"Now, shall we resume the reading session?"
"Yuusuke, are you okay? Your forehead is really red."
"I managed with just a minor injury."
"I see."
If I weren't the hero, I would have died instantly.
Hinata, who was tidying up the tea, continued to look down at me with her usual cold gaze.
"I really can't take my eyes off for a second, huh, Senpai?"
"I was just getting a massage..."
"The problem is that you're making Lisha do it."
The standards are strict.
Since continuing this conversation would only make Hinata more upset, should we switch back to the reading session?
"Everyone, do your best."
That's it, we were encouraged by Lisha as we turned our attention back to the manuscripts.
By the way, I was currently reading Souji's work. It was a mystery novel set in a university, where a small mystery needed to be solved. The story revolved around searching for a missing book and talking to people around the campus, and it was more engaging than I had imagined. It felt like I could solve it myself, but actually reaching the answer took longer than expected, making it enjoyable to read.
Since this year's literary club theme was stars, it cleverly incorporated constellations into the mystery, earning extra points.
I often wonder what goes on in the minds of people who can write mystery novels. It feels like their brain structures are fundamentally different.
As I thought about this, I continued to attach sticky notes. "The heroine's bust should be a bit larger," I wrote. Alright, that should do it. I also wrote down some points of discomfort in a few sentences.
And so, I continued the reading session for a long time. Hinata had written a Tanka (a type of poem) with stars as the theme. I didn't understand much about classical literature, having last encountered it during entrance exams, so I wrote on a sticky note, "I think classical literature is cool," and attached it.
Then came Matsuda's work, undoubtedly a pure love novel titled "Drawn to the Stars." Despite being a whirlwind of events that left no room to breathe, the skillful storytelling structure made it impossible to feel forced. The detailed descriptions of the changing emotions of the characters were captivating. It was an impressive piece, except for the fact that Matsuda was the author. I couldn't find anything to correct, so I gently attached a sticky note to the author's name, "I'm your pig." "Drawn to the Stars," it's a shame. You were born in the wrong place.
Finally, it was Kuroi-san's novel. The content was a gothic horror story where a man who entered a Western-style mansion experienced various supernatural phenomena.
I hadn't read much of this genre before, but it was of high quality. I couldn't help but feel that Kuroi-san's love overflowed, or rather, her passion was too intense. Just reading it gave me chills down my spine. It was a kind of magic item.
However, from my perspective, someone who had even battled spirits, it was frustrating. "Strike there! Do it!" I wanted to shout at the protagonist. But I don't think that's the way to enjoy this kind of book.
And so, unnoticed, the day had come to an end. The orange light streaming in from the window had turned gray.
My desk was a mess, covered in scattered pencils, eraser shavings, and torn manuscripts with several sticky notes. It looked like a war had broken out on the desk. The people slumped over the desk as if dead bodies only added to that image.
After the heated debate, everyone's energy had run out.
"Hey, is the reading session over?"
"Everyone, I suppose the reading session has concluded."
Without any energy to stand up, we all slumped, but then the door swung open, and the club president and Kanami entered.
With just their gazes, Kanami, who had entered, poked Lisha, who was napping, and the president kicked Souji and Matsuda awake. She treated the members rather roughly.
"You're weak for getting exhausted from just this. Wake up, it's dinnertime."
"Weak?... Why is the president so energetic?"
"Rather, why are you so worn out from just reading books?"
I think strength training might be less tiring.
Since waiting any longer would only make the president angry, I somehow managed to summon the strength to stand up, despite my numb legs. The others also reluctantly stood up, muttering about their exhaustion.
As for Lisha, Kanami had her by the nape of her neck, making her stand.
Like a cat that had been napping in an inconvenient place.
Urged on by the club president, we made our way to the cafeteria with unsteady steps, akin to zombies from the Showa era.
* * *
From ancient times to the present, from heaven to hell, there's a universally accepted remedy for healing the wounds of the battlefield. A glass full of it gives people a hundred times the energy, and with more than ten glasses, they'll start dreaming. It's the most toxic elixir that has sent countless souls to the heavens, the panacea for all ills.
In other words, it's alcohol.
A certain black-haired maiden in Kyoto might liken cocktails to gemstones, but such refined drinks didn't make an appearance at our club's drinking party.
To put it simply, it was gold.
The golden bubbles frothing in the glass had the power to drive anyone mad, just like King Midas. Especially after a day like today, where we had used our brains extensively, alcohol hit us like a ton of bricks. Or rather, it made us into a fool. Not just any fool but an exponentially evolving one.
