V1C2 Part6

Translated by KuroNeko Edited by Omkar

“——First and foremost, please accept our apologies for any trouble caused by our inattention last week.”

The chairwoman of the Discipline Committee, Sayama Mina. She had long black hair that was firmly braided and hung down in front of her. The frameless spectacles in her slanted eyes add to the picture of a smooth, rigid personality. This female student exemplified the title “Chairwoman.”

She uses harsh language and is somewhat inflexible when enforcing discipline, which causes some students to loathe and despise her. She is, however, relatively fair to everyone, considerate, caring, and many students look up to her. And Mitsuki and Taiga and I have positive thoughts about her.

… Yes. We “Three.”

Whatever the case may be. When Taiga and Yukina returned to the real world, the meeting with the Public Discipline Committee’s chairwoman started. And the first thing she said was an apology for earlier.

“No, it seems like a lot of bad luck has happened, and the culprit seems to be ‘over there’ … so I guess it can’t be helped.”

Now, let me give you a quick rundown of the problems we had last week.

It all started when a member of the school’s Discipline Committee spotted a pair who were “getting overly intimate and lovey-dovey (euphemism)” at school.

The situation was so “encountering” that it was pointless to try to ignore it or deal with it amicably, according to the Public Discipline Committee member who warned them.

However, the male student was interrupted at an inopportune time and grew agitated, resulting in an argument. A teacher who had heard about the uproar arrived on the spot just before the commotion was going to be handed out. The teacher was a stern person in this area, and because of the other student’s attitude, his blood ran cold, and he summoned the student’s parents. This sparked a brawl involving parents and teachers, among others.

At our school, the Student Council and the Discipline Committee have a mutually supervised relationship with the authority to dissolve each other. In terms of setting, however, the Student Council is the superior body. It was preferable to have the heads of the student’s side working externally to resolve the issue, and because they are not a party to the case, they can act as a third-party intermediary, and they were personally acquainted with the head of the teacher’s side, and the board chairwoman can facilitate negotiations with the teacher’s side.

We were the ones who had to deal with the matter due to the obvious reasons stated above.

“Yes, yes. I understand Sayama-san’s position, but don’t worry about it~”

“——I appreciate you saying so.”

When Mitsuki agreed with me, chairwoman Sayama breathed a sigh of relief.

“After all, there is little blame to be placed on the Discipline Committee, even from the teachers’ point of view——Right, Yukina?”

“… Uh, that’s so, isn’t it.”

Taiga proceeded to defend the Discipline Committee, to which Yukina agreed, but she reacted in a wholly detached, off-the-beaten-path manner. This was because Yukina…for whatever reason…seems to have a problem with the chairwoman. Not to be malicious, but she always attempts to keep her distance in this way. I once asked her why, but she refused to answer, saying, “It’s personal.”

“——Thank you very much, everyone. Well, let’s start the discussion, shall we?”

And so it began——although we called it a meeting, we largely just reported to each other and ticked off everything that needed to be validated because we had already dealt with the issue. In any case, as the chairwoman of the Discipline Committee, any sexual interaction, whether consenting or not, has prohibited strictly. The teacher will be called depending on the severity of the incident and the attitudes of the people involved. If bad conduct is still seen at that point, it is to be reported to the grade level head, vice principal, or other superior. We were informed that the parents would be notified afterwards.

“——So, I believe we are now in the process of developing a clear standard of behavior for the faculty; once done, we will review it and, if there are no issues, we will inform the members of the Discipline Committee. I guess that’s the end of it.”

“——No complaints from our side. Thank you very much, Student Council.”

When we finished our report, the chairwoman of the committee bowed her head and thanked us, despite the fact that she was still seated.

“The parents and the teachers were able to find a good drop-off point because they were able to handle the situation. You can thank them as well if you wish to thank me——Okay, now let’s see. Yukina, Mitsuki, and Taiga. Do you have any questions from our end?”

And when I asked whether anyone had any issues concerning the Discipline Committee members’ reported standards of conduct——it was Mizuki who raised her hand.

“——Just to confirm, you’re not saying you’re going to tighten up on the romance side of things, are you?”

