I’m not very good with girls.

　At the rear courtyard.

“It’s almost summer vacation!”

　Kyoya said in a bustling voice as he spread his lunch in a plastic bag on the lawn.

　Rika, Hinata, and I, who were brought here halfway by force, all three of us were looking at Kyoya.

　In addition, some of the people around us were also paying attention to us.

　He was a conspicuous member of the group, but with a voice this loud, it was only natural.

“And then, it’s the school trip!”

“……, tone your voice down!”

“And yet!”

　Kyoya puts his hands on his head and shouts in sorrow.

　His shoulders slumped, and this time he spilled out weakly.

“Why do we have tests……?”

“Because it’s the end of the term.”

“Why is it the end of the term, ……!”

　Because it’s almost summer vacation, idiot.

　But unlike Rika, who cowered her shoulders as I did, Hinata’s expression was dark.

“I was trying not to think about it. ……”

“Me too ……. But when I was told that club activities were suspended from today, I remembered it even if I didn’t want to.”

　Oh, so it’s that time of the term already.

　I had forgotten about those milestones because of the lack of club activities I was involved in to begin with.

“Moreover, Chitose, I can’t study with you this time. ……”

“What……!　Why ……?”

“Because we have to prepare for the school trip and the general assembly before the summer break. ……”

“Noooooo! How terrible…”

“How terrible, Chitose……!　But what should we do ……!”

　The bakouple said such things and then turned their head toward us with a giggle.

　Tears were blotting the corners of their eyes, which was somewhat annoying.

“Ren…… will you help us……?”

“Rika!　I’m asking for a favor from my best friend!”

　I knew it.

　Rika and I looked at each other and sighed at the same time.

　It would be useless to refuse anyway.

“You guys are going to do your best, right?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

“As expected of Rika! I love you! She’s so cute!”

　Rika shakes her head, “Oh dear.”

　I thought maybe they didn’t want my help, but Kyoya nailed me with a “Ren too!”.

　Well, it’s probably better than last time because of the foundation Susami laid.

“Oh, there you are!”

　At that moment, I heard a familiar voice coming from the school building.

　I looked to see Susami walking towards us, waving her hand.

　Next to her was the vice president of the student council, Oki.

“Chitose ……”

“Susami-san …….”

　Susami gave an apologetic smile to Kyoya and Hinata, who looked at her resentfully.

　Apparently, she had guessed what was going on.

“I’m sorry. But we had a good result last time, so it’s okay.”

　Susami patted Hinata’s head as she clung to her and said as if to appease her.

　I’m sure it’s not going to be easy for her.

“By the way, what’s wrong?”

“Yes. I have some business with Kusuba-kun.”

“Me?”

　I said, but I knew it would be something like that.

　The fact that Oki was there probably meant that the requirement was related to the student council, or in other words, if we say it now, it was related to the school trip.

“The materials submitted by the third class, the seating order for the plane is not written. Fill it out and resubmit it after school.”

“Seriously, …….”

　I thought Sayano was in charge of that part.

　She must have left out a whole page, that girl.

“Sorry. Is the student council room okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there.”

　Saying this, I took the paper from Oki’s hand.

　It was a very quick exchange.

　I didn’t dislike Oki’s quick and efficient way of talking.

　He was always casual and unassuming, but I did not feel bad about it.

　That was the impression I got from Oki after meeting him several times in meetings.

　Naturally, I don’t think we would get along well, but if we were going to work together, this kind of guy would probably be ideal.

“But still, you went to the trouble of coming here in person?”

“Because, you didn’t notice me even though I contacted you, Kusuba-kun.”

“Eh?”

　When I looked at my phone after being told by Susami, I saw that she had indeed sent me a message regarding such topic.

　Apparently, I had wasted a lot of her time and effort.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“No problem. I found you, so I’m fine.”

　Susami smiled with a tone of voice that sounded like it was really nothing.

　I felt even more apologetic.

　During the preparation period, I’ll have to check my phone more often for a while.

“Speaking of which, what’s going to happen to our phones on the trip?”

　Suddenly, Hinata asked such a question.

　Susami had started talking to Rika, so she was probably saying this to Oki.

“Oh, ah …… yeah …… that.”

　Immediately, Oki lost his previous composure and suddenly began to get frightened.

　Hinata tilted her head at this unnatural reaction.

　What’s up with this guy?

“……Well, it works fine where there’s Wi-Fi, but ……Well, I’ll get back to you with more details as we get more info……”

“…… Okay. Thanks.”

“…… yeah.”

　The Oki said this in a voice that sounded as if it was about to disappear, and turned his face away.

　His cheeks were slightly red.

　The “pfft” escaped from the mouth of Susami, who had been watching the situation.

“I’m sorry, Satsuki. Oki is not good with girls.”

“Ara, is that so?”

“Yes. Especially cute girls.”

“Hey, Chitose ……!”

　What’s with that unflattering weakness?

“Oh, man. I thought you didn’t like me.”

“I’m always like this when I talk to people other than the girls in the student council. It takes me a while to get used to it.”

“Really? That’s surprising.

“Well, Satsuki is a beautiful girl, so I can understand his nervousness.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

　Oki didn’t answer anything, just scratched his cheeks uncomfortably.

　Seeing that he doesn’t deny it, it seems he is serious.

　I see, that was the reason I felt uncomfortable when I was talking to Sayano before.

“……It’s time to go, Chitose.”

“Yes, yes. Okay, see you later, everyone.”

“Then, bye bye Chitose.”

　Oki only nodded awkwardly at the teasing line.

　As if enjoying such a reaction, Hinata laughed.

　Don’t tease him.

“Oh, by the way, you’re that guy, right?　The one who always gets first place in the tests. I think you’re Oki Shizuya-san.”

“Wait, really!　Then does that mean you’re smarter than Chitose?”

“If you only look at the scores, that would be true.”

“Hmmm, for a guy with such a cute weakness, he’s an amazing guy?”

　If you ask me, I think I heard something like that during the previous test.

　But if that’s the case, then yes, it might make sense in a lot of ways.

“Well, let’s get together right after school!　Let’s do it, study group!”

“Oh!”

　Well, I’m going to hand over the materials to Oki first.