After 7 pm, when the sun had completely set, Sudou visited the room.
"Sorry to barge in without telling you. ...Hmph, hmph... Is it curry today?"
Sudou muttered so while sniffing the smell of supper, which had gone all the way to the front door.
He suddenly looked at the two shoes lined up in the entrance hallway.
"Is someone here?"
"Yeah, I was just making some curry to eat with Kei."
"Karuizawa, huh..?"
As soon as I replied, the door leading to the living room opened and Kei in her personal clothes showed her face.
"Is it a problem if I'm here?"
"No, of course not. What is this, are you guys always together..?"
From his reaction, I can predict that he visited because he thought no one was here.
"Of course we're always together. Because we're a couple."
"I guess it's not hard to imagine a couple being together 24 hours a day..."
Sudou was about to object, but he dejectedly replied so, as if having imagined several couples already. Ike and Shinohara have been doing many conspicuous things in public recently too, like holding hands or shinohara sitting on her boyfriend's lap without caring about the people looking.
I think they even said they're going to a karaoke together after classes again today.
"It looks like you're back from club activities, Sudou."
I have the impression that he usually returns at around this time.
"I don't have a girlfriend, you know, so basketball is all I have."
That's... I don't know how to respond to those words.
"Anyway, I'm sorry to delay your meal, but do you have a second? Don't worry; it won't take that much time."
It is probably something confidential, seeing as he checked the shoes earlier.
"You can start eating."
"Eh~? I'll wait. It won't take long, right? He said it won't take a lot of time, so."
When asked again, Sudou thought for a moment, but when he replied that it would take less than 5 minutes, Kei was satisfied and closed the door.
I put on my shoes, and went out onto the corridor with Sudou.
No matter what this is about, it is unthinkable that Kei would leak anything to a third party, but this should be more reassuring.
"Ayanokoji, you... Well, how should I put this? Umm... Did you already... With Karuizawa?" He asked me so in a muddy, vague manner.
"I'll leave that to your imagination."
"Wow... Isn't that like an answer already..?" How he takes this reply depends on him.
"So? What on earth do you want?"
"Oh, oh, right. It's only natural that you're so popular, and I don't have the time to worry about that anyway."
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Sudou checks his surroundings.
"Actually, recently, the pressure from Onodera has been... Well, it's pretty heavy. So I've been confused, you know."
He spoke so not in a joyful manner... He looked quite troubled.
I can see that the words I uttered at the festival are weighing heavily on Sudou day after day. That's why, as a person with responsibility, I have to earnestly listen to this kind of talk. Still, what needs to be corrected should be corrected.
"About Onodera's push, looking from the sidelines, not much has changed since after theSports Festival.
Perhaps you see it that way because it is your viewpoint that has changed."
As for Onodera, she is not even aware of her own fondness for Sudou. On the surface, it should only feel like inviting a friend out to dinner or to hang out.
"...That may be true too."
He is scratching his head and does not look to be calming down.
"Ever since you told me about Onodera, I can't calm down, or perhaps I should say that I feel uncomfortable. Even if we talk, I end up wondering what she really thinks on the inside."
As for Sudou, he should only see her as a good friend, on the same wavelength as his impression of her as a sportsman.
If Onodera knew that Sudou was fond of her, then it would be understandable for things to change. Then, the conversation with Sudou came to a halt. Around 10 seconds passed in silence.
"So? What are you saying is the thing you wanted to talk to me about? I think that there's more to it, so."
When I pushed him so, Sudou came up with the resolve to start speaking again.
"When I'm with Onodera like that, you know... Some kind of bad feelings come up inside me.
If we start dating someday, I might get my first girlfriend, and that it would be okay since Suzune isn't going to turn around to me anyway. Now, I don't know if I'm being objective, but, Onodera is pretty cute too."
She and Sudou are very similar and are both stoic sportsmen.
If we only consider the compatibility, it's the best combination of those around us.
"It's not a bad thing to think like that. In the first place, it isn't a sure thing that your fondness for someone from the other gender will be given back to you. In a lot of cases, it's only one sided."
That being said, not all of us can take it in stride.
Sudou is also here, struggling with that.
"Maybe... Also, there's something else I think about. Maybe your judgement was wrong, and she simply thinks of me as a friend? In that case, my hubris would be embarrassing and I would be very confused."
