Chapter 22 Kaede had to admit, he was moved
There weren't many people on the train, and Kaede found a seat.
Ueno Park, his destination, was only a few stops away. In the chat group, Kaede saw that everyone had already left, and even Usami, who was most excited about today's activity, was almost there.
The club president, however, was lazy. He had just left home and would probably be about ten minutes late.
When the train arrived at the station, Kaede got off and halfway there, he saw Eriri getting off a bus.
After Eriri got off, she also saw Kaede across the street and happily waved her hand.
And when Kaede saw Eriri's attire today, he suddenly felt his heart beat a little faster.
Wearing a white dress with a light pink jacket, she looked incredibly pure, complemented by her flowing golden twin tails... Kaede had to admit, at that moment, he felt a little moved.
Crossing the road to Eriri's side, Kaede said with a smile, "Your outfit today is a completely different style from what I saw last week."
"Because we're going cherry blossom viewing, of course I have to wear clothes that suit the environment!"
As Eriri spoke, she also noticed the confectionery box Kaede was carrying. "What's this?"
"wagashi I bought from a confectionery shop I frequent. They're very delicious."
"wagashi, it's been a long time since I've had any."
Eriri hadn't expected Kaede to buy this. Recalling what she usually ate, which was either potato chips or gummy candies, she had almost forgotten what wagashi tasted like.
"It looks like this sketching session is going to turn into a picnic today."
"Isn't a picnic good too?"
Smiling, Kaede walked side by side with Eriri, heading towards Ueno Park.
Upon arriving, the two saw Usami Mizuki and Uchimaki Subaru, who had arrived earlier.
Uchimaki Subaru was dressed quite normally, similar to Kaede, while Usami had also changed into a cute outfit.
However, as they got closer, Kaede and Eriri noticed that the two's conversation wasn't very harmonious.
"Usami, seeing you suddenly change into clothes like this, I'm really not used to it."
"Eh? Not used to what?"
"It doesn't quite fit your character."
"..."
Kaede clearly saw Usami's expression stiffen, and her small fists clenched involuntarily.
He and Eriri exchanged glances. Eriri was also surprised, not expecting Uchimaki Subaru to be so blunt when evaluating others, completely disregarding a girl's feelings.
Perhaps what he said about not being interested in 3D girls was true.
Just looking at Uchimaki Subaru made Eriri recall someone she had recently encountered at school a few days ago, and her mood couldn't help but turn a bit sour.
And Kaede, to prevent Uchimaki Subaru from being knocked out before the activity even began, immediately approached from the side and said, "You two arrived so early."
Seeing Kaede and Eriri arrive, Usami had no choice but to suppress her dissatisfaction with Uchimaki Subaru and greeted the two of them.
Looking at Uchimaki Subaru, who was completely oblivious to everything, Kaede patted his shoulder and said, "Let's go sit over there for a bit. The president won't be here for another ten minutes or so."
After sitting on a roadside bench for almost fifteen minutes, the president finally arrived leisurely. Unlike the four of them, the president was still dressed in his usual school uniform, even today.
"Emmm~~~ I feel like I don't quite fit in with you guys?"
Looking at his own clothes, and then at the outfits of the four people opposite him, the president said, somewhat belatedly.
Usami also said bluntly, "Indeed, President, your behavior is a bit too much like an old man. That's not a good thing!"
Eriri also nodded in agreement, "Exactly. The president is only one year older than us, but he's too lazy normally. We've been in the Art Club for two weeks, and we haven't seen you practice drawing once."
"Ah haha, I'm not lazy. After all, only by sleeping more can I grow taller, and the facts prove that my method is quite effective." Touching his head, the president explained with a smile, "Alright, let's go in quickly. Let's not waste time outside."
Once they entered, the group immediately noticed cherry blossom trees everywhere in the park.
"So many people, it's so lively!"
Seeing many tourists around for cherry blossom viewing, Usami's mood immediately brightened.
Unlike Uchimaki Subaru, Kaede, and Eriri, who were all seasoned otaku, she occasionally read manga, but only popular ones or shoujo manga. Essentially, she was still just an ordinary girl who preferred today's lively atmosphere.
Eriri and Kaede had also gone cherry blossom viewing with their families in previous years, so they were quite familiar with such scenes.
However, due to her father's work, Eriri always went to private places for cherry blossom viewing and had never been to a public one like this.
Soon, the group arrived at their designated cherry blossom viewing spot, beneath a giant cherry tree.
Usami looked up at the blooming cherry blossoms on the tree before her and exclaimed in surprise, "They're so beautiful!"
The Club President, meanwhile, put down the large bag he was carrying and said, "Alright, let's set up the spot first."
With that, he pulled out a large picnic blanket from his bag.
Kaede and Uchimaki Subaru also walked over directly, each grabbing one side, and spread the picnic blanket onto the grass.
After laying it out, everyone sat down on the picnic blanket.
They thought that was it, but to their surprise, besides taking out the juice from his bag, the Club President even pulled out a pillow that was stuffed inside!
When they saw his pillow, everyone's expressions soured.
Usami looked at the Club President, somewhat exasperated, and said, "Club President, not today, right?"
"Ahaha~~ Don't mind it, don't mind it, I won't sleep right now."
Putting the pillow aside, the Club President said with a smile, "If I'm going to sleep, it'll be a nap after lunch."
...Isn't that still sleeping?
However, that was just how the Club President was; it was already pretty good that he didn't start sleeping as soon as he arrived.
After the five of them sat down, they each poured some juice and then took out the food they had brought.
Some brought snacks, some brought pastries, and some, like Kaede, brought sushi and fried chicken.
"Oh! This is abundant, I'm not sleepy anymore!"
Looking at the food before him, the Club President, uncharacteristically energetic, said with some eagerness, "Although it's still a bit early, let's eat first.
We'll eat a bit and then start sketching.
And since you all said so, I'll draw something today too."
As soon as the Club President said this, everyone became interested, as no one knew the Club President's skill level.