There, Irina approached and spoke.
“By any chance, is that girl the younger sister of one of the victims of Issei-kun’s peeping?”
“Ah, no.
Not Kasahori-san, but her friend is, well, yeah.”
“What are you talking about?”
Kenji let out a small sigh at Issei, who tilted his head.
“Kasahori-san’s friend’s older sister attends Kuoh Academy and was once peeped at while changing.
I was blamed for that a while ago…”
Issei was at a loss for words at Kenji, who directed a cold stare at him.
There, Zenovia cut in as if a little angry.
“Honestly…
Issei.
Since we always show you women’s naked bodies, stop doing things that cause trouble for other students.”
“No, it’s true that everyone’s naked bodies are wonderful!
But once in a while, while acting like an idiot with Matsuda and Motohama, there are times when I want to enjoy the breasts of the school girls!
I haven’t been able to hang out with those guys much lately either!”
At Issei’s words, Kenji made a tight fist with a grim expression and was trembling.
(I wish Zenovia-san wouldn’t say things like showing their naked bodies in such a public place either…)
“H-He’s an interesting older brother, isn’t he…?”
“…Sorry.
My brother is really sorry…”
Taking a deep breath to calm down, he returned to the subject.
“Anyway, don’t do anything weird to Kasahori-san.”
“I was just trying to shake hands normally!
Even I wouldn’t do anything weird to my brother’s female friend!
How little trust do you have in me!!”
“On a five-step evaluation of plus or minus, about minus seventeen.”
“That’s not a five-step evaluation!?”
He seemed to be saying it as a joke, but a line the length of an arm was still drawn between Issei and Yoriko.
Yoriko also seemed to be at a loss as to how to respond to Kenji’s brother, Issei Hyodo, whom she had heard about from her best friend.
“Well then, we’ll be going now.
Irina-san and the others, see you later.”
“Hyodo-kun!?”
He pulled Yoriko’s hand somewhat forcefully and left.
He thought it would be a bit bothersome to be asked to act together as they were.
Watching the two leave, Asia murmured.
“As I thought, was it a nuisance to call out to him?”
“That’s not it.
He’s just a little shy, I’m sure.”
There’s no way he wouldn’t be happy to be called by older beauties like Asia and the others.
Issei, who was certain of that, followed up.
“Even so, as I thought…”
If his brother was seriously working on the cultural festival band, he wanted to support him at the actual performance as an older brother.
(In short, it’s fine as long as they don’t realize it’s me, right?
I wonder if I should consult Azazel-sensei to see if he has any good ideas.)
Thinking so, Issei and the others also returned to their own shopping.
A short distance away, Kenji let go of Yoriko’s hand.
“Sorry.
That was kind of forceful.”
“You’re always apologizing.”
“…”
At the wryly smiling Yoriko, Kenji closed his eyes and let out a tired sigh.
“Um…”
“Eh?”
“I spoke of Hitomi as if she were my friend, but I’m sure she also thinks of you as a friend, Hyodo-kun.
The proof is that she’s been talking to you lately, hasn’t she?”
“That is…”
Certainly, lately, Hitomi Natsunaka had been a bit combative, but the number of times they exchanged words seemed to have increased.
‘Sorry.
My mom said I can’t talk to Hyodo-kun anymore…’
The words said to him by that girl, whom he once thought was his friend, crossed his mind.
As Kenji held his head with a sour face, Yoriko peered in with a worried look.
“No, it’s nothing.
I see.
If that’s the case, I’d be happy…”
Kenji looked up at the sky and murmured, hoping that their current relationship would not break.
Today as well, he played the bass in his room until late.
“I can play it properly to the end now, so now I just need to adjust so I can match with everyone else…”
He felt relieved that he was finally able to match those around him by being able to practice to his heart’s content at home.
Then, Zenovia, who was in the room, applauded.
“I don’t know much about music, but I think the sound has become smoother than before.”
“Because I’ve made fewer mistakes.”
Since his practice became known, someone would sometimes come to listen like this.
Yesterday, Koneko had come for a chat.
Kenji also didn’t turn them away, thinking that since he was going to perform in front of people anyway, he wanted to avoid getting nervous at the actual event.
He decided to end it for today and put the bass away in its case.
“From tomorrow, we’re going on a school trip, but is there any souvenir you want us to buy?”
He had been asked this question by the other members at different times.
“No particular requests.
If you could just buy some sweets for everyone to eat.
Besides, I’m looking forward to hearing your travel stories.”
He gave the same response so as not to cause offense.
It was also true that there was nothing in particular he wanted them to buy.
“I see…”
Zenovia nodded as if disappointed or let down, but she immediately changed her expression.
Zenovia stroked Kenji’s head.
“Then, I’ll try to talk about the trip as much as possible.
I’m in the same group as Issei and the others, so I’ll take photos and such too.”
“…Yes.
I hope it’s a fun trip.”
“Yeah, thank you.
Good night, Kenji.”
“Good night.”