LATEST UPDATES

Published at 20th of January 2017 01:03:22 PM


Chapter 2

If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again




2. The cat case (consultation’s difficulty: I)

「Ku, Kuso……Why did this happen?」
After school of the next day.
Sitting on the sofa in the clubroom, I was hugging Shinonome’s hip while she was on my knees.
「Please do not move. The tea would spill, and I couldn’t read the book, don’t you agree?」
Shinonome, who is reading a book while holding a teacup on one hand, while turning her back on me, she leaks out a happy voice
「Ano……it will be fine if you don’t do something like reading while using a person instead of a chair, won’t it……つ」
Nonetheless, because Shinonome’s slim and soft buttocks transmitted a gentle warmth and softness through her skirt, it was me who was enjoying this side benefit-like situation a little.
「Be quiet. Listening to my request is your job. Because the club will disappear if I quit, hold your master more tightly in order not to let her fall」
Ku……although this situation will create various misunderstandings if another person sees it, I couldn’t say anything after being told like that. Although I don’t know what part of this is fine, for now let’s properly do what Shinonome said.
This fellow Shinonome, from now on I’m sure that she will threaten me by asking such kinds of requests……
I think about the future and sigh, say while desperately trying not to move.

「Other than that, Shinonome, the meeting with Aizawa’s sewing group, would it be okay if you didn’t participate?」
*patan* I hear the sound of closing book, and Shinonome’s clear voice hits my earlobe. (耳朶を打つ) 
「No problem. The sample of maid uniform was completed. It’s a detailed meeting with Aizawa who is the group leader as the center. There wasn’t any meaning even if I was thereーー」
By the way, I work behind the scene on appointed days. Until the school festival, the time block for the last class become time for preparation, there’s no need to work after school, it’s possible to go to the clubroom immediately like this.
「Besides, Ikuno can’t do it alone. Because the literature club recently is busy everyday」
Hearing the words spoken to me the moment I turned back, 「E?」 I opened my eyes wide in astonishment.
What? This fellow Shinonome, did she worry about me? Even just a little, she’s good.
ーーIt’s a great mistake if I think of such a thing.
「Fun. Raising your favorable impression degree like this, and eventually making me yours, is your scheme, isn’t it?」
「Ara, you know me well, don’t you? Doutei-san who is enjoying my cute butts with all his power」 (Doutei = virgin, usually refer to a man)
「How can you perfectly read my thought!?」
「Ufufu, is it telepathy, I wonder?」
When she retorts (tsukkomu) with all her power, she smiles cheerfully as if being with me with her natural self is pleasant. [1]
「Maa, anyhow, half is true. Yesterday’s amount was handled by three people but it was hard. To be honest, I’m worry about Ikuno-kun being alone」
「U, What, suddenly……」
「”What” you ask? It’s my real intention. You will become my thing in the future. Understanding that my cute pet is suffering, there’s no way I, the owner, can abandon it, don’t you think so?」
This fellow Shinonome, saying things like making me her slave pet but such things is just a side. I mean, she will cherish instead of putting me aside, or even take responsibility and take care of my troubles
But, it’s as ifーー
「Oi Shinonome, perhaps, you want me……as a b, boyfriend?」 (おい東雲、お前って僕のこと……か、彼氏にしたいわけ?)
「……」
I understood that Shinonome’s body stiffened slightly.
「…………Ara, an insect sticking to your hand」
Gyuuu〜〜〜〜!
「Itai itai itai itai itai itai!」 (it hurts x 6) 
The left hand which is near my hip pinch me with all its strength. But because Shinonome is sitting on me, I cannot move without thinking. This, this is seriously a torture, isn’t it……!?
Shinonome finally stops pinching, she picks up the cup and put it to her mouth, looking demure.
「Ku……uu……what did you suddenly do?」
「It’s your bad because you said something weird. A partner is unnecessary for me. I only want a pet, please don’t misunderstand」
This fellow, as expected, she seems to see me as a pet only.
「……Rather, move aside Shinonome. This situation, it is bad if someone sees it, right?」
She looks back, smiles thinly and stares at me.
「It’s still fine in particular. The consultants do not come here at all today, for some reason」
「W, why they don’t come today? Although in two days until yesterday, many had come……」
「Well, perhaps, the trial was finished yesterday, maybe?」
「E, then……by that you mean the culprit will come soon?」
It was written in the letter that if we cleared the trials, the culprit would personally appear and make a request.
「Well. That possibility is zeroーー」
Shinonome who sees me acting as she expects is in a good mood. But at that time, suddenly the club’s door is opened, Shinonome’s smiling face becomes frozen.
「Nice to meet you……tte, what……are you doing?」
The schoolgirl who came, we have been seen completely by her.
Wai……this situation, what is our excuse, Shinonome!?
This fellow is an ojousama of a famous conglomerate, on top of that she’s also this school’s board chairman representative. That Shinonome and someone like me wrapping up cozily together in a clubroom, if a rumor like that spreads out, as one would expect, her position within the school will……! [2]
Shinonome is a bitch but she’s also an important member. Therefore, I’m getting impatient as if it’s my own thing, a thought like the schoolgirl before my eyes may be the culprit can’t reach my mind
「A consultant, aren’t you?」
Then Shinonome shows an unexpectedly calm response, comes down from me and stands up.
Don’t tell me, this fellow Shinonome, she intends to pretend that you haven’t been seen yet?
But, my thought was naive.
「Ano……That figure just now……what is that?」
「Aa, please don’t worry about it. He’s this club’s president, but he has a fetish of doing ecchi things to the female members he hates. I’m troubled very much too……」
That’s right! I have such a fetishーーtte hey!!
I shout in my mind. But, I was too late.
「Uwaa……」
She was moving away from me. She has the eyes completely similar to when one is looking at the filth.
She’s a docile girl with evenly-cut forelock, wearing a long skirt. (google image 前髪 を切り揃え for her hair style, it’s hard to translate these things) A girl whose outfit is like she’s living in the library, even if it’s not possible to say she’s a beautiful girl, she’s still hiding the refinement of Yamato Nadeshiko (a woman who displays the feminine virtues of old Japan)
Ku, I suppose it’s time to consult from now. I wonder what kind of face I should make when talking to this person.
I’m sure that this person doesn’t want to consult to a pervert too.
Although thinking like that is depressing, I stand up somehow.
「About the consultation, I should give up」 (相談、やめよっかなぁ) 
Guwa!? (like coughing sound)
My heart is gorged out by a few unintentional words and I end up falling down.
「Please don’t worry about that. Because I’m responsible for giving advices」 「Shinonome-san, isn’t it?……If it’s you then it’s fine, I guess」
Causing my position to fall while protecting hers, Shinonome easily invite the girl to go inside.
Really, Shinonome is truly a terrible woman……
While staring at Shinonome with half-open eyes as if cursing her, I sit down on the sofa.

