CH 52

52．You are?

It was an emotional act.

It was something I had done in a fit of frustration.

Haruki, Kaidou Ikki, and others were surprised, but more surprised was Hayato himself.

(Oh, crap!)

But what has been said can’t be changed, and Hayato turns his thoughts to the fullest.

“Well, you know… You’re going somewhere for club activities, right? I’ve got a club I want to join, so I thought I’d come along.”

Then, as if to make excuses, he speaks out quickly and leads the way down the corridor.

“It’s the opposite direction, Kirishima-kun.”

“Ugh…”

When Haruki points this out, Hayato’s agitation is obvious to those around him, and a giggle and a sneer can be heard.

“Shall we go together? It’s okay, isn’t it, Kaidou-kun?”

“Oh, yeah, no problem.”

When Haruki said so, Kaidou could only reply with a complicated expression on his face.

Hayato chased after Haruki’s back with a bratty look on her face.

Walking down the hallway shortly before morning class.

With so little time left before the bell rang, a lot of noise could be heard, but they did not see anyone.

The three of them were walking a little faster than usual.

It was a very strange atmosphere.

Haruki is in a somewhat good mood, Hayato looks somewhat displeased, and Kaidou Ikki looks puzzled, wondering why this is happening.

It was Kaidou who started the conversation.

“It’s unusual for you to join the club at this time of the year.”

If the rumour was true, Hayato would have intervened in his approach to Haruki.

But his tone was gentle, and his expression was not malicious or backhanded. It was a look of genuine interest.

“I’m a… transfer student.”

“Ah, I see. Where are you going to join? You’re welcome to join our soccer club anytime.”

“Gardening club.”

“Ha?”

It was a voice that sounded like it had been struck by emptiness.

Kaidou looks around at Hayato with puzzled eyes.

He has above average height in the upper 170cm range, and his arms peeking out of his short-sleeved uniform are well-toned and his skin is tanned by the sun. His body is also moderately toned, with a physique that makes one think that even if he were not Kaidou, he would be playing some kind of sport.

Therefore, it was natural to be surprised when the word “Gardening club” came from Hayato.

Hayato, however, felt as if he was being ridiculed for gardening, and was annoyed at the reaction.

“Hey, you’re on the soccer team, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right…”

“What’s so fun about soccer?”

“What’s so fun about soccer… Well, it’s different from other sports, the value of a point, the high degree of freedom, and the sense of unity with the team members… There are too many to mention but…”

“It’s the same with gardening.”

After taking a deep breath, Hayato stops and turns around.

“It takes a lot of time and effort to water, prune, fertilise, and deal with weeds and insects every day, and it’s surprisingly hard work. Each vegetable has its own character, and when it produces an oddly shaped fruit, I feel like I’m getting something out of it. Look at this! Tinkering in the soil is the best part!”

Then, as if to say, “How do you like it?”, he showed them an image of a tengu eggplant and a chilli pepper wrapped in a coil.

Both Haruki and Kaidou were startled by Hayato’s sudden and vigorous talk about the appeal of gardening, or rather vegetable growing, and their eyes just blinked.

To begin with, high school boys who enthusiastically talk about tinkering with soil are a rarity on its own. It is natural to be surprised.

And Haruki’s – Haruki Nikaido’s subsequent action took Kaidou Ikki by surprise.

“Hahahahahahaha! Kirishima-kun, you love gardening so much? Well, it’s good to have something to be passionate about too!”

“Well, I’m used to it. Ouch! Stop slapping my back! It hurts.”

“Nikaido-san?!”

Haruki was so amused that she burst out laughing, clutching her stomach, and started slapping Hayato on the back in a casual manner.

Haruki Nikaido is a girl who is kind, polite, and good-natured to everyone – such was the perception of Kaidou Ikki, who was surprised and greatly intrigued by her current appearance, which was unexpected.

“Oh….. ahem, let’s move on!”

“Okay…”

“Um, yeah… Right!”

Haruki noticed his gaze and coughed deliberately. Then, without meaning to, she brushes off the hem of her skirt and begins to walk away, rearranging the scene. Even I was taken aback by how quickly she changed.

Our destination, the student council office, was less than a minute’s walk from there.

“Excuse me. Is anyone here? Well, I’ll go get the forms, so please wait a moment.”

“…”

“Okay, Nikaido-san.”

Hayato, who had somehow become hotheaded, scratched his head and watched Haruki’s back as if to cover up a number of things. There is no hesitation in the way she searches the cupboard.

(You’re used to this kind of thing, aren’t you?)

Such a still unknown aspect of Haruki spreads an indescribable bitterness in my heart.

“I didn’t know…”

“Hmm?”

As if speaking for Hayato, Kaidou muttered. It sounded as if he was muttering to make Hayato listen.

“I wonder if the girl earlier is the real Haruki Nikaido.”

“Maybe…”

It was a question as if to confirm his doubts.

A blurred feeling grows in my heart, and the words I return are far from affectionate, but rather blunt.

(Impersonation, huh… I thought you said you wouldn’t get caught…)

I know it is a childish sentiment.

But I want to say something bitter to Haruki for her earlier passing.

“My name is Kaidou Ikki. And you are?”

“Ha?”

“Your name.”

“Hayato Kirishima.”

However, Kaidou Ikki, as if to say he was interested in Hayato, held out his hand for a handshake.

I don’t know what he’s trying to do. I look at his hand for a moment.

Looking at his face, he has a beaming smile on his face and does not seem to have any malicious intent.

“…………”

Rumours are rumours.

Besides, it shouldn’t matter to Hayato what happens to Haruki.

But it was also true that I couldn’t help but be curious.

“Nice to meet you, Kirishima-kun.”

“Yeah.”

Hayato shook his hand with a complicated expression.

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Ex-Proofreader Comment: Ey, AJ here. I started college and I would barely have time to recheck these chapters going to be uploaded starting from 51-52. I am only going to upload the chapters now without actually checking back on it. I’m sorry if there’s going to be some minor mistakes from here on out. Feel free to point it out in comments, I’ll try to fix it as soon as I see them.