Chapter 106: Student council part (4)

The Emilia Rescue Incident.

It made me… a hero!

Even though I hadn’t single-handedly fought off the wolves like the protagonist in the novel, scaring them away was enough to earn me the title.

After the crisis, the lodge was filled with a lively, celebratory atmosphere.

“A toast to today’s hero, Kurosawa Rina!”

‘Ugh… This is so embarrassing…’

Even though I hadn’t had any alcohol, my face felt flushed.
The alumni started sharing the alcohol they’d brought, and as the drinks flowed, the tension eased, and the laughter grew louder.

“Rina, you’re the hero of the day!”
“Eeeee…”

I wanted to disappear.
It was fortunate that I’d remembered the wolf incident from the novel and grabbed the pistol as soon as I saw it. If the wolves hadn’t been scared off by the gunshots, we would have been wolf food…

Anyway! Our team, the winners of the treasure hunt and saviors from the wolf attack, were enjoying some grilled meat in a cozy corner.

“Kurosawa-san, you’re really amazing.”
“Oh, no, it was nothing…”
“And the Trinity project at the festival was a huge success. I didn’t expect the social media campaign to be so effective.”
“Th-Th-That was… just… luck…”

Takase-senpai, the alumnus in our team, showered me with praise. I squirmed in embarrassment.
Aya, who was listening to our conversation, smiled softly and moved closer to me. Feeling her warmth beside me… felt really nice.

Just then, Mizuki stretched and yawned loudly.

“Ugh… Why am I so tired? Sorry, I’m going to head back to the room.”
“Already? Are you that tired?”
“Yeah, it’s been a long day. And after that wolf encounter… I’m exhausted. Rina-tan, Aya-ring, senpai, goodnight~!”

Mizuki, looking quite tired, got up and headed towards our room.

“Well, then I’ll go chat with my friends for a bit!”
“Okay, enjoy your meal, senpai!”

Takase-senpai returned to the alumni group, leaving Aya and me alone in our cozy corner. I scooted closer to Aya. She leaned towards me, and we naturally ended up sitting shoulder-to-shoulder.

“I’m so happy to be here with you, Aya.”
“Me too. I feel at ease when I’m with you, Rina.”

As we were enjoying the warm, comfortable silence,

Click, clack.

We heard the sound of approaching heels and looked up to see Nishizono-senpai, slightly drunk, walking towards us. I was startled awake, and Aya straightened up, her body tensing.

Nishizono-senpai stopped in front of us. Her face, usually cold and haughty, was slightly flushed, and she looked much softer than usual. She looked straight at me, then bowed her head slightly.

“…I’m sorry, our hero, Kurosawa-san. I was a bit harsh on you, wasn’t I?”

I was so surprised that I couldn’t speak. Aya also seemed taken aback by the unexpected apology.

“Oh… No, senpai…?”
“Actually… I think I was a bit wary of you because I didn’t know you very well. And… I’m not very good with… new people.”

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but senpai was acting very differently from before.

“But… seeing you chase away those wolves today… I realized I’d misjudged you.”

Her gaze was no longer cold or sharp. It almost looked apologetic.

“No, senpai. It’s okay.”

But even if her gaze had softened, my feelings hadn’t changed. I was still afraid of Nishizono-senpai.

“Perhaps… I was just… expressing my interest in you… poorly.”

Nishizono-senpai sat down across from us and said that. What… did she mean by that?
The word “interest” echoed in my mind.
Aya was practically glaring at Nishizono-senpai.

Senpai chuckled at our reactions.

“You have such a lovely partner beside you. Anyway, I’m not as bad as you think, Kurosawa-san. So… have a good night, Kurosawa-san. And you too, Yukikawa-san.”

With those words, she left. A faint, sweet fragrance lingered in the air, probably her perfume.

I looked at Aya, still feeling bewildered. She smiled faintly and gently put her arm around me.

“Shall we go back to our room?”
“Uh, y-yeah…!”

I followed Aya back to our room. Mizuki was already fast asleep in one of the beds. Aya and I lay down, leaving some space between us.

“Goodnight, Aya.”
“Goodnight, Rina.”

****

The next morning, I woke up much earlier than usual. Perhaps because I wasn’t used to the bed, I tossed and turned until I finally gave up on sleeping.