In short, the members of the literary club were getting drunk at a rate several times their usual pace.
"Hey, we're running out of drinks. Bring the next round!"
Commanding the nearby club members as if they were pirates or bandits was our club president. She must have been accumulating fatigue while discussing the reading session. Basically, the reading session for the literary club was done for today. Tomorrow would be a free day, and after having a drinking party at night, we would disband the day after that. So, it was perfectly fine to drink as much as we wanted today.
Maybe because of the alcohol's influence, Matsuda was half-naked, and Souji was surrounded by junior girls. It was all a bit chaotic.
"Hey, can you teach me how to swim? I'm not good at it."
"Well, I'm not that great at it either."
"It's okay, it's okay."
"I bought a new swimsuit."
"Me too, even though I don't have anyone to show it to."
Groups formed everywhere, enthusiastically discussing plans for tomorrow.
Normally, I would have crashed into one of those groups under the influence of alcohol, but for some reason, I didn't feel like it today.
I absentmindedly watched the party becoming more chaotic from a corner. It's not that I disliked the drinking party; I just wanted to drink without thinking today.
In Asteris, a life of traveling had continued for a long time. But at the end of major battles or during festivals, we would forget about the past and sing and dance like this. In a the era of war where death was all too common, people would laugh loudly and express gratitude for being alive.
With dimly swaying magic lanterns, the uninterrupted sounds of musical instruments, and the bustling of people drowned out everything.
I knew it was impossible, but I wanted to drink with them again. If I drowned myself in alcohol like this, could I at least meet them in my dreams?
"Yuusuke-san?"
While I was lost in sentimentality, Lisha, who was sober, peeked into the room.
In her underage hands was orange juice. Apparently, her longing for alcohol had disappeared completely after that incident.
"Hey, where's Kanami? Weren't you two together earlier?"
"Kanami-san is over there."
Lisha pointed in the direction where Kanami was surrounded by several drunk people.
Ah, condolences to her. Even though she was usually hard to approach, she seemed to be in the mood now, thanks to the power of alcohol. However, unlike Lisha, Kanami was a minor, so she wouldn't be given alcohol, and there was no need to worry, unlike with Lisha.
Wait a minute.
"Lisha, you managed not to get caught?"
"Oh, well..."
"I pulled her out."
Suddenly, a brown-haired head emerged from behind Lisha.
I didn't notice. Hinata was here.
Unusually, she seemed a bit tipsy, her face flushed as she fanned her cheeks while sitting next to me. We are slightly close to each other and there is a sweet scent in the air. Maybe because of the redness, her face looked strangely seductive.
"Oh, thanks for that."
"Since you're responsible for taking care of Lisha-chan, please be more responsible, Senpai. It was easier with Kanami-san taking care of her, but pulling her out was quite a task."
"Sorry, I was a bit spaced out."
I remember eating dinner and chatting with Souji and the others while sober, but after that, it's hazy.
I realized I was drinking alone.
I see, I nodded. However, the reactions of the Saint were different.
"Yuusuke-san, it seems like you've been absentminded for a while. Did something happen?"
As always, Lisha cut straight to the point. There was no hesitation in her approach.
Is this guy using telepathy every single time? I answered while pushing Lisha, who was getting closer.
"It's nothing special, really. I was just reminiscing about something from the past."
"Something from the past?"
"Yeah."
It was a dream I had while dozing off on the train. I'm probably feeling so sentimental because of that.
Back then, the things I didn't want to lose, the place I protected at the risk of my life—it all became something I could never see again. It wasn't just beautiful memories; it was a path soaked in blood, despair, and resentment. But now, all I can remember are the radiant faces of the people.
"Lost things always seem to shine the brightest. Well, that's life."
"I see?"
"You definitely don't get it."
"I do! It's like... you want to eat Kanami-san's bento again, right?"
"You're skirting around the issue, not hitting it at all."
Don't equate my sentimental feelings with your appetite. When did you become such a gluttonous character?
――Sigh, honestly.
Thanks to the conversation with Lisha, my sentimental mood disappeared somewhere.
I've sobered up a bit, time to drink again.
Thinking that, I reached for a glass on the table, but I noticed Hinata downing a glass in one go. Huh? That's transparent, but it's definitely not water, right?
"Hey, Hinata, that's not the type of drink you chug like that. What are you doing?"
"Huh? It's not 'what are you doing.'"
What's with the sudden reaction?
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)