“Yes. It may be possible, though, to be a little harsher on those who indulge in off-the-beaten-path behavior. However, there is no difficulties in interpreting the school regulations barring such actions, thus I believe it is acceptable to state that the present situation is the same as previously.”

“Well, that part is obvious.”

Taiga agreed with a nod. The chairwoman opens her lips again after confirming that there are no other opinions, but——this time after looking at me and Mitsuki alternately.

“In other cases, if it is enough to pass as…‘being friendly’ or ‘joking around,’ we are not going to crack down on it as we have in the past. ——If it’s just the president and vice president, it’s fine… Until now, if ever.”

For some reason, the chairwoman said it with such an implication.

“… What’s wrong with our relationship?”

“As a matter of fact, since lunchtime today, rumors about the two of you have been spreading in some circles——”

When I heard “lunch today,” all I could think of was the “I want to be able to flirt” comment. However, I have no intention of doing anything that would be considered offensive to others, and considering our circumstances, I have nothing to be ashamed of. So there’s nothing wrong with that——

“ ‘I wouldn’t say we’ve been flirting. For us, it’s just the beginning.’ I was told that you declared… Some were horrified and excited, wondering how far you guys would go…”

““……””

It’s a fine line between not being wrong and being right.

——I mean, can “trepidation” and “excitement” be mixed?

Anyway, we’ll have to explain ourselves.

And, incidentally, it might be a good opportunity to ask how we are perceived by students in other classes who don’t know much about us.

◇◇

“… I see. So that’s the situation——I feel a little relieved.”

The chairwoman who let out a breath of relief that was deeper than the previous one, with all her might.

——How many things did they think we would do…?

“Um… From your point of view, what kind of relationship do you see between us?”

In response to Mitsuki’s question, who seemed to have the same impression, the chairwoman thought for a moment before answering.

“I thought that, in my personal opinion——that you ‘know each other very well,’ …without making any careless assumptions.”

The answer was somewhat unexpected. I believe this is the first time I’ve ever gotten an answer that wasn’t a “juicy guess” to begin with. However, I can sort of understand the subtlety, but it’s difficult for me to grasp the full meaning.

“That is——Is it not the same as ‘bosom relationship’ ?”

“No different, I think. But…perhaps as I have already explained, there is little that you don’t know about each other, and to some extent you can predict your thinking and reactions, which is reassuring—but at the same time not new. I wondered if you were close like this.”

““““Ah…””””

She all sounded so certain that she knew exactly what she was talking about.

“There is no doubt that Yuuya and Mitsuki are well aware of each other’s actions and emotions… Is this why they are called ‘married couples’ or ‘matured couples’?”

“Yuuya and Mitsuki are admonished to ‘don’t do that,’ but if they fully understand the other elements of their relationship, aren’t they no different from a mature couple?”

Like a married couple, to know “almost everything” about the other person. And that “almost everything” of it either include sexual areas or exclude them from the original. I wonder if that difference is the difference between my relationship with Mitsuki and a mature couple, and the true nature of the difference in perception between us and those around us.

“… Maybe that has something to do with the fact that Yuuya and Mitsuki are unaware that they are flirting?”

“That——may be. You know how they’re going to react, so there’s nothing fresh about it. That’s probably why they’re so calm…but there’s no element of enjoying the reaction.”

In the conversation between Taiga and Yukina, the chairwoman further joined in.

“Isn’t the common term ‘stage of ennui’ caused by the stagnation of the relationship due to the lack of new things to know? The two of you don’t seem to be bored with your current relationship, so you should be fine, but if time goes on like this, maybe——”

—— “Relationship Stagnation.” Now, I have a very good idea of what she’s talking about…

I just recently recognized that I had been avoiding change in our relationship because I was content with the status quo. So the impact of my… own sloppiness was quite significant. Was it, on the other hand, a smack in the face on a meaningful scale…?

“… I see. In that light, perhaps it was just the right time for Yuuya and his team to start trying to move the relationship along.”

“You are right. On the other hand, if you try to move the relationship, you’ll be fine. And that’s why, Yuuya, Mitsuki——”

I got a ‘feeling’ that Taiga and Yukina were turning toward me.

““Don’t just lie there forever, (please) it’s time to get up.””

