Do you know me?

—————————————————————-

TN: I was searching through my google drive then I found this and remembered that I had roughly TLed the entire V2 of this series a few months ago when I realized it was dropped (I wanted to know the rest of the story lol). Since I only TLed it for a quick read, it wasn’t TLed properly, so I’ll be re-editing and proofreading through all of it.

Here’s the novel updates link: https://www.novelupdates.com/series/how-to-keep-a-distance-from-a-beautiful-girl/?pg=5#myTable

Previous chapters are here (Travis Translations): https://travistranslations.com/novel/12365/how-to-keep-a-distance-from-a-beautiful-girl/

Since it’s been awhile since the last chapter was released, I would assume you would have forgotten all the characters and their names, so use this link I guess: https://travistranslations.com/novel/12365/how-to-keep-a-distance-from-a-beautiful-girl/vol-1-chapter-12-3/

—————————————————————-

“– That’s all. Any questions?”

　At the far end of the audio-visual room, twice as large as the general classroom, a male student standing in front of the whiteboard said in an indifferent tone.

　But I, as well as the other members of the school trip committee, did not raise our hands and remained silent.

　I guess they were not interested enough to ask questions.

　But to be honest, it seemed more accurate to say that I could not come up with any questions because the conversation was so coherent.

　Perhaps it was because he spoke in such an emotionless tone, but it felt very strange.

　At least I was glad that he was able to explain the details quickly and clearly enough that it went by fast.

　The male student looked around the room quickly, then nodded and quickly arranged the materials at hand on the teaching table.

“Well, that’s all for today. If you have any further questions, please ask any of the three of us or come to the student council office.

　With these words as a cue, the school trip committee members who had been sitting in the room left the room in a hurry.

　I followed their example and secretly hurried toward the exit.

“Kusuba-kun!”

　Just before passing through the door. Just before I passed through the door, a voice, clear and pleasant in spite of the noise, called out to me.

　Damn ……, I couldn’t escape, could I?

　I couldn’t just ignore it, so I took a breath and turned around. I was feeling a little queasy, but….

“……, I guess so.”

　The owner of the voice, Chitose Susami, looked at me with a soft, yet somehow implied smile.

　Or maybe she was just smiling.

　I wonder if it is because of my dislike for her that she seems to have something in common with me.

　Susami still looked confident and relaxed.

　Her eyes, peeking out from behind her glasses, have a calmness and a sense of aura that was unmistakable of a high school student.

　Her ponytail and skirt, which swung slightly, were the only cute parts of her appearance.

“That’s surprising. I thought Kusuba-kun would have chosen a more subdued committee.”

“Last year I was on the bulletin board committee. I regretted it because the workload was strangely heavy, even if it was modest.”

“Oh, so that’s why they changed the policy this year.”

“That’s what I meant.”

　Well, I’m already starting to wonder if it was easier this way.

“The school trip committee members often work with the student council, so I’ll be looking forward to working with you. I’m counting on you.”

“Don’t rely on me. If you have to rely on me, you’re on the verge of collapse.”

“Oh, no. It’s easier for me to do things when I know someone on the committee.”

“…… is that so?”

　I’m not the easiest person to deal with.

“Kusuba-kun, what are you talking about!”

“Whoa!”

　Suddenly, a figure jumped into the room next to me with great force.

　I looked and saw Sayano, who I thought had left earlier, looking between me and Susami with curious eyes.

“Woah! Why were you so surprised?”

“……that’s because you showed up out of nowher so suddenly.”

“Because, you were talking like you were having fun.”

　I didn’t realize that it looked like fun.

　No, Susami was probably having a good time, so I guess I’m not wrong.

“Kusuba-kun is good friends with Susami?　What a surprise.”

“Oh, you know me?”

“Of course you do. You’re famous.”

　Sayano-san seemed to have a somewhat wary look in her eyes as she said that.

　I didn’t know this girl at all, but it’s a look I’ve never seen before.

　Perhaps Sayano is sensing Susami’s quiet power, too.

　Watch out, she’ll eat you if you’re not careful, seriously.

“I’m sorry, um, …….”

“Sayano, Sayano Mio. I’m a member of the school trip committee, in the same class as Kusuba-kun.”

“Yes, that’s right. Nice to meet you, Sayano-san.”

　They exchanged greetings and smiled at each other.

　I’m feeling so out of place, I think it’s time for me to go home.

“Chitose.”

“Nn, ah, Oki-kun.”

　I was thinking, “Oh, Oki-kun,” but then realized there were more people apart from him.

　What’s more, the one who came was that emotionless male student who was talking in the front row just a moment ago.

“If you still want to talk, I’ll go back first.”

“No, I’m going too.”

　The boy called Oki was taller than I expected.

　He was quite handsome, although his eyes were sharp and he had a cold air about him.

