Act 3 - The School Festival
18-2
"But I don't have a bass, to begin with." (Rintaro)
I am quite reluctant to buy a bass that costs at least several tens of thousands of yen for a 15-minute live performance at a school festival.
I don't know anyone who has one, so I can't even borrow one.
"Actually, Honoka has it. She bought it so that me, Yuusuke, and her could play together, but she got tired of it first." (Ryuuji)
"Nogi-san is the bassist?" (Rintaro)
Well, considering Nogi's personality, she will certainly get tired of it soon.
I think she would enjoy playing guitar, drums, or vocals more. It is just a selfish impression, though.
"I don't think she's going to throw it away, and I think we can borrow it tomorrow." (Ryuuji)
"...... Okay. If you insist." (Rintaro)
I don't really want to appear in public, but Kakihara is the star of the show.
If I play indifferently, I won't leave much of an impression.
Besides――――I'd be lying if I say I don't have an interest in the instrument.
"Yusuke is definitely a guitarist and vocalist. He's a good singer and very skilled. We will have a microphone in front of us for the chorus, though." (Ryuuji)
"......Isn't my role too heavy?" (Yuusuke)
"But wouldn't it be better if we just recruited a vocalist?" (Ryuuji)
"What about Honoka? (Yuusuke)
"The ultimate goal is to confess your feelings, so wouldn't it be strange if there is another girl in the band?" (Ryuuji)
"Aah...... You got a point." (Yuusuke)
I can't say what exactly, but I generally agreed with Doumoto's opinion.
Well, in short, the idea is that he wants to do stupid things with just the boys.
"......Maybe I can make it if it's the song I've been practicing." (Yuusuke)
"Alright, then it's decided!" (Ryuuji)
Now it's decided.
It will be what it will be. This event is for Kakihara's confession in the first place, and I just have to do the bare minimum of work.
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So――――.
"――――What about the song?" (Rintaro)
"I'm glad you asked! If we're talking about a man's love song, it's definitely that one!" (Ryuuji)
The title of the song Doumoto told me is a famous love song that even I know.
◇◆◇
The next day.
I visit the station nearest to the school.
It is to pick up the bass from Nogi.
After our discussion at the family restaurant, Doumoto explained the situation to her and received a reply saying that I could pick it up the next day.
And this is how this happened――――.
"Hey, Shidou-kun! Hello again!" (Honoka)
"Ah, Nogi-san." (Rintaro)
"Hey, did I keep you waiting long?" (Honoka)
"No, I just got here a few minutes ago." (Rintaro)
"I see." (Honoka)
Precisely, twelve and a bit minutes.
But under the blazing sun, it's more than twelve minutes!
"Here, then, is the promised bass."
Saying this, Nogi hands me a long, black case she has been carrying on her back.
As soon as I receive it with both hands, I almost stumble because it is heavier than I had imagined
"Oh... This is surprisingly heavy, isn't it? It must have been hard to bring this here, right? Thank you so much." (Rintaro)
"Well, It's to support Yuusuke's love! But more importantly, you don't have to return the bass." (Honoka)
"What?" (Rintaro)
When I look at Nogi's face in surprise, she looks away awkwardly.
"Well, you know. My mom was angry with me. She said it was taking up too much space and getting in the way even though I don't use it. So when I told her we'd lend it to a friend, she said to just give it to him as it is." (Honoka)
"What, but...... this is expensive, isn't it?" (Rintaro)
"Ahaha, actually, it is a cheap one, about 20,000 yen." (Honoka)
20,000 yen is high enough, but I don't know the market price of musical instruments.
So, I guess it is relatively cheap. Maybe.
Either that, or she has no financial sense at all.
"If you're mind so much, buy me dinner sometime! From a slightly more expensive restaurant!" (Honoka)
"What a shrewd and calculating.... Originally, I am not good at borrowing things from other people, so I appreciate it." (Rintaro)
When I use something thinking that it is borrowed, I am distracted by worrying about unnecessary things. I think about how not to make it dirty, how not to damage it, and so on. All of these things are obvious, but the problem is that they cause me to overthink.
