There are moments when you've done everything you could, and seemingly can exhale calmly, casting all worries aside, yet the exact opposite happens. A small, nagging worm of doubt, squeezing through the thickness of everyday concerns and carefree thoughts, maliciously gnaws into the consciousness, forcing a single question to surface in the head.
Did you really do everything?
What if you missed something? What if you chose the easy path, consciously rejecting difficulties? What if the decision you made leads to negative consequences in the future? Hundreds of questions like these flood the mind, causing a feeling of anxiety and an incomprehensible subconscious fear, similar to what a student experiences before an exam or a young person on the eve of an important interview.
Sighing, I leaned back against the bench, throwing my head back.
Why do I burden myself like this, huh? Can't I just let it go? Look, the weather is wonderful: the sun has just peeked out from behind the treetops, the air is filled with freshness and pleasant morning coolness — just sit and enjoy nature.
But no-o-o, I have to blow my own brain out. And for the reason of an action already completed!
— And why did I come here? — massaging the bridge of my nose, I closed my eyes, involuntarily shivering and zipping up my jacket; it's still a bit chilly, especially after the warm room.
Although it's still better than staring blankly at the ceiling to the accompaniment of Tobe's ringing snoring. I sympathize with the guy's future partner; earplugs will become an integral part of her or his — who knows, people's preferences vary nowadays — family life. I'm surprised how Totsuka and Cap can calmly press pillows at such a noise level.
In any case, I think even the transcendent cuteness of sleeping Saika — and the boy literally continues to smother with his charm in an unconscious state — wouldn't have been able to save me from thinking about one specific topic.
The problem of Tsurumi Rumi.
More precisely, the whole situation in general, since there are, unfortunately, a huge number of people like her.
For example, me.
Why? For what reason did such a phenomenon as bullying arise in modern society? It couldn't have arisen from nothing, could it? And I'm not just talking about classic cinematic images showing beatings or harassment where the victims are obvious outsiders. Usually — intimidated teenagers with some external physical "deformities" or "deviations," sometimes a conditional subtle physique is enough. I don't argue, these precedents are present in real life, and in quite significant numbers, but the ways to solve them, funnily enough, are found much simpler.
But what about Rumi then? She looks quite cute, isn't deprived of intellect, yes, perhaps sometimes excessively sharp-tongued, but can such a thing serve as a fundamental circumstance for social isolation of a violent nature? What could a sixth-grade student, without noticing it herself, create to bring such an unpleasant fate upon herself? And must the problem necessarily lie within her?
Does it turn out the main blame lies with society? And if my hypothesis is correct, then it's necessary to understand: what specific property of society leads to the creation of "bullying"? The size of the collective? Its composition? The age category of the incoming subjects? The setting or environment of the group, for often this has a noticeable impact on the qualitative character of the issue — what might serve as a source of conflict on the school bench will not be such within the framework of extracurricular activities.
...Too many questions. And so few answers.
Perhaps, upon returning home, I'll need to look for information on this topic. Hard to believe I'm the first person asking the question of the emergence of bullying in all its forms.
— Hey, brother, why are you frozen here alone? — I flinched, hearing Komachi's voice right above my ear.
Opening my eyes, I realized the girl was standing almost right next to me, examining me with interest. Did she sneak up so silently, or did I withdraw into myself that deeply?
— Thinking about the eternal and imperishable, — reaching out to my sister, I tucked a stray lock behind her ear. — Simultaneously pondering buying antidepressants.
— What for, if you have me? — my precious feigned indignation, poking my cheek with her finger.
— That's exactly why they are needed. Thinking about how, in just a few years, you will leave the parental nest, leaving me alone, — I wiped away an invisible tear.
— Eh? You'll dump off to university before me, — Komachi narrowed her eyes.
I raised an eyebrow.
— What do you mean? Did you forget my ingenious plan?
— To lock yourself in your room and, at any attempts to pull you out, scream like a stuck pig, throwing something heavy at the door?
— Exactly, — exhaling, I rose to my feet and immediately pretended to fall forward, grabbing the girl by the shoulders.
— Tsk-tsk-tsk, don't, you're heavy! — my sister lamented, involuntarily stepping back.
— Ah, so I'm fat too? — I abruptly squatted and, catching her by the waist, lifted her into the air.