「Want us to examine your pet cat’s illness?」
Listening to the girl’s consult, I’m a little surprised at the unexpected subject.
「U, un」
The third year student who is called Amami nods while being cautious of me.
「But, wanting us to examine your cat……If that’s the case then isn’t it better to examine in a veterinary hospital?」
Then Shinonome who sits next to me interjects.
「There are situations when it’s unable to take it to the hospital, aren’t there?」
Amami-san shows her assent, and slowly talks.
「Our cat, Clair (クレア). In the past, when its health was bad it was put in a cage and is carried to the hospital, but at that time it was afraid of injection and struggled, since then, it seemed to become scared of the hospital. Therefore this time, it groaned awfully when seeing the transporting cage, and we could not take it to the hospital. We tried to put it in the cage forcibly, or held it by had and carried it to the hospital, but it seemed to understand that it was taken to the hospital, and struggled although it was considerably weaken……this situation」
Both hands Amami-senpai held out, were full of bandages Perhaps she was scratched.
I see, because of that, she asks the literature club……
But as a matter of course, Shinonome replies while looking sorry.
「Amami-senpai, I think maybe you already knew but……we are just students, and don’t happen to have medical knowledge. Therefore, I’m sorry but we don’t have enough strength to be given this request」
I guess so. Even if it’s Shinonome, she’s not omnipotent.
Amami-san looks downward, her eyes become a little teary.
「Of course, I understand that. But, there’s no one nearby that I can rely on……none of the veterinary hospital nearby have house call doctor, as it is then Clair will……」
I and Shinonome looks at each other with troubled face.
「I, because I lost my grandmother last year, my important family, I don’t want to lose it anymore. Besides, it’s too soon for Clair to die. It was still lively until yesterday’s evening,
but at night, for some reason it was in a state of breathing faintly……therefore, please, help me」
With tearful voice, she lowers her head, as one would expect, I want to do something for her. Besides, in my case, my parents were often away from home because of their jobs, I can somehow understand the bitterness of not having one’s family.
「Shinonome, can’t we do anything?」
「……that’s true」
Shinonome’s heart seems to be moved by Amami-senpai’s desperate situation too, she says after thinking for a while. 「Perhaps, I think we can’t become doctors’ substitution. However, if it’s about the method of putting the cat into the cage, perhaps we can think of something」
「Then, you will help?」
「Hai, but only within what we can」
Shinonome smiles reservedly, and Amami-senpai wipes her eyes.
「……a, arigatou. Becoming doctors’ substitution is impossible, but if it’s about that aspect then surely you can help me, isn’t it? I, even in my head, couldn’t think that far……as expected, being recommended to ask the literature club was a good idea」
Being recommended?
It’s conceivable from that remark that someone tempted her to go to this place.
In this situation, this case is one of the trials, it turns out that she’s not the sender of the letter
「Shinonome, wait」
She brings her delightful face near mine when I beckon her.
「What, I wonder?」 (何かしら?) 
…..Your face, isn’t it a little too close?
Amami-senpai, who also thinks so, seems to be uncomfortable so I quickly tell her about the matter.
「Amami-senpai, she knows the letter’s sender, doesn’t she?」
「Yes, I thought so too. The consultants mysteriously decreased rapidly after a while, and Amami-senpai visiting after being recommended by someone. I don’t think it’s coincidental. Perhaps, this is a trial prepared by the letter’s sender」
「Then, If we ask for the name of person recommended her, we may find out the letter’s sender?」
「I wonder, but probably, I think it’s impossible」
「E, why?」
「About that, actually If you ask and see, you will understand, maybe?」
Being told like that by Shinonome who seems to already notice something, I ask.
「Ano, Amami-senpai, if it’s fine, the name of the person who recommended you to consult at the literature club, can you tell us?」
「E……t, that」
What!? She seems to feel extremely shaken.
「Gomenasai. Telling you is not possible, I think……because it’s a promise」
A promise?
I look at Shinonome’s direction, she smiles as if wanting to say 「Told you」, and brings her face close.
「In other words, the person who recommended her this place had predicted that his/her name would be asked, and asked her not to speak ーーbecause right now, it will be troublesome if the name is known by us」
If it’s only recommendation in general, no one will do such a thing.
There is only one person who will be in trouble if the name is known by us right now, I understand (his/her) solution.
「If the name is identified in this stage of trial, it will be difficult for the sender to appear. Then, because it’s troublesome if our ability is not tested, she was asked not to speak……
Then, the one recommended Amami-senpai here is the letter’s sender 『Hanikamu Iyo』, and this case is a trial, is that right?」
「It can be said so」
Then, we can’t decline anymore. I arrange everything in my head and straighten myself.
「Amami-senpai, since this seems to be an urgent case, we should quickly make various trials and errors at the actual scene. Although I think that we, the literature club should visit your house, is it okay?」
Shinonome seems to agree to my opinion too, and quietly listens next to me.
「E, you coming to my house?」
She seems to really hate it…… Though because I was considered a pervert because of Shinonome, it can’t be helped.
At that moment, the clubroom door is vigorously opened and someone enters.
「Haa, haa……sorry, you two……I was, late」
It’s Aizawa who is putting both hands on her knees while breathing with her whole, slender body. Big drops of sweat are streaming down her white forehead and cleavage. Did she think there would be many consultants today too and hurriedly came over?
Truly, Aizawa who thinks about other people and can act accordingly is a good girl.
「Don’t worry Aizawa. Because today’s consultant is only Amami-senpai here alone」
「……E? No way……Why today……so few?」
The surprised Aizawa puts her hand on her chest and adjust her breath, from the bag she takes out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat on her forehead.
「Aizawa-san, the circumstance will be explained later. Other than that, I’m sorry for the suddenness, but from now it has been decided that we would visit the consultant ー Amami-senpai’s house」
Shinonome explained the situation and this time’s consultation’s contents.
「ーーI see, it’s neko-chan……then, we must hurry」 (neko = cat, i guess everyone knows that) 
Aizawa looks seriousーーbut she suddenly seems to be curious about the surrounding scent, *kunkun* she begins to sniff. (sfx: sniff-sniff) 
「Aizawa, what happened?」
「……iya, somehow, there is a delicious smell similar to a cake’s, I think? *sunsun*」 (not sure, but it seems to be another onomatopoeia for the act of smell)
And then, Amami-senpai whose cheeks are dyed red awkwardly says 「Ano」
「My house, is a cake shop called 『Garnir』 in front of the station.  Perhaps, I think that’s the cause」(ガルニール, should it be Garnir or Garnil?)
Hee, Aizawa has such a wonderful sense of smell? I didn’t notice such a thing.
「Aizawa-san, it’s amazing. It’s totally like a dog, isn’t it?」
「E? Dog……!? M, mou Ibuki! Don’t put me together with a dog」
Aizawa always smiles but she will get mad when she’s angry. With a red face, she stared at the gentle Shinonome.
However, the innocent girl immediately changes her expression.
「A, other than that, Amami-senpai. I, often go to eat cake at Garnir! The food there is reallly delicious, among the cake shops I know, it’s my most favorite♪」
That reminds me, Aizawa, yesterday you talked about your favorite cake shop in front of the station, didn’t you?
Was that place Amami-senpai’s house?
「……being told something that much, I’m happy……I think」
While looking downward shyly, 「Then」 Amami-senpai says.
「If you can bring Clair to the hospital safely, I will treat you three cakes as my gratitude」 The sweet-loving Aizawa has brilliant smile similar to a blooming flower.
「For real!? A, it’s wrong……I, will try my best for neko-chan‘s sake!!」
Aizawa’s tensely serious face, seems like her feeling of wanting to help the cat is real.
Holding her bag, Shinonome leaves her seat.
「Well then, because the discussion seemed to be settled, let’s go」
According to the story, Clair seems to have weakened.
Since time is precious, we quickly left the club.