“Hmm…”

Aya was still sleeping soundly beside me, and Mizuki was sprawled out, having kicked off the blankets.

I watched them for a moment before getting out of bed. I wanted to go back to sleep, but my heart was pounding strangely, so I decided to get up. And… since I was already awake, I wanted to get some fresh air and clear my head.

I quietly left the room and stepped outside.
The morning air was surprisingly crisp and clean, perhaps because we were near a mountain stream.

The forest was tranquil, as if yesterday’s chaos had never happened.
Dew clung to the leaves, sparkling like jewels in the morning light.

“Haa… Haa…”

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh, pine-scented air. It felt invigorating.
A morning walk alone was surprisingly pleasant.

Lost in thought, I heard soft footsteps approaching. I looked up and froze.

Across the path, walking towards me, was a tall, beautiful woman with short hair.
Nishizono Shizue-senpai.

“Ah…”

I tried to escape, or at least pretend I hadn’t seen her, but it was too late. Our eyes met.
Senpai smiled faintly when she saw me and approached with elegant strides.

“Good morning, Kurosawa-san.”
“Ah, y-yes… Good morning, senpai.”

My voice trembled involuntarily.
Senpai looked at me, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Did I… do anything embarrassing last night? I was a bit drunk.”
“N-No, not at all…!”

I quickly replied, and senpai chuckled softly.
She stepped closer.

“Kurosawa-san.”
“Yes…?”

Senpai looked down at me. Her gaze was different from yesterday. There was no hostility, but her presence itself was intimidating.

“Do you know?”
“…Know what?”

Senpai took another step closer.

“You’re much more… attractive… than you think.”
“Eh…? Uh… Uh…?”

My mind went blank at her unexpected words. Why was she saying this now, after acting so hostile just yesterday?

Nishizono-senpai chuckled softly, as if amused by my reaction, and reached out to brush a dewdrop off my shoulder. The spot where her fingers grazed felt strangely warm.

“I was honestly a little surprised when you chased away those wolves yesterday. You’re quite brave.”
“Oh… N-No… That was…”

I desperately wanted to escape this situation, but my throat was tight, and I couldn’t speak properly. Nishizono-senpai seemed to enjoy my flustered state.

“Kurosawa-san, are you afraid?”
“…Yes.”
“I’m sorry for being cold to you yesterday. I’m… like that with people I don’t know.”
“Uh… I… I guess that happens…!”

Senpai stroked my hair and then turned and walked back towards the lodge. I let out a shaky breath only after she was gone.

“Ugh… She’s so strange.”

Why did I even bother coming out for a morning walk?
I stood there for a long time, breathing in the fresh air, trying to calm my racing heart.

****

It was time for breakfast.
Soon, we’d be packing up and heading home.
I returned to our room after my morning walk.
Aya, already awake, greeted me with a smile.

“Rina, where did you go this morning?”
“Oh… Just for a walk.”
“Hmm, alone?”
“Uh… Yeah…”
“You could have woken me up…”

Aya puffed out her cheeks slightly, and she looked… adorable!

“Sorry…! Let’s go together next time. I didn’t want to wake you…”
“Hmm… We’re definitely going together next time, okay?”

Aya pouted playfully. I couldn’t resist reaching out and gently poking her puffed-out cheek.

“Eek?! Rina…?”
“Hehe, you were too cute.”
“Rina… You’re being very bold.”

Aya’s smile made me feel like I’d done something wrong. Just then, Mizuki started to stir in her bed and yawned loudly.

“Ugh~ Good morning… Rina-tan, Aya-ring.”
“Good morning, Mizuki.”
“Should we start packing? We have to go down for breakfast soon.”
“Yeah~ Today’s the day we go home, right?”

Mizuki looked a little disappointed. Yesterday had been a long and difficult day, but it was definitely a memorable one.

We packed our bags and went down to the dining area. The early risers were already eating.

We found a spot and joined them for breakfast.
Then, feeling a persistent gaze, I glanced around and saw Nishizono-senpai looking at me with an amused expression. When our eyes met, she smiled faintly and nodded.
Flustered, I quickly looked away. Aya looked at me, puzzled.

“Rina? Is something wrong?”
“Ah… N-No, it’s nothing!”

It was… probably nothing.
I wouldn’t be seeing her at school anyway.