Chapter 114-2 Let’s Do Something About That Shirt First
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”As things stand, there’s no benefit to us no matter how we move. To put it simply, the correct answer is to do nothing for now.”
”Do nothing, huh… That means we’ll be leaving Togamine-san in danger.”
”Once we’ve recovered Tsuchimiya-kun, if it’s claimed that we attacked even without evidence, it’ll be hard to argue against it, right? After all, there’s actual damage to the room’s equipment, and Tsuchimiya-kun has returned.”
Maekawa and Satou-san chimed in.
”Fortunately, Kamen Papillon became the perpetrator, so we don’t have to worry about that. Tsuchimiya-senpai’s image is improving, but if it becomes a war of words with Togamine-senpai, we’ll be at a disadvantage. The reason we had everyone pretend to look for Tsuchimiya-senpai after the commotion was to create circumstantial evidence in case of an emergency. It’s childish, but it will reduce the number of people who will unilaterally trust Togamine-senpai’s claims. But Kamen Papillon is a famous figure who makes headlines in the newspaper club’s extra editions every day and is recognized as a hero of justice. If they were attacked by Kamen Papillon, many students would suspect that Togamine-senpai is at fault. Kamen Papillon hasn’t made any statements afterward until now, but if Tsuchimiya-senpai, whom I rescued with my own hands, is condemned for that matter, they won’t remain silent. In other words, as long as we don’t move, Togamine-senpai shouldn’t be able to make any noticeable moves either.”
”If Kamen Papillon hadn’t moved, we would have been in an incredibly unfavorable situation.”
”Even though we’re the victims, I can’t accept it!” Himeno said, irritated.
However, bringing about a stalemate was a great success. Togamine seemed to have devised a thorough plan, but he must be even more irritated that he can’t move either.
”The large bathroom window glass was broken, but it will be restored by tomorrow by the School Management Committee’s repair team. However, we cannot deny explaining the circumstances to the dorm manager, and we will have to report to the Student Council. We can’t say that we were attacked by Kamen Papillon, and if we say we are the culprits, there’s a high chance that Kamen Papillon will appear. It will probably be treated as an internal minor accident. If that happens, this matter will be dismissed as if it never occurred.”
”After all, I feel kinda frustrated! Can’t it be done somehow?!”
Himeno hates losing, after all.
”There are options, but I don’t know what cards Togamine-senpai’s side has. Specifically, their skills and gifts. Because of that, I can’t say for sure that any move I make will be 100% effective. Considering risks and rewards, it’s not wise to act recklessly right now.”
Gifts, huh. Yeah, that’s definitely an unpredictable factor. Just one ability could flip the board entirely. Thinking that way, fighting against the students itself is a significant risk.
”At least, Asuka-san and Tsuchimiya-kun might meet with Togamine-san and the others as soon as tomorrow, right? What kind of attitude are they planning to take?”
Satou-san glanced at me and Higurashi.
”Business as usual, like nothing happened. That alone should be enough pressure. Togamine-senpai will probably test our stance in the morning and observe. If they start speculating and reveal their hand on their own, that’d be a good thing.”
Just revealing your hand is dangerous enough, I think. Maybe before they try to kill me.
”If there’s some kind of action, depending on how it unfolds, I might be able to predict what’s in their hand. I just want to stay passive because I don’t want to push Togamine-senpai into a corner.”
In short, it’s a game of probing each other’s intentions. It’s the usual, but Higurashi, who is strangely confident, looks quite dependable.
”From now on, we will also be on guard, but if we leave it for a day, they might try to kidnap and confine you again. Tsuchimiya-senpai, please be careful not to be easily deceived and follow them.”
”Really, Tsucchi.”
”Tsuchimiya-kun is too soft on girls…”
”…Yes, I’m sorry.”
Everyone scolded me for following a girl I didn’t know.
”Chika, help me—”
Nishina called Hano while arranging the heat-resistant dishes. Come to think of it, she said she was going to make gratin today.
”It will take about 30 minutes, so why don’t you take a shower in the meantime, Tsuchimiya-kun?”
”I’ll take you up on that.”
I, who was being lectured by everyone, decided to jump on Nishina’s life raft.
”I’ll wash your back!”
”It’s just a quick shower, so it’s okay.”
”Nuu…”
Himeno looked dissatisfied, but if I took a shower with Himeno, I don’t think I could come out in 30 minutes.
