Chapter 41: The School Festival of Toko High (Part 3)

Point of View: Haruka!

Today is the day I meet up with Yoshizumi-kun in the field after school.

Yoshizumi-kun or me, whoever finishes first, are supposed to contact the other person. I received a message saying, ‘The game is over and I’m going to rehab now.’ I was surprised that he contacted me earlier than expected.

After Yoshizumi-kun finished his rehabilitation, he called me and said, ‘I’ll be waiting for you at a convenience store near the school.’ I had just finished my club activities, so I quickly rushed over to the store.

When I arrived at the convenience store, Yoshizumi was talking with some girls from my school.

The girls seemed to be having a good time and I wasn’t sure if I should call out to Yoshizumi-kun…

However, I was the one who was supposed to be meeting Yoshizumi-kun, not them. So I went over.

I overheard that the girls had been supporting Yoshizumi-kun since middle school… I knew he was popular…

When we got to the park, we played catch, like we promised to do. Unlike last time, he brought two gloves. The ball was surprisingly soft and light.

“It’s the same ball I used when I was in elementary school,” (Hiroto)

“It’s small, and it’s soft and light. I don’t want you to get hurt while playing.” (Hiroto)

So that was the reason…

Yoshizumi-kun is kind… it feels nice…

I thought the ball we used last time was a bit hard to throw.

Is it the same size as the ball I was looking at at the sports store? When I was little, I used the exact same ball.

It was fun last time, but this time it was even more fun. I couldn’t grab the ball with my glove, but I was able to catch his throws.

Perhaps Yoshizumi-kun is purposely giving me easy pitches…

After that, we ate takoyaki… it was so embarrassing that I want to forget what I did…

——-

“Haruka, come on!” (Aya)

‘Nom!’

“It’s delicious! Here, Aya-chan, you try it too.” (Haruka)

——

I ended up doing the same thing… it was so embarrassing… even Yoshizumi-kun was surprised and widened his eyes.

When I apologized, Yoshizumi-kun started laughing for some reason. Then he put his hand on mouth and said, ‘Hold still for a minute…’ I was nervous…

Yoshizumi-kun was friendly with the girls at the convenience store, so he must be used to these types of things… I think I’m the only one who feels this way…

But it doesn’t feel bad.

I want to see Hiroto-kun… but I also want to be with Yoshizumi-kun… what am I supposed to do?

After the meal, we talked about the school festival and Yoshizumi-kun said he would come to our festival on Saturday.

My class is hosting a cafe, and the staff changes between Saturday and Sunday… I was the waitress in charge for Saturday, but I’ll be embarrassed if he sees me…

———————————

It was the day of the school festival.

“Where did Morishita-kun and Okumura-kun go!” (Aya)

Aya-chan said angrily, “They’re gone!”

Morishita-kun and Okumura-kun didn’t come back when it was time for them to take over. I called them, but no one answered the phone, so we decided to look for them with those who were available.

“Haruka, this way! Come with me!” (Aya)

“Aya-chan! I don’t want to go outside like this!” (Haruka)

“If you go outside, it’ll be a publicity stunt for our cafe! Come, I’ll be with you.” (Aya)

In the end, I was taken out. When Aya and I went to the main gate, Morishita-kun and Okumura-kun were there with students from other schools.

“There you are! It’s time for your shifts!” (Aya)

“Sorry, Nishikawa-san. I’ll go back now. I’m going to take some guests along with me. These four students.” (Morishita)

“Oh! It’s her! The girl I heard about! Is she a waitress…? We have to find the store!” (Takuma probably…)

Are they the ones who were with Morishita-kun during summer vacation?

“Haruka-chan, you should return to class.” (Aya)

“Aya-chan… I’ll be in the clubroom until it’s time… everyone’s seen me… I’ll be back when it’s my shift.” (Haruka)

It was convenient because the path to the clubroom was usually empty and quiet.

It was a little after I started walking…

I hear something…

Is that the sound of a piano…? No one was supposed to be in the clubroom today… right?

This sound is quite… nostalgic…

Hiroto-kun… he used to play this song…

I was thinking about the past…

Suddenly…

“Ah! I made another mistake…” (Hiroto)

——

“It’s difficult… I can’t seem to play it…” (Hiroto)

“It’s okay, you always make mistakes in the same part. Let Dad play it for you and show you the movements, watch closely.” (Renji)

“Wow! Dad is amazing!” (Hiroto)

——

Hiroto-kun messes up in the same part… they are also playing the same song…

Why…?

I have to check… I quickly ran to the place where I heard the noise…

However, someone stopped me.

“Aizawa-san, may I have a moment?” (Okumura)

“Huh? I’m in a hurry…” (Haruka)

I turned around and it was Okumura-kun. Didn’t he go back to the classroom? We never talked much, but he was from the baseball club… right?

“Erm… Okumura-kun, what is it?” (Haruka)

“Aizawa-san, I like you! Please go out with me.” (Okumura)

Huh? What should I say?

I have to… find who is playing the piano…

I’m not good with guys… everyone should know that… I don’t know how I can be with someone I barely know… I don’t know…

“I’m sorry…” (Haruka)

“No… thank you. I’m sorry.” (Okumura)

Okumura-kun went back to the classroom. I had to hurry to the orchestra clubroom.

I wanted to know who was playing the piano…

But when I arrived at the clubroom, it was empty.

I stayed there because it wasn’t time for my shift yet. But when I turned to leave…

“Aizawa-san? What are you doing here?” (Hiroto)

For some reason, I heard Yoshizumi-kun’s voice coming from the door. It seemed he was going to the baseball clubroom. He said he was going to meet his seniors, right? I should ask him if he saw who was in the room.

“Yoshizumi-kun, I want to ask you something. Have you seen anyone passing by?” (Haruka)

“No? Aizawa-san is the first person I saw.” (Hiroto)

Yoshizumi-kun didn’t see anyone… was it a mistake? But… I heard the sound of the piano…

When I was about to go back, Yoshizumi-kun handed me a birthday present.

Yoshizumi-kun picked it out for me. He really chose it for me…

“Thank you, I’ll be late for my shift, so I’ll look forward to opening it later.” (Haruka)

Yoshizumi-kun said he was also heading to the festival, so we decided to go together.

He told me I looked good in my outfit.

I was embarrassed… but I was happy.