ALL NOVEL chapter 40
40. Summer After School
“Wow, I’m jealous. You’re going to play with Mashiro during summer vacation? That sounds like a lot of fun.”
“Yeah, we decided that while eating lunch together. Since it’s a chance, I thought I’d do something summery with her this year.”
In the classroom after school, I was chatting casually with one of my classmates.
—
The handsome guy nodding next to me is Reo Kizaki.
Tall and slender, with shining silver hair and a sweet face, he has been entrusted with the role of a regular in the basketball club since our first year. He has outstanding athletic ability, a sharp mind, and excellent grades. His personality is gentle, and he gets along well with everyone, making him truly a perfect human being without any flaws. He is also one of my few friends.
After the afternoon classes ended, the protagonist, Raito Fusegawa, left for home early with the heroine in tow.
Just as I was about to head home, Reo kindly called out to me, leading to a conversation about summer vacation.
With a refreshing smile, Reo continued speaking.
“My summer vacation will be filled with basketball club practice every day. As soon as the break starts, I’m scheduled to be sent off to a training camp. Apparently, it’s going to be quite a tough program. I’m already feeling a bit anxious about it.”
“I see, that sounds tough. I heard it’s supposed to be an intense training session at a lodge deep in the mountains.”
“Yeah, a senior mentioned it. He said it’s ‘going to be incredibly hard.’ Well, I don’t dislike that kind of thing. I believe that only by overcoming strict training can we achieve victory as a team.”
“That’s impressive. You’re as serious and stoic as ever, Reo. I really admire that about you.”
“Haha, that’s something I could say about you too. There aren’t many people like you who are strong, straightforward, and have the determination to see things through to the end. I thought I’d do my best at the summer training camp, just like Ryusuke.”
“Being praised by you feels a bit embarrassing. But thanks, I’ll keep working hard so you can keep saying that. By the way, how’s Nishikawa doing? He managed to avoid failing, so he can join the camp, right?”
“Kyoya is the same as ever. He’s excited about being able to practice basketball throughout the summer vacation. He’s really looking forward to the camp, determined to secure a regular spot.”
“That guy really loves basketball. But, well… I hope he doesn’t end up so engrossed in basketball that he neglects his summer assignments.”
“Haha… It’s tough to deny that possibility…”
Reo and I exchanged wry smiles and shrugged.
The person we were talking about is Kyoya Nishikawa, a male student who is also a member of the basketball club, and one of my few friends.
During our recent study session for the final exams, it became clear that Kyoya has a deep-seated dislike for studying. I understand his passion for basketball, but I really want him to take care of his assignments.
“I’ll subtly remind him about the assignments. It’d be a shame if he got into a lazy habit now that he’s finally avoided failing.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. If it seems like it’s getting bad, let me know. I’ll help out as much as I can.”
“Thanks, Ryusuke. I’d appreciate it. There are many times when he doesn’t listen to me.”
“Of course, Kyoya is an important friend, so it’s only natural.”
“Hehe, you’re really a kind person. Well, I should be heading to club activities now. Thanks, Ryusuke.”
“Same here, Reo. I’ll be heading home too. Mashiro is waiting for me.”
“Yeah, be careful on your way back. Please say hi to Mashiro for me.”
“Good luck with your club activities, Reo. I’m cheering for you.”
“See you tomorrow then.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
We exchanged light waves as we said our goodbyes. After that, I picked up my bag and left the classroom, heading straight to the classroom next door.
As I passed through the open door, I saw Mashiro waiting for me.
Usually, she waits right next to the teacher’s desk, but today she was unusually seated.
A girl I had never seen before was standing next to her, engaged in some sort of discussion.
Masahiro blushed as she fidgeted with her fingers, and the girl next to her laughed, seemingly teasing her.
“Wow, Masahiro! You finally asked her out! So what did she say in response? I’ve been dying to know!”
“Hehe. She promised we’d all go together…”
“Kyaa! Masahiro, you go, girl! As expected of my best friend, you’re amazing! But hey, you two seem really close, right? Are you actually already in a relationship or something?”
“N-no! We’re still just friends, and we haven’t gotten to that kind of relationship yet…”
“So, it’s like friends but not quite lovers yet? That’s nice, very youthful and sweet!”
“Yui, stop teasing me… It’s embarrassing…”
“Wow, you look just like a lovestruck maiden, Masahiro! So cute I could just eat you up!!”
“W-wait, don’t hug me… Hyaah!”
The girl was having a great time chatting with Masahiro.