— Brother! — blushing, my precious protested. — Let go! What if someone sees?!
— So what? — I tilted my head, continuing to hold her on half-bent arms.
Komachi measured me with an unreadable gaze, after which she pursed her lips and crossed her arms under her chest.
— Fine, fine, — still lowered her back to the ground. In principle, I would have done it anyway, since my arms had already started to tremble from the strain.
— Sometimes you are such a fool, — the girl grumbled, adjusting her wrinkled T-shirt. — Anyway, since you're bored, let's go, you can help set the table.
— Do I have a choice?
— No! Are you going to dispute the wish of your beloved little sister?
— You're cheating.
— Learned from the best.
I snorted and ruffled her hair.
What a little suck-up.
***
— By the way, how was the first night? — tossing portions onto trays, I glanced sideways at Komachi, busy with the same thing.
— Overall — not bad, — the girl shrugged, counting the number of plates. — If Yukinon and Yumiko weren't looking for every opportunity to snap at each other, there would be no problems at all.
— Well, miracles happen in life, but not too often, — placing breakfast on the table, I looked around. Seems we finished everything. — And for what reason, anyway?
The girl, making sure no one was spying on us, collapsed next to me, laying her head on my shoulder.
— First they wanted to start a showdown because of Rumi: how could it be, Yukinon didn't approve of Miura's method! You remember, you were just leaving at that moment, — waiting for my nod, my sister continued: — So your actions somehow separated them, but, unfortunately, for a short time.
— Continued the swearing after everyone dispersed? — I made an assumption.
— Uh-huh, — turns out I know them well.
— And how did it all end?
— Well, with nothing, — Komachi chuckled. — Pouted at each other, then exchanged glances silently for about five minutes, and then blamed everything on you, — eh? What do I have to do with it? — And on that, they buried the hatchet. Of course, we went to bed much later than that, but...
She fell silent for a couple of seconds.
— What was discussed further — will remain a secret to you, — my sister smiled slyly and pressed closer to me.
— Not that I'm interested in such things, — there was no lie in my words, since, being honest with myself, internal squabbles within the "pride" concern me least of all. — Did you make friends with anyone?
— Mm-m-m, — my sister put a finger to her lips, pondering. — Hard to say exactly, but if we take your evaluation criteria: "a friend is a person with whom you feel comfortable talking and being silent," then Yui can be included here.
In principle, quite expected. Doggy is one of those people who can make a dead man talk. Purest extrovert without any hidden agenda; such usually become the life of the party in a snap. She should also work on the ability to express her thoughts on uncomfortable topics without dodging from side to side, but that's just a matter of time.
— What about Yukino?
— I don't like tsunderes, — the girl wrinkled her nose. — She can be cute, I'm sure. Is it really so hard to stop taking any words with hostility?
I smirked.
— What can you do, she's just that kind of person.
If Yuigahama is an extrovert, then Snowball is a total introvert, and one of those whose reclusiveness is expressed in aggressive behavior towards any individual trying to enter her comfort zone. Somewhat really resembles a cat, hissing aggressively and constantly trying to scratch with claws. At least until you find an approach to her. Yui, it seems, succeeded in this. In my case... well, I didn't really look for it. And not because I have a negative attitude towards Yukino. Not at all, if taken on a scale from one to ten, where one is "hatred" and ten is "love," the girl would be somewhere around the five-point mark. For context, Zaimokuza is at about the same level. The reason for my indifference lies in the fact that... I... um-m-m...
— Brother, why did you freeze? — Komachi tugged at my sleeve.
I blinked a couple of times, coming out of a peculiar trance.
— Just tried to understand the logic of my actions, — I mumbled, automatically scratching the back of my neck. — Sometimes, I don't understand myself. But fine, let's skip it.
— Then can I ask you a question now? — her voice sounds somehow too oily.
— Shoot.
My sister raised her head, looking into my eyes:
— What kind of girls do you like, after all?
I raised an eyebrow in bewilderment.
— I think you asked this question before.
— Nah, — she waved it off, — that was different. Now purely in theory: what would you like to see in your girlfriend?
Sighed.
Started growing up for real? Too early...
And the topic is quite peculiar. Of course, I asked myself this question before — what teenager hasn't done this? — but seriously?
