Hasuhara (Hasumin Harassment)
“Hey, Hasumin, don’t just throw yourself at me out of nowhere. I’ve been moving around—so it’s already hot and sticky, okay?”
“Oh, come now, don’t be like that~. Mmm… did they get a little bigger? And you smell nice, Mei. Suu, haa. Suu, haa…”
“Hate to break it to you, but that’s just the scent of my deodorant. Also, could you not say things that make you sound like a sleazy old man? And stop wiggling your fingers around on my chest, would you?”
“Ehh? What are you talking about~?”
“I mean, I’m not really bothered or anything. But you sure about this, Hasumin? Oda-kun’s been silently watching you play the pervy uncle this whole time, you know?”
“Ah… uuh…”
The moment those words left Nitta-san’s mouth, Hasumin quickly pulled away from her.
Her head lowered, ears flushed red—she was probably mortified at the thought of me watching that whole thing.
“Sorry—I didn’t mean to stare. That was rude of me.”
I apologized right away for my lack of manners.
(I mean, what was I supposed to do? Two beautiful girls were clinging to each other—of course I got a little mesmerized… But there’s no way I could actually say that.)
Besides, it seemed like what really bothered her wasn’t the act itself—but the fact that I was the one watching.
As proof, Date was staring admiringly right along with me, but his name wasn’t mentioned.
I guess if you’re someone like Date—the cool, outgoing, handsome guy on the basketball team—then it’s totally fine if you stare. Hasumin and Nitta-san probably wouldn’t mind in the slightest.
That’s how I interpreted what they were both feeling deep down.
I had no real proof, of course—but I figured I was probably right.
That’s just how the world tends to work.
I mean, I like cute girls like Hasumin and Nitta-san, too, so I can’t exactly complain if girls like good-looking guys.
(To everyone else, I’m still not “the hero who saved the world.” I’m just that late-bloomer who used to be a total introvert. Sure, people have started reacting to me differently lately, but I shouldn’t let that go to my head.)
I made a mental note to keep my place in mind and not lose perspective.
“Y-You really don’t have to apologize or anything…”
“Exactly. Oda-kun’s got nothing to be sorry for. If anything, Hasumin kind of self-destructed there.”
“No, I was the worst of all. I just stood there staring like a dope. I’m really sorry, Hasumin—I couldn’t help myself.”
I apologized to Hasumin once more.
We’re not just class reps now—we’ll be running in the relay together, too. It’d be a real problem if things got awkward between us.
This was one of those times where I needed to apologize properly and clear the air.
“I-It’s okay… I wasn’t really bothered or anything…”
“Yeah? That’s a relief.”
“Mhm… ehehe…”
Seems like she’s forgiven me.
As expected, Hasumin’s got a generous heart.
(…Hey, Nitta-san, do you think Oda seriously hasn’t noticed how Hasumi-san feels about him?)
(It’s weird, right? He’s usually so sharp, but when it comes to romance, he’s surprisingly dense. I mean, Hasumin’s basically acting like a lovestruck schoolgirl.)
(Right? Anyone could see it, plain as day.)
(Though Hasumin herself keeps insisting it’s nothing like that.)
(Huh… didn’t expect her to be that shy.)
(She comes off like she’s used to being around guys, but she’s never even dated anyone. When it comes to romance, her mindset hasn’t changed since elementary school.)
(Seriously? That’s… actually kind of surprising.)
(I think this is probably the first time she’s ever really liked someone.)
Date and Nitta-san were whispering to each other about something.
“What are you two talking about over there?”
“Oh, nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah, really. It’s not a big deal.”
“You sure…?”
Well, if they don’t want to say, it’d be rude to pry.
After all, one of the typical traits of an introvert: when people whisper, you automatically assume they’re saying something bad about you. Well, that version of me doesn’t exist anymore.
And just like that…
We practiced baton passes a few more times before the big day finally arrived—Sports Festival.
Unlike the school festival, where I’d been running around putting out fires and handling all kinds of last-minute chaos—
On Sports Festival, I was just another student with nothing special to do besides our baton pass. It was a welcome change—easy and stress-free.