"Yeah. I'm going for private liberal arts, so, well, probably mostly the
same?" Yui answered, nodding, but then her head tilted to the side
for some reason. This was about her own future.
Incidentally, I was also hmming thoughtfully. "Ohhh. So you're taking
entrance exams, too," I commented carelessly.
"Of course I am!" Yui whipped back toward me. I worried she was
going to break into whimpering tears. "Come on… Iroha-chan, do you
think I'm that stupid?"
"No, no, that's not what I mean at all. I knew you were going to take
entrance exams; I understood that. It's just, like, hearing about it
struck me again…," I added hurriedly, sneaking my eyes away. Uh,
not out of guilt or anything. I did think Yui was a little eh in the brains
department, but honestly just a little…
And then, after averting them, my eyes landed on that pair of empty
seats.
I probably hadn't just been looking away from Yui. I think I was
unconsciously looking there, too.
Coming to the clubroom when they weren't there that day and the
day before, seeing Okome-chan looking far quieter than usual, and
hearing talk about a future where prep school and entrance exams
had become concrete—the reality was sinking in.
They honestly were going away.
"Ahhh, yeah… So, I guess, until summer?" Yui said, her gentle voice
not a reply to my flustered excuse, bu Page | 166
The stacks of desks, the swaying curtains, the wall clock that was a
little behind, the abandoned Christmas debris in the corner, the
blackboard with some faint, half-erased characters, the table with
the tea set on it, the two empty seats side by side.
Yui gazed at each thing, and her eyes softened with fondness. Her
glossy lips curved in just a slight arc.
Watching that mature smile, I gave a listless little sigh.
Whoa. I could even cry.
It totally wasn't even time yet for graduation or retiring from clubs or
anything, but it felt like a weird switch was about to flip in me. Crying
now would be a waste of tears, so instead, I let out a big haagh. This
is just such a hassle, that sigh said, I so don't have the energy.
"Summer, huhhh. Then I guess it's like you'll just baaarely miss the
school info session," I said, forcibly bringing up a different topic.
Yui cocked her head and asked me with her big eyes, Is there
something?
"Oh, there's, like, this information session for middle school students
who'll be taking our exams. There's going to be a school tour, and
we, like, introduce the school clubs and stuff."
The beautiful and adult smile melted off Yui's face. "Ohhh," she said,
nodding with her mouth hanging open dumbly. My moist eyes dried
in seconds.
Since I'm here, might as well ask Yui.
This was an issue I had to deal with now, while they were still here. If
I didn't, then I'd get tied up in the "now," then get caught in the past,
and then she and I both wouldn't be able to go anywhere anymore. Page | 167
I folded my arms with a hmm, tilted my head, and continued. "So we
have to put together a pamphlet introducing the clubs, and we were
talking about whether to put the Service Club in and what we should
do with that. Right?" I turned it to Okome-chan beside me.
She was folding her arms in the same way I was, tilting her head.
"Hmm, yeahhh. I wonder what we should do," she replied with zero
sense of seriousness. It's not like I expected Okome-chan's answer to
change in just one day, so that was fine.
When I looked over at Yui like, What do you think? she jumped on it
with her answer.
"Why not—let's put it in. Let's get lots of new members," she said
forthrightly, the words a certain guy had hesitated to say before.
I'd known she would say that.
Yui understood all the considerations and reservations that kept him
and Yukino from saying things, thinking they were being kind, and
then Yui deliberately pretended to be an idiot to say it out loud for
them.
Okome-chan hmmmed uneasily before shooting back with a strained
smile, "In Komachi terms, I don't think we need to do any of that for
a while, though… Komachi's got her hands full taking care of my
bro."
"Ahhh. Mm, well, yeah, Hikki," Yui said, gently going along with that,
though she smiled wryly in exasperation. I couldn't bring myself to
smile.