♦♦♦

Walking about 10 minutes from Urotan high school, we arrive at the cake cafe 『Garnir』
Garnir, a shop which is run along the wide national highway in front of the station, several tables and chairs was prepared in the house frontage so that a tea party can be held outside [3], sitting there is a student couple chatting peacefully and eating cake during the pause.
Riajuu?……although it’s so hot like this, they still intend to flirt outside like that?
Amami-senpai seems to think so too, she glances at these two with a complicated face and enters the shop. Together with Aizawa and Shinonome who don’t show the look of caring so much, I went to the shop’s interior.
「Haa……I’m revived〜〜♪」
As soon as we entered the air-conditioned shop, *hatahata* Aizawa fans her chests. (sfx: soft flutter sound of cloth moving in the wind) 
Uwa, it’s shaking amazingly.
2 big swellings fighting each other, because they are shaking, moving up and down, my eyes are instinctively attracted.
「いっ!?」
At that time, someone pinched my unguarded butts and a sharp pain ran through my body
「Ara, what part of Aizawa-san are you looking at, I wonder, Ikuno-kun?」
Shinonome became scarier as she smiled.
「I, I don’t see anything in particular」
Fortunately, Aizawa doesn’t notice, with the same loose expression she continues to fan her chests.
「O, other than that Shinonome, hora……Amami-senpai is looking」
Having finished talking to the person who seems to be her mother in the counter, Amami-senpai beckoned us.
Close to my ear, Shinonome’s whisper is so cold that my skin are getting goosebumps.
「Don’t become deredere too much to other girls in front of me who will become your masterーーokay?」
「U, understood. So, let’s goーー」
As usual, this fellow Shinonome shows a great desire to monopolize me…… Rather, the words just now, if it’s in gal game, they will be the words a character having goodwill speaks to the protagonist. Maa, in Shinonome’s case, she only wants me as a pet, something like love is impossible.
I call out to Aizawa too, after doing some light greetings to the mother-like person, the three of us went through the door inside the counter. That place is connected to her house, we follow Amami-senpai, take off our footwear on the earthen floor and begin to walk in the white, wooden flooring corridor shined by electric lights along its width.
「Uーn, this smell, what is it?」
Then Aizawa, whose concentration is focused in her nose, begins to sniff the surrounding’s smell.
「Smell? Aizawa, This sweet smell you feel, isn’t it the smell of cakes drifting from the shop?」
「It is true but, I mean, something is subtly differentーー」
And, she comes to the last room of the place where Amami-senpai turned a moment ago.
「A, it’s from around this area, maybe」
She begins to sniff the smell again in front of the closed door. Shinonome immediately imitated with a broad smile.
「Aizawa-san, I don’t smell anything……」
「E, seriously? Uーn……then, maybe that too is my imagination」
When Aizawa returns while scratching her head and laughing, Amami-senpai comes back.
「Ano, I’d say just in case, please don’t enter that room. Because it’s the room of my grandma who passed away last year…… Everyone in my family, still cannot settle our hearts yet so the room is left without changes」
「A, there is a brand-new sliding lock, because you don’t want anyone to enter, right?」 Listened to Aizawa’s words, I think.
Because it seems like her family won’t enter, won’t a simple lock for the time when people from the outside came fine?
Iya, but if it’s the case then it’s pointless to type of things that can open it easily, isn’t it?
Shinonome reply as if she already sensed my question.
「Ikuno-kun, please look here」
Where Shinonome pointed is the lower left of the door. Things like bruises from scratching can be seen innumerably there.
「A, perhaps, this lock is a thing to prevent neko-chan from entering?」
Aizawa who saw the bruises on the door asks, Amami-senpai nods.
「……Because Clair likes grandma very much, even after grandma passed away, it tried to enter this room, where it loved, many times. So we installed a lock there, maybe it’s just a feeling」 (それで鍵を取りつけた感じかな) 
「Clair-chan, hasn’t known that grandma already passed away yet……」
Surely, it believes that it will meet grandma now if it goes to this room, right?
All of us in literature club think about Clair’s feelings and our expressions become gloomy.
Amami-senpai. while feeling awkward about that, says 「This way」 and guide us to the cat’s place.

