— — — — — —
The Literature Club had started to feel a little deserted.
Ever since Oikawa began helping out at the Service Club, Kawasaki rarely came by anymore.
Most of the time, Zaimokuza was left alone guarding the empty room. Not that he minded. As far as Zaimokuza was concerned, spending time alone reading light novels was anything but lonely.
As for the main reason Kawasaki stopped coming, it was because she had to tutor Taishi.
It couldn't be helped. With grades like his, getting into Sōbu High would be extremely difficult without help.
In Chiba City, Sōbu High was practically the dream school for every student, or at least for those planning to go on to university.
Its university admission rate, close to ninety percent, was the most direct reason behind its prestigious reputation.
...
After classes ended, Oikawa slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed to the Literature Club room.
Today, it seemed Zaimokuza wasn't there either.
Taking out his phone, he checked the Literature Club group chat and found a message from Zaimokuza: "Yo, I'm going to a friend's house to play games today."
Oikawa replied with an "OK" sticker before pulling out a light novel titled Genius Detective.
It was a new release by Kensuke Usuda, published in December.
(A/N: Kensuke is a character who appeared earlier. He once criticized Your Lie in April but later admitted it's a masterpiece.)
Kensuke Usuda. As a lawyer working at Tokyo's largest law firm, he was easily the slowest writer among their group when it came to revisions.
The latest anyone else had published was November. Only Kensuke had dragged things all the way into December.
Genius Detective told the story of a detective whose partner had died and who was assigned a robotic partner instead. It was essentially a slice-of-life mystery light novel.
"Not bad." Oikawa nodded.
The writing was solid, and the plot flowed smoothly.
After thinking for a moment, he opened his phone and posted a message in the group chat titled Dengeki 12th Newcomer Authors: "Well, well. As expected of our great lawyer. This one feels like it actually has a shot at selling over a million copies."
Although he had already left Dengeki Bunko and withdrawn from the publisher's group chat, he had stayed in this smaller private group made up exclusively of authors from the same rookie class.
They still chatted and joked around from time to time.
Naturally, their relationships weren't exactly what they had once been. But at least on the surface, everyone still got along as well as before.
And honestly, that was enough. Life, after all, was often about pretending not to notice certain things.
The moment Kensuke saw the message, he set aside his work and smiled faintly. "Heh. So the literary giant with a million-selling novel is taking shots at a small-time author like me now?"
A second message followed. "Oikawa-kun, you've disappointed me a little. Didn't you promise to treat us to dinner? Before you even got around to it, you jumped ship to Full-Drive Bunko."
"Don't tell me the real reason a million-selling author ran off to Full-Drive Bunko was because he wanted to avoid paying for everyone's meal?"
The instant those messages appeared, the group chat exploded.
["I think Kensuke-san has a point. Oikawa-kun is way too stingy."]
["Yeah. Looks like world-famous authors aren't nearly as generous as we'd imagined. I was even hoping to get a signed copy of Your Lie in April. Guess that's not happening."]
Then someone abruptly changed the topic— "Oikawa-kun, I just want the truth. Is Clannad actually supposed to be a healing story?"
The group only had eleven or twelve authors, but every single one of them joined the discussion.
Someone even created a poll right in front of Oikawa: {Is Clannad a healing novel?}
Only one person voted Yes.
Seeing the results, Oikawa's mouth twitched.
These people were ridiculous. How could Clannad not be a healing novel? It was obviously a healing novel!
He immediately fired back, "Without a doubt, Clannad is a healing story. Guys, I might fool readers, but would I ever fool you? We're brothers! Close friends! Family! This poll genuinely hurts my feelings."
His response was filled with righteous indignation.
Unfortunately, nobody bought it.
["Got it. Another depression novel."]
["Holy crap, you're really planning to leave all the sadness to your readers while keeping the happiness for yourself again."]
["I love your novels. I hate your endings."]
["Friendly reminder, Oikawa-kun. I've already taken leave from the law firm for your signing event. I'll be there to gank you in person."]
Chatting in that little group was always fun. Always carefree.
At least for Oikawa, everyone there was simply a fellow writer. Very few people openly displayed jealousy.
After chatting for a while, he uploaded a document he had prepared earlier. Its title was: Three Lectures on Character Creation
People in the group regularly shared writing tips and techniques. Oikawa himself had learned quite a bit from some of them. A gift deserved a gift in return. So every now and then, he would share some of his own writing experience as well.