　But perhaps because I’m used to seeing Kyoya, I don’t feel a sense of shameful jealousy. No really, I’m serious. It’s true.

“Ah, it’s Oki!”

“Oh ……, Sayano……. It’s been a while.”

　The calmness he had shown earlier seemed to be a lie.

　What is it?　What in the world?

“Oh, you know each other?”

“……We were in the same class last year.”

“Yes, yes. Kusuba-kun and I were in the same class last year as well.”

“huh?…”

　I let out a stupid sound, which was easy to understand.

　What did you just say?

“Oi oi!　Kusuba-kun, you didn’t even remember you were in the same class as me!　I’m so overshadowed!”

“Hmmm ……. From the looks of it, I don’t think he remembers me either.”

　Yes, I don’t remember you.

“No, but I’ve forgotten almost everyone. Or rather, how did you remember me over there?”

“Of course you do! We were together for a year.”

“But, well, I don’t remember talking to Kusuba, that’s for sure.”

　Only Susami giggled at Oki’s line.

　This is finally getting uncomfortable, which is unusual.

　I can’t wait for them to let me go. ……

　The most important thing to remember is that you can’t just take a few minutes to get to know the people you’re talking to.

“But you’re lucky!　The destination for the school trip turned out to be Guam!”

“Oh, Sayano-san is a Guam fan, isn’t she?”

“Of course! Isn’t it better to go abroad? I can go to Kyoto if I want to, and if we’re going to Okinawa, we should go to Guam! That’s what I thought.”

　Incidentally, our school’s school trip destinations are voted on by the students every year.

　This year, Kyoto, Okinawa, and Guam were the candidates, and Guam was decided in the end.

　I voted for Kyoto, but Guam beat me out.

　Well, I don’t really care where.

“But it rains a lot over there during the school trip season, so you have to be careful.”

“Really?”

“When we voted, it said so in the supplement. I hope it doesn’t conflict with your outdoor schedule.

“Oh, no. ……!　I’ll have to make a teru teru bozu: ……”

　No, the teru teru bozu is probably only effective in Japan. (TN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teru_teru_b%C5%8Dzu)

　Well, I heard that Guam has squalls during the rainy season, so it won’t ruin our plans for the whole day.

“I definitely want to go in the ocean! Guam’s ocean! And I want to wear a bathing suit!”

“Hmmm, I guess so. Right, Kusuba-kun?”

“Don’t shake me …….”

　You’re the complete opposite of me, no matter how you look at it: …….

　I’m not good in the water or the sun.

“Chitose, it’s about time–

“Speaking of Guam!”

　Interrupting Oki’s words as he was about to say it, an awfully high-tension voice flew in.

　At the same time, a small girl with a bunch of files appears, stomping on the floor.

　Oh, come on, there are still more?

　It’s almost at the limit of my capacity. ……

　When I looked, Oki was also shaking his head with a dumbfounded expression.

“The most important thing to remember is that you can’t just leave it to me. I’m sorry I left you to clean up.”

“I’m not bitter!”

　While uttering unintelligible words, the girl called Himari smiled dazzlingly.

　She had short hair that made her face look round, and her eyes were flashing.

　Her small nose and mouth, along with her short stature, make her look quite young.

　She was the other member of the student council who had been standing in front of Susami for a long time.

“Yo-Mari~. Yoo-hoo!”

“Mio-chan!　Hey, Buri!”

(TN: there are a lot of new characters here just so you know)

　The girls named Yomari and Sayano were standing right in front of me, waving their hands in each other’s faces.

　Apparently, they know each other too.

　The community of the “rear-enough” crowd is a complicated and bizarre one.

　Incidentally, I’m already a little far from the circle of people, leaning my body against the wall.

　I thought about sneaking back home, but Susami admonished me with a look.

　I was just plain scared.

“So, what do you think of Guam?”

“Oh, yes!　Speaking of Guam, it’s ‘Lover’s Cape’!”

“What, what’s that!”

　What’s with that heady-looking cape with a loose name?

“A famous tourist attraction!　It’s full of love jinxes and is a must-check place for every girl in love!”

“Yea!　I love it!　I want to go there!”

“After all, school trips are always accompanied by love!　I want to go there!　I’m so excited!”

　The two girls were making a lot of noise.

　Susami was smiling beside them, and Oki was cowering.

　I know, Oki. You want to go home, don’t you?

　Well, the reason may be different.

　…… even so.

　The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the most out of your time in the world is to be prepared for the unexpected.

　…… swimsuit, huh?

“……”

　I shook my head to drown out the next image that came to mind.

　I’m not allowed to fantasize. I’ve got to get rid of my evil thoughts.

　…… but I hope it doesn’t rain, yes.

　I was waiting idly for them to finish their story, thinking that thought again and again.