Act 2 - Summer Break
16-3
"You there! Stop grinning!" (Kanon)
Oops, the corners of my mouth turned up before I knew it.
I clear my throat and interject.
"I guess a sermon is needed, but for now, let's move on to the next game. We've only gotten two secrets revealed." (Rintaro)
"Tch, your life's been spared! Rei!" (Kanon)
You said you weren't going to be mad.
"Hey, guys, I have a suggestion." (Mia)
"What is it?" (Kanon)
"How about we limit the game up to ten rounds? We haven't decided how long we're going to play after all." (Mia)
"Well, I think that sounds appropriate." (Kanon)
"And then, how about the person who loses in the tenth, the final round reveals his or her most embarrassing secret?" (Mia)
"!! I like that! I'm in!" (Kanon)
I'm glad to know that there would be a definite end in sight, not just a vague number of rounds until I got bored.
However, the part of reveal the most embarrassing secrets are a bit hard.
I feel that something half-baked is unacceptable――――And, I don't have many secrets of my own, to begin with.
"Now, let's start the third round." (Rei)
The cards are dealt again, and a new game begins.
Then the series of games continues for the next six rounds, but in the end, thanks to Kanon, I'm able to get through without losing a single game.
Now a total of eight rounds have been completed, and Kanon has been punished five times, Rei twice, and Mia once.
Then comes the ninth round, one step before the final round.
Mia, who has drawn the Old Maid from me, is holding it until the end of the game, and the game ends with her taking the punishment.
"Uhmm, how unfortunate. I was hoping to have Rintaro-kun reveal his secret by now, though." (Mia)
"Sorry about it. But, it seems to be my lucky day." (Rintaro)
"Well, it's a game of luck anyway, so I guess it can't be helped. So, this is my second reveal." (Mia)
As Mia says this, her expression does not look too painful.
In contrast, Kanon is quite dejected.
This was the difference between having been revealed twice and five times.
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"Ummm, yes. Did I mention that my underwear size doesn't fit anymore?" (Mia)
"Eh,...... I've never heard of that before?" (Kanon)
"Ah, then, I guess it's okay. Actually, the size of my swimsuit today is different from the previous one. I'm not wearing an F-size anymore." (Mia)
"Ah, I don't want to hear it! I don't want to hear it anymore!" (Kanon)
"Don't say that, I'm telling you my secret, so you'd better listen to it." (Mia)
"What kind of person you're to one-up the penalty games?" (Kanon)
Mia tries to deliver her words in a whisper to the screaming Kanon.
I watch these two with a blank expression on my face more than Rei.
I actually don't know how to ask this question, you know? But, I want to ask all the boys out there. If you are caught in this kind of situation, how should you respond?
For me, I will ignore any responses that might be construed as sexual harassment.
"I'm going to ask a question similar to the one about height earlier, Rintaro-kun, do you prefer big ones, or do you prefer small ones?" (Mia)
"......No comment." (Rintaro)
"Oh my, that's too bad." (Mia)
If there will ever comes a time when I will tell them my preference for breast size, it will be when I get punished. But now all that's left is the fateful tenth round. I haven't thought much about it, but it's a somewhat tenuous reveal to make if I lose here.
"Enough already! Look, the next round is the last! If you lose this one, you'll reveal a seriously embarrassing secret! Have any complaints!?" (Kanon)
"No, but......" (Rintaro)
"What's the matter, Rintaro? Are you scared?" (Kanon)
Well, if Kanon herself is willing to do it, then it's fine.
"Nothing. Here, hand them out." (Rintaro)
"I'm definitely going to make you cry!" (Kanon)
Even though it's the last game, it's unlikely that I'll lose if I play the same way as before.
Everyone is steadily reducing their cards, and soon Mia and Rei are easily out.
The remaining players are me and Kanon. I have one card left in my hand and Kanon has two cards.
And, one of them is the Old Maid.
Once this situation is established, there's no way I'm going to lose.
"Sorry, Kanon. This is the end." (Rintaro)
"Wh-what? I don't understand!" (Kanon)
Gently, I reach for one of her cards.
As I am about to touch the card on the left, her expression changes.
This card is the Old Maid. I should draw the other card.
And I draw the card.
At that moment, Kanon smirks.
――――A bad feeling ran down my spine.
"You fell for it! Rintaro!" (Kanon) (PTW/N: THUNDER CROSS SPLIT ATTACK!!!)
"Wha......." (Rintaro)
The card I drew is the Old Maid.
I just stare at the card, stunned, not knowing what just happened.
"I've been planning for this moment......! The change of my expression when you drew the Old Maid was all an act! You were tricked so beautifully!" (Kanon)
She got me. Is this the acting ability of an idol?
"D*mn......, but this doesn't decide who wins, does it? It's a 50-50 chance anyway, and I can't see any chance you'll win this one!" (Rintaro)
"Phew, what a fool. The one who took advantage of people's naivety to win the game of luck and I, who have carefully laid the foundation for the game so far, is in a different position! The goddess of victory smiles at me!" (Kanon)
Kanon draws a card out of my hand.
The card left in my hand is the Old Maid.
"No...... way." (Rintaro)
"Now, let's hear you take your punishments of the final round, shall we?" (Kanon)
Right in front of my eyes, a set of cards is discarded on the table.
Here we are――――I never thought I would lose only at the very end.
"I want to know Rintaro's big secret." (Rei)
"I totally agree with you. Normally, he would probably dodge the question, so I'm really anticipating this one." (Mia)
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Naturally, I have no allies.
I let out a big sigh and sit down deeply on the sofa.
I have one secret that I haven't told anyone. Just the thought of them knowing about it makes me overflow with shame, but since they've had to reveal their secrets too, it's no good for me to just run away.
"It's not a very interesting story......, but actually, you know, there's something I'm really not good with." (Rintaro)
"Eh, what is it? Is it Food?" (Kanon)
"No, not it...... It's thunder." (Rintaro)
"Huuh?" (Kanon)
Next to Kanon, who has a puzzled expression on her face, Rei and Mia also have the same expression on their faces.
Well, that's the kind of reaction I expect.
"The sound of thunder, the tremors,...... and that moment when the black clouds flash,...... I'm really not very good at it. This year, there have been only a few thunderstorms, which is a relief, but when it happens in the middle of the night, I can't sleep unless I'm wrapped deeply in my quilt." (Rintaro)
""............"" (Rei, Kanon, Mia)
Somehow, the three of them are listening to me in silence.
With a strange, unbearable atmosphere, I look at their faces to see their reactions.
Then, while making eye contact with me, Rei whispers something to me.
"――――So cute." (Rei)
I burst into a cold sweat, wondering if there is anything more embarrassing in the world.
It is still better to be made fun of for being uncool. The word "cute" is the highest version of "you're not manly" for me.
"Ugh...... If you're disillusioned, then laugh more properly." (Rintaro)
"I'm not disillusioned. Rather, it's nice to know that there are some flaws that I haven't been able to see in Rintaro." (Rei)
"P-please stop......." (Rintaro)
Even positive feedback is bad for me right now.
Two hands are placed on both of my shoulders as I struggle. When I turn around, I see Kanon and Mia standing behind me, having taken the trouble to walk around behind me.
"What a nice revealing, Rintaro." (Kanon)
"Even if you have another tough night, we'll be there for you from now on." (Mia)
Aaah, please k*ll me once and for all――――.
