CH 42

Chapter 42: The School Festival of Toko High (Part 4)

Point of View: Hiroto

After leaving the club building, Aizawa-san and I made our way to the classroom.

“I guess there’s really no one around here, huh?” (Hiroto)

“Yes… there is no one around here… Thank you so much for the present… I’ll take my time opening it…” (Haruka)

“Don’t get your hopes up… I didn’t know what present to give to a girl…” (Hiroto)

“I’m glad you chose something for me!” (Haruka)

I spoke to Aizawa with a troubled look on my face, but she answered with a bright smile.

After all, a smile suits her.

As we proceeded toward the school building, the number of people gradually increased and they all glanced at Aizawa-san as she passed and muttered something.

Aizawa-san… she stands out after all. I’m not sure if it’s because of her clothes.

“Aizawa-san… you really stand out.” (Hiroto)

“I’m not too happy about it… I didn’t want to wear this, but I was forced to. Yoshizumi-kun seems to be quite conspicuous as well… the girls have been looking at you for a while…” (Haruka)

“Isn’t it because I’m wearing a different school uniform from everyone else?” (Hiroto)

Don’t you realize that you are attracting attention as well, Aizawa-san? I’ve been hearing students mentioning her name ever since I came to the festival.

I find it strange that it feels somewhat… natural to be with Aizawa-san. I can see why she’s so popular… she’s a kind girl.

“Yoshizumi-kun, we’re at the school building. I think your friends might be waiting for you.” (Haruka)

“Well, they’re a noisy bunch. I’ll make sure they don’t cause too much trouble and enjoy the festival with them.” (Hiroto)

“You say that you’ll make sure they don’t cause trouble, but you seem to be looking forwards to meeting with them…” (Haruka)

“Well… I had a hard time when I first moved here. But because I met those guys… I could move on and endure it. That’s why I want to take them to Koshien with me.” (Hiroto)

“I see… I only had Aya-chan…” (Haruka)

Aizawa-san had a lonely expression on her face, as if she was trying to remember something.

“Why don’t you start making more friends? I think of Aizawa-san as a friend. I haven’t really gotten along with a girl since elementary school, so it’s been a while.” (Hiroto)

“…” (Haruka)

What’s wrong? Maybe she doesn’t like it? I just thought that I got along with her…

“I’m sorry… you don’t like it when guys say that you get along well, right?” (Hiroto)

“No! I’m sorry… I was just thinking about getting along with Yoshizumi-kun, too. We’ll be arriving at the classroom soon.” (Haruka)

Aizawa-san and I entered the classroom labeled “Coffee Shop” as we were talking.

But… something didn’t seem right.

Aizawa-san seemed to be feeling the same way, as she looked at me with a confused expression.

“Aizawa-san… is the coffee shop usually like this?” (Hiroto)

“No… it’s not. I don’t know either…” (Haruka)

It seems that Aizawa-san didn’t know about the situation either. All of a sudden, we burst out laughing at the weird atmosphere of the cafe.

“Haha, then why is everyone frozen up? I thought it was part of the attraction.” (Hiroto)

“Uh-huh. We wouldn’t plan for anything like this… something seems to be wrong?” (Haruka)

I don’t know what’s going on, but when Aizawa-san and I walked into the classroom, the waitresses and customers… Yoichiro and the others… for some reason they all froze and looked at us.

“Aizawa-san, my friends are here, so I’m going over to them. It’s time for your shift, right?　Good luck.” (Hiroto)

“Yes, I hope you enjoy our store. I’ll be coming back to receive your orders in a bit.” (Haruka)

Aizawa-san went to the back of the class while I went to the table where Yoichiro and the others were seated. I’ll have to report to them about the baseball team.

“I’m sorry to keep you all waiting. I’ve just finished talking with Saito-san.” (Hiroto)

“”……””

“What’s wrong? Did something bad happen?” (Hiroto)

Is there really something going on here?

As I sat there thinking about what could have possibly happened, Takuma opened his mouth.

“Hiroto… you! It’s that girl, isn’t it! The girl you were busy flirting with at the park!” (Takuma)

“Takuma… you’re being too loud. We weren’t flirting, I just happened to run into Aizawa-san on my way to the clubroom. When I heard that you guys were here, I asked her to show me around.” (Hiroto)

“Eh? Aizawa-san… with Hiroto?” (Kazuya)

“That guy… he’s Hiroto Yoshizumi from Saijo, isn’t he?” (Okumura)

As I was trying to calm Takuma down from the misunderstanding, Aizawa-san’s classmates started making a fuss as well.

“Hiroto, do you know Aizawa-san?” (Kazuya)

“Yoshizumi… what’s going on?” (Okumura)

It was Kazuya and Okumura. Kazuya was a teammate of mine in middle school, and Okumura was my opponent in the finals of the national tournament in middle school. Aizawa-san said they were in the same class.

“I met her when I was in the hospital with her grandmother. What’s everyone making such a fuss for?” (Hiroto)

“Aizawa-san never gets along with guys. Even us, who are in the same class as her, struggle to talk to her properly.” (Kazuya)

“I was talking a little… though.” (Okumura)

Kazuya-san seems to have never talked to her. Didn’t Okumura talk to her earlier, though?

“Okumura-san talked to her earlier, didn’t he? You and Aizawa-san are friends, so shouldn’t it be normal for you guys to talk to each other?” (Hiroto)

“Yoshizumi… forget I ever talked to you about this…”  (Kazuya)

What’s going on? Is Okumura a strange person?

“Okumura got turned down by Aizawa-san just now, so leave him alone… Aizawa-san is popular, but she doesn’t talk to guys, and everyone thats confessed to her has gotten rejected. That’s why everyone is so surprised that she was getting along so well with you.” (Kazuya)

I hear from everyone that Aizawa-san doesn’t speak to guys… she doesn’t seem like that, though?

“Aizawa-san… wasn’t she normal? That girl… she was speaking normally and had a happy expression, didn’t she? (Okumura)

Kazuya and Okumura weren’t convinced and started to argue, but Yoichiro stopped them.

“More importantly, Hiroto, how did it go?” (Yoichiro)

“Oh, it went smoothly.” (Hiroto)

“I see. Please tell me the details later today.” (Yoichiro)

I can’t go into details because Kazuya and Okumura are there. Kazuya and I are good friends, but we’re on opposing teams now. However… Okumura… is a rather troublesome opponent. I won’t let him win this time.

Kazuya and Okumura left to work their shift at the cafe. Soon after, Aizawa-san came to the table to ask for our order.

“It’s good to see you again, Yoshizumi-kun. Have you decided on your order?” (Haruka)

“I’ll just have a cup of coffee, please. Aizawa-san… I’m sorry for all the trouble. Is everything okay?” (Hiroto)

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry for getting you into this as well.” (Haruka)

Aizawa-san seemed to be a bit tired and didn’t look too well.

“I don’t really mind, so you don’t have to worry about it.” (Hiroto)

“Yes… thank you. I’ll bring your drink soon, so please wait a little.” (Haruka)

Aizawa-san gave me her usual smile and went to the back of the cafe.