Undoubtedly, everyone wants to have an incomparable ideal by their side that will satisfy all your needs. However, life is such a thing where perfection, in principle, does not exist. Also, one shouldn't forget about the extremely unpleasant thing like changing tastes over time. In addition, it is necessary to throw on top the factor that these very preferences change depending on different circumstances.
For example, read a manga where there is a heroine. Say, she sank into your soul and — done, your closest "image" of a future passion will be entirely tied to the character's traits. Basically, it is precisely for such a reason that fan service is so popular. People don't want to accept harsh reality, in which there is no place for super-cute girls who are ready to drop their panties at the first request or, just seeing your member, fall at your feet, melting into a puddle. Generally, objectively speaking, there are such, but whatever else, calling them pure and innocent would be hard for the tongue to turn.
— Brother, I understand that you love to think, but don't you wish to answer the question? — Komachi puffed out her cheeks and tugged at my sweater sleeve.
Smiling guiltily, I ruffled the top of her head.
— Do you think one can just take and answer such a thing right off the bat? Need to ponder, weigh all the "pros" and "cons," — judging by her look, avoiding interrogation won't work.
Where does she get so much persistence? Or better to ask: why does my willpower fail before her?
— Name at least three qualities, — the girl took pity on me.
— Three? — I chuckled, placing my palm on my chin.
Three, it is.
I am ready to go for that.
— Domesticity, the ability to soberly assess the situation and... kindness, probably.
— And what about appearance? — Komachi narrowed her eyes.
— Excuse: not the body decides, but the soul — will that fly?
— No.
— That would already be a fourth quality.
— Ple-e-ease, I'm very interested, — Komachi pleaded.
Kami-sama, why did you stick so much with this question? Do you really want to act as a matchmaker? Or, considering the context of the entire conversation, is this somehow connected with the past night's "girly" talks?
— Fine, so be it, — having gained my sister's attention, I made a serious facial expression. — My criteria for appearance are as follows...
Adding a dramatic pause.
— When I see her sleeping face next to me, it shouldn't cause me repulsion.
— Hey, that's not an answer!
— Answer.
— No.
— Yes.
— No!
— I see you have a real family idyll here, — suddenly a third participant burst into our argument.
Turning around, I noticed Hiratsuka, propping up the door jamb with her shoulder, a smirk on her face. And how long has she been here?
Komachi, realizing the situation, sharply recoiled from me, embarrassedly looking away. Honestly speaking, I don't understand what there is to be ashamed of here. We are close relatives, after all. Showing emotions to each other is normal.
...Apparently, only I think so.
— Okay, I'll go wake the others, — pretending to perceive Shizuka's appearance as a signal for everyone to rise, my sister hurried to leave the room, leaving me alone.
Never has betrayal left such a bitter taste in the mouth...
— How's the mood, Hikigaya?
Propped my head with my hand, watching the teacher sit opposite me.
— With what purpose do you ask? — I inquired in response.
She measured me with a surprised look and chuckled, shaking her head.
— Must you search for hidden subtext in my words?
It was my turn to aristocratically raise an eyebrow.
— Sensei, remind me how many times you started a conversation with me not to load me with something?
Hiratsuka opened her mouth to answer, but froze in place.
— Um-m... — the woman laughed awkwardly. — Then, let's say, today is an exception to the rule.
— For sure? — sounded not too convincing.
— You know, with such a character, life will be a bit difficult, — Shizuka clicked her tongue.
— I don't like looking for easy solutions, — shrugged.
The teacher chuckled.
— At the same time, you love shifting responsibility onto others, — oh, is she hinting at Rumi's case like that?
— Of course, especially when it initially belonged to other people, — perhaps, I'll also hint "subtly."
— So what? In such situations, doesn't even sporting excitement take over? What if you cope with what they failed at? — Hiratsuka narrowed her eyes.
I let out a short chuckle.
— You know, if everyone in the world acted according to such logic, most likely, this very world would no longer exist.
— You are overly pessimistic, Hikigaya.
— I'd say, realistic. And also extremely altruistic, prefer not to leave specialists without work.
Hiratsuka rolled her eyes and waved her hand, like, to hell with you.
Yes, sometimes my stubbornness knows no bounds.
— In any case, be that as it may, I contacted the responsible persons, so the question is put squarely, — isn't that too sharp a transition, Sensei? However, I approve.
