TL: learning2tl

TLC: Kagefij

ED: Fractal/Relicaa

Hinami and I arrived first at the designated meeting place, Mame no Ki, in front of Omiya Station.

Or rather, such were the instructions.

「Nghhh, seems like it's finally starting……」

「What are you babbling about now? Please get ready.」

「You know that it's a two on two boy-girl shopping trip, right? Moreover, all the other partic.i.p.ants are high-ranking riajuu. It's ridiculous to expect me not to be nervous in this situation.」

「Who was the one that decided to raise the difficulty level of what was supposed to be a simple meal?」

「Nghh……」

I couldn't say anything after having this pointed out to me. Hinami let out a small, triumphant laugh.

Looking around, I saw people of all ages waiting. The majority of them were fairly young, and no matter who I looked at, it felt like they would be sporting an expression full of life that differed so greatly from my own. They're probably all used to being with friends or having a girlfriend. Waiting here like this doesn't make them nervous in the slightest… Apparently even the Saitama prefecture has plenty of fas.h.i.+on-conscious, riajuu-like people, huh…….

「For now, you'll need to avoid being so nervous that you won't be able to take on your a.s.signed task.」

Hinami said that as if she were reading my mind perfectly.

Even for this occasion, I have been given a task to do thanks to Hinami, and I am to complete it as we shop. This is going to be tough.

「You two are pretty early!」

Mizusawa arrived while I was lost in thought.

I was the only one who saw Hinami's facial muscles instantly s.h.i.+ft into place.

「Huhhh? What's this? Takahiro, late?」

「Come on, you know there's still a while to go!」

「Ehhh, is that right?」

Hinami began to engage some highly playful banter with Takahiro. Both sides made quips at each other, but since the atmosphere was so relaxed, it was rather cheerful. It was such that, for some reason, I felt at ease looking at them.

On closer examination, Takahiro was wearing a hoodie with a logo on a plain white background, some darkish jeans, and red shoes. The silhouette of his brown hair, facial expression, slender stature, redness of his shoes, and so on and so forth all exuded strength, or perhaps a riajuu-like feeling. It made me think, "ah, I can't win."

As for Hinami, the one who had started the light hearted conversation, her attire was also stylish. Or rather, (and I suspect that by now one could call it Hinami's inherent aura) she brings a celebrity feel with her day in and day out.

The hems of her slightly wide, dark green uh… trousers? were rolled up slightly to her ankles. Below that, she had on white sandals. On her upper portion, she wore a fluffy white… uh, T-s.h.i.+rt? Well, I'm not sure what that is, but she was wearing some kind of fluffy something. My own vocabulary of clothing-related terms isn't sufficient.

As for me, I was simply wearing the mannequin outfit I had bought the other day. Ah, my vocabulary was sufficient.

「To start, even if I was late, you have no right to speak, Aoi! You were late before too, you know!」

「Ehhh? Did that happen? I forgot!」

「But I remember?」

They both laughed in unison. It may have only been a casual conversation, but, to me, an unthinkable piece of information slipped through it. Hinami Aoi, late, you say? In what parallel world does such a thing happen?

「S-Sorry I'm laaate!!」

Izumi showed up while I was lost in my thoughts and completely logged out from the conversation. Looking at the clock, it was about two minutes past the promised meeting time. She's running rather spectacularly.

「Yuzu, wait! You'll fall! Be careful!」

Seemingly enjoying herself, Hinami laughed as she said this.

Looking at Izumi's feet, she wore, uh, I think they're called heels, right? Black ones with soles up pretty high up. She also had on short pants made of slightly torn jean fabric, with youth and charm seeming to emanate from her slender, long legs. Because of the rather short length of her pants, with a moderate amount of muscle and a visibly smooth texture, the abundant particulars of her thighs were generously laid bare.

On her upper half, she wore something black with an opening that stretched roughly to her shoulders. On closer inspection, her attire underneath was slightly transparent. And underneath the transparent attire a white something could be seen with that exposed just as much. She also seemed to be wearing a necklace of some sort. Her clothes gave her a surprisingly adult look similar to what you'd expect from a s.e.xy, adult gal. Despite how childish her personality really is.