「ーI see. Surely, it becomes weakened」
Being leaded to the living room, we are now confirming the black cat which lies down on the sofa – Clair’s condition.
「Clair-chan, this is absolutely not a common cold……because it stretches its limbs in a completely exhausted state, and uses its whole body to breath painfully. Unless we quickly do something……」
I understand the feeling of Aizawa who is getting impatient, and also consent to Amami-senpai who clung to the straw and relied on the literature club. Clair’s condition, that alone seemed like a race again time.
I stare at Clair,
「As expected, if it is weakened this much, I could put it in a cage, if it’s still impossible then I could bring it along by holding it in the arms……Amami-senpai, can I try a bit?」
「Un……but perhaps, I think it’s still impossible」
Amami-senpai brings the cage for carrying purpose next to me, and leaves the door in the opened state. At that time, Clair already reacts, heavily raises its neck and glares at us feebly.
「Hora, Clair……it’s not scary so come here」
I kindly say and slowly approach. Butーー
「uuuuu〜〜〜」
It’s hard to believe that until a while ago, it was in weakened condition, despite looking languid it lets out a low growl and bares its fangs. But I’m not falter and reduces our distance, but.
「Shaaaaa!!」
Soon I receive a vigorous 「I’m about to jump」 intimidation. With this, approaching is impossible. As expected, I became nervous, and withdrew to behind. Shinonome smiles and says.
「Ikuno-kun, you backed out」 (育野くん、脇したわね) 
「B, because it can’t be helped, isn’t it? Surely I would be bitten I came like that」
Looking at Clair, despite breathing tiredly with its whole body, it’s still glaring at me.
「Un, the thing just now is as expected……because doing it normally already seemed impossible, let’s think of a different method」
Following the suggestion of the straight-forward Aizawa, I try to think of some alternative plans.
「Because it would act violently when it was hold and taken to the hospital……then we have no choice but to somehow put it in the cage ー a, how about trying to put its favorite food inside the cage?」
「We already tried that」
Amami-senpai informs us by muttering these words. Aizawa then suggests.
「A, then! How about putting something to disguise the cage!?」
「We did it too, I think」
「Uu…..I see」
Again, the two of us try to submit a few plans, but Amami-senpai already tried them all.
That’s right. Amami-senpai had tried her best but in the end, because she was unable to do so, she relied on the literature club. There’s no way a solution can be found that easily.
But while doing this, Clair’s breathing become short, its physical condition also worsen. So I try the method of forcibly holding Clair and putting it in the cage. And the result ー
「Ikuno, are you all right?」
「hurt……un……somehow……ha, hahaha」
「It’s not a laughing matter. I’m seriously worry」
Glaring at me with a slightly angry look, Aizawa takes out a band-aid from the first-aid kit Amami-senpai prepared.
「It will be serious if the bacteria enter from the mouth of the wound. Hora, I will stick the band-aid to the place you was scratched, so don’t move for a bit」
「U, un」
Aizawa’s lovely face immediately approaches until it’s right before my eyes. Her skin, which has thin makeup, is so white that it seems to be transparent, her widely opened eyes are big and the eyelashes are long. She’s a cute and kind girl, if my trauma to beautiful girls didn’t exist, I must have confessed, even immediately. I was attracted to the extend of thinking of such a thing.
Then, having noticed that I forgot the existence of Shinonome, I timidly peek at her state.「……」
But, Shinonome seems to think of something and didn’t look this way.
Showing her consent as if having gathered her though, she open her mouth.
「Amami-senpai. I thought about other methods to carry it, but in the first place, because approaching is already hard, I think it’s impossible. So once again, let’s try seeing this case from a different point of view. Perhaps a hint can be found」
Amami-senpai seems to agree with that thought as she nods.
「Firstly, is it fine to hear the detailed story until Clair became like this?」
「Un…...etto, I think I already spoke about it but yesterday, from when I went to the evening class to when I came back,
Clair was fine. But at night, suddenly it felt sick and this happened」
「By the way, when did you usually give it dinner?」
「It’s always about 7pm. Approximately before Clair felt sick yesterday…… A, but we didn’t give it something strange. Because Clair only eats standard cat food, and my family don’t give it anything else. That’s why, maybe, I think the food isn’t the cause」
「……Is that so?」
Shinonome puts her hand on her chin, ponders more deeply.
I’m the club president so I didn’t want to leave it to Shinonome alone.
For this reason, I earnestly think about a breakthrough solution. But, there aren’t any good methods coming to my mind.
Kuso, if we don’t solve this case then the literature club which is busy until now can’t regain its peace.
Besides, Clair is still like this……
Shinonome and Aizawa don’t seem to see the clue to the solution, as they don’t say anything at all.
The only thing that pass idly is the time, and Clair’s breathing becomes heavier.
Amami-senpai is unable to remain indifferent to such a state and says.
「Should we take a break, just a little? I will bring out the tea……sorry, I was untactful」
Her important pet is in a dangerous state. It was natural to forget about the small details. (as far as I know, serving tea to people when they come to one’s house is a basic etiquette and she haven’t done that yet) 
We sit in a circle at the table nearby and have the barley tea Amami-senpai prepared.
「Ano, Amami-senpai……it’s not the situation for us to slowly drink tea like this and yet……really, sorry」
「U, uun. It’s fine, really. That, I put too many roots in there, but it can’t be helped」 [4]
「……I’m the representative of the consultation office and yet, sorry. I’m totally unhelpful」
「Ikuno……」
I who couldn’t help even a cat was too pathetic.
In the end, right now I have to rely on Shinonome who is desperately thinking nearby.
「S, stop. You don’t need to lower your head to me……a, other than that」
Amami-senpai changes the topic in panic.
「Aizawa-san, isn’t it? In the last meeting, you……was the victim」
「E? A, hai……that’s right」
Being thought as a prostitution ー as if remembered that, Aizawa looks downward and blushes.
「Amami-senpai, Aizawa is really, truly don’t do such a thingーー」
「A, it’s different, not like that……but, that……from the rumors, I heard that you had experience in keeping company with many men, is that the truth?」
