Chapter 45: Planning a Celebration
And so, I shared my worries with Ise-san and Kashii-san.
I was incredibly tired, but I'm grateful to both of them. Just talking to someone can lighten your heart so much.
I have to fight my own trauma and insecurities by myself, but having someone's help makes such a difference. I feel like I've relearned the concept of connecting with others that Kashii-san once talked about.
The next day, I spoke to Kousuke, and the day after that, I got some time with Aoi and Tanaka to talk about my worries, my insecurities, and how I consulted Ise-san and Kashii-san. I also apologized for not confiding in them before and for being distant with Aoi and Tanaka.
They all forgave me surprisingly easily and shared that they have their own worries too. Aoi, in particular, was intense, crying while apologizing and still feeling ashamed about the bullying. I realized that everyone has their own struggles.
(I can't forgive the Sotomachi group for pinning everything on Aoi more than I can't forgive Aoi!)
As everyone says, these issues probably won't be resolved completely; I'll just have to learn to deal with them properly.
Club activities started the summer tournament in late June, and we lost in the second round. I was substituted in during the second half of the second round, but I couldn't really change the outcome.
Sotomachi and the seniors were frustrated, but since I only played partway, I didn't feel as frustrated since I hadn't done much.
The third-year seniors retired with this, and now it's time for our generation to step up.
While all this was happening, the final exams arrived.
My grades are average, you know. Last time, Kashii-san was, as always, at the top of the class, which impressed me.
'Would you like me to teach you?'
Kashii-san offered, but I politely declined since I'd probably get distracted by her and not study at all.
When I told Kousuke about this,
'Sho, you overthink things. You act on instinct, though.'
'Isn't it better to think things through as much as possible precisely because I'm the intuitive type?'
'...That makes sense.'
While we were having this conversation, Kousuke made a suggestion. Since final exams are coming up soon, how about we all have a celebration after they're over?
A celebration? You mean the kind that outgoing people do? The kind where they find an excuse to gather, go to karaoke or a bar, and just party?
'With who? I'm a loner, so I don't have anyone to invite...'
'No, the old Sho might've been like that, but now you have people to invite.'
Kousuke shyly admitted that he had already started asking a few people.
On the afternoon of the closing ceremony, we'll all gather at Kousuke's house (bringing snacks and drinks, and apparently, they'll provide food at Kousuke's place too), hang out, eat, drink, watch DVDs or play games, and deepen our friendships.
(Kousuke? That's unusual...?)
Kousuke is quiet and doesn't usually try to connect with people, but since he's part of the table tennis club community besides me, his communication skills are better than mine.
Apparently, as we grow into high schoolers, we'll have more social interactions, so this is also practice to improve our current relationships!
(That's true! A celebration with familiar faces is definitely way easier than being thrown into one with strangers!)
So, we decided to do it!
The question became, who do we invite?
Me (Tachibana)
Kousuke
And who else?
'The riverside members.'
Ah.
In that case,
Tanaka (the timid trio)
Saho (the timid trio)
Ah! The last member of the timid trio transferred schools due to his father's job relocation, right? Apparently, he's still in touch with Tanaka and Saho through LINE.
Kashii-san
Obata-san
They really helped us out. They even brought rice balls, sandwiches, and fried chicken as snacks.
Aoi (an enemy back then)
Aoi is pretty much a friend now, so we'll invite them, right?
Recently, I heard Aoi got really scolded by Obata-san.
That's just how it is, isn't it?
'Let's invite Ise-san too.'
'Why? Isn't she unrelated?'
'The hidden theme of this event is [Sho has cheered up].'
I almost cried. Kousuke...
Ah, Kousuke is truly a guy who understands people's hearts.
I thanked him and told him so directly.
'What does it mean to understand people's hearts?'
Kousuke is kind and understands people's hearts, but I shouldn't take that for granted or be careless just because he gets it.
I learned that on the day of the celebration.
I didn't realize that Kousuke held a grudge for me putting off consulting him about this matter. I never imagined things would turn out like that...
The next day, I timed it right and spoke to Kashii-san.
'Kashii-san, got a moment?'
'What is it? What's wrong, Tachibana-kun?'
'It's about something after the final exams, on the afternoon of the closing ceremony...'
'! An invitation? I'm in!'
'Huh? No, I mean, we're having a celebration at Kousuke's house, and I was wondering if it fits your schedule?'
'Hm? Not the celebration with Sotomachi-kun or Koishi-kun?'
'What's that? I don't know about it...?'
'Eh? I was told the whole class is coming, so I said OK, but Tachibana-kun, you're not going?'
'Nope, I'm not going to that one.'
(I wasn't even invited, you know?)
'Then, I'll go to Kousuke-kun's instead! I'll decline the other one!'
(Ah, Kashii-san must have her own commitments too.)
'You don't have to force yourself!'
'I'm not forcing myself!'
Kashii-san retorted quickly, sounding a bit annoyed.
'Thanks, I'll let you know once everything's finalized, okay?'
'I'll be waiting!'
That's how it went.
Kousuke had already talked to Tanaka and Aoi from Class 3, so both of them immediately said they'd come.
Obata-san is on hold; apparently, it depends on Kashii-san.
Sarakata-kun from Class 2 had been informed by Kousuke beforehand, so when I confirmed with him, he instantly said OK.
The final exams were, well, average for me.
Surprisingly, Ise-san had better grades than me.
'Shigezane-san, you're a fierce general, but your intellect is high too!'
'I'm not a fierce general!'
'Shigezane-san, do you have time after the closing ceremony?'
'I'm not Shigezane! If it's the class celebration, I'm not going, okay? Stop being so persistent!'
'Haha, I wasn't even invited, you know? We're gathering at Kousuke's house, so do you want to join our celebration?'
(Ah, Ise-san is looking at me with pity!)
'I'll go!'
'Then I'll let you know as soon as everything's set.'
And so, in late July, after the closing ceremony, the group gathering at Kousuke's house:
Hosts: Kousuke, Tachibana
Girls: Kashii, Obata, Ise
Boys: Aoi, Tanaka, Saho
I, a loner, couldn't believe it—even without Acchan, I've managed to gather this many people?! I was deeply moved.
I hope everyone can have fun together!
Kousuke, standing beside me, was smiling.
At this point, I had no way of knowing that Kousuke's revenge would soon begin.
———————
Obata-san asking Kashii-san about the celebration plans,
'Reina, are you going to the celebration?'
'Yeah, I'm going—Obata-chan, you should come too, okay?'
'Who all is coming again?'
'Tachibana-kun, Kousuke-kun, Aoi-kun, Tanaka-kun, and Sarakata-kun?'
'Isn't that just a bunch of troublemakers from our class (Class 3)? Ugh.'
'And then there's me.'
(At this point, I haven't talked to Ise-san yet.)
'No way! Only boys? If Reina goes alone with five chuunibyou boys full of hormones, she'll definitely get *bleeped*!'
'I don't think anything like that would happen in a house visible from the middle school, specifically a room you can see clearly from the library (second floor) when the curtains are open, though?'
'Reina, you're cute, so be careful!'
'Obata-chan, you're the one who needs to watch what you say...'