Volume 1 - CH 1.3

Chapter 1

Translated by Sphagnum

Edited by Sphagnum

The day after the second general meeting was the welcome party for new students, and the place was the second floor of a boarding house on the campus. For a group as large as Cultural Committee, the only way to get together as a whole is to borrow this place.

It has been about twenty minutes since the committee president’s toast. It was just around sunset, and it was getting dark outside the window. Although it may not be due to the sunset, the situation inside the venue has changed a little. At first, there were several groups evenly divided, but then people began to move around, creating an uneven group.

In these situations, people gather around popular people. At Cultural Committee, this includes the president and vice president of the committee, as well as sophomores who are good talkers. In fact, they are surrounded by many people.

However, the one at the center of the largest group was a freshman girl who had attracted almost half of the boys.

“That’s awesome.”

“That’s awesome.”

Unintentionally spilling out a soliloquy, I received a reply. When I put down the paper cup I was about to drink from and looked next me, I saw a first-year girl who had been in the same group as me from the beginning.

She is a first-year student in the same department, and her name must have been Miyajima Shiho, the type of cool beauty with short black hair and a slender figure, and I think it’s not surprising that she is surrounded by others, but the reason why not is the ring on her ring finger on her right hand.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t worry about it.”

Perhaps because I was surprised, Miyajima-san bowed her head slightly. I also apologize for not being able to respond in a more thoughtful way.

“She is usually approached by a lot of people in the cafeteria, but she’s even more awesome at a party like this.”

“Well, it’s a drinking party. If you say so, does that mean you’re friends?”

After I said it, I remembered that this was the girl who was next to Kimioka-san at yesterday’s department meeting.

“Yes, that’s right. We have known each other since college, but we are in the same department. Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities.”

“I see.”

Once again, the conversation was stopped by my ungainly response. A bit awkwardly, I followed Miyajima-san’s gaze and looked at Kimioka-san. Surrounded by boys, mainly seniors, her lovely face had a smile on it, but her eyebrows were slightly downcast.

It may be none of my business, but I wanted to do something about it. If there was a group of girls only, I would have led her there, but alas, I couldn’t find it.

“May I call her over here?”

“Yeah, please.”

I nodded at the suggestion, as I was thinking about what to do.

“Misono!!” Kimioka-san’s face, which had slightly wrinkled, looked up and smiled brightly when she saw the owner of the voice and the beckoning of her hand.

After that, she bowed her head many times to the people around her and left the group to come to us. The gesture and the way she walked with a straight back were still very elegant.

“I am sorry. Thank you, Shii-chan.”

“It’s fine. Here.”

“Ah……Thank you.”

Miyajima-san made space for one person between us and suggested Kimioka-san. I wondered why, but I could tell that she wanted to create a wall.

The boys who had surrounded Kimioka-san just a few minutes ago remained in place, though with disappointed looks on their faces.

“Makimura-senpai. Sorry to trouble you.”

Kimioka-san bowed her head politely to me as she said so. The manner in which she slowly sat down was also very elegant, but the way she held the hem of her skirt down, combined with the faintly sweet aroma in the air, made me feel a little nervous.

“Oh, you remembered my name.”

It was meant to cover up my nervousness, but for some reason, Kimioka-san smiled happily.

“Yes, of course. It’s natural.”

“It’s natural?”

I don’t know if I can say it myself, but there was nothing special about my introduction. I wonder if people would remember me as a matter of course?

“Umm……”

“Do you know our names, by the way?”

As I was waiting for Kunioka-san to speak, Miyajima-san asked me a question, but for some reason, Kunioka-san was leaning forward slightly and staring at me, as if she was waiting for an answer.

“You’re Kimioka Misono and Miyajima Shiho, aren’t you? I remember you.”

“I was so glad you remembered me,” Her face relaxed slightly as if relieved, and the edges of her beautiful lips lifted a little. That is also lovely, but what can I say, I am embarrassed.

“It’s not something that should make you happy. Compared to first-year students, I’ve remembered about half as much.”

“That is not true. I am very happy to be remembered by Makimura-senpai.”

Kimioka-san’s eyes narrowed in delight as she tilted her head slightly, her dark brown hair swaying gently. Miyajima-san lightly touched her slender shoulders and turned toward us.

“You can call me Shiho.”

“Got it. Then Shiho, you can call me whatever you like. Most people call me Makki.”

“Then I will call you Makki-san

She seems to be a friendly type, contrary to her appearance, which is very helpful.

“You also can call me whatever you want, Kimioka-san.”

“Kimioka-san……”

I thought I should do the same, but Kunioka-san, who had been smiling just a few minutes earlier, was now frowning. I wondered if I had said something wrong.

“Ahh……Look, you call me Shiho, so you should call Misono Misono too. It makes her feel like she’s left out of the group.”

“Shii-chan……”

At Cultural Committee, men and women are close friends, and it is quite normal for them to call each other by their given names. Even so, I wonder if I should call a girl I am talking to for the first time without her permission, but the way she looks at me, I think she is asking me to call her by her first name. Maybe.

“Let’s see……M-Misono.”

“Yes.”

I was so nervous that I stammered, but Misono still replied in a joyful voice.

“You were somehow more conscious when you were talking to me.”

“I get nervous when I’m in a formal situation. Ah, I’m fine with Makki or whatever. ”

I’m aware that I’m very conscious of it, so I decided to quickly change the subject.

“Thank you very much. But is it okay if I keep calling you Makimura-senpai for a while?”

Where did all that talk about being left out go?

“She’s making her college debut, despite what she looks like, she’s not used to men.”

“Hey, Shii-chan.”

“Really? That’s surprising.”

Although her appearance is outstandingly pretty, she’s not used to men.

As I looked at Misono with this thought, her gaze shifted from Shiho to me. Misono, whose eyes met mine, looked away for a moment and then back at me again. Her white cheeks slightly turn a color.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No. I don’t mind at all.”

Although I was aware that I had sent her a blunt look, Misono shook her head as if a little flustered and then smiled again with a lovely smile.

“Then good. Thank you.”

“No, same here.”

She smiled gently and made a shallow but polite bow.

“But a group of girls would be better if that is the case, go talk to them.”

Misono’s former group has lost its center and is falling apart, but at a quick glance, there are a few men who are giving her a look. There is even a possibility that if a little more alcohol gets around, they may come charging at us. If it happens all over again, it might make Misono feel uncomfortable, and I don’t want that at this welcome party.

“Um. Can’t we just go on like this a little bit longer?”

Shiho is asking to maintain this situation as she was speaking lightly, and I think Misono, who is staring at me, also wants it through her uneasiness. Perhaps she is afraid that if the current balance is ruined, it will lead to a repeat of what happened earlier.

“Don’t worry. There’s a safe place.”

I looked at one of the groups of girls that had formed before I knew it, and heard Shiho mutter, “No, that’s not what I meant,” I couldn’t understand what she meant, but I thought I should send her there.

“I think you should go and talk to the girls. They say the first time is essential.”

“Um.”

“Hmm?”

“Can I talk to you again?”

“As long as you’re okay with me.”

I gave a big nod to Misono, who still looked slightly uneasy. I knew it was probably just lip service, but I was a little embarrassed to receive a polite “thank you” and a cute smile in return.