It is almost certain that Onodera has a fondness for Sudou.
However, it is true that there is no proof of things being the way I think they are.
The arrow that is pointed at tomorrow could be pointed somewhere at someone else.
"You have a lot on your mind too after all, don't you? I mean, Karuizawa was dating Hirata, so..."
"Well, you're right."
The reality is completely different, but I will keep the conversation moving in that direction for now.
"If, if Onodera confesses, I'd be very scared, you know."
"What would you do if you were confessed to now?"
"No idea... No, wrong... That confession, I probably wouldn't accept it."
He will quickly destroy his chance of finding happiness. That was Sudou's reply.
"I do like her, after all. Suzune, I mean."
That is one of the certain answers that Sudou possesses now.
"Just imagining how hurt she will be when I refuse her makes me feel bitter."
"So you've come here because you don't know the path you should take?"
"No... It's not like I'm asking you for advice. This is about my feelings, it would be wrong if
I asked someone else to answer."
It seems that he did not come here seeking help.
"I've come up with an answer for myself. I wanted you to hear it."
"Let's hear it, then. What kind of answer did you come up with?"
"I'll confess to Suzune properly during the school trip. I'll earnestly ask her to date me."
"I see."
It seems that this isn't about whether there is a chance of victory or not.
In order to break up this situation, he judged that he has to move on his own.
"It's because I like Suzune, and I can't imagine dating anyone else right now. No matter what kind of results it will bring, I want to make things clear." Sudou has shown rapid growth so far.
There is no doubt that Horikita values this highly too.
"The probability may be low. I might get embarrassed. But, still..."
Sudou thinks that if he does not convey his feelings, he cannot move forwards.
That is why he is determined to do this.
"Also, it's not like I'm thinking I can just go for Onodera if I get refused, okay? Actually, I would probably get even more insistent..."
After saying so, Sudou squeezed his fists tight.
"I came to you today because I want you to witness my resolve."
"Witness? Wait, do you mean when you confess?"
"I know confessions aren't usually something you show to the outside world, but I think I need this."
It may be the push he needs to come up with the courage to do this.
By cutting out his way of retreat, he will be able to speak out loud his feelings towards Horikita.
"I'm going to put my hand out and ask her to date me. If she'll date me, then she'll grab my hand, and..."
After saying so, he held out his own right hand, as if performing a rehearsal.
It's not at that stage yet, but I can tell that things have already heated up quite a bit.
So he will put all of his feelings into words right in front of Horikita.
As things are right now, I certainly cannot say that his chances of success are high.
But... Perhaps the force of his thoughts and his determination will be conveyed.
It's Horikita, so she may not answer an immediate romantic relationship.
Nevertheless, starting as friends as a first step is still a good idea.
"I get it. I think it'll depend on the time and location, but I'll witness as much as I can. Are you okay with that?"
After I said so, Sudou patted his chest down as if he was relieved.
"Right, sorry. Asking you to do something like this... Well, that's pretty much it, so...
I'll let you know, so thank you. I'm sorry for having disturbed your time together with Karuizawa."
Sudou, saying that he can't take up more of my time, headed for his room.
After seeing him off and returning to my own room, Kei was sitting on a cushion before the table.
Looks like the curry was also still waiting for me.
"Welcome back~. What did you talk about?"
"All kinds of stuff."
"All kinds? Come on, that's so mysterious. Tell me~. I'll keep it a secret, okay?"
"I can tell you, but can you stand up before that?"
"Hm?"
I stood Kei up as she tilted her head curiously, and touched the surface of the cushion with my hand.
As I did so, I felt a cold sensation.
"You were listening, after all."
"...Did you notice?"
If she was waiting sitting down, then the cushion should have been warm.
"Was my acting that bad?"
"Your performance was perfect. I just figured that you would be listening."
"Uh... I see."
"And if you're going to try and trick me, you should have an excuse about the cushion. Like you went to the fridge to get drinks, or something. Other than water, there's milk and even tea."
"Huh~? But, I haven't even eaten the curry yet, so wouldn't it be strange? There's water in my cup too. I know that you would have gone to the fridge to check how much of the drinks there were left."
"If you're going to eavesdrop without being detected, then you need to do that much, at least. You can just drink the water, and if you will not put it in your body, you can just spill it out somewhere in the kitchen. There's a lot of water in the kitchen because of the cooking, so."