Kanon put her hand on my knee and glanced at me as if she wanted to say something. Certainly, if it’s Kanon, she could enjoy it moderately without being swallowed by the impulse of Evold and losing herself. But after rejecting Himeno, it would be too much to take Kanon. I feel bad for Kanon, but I’ll pretend not to notice here.
I decided to use the bathroom of a general household size in the private space, not the large bathroom. It’s okay sometimes, but I don’t feel comfortable using that large bathroom alone.
”I’ll guide you to the bathroom.”
Satou-san stood up and led the way. Since the basic layout is the same as my room, I know the location, but since I’m going through a girl’s private room, it would be better to have someone watch from the perspective of crime prevention.
”Tsuchimiya-kun, wait a moment.”
Satou-san, upon entering the private space corridor, opened the door to her own room, which had a nameplate that read ‘Akari’, and went inside.
After a while, Satou-san came out holding what looked like folded clothes.
”Here, a change of shirt. It’s for men, so the size should be fine.”
”Hm? If you need a change, it’s in the ‘Storage,’ so it’s fine.”
I carry the whole costume case with me, so there’s no problem with changing clothes or towels.
”No. I’ll give this to Tsuchimiya-kun, so please use it. By the way, let’s just throw all of Tsuchimiya-kun’s shirts away.”
”Eh!?”
Satou-san stared intently at my shirt that says ‘drowned corpse.’ The shirts handed to me are 3 in total, all dark fantasy-style band T-shirts.
They’re all cool, and I have no complaints at all. I’ve always admired this kind of thing, but as a shy otaku, I thought it wouldn’t suit me, so I never tried this genre. They’re a bit expensive too.
”U-Um, I’m happy, but I’m sorry to return them. It feels a bit wasteful to throw the shirts away.”
”Don’t worry about it. Next time, let’s go shopping together in the special zone. There’s a store that has lots of stuff like this. If you’re hesitant to throw them away, we can turn them into rags and recycle them.”
Did Satou-san’s parents get killed by my shirt or something? She really seems determined to get rid of it.
The shirts were carefully selected with words that touched my heart, but I don’t have much attachment to things, and if Satou-san wants them, I have no resistance to offering them as a sacrifice.
”Do you hate shirts like this?”
”No, I think they’re cool, but don’t they not really fit my image? They seem kind of too flashy.”
”It fits your image, right? In fact, that shirt is more eye-catching.”
I definitely don’t think that’s true, in either sense. The illustration has Elder Riches or some fierce monster roaring, after all. I’m a calm otaku gentleman.
”I’m sure it’ll look great on you.”
”…”
”I want you to wear it.”
”…I understand.”
Satou-san is smiling widely, but there’s an undeniable pressure to it. When I go shopping with Satou-san, I’ll ask if plain shirts would be okay.
Satou-san opens the door to the changing room at the end of the hallway for me.
”Thank you.”
Even when I enter the changing room, Satou-san stands at the entrance with the door open, staring intently at me.
”…Is there something?”
”I’ll hold onto that shirt for you.”
Satou-san extends her hand and urges me on. I bet she’s the kind of person who could absolutely murder my shirt.
I thought Satou-san wouldn’t knock me down in this situation like Himeno would, so I obediently took off my shirt and handed it over.
”Himeno-san.”
”Yes! What is it!”
When Satou-san calls, Himeno appears out of nowhere behind Satou-san. Scary…
”I’ll leave the disposal of this to Himeno-san.”
”Yes! Thank you very much!”
Himeno respectfully receives my shirt and then whoosh! She runs off.
”Well then, take your time.”
”Oh, okay…”
Satou-san smiles and closes the door.
* * *
I wash my body and hair carefully, dry my hair, and return to the living room.
”It suits you, Tsuchimiya-senpai.”
As I sit down on the sofa, Higurashi, who is sitting across from me, calls out to me while looking at the shirt I’m wearing.
”Does it fit? I’m more of a simple image kind of guy, but is it too wild?”
”It’s better to look at yourself more objectively. And, challenging new things is a good thing.”
Hmm. Certainly, there’s some truth to that. I’m trying to change bit by bit how I’m shy and introspective, and maybe changing my clothes could change my mood.
The real charm of my shirt is when I pass by a handful of nameless folks and we exchange looks that say ‘Hey, you’re doing it too’ and ‘Hmph, you too huh’, but from now on, I should live a bit more aggressively.
”Tsuchimiya-senpai, you look cool.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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