, the two were forced to be punished by making sure to clean every single classroom after school the next day. Ishi was very disgruntled about how the girl had let him down, but he knew that part of the blame rested on his shoulders. After all, he was the one who took them to that private location instead of staying near the cabin.
"Aw, come on." Ryugi defended herself. She wasn't nearly as upset as he was over the matter, since getting scolded by the adults was something she was used to. "The grass was so comfy. Like there's no way you can expect me to stay awake."
"Either way, this means I'm stuck with you while we're forced to play janitor." Her response did little to make him feel better. Not only that, but their cleaning duty wasn't the worst part about this setup. "And we really don't need all of you babysitting us." He directed his attention to the other three girls watching over them. "You're not even helping out."
"Last time I checked, we're not the ones who got themselves into trouble." Said Chinae. She, along with the other two girl, glared at them. From Ishi's viewpoint, it seemed that all their energy was being directed towards him. "You know, I expected better out of you, but I guess a pretty girl getting you alone outside was too much to resist. So I was right about you being a pervert."
"How many times do I need to tell you this?" He replied irritated. "We didn't do anything out there other than talk." Another problem with them being caught was that Ryugi was the girl who was there. Everyone knew her reputation, even if Ishi knew it to be built on a foundation of lies. Either way, once news of it spread across the school, no one considered the boy to be a virgin anymore.
Koto was one who seemed to be rather anxious about hearing of it. Probably because it changed the way he viewed his cousin now no longer as a pure pristine person. Otoya unsurprisingly congratulated him on graduating. Though as annoying as it was to hear his friend's tone about it, Ishi's parents were certainly the worst among the bunch.
It would be one thing if they got mad and punished him. While he was grown up enough to do the deed without anyone's permission, it would still be in poor taste to do it in the manner everyone thought they did it in. However that wasn't how they reacted. They cried… They literally were in tears in their pride that he had finally found a girl he liked. "I swear, I'm surrounded by idiots."
"Don't worry about it." Ryugi tapped him on the shoulder, still not caring about the notoriety they gained as a result of being caught. "I'm a master of the rumor mill, and once I tell some people I rejected your advances, things will return back to normal."
"Seems like that only makes you look good." In her mind, it was supposed more realistic and believable that way. Though it did little to aid him in his annoyance about the situation.
"Still, that's some nerve you have." While she believed him when he said that they didn't do what everyone thought they did, Rinse was still upset with him. When she had first heard they were caught all alone in the middle of the forest, a wave of jealousy and rage boiled from within her. If she wasn't an idol, she would've had some real harsh words to say to that boy. So for now, sitting back glaring at him with her icy stare with arms crossed was going to have to do.
Even with the truth, she was still miffed that he would take the gyaru to the private location that only he knew about. What made that girl so special that night to take her of all people.?
"I, um, just want to remind you to keep up the work." While Chinae and Rinse chose to watch over the pair, Youna was asked by the teachers since she was their class representative. It was good for her, since she wasn't sure if she wanted to ask to keep an eye on them. Yet at the same time, the news was rather harsh for her to hear when they awoke that morning. In the first time in her life, she was upset with Ishi's actions. "So maybe we shouldn't be engaging in too much chatter."
"We can clean and talk at the same time." Ryugi responded. "Like, did you guys want to talk about the festival coming up?"
"I'm really looking forward to it." Changing the subject seemed to turn Rinse's mood right around. "The studio's going to be hosting a concert for the festival. So things are going to be a ton of fun."
"Great, so that'll be another thing I'm not going to be showing up at." Said Chinae with her usual disinterested look. Ishi was certain she was going to be there in some capacity.
"I'll be there." Youna answered. "It'd be nice if I could see you all there." Given that they were the only people she ever hung out with, it made sense that she would want to be more attached to them.
"Obviously, I'm sure you'll be there." Ishi addressed his statement towards Ryugi. With her friend group, it would be a shock if she didn't go enjoy some festivities. "Looks like I'm definitely going too." This would be the first festival that Ishi had gone to in a long while.
"Wow, I can't believe that Ishi Hirose is actually going to a fun event without anyone making him." Ryugi teased him. "I knew that it would be too hard to resist when a beauty like me is going to be there."
"More like, if I said no, one of you would be practically bugging me to come have fun."
"Well duh." Said Rinse. "You really can't actually want to miss out on something the whole town is excited about." She knew that he disliked teenagers, but those wouldn't be the only kind of people there. "Don't forget our rooms are right next to each other and I got a broom I'm not afraid to use."
"And that's exhibit A." Ishi stated his case on why it was pointless to not choose to go. "Exhibit B is that I promised Youna I'd join her if she just asked me." And he was certain she'd want that if she was to attend a public festival like this. "Plus I'm sure you would've thought of something to try and get me to come."
"Heh, you know me too well." Ryugi playfully pulled an eyelid down and stuck out a tongue in response to his assertion.
"Hey, Chinae. Is your sister also going to the festival?"
"She should, since she's a part of the concert." So that was going to be how Chinae would make her presence known to them, even if only Ishi was aware of the truth. "We're not that close, so I'm sure she's not going to be all that upset if I don't show."
"Hey, if we're all going to be there, maybe we should try and hung out." Rinse suggested. Even with the concert, she was going to be making some efforts to spend more time with Ishi. He was a boy who had her heart, and more importantly, it seemed that he was spending a bit too much of his time with other girls. "Chiana seems cool with Ishi, so I'll invite her to join us." At the worst, they'd be able to find the time after the concert was finished. There would be plenty of time left in the night, especially with the fireworks.
"Joy…" Chiane replied with little energy in her voice. He was worried about maintain her facade, but this girl probably was used to tight situations where she needed to keep her disguise up.
"Anyway, let's get this done." He reminded Ryugi that they were still stuck with their punishment. "The sooner I can be rid of you, the better."
Of course, Ishi said that. But truthfully, he was actually looking forward to the festival for once. Somehow the boy was glad that these girls were going to be present for him to enjoy a few things here and there. Maybe Ryugi might've hit the truth a little bit that he was being predictable on being excited to be with so many pretty girls. But it wasn't the looks that he was interested in with them.
More like, there was never a dull moment when he was with any of them.