— That's wonderful, — however, since she voiced this to me, then, based on simple logic, something unpleasant must follow next. — What is required of us?
...Therefore, we will act preventively.
— You understand everything, don't you, — Shizuka clicked, closing her eyes irritably. — Try at least sometimes to pretend the opposite.
— Why? — I rounded my eyes in surprise.
Hiratsuka measured me with an unreadable gaze, after which she sighed loudly.
— Yes, exactly like that, only at the right moments, and not when it can piss off the interlocutor.
— Then the meaning of the action is completely lost, — seems for a second they wanted to hit me.
— You're doing it on purpose, aren't you? — Sensei asked doomed.
— What "on purpose"? — I blinked in bewilderment.
I'm risking, of course, oh, risking.
Judging by the woman's twitching lower eyelid, I have just a little bit left until the boiling point. I think I should listen to the remnants of sanity and close up shop.
Playing with fire is good until it promises you third-degree burns.
— So what is required of us there? — clumsily turned off the topic, don't argue, but often such a decision is the best.
— Oh, nothing special, — Hiratsuka closed her eyes. — Just... just try not to let Tsurumi commit some serious stupidity. And, no, don't follow her like a tail, just keeping an eye out of the corner of your eye is enough.
— Understood. Question: why are you telling me personally, and not everyone else during breakfast?
Shizuka, rising from her seat, chuckled quietly.
— Secret.
And left, leaving me sitting in total solitude.
First Komachi, now Hiratsuka. Well, let Totsuka also start hiding something with an important look.
...I hate secrets.
***
Upon completion of the morning meal, Sensei delighted us with the fact that we are completely free until the evening, basically, like the little ones. Against this background, a question arose in me: why, one asks, request to look after Rumi if we see her only by evening?
However, this was the same paradox as the fact that Hiratsuka's concept of "freedom" noticeably differed from the generally accepted one. Since dragging logs for a fire and stacking it somehow doesn't fit into the framework of "rest," at least for me definitely.
But who am I to go against her decision?
Although it's worth saying that we didn't kill the whole day on this, just a couple of hours.
Wiping sweat from my forehead, I looked over the work of my hands. The preparation for the bonfire towered a good one and a half meters in height. Even turned out relatively symmetrical, as they say, you can't drink away experience in Jenga.
— Hachiman, are you finished?
I looked at Totsuka who approached. All sweaty, poor thing.
— Seems so, how is the process with you?
— We finished too, — the guy reported happily. — Now everyone is planning to go to the river. Are you with us?
Cast a short glance at the scorching summer sun.
Cold water in such heat? Sounds tempting.
— Why not?
— Really?! — Saika's eyes naturally lit up.
— Uh-huh, — stretching, blinked away the sweat that got into my eyes. — Just change clothes quickly.
— Then let's go, Tobe and Hayato probably already went to the others, — grabbing my hand, he literally dragged me by force toward our "bungalow."
Eh, if only Ebina could see this, she would definitely have a heart attack, especially considering the possible context.
Reaching the house, I tried to remember, did I even take swimming trunks with me? Well, more correctly — did Komachi put them in my bag.
The answer didn't keep itself waiting long: the necessary item was discovered at the very bottom. Will never tire of admiring my sister's foresight.
Wow, threw in sunscreen in addition.
After brief deliberation, decided not to take it; whatever else, I definitely don't intend to tan. Just a pure swim, and then... do something. What exactly — I'll decide in the process.
As soon as I went back out, Saika, patiently waiting for me outside the door, grabbed my palm again and pulled me along.
The impression is forming that for him, to some extent, the very fact of tactile contact is important. Hmm, if you think about it, I haven't noticed him clinging so actively to anyone else, which leads to a conclusion of the following nature: Totsuka's concept of "friendship" includes erasing the boundaries of personal space. Or am I overthinking?
However, taking into account the situation as a whole, then precisely one of the properties of any relationship of a positive type — love, friendship, or family ties — will be exactly the transformation of the concept of "personal comfort zone." Not for nothing do they say that you literally "let" a person into your life. At the same time, in public consciousness, it is this factor that will determine how others evaluate your relationship.
"They live in perfect harmony," "thick as thieves," "two halves of a whole" and a bunch of other metaphors aimed at designating the indicated phenomenon.
