I think I'll take a look at Kawasaki's crying face a little longer.
1.
So, after looking around at various places, we headed towards the haunted house.
but.
Kawasaki and I have no intention of making any detours, Komachi has a place she wants to stop by but gives up because she sees that we're not interested, and Taishi isn't interested at all so I don't even look at him, so we just keep going smoothly. I'm totally wild for knowing this situation and letting it go.
Well, Taishi is probably saying "Yes! Yes!" to Komachi anyway. How many air leaks are there? Should I make more holes with a needle?
As I was walking, I spotted two familiar faces in the crowd.
Although they are different types, they are both people who easily catch people's attention.
A beautiful woman with a flat chest, and a cute melon.
...I never expected to meet you here.
As I approached, the Ice Queen with long black hair was the first to notice me.
"..."
I averted my gaze.
Huh? Why, why? Am I such an unbearable presence that you want to look away? Which former student council president are you talking about?
Then, as he averted his gaze and his eyes met those of Komachi, he immediately smiled.
"Oh, Komachi-san."
"Ah! Yukino-san! Oh, Yui-san is with you too! Yahallo!"
"Hey Komachi-chan, and, H-Hikki... Y-Yahallo!"
"Wait, wait, wait, aren't Yukinoshita and Yuigahama treating me a little weird? What's with them brushing me off and then being confused? Can't you get used to the fact that I'm here already? I'm going to cry."
I'm really going to cry.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I still can't take my eyes off you... H-Hikigaya... Ah, judging from Komachi's last name, is it Hikigaya-kun?"
"Hey, you've got some nerve using your sister as inspiration."
Using a family member as a clue...which version of me am I? Right, Kawasaki?
"Are Yukino and Yui shopping together?"
"Well, because Yuigahama-san insisted on it..."
"Wow, Yukinon was so excited when I told her there's a store with a huge selection of cat goods!"
"Hey, Yuigahama-san, that's... hey, don't hug me like that..."
Why did you hug me at that moment?
Even in summer, Yuri-Yuri is still lovely, which puts her brother at ease.
"Are there two of you...? Oh."
It is at this point that Yukinoshita and Yuigahama finally notice the Kawasaki siblings.
"…Hello"
"…ah"
The distance between Yukinoshita and Kawasaki is great.
It's a distance that stems from a certain degree of mutual respect.
Normally, I could just avoid touching it and that would be the end of it, but in this situation, it's a little... no, quite awkward.
This is... Go, my angel!
"...Oh, we're a group of four who came to hang out!"
"Oh, really? That's great, it sounds fun!"
Komachi's brightness illuminates the world.
Yuigahama's ability to read the atmosphere will also save the world.
The atmosphere is pretty good. If I could sacrifice Taishi here and summon Totsuka, I'd be having a blast.
Ah, Taishi alone isn't enough. Let's sacrifice Zaimokuza as well.
And also, Tobe. A sacrifice while we're at it.
Just as Komachi finished explaining the situation, Yukinoshita was staring intently at me.
What, am I really such a despicable person that people want to look down on all over again?
Just as I was thinking that, he started looking at me and Kawasaki alternately.
What's this? Are you trying to find something in common between me and Kawasaki? ...Bipedalism?
"Mr. Kawasaki"
"Huh? What is it?"
Kawasaki was a little surprised by Yukinoshita's call. Of course he was.
"...Be careful of this guy, okay? If he tries to do anything to you, let me know. I'll make sure he learns his lesson."
"Wait, wait, wait, how am I being treated?"
How much of a panting character am I supposed to be all year round?
Are you going to use my humanity as payment to forge a bond between Yukinoshita and Kawasaki? That's not fair, is it? It's not an equivalent exchange at all.
"Oh, when we first met, you..."
"Hey, wait a minute, you idiot, don't talk about that."
People still bring up my reaction to the challenge Professor Hiratsuka proposed, where he suggested that "the winner can do anything to the loser." It's just unbearable!
"Huh? What are you talking about? That's..."
"No, no, wait, wait Kawasaki. That's not it, that's not it."
This is bad, this is bad, this is bad.
"Um, Hikki, I don't like this at all..."
"Wait, wait, Yuigahama. It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."
The way you sulk is cute, I made a mistake, this is bad, this is bad.
"Wait, Gomi-chan, you did that to Yukino-san?"
"Huh? I didn't say anything, did I? Right?"
No, no, no.
"Wow, big brother, no way."
"Shut up, you poisonous insect, don't speak."
"Are you being too quick to respond?!"
You have no right to speak.
You are like the bench in the Momotaro play.
In other words, they don't even appear.
Have one of the actors who's resting backstage sit on an imaginary chair.
And writhe in agony.
The person sitting there is a slightly overweight man.
Actually, this whole situation is really bad. Something has to be done.
"Listen, first you have something to say."
"Oh, that's interesting. Go ahead?"
He crossed his arms, raised his right hand slightly, rested his chin on the back of his hand, and chuckled proudly.
What's with this provocative attitude...? I'll make you cry. Even though I'm weaker in a fight.
"I mean, if I were the kind of guy who would make a move on Kawasaki, then why haven't I done anything to those two obviously cute girls in the Service Club?"
""picture""
"Even if Kawasaki seems cold but you know she's actually pretty cute, it's still weird to do nothing to the two attractive people who got involved with her first, right?"
"picture"
"In other words, I'm perfectly healthy!"
"Big brother, that's not right."
Oh, my sister stabbed me in the side.