Still, what's happening here is kind of similar to that, right? By running like this, she'll probably be forgiven even though she's late. Or, rather, her clumsiness created a kind of adorable impression, like she hadn't really meant any harm by being late… Wait a second.

I just realized something. This probably means that……

「Okayy, you're late. That means Häagen-Dazs, your treat!」

「Ehh!? ……F-Fine, I got it!」

「No, don't get it, don't get it! Right then, let's go～」

Even Mizusawa was looking at Izumi with the eyes of someone seeing something adorable. An existence that ought to be loved and be protected such that the current atmosphere was one of 'We can't just leave her alone!'. Uh, so in other words.

The fact that Hinami had been late was all a deliberate act to aim for an atmosphere like this.

Is this for real? Still, that's definitely what happened. Since I'm someone who has seen exactly what her other side is like, you can take my word for it. There's no way she would turn up late due to some blunder, and if I were to a.s.sume it had been on purpose, then it would make complete sense.

「Shall we get going?」

Even as I trembled in fear at just how terrifying Hinami Aoi was, the shopping trip began earnestly in such a fas.h.i.+on. Oh? That reminds me, I haven't spoken a single word since Mizusawa and Izumi arrived, have I?

The first place on our agenda was the Lumine[1] within the vicinity of our meeting location at Omiya's Mame no Ki.

This was decided simply through Mizusawa's suggestion that went something like,「Tomozaki and Izumi are buying presents, right? 'Kay then, how about we go to the Lumine for now?」 As such, I didn't exactly know why Lumine was the choice. I think it's because they sell a lot of things.

Upon entering the Lumine right next to the station - which was apparently actually called Lumine 2, but I don't know why it's called that - we ended up going inside a stylish clothing store called Beams[2] that was directly in front of us. Exactly why we chose Beams, I have no idea. I think it's because they sell a lot of things. I'm pretty clueless about these kinds of subjects.

「Hmmmm……」

Upon entering Beams, Izumi began to carefully examine each of the bags, wallets, accessories, and so that were on sale. What an incredibly serious gaze. She's being incredibly vocal with her hmms.

Hinami let out a small cry as she walked at a steady pace while looking out for items in Izumi's vicinity.

「Ah- this one is cuuute!」

「It really is! So cute! ……But would Shuuji like something like this?」

While picking up a pale, tawny change purse, Izumi looked at Hinami with an uneasy expression.

Hinami tilted her head.

「Nnn, I wonder?」

「Hmm. Hiro. What do you think?」

Looks like Izumi calls Takahiro by the nickname Hiro.

「Nn～. Doesn't seem like he'd like that kind of thing.」

「Yeah, thought so～」

Despondent, Izumi returned it to the shelf. She really seemed dejected from the bottom of her heart. Then, making an about-turn, she began to once again evaluate the other things that were on sale with a facial expression that was as serious as serious gets.

I'm not sure how to put it, but she was conveying the feeling that she was seriously thinking about Nakamura as she made her choices. Her eyebrows were incredibly tense, but for some reason, her expression seemed somewhat helpless. The only thing I could feel was her intense concentration. What is this creature?

Now then, what should I do? Just observing them like this won't get me anywhere, and, more importantly, would make Hinami mad at me later. So I have to get started on doing something. I cautiously drew closer to Izumi.

When I did this, Izumi turned to face me. With a serious gaze, she looked me in the eye. What?

Then, she opened her mouth.

「I dunno……」

「Wh-What's up with that?」

That is what she chose to say with such a serious expression? I felt letdown thinking about this.

「What do you recommend……?」

「Eh. H-hmm.」

So Izumi would equitably ask even me for my opinion. It's wonderful how she doesn't discriminate. The only catch here is the fact that I can't say anything that might be of any use.

However, I'll try to give it some proper thought of my own just in case. To start with, I have absolutely no idea what Nakamura's casual clothing would be like, and I know next to nothing about his hobbies, preferences, and character. What I do know is that he likes AtaFami at the moment, and that there's a side of him that really hates losing. That's about it.