Oh, so it’s about that huh? Of course, that too is wrong.
Aizawa, who was deeply moved just by holding my hand in the date a few days ago, is a girl with 0 experience in keeping company with men
「I, don’t prostitute but I surely have many experience with men…..now, I’m……in a relationship with the club president Ikuno-kun」
「E!?」
I’m confused for an instant. But Shinonome who knows the situation lets out a chuckle and continue to drink barley tea.
……I, I see. Aizawa said she didn’t want to lie to me, Shinonome and her gyaru friends in class anymore so she would turn the lie into the truth by having a date with me again. Because she seemed to talk about the circumstances to Shinonome a few days ago, Shinonome ignores the remark a while ago.
「Is, that so……? A, but because you had plenty of experience like that, you can keep company with a peculiar person like the club president……that must be it」
「Ikuno, a peculiar person?」
「Un. Because, hora……he must have done that to Aizawa-san too, right? Ecchi play in the club room」
「Ha!?」 (huh)
Aizawa, after shouting and blushing, instantly brings her grim face close to me while glaring.
「Ikuno! What is Amami-senpai talking about!?」
「I, iya! I’m not but because Shinonome……!」
「Ibuki? tte, Ibuki won’t say such a thing!」
Aizawa trusts her important friend completely from the bottom of her heart. Really, so pure that I want to cry. (本当、涙が出るほど純粋だ。) 
「Aizawa-san, there is a deep circumstance for that. Don’t criticize Ikuno-kun too much」
「Is that so?」
Shinonome nods. Although it looks like Aizawa doesn’t understand, she looks downward and blushes.
「……I don’t understand anything, but if Ibuki says so」
「Gomen, Aizawa. There really are various reasons」
Rather, it’s because of Shinonome!
「Un, it’s fine already. Because there seems to be some kind of circumstances」
After glancing at me, Aizawa who feels like sulking turns away.
Being outside of the mosquito net is not fun, I think? (蚊帳の外 an idiom, which mean being left out of an event/being treated as an outsider) 
「Isn’t it good?……you two, boyfriend and girlfriend being close」
Amami-senpai says with a feeble smile, Aizawa’s cheeks change its color as she looks downward embarrassedly.
「M, me and Ikuno, are not……we only held hands recently, we haven’t gone as far as being close……」
「Hee, held hand」
In front of the fidgeting Aizawa, Shinonome has a cold smile and stares at me.
Don’t look. Because it’s for Aizawa’s request, it can’t be helped, right?
Then Amami-senpai suddenly talks in a sorrowful voice.
「Haa…..I’m not lucky, in things like that. Because grandma passed away last year, and now Clair becomes like this……and I’m in a quarrel with my boyfriend too. Why are they all like that?」
Amami-senpai has a boyfriend? It seemed to be unexpected as Aizawa and Shinonome are surprised, too.
Listening to the story, we are told that boyfriend-san is a kind boyfriend who likes flower and they got to know each other as library members [5]
「Ano, why did you quarrel with boyfriend san?」
The sorry-looking Aizawa asks.
「……Because, in my birthday, he gave me different flower instead of my favorite rose, I think? Although it was truly a trifle, wasn’t it? But, a quarrel was triggered by that……I asked what part of me did he like. But, he just felt silent and didn’t answer…… That’s why we are quarreling now. Because the flower I eventually received at that time was grandma’s favorite, now it’s offered to her altar」
That’s why a while ago when she looked at the couple in front of the shop, she made a complicated face.
Then, Shinonome turns the talk back to the main subject.
「Other than that, let’s talk about Clair’s story. That condition, it’s indeed bad if we do not hurry」
Clair lying on the sofa makes a rough breathing sound like that of a dog, its whole body goes up and down. Its condition is obviously worse than a while ago. But, it is cautious as usual and is still glaring at us.
Shinonome talks quickly.
「The current condition, we don’t have any method to put it in the cage, and we can’t even approach it. Therefore we can’t take Clair to the hospital. Then, the only thing we can do is to investigate the cause by ourselves」
「It’s reckless, but if it’s the only method then it can’t be helped……」
「More or less, I think it’s very likely that it’s food allergy. I heard that your family didn’t give it anything, but it may eat something at places where your eyes can’t reach. For example, if it’s a cat, eating the whole green onion will cause hemolytic anemia, it may become serious illness to the point that blood transfusion is needed. Besides, coffee is dangerous even if only a small amount is licked. Because it can’t decompose theobromine in things like chocolate, that will cause abnormalities in central nerves and heart, the worst case – death – is possible too」
But, Amami-senpai says.
「I think Clair really eats nothing. Because, we run a cake shop, we don’t put the ingredients at places where cat can reach……inside of the house is like that too so, perhaps, I think it’s not」
If it’s not allergy, it’s beyond doubt that we can’t find the cause……
Being told clearly like that by senpai, Shinonome is lost in thought again.
Is it already hopeless……?
Just when I thought so, in this grave atmosphere, only one person – Aizawa who moves around actively has attention drawn to something.
「Sun, sunsun……」
「E……Aizawa, what are you doing?」
「Uーn (Hmm), I’m bothered nonetheless……somehow, in the sweet smell of cakes, rather, there’s a particular sweet smell mixed it……」
Because the cat reacts to the smell, you intend to investigate this accident using that? [6]
「W, wait Aizawa-san……what are you doing?」
Being approached suddenly by Aizawa, Shinonome whose body is sniffed blushes, as expected.
「ーーa, Ibuki smells really good♪ This perfume is from where? tte, wrong……this is a little different」
After sniffing Amami-senpai’s smell too, Aizawa comes to my place.
「Sunsun」
Slightly standing on tiptoe, Aizawa who closed her eyes carefully sniffs the area around my head.
「Uーn, it’s not Ikuno……then, how about this place」
I, I was surprised……the posture just now, it was a perfect kiss situation. (not sure about this but it seems like キスシチュ: kisu-kiss + shichu-situation) 
While everyone is blushing, only Aizawa has an earnest expression. From the room, she moves to the corridor. Aizawa advances as she is, eventually says 「a」 and turns back with a bright face.
「It’s this place as expected! There’s no doubt, the sweet smell is from here!」
The place Aizawa pointed out was the room with a lock. Shinonome who heard that murmurs.

