Volume 5 Chapter 13 In the Cafeteria
It was a little while back, at the end of summer vacation. Yuusuke and the others had finished their battle with Larkan and were focusing on resting.
Kongou Souji was walking alone in the university campus, where only those involved in clubs and circles were sparsely walking.
For Souji, a second-year university student who still had a long way to go in job hunting and thesis writing, there was no reason for him to come to school. However, he couldn't ignore the professor's call.
"Oh, thank you, Kongou-kun. We're short on people who can do physical work right now."
"It's totally fine."
He was called to help put in a new shelf in the research lab. The lab was piled with a large number of books and research materials, so even a small rearrangement was a big task.
Souji, who usually did part-time jobs, was handy in situations like this.
"This is your payment for today's job. Keep it a secret from everyone."
"It's not a big deal."
"No, no, I must properly compensate for the work."
Although he didn't come with the intention of doing a part-time job, he couldn't refuse the envelope that was forcefully handed to him, so Souji left the lab.
As he walked, he thought about buying a drink at the cooperative store. That's when he noticed a woman reading a book in the cafeteria on campus.
She had shoulder-length brown hair and stylish clothes.
"..."
Souji paused for a moment and changed his course towards the cafeteria.
* * *
"Hmm, what does this mean? I don't understand the meaning..."
"Is it the Ise Monogatari?"
"Oh yeah, it's strange to be asked to decipher a classic love novel in modern times..."
Just as Hinata said that, she realized that someone was talking to her.
"Souji-san⁉"
"You don't have to be so surprised. It's bothering the people around us."
Hinata quickly closed her mouth and looked around. Fortunately, it seemed that no one paid attention to them. Hinata closed the book she had been staring at.
"The Ise Monogatari is a poetic tale modeled after Ariwara no Narihira. Its origin and author are unknown. Although it is said to be modeled after Ariwara no Narihira, even that is uncertain."
It mainly depicts love and friendship. Ariwara no Narihira is famous for his role in the Hyakunin Isshu, but he is also known as a legendary playboy.
Hinata was still a first-year student, but she was working on several assignments in preparation for the seminar she wanted to join in the future.
She gathered the notebooks and pencil cases that were on the desk and moved them aside.
Souji sat across from Hinata. It seemed like he had bought an iced coffee, as the ice made a refreshing sound.
"What's wrong? It's summer vacation."
"Oh, I was asked to do something by the professor. I was thinking of going home, but I saw Hinata and stopped by."
"I-I see."
Hinata put on her usual smile and took a sip of iced tea.
While watching her, Souji asked straightforwardly,
"Did something happen with you and Yuusuke?"
"...Nothing at all. I haven't seen him since the training camp."
Hinata, despite being a beginner in love and having excellent communication skills, answered without changing her expression. And then she returned the question.
"Why are you suddenly asking me that?"
"Well, it's obvious that you're avoiding him."
Souji answered nonchalantly, as if confirming an undeniable fact.
"I'm not avoiding him. Besides, like I said earlier, I haven't seen him."
"Yeah, you don't interact with him in the group chat, and you always come up with excuses when we try to meet up. Of course, you won't see each other."
"..."
Hinata realized that she had been trapped.
Before the training camp, Hinata and the others created a group chat that everyone participated in. She had noticed that Souji often talked there, but it turned out that he was doing it to see her reaction.
If it had been her usual self, she would have noticed, but she didn't realize it because her thoughts were busy.
So, the words that came out of my mouth were desperate, to the point where she could understand it herself.
"It's because I was busy with assignments."
"If you don't want to say it, you don't have to. But it seems like Yuusuke is concerned too."
"..."
It was a dishonest word.
Souji himself knew that. Although Yuusuke wasn't specifically consulted him, he couldn't lie either. It was clear that he was being considerate of Hinata.
Matsuda probably noticed too, but he's a serious guy who doesn't take things lightly, so he probably thinks it's not his place to intervene.
If that's the case, only Souji can take action.
"Ah, well..."
Hinata looked up once and then turned her lips sideways before looking back at Souji.
She has never been good with this person. Despite his casual appearance, he is calm and observant. Most people judge others based on surface-level words, but Souji looks beyond the words.
That's why she's not good with him. She can't deceive him with temporary words and attitudes.
She resigned herself and opened her mouth.
"Please keep this conversation confidential."
"Okay."
Hinata made up her mind and told Souji about the incident that happened during the training camp.
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