In the opposite case, your connection will acquire the status of "fictitious," that all this is done solely because of conditional benefit, since there are no feelings.
And all those exceptions where certain boundaries are observed, allowing participants to preserve hints of the area of their own "self," become, again, from the point of view of an observer committed to traditional values of society, "strange," "wrong."
Do I like this?
Not that I was directly against it, but...
I sighed, feeling a small desire to snatch my palm from the tennis player's grip.
...But I am ready to go for such things in strictly measured doses, by mutual consent. Yes, exactly so.
And, it turns out, the future partner must be aware of such, fully sharing my position.
Hmm...
To have common hobbies, but at the same time retain the right to one's own hobbies and a certain space... of personal immunity. For example, while the girl is doing her business in the room, I can calmly read a book in the living room, and because of this, a conflict in the spirit of: "You don't pay enough attention to me" won't arise.
Simply put, the formulation is as follows: "Everyone has the right to free time in their interests, reducing contact with the second participant in the relationship to a minimal level."
Pity, not everyone can use this right...
— Brother, did Totsuka manage to persuade you? — I blinked slowly and shifted my gaze to the smiling Komachi, standing in front of me in just a swimsuit.
Huh? When did we manage to arrive?
Looking around, realized that while lost in thought, I didn't notice how Totsuka dragged me to the meeting place, managing himself, unnoticed by me, to slip away toward the other guys.
— How do you like my look? — my sister inquired coquettishly, spinning around her axis.
— Not bad, but overly open, as for me, — she put on a yellow two-piece swimsuit, favorably emphasizing her body beginning to form.
— And that's all? Doesn't evoke any more emotions? — the girl narrowed her eyes.
I measured her with a heavy gaze.
— Does the desire to wrap you in a towel and hide you from prying eyes count? — judging by the satisfied facial expression, she expected exactly such an answer.
— Sis-con! — and immediately ran to Yui, patiently waiting for her on the shore, glancing in my direction with interest every now and then.
By the way, Doggy, in turn, decided to wear — surprisingly! — a pink swimsuit with some... ruffles? Or what is it called?
However, in any case, it is worth noting: lovers of larger forms would clearly drool here. And why hide it, my own eye rejoices. Good figure: moderately slender waist, beautiful straight legs, and there was something to look at from behind.
Plus a point. Definitely.
— Be careful not to burn a hole in Yuigahama, — how does the saying go... would I recognize this voice out of a thousand?
Turning to Yukinoshita, I involuntarily raised an eyebrow.
The girl decided to participate in the fun, putting on...
— Is something wrong with me? — Snowball frowned, involuntarily covering her chest with her hands.
Not that there was anything to hide there.
— Trying to remember what your outfit is called, — I answered honestly.
Technically, ignoring the dip in the bust area, Yukino had something to boast about. Snow-white skin without noticeable flaws, beautiful long legs, clearly defined from ankles to hips and... enough. Lovers of slender, elegant princesses will like it.
— Pareo, Hikigaya, it's called a pareo, — she somehow read my stream of thoughts, since her cheeks were covered with a barely noticeable layer of blush.
— Good to know, — funny name for a rectangular piece of fabric tied at the armpits and hips, but fashion is fashion, I don't understand it anyway.
— Oh, Hikigaya, you came?
You too, Hiratsuka?
Is it really such a shock to everyone that I decided to participate in social "activity"? What is their idea of me anyway?
Turning to the teacher, I was ready to lay out everything I think, but the words stuck in my throat.
... Yuigahama, Yukinoshita — my condolences.
— Why did you freeze? Struck by my look? — Shizuka chuckled, putting her hands on her hips proudly.
— Yes.
She choked on air.
— Yes? W-well, then enjoy it, since such an opportunity has arisen! — the woman tried to hide her embarrassment under feigned bravado.
I put my hands together in a prayer gesture and bowed.
— Thanks for the meal.
Seemingly an ordinary white bikini, almost no different from the one my sister flaunts, however the feelings... the feelings! Don't know how to describe it, but the sight of her bare legs, toned stomach, and large breasts hidden behind fabric evokes emotions in me, the presence of which I previously only vaguely suspected.
It seems my value system has just been updated due to the introduction of new quality standards. Will need to re-evaluate all involved participants.