However, a counter-argument mixed with some flattery should work.
"..."
Huh, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama's faces are red... Huh, Kawasaki's too? Why?
"...Well, if you insist, then...I wouldn't mind acknowledging it that way. Your usual words and actions are quite unbearable to watch, but the fact that you've become able to honestly express what you think is something I'd say you've grown up with. I guarantee it. Be a little proud of yourself."
He started ranting like crazy...
Just accept it...
...But your face is really red.
"...Ah, haha, I don't really understand what you meant, but what Hikki just said... I'm actually quite happy... hehe."
Oh, you're pressing your index fingers together and fidgeting? That's kinda cute!
"...C-cute...cute..."
I put my hand to my cheek... Is steam rising from it? Or am I imagining things?
While I was still taken aback, Komachi tugged at my sleeve. Yes, she's super cute.
"Big brother... you're being a bit of a womanizer... are you going to collect every single flag you've raised? Is this going to be a harem?"
"picture"
Was that really the case? Flag fulfilled... Speaking of which, Koji Murofushi is incredibly strong at beach flags, isn't he? His agility is unbelievable. Completely irrelevant.
"Sigh... You really are a piece of trash... If you're going to reject more than two people, make sure you reject all of them properly, okay?"
"Wait, wait, wait, what are you talking about?"
"Excuse me, sir! Probably."
"Ah, you're currently involved with someone else."
"I didn't get the quiz questions wrong, did I?!"
You've got the job done from the beginning to the end of the show.
Yukinoshita and Yuigahama left with their faces still red. I wonder what that was all about.
Komachi, stop glancing at me next to me, sighing, and counting on your fingers in a low voice, "It's Yukino-san, right? Yui-san, Saki-san... and maybe Hiratsuka-sensei too? And then... there seem to be more, including future ones... sigh." What's with that foresight?
2.
We finally made it to the haunted house.
Haunted houses vary greatly. If it's too scary, I won't have the luxury of enjoying watching people cry, so something moderately scary would be ideal.
...That reason is just too pathetic.
"picture"
As we approached the reception desk, Komachi suddenly stopped.
"Komachi, what's wrong?"
"Oh, big brother, what's that..."
Looking in the direction Komachi was pointing, I saw a huge sign explaining that it was a haunted house.
"Summer Limited! A tie-in with the most talked-about and terrifying Japanese horror film! Can you endure until the end?!"
What?!
Kawasaki and Taishi's faces are also frozen in shock.
But this is tough.
If you look closely at the description, it says things like, "Terror will befall you as the movie progresses! The highest dropout rate in Japan!"
This is no good.
As for Kawasaki, he was looking at me towards the end, so he doesn't know what happened at the end. Well, I was also distracted by Kawasaki's gaze, so I don't really remember about 80% of what happened towards the end.
...I'm in trouble too.
But how many people can enter at the same time?
Ideally, there would be no more than three of us, with me, Komachi, and Kawasaki going in, and Taishi going in alone.
Upon checking at the reception desk, I learned that, "in principle," you have to go in pairs. My dreams are shattered.
Now, what should I do?
Even though they're brother and sister, they're just close friends, and I would rather die than let Komachi and Taishi go together. If necessary, I wouldn't mind if Taishi died.
As I was wondering what to do next, I made eye contact with Komachi.
After looking back and forth between me and Kawasaki about two times, it seemed like a brilliant idea struck him, and he suddenly made eye contact with me again, his eyes flashing brightly.
Komachi suddenly stumbles, deliberately.
"Oh, hey, I feel a little unwell. Do I have a fever?"
I see, so that's how it is.
I immediately adjusted my position.
"What?! That's terrible! We need to check on that right away!"
A passionate performance by siblings. Kawasaki's gaze is a little cold, but I won't give up!
"Okay, let's check it!"
Thinking he had to do it in an exaggerated way, he placed his forehead against Komachi's instead of his hand.
Suddenly, Komachi's face turned bright red.
"!? Wait, hold on... Big... bro..."
At first she was surprised, but soon her eyes became hazy.
Why? Is it because the method is To Love-Ru style?
"Yeah, I think I need to take a break. Taishi, can you look after me?"
Komachi's face turned red, which was a relief because it made the lie seem more believable.
Kawasaki also looks worried. Good.
"!? Uh, yes!!"
What are you so worked up about, you bastard?
"However, if you lay a hand on my sister, you won't get away with it. If you do anything wrong, I'll crush you with the hour and minute hands of the castle's giant clock."
"I've seen that on TV! It's scary!"
"Shut up. I won't just steal your heart, I'll steal your life, I'll reape you."
"That's scary!"
Intimidation completed☆
It seems like Kawasaki's pursuit of the ball has slowed down somewhat since midway through today's match.
Therefore, I put a lot of effort into teasing Taishi.
"Oh, big brother, are you going to raise a flag even with your own family? That's cheating..."
Hey, what's with that dreamy look on your face? That's probably a woman's face, you know? It's the kind of face you shouldn't let your family or friends see, you know?
"Oh, so... it's just you and me?"
"Yeah, that's what happens."
"Oh, I see..."
So stop blushing and looking down there, okay? I could see you were a little happy.
Even if it's okay now, once we actually go inside... I'm sure I'll get scared again.
How should I put it? 30% feeling sorry for Kawasaki, and 120% excitement.
My emotional capacity has exceeded its limits and increased by 50%.
I certainly don't intend to do anything weird. But it will probably feel a bit strange.
I can say that with confidence!
To be continued.