From some point, small conflicts began to arise, and the major events during the school trip and the student council election led to a massive rift between us.
We exposed our raw, ugly, and pathetic true feelings to each other, without any logic or reasoning. We cried and overcame it, and the Christmas event, which the three of us in the Service Club tackled for the first time in a while, ended successfully. A calm atmosphere flowed through the clubroom.
In the clubroom, as usual, Yukinoshita and I were reading books while Yuigahama was fiddling with her phone. I sipped the tea Yukinoshita had made for me, using the teacup that the two had given me as a Christmas present.
These uneventful moments felt incredibly precious and... itchy.
Occasionally closing her phone, Yuigahama would cheerfully start chatting about nothing in particular.
At one time, she desperately tried to keep the atmosphere intact, finding conversation topics to keep the mood from breaking, but gradually, she started chatting with her usual natural and lively energy again.
Suddenly, Yuigahama seemed to remember something.
"Oh, that's right! Hikki, Yukinon, why don't we try that thing?"
"That thing?"
"What are you talking about?"
Caught off guard by her vague suggestion, Yukinoshita and I tilted our heads in confusion.
Seeing our reaction, Yuigahama waved her hands in front of her chest, flustered.
"Oh, right, it must be hard to understand all of a sudden. You know, the thing Yukinon and I did during lunch break before, where the loser of rock-paper-scissors had to go buy juice!" Yuigahama said energetically.
Ah, now that she mentioned it, I remembered something like that.
At that time, I was eating lunch at my usual best spot, and Yuigahama, who had lost at rock-paper-scissors, passed by. That's when we met Totsuka. I found out Totsuka was a boy and was shocked. But Totsuka still remains an angel to me.
My thoughts were filled with Totsuka, and without paying attention to my smirk, Yukinoshita clapped her hands as if she had remembered.
"Oh, that did happen. But why bring it up now?"
Yukinoshita's question was valid. Why now? It's cold. The hallway and outside are super cold. It's warm here. Outside, it's cold.
"Ah... well, I just thought it might be nice to do something like that again. You know, recently, we haven't really done anything like that..."
Yuigahama's words trailed off.
As she said, the conversations in the clubroom over the past month had been superficial. Even during lunch breaks, Yuigahama and Yukinoshita continued such conversations in the clubroom.
Yuigahama, who had always been sensitive to the atmosphere, must have easily imagined that this would wear down our hearts. Still, she didn't stop because she didn't want to lose this place. In reality, there was still a bit of stiffness among the three of us. Between me and Yukinoshita, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, Yuigahama and me, and among the three of us.
Going to Destinyland had significant meaning, but it didn't solve everything.
As I was lost in thought, Yukinoshita seemed to have her own thoughts. She placed her hand on her chin, contemplating for a bit.
Then, she gently placed her hand on her thigh and smiled softly.
"Well, there's no sign of any requests today, so we might as well play a game like that."
"Yay! Thank you, Yukinon!"
Yuigahama said, hugging Yukinoshita.
"Ugh... Annoying..."
Yukinoshita frowned and tried to push her away, but Yuigahama didn't let go.
Another day of Yuri-yuri.
"What about you, Hikki?"
Still hugging Yukinoshita, Yuigahama looked at me with sparkling eyes. Hold on, don't look at me with those shining eyes! I'll rot...! Well, I'm already rotten! I know that!
"Oh, well, I think it's fine."
I didn't want to spoil the atmosphere. If I hesitated and Yuigahama hugged tighter, it would instantly turn into hardcore yuri. Please do that at Yukinoshita's house!
"Yay! Let's do it then!"
"So, the loser of rock-paper-scissors has to go buy juice for the other two, is that right?"
I moved my chair a little closer to them, turned to face Yukinoshita, and glanced at Yuigahama.
"That's right... Oh, since we're at it, how about the winners get to give the loser a command?" Yuigahama added.
"Wait, really?"
I was so surprised that I let out a voice that even I found gross.
As expected, when I looked ahead, Yukinoshita was staring at me as if I were garbage. Well, I'm used to being looked at and told that way! Mostly by Yukinoshita and Komachi! Isn't "Gomii-chan" a great coined term with both a sense of good sound and contempt? Komachi, who came up with that, is truly an angel. In other words, Komachi is cute.
"It reminds me of our first meeting. With those rotten eyes, I feel like reporting you."
"Hey, stop reaching for your phone while saying that. You've already dialed 11. What, are you going to press 7? Want to listen to the time announcement?"
Seeing our exchange, Yuigahama tilted her head. No wonder.
She must have heard about the Battle Royale from Hiratsuka-sensei, but this conversation happened before Yuigahama knocked on the Service Club's door.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I won't ask you to do anything weird! Hikki, don't say strange things either, okay?"
Yuigahama spoke hesitantly, her cheeks flushed, looking embarrassed. Stop it, the room temperature just went up out of nowhere. Isn't the heater working too well?