— Yo, turns out Hikigaya here likes older women! — Tobe, were you ever told that only certain thoughts should be spoken aloud?
— Are there any problems with that? — I glanced toward the guy.
He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
— No, none at all!
— That's wonderful, — I returned to delighting my gaze with the chic view of Sensei in a swimsuit.
And, apparently, the woman was clearly not ready for such attention, but, unlike Yukinoshita, she didn't cover herself.
— You took my offer seriously, didn't you? — Shizuka asked with a touch of doom a minute later, realizing that I wasn't going to move anywhere.
— You have no idea how much, — the heat hit my brain hard, since I answered without the slightest hesitation.
— You actually have cute classmates splashing in the water. Maybe you should focus on them? Think about your youth, where are you spending it?
— On contemplating the beautiful, — am I not crossing the line?
— Hikigaya, crude flattery will get you nowhere, — Hiratsuka continued to hold the defense.
— I know.
— Then why do you continue?
— Because this is not flattery.
She swayed and exhaled loudly.
Sometimes direct and honest answers are the best weapon.
— Blockhead... — the teacher muttered quietly. — Are you going to swim yourself or just stand there?
— Right, — I remembered the main purpose of my arrival, since, no matter how hot Shizuka was, the sun baked stronger.
Approaching the water, I touched it with my palm.
Cool, but tolerable.
Sneaked a glance at Hiratsuka. Looked at the water again. At Hiratsuka. At the water.
...Hachiman, this is an extremely stupid idea, and you know it.
Hachiman, don't be an idiot.
Don't give in!..
— Hikigaya! — the woman naturally squealed from the drops of moisture hitting her face. — Have you completely lost your shores?
She cracked her knuckles.
— Well, hold on.
I laughed nervously.
I can't make the situation even stupider, right?
...
— HIKIGAYA! — this time she had to wipe her face.
And now...
Run!
The next ten minutes of my life can be described as a high-speed obstacle race over rough terrain inflicting collateral damage on everyone caught in the way.
Translating into ordinary language — I rushed through the shallow water like mad, saving myself from the enraged Shizuka, managing directly or indirectly to involve almost everyone in the competition "Catch Hachiman and drown him," even Yukinoshita.
It's funny after all to try on a child's skin and relax humanly, not controlling your behavior.
After all, sometimes to reach Zen, it is enough to get a chance just to scream to your heart's content. Or arrange complete idiocy, which has no meaning anyway.
— Gotcha! — at some moment luck left me, allowing the teacher to grab me by the scruff of the neck and push me into the river. Despite the fact that the depth left much to be desired, I managed to swallow some water.
— Take that, Hikigaya? With me... oof... jokes are bad! — breathing heavily and leaning her hands on her knees, Shizuka rasped.
I didn't argue, taking the opportunity to stare at the teacher from a new angle.
Yes, for the record, hormones are still to blame for everything and nothing else.
— Definitely, you pro... — assuming a sitting position, I tried to brush the moisture from my hair, however Snowball chose this very moment to vengefully launch a generous portion of water into my face.
Spitting, I looked askance at the girl gazing back at me with superiority.
Well done, well done, defeated the one lying down. The nation is proud of you.
Sighing, rose to my feet, feeling how wet clothes stick unpleasantly to the body.
Damn, just knew that before arranging a ruckus, should have stripped to swimming trunks. Now have to wait until everything dries.
But there is a plus — refreshed notably.
Ignoring the shouts of classmates who decided to continue the river battle, trudged to the shore, trying on the go to pull off the long-sleeved T-shirt, which came off with noticeable difficulty, since it stoically resisted my efforts.
— Need help, blockhead? — Hiratsuka approached smirking, pleased with the work done.
— Thanks for the offer, but I'll manage myself.
— Look, missing a good cha... — finally gave in, bastard.
— I said myself, — throwing the wet element of clothing over my shoulder, I smiled victoriously, returning attention to Shizuka.
Who, for incomprehensible reasons, looked at me with a slightly open mouth.
— Sensei? — I arched an eyebrow questioningly.
— Um... — she blinked quickly and shook her head. — What?
— Same question, — here I noticed her gaze dropped below my face.
What is it now?
— Whoa, Hachiman, — almost jumped, hearing Totsuka a meter from me. Do you moonlight as a ninja by chance? — Apparently, you really exercise a lot.