Therefore, I conclude that unless I start from a position of knowing about Nakamura, I can't say anything. Right. That didn't help. I have no choice but to do my usual thing and just say exactly what I'm thinking.

「Umm, let's see…… If you don't know what to get him, I think that randomly looking around a store like this isn't really going to help. That's why, understand Nakamura, and reflect, maybe? Y-You have to do all that and think about what to get him before looking around. That's what I think……」

My voice was slowly trailing off due to my lack of confidence, but, even so, Izumi was going 'Hm, hm', giving me her full attention as she listened. Once she was done hearing me out, she exclaimed 'You're right!' with all of her might in agreement. Hey, this girl won't get scammed into buying a vase or something, right?[3] Will she be fine?

「Thanks! I'll try asking around!」

Saying this, Izumi began to look around restlessly. She's probably looking for Hinami or Mizusawa. Be that as it may, riajuus seem to have unusually steady torsos, don't they? Even her movements as she scanned the area possessed an enigmatic sense of stability. Izumi seemed to have caught sight of them in the distance as she let out an "ah."

However, she clapped at me twice for some reason, saying「Hey」as she did so. When I responded, she stood on the tips of her toes and brought her face closer to my ear. Eh, what is it? Um, your face is too close. How many times does this make it?

「Look, over there.」

Looking in the direction of where Izumi pointed, I saw the figures of Mizusawa and Hinami putting hats on each other as they shared a private laugh. ……Um, what's this?

「They seem pretty close, is that what you're saying?」

For some reason, Izumi looked at me with an extremely mischievous face.

「Um, you see……actually, ah, this is a secret, okay?」

「Y-yeah.」

Izumi brought her mouth close to my ear as I bent over to listen. She then spoke in a whisper.

「There's this rumour that the two of them are going out.」

「Haa!?」

I inadvertently let out a shout. Izumi looked at me, saying「You idiot!」in a hushed voice.

The results of my aiueo back-channeling practice coming to fruition, I was able to produce a big reaction. How wonderful. As a result, employees and even Hinami and Mizusawa were looking at us. How very embarra.s.sing.

Izumi waved a hand from side to side to signal that it was nothing. However, the two of them started approaching us with half-smiles after giving us quizzical looks.

「Umm, we'll continue the rest of this conversation later!」

「Y-yeah……」

After speaking to me in a hushed voice, Izumi went over to meet them, saying 「It's nothing, really～!」as she did so. As for what I was doing… I stood stock still with her words from earlier being repeated in my mind for some reason.

『There's this rumour that the two of them are going out.』

W-Well, so that's how it is. If you thought about it carefully, it made sense. The perfect heroine Hinami Aoi. In fact, it would be unnatural for her to not have a boyfriend. In fact, it would be extremely odd for someone without a boyfriend to so self-importantly say『Your target is to get a girlfriend』, so it should have been obvious.

Still, what is this feeling? This feeling, it's a bit like anger…… or perhaps a hazy feeling from that bit about it being a 『rumour』. Izumi's on good terms with Hinami, so she should be able to ask her directly, shouldn't she? Like, why doesn't she? This is the kind of hazy feeling I had.

Well, it's not like I'm directly involved or anything, and it's none of my business, but there's something not quite right…… I didn't like how I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. Look, if someone told you『Actually, I have a secret to tell you……ah, actually, never mind!』, wouldn't you feel bothered and irritated by that? That was the kind of irritation I felt. It wasn't really anything to do with Hinami being involved in the matter.

「Tomozaki-kuuun! We're going, you know?」

「Ah, r-right!!」

Hinami had called out to me. I ended up giving yet another overblown reply.

On doing so, Hinami closed the distance a little and called out to me in a voice silent enough that only I could hear it.

「Hey, you're acting strange. What did you talk about with Yuzu earlier?」

With my back straightening out due to those whispered words, I replied.

「I-I-It's n-n-nothing.」

My body was trembling uncontrollably as I downplayed the matter.

「……Well, that's fine then.」

The slightest sound of the gnawing of teeth indicated that as expected, even Hinami was surprised.

