CH 149

‘Three of us together’, it’s a very Yuuto-like statement.

I immediately took a peek at the person who would probably be swearing right now.

Kirasaka, perhaps realizing my intent, shut her mouth, which she was about to open.

I knew she would definitely be up to something.

I thought for sure she would say something like, “Shouldn’t there be four instead of three?” And it even seems as if she is looking forward to teasing Yuuto.

Anyway, that’s all what I can do.

All that remained was to have a meeting with Shiraishi herself and convince her to work with them three in the event as a committee member, instead of the student council.

But that, too, would not be easy.

From what I have inferred while talking to Shiraishi, she’s not the type to easily compromise on something.

I sense that she is a stubborn person.

Convincing is my weakest point.

I can disagree with people’s opinions, and I can talk on and on about contradictory opinions, but I am awful at convincing people and persuading them.

In fact, even this time, rather than persuading them, they just agreed with me since they saw the merit in doing it, not because of something I did.

It’s times like this that I wish I could ask the president for help, but …that person is probably not going to help me.

‘I’ve declared my neutrality and non-interference with regard to the election.’

Even though she said this indirectly, this is also an issue related to the student council elections.

In terms of convincing people, there is no one better qualified than her.

I looked at the three people sitting in front of me in turn and reflect.

Kirasaka is probably not going to be able to do it.

She is the type of person who would rather attack than persuade.

She is the type of person who can identify the weak points of her opponent through the short conversations and then strike down the opponent until he or she cannot defend.

And this is something that Shizuku is not good at either.

She’s too kind. 

She will listen to her other party’s opinion and look for the possibility that both can be fulfilled.

If that happens, we will be back to the same situation as earlier.

Then, inevitably, there will be only one person I can ask…

As soon as I came to that thought, Shizuku asked me.

“So, what will you do after this?”

“Oh, …I’ve given her my contact info, so I’ll wait until she calls me back.”

“So you don’t know when you’ll hear from her. Why didn’t you ask for her contact information?”

A sharp statement pierced my test.

It’s so true that I cannot even deny it.

But… I can’t say that in terms of an adolescent boy asking for a girl’s phone number is a taboo. It’s like appealing to them that you are interested in them, and that I for sure didn’t want to be mistaken as.

To begin with, I have never exchanged contact information with a girl before in my life, so I don’t even know how it properly.

This is the demerit of having spent time being in the corner of the class …I should keep this in mind.

But I won’t comment on whether I would follow it up properly next time.

The sharp stares from the two girls dominated the quiet space, cold sweat ran down my back. It was Yuuto who offered a helping hand.

“If it’s Shiraishi-san, I’ve got her contact info…”

“…Aa …Ah!?”

This is the Ogiwara Yuuto, who is known for his popularity among the girls at the school.

But the real question is, how many contacts has he got stored in that address book of his? But I won’t ask that for now.

“…”

“…”

But the stares from the girls were cold.

No, well, I guess I somehow know the reason.

When you know the contact information of a first-year student who has just entered the school, it is proof that you have a certain amount of interaction with them.

It’s no wonder that he is considered a frivolous guy.

Ladykiller is not that bad either…

But for once, I was saved.

I’m not saying I’ll help him out here, but I’m going to say a few words to follow up on Yuuto.

“It’s great …and for the first time I realize how lucky I am to have someone close to me who has a wide range of friends.”

“No, no, don’t give me that kind of praise—“

“Then now give me your phone.”

“…You’re a really cold guy, you know? …You could have continued a little.”

Grumbling, he pulls his phone out of his pocket and holds it out to me.

He had already dialed the number with the screen showing ‘First-year Shiraishi-san’.

“Thanks …I’ll buy you a juice or something later.”

“Yossha!”

I received the phone and listened to the mechanical beeping sound before the phone call connected, and after a few times or so, the other party picked up the phone with a panicked sound.

<TL/N: I’ll be using […] for the voice from the other side of the phone call>

[Wa wa wa wa, y-yes, this is Momiji Shiraishi speaking!]

“…Sorry, this is not Yuuto.”

[What… that voice, Shinra-senpai?]

The tension in her voice dropped drastically.

She really has an easy-to-understand personality.

Even though I couldn’t see her face, I could easily imagine what kind of face she would’ve been making right now.

Sorry for not being the Ogiwara-senpai of your dreams…

Shiraishi had become so quiet that even her sigh could be heard. I told her the reason of the phone call shortly after that.

“Is there any day you are free in the near future? …I’d like to consult with you about something, so can we meet at the coffee shop?”

“Consult? …Ah, you mean by today …yes, I have time tomorrow or something.”

It’s a totally tossed-off response.

I smiled bitterly at the lack of motivation in her voice and asked again.

“…Then tomorrow at one O’clock in the afternoon will be fine?”

“Yeah…”

“Well, I’ll bring Yuuto with me tomorrow.”

“Eh!? Wait, is that true-“

The call was disconnected.

No, actually I hung up.

I gave a last parting gift to Shiraishi, who had completely lost her motivation. Then I returned the phone that I had borrowed from Yuuto.

“I survived.”

“You’re welcome. I guess I am supposed to come with you tomorrow.”

Yuuto only smiled bitterly and didn’t complain about the decision that was made without his consent.

Well, this guy is not in the club either, so he would be free anyway.

Besides, Yuuto was the one who seemed to be the most likely to get the conversation going.

The fact that we had exchanged contact information was the final deciding factor, and I decided to ask for his help in tomorrow’s discussion.

Well then…

Now that the groundwork has been laid, we are ready.

The rest depends on tomorrow’s events.

It was already dark outside, just the time for dinner.

As a thanks for making time for me on such short notice, I made a proposal to the three of them.

“Shall we have dinner?”

The three nodded their heads in agreement.

<TL>: 1 week off again.