First didn't understand what the boy was talking about, however, when he poked a finger into my stomach, I finally realized the reason for Shizuka's stupor.
— Uh-huh, under my strict guidance brother achieved unprecedented results, — Komachi also cut in. Were you not playing with Doggy and Snowball a moment ago?
— Torso is just a torso, — mumbled, feeling slight embarrassment from excessive attention.
— Whoa-whoa, Hikigaya! Taking my words back, you definitely should be on top! — Ebina's shout rang out — and where did she come from?! — causing an acute desire to throw my head back and emit a loud drawn-out moan.
— Hmm, not bad, — Goldilocks, please, shut up. — Shoulders broad, chest developed, six-pack present. Show more often — will find a girl in two counts.
— Yeah, right! Did not raise him for you! — Komachi was naturally indignant, hugging me and rubbing against the abs.
I couldn't hold back and exhaled noisily, covering my face with my palm.
— Oh, and the back is not bad, — said Hayama.
— Yeah-yeah, Hikigaya, and why aren't you in any sports club? — Tobe. Shut up.
Hayama. You go... follow him.
The only ones who didn't participate in discussing my figure were Yui and Yukino, for which I preemptively threw them two points each. Although they cast suspiciously interested glances in my direction.
Perhaps, one and a half points each.
How do people accept such compliments with a calm face anyway? And why do I still doubt their sincerity? Probably, it's all about complexes that are diligently ignored by me.
...Just knew shouldn't have splashed water at Hiratsuka back then.
Cursed karmic force.
***
By some miracle, I managed to hush up the topic and quietly screw off further away.
Leaning my back against a tree trunk, I pulled my knees to my chest and threw my head back.
— Hard day? — fate, tell me, in what way am I so guilty that you don't wish to allocate five minutes of peace to me?
Opening one eye slightly, looked at Rumi sitting nearby.
The girl was dressed in a light summer dress and, judging by the sweaty forehead, was also languishing from the heat. However, the expression on her face said that this worried her last.
Mentally shook my head.
— Something like that. And what did you forget here?
— Not allowed? — she immediately bristled.
I snorted.
— Allowed. Others won't worry about your disappearance?
— As if they'll notice, — Tsurumi grimaced. — Moreover, now we have free time, so everyone split into groups...
— Pretending not to notice your presence?
The elementary schooler looked at me in surprise.
— How did you know?
— Was in such a situation myself, — shrugged.
— And how did you cope with it? — Rumi inquired quietly, copying my pose, only additionally hiding her chin between her knees.
— Not at all, — chuckled bitterly and looked into her eyes. — Absolutely not at all.
— Why? — the girl met my gaze.
In such a situation, there are many answer options. Can give false hope, can dodge to the side, can limit to half-truth, but I, scrutinizing the elementary schooler sitting nearby, chose one of the worst from the point of view of most people.
— Because there are situations where you literally have no choice but to rely on someone else, — I raised the corners of my lips, — think you understand what I mean.
— And if there is no one? Just take and give up? — distinct irritation flashed in her voice, however, directed not at me or herself.
— Yes, — Tsurumi barely twitched hearing a positive answer.
— Patiently accept all insults, pretend as if everything is normal? You offer me this?! — she got more and more worked up.
Emitted a quiet chuckle and, unable to hold back, reached out and ruffled her hair, instantly extinguishing the started fit of anger. The girl instantly deflated and lowered her gaze.
— No, of course not, — sighed and shifted gaze to classmates having fun in the distance. — You know, Rumi, life is absolutely neutral by nature. Yes, there are many bad and good sides in it, but all this depends on how you look at what is happening and what exactly you want from it. Sometimes, to ease your suffering, it is enough to just take and shift accents.
Seeing that Tsurumi doesn't quite understand what I'm talking about, laughed weakly. To my surprise, she didn't rush to break free from under the palm, more focused on examining knees.
— I am talking about the fact that it is not necessary to fixate purely on school, nothing ends on it, — the elementary schooler finally raised her head, looking at me questioningly. Smiled again, but much softer. — For example, having a younger sister to take care of helped me, and hobbies. In the end, I found comrades outside the class and avoided loneliness as such.
— Is that her jumping in the water there? — Rumi pointed a finger at Komachi, running away from Yuigahama with laughter.
— That's her. Isn't she cute?
