The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 0Volume 4 .1 - Prologue

Prologue

Shimizu-san and Consultation

On a summer afternoon, as the end of the vacation was slowly approaching, I was deep in thought in my room when the ringtone of my smartphone sounded.

Picking it up, I saw that it was a call from Seto-san.

I touched the screen and brought the smartphone to my ear.

『Hello, this is Seto.』

“Hi, Seto-san. What’s up?”

『I wanted to talk about something, so I called. Do you have time right now, Hondō-kun?』

“I’m free today, no plans.”

『That’s good to hear.』

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

It was rare for Seto-san to call me, so I had no idea what she wanted to discuss.

『The thing I want to talk about is related to Matsuoka-kun.』

“Toshiya?”

『Yes. I had fun the other day when I hung out with Matsuoka-kun, so I wanted to thank him.』

Hearing Seto-san’s words brought back memories.

Indeed, I recalled being asked to pass a plastic model kit to Toshiya. (Volume 3 ss2)

At that time, Seto-san had suggested inviting Toshiya to hang out, and then giving him the model on the way back.

It seems Seto-san was able to invite Toshiya to play.

“You got to hang out with Toshiya. Were you able to give him the plastic model?”

『I gave it to him on the way back. Matsuoka-kun was really happy.』

I thought Toshiya would be happy with any gift from Seto-san, but it must have been even more special since it was something he liked.

“I’m glad he was happy.”

『Yes, and it’s all thanks to the advice you gave me, Hondō-kun. Thank you.』

“I just said what I thought. But if it helped you, Seto-san, then I’m glad.”

『It was very helpful. That’s why I want to thank you. Is there anything you’d like me to do for you?』

“Something I’d like you to do?”

『Yes, I’d like you to tell me if there’s anything within my power that you want me to do.』

I was happy just to be thanked, but it seemed she felt it wasn’t enough.

“If it’s okay with you, Seto-san, I’d like you to hang out with Toshiya again when you have time.”

『I’ve already asked Matsuoka-kun to hang out again.』

“Really!?”

I never imagined Seto-san would take the initiative to invite Toshiya to play again. It seems the day she spent playing with Toshiya was really enjoyable for her.

『Besides, that request doesn’t count as me doing something for you, Hondō-kun. Is there anything else you want me to do?』

“Something I want you to do…”

After thinking for a few seconds, the thing I had been pondering earlier came to mind.

『Is there really nothing you want me to do?』

“No, there is. There’s something I want you to do for me, Seto-san.”

『Is it something I can do?』

“Yes, in fact, you might be the only one I can ask.”

『That sounds serious. So, what is it that you want me to do?』

“I need your advice on something.”

『What is the consultation about?』

I felt a little tense. I took a deep breath to calm myself.

“…I might have feelings for Shimizu-san.”

There was no reply from Seto-san. Perhaps the topic of my concern was too sudden.

After about ten seconds, Seto-san’s voice came through the smartphone again.

『…Hondō-kun, are you sure I’m the right person to talk to about this?』

“Of course. The reason I started to think that I might like Shimizu-san… it all began during the training camp, and you’re the only friend my age who knows what happened there.”

『I see…』

“Can I continue?”

『Yes, I want to hear more details.』

Seto-san’s voice sounded a bit more excited than usual. Perhaps because this conversation was a sort of love story.

“Actually, I started thinking about my feelings for Shimizu-san quite a while ago.”

『How long ago?』

“I think it was just before I joined the Astronomy Club.”

『That long ago…』

Looking back, I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time pondering a single matter before.

“I kept thinking about it even after joining the Astronomy Club, but I couldn’t come to a satisfying conclusion.”

『So why did you think you liked Shimizu-san during the camp?』

“…Remember when we went to the beach house during the camp, and you asked Ai-san what it means to fall in love?”

『I remember. She said that wanting to be by someone’s side forever is what love means to her.』

It seems Seto-san remembered that conversation.

“Yes, and then Yousuke-san confessed to Ai-san, saying he wanted to be by her side forever.”

