The long summer vacation had ended. Well, today being the first day of the second semester, we'd be dismissed by noon after homeroom and the opening ceremony. I don't particularly like school, but the commute felt nostalgic in its own way after so long.
THUD!!
Someone kicked me in the back! The impact sent me tumbling forward.
"Oops, my bad lol. Totally mistook you for a ball www"
The one who kicked me was
Tagamai Jin. My classmate and soccer team captain. The most popular guy in school with all the girls. Top grades and even serves as student council vice president. The textbook definition of an alpha in the school caste system. I'm practically invisible in class, yet for some reason this guy keeps messing with me.
"Ugh, that face—I said it was an accident, didn't I? Balls are friends, that's what they've always said www"
You're no friend of mine. But if I fight back, I'll just get pummeled.
"Hey, Jim! What's up?Osadera Sora! If you could call him my only friend.
"Oi, Tagamai! You messing with Jim again? Huh?"
"Man, you're annoying—just messing around a bit."
"Seriously, quit with the lame jokes."
Even this guy knows better than to pick fights with Sora, the most popular guy in school. Thoroughly deflated, Tagamai spat out a parting shot—"Quit getting so full of yourself, you piece of shit!!"—before disappearing. When exactly was I getting full of myself? But to someone like him, just breathing probably counts as getting too big for my britches.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, thanks. You saved me."
"No problem. If anything else happens, just let me know."
Sora's a genuinely good guy. But sorry, man—I ended up sleeping with Yua-san, Tamada-sensei, and Mana-san, all people you really like...
"How was your summer? Anything good happen?"
"Nah, same as always. What about you?"
"Oh, you're asking? Man, where do I even start lol"
He seemed desperate to tell me. Probably only asked about my summer so he could talk about his own. No way you actually care about my vacation.
"So get this—I finally graduated recently."
"Graduated from what?"
"Dumbass, when someone says 'graduated,' they mean their virginity! Well, to you it might as well be some isekai story lol"
"Wow, congrats. Was it with that girlfriend of yours?"
Pretty sure Sora's dating some girl from another school. Said they met at some comedian's live show he liked.
"Yeah ♡ It was at the fireworks festival last week..."
He was enthusiastically recounting his first time, but it all sounded so... innocent. I only recently lost mine too, but the difference in experience was staggering. Listening to Sora's story didn't make me jealous in the slightest.
"Hey, your time will come too, Jim. See you in class!"
With that baseless encouragement, Sora ran off to join another group. Must've really wanted to share his story.
Same old classroom. I sat at my desk, zoning out while staring outside.
"Oh, is that Alouette? Kido's?"
"Huh?"
The one who called out was Hamabe Mitsuki. A gyaru classmate who always hung out with Matsuki Ichika. With idol-tier looks and charming snaggletooth when she smiled, she was actually pretty nice to me—unlike Matsuki. Hamabe, Matsuki, student council president Kurasue Sumire, and Tatemiya Nanami were known as the Four Beauties of Hanza High. Though unfortunately, that circle had a vacancy now.
What Hamabe had noticed was my Alouette clear file on the desk—a non-sale item I'd gotten from Aoi-san, a rare staff-only item made during the anime's second season production.
"Yeah. Got it from someone I know..."
"Nostalgic. I watched this when I was little. Is it still airing?"
"The anime's over, but the manga's still running."
"Really, huh."
"Mickey! Why you talking to Creepo over there? Get over here! You'll catch loser germs!"
From across the room, Matsuki called for Hamabe. Guys like her and Tagamai probably think they can do whatever they want to people they see as beneath them. I'll never understand how anyone can be that arrogant.
The opening ceremony ended without incident, and we were dismissed before lunch.
"It's fine, really."
"Don't be like that, Jim. Hang out with us for once."
After the ceremony, everyone decided to go to karaoke. Normally I'd never go, but I owed Sora for this morning. Reluctantly, I tagged along.
Woo!! clap clap clap Yeah!!
The largest party room in the place. Our classmates packed inside for a karaoke battle. I sat in a corner, trying to vanish into the background like a stone statue. Matsuki and Tagamai were here—getting tangled up with them would be trouble.
That said, my class got along scarily well—everyone except me, that is. Sora played MC while the girls hyped each other up with idol songs and the guys performed K-pop dances. Hamabe and Matsuki's duet was a hit, and even the usually reserved student council president seemed to be enjoying herself. God, I just want to disappear...
Before I knew it, I was standing alone in the hallway. After using the bathroom, the thought of returning to that room filled me with such dread that I just froze there. I'm such a Nobita!
"This is too much..."
I slipped into an empty room and hid under a table. I'd kill time here and blend back in when everyone left. Yeah, not a bad plan.
Honestly, it was comfortable. The karaoke noise from next door wasn't even noise—more like a lullaby...
click
The door opening startled me awake. A customer? Wait, something felt off. Didn't seem like they meant to come here.
I held my breath and stayed still. If they came in by mistake, they'd leave soon enough.
"So, Tagamai-kun, what did you want to talk about?"
Huh? The president? Why was student council president Kurasue Sumire here with... Tagamai? Weird combo.
"Hey, we're retiring from the student council next month, right? So before that, gimme an answer. You'll go out with me, right, president? I mean, Sumire!"
No way!! Tagamai actually confessed to the president? But didn't he get rejected by Nanami?
"...Tagamai-kun, like I said last time, I'm not interested in dating anyone. I'm sorry."
Serves you right, Tagamai lol. Karma's a bitch.
"That's bullshit! Why not? You got someone else you like or what?"
What the hell, Tagamai? Since when does the president owe you an explanation?
"There's no one like that, but..."
"Then why? Give me a reason!"
Why's he snapping? You got rejected—just take the L and move on! Seriously, persistent much? You're making the president uncomfortable.
...Fine. Tagamai's annoying, but I'll step in. That should defuse things.
Just as I was about to stand up, the president started talking.
"Listen... this is a total secret, okay? Promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Y-yeah, I promise."
"..."
"..."
"I'm... going to have a baby soon."
"Wait, what?!"
Wait, what?!
"Uh, whose baby is it...?"
"No idea. Tagamai-kun, have you heard of the Genius Gene Child?"
"...Kinda. It's about making genius babies, right?"
"I applied for it in middle school, and now I'm finally getting my baby."
No. Freaking. Way!! Ohno-san, your "maybe lol" yesterday wasn't a joke after all?!
"Why would you—why would you do that?!"
"Why? That's... personal, so I can't say. But I really am sorry. I'm flattered you confessed, but please give up on me."
"You fucking bitch!! Should've known you were trash!!"
True to form, Tagamai left with the lowest of low blows. I worried he might spread rumors, but thinking about it, he probably wouldn't. His pride's ridiculously inflated—he'd never admit he confessed and got rejected.
Still, what do I do now? The president was a recipient... I should go talk to Ohno-san.