““… It will be revived in a little while, so please wait a little.””

After being pointed at the figurehead, it was me and Mizuki who have been lying prostrate with mental damage ever since.

This story reminded me—for example—of the naked encounter in the bathroom. I think we’ve succeeded in getting through the sitch with that one, but isn’t that simply running away from a change in the relationship? Furthermore, afterwards, the fact that my father also said “don’t get laid” justified it. As a result, I have been unable to even realize my own lousiness, which is a mind-boggling reality.

“——Yes, anyway, thank you, chairwoman. Now that we know what the problems are, we have a better idea of what to expect in the future.”

“No, I was just saying what I thought, too… Are you all right?”

The chairwoman says while looking at me and Mitsuki ——All the same, it’s time to get up.

“A-ahhh… Yes, I’m fine. Thank you very much, Sayama-san.”

“But——how did you notice that? Something we don’t even know we’re aware of…”

I said as I raised my body and looked at the chairwoman—ah? Why is she awkwardly looking away…? Mizuki and Taiga were equally puzzled by the chairwoman’s demeanor as they looked about. But Yukina has what seems to be a beaming grin——those of us who have known her for a long time know it’s a look that says, “I don’t want to get involved,” as if she’s trying to stay away.

… Based on Taiga’s expression, it appears that the chairwoman got this way as a result of my words, but the reason for that is also unclear, but more importantly, why is Yukina reacting in this manner? Well, I’ll talk to Yukina later, but I guess it’s for the chairwoman for now.

“Chairwoman?”

“Haa!? ——Ah, no, that’s… I must confess that I was able to notice this because I was looking at the two of you with a bit of envy…”

“““… Envy?”””

Again, Mitsuki and Taiga both asked back with unexpected words. After a short instant of doubt, the chairwoman opened her mouth, still clumsily, and said.

“… Well. I am embarrassed to say——I am a little worried about my future…”

“U-um… Does that mean you’re worried about your boyfriend? Sayama-san’s boyfriend is, I believe, that boy who is also a member of the Discipline Committee, right?”

When Mitsuki said this, the chairwoman’s cheeks flushed and she glanced down, as if she were shrinking her body.

I remember the chairwoman’s boyfriend, too, because he was talked about last month because of his unexpectedness. Mitsui Shun, a first-year member of the Discipline Committee. In contrast to the dignified chairwoman of the committee, who I have not talked to much, this Mitsui boy is a cute, beautiful boy with a small, childlike face, and his hard work and healthy attitude are very popular. The two started dating, and at first people said, “It’s Onee-Shota!” Some students made quite a fuss about it.

Are you worried about that Mitsui boy? And from what I’ve heard so far, that’s what it’s all about——

And almost at the same time I arrived at the answer, Taiga opened his mouth.

“——Chairwoman Sayama. I can see from the fact that you say you are ‘envious’ of the ‘friends who know each other well,’ … there is something you can’t say. Or is it that there are signs of concealment on the part of Mitsui-san?”

“… Perhaps both. Maybe he feels that since there are things he can’t tell me——maybe he thinks that because there are things he can’t cut out, that is how I feel…”

The chairwoman talks in a slightly solemn tone, her cheeks reddened. We exchanged glances…quite unexpected. Yukina, as normal, wore an ironclad phony grin and even began fiddling with her phone.

What exactly is this reaction? She’s not the type of person to respond in this manner without a cause, so I’m sure there’s more to it?

The chairwoman, on the other hand, does not appear to have the luxury of being worried about Yukina’s reaction.

“… H-how and to what extent do the two of you share your…personal interests and preferences?”

“U..um… We? I think Yuuya and I have a general grasp of it——”

Mizuki, too, was confused how to respond to the question, maybe because she didn’t understand the question’s intent, but she responded haltingly. We have a good notion of each other’s interests and preferences. But it’s not something I was taught, and it’s not something we taught each other. —— But perhaps what the chairwoman is interested in is “how you teach”… I was wondering what type of response would be more in line with what the chairwoman wanted.

“… Mitsuki-chan, you even know Yuuya’s proclivities to a certain extent, right?”

“——!?”