Well, I'd figured Okome-chan would say something like that. She was
playing it off as a joke, but that was probably pretty for real. She
really couldn't think about new members right now, and it was true
she was looking out for him in all sorts of ways. Page | 168
So most likely, what Okome-chan valued was not the Service Club
itself, but the Service Club as it was now. What she wanted to take
care of was ultimately the space and time where they were. It was
kind of like how I'd thought briefly that if the Service Club was going
away, maybe they could do their stuff in the student council instead.
…Though I don't actually know what Okome-chan thinks about it.
The only one I know is myself, so there's nothing for it but to imagine
based on my own standards—at least, that was how I used to think. I
didn't want anything foreign in there, myself included. I don't think
that at all now, and it's even like, I don't really care.
Still, I couldn't help but react when Yui softly said, "Hmm, but maybe
someone will come and join…eventually…"
"Huh? You think?" I replied.
"Is there someone?" Okome-chan joined in.
When the two of us both jumped on that, Yui rapidly apologized,
drawing away slightly. "Huh, oh, sorry, I have no idea. I was just
kinda trying out saying it."
Whaaat, you were just saying it?! You made me get all excited… I
sulked hard at Yui.
Then she clapped her hands and patched over what she'd said.
"Okay, but look, you don't know about the future, right? Anyone
could just walk in, not just the new students. It was around this time
when I joined in my second year. And Hikki joined around then, too."
"Now that you mention it, yeah…," Okome-chan acknowledged.
But I didn't know any of that, so I wound up reacting like Huhhh,
really? I'd never heard about that stuff at all. The three of them were
already there by the time I'd come to the Service Club, so I'd
assumed they'd always been members. Page | 169
Then Yui nodded as if to say Right, right with an easygoing laugh. "So
I think it might become something like that… Like us," she said
offhandedly. But…
"Ohhh, like you guys is frankly a little yikes, though," I said, waving
my hands in front of my chest like No way, no way.
"Komachi's a little unsure, too…" Okome-chan's shoulders slumped
dejectedly, and she gave a strained smile.
"Huhhh…? I meant it as a good thing, though…" Yui was tilting her
head like Ohhh? That's funny. But she knew what I meant.
Relationships like theirs—overly complicated, ridiculously
troublesome, and constantly going wrong—can't be built so easily. I
mean, I don't even want that. No matter how hard I deliberately
tangle things up, I wind up assembling way better, way more
respectable relationships.
But they'll still probably go wrong somewhere along the line.
Maybe someday the two of us will find relationships like that. I'm
sure of it.
With that thought, I glanced to the side, and our eyes met.
And we shrugged, sighed, and giggled softly.
It was after school, and the day was bright.
A peaceful air flowed through the clubroom. After two days away, all
the members of the Service Club were now present, myself included.
The after-school melodies reached us on a balmy breeze, with the air
of early summer coming in from the open window. I knew it couldn't
change all that much in just a few days, but even so, the tones of the Page | 170
band club and the calls of runners felt somehow more in sync. Our
mundane days were always continuously changing, bit by bit.
Even the clubroom of the Service Club was no exception.
The distance between our chairs, the length of a skirt, the number of
words exchanged, the speed of turning pages—put measurements to
any of these things, and they would just be petty differences, but
they were clearly changing.
Of course, things that can't be expressed in numbers will change,
too.
The greatest example was the brightness of Komachi's expression as
she hummed and tappity-tapped on her smartphone. From my
perspective as her older brother, it seemed like a weight had been
lifted off her shoulders, compared with how she'd been two days
ago. But this wasn't something that could be expressed in lux,
candela, or lumens.
It was just a feeling.
Did that start last night? I thought, trying to remember, but
unfortunately, my mental faculties had died the day before, so I
couldn't think of anything. However, I had no recollection of seeing
her in low spirits, so I inferred something had happened after school
the day before.
But if you were talking changes, the one most changed in the
clubroom right then was Yukinoshita.
Yukinoshita, who normally would have been done making tea
already, had still not gotten around to the task.
This was because she had spent the whole time studying Komachi,
then Yuigahama, nodding and shaking her head all the while. Page | 171
This was all about trying to find the right moment for the surprise
present for Komachi.