「Y-yeah.」

「More importantly, there doesn't seem to be any indication that you're trying to do the task I a.s.signed you, is there?」

「Ah, yeah. I'm doing it, I really am. Yup yup.」

「I see. ……Well then.」

Perhaps judging that discussing the matter any further would be futile, or perhaps thinking that staying any longer would come off as unnatural to the others, Hinami left it at that, walking off towards Mizusawa's side. Then, they cheerfully started talking again. What pleasant smiles the both of them have.

Wait, no, no. I'm not here to observe the love affairs of other people. I have to do the task I've been given. I'm here to acc.u.mulate experience points.

I got my feelings back in order. Then, I recalled the events of yesterday's meeting in order to reaffirm what I needed to do here.

Translator Notes:

[1] Lumine Co., Ltd operates a number of shopping centers that you tend to find attached to railway stations in j.a.pan (you could say they're in the same building).

[2] From Wikipedia: Beams is a j.a.panese clothing brand, established in 1976 in Harajuku district of Tokyo, whose chief executive officer is Yo s.h.i.+tara. Besides stores in many places in j.a.pan, they have branch offices in New York, Milan, London, and Paris.

[3] That sort of scam where a gullible person with a poor sense of judgement gets scammed into buying something effectively useless. Apparently well known in j.a.pan. (つぼを売る)

TL: Kagefij

TLC: learning2tl

ED: Fractal

「This time your task is to『Get your suggestion accepted two or more times』」

「……Err, what did you mean?」

After Hinami gave me her task, I immediately asked for clarification.

「I meant it literally. Where to go. What to eat. When to go back. When you act in groups, there are going to be『Decisions that involve everyone』like those, right?」

「Well, I guess so.」

Unless everyone separated and went to eat on their own, it'd have to be like that.

「You see, at a time like this there's inevitably going to be a situation in which 『one person makes a decision everyone accepts』. Even if everyone ends up wanting to go to the same place, there needs to be someone who vocalizes the idea right?」

「Ah」

That is, there must always be a person who declares the idea.

「That's what I meant by『Get your suggestion accepted』. By yourself, be 『the first one who brings it up』regarding where to go or what to eat. Give that suggestion to the other three and get them to follow your suggestion. Do that two or more times. That's the task this time.」

So that's what she meant. I understood what I needed to do.

「I got it, ……however, I still have one question」

I said as I raised my hand to ask a question.

「Yes, Tomozaki-kun?」

Hinami pointed at me acting like a s.e.xy female teacher. Even though I was the one who started the charade, her teacher act was so fitting that it made me embarra.s.sed.

「Err, what's the reason or benefit of doing this?」

「That's a good question, Tomozaki-kun. You see, There are two main benefits.」

Hinami brought up two fingers next to her face while sticking to the mature tone. The strangely appealing tone of voice charmed my ears.

「T-Two」

「The first reason is to practice seizing the right to lead a group.」

「Practice seizing the right to lead a group?」

It didn't quite ring a bell for me.

「Getting straight to the point,『Getting your suggestion accepted』means being able to temporarily 『manipulate the mood』for the group」

「Err, what?」

I thought about it while being at a loss for words.

Getting my suggestions accepted = Manipulating the mood?

「We talked about the『mood』before, right? When I said that the thing we call『mood 』is, in summary, the standard for judgement established within that group」

「Ah, you did say that」

Something I personally experienced during the incident with Konno Erika.

The fact that Mood = the standard for judgement established within that group.

「Then don't you understand what I mean? 」

The meaning……?

From the two hints I was given, I tried my best to figure it out.

In other words…… is this what she means?

「In short, by『Getting my suggestions accepted』I would be manipulating the『mood』within the group in the direction of my suggestion being 『good』. Thus, I would be『manipulating the mood』. Is that it?」

Hinami grinned.

「Onitada」

「It came out.」

「In summary,」Hinami said as she touched my chest with one extended finger,「Getting your suggestion accepted is practice for becoming a『person who manipulates the mood of the group』」

Though I startled due to the unexpected finger on my chest, I managed to feign calmness and respond.