Yukina suddenly blurted out a slew of words. The chairwoman, not I, was the one who reacted vehemently to this. Mitsuki, on the other hand, appears to have opted to respond to Yukina nevertheless.

“Y-yes? … Uh, well. Yukina must be aware of Taiga-kun’s proclivities, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

Two girls speak as a matter of course.

Meanwhile, as for me and Taiga in the big river——

“… Yuuya. I don’t remember talking to Yukina about that…?”

“… Rest assured, Taiga. I didn’t say anything either, but you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Looking out the window—far away—me and Okawa were talking to each other. However, Mitsuki and Yukina’s conversation showed signs of escalating further——

“In Yuuya’s case, I think it is pretty easy to find. I knew what characters he liked in the game by looking at him, so that’s how I could find common ground with them. After all, daily observation?”

“… I could easily figure out Taiga-kun’s too. A file that seemed to be his favorite was in a promised place called the D drive on his computer.”

“……”

Taiga’s face, which had been turned toward the window, raised its angle… Surely he is now looking beyond the high heavens.

“——Taiga. I think it’s a poor idea to keep things you want to hide from Yukina on your computer, don’t you?”

“Yes…just to be safe, I had named the file ‘Muscle Festival’ and made quite a few dummies——but did she check them all?”

——That’s awesome, Yukina.

I almost glanced up to the skies myself when I realized that we had left out the chairman.

“Oops, my bad. Leave the conversation off and let it go.”

I was about to apologize, but the chairwoman didn’t seem to notice. For some reason——she turned her gaze to Yukina and Mitsuki and stared at them with admiration.

“… Chairwoman?”

“Hha!? W-what is it…?”

When I called out to her, she acted warily. We all made certain that such a scenario was optimal. When this happens, I finally understand what we’re talking about.

“That… Sayama-san? Sorry if I’m wrong——but do you think the things you can’t tell us have anything to do with his sexuality?”

“!?… Y-yes.”

She narrowly affirms her word while constricting her body even more after reacting with a “spasm” when questioned by Mitsuki. When Mitsuki and Taiga saw this response, they made an expression that said, “It finally made sense.” Yukina began to act oddly once more in the midst of all of this. She stared at the door and exhaled a “puff” and a breath as if she had just done a chore. She then went to a shelf against the wall, opened the front door, and pulled out a single file.

“——Chairwoman Sayama. Are you unwilling to reveal your proclivities to your partner? Do you really think… you can have the relationship you truly desire without talking?”

Yukina began to talk in an off-the-beaten-path tone, as if she were preaching a religious sermon… While we were flabbergasted, Yukina and the chairwoman continued their talk.

“T-that’s… But! If the outcome of the talk doesn’t work out, our relationship is completely over!? If there is only ‘all’ or ‘nothing’ once we move, why not…!”

Yukina gazed at her coldly for a time, then smiled benevolently and slowly said,

“——It’s fine. Your sense of smell is not wrong.”

“!?Ah, what do you know——and how do you know it!?”

Despite the chairwoman’s obvious emotions, Yukina handed me the file she had just taken from the shelf. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the file. The words on the title read——

“Report of Investigation of Potentially Hostile Persons and the Surrounding Area, Part 8.”

““““……””””

… Seriously?

That “8” means that there will be at least seven more books. I don’t believe the entire bookshelf contains “these documents,” ——but I have a hunch there are more.

“… Yukina. What’s up with this?”

“Well——my old man asked me to do it… You see, the Discipline Community is in a position to bring Yuuya and Mitsuki down if they want to, right? And since the Student Council and she have a mutual surveillance relationship, we’re never going to be complete allies, are we? So just in case——right?”

… How much of that “just in case” did she do?

“A-ah, what are you——!?”

“Ah, it’s fine. Because I didn’t use any illegal means at all. Usually, it’s interviews, observations, and at best, looking at images from the school’s security cameras? That’s usually enough for most people, except those who are very careful in that area… I even know things you don’t want others to know.”

The chairwoman was taken aback by Yukina’s matter-of-fact words to her. But we, who know Yukina is capable of such feats, were unconcerned. I opened the file while I had the chance——

Omkar : I’m joining the fun as an editor. Thanks for having me. (≧▽≦)

KuroNeko : I need Cheese.

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