Lunch the next day.
“I can get four or five people today, but...” Fujiwara cast a worried glance at Nanase and asked, “What do you want to do?”
Last time, we picked five people from ten volunteers, but we’ve got fewer today. We’ll have days like this, since people’s schedules aren’t always open.
“To be honest, some of the girls are scared and can’t bear to see it again. They think you should stop,” Fujiwara continued quietly.
I had a feeling she was of that same opinion. I understand where they’re coming from. There’s a huge difference between the shock you get from hearing what happens versus actually experiencing it firsthand.
“I... I...” Nanase’s face twisted miserably when she heard that. “If that’s...what everyone says...then...” Her voice trembled, and although she had said she didn’t want to give up, her head was hanging now.
Hikari cut her friend off and firmly declared, “It’s okay. Yuino-chan.”
“Hikari?”
“Yuino-chan, as long as you’re facing this problem, then I’ll be there with you,” Hikari said encouragingly.
“Hikari...” Fujiwara was speechless. “Are you telling Yuino to struggle, even if she has to suffer?” she asked, her tone thick with disbelief.
Hikari nodded. “Yeah. I don’t want her to lie about how she feels.”
I definitely couldn’t be so forceful about this. As long as Nanase wants to fight, the only thing I can do is give her the little push she might need.
“But if I continue, I’ll only be inconveniencing everyone,” Nanase said.
“If you lie to yourself, you’ll regret it,” Hikari replied.
Yeah, I can’t grab her by the hand and blaze a trail the way that Hikari can. Why? Because I can’t take responsibility for the dangers that might come with it. But for better or worse, none of that matters to Hikari.
“You want to get on the stage and play the piano again, don’t you?” she continued.
But it’s because Hikari is like this that her words will reach Nanase’s heart.
Tears spilled from Nanase’s eyes, drawing a line down her cheek.
“Plus, you’ve only practiced a few times. It’s too soon to give up!”
“Yes. You’re right, Hikari,” Nanase said through sobs.
The sight made Fujiwara lower her head remorsefully. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Oh, don’t apologize. I know you’re all worried about me.” Nanase frantically shook her head.
“Also, no one thinks you’re an inconvenience,” I added. While we were on the subject, I had to make that very clear. “Right, guys?”
I opened up the floor to our classmates who had been listening in. We were having such a serious conversation in the middle of lunch break; obviously, we’d caught the others’ attention. On top of that, pretty much all of them were aware of Nanase’s condition. How could they have ignored us?
“Of course!”
“Leave it to me. I’m weak to a woman’s tears!”
“We’ll help too! You’re not an inconvenience!”
“Nanase is our class mom, after all!”
“Yuino-chan always helps me out!”
“Yeah! I’ll lend a hand anytime! Also, please go out with me!”
Supportive voices rose up one after another in response to my question. Hold on... Did someone confess just now? Or did I imagine it?
“E-Everyone...” Nanase was stunned by our classmates’ reactions.
She’s pretty unaware of how much clout she’s got, even though she’s one of the key members of our class. “Hey, Nanase. Why don’t you try being our accompanist for the school music festival?” My suggestion was what Hikari and I had discussed yesterday. We actually needed to start practicing soon, and we hadn’t chosen an accompanist yet.
“Huh?”
We had about two weeks until the interclass choir competition. Between now and then, we could use music class and time after school to get in ample practice. We wouldn’t need to scramble to find people like we were doing now; instead, we’d organically be able to rehearse.
“Now that you mention it... I never gave an answer.”
“I think it’s a perfect way to take your practice step by step.” And the last step will be performing in front of the entire student body, but unlike a piano competition, Nanase won’t be the star of the show. She’ll only be the accompanist. There shouldn’t be as much attention on her. “It’s up to you, of course.”
“But... I don’t feel like I can do it right now. Although I don’t intend to give up on overcoming this, if I botch our performance, I’ll have ruined our chances at winning.” Nanase shook her head with a frown. “The school music festival is the product of everyone’s efforts; it’s not for my selfish needs.”
Her argument was so sound that there was no room for rebuttal. “Hmm. That’s true.” My suggestion amounts to misappropriating a school event. It makes sense she’d be unwilling.
“I-If!” Onozawa-san blurted out loudly. “If it doesn’t look like you can do it, then I’ll take your place. We should try it with you as our accompanist first, Nanase-san... It’d make me happy, because I adore listening to you play.”
Although Onozawa-san was clearly intimidated to have everyone’s attention on her, she expressed her opinion. She didn’t seem like the type of girl who’d speak up during a situation like this, so I was surprised.
“If Onozawa-san is willing, then why don’t we give it a shot?” Fujiwara said mildly.
“But...” Nanase hesitated.
“Nanase, what do you want to do?” We haven’t asked that crucial question yet.
Her eyes widened.
“Forget about the circumstances and situation. Do you want to do it or not?” Hikari added.
Nanase looked at me, her expression full of unease. I nodded, wordlessly trying to convey that it would all be okay.
“Of course I want to play. Being the accompanist for our choir sounds fun,” she finally admitted.
“That’s the spirit!”
We all smiled. Her cheeks flushed, and she began fiddling with the tips of her hair shyly. Cute!
“Haibara-kun, you talked big, but is this decision even yours to make?” Nanase asked in an accusatory tone, her lips forming a pout.
“It’s okay. According to Fujiwara, I’m the class leader.”
I glanced at Fujiwara, and she flashed her pearly whites along with a thumbs-up.
It doesn’t feel real, but somehow I’ve ended up in this position. I may have annoying tasks dumped on me thanks to this, so I might as well put my authority to use.
“Quite the dictator you are.”
“Maybe I am.”
Nonetheless, we had already confirmed that no one else wanted to volunteer to be the accompanist. While our discussion had been underway, the rest of our classmates had gathered to listen. Lunch break was almost over, so the kids who’d left the room to eat were back now. That meant everyone was in the loop. On top of that, the atmosphere in the room was very warm and kind.
That’s right! Our class is one unified group right now!
“Is it just me, or is he getting kiiinda cocky?”
Hey, Hino, I can hear you. You sure are loud for someone trying to shit-talk behind my back! And here I was, finally basking in the glorious high school event of a class becoming unified in spirit.
“Who gives a crap about the choir competition, anyway!”
Hey, Tatsuya, you’re being too blunt! Stop vocalizing what all the boys are thinking!
“You can use this chance to practice as much as you want. I don’t care what happens day of,” Okajima-kun of the soccer team said.
Hey, guys, stop nodding in agreement! You’re making it obvious that we’re way less enthusiastic about this than the girls!
“Excuse me, boys?” Fujiwara glared at them. “There’s only one music festival a year. You want to win, right?”
“Yeah. You boys better practice hard, or else you’ll hold us back!”
“Having Nanase-san as our accompanist is actually our trump card.”
Seeeee? The group of diligent girls that Fujiwara leads are shooting icy glares at the jock guys like Tatsuya! God, what happened to class solidarity?