Oikawa might have been a copycat, but his writing skills were genuine. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to perfectly recreate Your Lie in April in the first place.
...
..
The third Friday of December arrived. And with it came a face Oikawa Tōru had absolutely no desire to see.
Isshiki Iroha stepped into the Service Club room once again.
She hadn't shown up around Oikawa for three or four days, and he'd honestly thought he'd finally escaped her.
But today... the moment she walked in wearing that trademark sweet-and-calculated smile, a sense of impending doom immediately rose in Oikawa's mind.
"Oikawa-senpai, fancy seeing you again! You're really so considerate. If it weren't for the jacket you lent me the other day, I probably would've caught a cold."
Not only did Isshiki walk right up to him, she even gave him what she clearly thought was a charming wink.
"Scumbag. Going after underclassmen now?"
"Oikawa-kun, how could you..."
Yukino and Yui both shot him disapproving looks.
Isshiki immediately giggled.
When she noticed Oikawa glaring at her, she even stuck out her tongue playfully.
A genuine green tea girl. Though not quite at the manipulative-homewrecker level yet.
"Isshiki-san, why don't you sit down first and tell us what's going on?" Yukino's cool voice rang out, making the already chilly clubroom feel even colder.
"Ah, okay."
Isshiki sat down directly across from Oikawa.
The usual seating arrangement in the Service Club was simple: Oikawa. Yui. Yukino.
Any normal person would have sat across from Yui.
Clearly, Isshiki wasn't normal. She was a green tea girl. And possibly a little insane.
Looking at her light brown hair, partially unbuttoned uniform jacket, and the sweater she wore underneath, Oikawa could only sigh helplessly.
You're the student council president now. Could you at least try dressing a little more appropriately?
"So, what's the problem?"
Feeling the murderous gazes coming from both sides, Oikawa did his best to keep his tone calm.
"Ever since becoming student council president, I've been working really, really hard. Especially at the beginning. Nobody in the student council knew each other. Thanks to me, everyone started opening up, and I helped create a friendly atmosphere, and then—"
"Stop." Oikawa raised a hand. "Get to the point."
Good grief. At this rate she'd start with the creation of the universe.
"Oh, okay. If Senpai says so." Isshiki nodded obediently. "It's like this. Christmas is almost here, right? Every year Sōbu High works together with a nearby high school to hold a Christmas event for elderly people and young children. But I have absolutely no experience organizing something like that."
"So, Senpai, please help me, okay...? And since we'll be hosting it together with another school, I'm really worried about whether I can handle it. If I embarrass Sōbu High, I don't even know what I'd do."
She deliberately put on a troubled expression, looking pitiful enough to tug at anyone's heartstrings.
Like the girl next door showing up at your house drenched from the rain, knocking softly on your door while sniffling and asking: "Senpai... can I take a shower at your place?"
Seriously. That was completely unfair.
"Which school is it?" Yukino's calm voice broke the strangely suggestive atmosphere.
"Kaihin High School."
The name meant nothing to Oikawa, so he turned to Yukino for help.
"It's a fairly strong college-preparatory school as well. Their faculty isn't as strong as Sōbu High's, which is why they've consistently ranked below us over the years. However, Kaihin was formed from the merger of three separate schools. The campus is larger, the funding is better, and they even use elevators between floors. Attendance for classes is checked electronically using ID cards."
Yukino sounded like a walking encyclopedia. It was as if there was nothing she didn't know.
"I dealt with their student council last Christmas," she continued. "They were very determined to beat Sōbu High."
"So..." Oikawa turned back to Isshiki. "Why exactly did you agree to this in the first place?"
"I wasn't thinking that far ahead!" Isshiki protested. "And how was I supposed to know they'd planned everything so carefully?"
She looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
Honestly, Oikawa had no idea how someone with Isshiki's personality managed to keep the student council under control.
That place was an even more complicated miniature society than an ordinary classroom.
"Senpai, please help me!" She clasped her hands together pleadingly. "If you don't, everyone's going to say I'm the most useless student council president in Sōbu High history."
Not only Oikawa but even Yukino clearly didn't want to accept the request either.
"Isshiki-san, isn't there still Meguri-senpai?" Yukino asked calmly.
"Meguri-senpai is busy preparing for university applications. I... I don't really want to bother her." Isshiki looked around the room, her expression full of grievance. "Are you really not going to help me? You promised during the election that you'd support me. That's so mean."