「E-err… to become a『person who manipulates the mood of the group』?」

「Yes. For that purpose, you will have to get your suggestion accepted.」Hinami retracted her finger.「Then, do you understand why we're aiming towards becoming a『person who manipulates the mood of the group』?」

Though I still had the lingering feeling of Hinami's finger on my chest I managed to suppress my emotions and answer Hinami's question.

「……You mean that it's related to becoming a riajuu?」

「Onitada」

「You're on the ball today」

「You see, it's normally riajuus that become the『person who manipulates the mood of the group』, don't you agree?」

Hinami pretended I didn't say anything and continued the conversation. Well, that's also fine.

I thought of several people who fit the bill of『person who manipulates the mood of the group』…… It's just as she said.

「That's true……how should I put it, being the organizer or being the leader. They're often the boss in that situation. Putting it another way, you can say that they're the at the top even within riajuus.」

「That's right. Like Nakamura, or Konno Erika, or me.」

「Wow, that's incredibly humble of you.」

I got used to her singing her own praises. To the point where I just let her say anything.

「So in summary, in order to become a boss-cla.s.s riajuu, the most fitting task is to『get your suggestion accepted』」

「I see」At this point, I suddenly calmed down.「……Err, you're telling me to become the boss?」

That's impossible. Those words very naturally came to me.

Unexpectedly, Hinami shook her head.

「It's too sudden to ask you to become the boss of a riajuu group. I meant more that you need to gradually acquire the skills of people on this side.」

「Gradually……」

If, if that's the case, then I guess it might not be impossible……perhaps?

「Yes. By『getting your suggestion accepted』you will get used to『manipulating the mood』. It's fine if from there, you gradually learn higher levels of mood manipulation.」

「Err, is that so?」Or rather…「Does that means that there are higher levels of mood manipulation?」

「Isn't it obvious? Well for your current state, it's probably too soon to discuss it, but ── you can do various things like manipulating the mood for an even larger group. Or even manipulating the mood not just temporarily but for a longer period of time.」

Manipulating the mood of a large group, and allowing the effect to last for a long time?

I tried to think, but nothing came to mind.

「……For example?」

「Let's see. In terms of our school, there's the mood that dictates『Unpopular girls shouldn't wear neckties』, right? No one actually checks to see that the rule is followed but a large group has been following that mood for a long time.」

「O, Oh! So it's about things like that.」

She's amazing being able to say that while wearing a necktie. Nevertheless, I was convinced. Surely they exist. The mood a.s.sumed by a large group of people.

「After manipulating the mood of a large group momentarily for many many times, that standard will begin to take root within the group. When that becomes the case, that mood will be firmly established without the need to manipulate it further for it to stay relevant. Little by little, the mood will become something『a.s.sumed』by the group. That's a difficult mood manipulation with a wide area of effect and a long effective time. If you practice to the extreme, then you'll be able to do something like that.」

Hinami said that while showing a smile that displayed her acting skill.

「……I, I see」

While being startled by her meaningful words and facial expression, I gave it further thought. Repeating the mood manipulation multiple times and changing the group's standard of judgment from what it previously was. Changing to the point that it takes a firm root without having to manipulate it anymore. In a way, that's just like brainwas.h.i.+ng.

「By the way you do realize that not just in school but also in businesses and in local governments or even in countries, people are doing this same type of manipulation.」

「That, that is……」

Going shopping with a small group and controlling the group for only a single time, that's the easiest type of 『mood manipulation』.

Doing that with a larger group and allowing the effect to take root, that's the difficult『mood manipulation』.

Increasing the scale means increasing the scope, intensity or firmness.

「With that…… taking it to the extreme, it feels like a new religion.」

When I said that, Hinami grinned.

「A new religion? What are you saying?」

「Eh?」

「Religions are also like that. Tomozaki-kun.」

「A, ah……」

I've heard a statement that seems kind of dangerous.

「That's just how it works. Not only religions, many groups are subject to『mood manipulation』, large or small. There's no such thing as a group without any manipulation. This includes the cla.s.s, your family or simply the two of us talking. It's because humans are beings that can't doing anything without any standard of judgement.」

「I, I see」

Even though I felt fear at those enlightening words, I became convinced that this was true.