"Well, let's give it a try anyway. The outcome will be decided by rock-paper-scissors."
Wait, Yukinoshita, you're getting way too fired up for this. Why are you hiding your right hand with your left, as if you're storing energy for a special move? The only thing that comes from that motion is something like a Hadouken, right?
Somehow sensing my inner thoughts, Yukinoshita glanced, no, glared at me. I'm really sorry, but every time you glare at me, I feel like my lifespan shortens by about two weeks. Wait, will I even last until the end of this story? I wanted to be a stay-at-home husband.
"Alright, let's give it a shot."
"Okay! Here we go! Rock-paper-scissors..."
"..."
"Hikki..."
"No matter how much it's left to chance... Hikigaya-kun, I can only say you're amazing."
First round of rock-paper-scissors.
Me: Rock
Yuigahama: Paper
Yukinoshita: Paper
Result: I'm their slave.
No, wait, think positively.
Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, both stand out at school and are admired for being "cute" and "pretty" despite their different types. I fully understand and feel it too. Though, Yukinoshita has a terribly vicious tongue, and Yuigahama feels like dealing with a kid.
And now, these two are looking at each other and asking, "So, what should we do?" as they ponder what minor command to give me. With them, it doesn't feel particularly special anymore.
"Ah, when it comes down to it, I don't know what to say..."
You should have at least thought of two or three options, considering you're the one who suggested it.
"Well then... How about something like picking up trash on Mt. Fuji, befitting the service club?"
Who asked for this? It's too torturous, isn't it?
The two of them pondered for a while before Yuigahama clapped her hands.
"Oh, I know, how about a shoulder massage! Yukinon probably doesn't know what to say either, so let's have Hikki give a shoulder massage!"
Hey, Yuigahama, what's with this pleasantly awkward suggestion?
"But..."
Hey, Yukinoshita, why are you pretending to be confused while looking at me coldly and holding your shoulders?
"Come on, it'll be fine! My shoulders have been stiff lately."
Yuigahama said in an old-fashioned way while rotating her shoulders. No, I mean, your melons are bouncing around, I can't look directly...
"Yeah, Yuigahama, you do seem to get stiff shoulders."
I blurted out while comparing her to Yukinoshita.
My glance was momentary, so Yuigahama didn't notice my intention. She tilted her head with a 'Huh?' expression. I'm definitely not thinking she's cute!
But Yukinoshita noticed my glance and even read my intention, her face showing a moment of realization as she looked at her own chest. Sorry.
"I get stiff shoulders too..."
She said in a very small voice. Clearly sulking. Wait, why is she cute? No, wait, Totsuka is cuter. Totsukawaii.
Yuigahama still had a "Huh?" expression and tilted her head to the other side. I'm not thinking she's cute at all...!
"So, Yukinon gets stiff shoulders too! Then let's have Hikki do it!"
My opinion doesn't matter, does it... I knew it...
First, I massaged Yuigahama's shoulders. Only her shoulders.
Touching a girl's body even a little makes me feel like I'm going to die, but massaging her shoulders... I was in despair, but I steeled myself.
However, as I stood behind Yuigahama, who had taken off her jacket and was in her shirt, sitting in a chair, my resolve evaporated instantly.
"Alright, let's do this!"
Yuigahama said cheerfully, but I wasn't in that mood.
Just getting close, I could smell a pleasant citrus scent, notice her slender neck, how beautiful she looked, and how the view of her melons from behind was something else. Only wicked thoughts came to mind.
However, with Yukinoshita watching, I couldn't hesitate.
Gently, I touched Yuigahama's shoulders.
Immediately, her shoulders twitched.
"Ah..."
That's not a good reaction, seriously.
"I-I'm fine, so, can you keep going...?"
Don't look back at me with flushed cheeks, it makes me imagine things I shouldn't!!! Crap, Yukinoshita is watching. I have to continue.
"I-I'm going to start."
"Okay."
I wanted to turn off my proud imagination just this once.
As I slowly started the massage, both of us seemed to get used to it, and our movements and reactions became more natural.
"Wow, Hikki, you're good at this. This is heaven..."
I couldn't see her face, but she probably looked like she was soaking in a hot spring.
"Well, I often massage my mom and Komachi."
Yes, I really do. Dad, please stop giving me those murderous looks when I massage Komachi's shoulders. She probably won't let you do it. It's a dream that won't come true!
"Really~~So relaxing..."
Her voice gradually grew quieter. Wait, why?
I peeked at her face.
"...Snooze..."
She fell asleep...!!!
That was fast. It's been only five minutes. She's sitting on a hard chair, with both Yukinoshita and I are here. What audacity.
Well, maybe she feels secure.
"Oh, did Yuigahama fall asleep? Good grief..."
Despite her exasperation, Yukinoshita pulled a chair next to Yuigahama's and gently cradled her head onto her lap.
She gave her a lap pillow.
"What, are you her mom?"
"I'm her sister."
So family, huh...
"Alright, it's my turn next..."