Being overly worried is also a problem.
"I see! ......Well, good luck with that. I'm really rooting for you guys." (Honoka)
"......Yeah. We'll give it our all." (Rintaro)
"Hmm! Then that's even better! Well then, I've promised to hang out with Azurin after this!" (Honoka)
"Thanks for coming all the way out here. It really helped me out." (Rintaro)
"No, it's not a problem! See you at school!" (Honoka)
"Yea, See you!" (Rintaro)
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I wave Nogi off as she walks away.
She is definitely a nice girl.
She's so considerate, and it's no people around her like her so much.
――That's why.
She must have some idea that this incident might crack the friendship between the four of them in the future.
If it ends up with the two of them becoming a couple, all is well. But if failed, things won't be as they used to be in many cases.
"......I know how you feel." (Rintaro)
I spit that words into the void.
I also have something to ponder.
It's been a few days since that "confession" and she's been waiting for my response.
I don't feel comfortable making her wait any longer.
It's time to tell her how I really feel.
◇◆◇
Clink-clunk, such sounds can be heard coming from the pot.
The kitchen is filled with the distinctive smell of curry, which naturally whets one's appetite.
A blonde-haired girl is leaning against the couch in the living room.
It's Otosaki Rei, who is back here after a few days.
"......The curry, it'll be ready soon." (Rintaro)
"I've been waiting for it. It's been a long time since I've had Rintaro's cooking, so I'm looking forward to it." (Rei)
"It's been a long time, huh, but it's actually been a week or so, right." (Rintaro)
"Not seeing Rintaro for a week was too lonely." (Rei)
"......I see." (Rintaro)
"How about Rintaro?" (Rei)
"Well...... just a little bit." (Rintaro)
"Just a little, eh. But I'm glad." (Rei)
Phew, that's so cute, god d*mn it.
After that time together at the beach, she has become more and more attractive.
Maybe it's just me feeling that way because I don't hear people around me saying such things. This makes me feel a little embarrassed when I think so――――.
"For now, I'm going to live up to your expectations and get dinner ready quickly. There, help me clean up the desk. I'll bring them there now." (Rintaro)
"Hmm, got it." (Rei)
I open the lid of the pot and stir the curry several times.
Today's curry is a summer vegetable curry with plenty of summer vegetables. Some people may not like eggplant or green peppers in it, but it doesn't matter to me and Rei, who are not picky eaters.
"Here, it's ready!" (Rintaro)
"Whoaa...... it's full of vegetables." (Rei)
"This is a summer vegetable curry. Here, take a spoon." (Rintaro)
"Mmm, Bon appétit!" (Rei)
I hand her a spoon, and Rei scoops up the white rice and roux together and brings it to her mouth.
After a few chews, her face lit up.
"Yummyyyy!" (Rei)
"Glad to hear." (Rintaro)
I sit down next to her and put the curry in my mouth in the same way.
Yup――――this is delicious.
The vegetables, which are cut a little bigger than usual, are well mixed with the roux, which gives it a different taste than the meat.
Even if you don't have much of an appetite due to the summer heat, you can eat as much as you want because it's not as filling as meat.
"I'm really glad you like curry. Because I can make it in bulk." (Rintaro)
"Yes, I love curry. But I like Rintaro's curry the best. He always comes up with something new, and that makes me happy." (Rei)
"You always say that my cooking makes you happy each and every time. If you say that to me, it's worth all the thought and effort I put into making it every time." (Rintaro)
Even if it is just an ordinary curry, Rei will eat it without a single complaint.
However, that would be somewhat――――boring.
Since this dish has infinite possibilities, I want to experiment with various things.
To put it in a very extreme way, it may be no exaggeration to say that I am conducting a culinary experiment using myself and Rei as guinea pigs.
Of course, the premise is that I don't cook a bad meal.
