22 - Boys stand upright when surrounded by girls (Patreon)

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“Nakano-kun, can I have a moment?”
“Hi... Sakura-san, what's wrong?”

During practice, Hiuri suddenly spoke to me.

Currently, we are practicing on the field separated by school year. In addition to Hiuri's class, another group from a class further back is also practicing in the same place.
The purpose is to practice for the inter-grade relay race and others. In order to create the same conditions as the actual event, the entire school year is practicing together like this.

“Can you come over for a moment?”
“Ummm... Well, ok...”

Since the tug of war teams go beyond the school year, it is not possible to practice at this time, and the scavenger race is not an event that requires repeated practice.
There is very little for me to do at this time.

Currently, the field is occupied by the boys’ long distance runners, while Hiuri is currently taking a break.

Hiuri takes me to a place where there are several girls. Among them, two people notice us and start approaching us.
If I remember correctly, they are from the next class and are close friends with Hiuri.

“So you're Nakano-kun.”
“Hmm...”

I am exposed to the gaze of two girls. They look at me as if they are trying to appraise me, which is very uncomfortable.

“Um, Sakura-san, why are we here...?”
“I'm sorry. The three of them really want to talk to Nakano-kun...”

After about a minute of feeling the uncomfortable gaze, the three of them finally open their mouths.

“I'm Hayashi Suzu. Nice to meet you, Nakano-kun.”
“My name is Kannazuki Kono. Pleased to meet you.”

Kannazuki sure is an unusual surname... that’s not it.

“Um, hello. What can I do for you?”
“Nn? I just wanted to see Hiu-chan's boyfriend-kun for a bit though—”
“I only came here because Rinrin wanted to see you. I don't have any particular intentions.”

Hayashi-san seems kind of simple-minded, and Kannazuki-san seems calm.
Hiuri is more of Kannazuki-san's type, so I'm curious as to what Hayashi-san’s role is among these three.

Also, she called Hiuri “Hiu-chan”... that's nice, that way of calling her. But, I wonder if she'll get angry if I call her that.

“It’s because Hiu-chan said she unusually went on a date during summer vacation—”
“Eh, Sakura-san, you said that?”
“It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong, so it’s fine!”

Hiuri says with a slight blush.

Hmmm, even though it felt like it was my secret day... well, I guess it won't be a problem as long as someone like Tadashi doesn't know about it.
The two of them are on good terms with Hiuri anyway, and I'm sure they both understand the problem it would be if such rumors spread.

“Hiu has been talking about you lately, so I thought I'd take a look and see what you really like... and it turns out you’re surprisingly normal.”
“That's true— I thought you would be more handsome, or energetic, someone like that.”

I’m sorry, I’m normal

“Aah! Don't feel down, Nakano-kun. I just thought Hiu-chan wouldn't be tricked if you’re that kind of kid!”
“You're the first boy Hiu has been friendly with, so please be careful.”
“Eh... Yeah, of course.”

Hiuri has turned down all confessions from men. Even now, according to her, she keeps getting confessed to every time and she keeps turning them down.
She thought about just ignoring them when they call out to her, but that would make her feel like she lost, so she won't do that. If she doesn't want to go, she would call out to me... Even Tadashi can't stop a boy from confessing to Hiuri...

“Hey, can you please stop talking like that in front of the person himself?”
“Isn’t it fine? He's Hiu-chan's boyfriend-kun anyway.”
“Rinrin, he’s not my boyfriend. Nakano-kun is my friend.”

I am a little depressed when Hiuri herself says it so clearly.
Come to think of it, this may be the first time Hiuri directly told me about our relationship...

“Boyfriend-kun is also boyfriend-candidate-kun. Aren’t you turning down confessions because you have Nakano-kun?”
“That’s... I actually don’t like them...”

The reason why Hiuri turns down confessions is not only because she has no reason to go out with them, but also because she really doesn't like them.
Hiuri wants to be treated with respect while also being a lover on equal terms. A relationship where she one-sidedly confesses and is confessed to is not viable.

Me? We both decided to start dating at the same time.

“Well, as long as you can keep Hiu safe, there won't be any problems.”
“That's true— both me and Kono-chan are also relieved—!”
“You two aren’t talking about interfering, right?... I’m sorry, Nakano-kun. Asking you to come for such a reason.”
“I was free anyway, so it’s fine.”

A teacher who looks like a field overseer calls them, and the girls start to move.
It looks like it will be the practice for the girls’ short distance running next.

Hiuri aside, it seems that both Hayashi-san and Kannazuki-san will also participate in the short distance running.

“Well then, let me know if you have another interesting story—”
“Rinrin, don't be too much of a nuisance.”
“Do your best too, Nakano-kun.”

I see, their relationship is one where Hayashi-san pulls them around and the two are being swung around.

On top of reconsidering the relationship between the three of them, I also give some thought to how I would address Hiuri.

...

“Can I call you Hiu?”
“I want Kazuki-kun to call me Hiuri.”

It was no good.

――――

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