「……Cat……Allergy……Sweet smell…………Then, perhaps」

Shinonome hurriedly rushes over to Aizawa’s place, I and Amami-senpai who thinks 「Are there something?」 and go to that place.
「Aizawa-san, by any chance, isn’t that the flower’s smell, I wonder?」
「E?……っ……っ…………a, maybe it’s correct」
Shinonome looks back to Amami-senpai.
「Amami-senpai, the altar of grandmother-sama is in this room, isn’t it?」 (just in case, Amami-senpai uses Oba-chan while Shinonome said Obaa-sama) 
「U, un……that’s so」
「By the way, when did you offer the flower received from boyfriend-san to the altar?」
「Yesterday, when I return home from school」
「……The last one. After you offered the flower and left the room, didn’t you forgot to lock it?」
「E, why……asking that……」
Looking at Shinonome who asks about the information she is not supposed to know, Amami-senpai opens her eyes wide.
「It’s related to Clair’s life. This room, can we enter?」
As she was told, Amami-senpai nodded, removed the lock, then we enter the room with Shinonome as the leader.
The door is opened, it’s a zashiki where old tatami mats were spread out. (a zashiki is a formal Japanese room) 
Inside the room, a solemn altar is standing, as if being buried in the middle of the wall. Shinonome looks at it, murmurs 「As expected」, steps towards the altar, then turns back to us who are standing still without knowing the reason.
Inside of the room was filled with the faint smell of incense stick, and the sweet fragrance of flower which calms one’s heart.
「The cause of Clair’s sudden change in physical condition is this」
We can see the white flower arranged in the vases on both sides of the altar which is higher than a sutra-reading desk. Shinonome tries to drain it, and says clearly. [7]
「White lily flower, even its pollen is a deadly poison to cats」
「E, then……because of me, Clair……?」
Senpai covers her mouth and has a surprised expression.
「Only licking the pollen sticking to the body may become fatal without quick treatments. By the way, Clair seems to eat the petal and not the pollen」
Shinonome shows the petals of the white lily on the left side.
「A, only the lily flower there is chipped strangely!」
「Then, Clair eats the petal and becomes like thatーーtte, if it will die without quick treatments, it will be bad if we cant bring it to the hospital by any cost, right!?」
「Wait Ikuno-kun. Although you want to do it very much, practically, just now, it was impossible, was it? If it was like that, then you will end up getting hurt again」
Does she worry about me? I reply with a strong 「isn’t this a place where we can’t give up」 gaze. [8]
「But, then……what should we do?」
Senpai stares at Shinonome with her eyes which become red as if clinging to her.
「Please think calmly. Why was Clair trying to enter this room? And, why did it climb to the inside of the altar……isn’t it because it was looking for something?」
「E, Shinonome, isn’t it because Clair thought that grandma was still alive and looked forーー」
I open my mouth to talk about a matter-of-course-like answer, but it is interrupted by Amami-senpai’s words.
「Perhaps」
As if suddenly remembered something, she immediately rushed up to the altar.
Then, from the place where the miniature shrine (厨子), the mortuary tablet (位牌), etc…. are put, she takes out a toy-like small mouse doll with a wire handgrip attached. [9]
The doll, which cotton has popped out as if it was scratched many times by an animal, was quite tattered.
「This, is a memento, which was always used when grandma played with Clair…… Then perhaps, Clair often tried to enter the room, was to find this?」
「It’s likely so. But it couldn’t enter for a long time. But yesterday, it accomplished its trespass as senpai forgot to lock the room, and found the thing it wanted in the altar. I think at that time, it was attracted by the smell of the flower earlier and ate it. Because the case of a cat eating while lily’s petal which has a sweet fragrance is a famous story」
Shinonome explains leisurely. But Aizawa says with an impatient tone.
「B, but! Just because we found the thing that Clair-chan had searched for, it doesn’t mean that we can take it to the hospital, does it? If it’s a fatal poison then it will be bad without quick treatments, right?」
「That’s correct, even if treatment was given within 24 hours after digesting the component of lily, the number of “unable to be saved” case is numerous. Therefore, just as Aizawa said, it’s necessary to hurriedly take it to the hospital」
「Then Shinonome, what would we do……?」
It was a shameful talk, but right now Shinonome alone is being relied on. While she slightly smile,
「About that, we will you this. Although it’s sink-or-swim」
The thing Shinonome pointed at was the passed-its-prime, shabby mouse doll (not sure about this part 年季の入った)

