“Let’s have a love talk!”
With Grand Millionaire over, and with Sako and Erina-san saying things like “Mmm...” and “I’m sleepy” as they quietly returned to their own rooms, Ando shouted loudly after we had spread out the futons and turned off the lights.
Of the Cherry Boys in the same room, I only recognized Hazama the vocalist and Ando the guitarist, but it seemed the bassist and drummer were also there.
Well, that makes sense. They are a four-piece band, after all.
By the way, the bassist is named Hariya, and the drummer is named Kobushijima. Both of their fathers are apparently police officers. Also, Ando Natsu’s father is also said to be a police officer. Ando is the easiest to understand. (What is?)
Hariya and Kobushijima are already asleep. They fall asleep so fast, are they Nobita or something?
“Training camps are all about love talks! Right, Konuma!”
“I guess so...”
Is it? During middle school, I was always fast asleep.
“As expected, you’ve got a good vibe!”
“O-Oh...”
While I put on a face like it’s a hassle, I’m actually a little happy to be told I have a good vibe...
“Well then, Natsu, do you have someone you like?”
Hazama cuts in.
“Eh, me!?”
Ando is surprised. Hey, there are only three of us awake, don’t be so surprised.
“Me, huh... I like all of the Four Heavenly Kings.”
“What do you mean, all of them...”
Hazama is exasperated.
Probably, this guy doesn’t really like that kind of indiscriminate feeling.
“Wait, I mean, I’d definitely want to date any of them if they confessed to me! Archangel Amanel is angel-cute, Princess Erina is princess-cute, Lady Yuri is yuri-cute, and Sako-sama is scary-cute. Perfect!”
Did the rules change for the second half? What even is ‘yuri-cute’? Also, stop being so scared of Sako.
“...Eh, wait, would you refuse them, Hazamatchi?”
Reading the silent atmosphere, Ando is genuinely bewildered.
“...No comment,” Hazama mutters.
Ah, so that kind of response is allowed. Konuma has learned something new!
“W-Well, Hazamatchi is devoted to Sako-sama, after all!”
My shoulders gave a start.
“...I guess so.”
What the heck, I was surprised. Why was I surprised?
Even so, the way those two seem to understand each other looks fun.
“So, what about you, Konuma? Is there a girl you like?”
‘Is there’?
How should I respond at a time like this? This is my first time having a love talk between guys, so I don’t know what to do... My only experience with love talks was that little thing with Erina-san.
For now, I’ll try to mimic what Hazama said.
“...No comment.”
“No, there’s no ‘no comment’ for you!”
I was immediately called out.
Ah, so it’s not allowed for me. Why is that?
“E-Err...”
As I was stammering,
“...Konuma.”
Hazama spoke to me in a serious voice.
“Y-Yes...?”
What is it, it’s scary... Also, I’m not ‘KOnuma’... (He's pronouncing it weirdly?)
“Konuma, do you like energetic types?”
“Huh?”
Are you suddenly interested in my preferences...?
“Just answer me.”
Energetic types, huh...
“Well, I think being energetic is a good thing...”
When I answered, I felt Hazama nodding with satisfaction.
“Right. Then, what about cute ones?”
“No, wait, err...?”
I understand the meaning of the question, but I don’t get the intention.
“Better to be cute than not, right?”
“Well, I guess...”
Whether someone is cute or not is subjective, though...
“Exactly. And wouldn’t your opinion of them go up if they were a class representative?”
“I think that really doesn't matter either way...”
That shouldn't be a deciding factor for liking or disliking someone. Hanekawa would be my favorite even if she wasn't the class rep.
“...Well, I guess. But if they are or aren't, it's better if they are, right? Slightly.”
He’s really pushing the class rep thing.
“Hmm, well, I guess so...”
My favorite, Hanekawa, is the class rep, so I’ll just go with that.
“Right!”
He looks happy, as if saying ‘Bingo!’... What is this about?
“That kind of person might be unexpectedly close by if you look for them.”
Hazama says that in a very gentle voice.
“...Huh?”
Wait, could it be this guy...
“Energetic, cute, and a class rep... A girl like Princess Erina!”
“Hey, Natsu, you idiot...!”
“Eh? Me, an idiot?”
...So that’s what it is.
In short, this dense guy who still thinks Erina-san likes me was trying to give me a super clumsy assist to get me together with Erina-san.
‘Because Erina likes Kenji!’
The face of Erina-san laughing after coming out of the bath flashed in my mind.
She probably likes this straightforward, friend-prioritizing side of him.
“That’s cruel...”
I felt a throbbing pain in my chest.
“Hah?”
Hazama lets out a low, menacing voice. Please stop that, it’s scary.
I let out a light sigh.
“...Umm, Hazama.”
“What?”
“She might act a bit silly, but she’s actually incredibly honest and straightforward. She might seem calculating, but she can’t act well around the person she truly likes, and she has a cute way of smiling when she’s troubled... Do you like someone like 그?”
Did I pack too much in? I don't know.
“...Huh? Well, I guess that’s fine...?”
Hazama answers, sounding bewildered.
I quietly bite my lip.
“That kind of person might be unexpectedly close by.”
“Aaah...?”
How should I put it.
‘No matter what, Erina is going to become Kenji’s special someone.’
Things just don’t go the way they should, do they.