Chapter 101: Date Otoko
The following week, the Center Exam was over, and now we were just waiting for the results, for better or worse.
They say "Good fortune comes to those who wait," and the third-years looked visibly relieved.
Thank you for your hard work, it must have been tough.
...But there are some senpais who don't look like that at all...
Sahori: "Ah—! This sucks—! I only got two hours of sleep before the Center Exam yesterday! Ugh, it's so rough—!"
That is none other than Sahori-senpai himself. Today, his face looked like everything was bunched up in the middle.
I saw them on the way from the gate to the entrance—Nagase-san was with him too.
Sahori: "It was really hard, you know? The exam! Are you listening? Aya-chan?"
Nagase: "...Haha, yeah, it was rough, wasn't it...?"
Sahori-senpai was in a great mood, chatting up Nagase-san.
Nagase-san's face was twitching.
This person really is annoying.
"Nagase-san! Takahashi-san, the class rep, was looking for you about first period."
(Eye gesture)
Nagase: "Ah! Oh—! That thing, right! Well then, senpai, I'll go!"
(Thanks!—with her eyes)
Sahori: "Eh... Too bad... I'm graduating soon, so I wanted to spend more time with you now."
You really don't need to, do you?
That's what I think, but I don't say it out loud.
But I see, it's almost graduation, so Sahori's approach to Nagase is getting intense?
Sahori: "...Hey, Kousuke. Do you know what people call me?"
He's got nothing but a good face.
What a waste.
...?
But what is it?
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Back during Golden Week, Airi-senpai invited the other female managers over to her house and treated them to an amazing time! At least, that's what a first-year girl manager from my class said, totally impressed.
That same day, Sahori-senpai went on an errand with money he'd been entrusted for the club budget, and got yelled at for sneaking his own ice cream in with the stuff he bought?
"Airi is a great host! Sahori is just a dumbass!"
That's what the basketball club members said, right?
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"...Dumbass?"
Sahori: "What are you looking at when you see me...!"
I honestly don't think they're wrong...?
Speaking of Sahori-senpai's reputation, he's impulsive and a clown. Lazy and moody, too?
My impression is he's a stingy, selfish, womanizing cheater.
His good points are, he's efficient, has natural athletic ability, and he's cheerful.
Sahori: "Me? For some reason, people lump me together with Kuzu and Yamamoto, and call us a trio, you know?"
Sahori comes off as a bit of a narcissist.
What is he trying to say?
This is getting nowhere, so let's move the conversation along.
"...What was that?"
Ka—! You want to know?
Sahori's words are making me more and more irritated.
Sahori makes a dramatic gesture,
Sahori: "It wasn't me who said it, okay? ...But apparently, the three of us... are being called Date Otoko! It's kinda embarrassing."
Date Otoko?!
According to goo dictionary... a man who stands out with stylish clothes. Also, a guy who's got a chivalrous spirit. A chivalrous person. A gallant man.
It's probably a word that comes from Date Masamune.
Sho would probably love this.
"...Date Otoko, huh?"
Sahori: "Well? I mean, I'm a stylish guy, right? Good looking, flashy, maybe I stand out? ...People just know, I guess...!"
Looking pleased, Sahori muttered and walked toward the third-year building.
...Then he turned around and said to me,
Sahori: "You can chase after my back if you want...?"
Is he just imitating something?
Feeling kind of dazed, I went into the classroom and greeted Nagase-san, who sits next to me.
"Good morning, Nagase-san?"
Nagase-san looked surprised,
Nagase: "We just saw each other! You helped me escape from Sahori-senpai, remember!"
"...There was so much pointless info after that, I can't even remember what happened before..."
Sahori's totally pointless talk just wiped everything else from my mind...scary.
Suddenly remembering, I asked her,
"Is Sahori-senpai being all aggressive lately because graduation is coming up?"
Nagase: "...Probably. 'I don't wanna leave anything behind at Hokusho!'"
She sounded kind of drunk.
What's up with him? He used to be a much smaller guy, but lately he's been making big, empty statements...
"...Just ignore him."
I might have said this before, but "Airi is Buddha, just ignore Sahori" is the basketball club's motto.
"But hey, I just heard about it. I didn't know Sahori-senpai and the others were called Date Otoko. Sahori, Kuzu, and Yamamoto all get lumped together as a trio? Sahori said himself, all embarrassed, that people call them Date Otoko."
Nagase-san burst out laughing with a blank look, then her face suddenly turned serious.
Nagase: "Sahori-senpai and the others? Date Otoko? ...That probably just means useless guys, right? w ...All the guys who hit on me are just useless..."
Nagase-san's mood dropped like a rock, so I just said "Don't mind" and homeroom started.
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Date Otoko Trio
Sahori... Center Exam is pretty questionable. He's probably got more issues coming.
Yamamoto... Family scandal, repeating the year for sure.
Kuzu... Suspended for inappropriate relationships, worst reputation.
They really are useless guys...Sahori-senpai is probably the least harmful of the bunch?