Silence settled over the Service Club.
Oikawa guessed that Yukino and Yui were struggling with the same dilemma he was.
Especially Yukino.
She was unusually cold today, and it was obvious she had no intention of taking on this headache.
When Oikawa looked over, Yukino looked back at him. Her gaze was like the world after a heavy snowfall.
Silent. Still.
She said nothing, yet somehow it felt like she'd said everything.
Should we accept this request?
For once, Oikawa didn't know what to do. Normally, this was the sort of decision Yukino made. And she seemed to genuinely dislike Isshiki Iroha.
Isshiki's expression grew even more pitiful, "Senpai... Senpai, please."
In the end, it was Yui who cracked first under those pleading eyes. "Yukino, let's help Isshiki-san."
Yukino fell silent for a moment before shifting the problem back to Oikawa. "Oikawa, what do you think?"
"Senpai~ Pleeease~"
"..."
Oikawa sighed helplessly and nodded, "We've been pretty free lately anyway. Let's take the request."
"Great!" Yui immediately brightened up. "That's awesome, Oikawa-kun! We can go all-out again! Service Club, full speed ahead!"
Oikawa had no idea why she was so excited.
Maybe she was still fired up from that campaign speech a few days ago.
Or maybe... maybe Yui loved her time in the Service Club more than anyone realized.
"Senpai, you're the best!"
Isshiki jumped to her feet in excitement, seemingly about to throw herself at Oikawa in a celebratory hug.
Fortunately, he dodged immediately.
Young lady. You are literally playing with fire.
Oikawa nearly broke out in a cold sweat.
...
..
After leaving the Service Club, Oikawa returned to the Literature Club.
Ironically, he had now become the lonely one left behind.
The clubroom felt cold.
While Chiba's winters weren't particularly harsh, temperatures had still dropped into the single digits.
"Maybe I should get a space heater... If the Literature Club uses too much electricity, the teachers aren't going to make us pay the bill, right?"
"Nah, nah. Sōbu High can't be that stingy. The more I think about it, the more it sounds like a good idea. Maybe this weekend... yeah, I'll get one for the Service Club too."
Having made up his mind, Oikawa picked up Genius Detective again.
He only had a little left to finish. He planned to complete it before heading home.
No. Not home.
The gym.
Working out really was painful. Still, it was one of the few things in life where effort reliably produced results.
Lately, though, there had been one annoying problem. Every now and then, some older women would come asking for his number, dancing around the question of whether he'd like to "work hard" with them.
Heh. Why weren't they asking back in March?
Back then, he really hadn't wanted to work.
But now? Sorry. I'm the rich guy now. Sugar mommies? Not needed anymore.
"Senpai, we meet again."
A voice Oikawa absolutely did not want to hear came from behind him.
He pretended not to notice.
"Senpai, do you really dislike me that much? Waaaah..."
"Good grief." Oikawa set down his light novel and looked at Isshiki helplessly. "Alright. What is it this time?"
Puffing out her cheeks, she looked dissatisfied. "What do you mean, this time? Can't I talk to you unless I have a reason?"
"If you don't have one, I'm leaving."
"Wait, wait, wait! I do! I really do!" Then suddenly, Isshiki became strangely shy. "Um... Could you go shopping with me tomorrow, Senpai?"
Then she hurriedly added, "Don't get the wrong idea. This is absolutely not a date. And even if you happen to have feelings for me, I definitely don't have any romantic feelings for you whatsoever."
Oikawa suddenly had an overwhelming urge to headbutt her.
Actually... he couldn't quite resist.
Rolling up Genius Detective into a tube, he smacked her lightly on the head.
Thump.
Not hard. Still, he felt a little guilty toward Lawyer-senpai.
If Kensuke ever found out his book was being used as a weapon, he'd probably launch a righteous crusade against Oikawa in the group chat.
Might even bring out the full power of the law. After all, every lawyer had the potential to become a menace to society.
"Oww! Senpai! What was that for?!"
Tears welled up in Isshiki's eyes as she stared at him, looking ready to burst into tears.
"Cut it out. I barely touched you."
Oikawa ignored her performance entirely.
He packed away his belongings and slipped Genius Detective back into his bag.
"Tomorrow afternoon. I'll ask Kawasaki to come too."
.
.
.