「Uuuuuu〜〜〜〜」
When we approach, the completely exhausted Clair raises its neck seriously, be cautious and groans in low voice.
「It’s no good after all. It seems to be impossible to quickly bring it by force……」 [10]
While the slouching Aizawa stares at Clair anxiously, Shinonome says.
「It seems to hate the hospital very muchーーthen, Amami-senpai, please try」 「Understood……」
To compromise near the sofa, Amami-senpai holds the mouse doll with wire handgrip attached.
「Hora, Clair……this is what you searched for all the time, isn’t it?」
And, Clair locks its eyes on the doll. Instantly, as if it was a lie, the groans stopped. Clair cries in a seemingly lonely voice, raises its heavy body for several seconds then falls down. Clair who is *furafura* because of the lily’s poison, walks desperately to that doll. (sfx: staggering) 
「Amami-senpai, put the doll into the cage」
「Un」
She does as Shinonome said. Clair who finally arrives at the front of the cage stops.
Please, please enter……!
If it doesn’t enter, there’s no doubt that Clair’s physical condition will further deteriorate and it will die.
Everyone wants to save this little life and prays. Such time lasted for a while.
Andーー
「Myaa……」
Clair cries feebly as if mustering its courage, walks step-by-step to the inside of the cage. Finally, Clair curled up as if protecting its important doll and *peropero* licked it.
「っ……Kure……a」 (Kurea = Clair) 
Amami-senpai who sees that scene can’t say anything, she only suppresses her voice and begins to cry.
The nearby Aizawa murmurs 「Sorry」 and clings to me, she says while looking downward and her shoulders are trembling.
「Clair…..chan, already knew. A long time ago, the grandma whom it always loves,
had passed away. Therefore……the important memory with grandma……always, always…… searched…….higu…….uuuu」 (higu = the hiccup-like sound when someone is crying) 
「Aizawa……」
The sobbing together with the hot things that make my shoulder wet.
I, who is feeling shaken by having a girl clung on me, don’t know what’s good to do and continue to lend her my shoulder in silence. [11]
I do not know the bitterness of losing an important person yet. But, there is a person who had such an experience besides me. My eyes which are looking at Clair, perhaps they are similar to the eyes I looked at Sharte when she first came to our house. To my ear, Shinonome whispers in a quiet tone.
「Stay by those two’s sides. Because I have a car to transport to the hospital prepared anytime」
Faster than my agreement, Shinonome separates from there. I laugh weakly.
It’s vexing, but Shinonome who works with resolution at any time is a more reliable existence than a man like me. Shinonome who turned her back stops by the corner of the room.
But the thing she took out from her pocket was not the phone, it was a handkerchief.

