Chapter 24: Orimoto, Banned from Entry

(...I made it through. I made it through.)

──Final exam day.

The moment that last bell rang, the classroom relaxed all at once, wrapped in a peaceful atmosphere.

Answer sheets are collected by the supervising teacher.

Immediately, some collapse face-down on their desks while others laugh with relief. I also exhaled.

The back of my eyes throbs with sharp pain.

Heat, relief, and resignation intermingle, and the cicadas outside the window were ringing especially loudly.

Strength drains from my back.

The battle is over for now.

Answer return is next week.

In other words, judgment hasn't been passed yet, but I did what I could. ...I used some underhanded methods, though.

1. If I get red marks, I'll have supplementary classes during summer vacation

2. If I have to take supplementary classes, my free time decreases

3. That's something I want to avoid

4. Plus strategy meeting time would also decrease

Avoiding red marks isn't just because I'm too lazy for weekend school attendance, there are other reasons.

The solution for Orimoto and Inori would be delayed.

I can't hold strategy meetings during supplementary classes. For those reasons, actually during the tests──

『That solving method is wrong...!!』

『Kasugai, you're choosing the wrong option』

Several divine interventions of rescue that bordered on cheating occurred. So I should have avoided red marks.

Also, when I was stuck unable to solve problems, Orimoto whispered "this way" in my ear.

Inori even resorted to pointing.

『This way』

『Mm, Kasugai, mm』

Of course I was scolded by Orimoto during break time, "It's really not allowed!" In the end, I had to rack my brains and squeeze out most problems myself.

I'd like to think it somehow took shape. At worst I avoided red marks. Probably.

(At least I can spend the weekend peacefully.)

It's a fact that I made it through the exams.

Then spending a peaceful weekend should be a natural right. However...

「Alright, let's have a victory party!」

Final exam day ends in the morning.

I was just going home, and when I went into the hallway following the flow of students, Orimoto stopped me.

Incidentally, Sera Keiichi has already been abducted by a group of girls including harem members.

This sometimes happens.

It's unusual for Orimoto not to prioritize Sera. Maybe she's getting tired of stalking him.

「Victory party♪ Victory party♪」

Orimoto raises her fist.

She's skillfully avoiding the wave of students, reaching professional levels in this area.

「A victory party, but the returns are next week.」

I also slip out of the homeward rush of students and quietly lower my voice. It's a familiar series of actions.

No one bothers with a loner.

But there was no need to stand out either.

「Well~ red mark avoidance should be fine.」

「Inori and Suzuka were constantly there, so victory.」

「...Well, certainly.」

Inori nods with a "kokun". Orimoto put on a mischievous expression and stared intently at my face.

「The parts we studied together came up, but who was it that got them wrong? Hmm~?」

「Uguh. ...T-That was, well.」

Piling up poor excuses will just get me more teasing.

But to give at least some excuse, I had noticed I was getting things wrong. I just couldn't immediately think of the correct solving method.

While exchanging light banter, we passed through the shoe lockers and exited the school gate. The air is stagnant and humid.

It's so hot my lungs feel heavy.

Michikusa was wiping sweat from her forehead repeatedly.

「Michikusa, you sweat quite a bit.」

「Kasugai, those words are sexual harassment.」

「Stop the harassment attacks. I won't be able to say anything. I'm getting harassed.」

「Joke. Kasugai, have towel?」

「...A handkerchief, if that works.」

「Thanks.」

The shirt of my uniform immediately sticks to my skin.

Just walking feels like weights are attached to my legs.

Squinting at the sunlight streaming through gaps in the street trees, we headed toward the downtown bustle.

「Inori's yukata is cute but hot, right?」

「Wore enough for lifetime. Want to take off soon.」

The beautiful girl duo engages in lively conversation. The regular sound of geta was enveloping us.

From others' perspective, I'm alone.

They probably can't hear the geta sounds either.

I think some change should occur soon. I turned only my head back and gazed at the two.

「So where are we having this victory party?」

「Hmm~ haven't decided! Whateverー!」

「...You're always like this.」

I wanted to go home quickly.

But since Orimoto eternally won't budge on the victory party, we ended up planning to wander around while also having a strategy meeting.

The location hasn't been decided yet.

「Ah, we need to plan summer vacation!」

「I'll always be at home. I don't want to go out. I'm not going out.」

「I haven't said anything yet, Kasugai-kun...」

Orimoto hangs her head as if exasperated.

An atmosphere somehow like looking at a pitiful creature began to drift. ...Why?

When it's hot, life is holed up at home. Since I don't belong to any clubs, it's a natural conclusion.

「Suzuka is here, so staying holed up at home is impossible. Inori is also home-type, but will definitely get dragged in and get tired.」

「Oh, Michikusa is the home type!」

「So I give up. Kasugai.」

It was a merciless declaration.

When Orimoto muttered "Don't you two bond over weird things", that's when──

「Summer vacation is when we get excited──wah!」

Orimoto's body tilted with a lurch.

Looking at her feet, there's a large stone. She's gotten used to avoiding people but inanimate objects are a different problem.

「Oi!」

I hurriedly grabbed her arm. Orimoto's slender body falls into me, and I almost lose my posture.

I braced my lower body and called out.

「...That was dangerous.」

「S-Sorry… I was looking away for a moment.」

Orimoto blushes and tucks her hair behind her ear.

Michikusa says with no expression, "Careless".

「I wasn't heavy...?」

「No, you were heavy.」

「...Muu.」

Orimoto starts hitting my back──wait, that's seriously painful. Too painful.

It really hurts. She was merciless.

「It hurts?! At least make it just once!」

「Kasugai-kun is at fault. For saying I'm heavy!」

After that, without any major incidents, we headed toward the station area. Only I went into a convenience store.

I just felt like it. No deep meaning.

I bought drinks for three people and came out of the store to find Orimoto looking around anxiously.

Michikusa is also wandering around looking lost.

「Ah?」

...What are they doing?

Eventually I reach the two of them.

I held out drinks with a "pon".

「Sorry for the wait. Here.」

「Thank you Kasugai-kun! And this is bad!」

「Suzuka, currently very bad situation.」

It doesn't seem like a joke.

Not even bothering to wipe sweat.

Orimoto was going round and round, mixing anxiety and shock together.

During that time, Michikusa wanders around unsteadily.

Wait wait! That girl will get lost like that.

I called out to Michikusa.

「Don't go anywhere, you're directionally challenged.」

「...Reflexively. Where, could it be.」

「Nah? Did Orimoto drop something?」

I bring Michikusa with me to Orimoto.

The words released there freeze the air.

「Orimoto, what are you looking for?」

「Key.」

「Hah?」

「My house key! I think I dropped it...」

「......Seriously.」

Just dropping a house key is bad enough, but Orimoto's situation is especially so.

Originally she had borrowed a spare key and was coming home during times or gaps when her family wasn't there.

The intercom naturally gets no response.

No, even if it responded, it would look like no one's standing there. It's not a method that can be repeated many times.

So dropping the key means──

「Haah, we're searching.」

「Is it okay? Kasugai-kun.」

「We have to search.」

Practically──it's the same as not being able to go home.

Michikusa, who lives with her, also can't go home.

My weekend plans for peaceful time were shrouded in dark clouds right from the start──