Volume 1 Chapter 14 It's Great That The Circle Of Friends Is Expanding
Summary of the previous chapter: "Get Everyone's Birthdays!"
Now, the off-campus orienteering has ended safely.
Some of us have become friends with classmates we didn't know before, both in school and outside. But there are also those who still feel like they don't fit in. Anyway, those events are over, and now it's back to our usual daily routine of classes.
The four of us are chatting as usual early in the morning.
"We have class starting today, but I was too tired to do any preparation yesterday..."
I said that, and Shinonome-san proudly replied,
"No worries, I never had the motivation to do any preparation in the first place."
As expected, those words made us chuckle.
"Well, I think that's not necessarily a good thing."
And then, Saikachi-san hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"I have a meeting with a private tutor this evening. My mother says it's better than going to cram school, but I'm a little worried."
I nodded in response to Saikachi-san's words.
"It can be scary when you don't know the other person's personality. If you really feel like it's not a good fit, it's okay to politely decline. But generally, private tutors should help you understand the parts you don't get using school textbooks and worksheets. So, I think it'll be helpful to have someone who teaches you patiently."
As I said that, Hirose-kun asked with curiosity.
"Why is that?"
"School teachers can't really know how well each student understands during class. So, unless there are questions, they assume everyone is keeping up and continue with the lesson. But I do think that if they accommodate everyone who doesn't understand, the class won't progress. But, when you stumble somewhere in your studies, there's a possibility you won't understand it forever, so it's crucial not to let things you don't understand stay that way."
"That's certainly true."
As we were discussing such things, the chime signaling the start of the class rang.
After graduating from high school and becoming a working adult, I still have memories of classes up to junior high. However, if there's something I don't quite understand, I've decided to raise my hand and ask questions. The worst thing when working in the adult industry, such as in the entertainment business, is leaving things you don't understand unaddressed.
So, when it comes to why most students don't ask questions in school, I think everyone wants to avoid being seen as foolish, not understanding even what's written in the textbook. There's also the risk of being disliked if you keep asking questions or making comments to the teacher too much.
In many cases, other students also have doubts or don't understand things at all.
Even so, it's not good to disrupt the teacher's talk or the flow of the class too much, so I just ask the main points briefly and then try to understand the rest by myself.
Usually, if I can find the key points, like 'if I understand this, I'll be okay,' then I can manage the rest by applying them.
I thought about redoing my high school classes and wondered if I could manage. And in fact, I feel like I could do better than before.
Well, that's how it went, and then it became after school, after lunch.
This week, there are no club activities because it's still the new member recruitment period, so I'm wondering what to do after school.
While I was thinking about it, two boys from my class came up to me.
"Hey, do you want to go to karaoke with us?"
"Karaoke with everyone, that sounds fun."
Yayoi-chan (my cousin) also said she had fun singing at karaoke.
"Um, was it Kimura-kun and Nakai-kun, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. I'm Kimura Tatsuya, and this is Nakai Tadahiro."
"Nice to meet you."
I return the greetings to the two.
"Nice to meet you too."
Then Kimura-kun says in a small voice,
"If possible, I'd like you to invite a girl to join us..."
"Well, that's fine. Shinonome-san, we're going to karaoke now. Wanna come along?"
"Karaoke? Of course, I'm in!"
"Saikachi-san, you said you have a meeting with a tutor, so you can't make it, right?"
"Yeah, sorry."
"No worries. Let's all go together next time we have a chance, Saikachi-san."
"Sure."
"What about Hirose-kun?"
"Sorry, I have tutoring too, so I can't make it."
"I see. Hirose-kun, let's hang out together when we get the chance."
"Yeah, sounds good."
In that case, I'm starting to wonder if Shinonome-san is the only girl. Maybe I should ask one of the girls who are still in the classroom.
First, let's choose that girl who seems cute but isolated.
Being good-looking as a girl doesn't necessarily work in favor of building relationships with other girls.
