"Somehow, you look like you've been looking for a reason to refuse since a while ago."
"Why do you want to be in the Seishun Rebellion?"
Even when lunch break arrived, Hirosue's question from this morning kept swirling around in my head.
What was the reason I wanted to be in the Seishun Rebellion... again?
...Right.
"...You know, I want to make 'amane' the strongest band."
"Well, 'strongest' is vague, and I think music isn't really something where you can rank superiority or inferiority, so it's full of contradictions."
"...But you know, that's exactly why, if the Seishun Rebellion is a contest to choose the strongest high school band, we can't call ourselves 'the strongest' unless we at least take that Grand Prix, right?"
I remember discussing this when we stayed over at Ichikawa's place for the other day's live show.
That's right, that's right.
Looking at it that way, I shouldn't be able to help IRIA, who would eventually become an opponent we have to fight.
...No, what do I mean by "That's right"?
Is a reason that I can't remember without trying to remember it really a reason? Is it a motivation? Is it a goal?
Could it be that it's Ichikawa's wish, and not mine?
...Accepting it or refusing it, both feel somehow off. What is the true identity of this feeling?
"Hmm..."
...It's no good. I can't focus on thinking in the classroom.
I feel a gaze from the corner of my eye that seems to be worrying about me, and besides, I can't fight on an empty stomach.
Of course, I appreciate her concern.
However, if I talk to Ichikawa now, I feel like I might somehow confuse what Ichikawa wants to do with what I want to do, and that's scary.
...For now, let's leave the classroom, stop by the shop, and look for somewhere else.
Just as I stood up to pull the ultimate loser move of blaming my lack of focus on my environment and my stomach, and tried to leave the classroom.
"Takuto-san."
For some reason, a blonde first-year poked her head through the door of my classroom and beckoned me over.
"Hirosue...?"
"Do you have a moment?"
"Haa..."
Wait, since when did she get so attached to me?
...No, that's not what I should be worried about right now.
Feeling a piercing gaze from behind, I looked back at the window seat.
"Hmph..."
Oh no, she's pouting so much...
"Hey, Takuto-san!"
"No, look... I'm busy."
I mean, my heart is about to give out.
"I'm sorry for interrupting our talk this morning."
"O-Oh... it's fine. Later then."
Getting an apology out of the blue was confusing, but if she only came to apologize, accepting it doesn't take time, so it's no problem.
Giving a light acknowledgment, I left the classroom and turned down the hallway in the opposite direction of where Hirosue was.
...And yet.
"Hey, where are you going?"
She was following me from behind.
Seriously, when did she get so attached?
"It doesn't matter where I'm going, I'm going somewhere without people."
That's right, maybe I'll go toward Kanno-san's bench. But would I be in Kanno-san's way...?
"What are you going to do, going somewhere without people together with me?"
"I don't intend to be going together with you, Hirosue."
"I'm following you, though?"
"Well then..."
Near the end of the second-floor connecting corridor, in front of the administrative office, I dropped my shoulders and turned around.
It didn't look like she was going to let me think until I finished my interaction with Hirosue.
"Do you have some business with me...?"
"'Do you have some business' isn't it. I looked into what happened this morning. Whether the same person can enter in multiple bands."
"Heh, and?"
"Apparently it's not a problem as long as the members aren't all the same."
"I see."
She turned her surprisingly round, almond-shaped eyes toward me and nodded. Why is she doing this without showing her face publicly?
"So, what's your answer?"
Frowning, she seemed irritated by my bland reaction.
"Ah... I wanted to go somewhere to think about that."
"Heh? Aren't you being proactive?"
"No, that's not it..."
I'm not even sure if that's not it.
I'm the one wondering why my brain is being so scrambled by a junior I only talked to for the first time today.
"Hmm? And then, um..."
While I was exasperated with myself, Hirosue began to fidget mysteriously.
"Hmm?"
"Um... I want you to tell me the opinion of the bass player as well."
"Could it be that you're scared to go ask her yourself?"
Finding her age-appropriate behavior somewhat cute, I teased her.
"T-T-T-That's not it at all...!"
Airi Hirosue was visibly flustered, just as I thought.
"Is that so? Well, if you're scared, I'll ask her for you."
"I told you I'm not scared! If you're going to say that much, then I'll come to where you guys meet next! When is the next time?"
"The next time is..."
'If you don't mind, could you leave this audio source with me? Three days... no, two days will be fine.'
"It's after school today. We're going to listen to the mixing Tsubame-chan did."
"Ah, that one."
I wonder if Tsubame-chan is okay, she was probably interrupted by Hirosue yesterday... I should contact her later.
"Then, I'll participate in that meeting to listen to the mixing today after school. Is that fine?"
"It's not fine, but..."
"Haeh!?"
What kind of reaction is that?
"Why would you participate, Hirosue?"
The atmosphere is a bit bad because of Hirosue, so I don't want her to stir the pot any further...
"Look, my mixing is pro-level...!"
"No, even so... Are you free?"
"I-I'm not free! Anyway, I'm going! It's the Rock Club room, right?! I'll meet the bassist-senpai there too! See ya!"
"No, you don't have to come...!"
"No, I'm going to see her! Wash your neck and wait!"
Hirosue pointed at me, snorted, and walked away.
Still, though.
"Why does Hirosue talk like that...?"