— — — — — —
Oikawa and Yui didn't end up facing Shizuka-sensei's wrath.
Someone else took the hit for them.
"So… let's hear your excuse for not answering your phone, Hachiman Hikigaya."
Not far away, Hachiman Hikigaya and Komachi Hikigaya were walking over together.
"I mean… it's just that the signal at my house is really unstable. I think the number of antennas that company has is directly related to how much hair their CEO has. He is like Gru from Despicable Me…"
"…."
Hachiman launched into a frantic explanation, clearly trying to dodge disaster.
Judging by Shizuka's expression, though, it only made things worse. Maybe she'd seen this kind of excuse one too many times.
Either way—
Oikawa let out a quiet sigh of relief. Yui did the same.
Though, when she relaxed, the movement was… a bit too noticeable. Oikawa found himself momentarily dizzy from the sight.
High school girls these days really developed fast.
"Oikawa-nii, Yui-onee!"
Komachi, already used to seeing her brother get scolded, didn't spare him a glance. She ran straight toward Yui.
"Komachi, ya—hello!"
Yui happily grabbed her hands. Oikawa just gave a casual greeting.
"Thanks for inviting me to join your club activities."
Komachi beamed, squeezing Yui's hands.
"It's not really me," Yui said. "It was Yukino. I got the call from her too."
So I was the only one invited separately?
Oikawa grumbled internally.
No, wait. Kawasaki too.
He glanced over. Kawasaki was already in the van, leaning her head to the side, fast asleep.
Looks like part-time work during the holidays wasn't as easy as he'd imagined.
"Yukino, over here!"
As they spoke, Yukino Yukinoshita approached from the distance.
She was wearing a stand-collar top with a pair of jeans.
If he remembered right, she didn't wear jeans very often. Still, it suited her. Clean, simple, and it matched her cool, distant aura.
"The pervert is here too, I see."
Yukino shot Oikawa a glance, the kind you'd reserve for something beneath you.
"Pervert?"
Oikawa blinked, completely caught off guard.
Since when did he have that nickname?
Was he a pervert?
WAS HE?!
He just had a pair of eyes that appreciated beauty!
That was all!
"I take offense to that. You're insulting my character!"
He protested loudly.
"Is that so?"
Yukino remained perfectly composed. "Just moments ago, your gaze was fixed on certain… areas of Yui."
"???"
"I wasn't! I didn't! Stop making things up!"
Even though it was completely true, Oikawa denied it instantly, putting on the most righteous expression he could manage.
"In that case, I'll pretend it didn't happen."
"What do you mean 'pretend'? It didn't happen!"
…Okay, maybe he felt a little guilty saying that.
But was it really his fault?
There were so many beautiful things in the world. He just lingered on them a few seconds longer than most.
"Hey, don't argue."
"Yukino, I bought that novel you recommended, Your Lie in April. I'm halfway through it, and Arima Kousei is so cool!"
"Being that good at piano since childhood… people who can play piano are amazing!"
Yui smoothly changed the subject.
Once again, Oikawa felt her kindness.
Man… having someone gentle around really was comforting.
Maybe that saying about "generosity comes with volume" had some truth to it.
As for which part was "generous"…
Well, that part was pretty obvious.
…
..
Inside the van, the seating arrangement went something like this:
Yukino — Yui — Hachiman — Komachi — Kawasaki
And as for Oikawa…
He was cruelly assigned to the front passenger seat next to Shizuka, because she "wanted someone to talk to."
"Shizuka-sensei, want some jelly?"
Oikawa pulled out a pack of squeeze jelly from his bag.
"I do."
"…Oh. Uh."
He paused awkwardly. "Sensei, you can't just take food from a student, you know."
Well… she didn't exactly "take" it.
She just grabbed it.
"..."
"What about you guys? Anyone else want some?" Oikawa turned to the back.
"I do!"
Yui raised her hand energetically.
Hachiman shook his head.
Yukino's expression clearly said: 'I'm not interested. Don't talk to me.'
"I want some too."
Komachi looked hopeful.
Oikawa smiled and handed two packs back to Yui and Komachi.
As for Kawasaki—
She was still asleep, and judging by her expression, probably having a nice dream.
"So, Shizuka-sensei, where exactly are we going? And what are we doing?"
Oikawa opened his own jelly and took a sip.
He'd only bought four, not knowing how many people there'd be.
Good thing some people passed. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been enough to go around.
"Our destination is—Chiba Village!"
That cheerful voice definitely didn't belong to Shizuka.
"Yep. Chiba Village," she confirmed.
Oikawa didn't even get the chance to ask what they were doing there.
Because Yui suddenly suggested, "Let's sing! Sakura, Sakura—!"
"Yui, someone's still sleeping!"
"Ah! Sorry, I forgot!"
Yui immediately clamped her hands over her mouth, looking apologetic.
Oikawa couldn't help laughing.
Yui Yuigahama really was such an airhead.
For some reason, he suddenly realized something.
Going out like this… was actually way more fun than staying home and playing games.
And not just a little more fun.
A lot more.
.
.
.