I understand that feeling. I do, but calm down a little. It's so fishy,
and Isshiki seems suspicious. She's really staring at you. Maybe she
doesn't like surprises?
Once it seemed like Isshiki was on the verge of asking Um, what are
you doing? Yuigahama finally nodded at Yukinoshita a couple of
times, giving her the go sign. Yukinoshita nodded triumphantly back
as if to say, Leave it to me, swishing her hair off her shoulders. Then
she rose to her feet and started to make the tea.
Without missing a beat, Yuigahama turned, chair and all, toward
Komachi. "Komachi-chan, did you get a new hairpin? I don't think
I've seen that one before," she said, drawing her attention.
"Ohhh? Really? Maybe 'cause it's one Komachi hasn't used in a
while."
"Let me see, let me see. Can I fiddle with your bangs, too?"
"Go ahead, go ahead."
When Yuigahama beckoned, Komachi thrust her head toward her
like a cat nuzzling you with one of those purr-meows, and before you
know it, Yuigahama had expertly blocked Komachi's field of vision.
Oh-ho, not bad there…, I thought, impressed. Meanwhile,
Yukinoshita deftly prepared the tea.
Eventually, the water in the kettle came to a boil, and she began
gracefully pouring the tea with neat movements. The familiar aroma
wafted around, and a faint steam rose up.
She lined up a Western teacup, a mug, a paper cup, and a Japanese
teacup, and then beside that, she placed a chic little box. Isshiki
watched her carefully open the box. "Ohhh, that's what it is," she Page | 172
whispered, flickering a momentary glance at Komachi, who was still
in kitty mode.
"Isshiki…," I called to her quietly, and she glanced back at me. I gave
her a little nod to say Yeah, yeah, it's what you think it is and touched
my index finger to my lips.
From that gesture, Isshiki must have understood completely, as she
slowly nodded without a word. She gently tucked her flow of hair
behind her ear, then touched that same finger to her glossy lips with
a wink. Hmm, well, just nodding totally gets it across, so I'm okay
here…
As I was busy getting flustered, Yukinoshita finished making the tea
and poured it into each of our cups. "Go ahead."
"Yeah, thanks."
The Japanese cup was placed before me, and the paper cup in front
of Isshiki. Then there was Yuigahama's mug, the tea going to
everyone in turn before, finally, to Komachi.
"Komachi. Go ahead," Yukinoshita said, and Yuigahama popped away
from in front of Komachi.
"Oh, thank you very… Hmm? Huh? Ohhh? Hmm?" Komachi did a
double take at the black tea placed before her, then a triple take,
making strange noises. "Um, this…" She was pointing, confused, at a
mug decorated with a wild strawberry pattern in white and pastel
green.
When Komachi fidgeted like she was worrying about whether she
could touch it, Yukinoshita answered her with a nod. "It's a bit late,
but this is in celebration of your assuming the role of Service Club
captain." Page | 173
"And for remaking the Service Club. Thanks." Yuigahama smiled at
her a little shyly.
Komachi looked between those two faces, then let out a breath.
Maybe it was wonder, or maybe hesitation. "I-is this okay?"
"Yes," Yukinoshita replied. "It wouldn't look good for the club
captain to be using a paper cup, now would it?"
"Yeah, use it kinda like—a proof of membership?" Yuigahama added.
At their urging, Komachi finally, gently touched the mug. She seemed
to be testing the heat felt in her palm. Then she clasped it with
nervous care in both hands. "Thank you so much…," she said,
bobbing her head in a bow that didn't quite come up again. Then
there was just the tiny sound of a sniffle.
Yukinoshita and Yuigahama looked at each other and exchanged
gentle smiles. Isshiki was leaning her cheek on one hand, but her
gaze was soft and approving.
I straightened in my seat and faced my sister. "Komachi." I made an
effort to address her in a level tone.
Komachi slowly raised her head, scrubbing at her face with the back
of her hand. Her eyes were wet, but she was looking straight at me.