She was a small girl with short bobbed hair that looked naturally gray and wore glasses.
To be honest, I didn’t recognize her very well.
I had met Masahiro’s friends in the cafeteria before, but the girls close to Masahiro usually had a more gyaru-like vibe. So a girl with such a quiet appearance was rare.
Feeling a bit uneasy about what they were discussing, I called out to them.
“Sorry to interrupt. I came to pick you up, Masahiro.”
The two girls turned to me in unison at the sound of my voice.
Masahiro wore a beaming smile that she couldn’t hide, looking like a dog that had found its owner. If she had a tail, it would surely be wagging excitedly.
“Ryusuke, thanks for coming to pick me up! I’ll get ready to go home right away!”
“You seemed to be having a good chat with your friend, so no need to rush. By the way… who is that girl?”
Curious about the unfamiliar girl, I asked. Masahiro tilted her head and replied.
“Huh? That’s Yui! You know her, right, Ryusuke?”
“Eh? …Oh.”
Hearing her name, I remembered. She was one of the gyaru girls I had seen with Masahiro in the school cafeteria not long ago. One of them was named Yui.
But according to my memory and what I knew from the original source, Yui—Haimura Yui—was a girl with blonde twin tails and flashy makeup, essentially a gyaru type.
However, the person standing in front of me had transformed completely.
Her blonde hair, which was styled in twin tails, had changed to a natural-looking gray, cut short into a bob, and her makeup had become natural, eliminating the flashiness. Furthermore, she was wearing glasses, giving her a serious appearance. Had she been wearing contacts before?
Her uniform style was also completely different from before. Previously, she had left the top button of her shirt undone, exposing a lot of her chest, but now it was properly buttoned up, giving her a neat and tidy image.
It was as if she had undergone a transformation that reflected her true self, making it hard to recognize her at first glance.
As I was feeling perplexed, Mashiro began to explain.
“I see. This is the first time for you to see Yui like this, right? Ever since I went back to black hair, it’s been trendy among my friends to go for a neat and tidy look. So, everyone has been cutting their hair, dyeing it back to its original color, and changing up their makeup while having fun together!”
Mashiro spoke with a giggle.
Hearing that, I found it strangely convincing.
The world’s strongest beauty, Mashiro, is at the forefront of fashion for her friends. Naturally, if Mashiro aims for a neat style, it would influence her friends around her.
As a result, the friends who had once given off a gal-like impression had transformed into more subdued versions of themselves.
After all, the impact Mashiro has on this story is tremendous. Friends who would originally be on the villain side in this world have now completely transformed to stand on the heroine’s side.
“Well then, Mashiro, I’m going home soon, so see you tomorrow!”
“Yeah, Yui! See you tomorrow!”
Yui Haizumi cheerfully greeted us and left the classroom. Her steps were light, almost as if she might burst into song.
As I watched her back, I turned to Mashiro.
“Shall we head home too? I wanted to talk about what we’re going to do during summer break while walking.”
“That sounds good! Let’s hurry home and chat a lot!”
At my words, Mashiro’s face lit up with joy as she picked up her bag from the desk and stood up.
Then, she tightly hugged my arm and looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
Mashiro’s soft touch and sweet fragrance.
Both sensations hit me at once, making my heart race.
With such suddenness, it was impossible to keep my composure, and I averted my gaze to hide my embarrassment.
“Hey, Mashiro… you’re too close. Someone might be watching…”
“Hehe. You don’t have to be so shy. We used to walk home like this all the time since elementary school, right?”
“Well, I’ve walked with you while you clung to me, but now that we’re in high school, it’s a bit embarrassing…”
“Everyone’s already gone home, so it’s fine! Besides, I’m really in the mood to be close today.”
Saying that, Mashiro leaned even closer.
Being sweetly clung to like this made me feel happy, but also embarrassed. However, Mashiro’s cuteness while being affectionate was too overpowering, leaving me unable to say anything and simply going along with it. It was completely beyond my control.
“Well, if that’s what you want, I guess it’s okay… But for now, let’s head home.”
“Yay! Then let’s walk home like this, arm in arm?”
“Alright. But if you’re going to say that, then it’s a no-go because it’s hot, okay?”
“Ahaha, I get it! But you’re not allowed to move away just because it’s hot, okay?”
Mashiro giggled and pulled my arm in tightly.
Feeling grateful for being able to experience a youth that doesn’t feel villainous thanks to her, I set off on the way home with a particularly cheerful Mashiro.
In the blazing summer sun, only the shadows of Mashiro and me walked side by side on the way home.