『I remember that too. But how does that relate to you thinking you like Shimizu-san?』

“I felt that both Ai-san and Yousuke-san were saying that falling in love means wanting to be by someone’s side.”

『So, does Hondō-kun also want to be by Shimizu-san’s side?』

“I’d be happy if Shimizu-san were by my side. That’s why I thought I might like her. But I wasn’t sure, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.”

『I see…』

Seto-san’s voice then fell silent for a while. She was probably contemplating what I had just shared.

“Do you think I like Shimizu-san, Seto-san?”

“Hehe.”

『Seto-san!?』

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it. It reminded me of a similar conversation we had before.”

Did we?

As I traced my memories, I remembered the first time Seto-san and I talked about love.

Indeed, at that time, Seto-san had asked me if she liked Toshiya.

“We did have that conversation. Back then, the roles of the one asking and the one answering were reversed.”

『Do you remember how you answered my question, Hondō-kun?』

“Let’s see, I think I said I didn’t know if you liked Toshiya.』

『That’s right. And my answer is the same.』

“Do you mean you don’t understand?”

『Yes, I still don’t quite grasp what it means to fall in love with someone. That’s why I can’t assert that Hondō-kun’s feelings for Shimizu-san are love.』

“I see…”

It’s a strange feeling. A mix of slight disappointment and relief.

What did I want Seto-san to say to me?

『But like Hondō-kun at that time, there is one thing I can say for certain.』

“What’s that?”

『At that time, Hondō-kun told me. He said that it’s undeniable that Matsuoka-kun is important to me.』

I remember having that kind of conversation with Seto-san during our first love talk.

“I still think so now.”

『I also believe that Matsuoka-kun is an important presence to me, just like Shimizu-san is to Hondō-kun.』

“Seto-san…”

『I only started talking to Hondō-kun when we became second-year students. So I don’t understand all of your feelings. But even so, I can tell that Hondō-kun thinks of Shimizu-san as someone precious from watching the two of you in the clubroom and the classroom.』

I’m surprised and momentarily at a loss for words.

It seems Seto-san has been paying more attention to me and Shimizu-san than I thought.

It’s a bit embarrassing.

“…Thank you, Seto-san.”

『I haven’t done anything that warrants thanks. Rather, I feel like apologizing for not being able to help more.』

“No, I’m glad I consulted with you, Seto-san. Thank you for listening to me, really.”

『I’m also glad that Hondō-kun relied on me.』

I can’t see her face over the phone, but I get the feeling that Seto-san is smiling somehow.

“I’ll think about it a bit more myself.”

“Understood. I’m also rooting for you.”

Knowing that Seto-san is supporting me is reassuring. I thank her and hang up the phone.

Summer vacation is drawing to a close.

Do I like Shimizu-san?

I continue to ponder the simple question in search of an answer.

***

“Ugh.”

One day towards the end of summer vacation, during a break at my part-time job, I enter the break room to find the tall, wolf-cut girl, Sakurai Kaho, sitting in a chair with a smile on her face.

“That’s harsh, Kei-chan. Making such a disgusted face.”

“It’s not just a face, I genuinely dislike this!”

“I don’t recall doing anything that Kei-chan would hate?”

“That’s just you conveniently altering your own memory!”

I glare at Kaho with all my might. However, Kaho doesn’t falter, her smile unbroken.

“Kei-chan is so cute. I’m happy to see you here even after the Astronomy Club’s camp.”

“I’m not working here for you.”

“I know, it’s because Daiki-kun decided to keep working here, right?”

“Ugh…”

I’m at a loss for words, unable to deny Kaho’s statement.

I hadn’t heard directly from Hondō that he was continuing the job, but after the camp, the manager had told me without me asking.

If Hondō was continuing, then quitting wasn’t an option for me. Though it slightly bothered me when the manager said ‘as expected’ after I declared I would also continue.

“That expression means I hit the mark, right?”

