“Knitting?”
“Yes, I’m the president of the knitting society.”
“The knitting society, huh?”
Behind the girl was a desk bannered with the words “knitting society.”
“...I’m sure it’s not very interesting for boys.”
The girl’s face turned slightly gloomy and she lowered her head. Seeing that, Koutarou realized that her club lacking members was a big problem.
“That’s true, even I—”
Koutarou was about to agree when he suddenly remembered the half-finished sweater that he was keeping safely wrapped up at home.
If I join this club...
“Um, Senpai...”
“Yes?”
“If I join this club, would I get better at knitting?”
“Of course. That’s exactly what we’re here for.”
The girl nodded her head.
“Would it be possible for even a complete amateur to knit a sweater?”
“I’m sure it would be impossible at first, but if you keep at it...”
“Even if I’m not very good with my hands?”
Koutarou showed the girl his large, manly fingers. Looking at his hands, she nodded.
“You’ll be fine. In the end, training and effort are more important than dexterity.”
“That’s my specialty. I’m an athlete, after all.”
After talking for this long, Koutarou made up his mind. Knowing that he wouldn’t be able to continue with baseball because of his father’s sudden job transfer, it didn’t bother him too much.
“Um, c-could it be that you would like to join?”
The girl’s expression brightened up. She had realized from their conversation that Koutarou was interested.
“Yeah, if it’s not a bother, I would like to join. Do you mind?”
“Not at all! W-Welcome!”
Seemingly very happy, the girl spoke quickly as she welcomed Koutarou.
“Please come this way! Th-There’s an application form to fill out!”
“Sure.”
Led by the girl, Koutarou started walking.
“I’m Satomi Koutarou. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Oh my goodness, that’s right...”
The girl gave a small, embarrassed smile that soon turned into a large grin.
“I’m Harumi. Sakuraba Harumi. I’m the president of the knitting society.”
And that was how Koutarou and Sakuraba Harumi met.
“Satomi-kun, if you were here, you should have just said so...”
“Hahaha, you looked like you were having so much fun with the children that I would’ve felt bad about butting in, Senpai.”
Koutarou and Harumi were now sitting on the bench together. As they talked, they watched over the children in the hospital courtyard. The kids had split into groups and were running around playing.
“Are you here often, Sakuraba-senpai?”
“Yes. I’ve had a weak constitution ever since I was a child, so I have regular checkups. Since school starts tomorrow, the doctors wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong.”
“And do you play with the children every time you come to the hospital?”
“...Yes.” Harumi blushed slightly as she nodded.
“Onee-chan!”
“Is he bullying you? Should we get him?!”
The children adored Harumi. Koutarou could tell from just this short exchange. That’s why he figured that they had known each other for a long time.
“It’s okay! This boy is my friend.”
“I see.”
“Why don’t you take a hint?”
“How adult.”
“It’s an adult!”
Seemingly satisfied with her answer, the children began playing again.
“I’m sorry, Satomi-kun. It’s rare for young people to come here.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind. They’re your friends, right?”
“...Yes. Very precious friends.” Harumi nodded firmly in response as she looked back up at the children with a loving gaze. Harumi adored the children too.
“So why are you in the hospital, Satomi-kun?”
“Is it that surprising?”
“Yes. You look so healthy.”
“I’m not sick, just a little banged up. Here, look.”
Koutarou turned his back to Harumi and showed her the back of his head. The wrap had been removed, but he still had a bandage over the bump.
“Are you okay?”
When Koutarou turned to face Harumi again, she looked quite worried.
“It’s just a bump and some small scratches. It’s nothing serious.”
“Oh, good... But how did you get hurt?”
Harumi let out a sigh of relief, but then curiously tilted her head.
“Actually, I tripped and hit my head on the job. That’s all it was. Hahaha, I guess I’m too energetic.”
Koutarou smiled and shrugged, but Harumi still had a worried look on her face.
“...You really are okay, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine. I can’t get any dumber than I already am.”
“Then I suppose it’s all right.”
“Heh, don’t worry so much, Sakuraba-senpai.”
“Head injuries can be pretty scary, you know? Besides, you’re a member of the society after all.”
“I see. So it’s a very calculated worry.”
“Calculated?! I would never...”
Harumi’s face turned red as Koutarou laughed to himself.
“Pfft... Ahahaha!”
“Oh you, Satomi-kun...”
As Harumi’s lips pursed into a small frown, one of the children thrust her face between Koutarou’s and Harumi’s.
“Uwah!”
“Kyaah!”
The child that had appeared was one of the older girls. She had climbed over the back of the bench to surprise Koutarou and Harumi.
“Did I scare you? Hey, are you Onee-chan’s boyfriend?”
“B-Boyfriend?!”
Unaccustomed to this kind of question, Harumi’s eyes shot wide open and she was left speechless.
“Haha, I wish. I’m not her boyfriend. Just her apprentice.”
“Apprentice? Of what?”
“Of knitting. She’ll be teaching me starting the day after tomorrow.”
Club activities would begin on Tuesday, the day after the school’s commencement ceremony.
“I see. Onee-chan is a good knitter.”
Satisfied, the girl smiled. Even among the children, Harumi’s knitting skills were famous.
“Hey! Kou! Where are you?!”
That was when Kenji appeared at the entrance to the courtyard.
“Ah...”
Spotting him, Harumi’s expression became more strained.
“Mackenzie! Over here!”
Koutarou didn’t notice the change, and waved over Kenji.
“You idiot! What about the medicine?!”
“Oh shoot, I forgot!”
Koutarou jumped off the bench and ran towards Kenji.
“Hey, Onee-chan.”
The young girl was looking at Koutarou’s back and leaned over to whisper to Harumi, who was doing the same thing.
“Yes?”
“Is he really not your boyfriend?”
“He’s not. He’s a friend from school who I promised to teach to knit.”
“You’re lying. He’s the only adult man you’ve talked to without getting flustered.”
“Th-That’s not...”
Harumi was quick to deny it, but the young girl was right. Harumi had only met with Koutarou a few times in the days after the results were announced. She’d come across him by chance in town, but they weren’t particularly close. Even so, Harumi wouldn’t ordinarily be able to speak to a man under those circumstances.
“I... um...”
Yet for some reason, Harumi didn’t feel like she needed to keep her guard up around Koutarou. This was something unexpected even to her, so she couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled.