Chapter 12 - 1. Interlude

The nostalgic atmosphere returned to the Service Club.

It's dull, empty, and cold to the bone, what I have felt at some time and place air.

That is the time we have experienced many times in this year, like a vortex of gravity.

He went to dinner with her after school the next day.

The fragrance of black tea floated gently in the club room instead of words. The steam is warm

And it was fragrant, but only a shallow sigh echoed in it.

In the breathless silence, I first glanced to the right and then to the left side. As far as I can see, there 

are chairs and chairs that feel a little farther away than yesterday.

Sitting in the chair is he and her. ( " Him and her" or "those two" is referred to Yukino and 8man ) 

She lowered her head when she was studying quietly.

On weekdays, she always keeps her waist straight, her posture is so beautiful that people can see it, 

but today she dropped her shoulders slightly. Every time you read the previous page, look away 

quietly and use your fingertips

Stroking the edge of the teacup, staring at the water as if looking for something.

He frowned when he was reading, but he appeared absent-minded.

On weekdays, he always curled up, propped his face with his hands, and shook his legs rhythmically 

and buried his head.

Reading, but today, like an old grandfather, he took the book a little farther away, repeatedly

He raised his head again and looked to the ceiling.

There was neither dialogue nor eye contact between the two.

It's just that she would glance at him from time to time and open her mouth slightly, trying to say

something.

It looks like, but there is still no sound at all, what I spit out is a sigh that is too light to be lighter 

interest.

Although I think he noticed, he didn't take the initiative to speak up. Just pretending to be stiff 

shoulders

Peeked at her for a short while twisting his neck hard and lightly. I vaguely remembered that it was 

two years

It is a common movement in the classroom during the grade, and I feel a little emotional about it.

At this time, he was absolutely not studying at all.

Probably he himself thought he was reading the book calmly, but in my opinion it was finished.

That's not the case at all, because when he is reading a book that seems very interesting, he will 

smile as if he is reading

When reading a book that is almost boring, it will make a very disgusting mouth shape, while reading 

a book that seems difficult to understand

At that time, he will show a smug smile.

But his appearance today doesn't match any of them, so I know he's not reading at all

book. Although the eyes were fixed on the book and turned the pages, it was just that.

So, he immediately interrupted his concentration, leaned heavily on the chair, and sighed deeply 

from the fatigue sighed in the bottom of my heart. His eyes were muddier than ever, and he stared 

at the ceiling listlessly.

Taking a deep breath again, he scratched his hair vigorously as if he was holding his head. Look

Come as if you are regretting something.

Whenever she caught his movement at one end of the field of vision, she seemed to tremble with 

care.

He moved his lips, but there was no sound, but he shook his head as if he had lost his heart, and 

then

He lowered his head once.

This has always been the case since I came to the club room.

Seeing the appearance of the two, I immediately realized what should have happened yesterday

Right. However, even if it wasn't me, others would probably understand.

Iroha-chan and Komachi also glanced at the two of them, sighing softly as if embarrassed.

Iroha-chan, who was playing with her mobile phone, showed a look of disinterest, and occasionally 

looked at the two people.

One glance, pouting dissatisfiedly. Komachi sometimes stretched the folds of the skirt, and 

sometimes re-pinned the hairpin clipped in the bangs.

Live, but it didn't take long for me to lower my eyes listlessly, staring blankly while holding it in my 

hands.

Paper cups.

In the end, the eyes of the two of them slid straight towards me like asking for help. Understand 

their meaning

Thinking, I can only show an awkward smile.

Well, indeed, if you are not used to this kind of atmosphere, you really don't know what to do.

If it had been a while ago, I don't think I could calm down like this.

Perhaps, what I used to be should be just to fill the gap and cater to the irrelevant qi

Atmosphere, talking about a topic that is vain and dull like a breathtaking halfway.

So far, I have been taking this into consideration.

Because I'm afraid that if I don't do something, it will be ruined beyond recognition. because

I am worried that if I don't maintain it, it will disappear without a trace.

The space that makes people so happy, happy, loving, and pleasant gradually gradually

unconsciously

I can't get used to the feeling of collapse anyway.

Even now, I am not used to it.

The warm sun will darken a little bit, and gradually cool down, and the moment that finally 

disappears between us.

Whenever I encounter such a moment, I am terribly scared, those meaningless words

One step earlier than thinking, bursting out.

After all, all I can do is this. I never knew.

What happened to the two people, what do the two people think now, what he is thinking about, 

and she

What are you thinking about... and, the air that only flows between the two, the silent time

Yeah, the meaning of not speaking.

I don't know all of this.

This has always been the case.

Although I can predict it afterwards, most of them are things that I can't intervene.

Regardless of the content of the words, or the reason for thinking so, these are not what they can 

tell me.

However, I still boldly think, imagine, and speculate about them.

Even occasionally, there will still be things that are difficult to accept, embarrassed, and indignant.

Why is it like this? I feel a little sad.

But I think I can't help but fall in love with this kind of thing.

When I thought, "Only I want to get to know him and her seriously" "I am next to him

Ours is also the person closest to them", and I feel happy about this in my heart.

So, now I don't hate this dull air anymore.

…If this matter is confessed, Iroha and Komachi will probably have suspicions at the same time.

Abandoned mouth shape, while being taken aback.

While imagining the scene, I glanced at the situation a few times and saw that they seemed to be the 

same.

I'm scared by the atmosphere in the club now.

Although neither of them made a sound, the corners of their mouths moved slightly, as if to 

"Wow..."

He sighed as worried as he sighed.

Iroha-chan slowly moved her chair silently, then leaned back a little, and secretly put her mouth near 

Komachi's ear.

"Is there something wrong..."

After Iroha-chan asked in a low voice, Komachi also breathed a sigh of relief as if she was saved.

She hurriedly moved the chair and whispered a whisper in Iroha-chan's ear.

"Oh-, I also heard Haruno-neesan say..."

In order not to let him and her hear, Komachi whispered in a low voice, but I heard it clearly.

"I heard that Haruno-neesan tried to spy on the relationship between the two while eating.

In the end, my elder brother answered very vaguely... I'm afraid Yukino-san is also angry because of 

this, right? "

As she spoke, Komachi's brows gradually frowned. The dull hair that was flickering at first also sinks

go with.

"Although he is my brother, he is really hopeless. I feel ashamed to say this to people..."

Looking at the apologetic Komachi in the words, Iroha-chan squinted her eyes and made an 

annoying look.

Appearance, murmured in agreement with Komachi.

"Ah, that's true... Komachi, anyway, pay me a Belica first."

(Note: Belica, the virtual currency in the gambling revelation)

"Hey, now!? How will Belica pay..."

Iroha-chan stretched out her hand and said 

"I wish to lose in the gambling" 

and asked Komachi for Belica.

Here, I looked sideways at Komachi who was shaking and sighed, while sighing almost inaudible. 

really.

I really guessed it.

Dumbfounded, cute, embarrassed, used to seeing, troublesome, joyful, disgusting, smiling, slightly

Sad, helpless—all feelings meet, I don't know how to say it.

Really, very his and her style.

Thinking of this, a slight smile appeared on my face involuntarily.

I thought to myself, "It's really ridiculous." I once thought "I really can't do anything with you."

Because, in the past, I always felt that it was impossible.

In fact, I knew it a long time ago.

There is a place I can't step into somewhere, although I have stood at that door countless times.

Before, but I knew I could never hinder, so I just peeped through the gap and turned my ears

Listen.

In fact, I knew it a long time ago.

I want to go inside.

It's just that.

——So, it can't be the same as it has been so far.

"Okay! Today's club is over! Let's go home!"

I slapped my hands vigorously, picked up my backpack and got up to the floor with great 

momentum.

then.

I stood at the door that I couldn't open anyway, I couldn't even touch it that day

Immediately afterwards, he opened the door imposingly as if he was about to pull the door badly.

The doorknob hooked by the fingertips couldn't feel the weight at all, and the sound was louder than 

expected

Unusual quack-quack sound. The sliding door creaks, as if the air in the room will go with it

Ruined in general.

The gentle breeze, bleached by the greenery of the atrium, entered the corridor through the 

window.

I inhaled fresh air to my chest, and the bun on top of my head also shook with the movement

shake. Then he breathed out the foul and cold air that had solidified in my heart.

Ok.

okay.

I can do it no problem.

I Made up my mind.

Every time I took a deep breath, I told myself these things again and again, and at the same time

Confirmed.

Then, I finally looked back at the club room.

Whether it's Iroha, Komachi, or him and her, everyone opened their mouths in surprise, revealing

Looked at me with a surprised look.

After a while, everyone's expressions changed little by little. It looks like it says

"What are you doing all of a sudden", "Unexplainable", "Hey, what's the matter?

child? ", "What's wrong, are you okay?".

As if confused about what to do next, everyone, look at me and I look at your surface

Looking at each other, but in the end, all eyes were focused on me.

Therefore, I smiled cheerfully.

No explanation, no excuses.

Sorry, it's actually very simple to find an appropriate reason to fool the past.

It's not that difficult to bring the topic with tactful words, but if you go around like this,

If I stopped in place, I would definitely stop at the door again.

So, I gently stepped over the chute at the bottom of the sliding door and stepped into the corridor. I 

turned around and strongly waved my hand to them and signaled to them, "Hurry up and go." 

As a result, Komachi, who was still stunned just now, suddenly stood up with a click.

"Yes. Let's Go home!"

"It's time for me to go back to the student council room."

So, Iroha-chan sighed like trouble, and slowly got up from the seat.

Picked up the school bag.

As soon as the two of them prepared to go home, she whispered "Yes" softly, and

He also agreed in a low voice "um".

Packed up the tea set, closed the window, the curtains were also neatly arranged, everyone was 

doing it

When preparing to go home, although Iroha-chan yelled sweetly, "I'm leaving now—"

I went back without a blush and heartbeat after all the work was done, and finally after everything 

was cleaned up

Komachi-chan looked around the club room and checked.

With a click, the door of the club was locked.

Estimating the timing, I gently put my hand on her shoulder from behind Komachi. From height

I said that think position is just right, so I feel that if I don't pay attention, I will slowly hug her.

"Komachi-chan, the key is on your behalf!"

"Hey, um, yes, of course..."

Komachi continued to say, "Because Komachi is club's...", while looking at me with surprised face 

she tilted her head slightly in a different place, as if wondering, it's already a convention, why should 

I say it specially?

Come?

However, after the blink of an eye, it seemed to immediately understand.

"Yes! Komachi will return the key now!"

Komachi twirled the key that was hooked on her fingertips, and at the same time respectfully 

respected it ceremony. Then she pushed hard on his back.

"Hurry up, return the keys and go home quickly, and buy things in advance Too! "

"Oh, got it..."

Being pushed hard by Komachi, his back curled up, his schoolbag was about to fall off, he turned his 

face

Saying "goodbye" to us, he kept the posture of being pushed by Komachi and gradually disappeared 

while walking.

The end of the gallery. 

I waved my hand vigorously, and she looked down like a peeping at every turn.

Nodded slightly and watched his departure.

In this way, only me and her were left.

Only the footsteps of two people echoed in the corridor where there was no one else.

The indoor shoes that are pulled by the buckle make a sound of pattering, and the graceful steps like 

a model are stepping on

There was a sucking and a sucking sound, and two completely different sounds interlaced and 

reverberated.

But when we approach the air corridor connecting from the special teaching building to the main 

teaching building,

The sound of one person's footsteps disappeared.

"...Is something wrong?"

With a snapping sound, when the slightly silly footsteps disappeared, I immediately said

Feeling, stopped shortly thereafter.

Then, the indoor shoes tweeted.

In an instant, the long, jet-black, silk-like smooth and beautiful hair danced with the wind. She 

turned her head to me, and used her slender fingertips to lift the hair hanging from her cheeks to 

her ears, to reveal her face.

It seems that if you don't pay attention, it will melt away the full smile.

"......Ok"

What I got was an ambiguous answer, I don't know if I confessed it, or if I got it to my lips

Held back. Maybe it was buying time to think about what to say. She answered in a very

it is very light, almost insignificant.

The sun shining diagonally shone on the huge glass windows in the air corridor. Making her beauty 

of her looks even more enviable.

"...It's nothing"

She is beautiful, cute, and so beautiful that she hangs down gently when she is so touching

with long eyelashes, I couldn't speak anymore after I smiled happily.

"is it..."

I thought, that's good. I can only make an energetic smile.

Actually, I know what I should say.

Whatever it is, speak it out! Can you discuss it with me? Even if it can't be solved,

Maybe it can be a little easier! I will cheer for you!

Just say that. However, it is impossible for me to speak that kind of words.

I don't want to say that.

If you really tell me everything, I might be a little sad, and I can't

Don't suppress this emotion, and then blur it with a smiling face.

I think that by then I will probably only be like playing a music game, saying at the right time like

Is "I understand", "Is that the other party's fault", "Try to talk seriously?", "I

I will listen to your complaints" and other meaningless words.

Conversely, maybe it's "I'm doing this for your own good, so I have to say something harsher

With a decent banner like "words", it is better to say the truth in one mind. But I feel that's basically 

a lie. Only the person who gives the suggestion will feel happy, and the listener will not get much 

help, generally speaking, the mood will get worse.

I blame myself for thinking about this kind of thing, my teeth seem to be unknowingly biting hard on 

the lower lip, leaving a shallow mark.

Because I knew I would never make such an expression, so I opened it in a panic.

Mouth, but I still can't think of any suitable words, only the moist breath overflows from the mouth.

You have to say something and hide the past with a smile. I rubbed my bun, my eyes were fixed on 

my feet.

The side, the end of the corridor, the scenery outside the window and other places wander around.

But I still can't think of any suitable words. I really hate myself.

Obviously, if you have made your enlightenment, you have made up your mind, and there is no 

problem.

Inhale and exhale, but I can't do anything other than that, only the number of blinks is increasing

plus. Maybe it's because the sun has been particularly dazzling since the beginning. Wait for me to 

recover

When I came, I found that the base of my thumb had been pressed hard against the corner of my 

eye. From the corner of the eye to the hand obviously it was my body temperature, but I felt 

extremely hot.

Okay, no problem. It's no longer dazzling. As long as I let go of this hand and dry it well

If I clean them, I should be able to look at her without squinting and smile again.

Then, I cleaned my wet vision, showing it as if I was saying "I'm okay." (Tears coming out of her eyes)

Smile.

But her expression in front of me was just like me just now.

I stretched forward halfway, and seemed to have said, "Should I stretch out? Or should I not touch 

what? "The annoyed hand dropped quickly and weakly.

"Sorry. It's not to hide it from you. It's that nothing special really happened so, is there no way to 

explain..."

Although the volume was low, she desperately squeezed out one sentence after another.

She showed no signs of looking away from me. But the line of sight is not like usual

So beautiful, awe-inspiring and sharp. Even when thinking, worrying, and feeling unfit, but she still 

keeps her eyes on me.

"...Moreover, I don't think this is anything to tell others."

She hugged her arms tightly and looked away for a moment.

Seeing her like this, I suddenly thought of it.

It is not so much "others" as "me".

Because when I was talking to her, I was also careful not to mention it. So always I don't know how 

to mention it.

Perhaps, how firm the idea of "not mentioning that matter" is, there is a relationship between me 

and her

What a distance.

However, after I took half a step, she also took a half step.

This kind of probing question is okay even if you just prevaricate it, but even if she feels

Uneasy, she answered me without error.

Because even if it's only halfway through, even if it's not communicated at all, even if it's 

unimplicated.

Go, she still wanted to reach out.

"...But I want to hear"

So, it won't work if you don't hold that hand firmly.

Thinking of this, I held her hand tightly.

I always feel that it has been a long time since the last handshake.

So far, whenever our hands are close together, she will show some embarrassment.

Feeling, embarrassedly wanted to pull it away, but in the end, I accepted it as if I was giving up.

It is also now, although she was a little surprised, her palms were slightly stiff, and she thought in 

embarrassment.

Take your hands out. But she still held my hand timidly.

"...I know this is just my own arbitrary thought."

"Ok"

I breathed a sigh of relief, and seriously affirmed to her who seemed to be talking about the opening 

remarks.

After seeing the look in my eyes, she smoothly combed her hair with the free hand.

Continue talking word by word as if confirming in a slightly childish tone than usual

Come.

"It's not so much that nothing happened...it's better to say it's nothing. It's not so much possible.

it's not a big deal, what should I say..."

"Uh...huh?"

What are you talking about? What's going on? Are you talking about philosophy? I can't but to tilt 

my head.

Although she occasionally uses some difficult vocabulary, sometimes she uses simple words I still 

don't understand the language at all, which is really a headache.

However, at this time, as long as you ask back, she will search for simple and easy-to-understand 

words for me. So, I stared into her eyes motionlessly, waiting for her next words.

So, while stroking her bangs, she wandered her gaze, as if to organize her speech.

Distressed by words.

"If you say it, it will be really embarrassing, and you will feel it if you think about that.

It's embarrassing...that, because I'm really ashamed..."

She clearly listed the words at a very fast speed until halfway, but suddenly she stopped.

After coming down, it became intermittently softly speaking.

Then, at the end, she added the final words with an imperceptible voice.

"...So, I don't want to say"

She pouted dissatisfiedly and said awkwardly. Obviously even the ears became red, but

She was still seriously worried, and even water mist reflected in her eyes.

Everything about her is confiding to me, she is too strong to be too shameful, sad,

Shy, worried, like, and sad.

I couldn't help but chuckle, tears almost overflowing from my eyes.

She is so cute and troublesome. Too fragile and too strong

people. Upright and cunning. I also like all this annoying part.

She said nothing happened, probably not adulterated in that sentence.

It was precisely because nothing happened that she fell into the horns.

I don't think anyone except me will understand this kind of thing.

But it is precisely because the object is her that I want to figure it out.

With two slaps, I patted her hand lightly. Because I can't think of any suitable words,

So, I used this form to tell her that I know. As if responding to me, she is also tightly held my hand 

instead.

The tighter that hand was held by her, the more it made me understand.

No matter how secure you hold your hands, no matter how long you stay in the same place, no 

matter how long you talk to each other

How many words, our relationship has been unable to go back.

In fact, I thought I could do better.

Because I think I'm smarter than him and her, because I don't suffer from being with others

Communication, because I have become accustomed to observing and empathizing with the 

atmosphere.

I used to be confident that I could maintain a proper sense of distance.

Therefore, in order not to make the atmosphere too serious, I will never mention the relatively 

heavy part.

Points, controlling myself not to step into the last line, and suffocating what I can't say

In the child, make expressions of "Nothing" and "Don't care". Just talk about a happy topic

Have fun, talk about dark topics and sad topics, and nodded, while topics that make people angry

Get angry with everyone. In this way, I used to think I would make friends.

However, I don't like that anymore.

Not just friends anymore.

"Friends", this kind of person will take it for granted, very usually, in various contexts

The vocabulary used is simply not enough.

It's a heavier, more troublesome, more worrying, and more strenuous level.

system.

Either associate for a lifetime, or never see each other again—that's a relationship that is so 

demanding.

This may be just a misjudgment of the moment, or it may be the perplexity in the heart, a part of the 

young man.

Impulsive things. It may even be an illusion after being emotional. Maybe ten years later

It will be forgotten.

However, now, at this moment, I definitely think so.

I am sure that the time with her will become the most important one in my life.

period of time.

So, in order to make this conviction of mine come true, whether it is glitches, barbs, or I have to face 

all the spikes that I haven't pulled out.

Because after finishing the relationship between him, her and me, the relationship between him, her 

and me finally ended

It's about to start.

"...I said, Yukinon."

Then, I called her name.

Although she was totally unacceptable at first, she would correct it every time I called her like that, 

but this is the name that I have been calling, and only I can call that belongs to her.

Yukinon raised her head suddenly, wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingertips, then nodded in 

response

Watery eyes stared at me intently, waiting for the follow-up of my words.

Sorry. I know I have to say something very despicable next.

But I still have to say, because I have to.

I don't hesitate to be hated. It doesn't hurt to be disgusted. You hate me as long as I score like you 

more, so it doesn't matter at all.

Anyway, I am neither an angel nor a goddess.

So, I want to do it slyly, cutely, with my style, and greedily.

"...Can I talk to a Hikki?"

It takes a bit of courage to speak straightforwardly and clearly, after a short breath

After a while, I said it, and then Yukinon tilted her head in confusion.

"I don't think it matters... there is no need to ask for my permission, right?"

As Yukinon said, she put her finger to her mouth, as if thinking about the implications of my words.

Righteousness.

It must be because I showed a very serious expression. Cheeks are so stiff that I can feel them feel it 

out.

In order not to make my voice tremble, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I raised my head and met Yukinon 's gaze.

Although she looks good in profile, head down, and back, she still the most fascinating look is from 

the front. While feeling her beauty in my heart, Yukinon and I face Standing face to face.

"What I want to talk about is a very important thing. I haven't been able to say it properly."

When the words were uttered, Yukinon both hesitated and cried out like confusion.

Angrily, her big eyes shook nervously. Her soft lips remain slightly open, her long eyelashes trembled 

slightly, her whole expression was about to cry.

However, that only lasted for a moment.

Yukinon slowly closed her eyes and nodded heavily, and then the touch of me appeared on her face

An incredibly cute, soft smile.

"There is no need to ask for my permission specifically, right?"

She smiled triumphantly, and then quickly whisked up the beauty and darkness that always carried 

the fragrance

Long hair. I always feel that it looks like when I first met her, which makes me a little happy.

Our relationship must start today.

My stiff cheeks have completely relaxed, and the jokes and laughter are spilt together

Fall out.

"Because he didn't say something well in advance, Yukinon wanted to worry and feel depressed all 

by herself."

Although there is a smile on his face and his tone of voice is like joking, but he is very recognizable.

Really topic. As soon as I said this, Yukinon pursed her lips slightly and frowned.

I'm sorry for joking. I apologized and wanted to hug Yukinon, so she sighed.

"Your worries are unnecessary... and you won't be alone in the future."

Then, she smiled helplessly.

"...Oh, yes!"

I think that in the future, I will probably worry and feel depressed. Not so much "Also", it's probably 

me who is depressed. It's not approximate, I know it will definitely be there kind.

But that's fine, that's fine.

Because I have decided that I am closer than anyone else, and I want to live with those two people

It takes longer than anyone else.

Because whether it's an annoying place, a useless place, or a place that feels disgusting fang, 

annoying places, and favorite places, I want to talk with Yukinon.

As soon as she felt a little more relaxed, Yukinon gently patted the hands that had been connected 

together.

"...I think he should still be there."

Hearing what she said, I glanced out the window. It's a little bit late to call it evening.

If I chase it now, I don't know if I can catch it, but if I continues to procrastinate then, I think I can't 

say it anymore.

Yukinon withdrew her hand from my hand. Then, the hand rested lightly on my shoulder.

That hand didn't use any strength at all, and what was contained in it was as if worrying about 

whether the touch was appropriate.

tender.

"...Then, I will go back!"

"Ok"

I rearranged my schoolbag hard and walked forward quickly.

The patter of indoor shoes speeds up the rhythm little by little. Although I know I can't do this, I can't 

stop either.

So, I.

Even though I knew this was not in compliance, I still ran in the corridor with all my strength