The girl snorted but said nothing.
Hmm...
— Something wrong? — she shook her head.
— Everything is normal. In your opinion, I should find myself a hobby, and with it — new friends?
— Why not? Definitely won't be worse, — ruffled Tsurumi's hair for the last time and removed the hand, earning a strange look from the schoolgirl.
— And if I have nothing like that in mind?
Laughed.
— So find it. We are not born with a clear list of skills in the head. Trial and error method is our everything.
— Difficult, — the elementary schooler grumbled, ruffling her feathers.
Like a chick, to be honest.
— Nothing can be done. Moreover, this is just my suggestion, you don't have to follow it.
— Uh-huh... — success, I was able to instill rudiments of hope in Tsurumi. Main thing is that nothing tramples them now.
At that very moment the girl sniffled.
Huh?
— Rumi? — touched her shoulder.
The elementary schooler ran her palm over her eyes, wiping away the tears that appeared. When did she manage that? A second ago everything was more or less normal.
— Don't pay attention, — she turned away.
— Yeah-yeah, will do just that, — didn't hide sarcasm in voice. — Spit it out, come on.
Since turned on the role of "older brother," worth following it to the end.
— Don't want to, — mumbled the elementary schooler.
— Rumi.
She exhaled noisily and handed me... a camera? Was it with her all this time?
— And what is wrong? — taking the item in hands, twirled it, examining. Nothing unusual, seems whole.
— Mom asked to take photos from the summer camp. Well, to show how I relax and have fun with everyone, but... — Rumi sniffled again, completely falling apart.
Understood. Considering her circumstances, seems to me not a single needed shot was taken.
Too loud screams rang out from the river, thereby attracting my attention.
Yuigahama and Komachi, uniting with Yumiko, diligently tried to drown Yukino and Ebina. Strange disposition of forces, of course.
...Stop.
Oh, another brilliant idea came to my head.
— Relax, everything will be now, — ignoring the shocked look of the schoolgirl, rose to my feet and shouted loudly: — Girls! Can I have you for a minute?!
Tsurumi jumped up sharply from the grass, trying to stop me.
— Don't! I... I am shy!
Skewed a sly look at her.
— And you take and don't be shy, — from such an answer she opened her mouth. — You need photos from the rest, right? But no one said they must necessarily include your classmates.
First to fly up to me was... Totsuka.
Stop, I called girls?
...Saika, is there something I don't know about you?
Or did Buddha hear my prayers?
— Hachiman, what happened? — the boy inquired excitedly, wiping moisture from his face.
— Now, wait, — I waited until the rest approached, even Tobe and Hayato decided to join.
Only Hiratsuka, raising an eyebrow, watched us from the side.
— So, since everyone is assembled, — I pretended not to notice Tsurumi's embarrassed sniffling, for some reason deciding to hide behind my back. — I have a small proposal.
I paused, making sure everyone was listening to me.
— One of our acquaintances, — reached a hand behind back and ruffled Rumi's hair. A displeased hum was heard from Komachi. — Needs help with her task...
— We agree! — Doggy, I understand everything, but at least listen to the essence.
And why do you decide for everyone?
Clearing throat, pretended not to notice her remark and continued:
— Tsurumi needs a bunch of pics for a report to parents.
— Pfft, — Yumiko crossed arms under chest. — I thought it would be something more difficult.
— Fear you wouldn't handle something more difficult, — Snowball immediately cut in.
Miura measured Yukino with a mocking gaze.
— I understand everything, but maybe stop compensating for your... — she purposefully looked at Yukinoshita's chest, — ...shortcomings?
Just another argument was what I needed.
Stepping forward, put hands in front of myself. Considered reminding about the animal world for the third time superfluous.
— Girls, focus, you are entrusted with an important mission, leave showdowns for later.
To my surprise, they didn't object, limiting themselves to incinerating glares directed at each other.
— Oh! Oh! I have an idea! — Yui, always knew one can rely on you in such moments. — How about this proposal: we can...
Rumi buried her forehead in my back and muttered barely audibly:
— Fool...
I choked on laughter, feeling a murderous aura nearby.
Finding its source with eyes, involuntarily gulped.
Seems my "older brother" behavior pattern led me somewhere wrong.
...At least, Komachi's gaze boded me nothing good.
Oops.