「Well, it seems like they both like each other, so I don’t think we need to do anything to cheer them on. I just hope they can get closer at their own pace.」
Some people might hate it if we interfere too much.
It might be okay to subtly guide them into spending time together, but if we’re too obvious, they might get self-conscious.
『Roger that. Hehe, this is getting exciting.』
「That’s why I thought I’d tell Honjou too, so we don’t get in the way. Sorry for dragging you into this.」
『No, I’m actually glad you told me. Does the girl’s side know?』
「We knowー」
Sophia whispers into my ear, the one not pressed against the smartphone.
My shoulders twitch from her ticklish breath.
Please stop talking in a voice just loud enough for the microphone to pick up.
My ears are ticklish and getting hot, but I desperately endure it and continue.
「Y-Yeah. I heard Kiryuuin and Totsuka know too.」
『Got it. So, Totsuka clinging to me like that was some kind of distraction. Well, tell her it’s okay now, I won’t get in the way.』
「Okay. See you later then.」
『Yeah, see ya.』
The call with Honjou, who seemed to be in high spirits, ended there.
…Fuu. The call went well.
To be honest, I was pretty nervous since I rarely talk on the phone with anyone outside my family.
Then, I turn my gaze to Sophia, who was teasing me earlier.
「Sophia, don’t tease me during a call…」
「Don’t be like that. It was cute seeing you trying so hard to hold back.」
「…Honestly. Anyway, with this, the encirclement is complete.」
「Yes. I think if we say things like “let’s have fun as a group” during the campfire dance, it’ll be easier for them to pair up.」
I see, so that’s why Sophia made that suggestion earlier.
I’m embarrassed that I misunderstood so much.
The after-school strategy meeting ended there, and we disbanded.
The day of the school trip was steadily approaching. The fact that I was looking forward to the event more than usual was undoubtedly because of Takasaki and Kuki.
Normally, I would be more concerned about not causing trouble for everyone than having fun.
Apparently, the lodging arrangements are three people per room.
We had time to decide on the room assignments later, but since my only friends were Takasaki and Honjou, we ended up in the same room.
Takasaki and Honjou said they were fine with that too.
Classmates with many friends sometimes ended up with different members than their group, but most seemed to be with the same people they were grouped with.
After school, when the room assignments were finally settled.
I didn’t have any particular plans with Sophia today, and was about to head straight home.
Honjou called out to me.
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
「Hey, Takasaki, Doumyouji. Can I talk to you for a sec?」
Honjou beckons us over while calling out.
We had exchanged messages on LINE a few times, so we were getting along with Honjou relatively well, but the surrounding classmates who didn’t know that seemed a bit scared.
They seemed worried, like we were about to get extorted or something.
「What’s up?」
When Takasaki tilted his head, Honjou grins.
「For this school trip, we’re allowed to bring snacks and stuff, right?」
「Yeah.」
「…That said, I don’t want to carry too much stuff. Why don’t we split up and bring different things?」
That’s a brilliant suggestion.
Takasaki glances at me and nods.
「Yeah. It would be a bit sad if we all brought the same things.」
「Right? If that’s settled, let’s go buy them now.」
Honjou said with a smile.
I didn’t have any plans after school, so Takasaki and I left school with Honjou.
We arrive at a shopping mall near the school and immediately start walking towards a store inside.
「There’s a dagashiya too, let’s check it out later.」
「You know this place well. Do you come here often?」
「Well, I come here to buy stuff often.」
「I see. Honjou-kun, you always leave school early, do you come here?」
Takasaki observes Honjou quite well too.
Honjou arrives at school just before the bell and always leaves early.
「Hm? Well, yeah. I live alone.」
「Eh? Really!? Isn’t that pretty tough?」
「No, but it’s easy! I don’t have to worry about my parents’ eyes or anything.」
「…But isn’t it hard financially? Do you get an allowance from your family? Or do you have a part-time job?」
Living alone, huh… I’m a little envious.
Living with family is comfortable, but you have to adjust to everyone…
「No allowance. It’s all from my part-time job.」
「Y-You can earn that much? …It’s not like, a shady part-time job, right?」
「No way! I do online streaming! Ah…」
It felt like he accidentally let it slip. Honjou seemed hesitant.
…Certainly, there are hobbies that are embarrassing to tell people about.
I wouldn’t want to talk about my hobbies with people either, and maybe Honjou felt the same way.
I think it’s amazing that Honjou has something he can devote himself to and earn enough to live on, but maybe he doesn’t think so himself.