TGS – Vol 3 Interlude 2

On Monday, after the weekend had passed…

“Man, Suzuha-san really is beautiful and hardworking… Just look at her, guys.” (Classmate A)

“She’s super smart and still does this every day…” (Classmate B)

“Honestly, even though I’m firmly in the Yuno-chi camp, I sometimes find myself wavering.” (Classmate C)

In the morning classroom, three boys from the baseball club chatted idly while stealing glances at Suzuha, who was quietly studying with her hair tucked behind her ears.

“Seeing her study that much, I bet she already has a dream for the future. She’s probably aiming for some prestigious university.” (Classmate C)

“Ah, wait. I think someone said… the reason she studies isn’t really about deciding her path, but more like, to get praised.” (Classmate B)

“R-Really? That reason is way too cute! Just studying to get praise from her parents?” (Classmate A)

“Y-Yeah. That’s seriously cute…” (Classmate B)

Given Suzuha’s quiet and mature demeanor, the idea that she was doing it just to be praised gave off a surprisingly childish and charming contrast.

As two of the boys stared at her in a daze, another boy from the Yuno camp suddenly widened his eyes, as if something had just clicked.

“…Wait, now that I really think about it, maybe Suzuha-chi isn’t working hard to be praised by her parents.” (Classmate C)

“Hah? If someone’s trying to be praised, it’s usually by their parents, right?” (Classmate A)

“Who else could it even be?” (Classmate B)

Just as the two pointed out, that equation wouldn’t make sense under normal circumstances.

But—

“Well yeah, normally that’d be the case, but didn’t Suzuha-chi, who’s usually super reserved, make plans to hang out with a guy over the weekend? I mean… sure, Yuno-chi was also part of that group, but if you ask me, the idea that she wants to be praised by that guy fits way better.” (Classmate C)

“H-Hey…” (Classmate A)

“Don’t say stuff that isn’t funny, man.” (Classmate B)

The ones behind the rumor that “she’s never once accepted an invitation from a guy” were none other than the two most popular girls in school: Yuno and Suzuha.

Now that he mentioned it, the possibility did seem very real… thought the boys, their faces twitching.

“Actually, someone from Class 3 apparently saw Suzuha-chi and someone going into a movie theater, so it’s definitely true that they hung out over the weekend.” (Classmate C)

“Wait, what!?” (Classmate A)

“Are you sure they didn’t see it wrong!?” (Classmate B)

“The info’s pretty specific… Like, the guy was carrying all the shopping bags for them, and he apparently paid for all the popcorn and drinks—real ikemen-type stuff.” (Classmate C)

“No way… for real? Ugh…” (Classmate A)

“Haah… haah… I’m starting to have trouble breathing…” (Classmate B)

“…Well, that’s what happens when you keep playing passive. I get how you feel, though.” (Classmate C)

The boy from Yuno’s camp patted the shoulders of the two, who were holding their chests in distress, trying to comfort them with both words and actions.

Just then, a voice interrupted.

“Ah, good morning.” (Yuno)

“—! Oh! Good morning, Yuno-chi!” (Classmate C)

As she gave a simple greeting, Yuno, a ponytailed girl, entered the classroom through the back door.

“Hey, what’s up with you two…? You look like you’re in pain or something.” (Yuno)

“Haha, don’t worry about these guys. Just ignore them.” (Classmate C)

“Eh? Now that you’ve said that, it makes me even more curious though.” (Yuno)

Yuno, who had just arrived at school, stepped briskly into the circle of three, her black hair swaying and a sweet scent trailing behind her.

Then, while looking up at them with wide eyes, she poked at the two boys’ arms, silently pressing them with a “Come on, spill it.”

“Y-Yuno-chan… It’s about the weekend…” (Classmate B)

“Yeah?” (Yuno)

“Apparently… Suzuha-san was seen hanging out with a guy?” (Classmate A)

“Eh? Yeah, of course. Like I told you three, it was a plan we’d made.” (Yuno)

“And, the guy you hung out with—he’s apparently super handsome, right!?” (Classmate B)

“—” (Yuno)

She answered the first question smoothly, but it was at that moment that the next question was thrown at her.

Yuno’s eyes widened, as if she’d been caught off guard.

“Uhh…” (Yuno)

Should she tell the truth? Or lie? She quickly ran through the options in her head for three seconds.

Then Yuno spoke.

“Well, yeah… I guess you could say that.” (Yuno)

“……” (Classmate A)

“……” (Classmate B)

“……” (Classmate C)

Precisely because the three had no idea he was her older brother, Yuno was able to say what she truly thought without hesitation.

As the three boys suffered even deeper emotional damage, the one who had spoken—the source of their pain—was now overwhelmed with embarrassment herself.

“A-Anyway, I get why those two are like that now. …That aside, how do you even know all that?” (Yuno)

“Oh, some guy from class 3 apparently saw the three of you going into the movie theater.” (Classmate C)

“Hm. I see.” (Yuno)

The place they had gone on Saturday was a common hangout spot for students.

So it wasn’t strange that someone had noticed.

“Hey, Yuno-chi, if it’s too much then forget I asked, but could you give these two some advice on how they might get to hang out with Suzuha-chi? They’re dying to, apparently.” (Classmate C)

“If it’s just that, I don’t mind…” (Yuno)

Though the two wore lifeless expressions, their eyes still held a faint light of hope. Meeting their gaze, Yuno twirled her ponytail around her finger as she thought.

“But, hmm… speaking realistically, I think it might take a bit more time if you want to hang out with her. Suzuha-chan is pretty shy, and the person she hung out with the other day has been close to her since elementary school. Plus, right now, she’s really into her studies, or whatever you want to call it, and she’s found something she’s passionate about.” (Yuno)

“M-More time, huh…” (Classmate A)

“I see… If Yuno-chan says so, then it must be true…” (Classmate B)

The two folded their arms with pained expressions.

Seeing them restrain themselves with a silent resolve of ‘then we’ll just have to wait’, Yuno couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Having someone treat you kindly like that—it was something that made you happy, all on its own.

“Hehe, Suzuha-chan really is popular, huh.” (Yuno)

“Whoa whoa whoa, Yuno-chi, you’re the one saying that?” (Classmate C)

“And what do you mean by that?” (Yuno)

“Y-You don’t have to try to make me say it…” (Classmate C)

“Hmm~?” (Yuno)

Yuno tilted her head and grinned without saying anything more, feigning innocence in a way that was clearly intentional.

Then, as if to say “Thanks for going along with it,” she gave the boy a gentle pat on the back.

“—See you.” (Yuno)

As if reflecting on having teased them a bit too much, she made her way toward Suzuha, who was quietly studying.

“…Y-Yuno-chi…” (Classmate C)

Having received physical contact from the very girl he admired, yet knowing it was only him, a new lovestruck boy was born in that moment.

“Hehe…” (Yuno)

Yuno, in a cheerful mood, repeated in her mind the compliment Haruto had received—“The guy she hung out with is apparently super handsome.”

That was the main reason she had done something she normally wouldn’t do with the boys in her class.

---

Thanks for reading!

Apparently, one of the classmates uses “-chi” when referring to Aya and Suzuha. It was probably present in previous chapter,s but I’m too lazy to change it zzz

---

1. None