There were lots of things I wanted to express to her, that I wanted
her to know.
Like that I was proud, that I was grateful, that I was sorry, and
everything else.
There were also matters related to her taking over, and maybe some
kind of advice, too. I had too many anxieties, worries, areas of
concern, and things I wanted to pass down to her to count. Page | 174
The Service Club is frankly a hassle made up of overcomplicated
types bringing in trouble. After our graduation, Komachi might have
a bad time of it. She might feel lonely sometimes, too. I'm sure there
will be times when she wants to give up. I wish it were possible for
her to only experience the good times here, but I'm sure it won't be
like that.
But I think including the good, the bad, the awful, the painful, the
bitter, the frustrating, the sad, and everything else is what makes it
the Service Club.
At first, you wonder, What the heck is this club?—but before you
know it, you feel like it's hard to leave.
You think, I could never do club stuff with someone like that—but
then you come to feel irresistibly drawn to them.
Nobody else could know, but just one person—just you—knows that
sentimentality.
Maybe that's something you can get somewhere else, in any club, in
any group of friends hanging out, but all I know is this place. Sorry,
but I have no other way to get it across.
So at least, I want you to touch all of that, thoroughly and
completely, with your own hands.
I couldn't say something like that succinctly anyway. I don't feel like
just words would be enough to communicate it, and it's too
embarrassing in front of everyone, so I kept all that to myself.
I smiled with just the corners of my lips, straightened in my seat like
this was a matter of importance, and, with a silly gesture, bent my
straightened back at a forty-five-degree angle.
"Then formally now, Captain Hikigaya: I'm honored to follow your
leadership." Page | 175
She stared at my silly bow; then she sniffed and laughed. "Ah-ha!
Mm-hmm! Yes, you are!" Komachi puffed out her modest chest,
putting on the most mannerly posture as she acted with as much
haughtiness as she could.
Yuigahama, watching, nodded with a gentle mm, while Yukinoshita
sighed in satisfaction. Isshiki, leaning her hand on her cheek, cracked
an exasperated smile.
"Oh yeah. Speaking of thanks…" I glanced over at Isshiki.
At that signal, Yuigahama rustled around in her bag to bring out a
stylish box. "Something for you, too, Iroha-chan. Thanks."
"O-okay… Thanks… Uh, you're welcome?" Though Isshiki couldn't
seem to figure out how to answer, when Yuigahama handed her the
box, she raised it over her head in thanks. "…Can I open it?"
"Go ahead," Yukinoshita prompted her.
After carefully peeling off the wrapping, Isshiki popped open the lid.
When she saw the contents, she made a little sound. "Huh?"
Still with an expression of blank surprise, she pulled out what was in
the box, placed it on the table, and examined it. Before her was a
mug with a wild strawberry pattern in white and pastel pink. You
didn't have to set it next to Komachi's mug to tell that it was the
same design in a different color.
"Huh? Um, I'm not a member of the club, though… Is this okay?"
Isshiki asked with some confusion and a shy smile.
"Oh, you weren't…?" Yuigahama muttered.
"Yeah, she's actually not. But for some reason, she comes all the
time," Komachi whispered stealthily in Yuigahama's ear. Page | 176
Beside her, Yukinoshita sighed in exasperation and shrugged. "Well,
it's too late now. Besides, I don't like adding paper cups to the waste
disposal."
Ohhh, I think I've heard that one before. Come ooon. For someone
who doesn't like adding to disposals, you sure have a lot of excuses at
yours . But if I say that, I think I would get beaten to a pulp, so I will
keep quiet.
Instead, I gave Isshiki a tiny bow. "Well, if anything happens, I'll be
counting on you."
Isshiki spent a few moments blinking at me, but she eventually
puffed out her not-so-modest chest with a smug chuckle that paid
homage to Komachi's earlier show. "Mm-hmm, yes, you will be…
Don't you think that was kinda…nonchalant? Weren't you being
more polite to Okome-chan?" Then when she realized what she was
doing halfway through her reply, she got real huffy with a hmph! and
heckled me aggressively.