“Grrr…”

“Well, as for me, I’m happy if my cute kōhai continue to work here. But let’s put that aside, how was it, Kei-chan?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb, I’m talking about the camp.”

Come to think of it, before going to the camp, I vaguely remember that I was expected to share some good stories afterward.

“…I heard from Ai that you talked about the camp here before.”

“That’s right, I did hear from Ai. But that was mainly about Ai’s memories of the camp. I, for one, would like to hear about the camp from Kei-chan’s perspective. Different viewpoints can lead to different memories. How was it with Hondō-kun?”

“Why are you only asking about Hondō?!”

“Because that’s what I’m most interested in hearing from Kei-chan. Was there any progress between you two during the camp?”

To be honest, I’m not sure if I owe Kaho the obligation to share my memories of the camp.

But if I don’t, I feel like she’ll keep asking every time we meet in the break room.

For the sake of future peace in the break room, I decide to share my camp memories with Kaho.

***

“…and that’s what happened.”

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“I see.”

It must have been about ten minutes since I started talking, and I’ve finished telling Kaho about my experiences at the camp.

“Are you satisfied with what you heard from me?”

“…Yes. I had heard from Ai, but it’s really great that Ai and Yousuke-kun got together.”

Checking Kaho’s expression, she’s smiling as usual.

However, there’s something slightly different about her smile this time.

“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

Kaho looks puzzled. It seems I had been staring at her more blatantly than I thought.

“It’s nothing.”

“Really? Anyway, it seems this camp was quite fruitful for Kei-chan.”

“What do you mean?”

“From what I’ve heard, it seems like the emotional distance between Kei-chan and Hondō-kun has narrowed since before the camp.”

“Is that so…”

I had felt that way myself, just a little, but hearing someone else say it doesn’t feel bad.

“Kei-chan, you look happy.”

“I-I’m not happy!”

“Your face is turning red. How cute. So what will Kei-chan do now? From our conversation earlier, I understand that Kei-chan has decided to be more proactive in appealing to Hondō-kun, but what exactly do you plan to do?”

“That is…”

“That is?”

“…I haven’t decided yet.”

“Kei-chan…”

“Don’t look at me with pity!”

Ever since returning from the camp, I’ve been thinking about ways to appeal to Hondō.

However, I haven’t come up with any satisfactory ideas.

“There are many things you could do, right? For example, inviting Hondō-kun on a date.”

“I’ve thought about that too. But if I suddenly ask him out on a date, he might think it’s weird…”

“Kei-chan, you tend to underestimate yourself. I bet Hondō-kun would be happy if you asked him out.”

“That’s just because he’s kind to everyone.”

“True, Hondō-kun is kind, but I feel like his kindness towards Kei-chan is on another level. Well, it seems like Kei-chan wants to appeal to Hondō-kun but can’t quite take the plunge.”

“…Yeah, that’s right.”

I want to close the distance between Hondō and me before this summer ends.

Although that’s what I’m thinking, I hate that I can’t take action to make it happen.

“If only there was a good opportunity.”

“If there was, I wouldn’t be having this trouble.”

“That’s true… Oh!”

“Did you think of something?”

“Yeah, I just remembered it’s about time to start preparing for that.”

“Preparing? What are you talking about?”

Now that the training camp is over, was there something that needed to be prepared?

“The cultural festival, the cultural festival.”

“Oh, is it that time already?”

I remember Ai talking about the cultural festival after we returned from the training camp.

“With all the preparations and activities during the festival, it could be a great chance for Kei-chan.”

“Is there really such an opportunity?”

“I think so. Kei-chan, you’re in the same class and club as Hondō-kun, right? There should be plenty of chances to work together with him from the preparations to the main event. But whether you can make the most of those opportunities is up to you, Kei-chan.”

After saying that, Kaho left the break room, mentioning she had to go to her part-time job.

I hadn’t thought of the cultural festival as such an important event, but after hearing Kaho’s words, my perspective changed.

I vowed to myself in the now-empty break room that I would close the distance between Hondō and me before the festival was over.