「With this, you understand, right? If you practice the smallest degree of mood manipulation, next you can practice a larger degree of mood manipulation. After that, you can start seeing how to perform an even larger mood manipulation. By taking initiative like this, you can become someone that manipulates the mood in a certain group ── in other words, the boss of that group. Rephrasing it further, it means that you can get closer to become a true riajuu.」

「Ah, so that's what you meant.」

「You probably wouldn't know how to go about doing it if I suddenly told you to become the boss of the group, but if it's『getting your suggestion accepted about where to go and what to eat』, then you have an idea of how it can be done, right?」

「Well, that's certainly true.」

「And when you've learned how to do it, by repeating many times, with different conditions or by applying the method to a larger group, the road to becoming a riajuu will open up to you. Got it?」

It sounded difficult, but it turned out to be pretty straightforward.

「Yeah. Onitada.」

「That's not the right way to use it」

Hinami made a very displeased face. It's look like I have a long way to go in the art of Onitada.

「Err……What's the second reason?」

「Well, the right use of Onitada is something for you to review later ── the second reason is about『responsibility』」

「Responsibility?」

A grand-sounding word has appeared yet again.

「That's very simple. You see, aren't you a loner?」

「Is it something you'd suddenly say out so straightforwardly?」

A surprise frontal thrust.

「But it's an important thing. In short, when you act alone, there is no need to take responsibility for other people. The results of your actions normally only affect yourself, right?」

「Hn? Well, that's true.」

Since there's only me alone, that much is obvious.

「Even if you went into a restaurant without checking and the food wasn't good, then only you suffer from it. If you went into a random shop and couldn't find want you wanted, then you've wasted only your own time. You haven't inconvenienced anyone.」

「That's certainly true」

You can say that that's a pro of being a loner. After all, pros and cons are just different perspectives of the same thing.

「However, when you become a riajuu and join a group and end up making decisions for that group, that goes out the window.」

「……Hn? In summary?」

「If you suggest『let's eat here』to everyone and the food isn't good, it's your responsibility. If you suggest『let's shop here』to everyone and there isn't a good a.s.sortment of goods, it's your responsibility.」

「Ah……」

You could certainly say that.

「Of course, in the end, everyone would have made the decision to go along with that suggestion. So it might be just to say that everyone shares that responsibility equally. Nevertheless, there's a 『mood』that the course of action suggested by the person who created the idea was bad, don't you agree?」

「Well, I can imagine」

「So in summary, aren't you a loner?」

「Is that straightforward phrase something you say twice?」

「It is for you to experience firsthand the『responsibility from making decisions』that did not arise when you were a loner. Then, it is for you to get used to it. Furthermore, it is for you to be able to control that freely. It is the first step for you into that territory. This is the other meaning behind this task.」

「……I see. I got it.」

I nodded my head, convinced.

「Putting it in another way, it is in order to pull out the epitome of hiriajuu, in other words, you, from the warm bath — no, a rotten trench — known as being a loner that you have been relying on.」

「Did you really need to give further explanation that was needlessly harsh?」

Well, it's just typical of Hinami to be unsatisfied by a normal explanation.

TL: GIN

TLC: learning2tl

ED: Relicaa

Right. With that said, I have to get my proposal accepted at least two times no matter what happens. So, this isn't the time to be doing anything unnecessary like observing and guessing what's going on between Hinami and Mizusawa.

After leaving Beams, we walked around while thinking about where to go next. Looking forward, Izumi, Hinami, and Mizusawa were lined up from left to right in that order with Izumi trailing slightly behind them. Mizusawa and Hinami were having fun chatting as always. Izumi joins them occasionally── sometimes glancing towards me like she's minding something.

Huh? Wait, could this be… Am I being given consideration?

Ah, this is bad. Being lost in my own thoughts is fine and all, but worrying other people and being bothersome isn't good, right? I hadn't bothered anyone up until now. So it wasn't a problem even if I didn't get involved with other people. That's why, when faced with this situation, I'm feeling something like a sense of responsibility…… Is this the 『responsibility』 that Hinami told me about? It's true that this is a sensation that you'd never be able to taste when you're alone……!