I was about to handle this by rattling off some nonsense like Oh, no,
not at all. In fact, I have a reputation for being needlessly chalant
about a lot of things, when from beside Isshiki, Komachi popped in
and tugged at her sleeve.
"Iroha, Iroha."
"What? What is it?" Isshiki answered as if annoyed.
Komachi swished back her blazer, flattened out the wrinkles of her
skirt, placed her hands on her lap, and did a dainty bow. "I am aware
I will be burdening you in many ways, but I formally ask that you
please take care of me in the future as well."
"Agh, well, likewise," Isshiki said, kind of confused at the sudden
polite bowing. Page | 177
Taking advantage of her confusion, Komachi laughed with an eh-heh-
heh and barreled right on. "Also, for that thing you were talking
about before, please write up whatever sounds good! Komachi's
leaning towards putting us in ," she said cuuutesily and with the
most crazily casual manner possible. As in, Isshiki looked like she was
about to lose her mind.
"So casual…and careless… Huh, I was kind of honestly worried about
that, though…"
At that, Komachi huffed out her nose, clenched both fists, and said
emphatically, "This is all because you were honestly worried. Oh, this
part is for real."
"Ah, I see… Not like I care anymore… Hey, your sister's sense of
ethics is totally broken," Isshiki protested to me vehemently, tugging
at my sleeve.
Gently escaping from her grasp, I made to defend my sister—more
or less. "Well, rambling about a bunch of BS can be, like, a way she
hides her shyness…," I said.
Yukinoshita nodded mm-hmm with deep interest, putting a hand to
her chin. "She resembles you in that way, Hikigaya," she murmured
with a wry smile.
"But it's not cute when Hikki does it…," Yuigahama said, kinda put
off.
Isshiki snorted. "It's not cute when Okome-chan does it, either."
"Hmph! Oh, but if Komachi sulks here, then it makes it seem like I
think I'm cute, and that's a low Komachi score…"
"Seriously, listen to this girl…" Page | 178
With that above-it-all composure seniors are wont to have, we
watched Komachi and Isshiki teasing each other again. Mm-hmm,
they're getting along. Very good.
Then suddenly, Yukinoshita checked all our cups and rose to her feet
without a word. Noticing that, Yuigahama rummaged around in her
bag and brought out more snacks to empty onto the plate. And I, just
like always, turned the page of the paperback I was reading.
"Oh, Komachi'll help with the tea, too," Komachi said.
"Oh? Well then, how about we do it together?" Yukinoshita replied.
While overhearing their conversation, I happened to look around,
sweeping my gaze over the clubroom.
The rays of the inclining sun had grown much redder, coloring the
steam for the tea, and for just a brief moment, it created a warm
spot of sunlight in this clubroom.
Yuigahama was yoinking and munching snacks, Isshiki was facedown
on her desk, exhausted and weary, Yukinoshita was instructing
Komachi in detail on how to make the tea, and Komachi was a little
weirded out by her manner of direction.
On the table were the familiar Western teacup and the mug with the
dog printed on it. In my hands was the Japanese cup, and then there
were the still brand-new matching mugs.
At some point, the cups had changed number and form, and even
the sights in this room were changing.
I could imagine half a year ahead, but I didn't know about one year
ahead. Two or three years in the future, or flying across greater
intervals like ten years down the line, there probably wouldn't
remain a single sign that we'd been here. But—
Right after I'd thought that, a fragrant aroma wafted across the
room.
When I looked for its source, I saw Komachi pouring tea under
Yukinoshita's tutelage.
Yukinoshita folded her arms and narrowed her eyes, scrupulously
observing every single move of Komachi's. Though Komachi was
slightly in awe of that gaze, she was slowly pouring the tea with neat
and careful gestures.
Eventually, this scene would be lost as well, and everything about
this room would change.
But even so, I'm sure.
I'm sure the scent of tea in this room will stay the same.