Just having a nice face makes you stand out, and it seems like you're benefiting from it, but the envy and malice from others can be severe. Without the ability to effectively neutralize or defuse that, you tend to end up isolated.
"Hello, if I remember correctly, you're Namiki-san, right? Would you like to go to karaoke together?"
When I approached her, she seemed surprised.
"Oh, m-me? Really?"
"Yeah, of course, I'm not forcing you or anything."
Then, Shinonome-san peeked her face out.
"I would be happy if you came and sang together with me."
"Yes, having only Shinonome-san, a female lion, in a group of hungry wolf-like men is scary, you know."
"That's right, but, hey, why a female lion?!"
"Well, Shinonome-san, you don't really give off the impression of a timid fawn."
"Oh, come on, at least call me a leopard!"
"Well, that does give a different image, but you're not really like a leopard either, are you?"
Namiki-san chuckles as she listens to the exchange between me and Shinonome-san.
"Well then, please let me join you. I'm Namiki Sayaka."
"I'm Hata Akihiro."
"I'm Shinonome Sayuri. Nice to meet you!"
Alright, I've got one girl on my side.
If possible, I'd like to invite one more person... So, I decided to approach someone else.
"What about you, Gouriki-san? Karaoke."
"M-Me too? Can I come along to karaoke?"
"Yeah, I really want you to come and have fun with us."
"Alright, then I'll go too. I'm Gouriki Ayumi."
So, the boys are me, Kimura-kun, and Nakai-kun, and the girls, Shinonome-san, Namiki-san, and Gouriki-san. It's a perfect group.
"Is Karatetsu Box okay? It's 40 yen for 30 minutes until 6 pm."
I said that, and Kimura-kun nodded.
"Yeah, that sounds good."
"Well, anyway, those under 16 can only stay until 6 pm."
So, we moved to the karaoke box near the station.
And because I was a little curious, I asked Gouriki-san.
"By the way, why are you wearing slacks, Gouriki-san?"
"Well... I'm a guy, so..."
"S-Sorry, I thought you were a girl..."
Yayoi-chan... I'm surprised that there's a guy in our class who looks like a uke from a BL manga.
"Hata-pippi, that's just too much!"
"Nah, seriously, I'm sorry."
Lately, even the talents whose names I don't hear much anymore had short hair like a guy... Let's reflect on that.
Now, getting back on track, we arrived at the karaoke box, chose a room that was just right for the six of us, and everyone entered.
"Now, let's sing!"
I said, but there was a subtle atmosphere. I guess I have to go first.
I put in a song at the touch panel, brought the microphone closer.
"Well, I'll go first then! De PUMP's 'U.S.S.R.'"
As the song started playing, I began to sing, and after finishing, I looked around.
"How was it?"
I asked Shinonome-san.
"Yeah, not bad, but not particularly good either. You should dance while singing if you're gonna do it."
"Dancing while singing that is even more challenging, you know?"
And while everyone was seriously looking for songs, I observed the song selection screen.
"Well, with this, I can sing without worries after Hata-pippi. Now then, it's my turn. If I'm going to sing, it has to be Aimyon, I guess."
When Shinonome-san said that, Namiki-san also happily responded.
"Then I'll go with Ado."
"Gouriki-kun, what are you going to sing?"
"I... I like Gen Hoshino, so I'll give it a try."
And then, Kimura-kun and the others said,
"Well, then we'll go with Johnny's songs."
"Yeah, sounds good."
I reassured everyone by singing a song that wasn't particularly good or bad.
Whether you're good or bad, it's a bit troublesome with the potential for everyone to feel awkward afterward, but karaoke is fun.
Anyway, the karaoke session got quite lively, I think. Even if you don't engage in clever conversation, singing songs that everyone probably knows can get things quite lively. The good thing about karaoke is that you can encounter songs you don't know if you just sing along.
Until around 6 pm, we were all singing songs together, so I think I was able to get along reasonably well with the new people, maybe?
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