The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 7Volume 4 .3 - Shimizu-san and the Class’s Project

Shimizu-san and the Class’s Project 3

“Hondō-kun, you’re very serious, aren’t you?”

“Is that so?”

“Where does liking someone start? I don’t think many people ponder over how to like someone. Maybe it’s okay to just feel it naturally?”

Kaho-san must be trying to help me solve my worries.

“...Maybe you’re right. But if I’m going to like Shimizu-san, I want to be able to express my feelings with my own words.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I think Shimizu-san isn’t good with vague affections.”

I remembered a conversation I had with her before.

Shimizu-san had dyed her hair blonde to keep away people who would say they liked her just for her looks.

She wants people to see her for more than her appearance, for her inner self.

“...It seems like Hondō-kun really pays close attention to Kei-chan.”

Kaho-san smiled again.

“Am I wrong...?”

“No, it’s not about being right or wrong. Hondō-kun has decided to seriously confront his feelings for Kei-chan. That’s all there is to it, I think.”

“Kaho-san...”

“Well, if I had to say, it would be better for Hondō-kun to figure out how he feels about Kei-chan before the play starts. If you can settle that, I’m sure the play will be a success.”

That’s right, I had originally come to discuss the final scene of the play.

“I want to face my feelings for Shimizu-san again. And I will do my best in the play.”

“Yeah, I’m rooting for you.”

With that, Kaho-san handed me the script for the play.

“Ah!”

“I heard your conversation with Ai. You came to get this, right?”

I had completely forgotten. The original purpose was to collect this script.

“Thank you very much.”

“I just handed it to you from where it was lying around. We talked quite a bit, but are you okay with time?”

I hurriedly took out my smartphone to check the time.

As Kaho-san said, more time had passed than I had thought.

“I’m sorry, I should be going soon.”

“Yeah, I’ll go around the festival too.”

“Thank you for today.”

“Thank you as well. I’m glad to hear about Hondō-kun’s feelings for Kei-chan.”

After that, Kaho-san and I left the clubroom and started walking towards our respective destinations.

***

“You’re late, Hondō.”

“That’s right, Onii-chan!”

When I returned to where Shimizu-san and the others were, there was one more person.

Specifically, my sister Teruno was there.

“Sorry.”

“What were you doing, Daiki? It shouldn’t have taken this long just to get the script.”

“Senpai from my part-time job, Kaho-san, was in the clubroom, and we had a little chat.”

“Ugh, she was here?”

Shimizu-san made a blatantly displeased face.

It seems she has a hard time dealing with Kaho-san.

“Is that Kaho-san, as in Sakurai Kaho-san, who’s two years our senior?”

“Toshiya, you know Kaho-san?”

“Well, she’s famous. She’s tall and beautiful, so she was popular with everyone until she graduated.”

Indeed, Kaho-san attended the same school as us until last year, so it wouldn’t be strange if they knew her.

“Matsuoka-kun, do you prefer tall women?”

“Ah? No, it’s not like I prefer them just because they’re tall or dislike them if they’re short! I think both tall and short women are great!”

I wonder why he’s speaking so formally. And Seto-san probably just asked out of simple curiosity.

“What about you, Hondō-kun?”

I didn’t expect the same question to be directed at me.

Why is Shimizu-san already glaring at me?

I haven’t even said anything yet.

“Daiki, you care about height, don’t you?”

Toshiya, it’s not fair to answer before I do.

“Is that so, Hondō-kun?”

“...Honestly, it does bother me a little.”

“Which do you prefer?”

There’s no point in dodging the question.

I decided to just say what I was thinking.

“Since I’m not one of the taller guys, I’m a bit concerned if she’s taller than me.”

I think I’m starting to understand why Toshiya switched to formal speech earlier.

“I see...”

Seto-san’s gaze shifted to Shimizu-san.

“What now?”

“Who’s taller, Hondō-kun or Shimizu-san?”

“I think Hondō is a bit taller.”

“...Lucky you, Shimizu-san.”

“Seto!!!”

Shimizu-san glared at Seto-san, but there was no change in Seto-san’s demeanor.

“Kei Onee-chan, aside from that, don’t you have something you want to say to Onii-chan?”

“What are you talking about?”

Had Shimizu-san and Teruno talked about something while I was away?

After freezing for a few seconds, Shimizu-san slowly turned towards me.

“Hey, Hondō.”

“What is it?”

“What were you planning to do before we start preparing for the play?”

“Huh? I was thinking of checking out the cultural festival.”

“With whom!?”

“I haven’t made plans with anyone, so I thought I’d invite someone who’s free, like Toshiya...”

“Matsuoka-kun is going to the cultural festival with me.”

“Seto-san!?”

This might be the first time I’ve seen Toshiya so surprised.

“So sorry, but I’d like Hondō-kun to go with someone else.”

“Got it, I’ll do that.”

I certainly can’t interfere with Toshiya and Seto-san going together.

“Onii-chan, I’m going with mom, so please find someone else.”

“Uh, okay?”

I didn’t expect to be turned down before I even asked.

“Do you want to go with someone to the festival?”

“Yeah. It’s better to be with someone than alone. If there’s no one else free, I’ll go alone.”

There are things I want to think about, so maybe going alone isn’t such a bad idea.

“...Would I be no good?”

“Shimizu-san?”

“Would it be no good if I went to the cultural festival with you?”

Shimizu-san looked somewhat anxious.

“Not at all. If Shimizu-san is okay with it, would you like to go to the cultural festival with me?”

“...okay.”

“Good for you, Kei Onee-chan!”

“Ugh!”

Teruno hugged Shimizu-san with such force that she staggered but somehow managed to catch her.

“Are you okay?”

“This is nothing...”

Her expression didn’t match her words, but if she says she’s fine, then I want to believe she’s fine.

And so, Shimizu-san and I made a promise to go to the cultural festival together.