♦♦♦

Next day’s lunch break, in the literature club’s clubroom.
「Here, are the cakes as gratitude I promised yesterday. You three, please eat them」
Three of us sitting on the sofa receive the box from Amami-senpai who sits on the opposite side. Aizawa confirmed the contents, her eyes were shining *kirakira” as if looking at jewels.
「Garnir’s short cakes〜♪ Moreover, 6 of them……what to do, Ibuki, if I eat 2 in 1 days, I will gain weight, right?」
「Aizawa-san. If that’s the case then won’t it be fine if you distribute and eat tomorrow?」
「E?, A, is that so……I, see. Ehehe, I was careless」
「Haha, Aizawa is truly a sweet tooth」
But because her hip is so thin and slender, I’m honestly surprised.
And then, Amami-senpai lowers her head once again.
「Truly, thank you…… If you three weren’t there, I don’t know what would happen to Clair now. Therefore, thank you very much」
「Ano, I didn’t do anything big in particular」
Aizawa waves both hands in front of her chest and laughs awkwardly.
「No, Aizawa-san. Without your hint, I couldn’t find the answer. Therefore, I think it’s worth being praised thoroughly」
「It’s truly as Shinonome says. This time, I’m not helpful in particular」
Kuu……Saying that by myself, I feel bad. But, the not helpful one is true.
The case this time, perhaps even if it was only Shinonome and Aizawa, I’m sure that they would be able to solve it.
Despite being the club president, I who wasn’t able to do my best for the literature club can only hang my head.
「Uun, not at all! Ikuno, you reallly did your best!」
「Aizawa? Etto……it’s a little too close」
But without minding, Aizawa puts her face even closer to emphasize.
「After all, your cheeks were full of scratches because you did you best. I properly saw it. Besides, two people here understand it too」
Aizawa diligently looks at my face which is full of bandages.
Being encouraged by the pretty girl who is not a bitch, I feel like being saved.
「Ikuno-kun surely didn’t help solving the case directly. But as Aizawa-san says, it’s the truth that you risked your life and did your best for Clair. I appreciate that too. Though you didn’t help solving the case directly」
A, just now this fellow said that twice!
Shinonome laughs as if mocking me and smoothes down her black hair gracefully.
But because this time we were saved thanks to Shinonome, I can’t say what I want to say.
「Ano, you are certainly a err……pervert, maybe, but you really did your best. Therefore, thank you」
「No, I didn’t do anything particularly. hahaha」
Just now, did she say 「pervert」?
Nonetheless, she lowered her head deeply to me. Her gratitude must be genuine. (enter) Aizawa, who looked at my current state and smiled cheerfully, says.
「But, it was really nice, right? Clair-chan, seems to recover smoothly」
「U, un……somehow. Because of the conversation 「There are numerous “treatment within 24 hours being too late” cases」, it was a miracle that Clair was saved. The doctor was surprised too」
After that, the four of us got on Shinonome family’s car and quickly brought Clair to the hospital. After explaining the cause, detailed examination was immediately carried out, because the deterioration of elbow function was found, artificial dialysis began. When we were told by a doctor to be serious (muzukashii can also mean difficult), we became despaired, but after the three of us (minus senpai) returned, we were told that it began to recover.
Seemingly relieved after hearing the story again, the smiling-while-crying Aizawa wipes her tears with her finger.
「Surely, grandma has watched over……」
「……Un, I think so too」
By the way, it seemed like that mouse doll was put near Clair all the time during the dialysis. I feel warm while thinking that Clair’s miraculous recovery is not just a mere coincidence.
Shinonome seems to feel the same as me, she lowers her eyes quietly and has a gentle look.
「Because the petal was digested in the stomach and the toxin was circulated in the body after that, sign of recovery should be seen several days later at the earliest. I’m not a person who believes in a too unscientific thing, but this time……I feel like believing it」
Suddenly, I remember Shinonome when Aizawa and Amami-senpai was crying.
Shinonome too, was crying at that time, I think? Because she has a strong image of someone who is more reliable than a man like me, for a moment I thought it was a mistake. But perhaps, it’s true……
Next time, when it’s suitable, should I try confirming it?
I don’t know why I’m worried about Shinonome who is already known as a bitch.
ーーThinking that the last thing to do is the work as the club president, I straighten myself. [12]
「Amami-senpai, with this, is the solution to the request about Clair all right?」
「A, un. Of course, it’s all right」
Sempai shows the best smile up to now. And then, she looks down a little.
「Because Clair’s case was solved, next is to reconcile with him……I, will try my best」
「A, about that. Please wait a littleーー」
n? Aizawa, what did she search for in her bag?
Aizawa takes out a thick book with school’s library label pasted on it.
「I’m bothered why boyfriend-san gave you white lilies instead of roses which is your favorite, so I tried checking in the library. Please look at this page a little」
The cheerful Aizawa opens the page with a tag sticking out and puts the book on the table.
It was difficult for me to see as i was in opposite direction, but things related to white lily was written there.
「I see」
Shinonome seemed to already understand, she looks at Shinonome with an admired look.
「Senpai, you told us, right? Boyfriend-san didn’t say what part of you he liked, it became a quarrel because he felt silent」
「Un. It was the flower in the beginning, and eventually it became the cause……」 [13]
「Then, I think you can reconcile immediately. Because, boyfriend-san properly told what part of Amami-senpai he liked」
Aizawa points at while lily’s 『Flower Language』 column.
……A, so that’s why.
Amami-senpai looks at that sentence, she opens her eyes wide and murmurs.
「Innocence, purity……this is」 (無垢、清浄 both mean purity) 
Shinonome closes her eyes and, breaks it into easy to understand words and conveys.
「In other words, isn’t it because boyfriend-san like the honest and beautiful-hearted senpai?」
Aizawa continues.
「Perhaps, boyfriend-san is a shy person? Therefore, he tried to convey his felling with flower, I think」
「…….」
As if remembering the feeling to her beloved person, Amami-senpai blushes slightly. She suddenly stood up from her seat.
「A, ano! I, have to go」
Senpai who become flustered goes towards the clubroom door and starts running.
And just before leaving, she looks back as if remembering something.
「This gratitude, I will properly do it again! In your day off, please come to Garnir」
「a, wait……she’s gone」
I smile wryly and scratch my cheek.
The footstep sound becomes more distant, announcing that we cleared a trial.
But I was filled by a hard-to-describe sense of accomplishment, right now it isn’t like a trial in my mind right now.
The two girls seem to think the same, the clubroom of the literature club was covered with a comfortable silence.





Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!