17: I Got My Confession Rejected by Yukinoshita Right Out of the Gate!
[17] 17: I Got My Confession Rejected by Yukinoshita Right Out of the Gate!
[17] In the end, they still used Tadayana’s method: first, they carefully gathered the Tennis Club members’ opinions from a third-party perspective, under the pretext that the school wanted clubs to interact more and exchange feedback on their activities.
And just like that, the matter was ultimately resolved in a peaceful way.
…
“Thank you, Tadayana-san.” Saika Totsuka thanked her again.
If Tadayana hadn’t been there, he really didn’t know what he would have done.
The process had been a little roundabout, and Tadayana and Hikigaya had even gotten into what looked like a fierce argument because of him.
He felt very guilty about that.
But no matter what, the final decision had been to put the work into revising the rules he used to manage the club.
And— “Oh, right.
Don’t forget—you’re the captain now, so you need to lead from the front.
Those revised rules aren’t just for your club members.
If you want them to accept them wholeheartedly, then you should hold yourself to a slightly stricter standard than they do.
Just not too much.
If you wear yourself out, that would be missing the point.
This is only a club activity, so don’t take it too seriously.
Club activities are just one part of life.
If they stop serving life and making people happier, then there’s no need to keep the club going at all.
You might as well just shut it down.” “Mm-hm.” Totsuka nodded.
He already understood the details.
With everything that needed to be said now said, Tadayana watched him walk off.
This conversation had happened because Saika Totsuka had come to talk to Tadayana privately.
He would probably go thank the others in the Service Club next, but that had nothing to do with her anymore.
…
After school, Tadayana returned to the familiar place where she worked part-time.
“Oh my, Tadayana-san is here.” The person hadn’t even come through the door yet, but her voice had already arrived first.
A warm, approachable woman walked in from outside the shop.
“Welcome, Mrs.
Yuigahama.
Looking for something again today?” Ever since that first chance encounter over the yuzu-scented hand cream, Mrs.
Yuigahama had discovered that her household’s daily necessities seemed to be getting used up just a little faster than before.
Every time the shampoo was only half gone and the body wash was nowhere near empty, the urge to restock in advance, just in case, would become strangely strong in her heart.
She always had a perfectly sound and logical reason ready for herself.
I just happened to be passing by today.
Or, The toothpaste seems like it’s almost out.
Or, I heard cough drops sell out easily this season. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Of course, all of this was simply the result of a housewife’s sensible planning and preparedness, and absolutely not because of anything else.
Yes, she definitely had not come here just to steal a few more glances at Tadayana and chat with her a little longer.
And it wasn’t as if Tadayana hadn’t noticed either—that gentle Mrs.
Yuigahama, the one who had once praised her hair as “moonlight silk,” had started appearing in the store far more often.
And somehow, she always seemed to show up near whatever section Tadayana happened to be working in.
At first, Mrs.
Yuigahama had been the one to come over first with a gentle smile and greet her.
“Good evening, Tadayana-san.
Working hard again today, I see.” “Thank you for recommending that hand cream last time.
It really moisturizes well.” Tadayana would respond with a small, polite bow.
“Good evening, Mrs.
Yuigahama.
I’m honored I could help.” Later on, though, their pattern of interaction became more subtle.
Sometimes Mrs.
Yuigahama would simply glance over from a few aisles away with a smile, give a light nod in greeting, and then go back to browsing as though she had only happened to run into Tadayana by chance.
Every now and then, Mrs.
Yuigahama would bring over little gifts.
“Yui said this brand of candy is really good, so I bought an extra bag.
If you don’t mind, please take it.” “This hair tie seemed like it would really suit your hair color, Tadayana dear.
Please, you must take it.” One bag of fruit candy (approx.
150 yen), one white satin hair tie (estimated value approx.
300 yen).
Motive analysis: pure, non-utilitarian kindness?
Or some kind of feeding instinct triggered by a cuteness response?
Does she see me as some rare small animal with white fur?
Tadayana felt a faint trace of confusion, but the warmth in that kindness reached her all the same, and she found herself unable to refuse.
“…Thank you very much, Mrs.
Yuigahama.
You’ve really spent too much on me.” “It’s nothing.
Just seeing you makes me happy.” Mrs.
Yuigahama’s smile was utterly free of shadows.
“I keep thinking how nice it would be if you and Yui could become friends.” Actually, your daughter and I are already friends.
But Tadayana couldn’t say that out loud.
She was afraid the lady in front of her might faint from sheer happiness if she did.
As time went on, even the other employees at the drugstore started to notice that kind lady who paid Tadayana special attention.
Though to be fair, it wasn’t just Mrs.
Tadayana had also received all sorts of care and consideration from her coworkers and classmates.
It seemed that this face of hers—and this body—really had created a kind of spotlight effect in all sorts of situations throughout this life, to the point that she was always in a position where people treated her especially well.
Tadayana watched Mrs.
Yuigahama finish paying at the register and wave goodbye to her once again.
As she watched her leave, she began wondering whether, next time the woman came by, she ought to take the initiative and let her know which items were on special this week.
That should fall within the duties of an excellent part-time employee, right?
Mrs.
Yuigahama, meanwhile, headed home carrying her shopping bag, completely satisfied.
She had gotten to see that child hard at work again today, and that beautiful white hair had been just as eye-catching as ever under the fluorescent lights.
What a serious and adorable good girl she is.
The corners of her lips unconsciously lifted.
What excuse should I use to come by next time?
It does feel like we’re about due to restock the seasonings at home too…
…
“I’m home.” Once again, Tadayana opened the door to her house.
Looking at the dark, empty rooms, she couldn’t help feeling a kind of loneliness and deathly stillness.
And yet that feeling reassured her too.
Because this place had always held only her, and no one else.
Loneliness was the companion that had always stayed by her side.
She turned on her phone.
As usual, a whole day’s worth of messages had piled up.
[Iroha Isshiki]: Tadayana, a handsome upperclassman is holding a concert this weekend.
Want to go check it out?
[Yui Yuigahama]: Good evening~ What’re you doing?
Busy?
And then there were those two newly added message slots.
[Yukino Yukinoshita]: Hello.
What would be the proper way to say hello online?
[Saika Totsuka]: [Sent an image.] As for those last two—don’t overthink it.
Naturally, she had added them while handling the request.
— T/N: WPOAHH WHAT KIND OF PICS IS SAIKA SENDING YOU???????????????????????????
also i just realized i’ve been doing first names first…
BAH whatever whatever…
anyway Tadayana’s first iname is Tadayana, why do people call her by her efirst name?
who knows idkkkkkkkk also mrs yuighiamaima is….
i didnt know she was into younger girls…