HPDBC Chapter 98
Chapter 98
“Alright, Lieutenant Kohou. It’s fine to leave the stage’s structural design to the contractor, right?”
“Yes. The specialist contractor will handle that. Actually, that falls within the scope of the contract. It’s not something a student council member should be handling.”
“The school’s office and instructors are really short on staff... The student council took over the stage preparations.”
“I see... I’ll email you the contract template, the implementation plan, and the blueprints. Use those.”
“Thank you very much. Ah, I’ve received it. Hmm... I think we can manage with a bit of tweaking. Thank you. You’ve been a great help.”
“Oh, no problem. Hinoura-san, was it? You’re quite capable for a first-year student.”
“No, not at all...”
“At least among our cadets, there aren’t any third-years with your level of administrative skill. Many Soul Armored Soldiers are hopeless in that area, like a certain someone.”
“Did you call me, Toshi-nii?”
“No, I didn’t.”
On the screen of the web call, Toshi-nii’s displeased face appeared.
“Ah, Toshi-nii, can I ask you a question?”
“What is it, Yusuke?”
Ignoring Toshi-nii’s attempt to hide his annoyance, I pressed on.
“Why do you never answer my calls or web chats, but immediately respond to Kotomi’s? Why? Why? Why?”
“Your eyes are scary, Yuu...”
“No one wants a clingy guy, Yusuke.”
Kotomi and Toshi-nii were saying something, but...
This was a serious issue.
“Well, I’ve been working overtime, so I’m a little out of it. Depending on Toshi-nii’s answer, I might just destroy the cadet sch... Ow!”
Suddenly, an invisible barrier appeared and sandwiched me, freezing me in a bizarre pose like a pictogram.
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant Kohou. That’s all we needed. I’ll make sure Yuu listens.”
“Alright. If you have any problems, feel free to consult me via email. See you.”@@@@
Before I could move, Kotomi ended the web call with Toshi-nii.
“What was that for, President Nase?”
“Following orders from Hinoura-sama.”
As I struggled to break through the barrier with my hands, President Nase calmly went back to her documents without looking at me.
“If Lieutenant Kohou abandons us, our school festival is seriously over. Do you understand that, Yuu?”
“Yes... but I just wanted to talk to Toshi-nii...”
“Honestly... You volunteered to handle communications with Toshi-nii, but if you can’t get through, nothing’s going to move forward.”
“That’s because Toshi-nii blocked my calls...”
“That’s because of your usual behavior.”
“Yeah... you’re right... I’m sorry...”
Having enthusiastically taken on the task, only to mess it up, I could only apologize in a weak voice as Kotomi had to cover for me.
“Hinoura-san... How dare you treat my dear Yuu-sama so carelessly... Do you think that just because you’re a Special Force, I can’t do anything?”
Hayami-san slowly rose from her desk.
With her hair disheveled from the continuous death march and her bloodshot eyes darting around, she looked quite terrifying.
“Besides... I don’t have a specific boyfriend or anything, and... we’ve taken naps together before, so it’s fine... really...”
Kotomi fidgeted.
“And also, I’m so tired from all the work lately that I just want to relax and enjoy your scent for a change...”
Ah, even the most composed Kotomi is tired. She tried to invite me subtly, but in the end, her true feelings leaked out.
“In that case, I’ll sleep in the club room with you.”
“Yay! Let’s go right away!”
Kotomi pulled my hand, leading me to the room next to the student council office. The atmosphere in the dark club room felt different from usual.
“There’s only one blanket.”
We usually bring blankets into the club room for naps, but we used one for President Nase earlier.
“That was the plan all along.”
Huh? Did she say something?
I didn’t quite catch what Kotomi mumbled. When I looked at her, she was holding Chuusuke, the stuffed animal she always sleeps with, close to her chest.
“Alright, let’s go to sleep.”
“Yeah.”
Kotomi and I have napped together multiple times, so we should be able to sleep quickly since we’re both tired. Thinking that, I lay down on the tatami, sharing the blanket with Kotomi.
“...Hey, Kotomi?”
“What is it, Yuu?”
“Why are you pressing your body against mine?”
“With just one blanket, we have to stick close to fit under it.”
“Don’t you want to sleep with Chuusuke?”
Chuusuke was now sitting like a guardian at the head of the tatami.
“Well, since the source of the smell is here, it’s more efficient to cuddle with you instead.”
“Wait, do I smell? I just took a shower...”
I tried to sniff myself, but all I could smell was the scent of Kotomi’s shampoo from her hair.
“No, I mean it’s comforting. It’s been tough lately.”
“As both a Special Force and the vice president of the student council, you’ve had it rough, Kotomi. I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you with the student council work, even though I couldn’t do much as a Special Force.”
“No, it actually made me feel relieved to see that you have things you struggle with too. It reminded me that you’re human after all.”
“Of course, I’m human.”
“......”
“......”
The silence in the dark, unlit club room lingered for a while.
“Puhaha! What was that conversation just now?”
“I know, right? It was like an alien trying to convince someone they’re human.”
Kotomi, too, found it hilarious, shaking with laughter. Since she was clinging to me, her body’s tremors directly transmitted to me.
“Alright, let’s go to sleep.”
I readjusted the blanket around us.
When we wake up, it’ll finally be the day of the school festival.