I've posted a new short story!
『I’m the Only Professional Photographer Who Knows the Saint’s Secret Social Media Account and Hidden Activities.』
Please check it out!
To hide my embarrassment, I pretended to be absorbed in making the signboard while changing the subject.
"M-More importantly. Have you two decided what you're doing for cosplay?"
"Yes, we've decided. Right now, I'm keeping it at Rio's house," Riran replied.
"Eh, why?"
"It's a secret until the Ginkgo Festival. It's better that way, right?"
A secret... I wonder what kind of cosplay she chose. I'm curious. Well, Riran would probably look good in anything.
"Fufu. Akito-kun, Riran-chan's cosplay is incredible, you know?" Rio added.
"What was that?"
"Its destructive power is outstanding. It’s really something else."
What!? Ugh, I definitely want to see that as soon as possible...!
"I have some candid photos. Right now, it's one coin per photo. I'll even throw in an extra one as a service," Rio teased.
"Sold."
"Are you an idiot!?"
Oops, I got scolded by Riran.
"No matter how close friends you are, lending and borrowing money is no good! That's what leads to the breakdown of friendship!"
She’s as upright and honest as ever. Well, in this case, Riran is entirely correct.
"Joke, it was just a joke."
"I was joking too. I'm sorry, Riran-chan."
"Good grief. There are jokes you can say and jokes you shouldn't. But I'm glad the secret filming was also a joke."
"Oh, that part was real."
"Why!? Hey, delete it—!"
"Hohoho. Catch me if you can—"
Um, could you please stop running around me while I'm using tools? It's dangerous.
As I was hammering away at the signboard, Ryūya, who had been elsewhere, returned.
"Ah—, I'm so tireeed."
"Good work. Where were you?"
"Hey now, Akito. You're way too uninterested in class matters... I have a stage presentation to do as a class representative."
"Heh, good luck with that."
"So cold!!"
Well, I didn't really have anything else to say.
"By the way, what is our class doing?"
"Breakdancing. We've got a team of six. We've been practicing since before summer vacation, so the quality is already pretty high."
"Breakdancing?"
"Yeah. I've got a video. Look."
I watched the video Ryūya showed me. Six people were breakdancing in the gym to the music. Riran and Rio, who were watching from the side, murmured in admiration.
"Ohh, not bad at all."
"True. Even to an amateur's eye, the quality seems quite high, doesn't it?"
"Right!? What do you think, Akito!"
Hmm...
"The quality of the windmill is a bit lacking. It needs more momentum."
"Eh... Akito, you know about breakdancing?"
"Well, I used to do it every day at Riza-san's place back in elementary school. Since entering middle school, I've only done it occasionally, though."
Riza-san specializes in kickboxing, but she can basically do anything. She taught me all sorts of other things too.
"Say it earlier!? You... you should mention important things like that!?"
"Oh, did I not mention it?"
"I never heard a word!"
Ah, I see. So that's why I wasn't invited. Well, even if I had been invited, I would've declined. It's a hassle.
"Wait, Akito, why don't you join us now?"
"Impossible. I'm busy with my own stuff."
"I'm begging you, Aki-emon—!"
Hey, don't cling to me, you're annoying. As I pushed Ryūya away, someone pulled on my clothes.
"...Hey, Riran. Why are you looking at me with such sparkling eyes?"
"Akito, Akito. I want to see."
"I'll ask just in case, but see what?"
"Akito's breakdancing."
I figured as much.
"Listen, solo breakdancing and team breakdancing are completely different things. From what I just saw, the team is well-coordinated. If I, a seventh person, joined a six-person team, I'd just feel like a foreign object and ruin the balance."
""No way...""
Even if you make those faces, no means no. Ignoring the two depressed people, I resumed making the signboard. Then, the classroom door suddenly burst open.
"Ku-Kurashiki-kun, this is bad!"
"Oh, what's wrong? Is the independent practice over?"
It seemed to be one of the breakdance team members. They rushed over to Ryūya with a pale face.
"D-During practice, Takkun sprained his ankle...!"
"What did you say!? Wait, I'm coming right now!"
Ryūya and the classmate rushed out of the classroom. As I watched them go, I felt a pat on both of my shoulders.
"Akito-kun, this is fate."
"I feel bad for the boy who sprained his ankle, but I'm looking forward to this." How did it turn out like this...?