On the night before my meeting with Karuizawa. While enjoying the last bit of summer vacation in my own room, Ike, representing the three idiots, started a group chat like usual.
[You want our summer vacation, our youth, to end like this?]
On one side it was deep, on the other side it was made without any thoughts put into it. Ike then continued before any of us could reply.
[You want our important summer vacation, one year of our youth, to end this way?]
Once more, but the phrasing was different.
[No, not at all!]
As if echoing this statement, Yamauchi showed his approval. Having experienced an unrequited love, a new start was crucial for him.
[Me too, give me my youth back!]
Joining their chorus was Sudou. Even though the basketball club was going well for him, he also wanted to experience love.
[Then you stand up! Youth won't come to those who wait!]
Wanting it is fine with me, but how are you going to get it?
[You have any ideas?]
He was probably waiting for someone to ask. Right after, a long message arrived.
[Of course I do! The pool is open to everyone for a limited time now, eh? We are going to invite those gorgeous girls and swim! There is my Kikyou right? And Haruki's Sakura? And also Sudou's Horikita!"]
Digging up the wound of Yamauchi, Ike mentioned the names of some girls from our class.
[That may be so. If Suzune is going I'm going, but do you really think she will?]
[Leave that to Ayanokouji-sensei! Right?]
As if! Though I can't say that so easily.
[You will do something right? You ARE my friend, right?]
The sentence had no stamps, but a threat instead, signed Sudou. It was only during these times that they used the word "friends". So convenient.
[Guess I can try. Don't expect too much alright.]
After replying, I suspended the chat and tried calling Horikita. The reason I answered his pleas were that some parts of me also wanted to invite her. Since her reputation in class has begun to rise, I can expect great results from this.
"What do you want?"
"Can't I call without a reason?"
"I'm hanging up?"
"Wait wait, I do have something! Truth is, some friends talked about going to the pool tomorrow. They then told me to call you since you have been reading, holing up in your own room everyday."
"Your friends? You mean that 3-man idiot group? I can't stomach joining them though."
What a nostalgic name...
"I'm declining."
"Would you have come if it was only the two of us?"
"It would be the same."
Of course it would—.
But this time, I had some other means.
"Thermos."
I felt her attitude and aura change from across the telephone line from hearing this simple word.
"The word thermos has been on my mind lately, you know."
"... What do you mean?"
It would have been fine if she only did as told, but she feigned complete ignorance.
"Getting a hand stuck in a thermos, or something, ring a bell?"
"Your personality is seeping through your unpleasant way of speaking."
Realising what I tried to tell her, she was more discontent than usual.
"I would be happier if you were more honest."
"So where and at what time tomorrow?"
Horikita has things she had to protect. I assume she must not let anyone know of that thermos incident. For this reason, she was even willing to go to the pool.
"Half past eight in the morning by the lobby. We are breaking up by the evening."
"Understood. But I won't forgive you the next time you use that again."
"O-okay."
I don't have any intentions of using it against her the second nor the third time. Rather than using it to blackmail her, it was like saying thanks for my help during the thermos incident. I believe she also understood that.
[I invited her.]
[Good work Ayanokouji! You avoided the German Suplex on the concrete!]
... It seems like my life was in danger.
[Invite her for me Ayanokouji! I beg you!]
He should have been rejected yesterday, but he still sent that text message. Right after, a private message from Yamauchi arrived.
[I have to cover up my rejection! Help me!]
Is what his other side conveyed through the sorrowful message. It seems he wants to be seen as still being in love with Sakura. Of course, if she joined, the boys would be undoubtedly excited. But she wasn't a girl who would join that easily. She was sincere, but she didn't join Karuizawa's groups during swimming lessons. Her breasts, larger than the others, stole the attention from the same, if not even more from those of the other sex. Also, it must be difficult going together with a guy she recently rejected. Leaving aside whether she wanted to go or not, I could at least call her.