Hinata, who had responded with a hint of anger, suddenly grabbed my collar and brought her face close to mine. Her eyes were clearly focused.
Why is she about to hit me now?
"That conversation earlier."
"That conversation?"
I instinctively echoed her words, and for a moment, Hinata fell silent. She quickly let go of me and grabbed a nearby bottle of beer, pouring it generously into her own glass.
Hold on, didn't you just down some shochu-like drink a moment ago?
"Hinata, that's getting quite fast——"
"Senpai."
"Yes?"
Glug glug glug glug.
Beer was poured generously into my glass too.
"Cheers."
"Ch-Cheers."
"Senpai, 'cheers' is what you say when you empty your glass."
"Cheers!"
Feeling the pressure, I downed the beer in one go along with Hinata.
"Oh, Yuusuke-san. That's what they call 'chug,' right?"
"Ppuha! Don't just learn things like that!"
Well, at least I finished my drink, and hopefully, Hinata's anger would dissipate. I still didn't quite understand why she was upset.
Somehow, Matsuda had ended up surrounded by Souji and the girls, and I was thinking of heading over there——
Glug glug glug glug.
"Senpai."
"Hinata, hold on! Why is my glass full again?"
"Senpai."
"Listen, Hinata, you should drink in moderation."
"Cheers."
"Yes."
The second glass was poured without a word, and I reluctantly downed it to match Hinata's relentless pace.
What's happening all of a sudden? I've faced all sorts of alcohol-related challenges before, but no one has ever poured me drinks with such a determined look in their eyes. It felt even more intense than when dealing with the knight captain.
Okay, I've finished the second glass, and Hinata should be satisfied now.
"Well, I'm going to——"
Glug glug glug glug.
"Senpai."
"Yes?"
"Cheers."
"Yes."
Downed the third glass. Lisha applauded enthusiastically, but this wasn't something to be praised. Don't clap with such an innocent look on your face.
"Listen, Lisha, you shouldn't encourage this kind of thing."
Glug glug glug glug.
"Senpai."
"Hold on, Hinata, this is getting really tough now. We were just drinking normally earlier."
"Senpai."
"I said it's impossible!"
"Cheers."
"Yes."
Drinking four consecutive glasses in a row is seriously tough.
I'm not really a heavy drinker to begin with, and now my head is starting to spin. My vision is swaying, and my face feels so hot it might burst into flames. This is getting dangerous.
"..."
Glug glug.
"Hold on, please, Hinata, that's enough. If you're mad, I'll apologize."
I grabbed Hinata's wrist as she mechanically tried to pour more beer, trying to stop the consecutive toasts.
"..."
"Hinata?"
Hinata, with her face lowered, stared up at me with eyes that were too intense, visible beyond her bangs.
"That thing you mentioned earlier..."
"So what's the big deal about the earlier conversation? I didn't say anything weird, did I?"
Getting a bit sentimental while drinking and reminiscing about the past wasn't that strange. I mean, it's not unusual to feel a bit nostalgic during a training camp.
However, the words that came unexpectedly from Hinata's mouth were completely unexpected.
"...It's about Tsukiko-san, isn't it?"
"Huh?"
I couldn't make sense of it at all, and a baffled sigh escaped my alcohol-burned throat.
What are you talking about? I haven't mentioned Tsukiko even once.
But it seemed my dazed response didn't sit well with her, as Hinata stared at me with a bright red face.
"That thing you said about 'lost things always seem to shine.' It's about Tsukiko-san, right?"
"What are you talking about?"
Whoever was wallowing in heartache or lost love, it wasn't me. Aside from the fact that I'd been in another world, this was just normal nostalgia.
But Hinata continued, pushing my hand away.
"Sure, it's disappointing that Tsukiko-san couldn't come, but there's no need to get so down..."
The conversation had been awkwardly mismatched from the start. Wait a minute, let's organize the situation here.
During the training camp where Tsukiko was supposed to be, I got drunk and indulged in nostalgia. The saying about Lost things always seem to shine was a cliché, and it had nothing to do with Tsukiko. And, to add, I got dumped the other day.
"Ah, I see!"
"What do you see!? What are you talking about? Are you joking, senpai?"
"Hold on, Hinata, that bottle is already empty. Besides, you're holding it the wrong way. Can you at least put it down?"
I managed to secure the bottle, which was clearly intended for a different purpose, and moved it out of Hinata's reach. That was close; the way everything unfolded until I grabbed the bottle felt too natural, and it was terrifying.
But, now that I think about it... When I mentioned earlier, it's understandable that Hinata might have thought I was reminiscing about my past with Tsukiko. She probably got annoyed because I seemed to be lingering on my ex for too long. People like Hinata should be quick to move on from such things.
"Hinata, listen carefully. I wasn't talking about Tsukiko. I was reminiscing about the places I visited during my travels."
"Traveling? Senpai, I've never heard you talk about that."
She looked at me with puzzled eyes. It's true that people who love to travel are often seen as either highly ambitious individuals contributing to society or as seekers on a journey of self-discovery. Unfortunately, it seemed I didn't fit into either category. In reality, it was different.
"Well, there were various circumstances, and I traveled quite a bit."
"Oh, I see. Senpai, is it a journey of self-discovery?"
"Do I look like someone lost in philosophical contemplation?"
"They say that when people get chuunibyou, they want to go on a journey."
Don't just casually label people as chuunibyou patients.
"Well, Tsukiko-san didn't cross my mind..."
"Is that so?"
Hinata muttered, blushing as if embarrassed by her mistake.
"Well, Senpai, the fact that you were ever in a relationship with Tsukiko-san is kind of a miracle. If you think of it that way, you shouldn't be so down."
"Quit it. Despite appearances, I was quite popular back in the day."
"Senpai, you seem drunk. Maybe you should drink some water."
I'll admit I'm a bit tipsy, but it's regrettable when the person who got me tipsy says so.
"During my travels, I was approached by many women."
"Are you sure it was you, Senpai?"
This girl's underestimating me. Although I may look like this now, I was a Hero. I received loud cheers from many women when I was in my heroic armor.
"Listen, Hinata. Those women over there are all attractive, and they're very aggressively pursuing me. It's tough to resist."
"Huh?"
A bone-chilling voice, as cold as an arctic river, echoed through the room.
What's this? I unintentionally stepped into enemy territory, and I feel a chill as if I've made a grave mistake. When all else fails, run away - even a Hero has to turn his back sometimes.
"All right, Lisha, it's time to rescue Kanami――"
Glug glug glug glug.
As I tried to stand up, ignoring the sounds coming from behind me, my wrist was suddenly seized.
What is this strength...?! I can't shake it off at all.
"I'll... go check on Kanami-san."
"Wait a minute, Lisha! You've never been this helpful before!"
"Senpai."
A prison blade pierces my back. It's as if she's holding my wrist tightly, seemingly wanting to talk. Normally, I'd be delighted by this physical contact, but right now, it's just plain scary.
Unable to escape, I was dragged into her chilling words.
"Cheers."
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