The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 1Volume 2 .3 - Shimizu-san and Joining the Club

Shimizu-san and Joining the Club 3

“Hey, are you deciding it just like that? We haven’t asked you the important stuff yet.”

“Important stuff?”

“What do you guys do here after school? You’re not always preparing for stargazing, right?”

“Ah…”

Indeed, we hadn’t heard any details about their activities.

I assumed they studied something related to astronomy, but maybe it’s different?

“T-that’s…”

Yousuke seems flustered. Somehow, I’m getting the feeling their activities aren’t exactly what I’d imagined.

“Then let me answer that instead! The Astronomy Enthusiast Club is a place where you can casually chat and laugh about random things with your fellow members! It’s essentially a modern-day paradise!”

To sum it up, the Astronomy Enthusiast Club’s activity is…

“In other words, you’re basically using this place as a lounge and chatting aimlessly!”

“Well, you could see it that way, yes…”

The fact that Ai-san isn’t denying it seems to confirm that what Shimizu-san said about the club’s activities is accurate.

“Either way, I’m actually not interested in joining any club now. If we’re done talking, I’m leaving.”

As Shimizu-san stood up, Ai-san followed suit.

“Wait a minute, Kei! Just listen a bit more!”

“What is it? Convincing me is pointless.”

“If you don’t hear this out, Kei, I think you’ll regret it.”

“…That’s an unpleasant way to put it. Well, I’ll listen to you if you insist.”

“Good decision. Please, come this way.”

Ai-san said this while walking toward the door, then paused there.

“Why can’t you just say it here? Why do I have to move all the way over there?”

“I’m fine with discussing it here, but I thought it might be inconvenient for Kei. Oh, if Kei prefers, I can say it here?”

Ai-san stood at the door, grinning mischievously as she stared at Shimizu-san.

Shimizu-san glared back, though it didn’t seem to have any effect.

“If it’s not something significant, I won’t care.”

“Don’t worry about that. I promise it’s information that’ll benefit Kei.”

Hearing those words, Shimizu-san disappeared outside the room with Ai-san. Leaving just Yousuke and me inside.

As I wondered what to talk about, Yousuke spoke up first.

“Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to say for a while now. Can I?”

“Y-yes.”

Considering we just met today, what could he want to talk about?

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Unable to imagine, I felt a bit nervous.

“Thank you for what you did for Kei.”

Saying that, Yousuke deeply bowed his head.

“What are you talking about? I don’t remember doing anything deserving of thanks…”

Slowly lifting his head, Yousuke continued.

“No, you did. Do you remember when Kei was confessed to by that troublesome guy some time ago?”

“Ah…”

Come to think of it, when Ai-san came to the classroom before, she mentioned looking for Shimizu-san with a childhood friend.

That childhood friend must’ve been Yousuke.

“If you hadn’t found Kei for us, I don’t know what might have happened. I hadn’t had the chance to thank you since then, but I always wanted to express my gratitude directly if we ever talked.”

“…I see. In that case, please let me thank you as well.”

“Huh? Thank me for what?”

Yousuke looked genuinely puzzled.

“Shimizu-san is also someone precious to me. Thank you for helping me search for her during that lunch break.”

This time, I bowed my head in gratitude to Yousuke.

“Ah, raise your head, Hondō! I only helped out Ai! Besides, I see Kei like a younger sister. It’s only natural for me to be concerned.”

“You think of Shimizu-san like a younger sister?”

As I lifted my head, that question inadvertently slipped from my lips.

“Kei is my childhood friend too, you know. She’s always been like a rebellious little sister to me. That’s why I’m glad you’re by her side, Hondō.”

“All I do is talk to Shimizu-san, nothing more.”

“Just having a classmate nearby and someone she can casually talk to about anything might be precious to her.”

“I hope that’s the case…”

“Yes, so if you don’t mind, I hope you continue to be good friends with her.”

Yousuke’s gaze seemed to be filled with kindness.

“Of course.”

“Alright, that concludes the thank you’s. There’s something I wanted to ask you, Hondō…”

“What is it?”

“You mentioned earlier that Shimizu-san is someone precious to you, does that mean… No, nevermind. Please forget I asked. If Ai or Kei finds out I asked you this, I have a feeling I’d get more than just a scolding.”

“Yes? Okay, I understand.”

I wonder what Yousuke wanted to ask.

He retracted his question so I won’t pry him any further.

“Regardless of the circumstances, just know that I’ll support you.”

“Thank you?”

I wonder what Yousuke is supporting for.

I can’t pinpoint it, but his support is reassuring.

Before I realized it, Yousuke’s gaze had shifted from me to the door.

“Speaking of which, Ai and Kei haven’t returned yet. Seems like convincing Kei is taking longer than expected.”

“It seems so.”

“Oh!”

“What’s the matter?”

“I forgot to ask earlier, but have you decided if you’ll join the Astronomy Enthusiast Club, Hondō?”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t told him yet whether I’d join the club or not.

“Yes, if it’s okay for me to leave early sometimes, then it’s no problem. Plus, it seems fun, so I think I’ll join.”

“Ah, thank you! At least with this, the club will continue until the end of the second term. Whether it becomes an official astronomy club depends on Kei now.”

“It would be nice if Shimizu-san also joined.”

“If you mention it to Kei, she might just join… But for now, let’s wait a bit.”

“I guess so.”

And so, Yousuke and I began to chat.

***

“So what’s the story?”

Standing in the hallway in front of the Astronomy Enthusiast Club’s room, Ai and I were alone.

With no one else around, it was unlikely that anyone would overhear us.

“Before that, why aren’t you joining the club? That’s not what we discussed!”

“Don’t talk as if we’ve been talking about this forever. This conversation started today.”

“Uh, well… yes, I know. But this is your chance!”

“A chance for what?”

“A chance to get closer to Daiki-kun! If you spend more time together in the same place, you’ll naturally become closer. And if you experience stargazing together, it will definitely strengthen your bond!”

Ai seemed to suggest that joining the club and participating in stargazing would benefit me.

“You just want to stargaze from the rooftop yourself, don’t you? And why the rooftop? Aren’t there other places where it’s easier to observe the stars?”

“Hehe, you got me. Though, what I said earlier wasn’t a lie. Recently, I got some information!”

“What information?”

“Apparently, if you stargaze from our school’s rooftop, your love will come true!”

“…Where did you get that ridiculous rumor from?”

I’ve never heard such a thing.

I usually only get this kind of information from Hondō, and he’s not one for gossip.

There might not be anyone less informed about rumors in this school than me.