It would be impossible to tell the spilled water apart.
If the kitchen is not wet, then she could also use the toilet.
"Well, that's not important. Come on, let's talk about the school trip." Trying to escape the topic, Kei said so as she leaned forward.
It's meaningless if we continue talking about this further, so I'll end it here.
"What did you think about the school trip schedule? The fact that there's a lot of free conduct is quite the topic in the class."
"Looks that way. But, for me, it feels like a demerit. I mean, you can only pass that time with people from the same group, right? The chances of me ending up with you seem low too.
Right?"
The possibility is around 5%. However, this is only if it will be determined purely by chance.
"Ugh, God, please let us be together!"
Kei crossed fingers on both hands, and prayed so to the heavens.
"Even if we can't be together during free conduct, there are no restrictions when we are in the ryokan. In fact, I think this is a perfect opportunity for me to learn more about the students from other classes."
If I end up in the same group with Kei, we will naturally end up spending 24 hours a day together.
I won't say that it would be a bad time, but I feel like it would be a bit of a waste.
We will have a number of chances to spend time together, just as we do here.
"Hmm, it feels like you don't want to be in the same group as me."
"That's not the case. But, you should be ready to enjoy your time even if we don't end up in the same group."
Kei may already understand this, but she does not seem to be accepting it.
"But..."
She puffed her cheeks sulkily and hugged my shoulders.
"If you're not there, I might die of loneliness."
"You're exaggerating."
"But..."
I may need to do something to motivate Kei somewhat.
"There is a reason that I'm fine with being in a different group than you. We're at a stage where in order to rise up to Class A, we must have information on the other classes. I'm sure that most of the students on the school trip will be defenceless." In response to a dissatisfied Kei, I continued further.
"After hearing about the school trip's schedule and the groups, I did some research on the internet about other schools. I found out that it is a rare thing for there to be two full days of free conduct. Thinking from here, I think that it is the school's objective to transform the classes' relationships with each other."
"For what?"
"I don't know that yet, but, either at the end of 2nd or 3rd semester... Well, in a nearby time, information from the school trip may come alive."
"So you want me to gather information that can be used as a weapon?"
"Your abilities are remarkable, you know. If there is an opportunity, then I'd like you to use them effectively."
As I said so while patting her head, her dissatisfaction seemed to diminish a little.
"Ah, well? I understand that you want my help, but..."
"Of course, I intend to have fun together if we are in the same group. But, in case that doesn't happen, don't lose your motivation and try to be useful for the class."
"...Mhm. It's you saying that, so I'll work hard."
Repeatedly patting her head, I decided to change the subject.
"About Sudou earlier..."
"Ah, about Sudou-kun confessing to Horikita-san, right? Yep, that's kind of interesting." I didn't think she'd take the bait, but she was more interested than I thought.
"Girls seem to like other people's confession stories, so..."
"Of course. Well, I definitely think he'll get rejected, though."
"Really?"
"Eh? Do you think it'll go well?"
"I felt that there is a possibility. If we'll count it as a success if they start out with a relationship above a friendship, then I'll bet that it'll be a success."
"No way, really? Let's have a match, then. Let's bet on if he'll succeed or not."
"What do you intend to bet?"
"Hmm~. Then, if I win, maybe I'll ask for something a bit expensive as a Christmas gift~" After saying so, she started imagining all sorts of things right away.
"That's easy to understand. Then, what if I win?"
"Then I'll do whatever you say."
"Are you sure? You're willing to make such a big bet."
"Come on, there's no way, right? It's not about whether Sudou-kun is good or bad, it's about Horikita-san. She has no interest in romance."
"Maybe."
It is true that at a first glance, Horikita does not seem like the type to fall in love.
Not to mention that if she is asked if she likes anyone in particular at this time, she would be very suspicious.
Horikita is still at a stage where she is learning a lot.
I cannot deny the possibility that she may step up to that stage like me.
If her partner is to be Sudou, then Horikita wouldn't have a bad impression.
"Ah~ I'm looking forward to Christmas~. I wonder what I should get..."
"Then I'll take my time and think about what I'll have you do."
"Wow, that feels a bit lewd!"
That's just Kei's own imagination.