There was tomato juice on the table.
I like tomato juice. Not only does it taste great, but it's also a big help for my feelings. It's reassuring and calming.
What I usually buy at the vending machines is tomato juice. My favorite vegetable is the tomato. I don't know why I like tomatoes so much. This is a mystery to mankind.
It's not a problem of human senses and qualia. Likes and dislikes can't be standardized.
You can't measure senses.
"Why are you still looking at tomato juice?"
I was sitting across the table from Arina. The room, still surrounded by flowers, smelt great.
It might have been because of Arina's perfume. Do high school girls wear perfume? Let's not worry about it.
"Cause I like tomato juice."
"Weirdo. Jump before you change. Make sure you crush your head."
"Why are you snapping at me? Let's go over there together."
I'm aware that something's wrong with me.
The cause of it was clear.
Yesterday, Shirona told me, 'Actually, I also like Sui'. It seemed to have a bigger effect on me than I thought. Today, Makoto asked me, "Are you on drugs or something?" and was jokingly worried about me.
"Have you talked to Shirona?"
"Question. Did I even go to your class today?"
"I didn't notice. I was reading."
"I haven't seen Shirona. I'm consciously avoiding it."
"Like an idiot. Haha."
Hiwa Arina has started to smile more recently.
I never would have thought that Arina would be able to laugh like this when she first spoke to me in that library. That Arina, who would always wear a scowl, was smiling and laughing.
"What should I do? It'll be awkward. I'll probably die inside if we see each other."
"Oh, so you'll die. Can we go to the tennis courts now?"
"How cruel can you be?"
"Every part of me is cruel, just like how everyone calls me a poisonous rose."
"That's scary. Someone should pluck you."
I didn't think we were gonna have a good time just talking. Usually, she's a quiet reader, but now, she was eager to talk. I wonder if she changed her mind. It's too early. What's the reason for this?
"By the way…"
"What?"
"The girl in the student council, what was her name again?"
"?"
"The girl who came to thank you the other day. I completely forgot her name."
"It was Niwatari Tsuru. The student council's secretary."
"That was it. She said she wanted to see you today, and she's coming after school."
"Where? You don't mean here?"
"I do."
I can't do this.
I moved to retrieve the flowers that were scattered all over the place. I felt like something bad was going to happen. So I'll at least turn this strange place full of flowers back to what it should be.
Arina stood up and yelled at me.
"What are you doing? You don't have to clean up. Didn't you tell her about our relationship?"
"I care, though. What if someone comes with Tsuru? I don't want to hear any more strange rumors. This is for your own good, too."
"What a villain-like line. I wonder when you'll be knocked down."
"I'm justice. I'm not tainted by evil."
Arina sat down and crossed her legs, seemingly disgusted by my struggling. I can't do anything.
Rustle
Arina and I turned to the door at the same time.
"U-uh, I wonder if I shouldn't enter…"
Niwatari Tsuru has arrived.
Niwatari Tsuru was a natural gal. Her chestnut hair and slightly disheveled uniform made her look like a brainless idiot, but she was the top scorer in our grade. She surpassed Arina with ease.
I've met Tsuru before with Arina. Even though we're in the same class, we don't talk, so the simple phrase 'I've met' is appropriate.
Tsuruis indebted to Arina.
Apparently, she came alone.
"There's no problem. Right?"
Don't talk to me! How am I supposed to explain this situation where I'm holding a bunch of flowers?!
My shoulders slumped.
"It's fine, there's no problem. Please come in, Tsuru."
"Ah, thank you very much. Sorry to bother you."
For Tsuru, I took out a chair and then sat down myself. I put the flowers in my hands on the floor, for now.
"So, you had something to say to me, right?"
"Yes, yes. Rumor has it—"
"Wait a minute!"
Arina and Tsuru were surprised.
"That rumor… is it related to love?"
"Hm? I think it's different, but it feels bad?"
"It's okay. I've been having heart problems recently. It's like an eggshell. I have to be aware of its delicacy or it'll collapse."
I'm not sure what Arina was thinking, but she punched me in the side.
"Ah, it didn't break."
"The eggshells were a metaphor, you idiot. You just broke five of my ribs."
I stroked my flank.
"So, what's the rumor?"
"I heard Sui's been helping people."
"Ah~ I see. I explained it before, right? I meet up with Arina after school to cure her toxic personality. As part of that, we sometimes help out other clubs. So you're not wrong."
"So that's what it was. I was wondering if you were doing something with Arina-san."
"Although that's not 100% accurate, it's basically what we're doing. It's a bit off since we start by finding someone who needs help."
"Hmm. Are you guys doing this a lot?"
"Not every day. We help out the tennis club, art club, tea ceremony club, newspaper club, etc."
"You're like a volunteer."
"I guess."
Tsuru had a thoughtful expression like she was convinced of something.
"You know, I'd like some help from Sui and Arina-san, if that's okay."
She looked up at me and got closer. I won't say no, so pull back! Pull back before my reasoning goes away!
"I don't mind, but what can we help you with?"
"The student council."
Wait a minute, was the student council a club? It's not supposed to be. It was a committee. We usually help clubs, so committees are new. Can we do it?
"Fine with me."
Arina, who was reading quietly, closed her book and agreed.
"I was in the student council in middle school. I'm a bit familiar with it."
I didn't know that. It was amazing that she was on both the basketball team and the student council.
Hm? Wouldn't it be dangerous for Hiwa Arina to come to the student council? What's more, that memory is from when she was in her third year of junior high.
$10,000 for school collapse.