Chapter 116: Ichinose-senpai's Invitation
Late February, after school on the rooftop.
Ichinose-senpai, having calmed down from the fit of laughter caused by Sahori.
Ichinose: "Finally settled down. Sorry about that."
"...No, it's fine."
Ichinose: "Since it's our first meeting, a quick introduction. I'm Tsukasa Ichinose, a second-year and the student council president. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Kousuke Saito. I'm from Shinkawa Middle School and I'm in the basketball club. Nice to meet you too."
He gave a slight bow, so I bowed back.
Ichinose-senpai is a well-known figure.
The top talent in school, with excellent grades, calm and composed, and impeccable conduct.
He's supposed to have good athletic skills too, but since he focuses on studies, he isn't in any clubs.
A highly regarded senior.
Known as the noble prince for his refined demeanor and fair, delicate features, he's incredibly popular with the girls, though he doesn't have a girlfriend.
...He's also someone regularly rumored to be involved with Nagase-san.
Ichinose-senpai, with a slight smile, adjusted his glasses and looked me in the eye as he spoke,
"Kousuke Saito-kun, I've looked into a lot about you. ...Academically excellent, joined the basketball club with no prior experience but became a near-starting player by winter, a driving force in reaching the top 8 in the prefecture... even when losing by a wide margin, you never gave up. ...At the cultural festival, you were on the planning committee and your class won an excellence award, right? The hamburger shop."
"...Yes."
Well, that much would come up if you looked into it.
Why? Why investigate me?
Ichinose: "This might be a sensitive topic, but... you had a stutter in your early childhood, didn't you? ...Don't glare at me. ...I was also very shy as a kid and couldn't talk to people at all, so I have some thoughts about my own childhood. You've worked hard to overcome it, and now you're succeeding in both academics and club activities. ...On top of that, I thought you must be someone who understands past pain and weaknesses."
"..."
I realized this person probably also knows about the situation with the two girls since I entered high school.
He likely knows, but he doesn't touch on it at all.
...The question repeats in my mind, why?
Senpai made an "Ah!" face, looking apologetic,
Ichinose: "Sorry, a bad habit of mine slipped out. I tend to probe while talking, so I've made you wary, haven't I? The reason I called you is to recruit you for the student council. You're quiet but hardworking, and at the cultural festival, I saw your planning and execution skills. Are you interested in joining the student council?"
...Is it really just recruitment?
There's an air of intelligence and caution about him.
Ichinose-senpai continued, still looking apologetic,
Ichinose: "...I have this habit of speaking in a way that sounds like I'm appraising people, you know? Aya-chan and the other officers often call me 'Villain Glasses' or 'Scheming Glasses' because of it..."
Since most of the officers are talkative girls, I want a guy who's dependable and not too assertive. That's why I'm inviting you.
He smiled, a captivating smile that almost drew me in.
...But.
"I'm already swamped with club activities and studies. I'm sorry, but..."
He doesn't seem like a bad person.
Does he just act like a villain?
Still, his smile and way of speaking are charming, and I can sense sincerity in his invitation.
I'm not one to claim I can read people, but I get the feeling he's not an enemy...?
Ichinose: "...Honestly, I've heard a lot about you from Aya-chan... I mean, Nagase-san."
Ichinose-senpai started speaking with a gentle smile.
The recruitment talk was over, and the atmosphere turned to casual chat.
Ichinose: "Aya-chan talks a lot. ...Ah! Keep it a secret that I called her Aya-chan. It's a habit, and she gets mad every time, telling me not to call her by her name!"
"...I see."
Ichinose: "You're aware of the rumors about me and... Nagase-san, right? ...Nagase-san and I are what you'd call childhood friends. Our parents are friends, and we've known each other since kindergarten. Calling her Aya-chan is a remnant of that."
"..."
He shouldn't call her Aya-chan, right? That's not good.
Ichinose-senpai made a "That's right!" face.
Ichinose: "She's popular, isn't she? She's always been a bit oblivious, attracting attention from boys. For some reason, she seems to catch the eye of some weird guys. Even I get seen that way. When she was little, she had this habit of blushing, and it was incredibly cute. ...So when I said something like, 'Little Aya-chan was the best!'...
My detractors,
"...called me things like 'One of the lousy guys hitting on Nagase Aya!' or 'Suspected lolicon!'""
Ichinose-senpai smiled, looking troubled.
Then, with another "Ah!" face,
Ichinose: "!! Sorry, even though I'm a senior and this is our first meeting. Saito-kun, you have this air that makes people want to talk to you. There's something calming and trustworthy about you. I'd like to talk again. If anything comes up, I'd be glad if you visited the student council room."
"...Sure."
Senpai extended his hand for a handshake.
I shook the hand he offered.
Ichinose: "Aya-chan trusts you and really likes you. ...As her childhood friend, with all these weird guys always hitting on her, I'd feel more at ease if someone dependable like you were her boyfriend rather than her getting involved with the wrong guy."
I hurriedly said,
"...Huh?! What are you saying, Senpai?!"
Ichinose: "Haha! Just a childhood friend's opinion. If you're ever interested, come consult me, and I'll support you through the student council."
"...For now, I'm not really..."
I started feeling a rush of emotions again.
Senpai also,
Ichinose: "If I say anything more unnecessary, I'll get in trouble too, so... See you later, Saito-kun. I'm glad we talked today."
"...Yeah."
This was my first time talking to Ichinose-senpai.
According to rumors, he's from the same middle school as Nagase-san and has been approaching her for a while, but... he seems more outgoing than the rumors suggest, and it feels like he can't shake off his childhood friend habits.
But back in middle school, Sho's rival from another town was a friendly, outgoing guy on the surface but schemed and dragged others down behind the scenes, so I still don't know...
I'm not confident in my ability to read people.
Then Ichinose-senpai came back,
Ichinose: "It's fine to mention that we met today, but keep the unnecessary things I said a secret! ...Aya-chan sees right through my weaknesses, so it could be a problem. I'm counting on you, okay?"
...Hmm, he seems like a good person.