With that, I have to do my best so they're not too mindful of me. I moved forward to line up next to Izumi.

「……Man, this is pretty hard huh?」

「Seriously! Have you decided Tomozaki?」

While I did my best keeping a composed expression when talking with Izumi, she cheerfully replied. Oh, right. I now have to get something too, huh? There's a lot I need to do regarding the gift and a.s.signment.

「Nah not yet……. You？」

「Noo. I tried asking Hiro earlier, but…… Ah, I meant Mizusawa ok?」

「Ah, right.」

She seemed worried that I wouldn't get that Hiro was Mizusawa. I already knew though. How thoughtful of her!

「He told me to get that ointment since Shuuji's been bothered by pimples recently. He's absolutely going to be p.i.s.sed if he gets handed something like thaaat!」

「Hahahaha.」I got a laugh mainly out of him being concerned about pimples.「But something like that might pa.s.s? It kind of seems like something he's always wanted.」

「Yeah. That might be so, but…… we don't know if there's anything that he would want, right? Do you know any… I suppose not.」

「Hey, don't give up before asking.」

I've become a lot better at retorting disses about me not having friends since Hinami has dissed me so many times.

「Ahaha! But you don't know, right?」

「Naah……」

I took occasional glances toward Hinami and Mizusawa while I was thinking. They seemed to be having fun as usual.

「The things that I know about him are… that he likes AtaFami, that he's strong, that he's an ikemen, that he has a riajuu hairstyle……」

「Hm? That's……」Izumi thought of something.

「Eh, what's wrong? Riajuu hairstyle…… Ah!」

I also just realized. Speaking of riajuus and hairstyles. That's right, that might work.

Izumi and I faced each other and spoke at the same time.

「Hair wax!」

「The thing that makes your bangs stand up!」

「──Eh？」

Izumi looked back waiting for me to repeat what I just said. I replied,「n-nothing」in a fl.u.s.ter.

「What did you just say Tomozaki?」

I don't really get it, but what i do know is that if I say it directly, she'll think I'm weird. D-don't look.

「It's nothing……」

「You called it the thing that makes your bangs stand up, right?」

So, you really did hear that? Izumi was heartily laughing.

「No, well, don't Riajuu have the image of holding their hair up with a pin or whatever……?」

「Shuuji… has short hair, y'know?」

「That's true.」

I saw a beautiful reb.u.t.tal here.

Still, with being able to say things in unison, I might've improved my conversation skills somewhat.

「……Ahahaha! But wouldn't hair wax be ok!?」

「I-it's okay, I think!」

If I had to choose between good or bad, I'd probably say good. If I had to choose between good, bad, or I don't know, I'd say I don't know.

「Hey Hiro! How about hair wax?」

「Hey! That sounds pretty good! That guy collects all sorts!」

「Ah……but what if I get him something that he already has?」

「Nah, I probably know what kind of wax he doesn't have yet.」

「Eh, really!? That's Hiro for you!」

「Well, I was the one that taught him about hair wax after all. 」

「I-Is that so!? Oh, right, you want to become a hairdresser!」

「Yeah. There's probably a slightly more expensive series of hair wax that I don't expect him to own yet. He's the kind who buys a bunch of cheap ones to try them out.」

「Eeeh! He's unexpectedly cheap! Even though he has a big att.i.tude!」

「That's wrong, Yuzu. Expensive doesn't mean good when it comes to wax. Compatibility is more important. Just like girlfriends.」

「Eww! Of course a playboy like you would say something like that!」

「This might be surprising, but nah, I'm not a playboy!」

「Surprising!?」

「Though, I do have a playboy's hairstyle.」

「So you're aware of it!?」

「I suppose. At the hair salon, I get asked about how I'd like my hair, and I tell them please turn me into a playboy.」

「Ahaha! That's definitely a lie!」

「I'm serious, I'm serious!」

The two of them laughed heartily. As I was watching their exchange, I pondered.

Why did I think that I had improved my conversation skills? No, it was all thanks to Izumi's amazing ability to turn my awkward phrasings into actual conversations. I'm still like a child when it comes to this.