I Was Supposed to Be Giving Love Advice on the School Radio, but Before I Knew It, the Beautiful Girls at School Were Hitting on Me
“I am truly sorry.”
A few days after the shocking committee decision, it was after school… I was in the staff room, doing my best to show my resistance.
It wasn’t that I had finally come to terms with being assigned to the committee, but rather because the first committee meeting was scheduled for after school today. If I missed this opportunity, there would be no next time.
Looking up at me standing tall in the center of the staff room, the second-year broadcasting club advisor, who was undoubtedly involved in this matter, turned her chair around, revealing her slightly tanned skin from her short sleeves.
“That’s a strange greeting, Kageyama, considering it’s the end of summer vacation.”
“It’s been a while, Mashiro sensei. I apologize for the late greeting. Could you please explain the matter regarding the executive committee?”
“Your true feelings are leaking out despite your greeting… Here, would you like some chocolate?”
“No, thank you.”
Mashiro sensei’s favorite super-sweet chocolate is known for making your mouth incredibly dry. Considering the interrogation that was about to follow, I couldn’t accept it.
“Oh, that’s too bad, it’s so delicious…”
Sensei looked disappointed, but she chose the sweetest white chocolate and popped it into her mouth. Without drinking any water, she continued talking with a calm expression.
“So, about the executive committee?”
“That’s right ! Why was I just thrown into it without any notice?”
“Well, if I had told you, you would’ve refused, right?”
Wow, I thought she’d try to cover it up a bit more, but she just admitted it straight out. It’s so quick that it saves time, but it makes me want to ask if she feels any guilt… No, she probably doesn’t.
“But that’s not the point. Why did you recommend me? Throwing me into a group of extroverts like that isn’t something a person should do. Are you trying to throw a flounder into a school of piranhas?”
“It’s not like it’s a small fish.”
“It means I’ll be ignored and left to fend for myself among the piranhas !”
In a way, it’s worse than being a small fish.
But the cries of the fish buried in the sand go unheard…the person who threw me into the piranha swarm smiled irresponsibly.
“Well, the other day, Takeda sensei was complaining about not being able to decide on the executive committee, so I thought I’d help out as a colleague. You know, I’m the kind of person who thinks ahead.”
“Why couldn’t you have shown that consideration toward the students instead…”
By the way, Takeda sensei is our homeroom teacher. Putting aside Mashiro sensei, Takeda sensei shouldn’t accept such conditions…
“Well, it’s fine. This is something you can only experience in high school. They say, ‘The hardships of youth are worth paying for.'”
“That’s true, but…”
That doesn’t feel like something the person who forced it on me would say. But Mashiro sensei smiles like an adult.
“Besides, you might not be the only one who’s confused. Don’t dwell on it, just go for it with a ‘go for it’ attitude.”
“So you’re assuming I’ll fail, huh…”
I sigh, but there’s no point in arguing further. Besides, the time limit for the first meeting is almost up. With a sigh of resignation, I decided to leave the staff room.
“I understand. I’ll go and gain the kind of experience that only youth can buy, something you can’t do.”
“You little…!”
Of course, with a parting shot.
♢
And now, it’s past 4 o’clock. In the large conference room, desks are arranged in a U-shape, with people roughly seated by grade.
These were the people who had volunteered to be on the cultural festival committee. Although there was still time before the meeting began, everyone was engaged in their own conversations.
Amidst all this, we, class 2-3, were sitting at our seats with a pile of folded papers on our hands, the only ones who were completely calm.
Shirahama was fiddling with her smartphone the whole time. But I wasn’t going to give up. First impressions are important in situations like this !
“Um, nice to meet you, Shirahama san?”
“……”
“Ah, my name is Kageyama. I’m in the broadcasting club and do the MC for the noon broadcast…”
Shirahama stopped fiddling with her smartphone for a moment.
“I know.”
‘Oh, okay, thank you…”
“Huh? Why are you thanking me?”
Shirahama clearly showed her dislike. As I struggled for words, Shirahama narrowed her eyes.
“I don’t like people who meddle in other people’s love lives like you do.”
“…….”
“So don’t say thank you.”
Shirahama muttered and turned her attention back to her smartphone. She was as indifferent as my old black-haired neighbor, but she clearly had no interest in me, and in fact, she seemed hostile. My first impression of her was an F.
Sensei, I guess I’m just a loser…
Feeling the insurmountable wall between myself and the popular girl, I decided to bury myself in the sand. Just then, a girl walked up to us.
“Oh ! Mikuri is also in the executive committee ! That’s surprising !”
“Ah, Yumeka. Well, I guess I should have this kind of experience while I’m still in high school, right?”
It seemed that the girl was there for Shirahama, and Shirahama looked up from her smartphone for the first time.
“Eh ! You’re too serious ! I lost at rock-paper-scissors !”
“Whoa, that’s a bummer…..”
“But the executive committee leader this time is Aihara senpai ! I guess that’s a win-win, right?”
“Oh, really? I see…”
“Well, if that’s the case, I guess I’ll take it for real too !”
It seems that saying ‘for real’ is this black-haired gal’s catchphrase. …I wonder if she says things like ‘for real, for real.’
“So, you’re…ah, you’re from the broadcasting club, right?”
As if punished for thinking such trivial things, the gal turned her gaze toward me.
“Eh, yeah, that’s right…”
“…Haa.”
I didn’t expect her to talk to me, so I reflexively became nervous. Seeing me like that, Shirahama next to me sighed blatantly. But ignoring the strange atmosphere of Class 2-3, the gal continued to talk to me.
“You do love advice during lunch, right? That’s interesting.”
“Oh, thank you…”
The black-haired gal was actually a listener. No way, I’ll bow down to her.
“I’ve been having trouble with my boyfriend lately, so maybe I’ll ask Kageyama kun for advice next time.”
“Well, if you send it in, I’ll read it…”
“C’mon, we’re on the same committee, so why don’t you give me some advice here?”
“Ah, ahaha…”
This is bad. I’m happy to find out she’s a listener, but I’m not used to this gal’s unique sense of distance. All I can do is laugh vaguely in response.
“Y’see, my boyfriend is so mean…”
“Hey, Yumeka.”
Shirahama interrupted the flow of the conversation and joined in. I paused for a moment and turned to face her. Shirahama put the smartphone she had been looking at on the desk and smiled gently.
“Yumeka’s boyfriend is Takamoto from the baseball club, right?”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
After confirming this fact, Shirahama leaned in close and adopted a posture as if she were sharing a secret.
“There are quite a few baseball club members around the committee, so maybe you shouldn’t complain too much.”
Seeing Shirahama looking around warily, the black-haired gal…I mean, Yumeka also looked around with a startled expression.
“T-that’s true !”
“Right? So even if you wanna talk about it, why not do it on the radio like Kageyama kun said? It’s anonymous, after all.”
“True ! Thanks, Mikuri ! And also Kageyama kun !”
“Yeah, see you later~”
“Oh, okay, see you.”
After a brief farewell, Yumeka quickly returned to her seat. Shirahama watched her go, sighed softly, and then resumed checking her social media on her smartphone.
…Did she notice my predicament?
“Thanks, Shirahama. You saved me.”
“….No biggie.”
Shirahama replied briefly without looking up from her phone. There was no trace of the earlier rejection, and I decided to revise my opinion of her slightly.
“It was just annoying having a loner fumbling around next to me.”
“…..I see.”
I take that back—I still don’t think we can be friends !
Maitoshi