Track 4

I’ll be taking roll calls now! Azekawa Kinari-san.

Present.

Kaguya Muneuji-san.

Present.

Kinugawa Kiroku-san.

Here…

Shiramitsu Ryui-san.

…’ere.

Shiramitsu Ryui-saaaaan!

…Man, shut up. I answered, yeah?

This is a school, so I am expecting you students to reply with energy. Clear? Then one more time—Shiramitsu Ryui-san!

…Here. Geez, happy now?

Yes yes, that was perfect. Last up is Nishizono Renga-san!

…Present!

Just what I’d expect for a third year. Let’s begin our first period, Japanese Language.

Please check the compartments of your desks, everyone. Your textbooks will be there.

Hmm… It’s true. The teaching materials are provided in paper.

Is this also part of Takato-sama’s particularity on this matter?

That is correct! Now turn your textbooks to page 38.

Today, we will be reading an abridged version of “The Sorrows of Young Teruteru¹”, adapted for textbook use. Beginning with Azekawa-san, please start reading.

Understood, teacher.

“To my unfortunate friend, Teruteru, whom I dedicate this writing to in his memory.”

“I hereby present it to you, dear readers, knowing you’ll reproach this act. Upon reading, you will surely be grateful to me.”

“Surrounded by 30 of his descendants, Teruteru breathed his last at 12 ‘o clock midnight.”

“He died at the age of 102 years, a truly peaceful death. The 99-year old Miss Gal Lotte could only watch as the coffin and her friend Bert slowly faded into the distance.”

Thank you, Azekawa-san. That was a very wonderful reading!

His voice faltered not once while speaking, giving his narration a different feeling in comparison to reading the text silently.

It was real easy to listen to! The content was a bit hard to understand, though…

Here’s a question for all of you. How do you think Gal Lotte felt having to confront Teruteru’s death?

…… ……

Um… Uh…

Nishizono-san, it’s okay if your answer isn’t very organized. Speak what’s on your mind!

Ah, um…!

I was just thinking that if I were in her shoes, I’d probably feel regretful.

I see, I see. Let’s hear from Kinugawa-san next.

I think.. she might.. reminisce about the past.. and end up buried.. in sentimentality…

Takato: Mhm, I understand. What about Shiramitsu-san?

At the end of the day, he died at 102 and she’s alive at 99, right? Even after everything that happened, it’d still be pretty sad to say goodbye to an old friend, right?

Hmm… So that’s what your answer is.

(….My answer does not quite align with Nishizono-sama and the others’ ideas. Could it be incorrect?)

(After all, to me, questions relating to emotional troubles prove the most difficult.)

May I hear your answer, Azekawa-san?

To me…

……

Take your time.

…According to the text, Lotte saw Teruteru off with a “calm” feeling blossoming in her heart.

Thank you. Then lastly, Kaguya-san.

Azekawa-san and I are of the same opinion.

!

Her feelings are rather complex and may be difficult to explain. Her regrets in the past, the sorrows brought by parting, and the love she held for Teruteru. All of it mixes together in a swirl of emotions, both negative and positive.

However, as Lotte grew older, the text suggests that she affirms and wholeheartedly accepts her own feelings.

The complicated feelings she held for Teruteru must have transformed into treasured memories filled with love over time, granting her the peace she longed for.

…………

(…Our answers are the same in theory, but the logic and viewpoint cannot be any more different. Kaguya-sama’s answer brings me great interest.)

……

(……? Did he just smile at me? But what is the meaning behind that smile, I wonder?)

(I feel some sort of warmth deep in my chest… It feels comforting. What does this reaction signify?)

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, all! Regarding Lotte’s feelings at the end of the story…

There is no correct answer!

H-Huh…?

No.. right answer…?

That sort of thing exists?! I was curious about what it was, though…?!

The purpose of this class is to challenge the students’ imagination and to widen their perspective through classic literature, after all.

If I had a say, however, whatever the answer you arrived at after thinking so carefully about the text is what’s correct.

…That’s just chop logic.

I can hear you over there!

(Challenging the limits of imagination as well as widening one’s perspective…. I understand now. This was a very fruitful lesson for me.)

(…What will the next lesson be like?)

Finally, break time.

Looks like it’s.. for about.. forty-five minutes…?

It is a little more time-allotted in comparison to the standard.

That’s likely due to mahorova Gymnasium seeking to put an emphasis towards student-to-student exchange.

That’s what Takato-sensei said earlier too.

(What sort of conversations occur between students during their recess period? I must behave in a manner that corresponds to the others, but…)

Oh, looks like there’s a tea set on that shelf! As your senior, let me make you all some tea.

Thank you very much. You seem to have a penchant for tea, Nishizono-san.

Pretty much. The tea here is… Oh, I know this type! It’s the luxurious sort that celebs like to drink.

It is a European brand best known for supplying to the royal families.

It’s okay for me to pour a cup for everyone, right? …Ryui, you’re having some too?

Yup. ‘s long as it’s milk tea with extra sugar.

Got it, got it. Geez, what a selfish junior. …It won’t hurt to talk to us more, you know?

Hm… What could be here that would pair well with tea…

Kinugawa, look at this.

Ah…! That’s a.. cookie tin…!

To think he had prepared such a large container… Takato-senpai’s generosity knows no bounds.

We can have.. as much as we’d like.. even if we share…

Heeey, Kinari. How do you like your tea?

I’ll have it in the way you recommend, Nishizono-sama.

Alright, leave it to me. My go-to recommendation is brewing the tea strong, then adding lots of milk. It’s really tasty, so look forward to it!

Yes, I’ll be waiting.

(Ryui-sama is asleep on the sofa. Kaguya-sama is reading a book on an armchair, and Kinugawa-sama is roughly sketching him as his model.)

(I was thinking of how to behave during breaks but, as I see it, everyone spends their time on their own affairs.)

(…….The tea Nishizono-sama brewed for me is still warm.)

Did you like the milk tea, Kinari?

Yes, it was very delicious.

You know, about that question from class earlier… What did you think about it having no one right answer?

I’ve only ever gotten X’s on my test results, so. Encountering something like that was a first for me.

I agree with what Takato-sensei said. I did not think that everyone else’s answer was incorrect either.

Ah, that’s true… Muneuji’s answer in particular was real compelling.

I also think that the answer you gave after much thought was quite interesting, Nishizono-sama.

You’re serious?!

Very much so.

To be honest… I only agreed to be here ‘cuz Muneuji asked a favor from me, but when I heard it’ll be about school and there’ll be classes, I got a bit scared.

But since every one of my classmates is from HAMA Tours, and the teacher seems like a warm person… I’m starting to think that school’s not that bad after all.

I agree. Despite having only attended one class, I’ve already learned so much from this beta-testing project.

Now that I think about it, I’ve never heard how you joined. Did Muneuji invite you too?

…Not quite. It is thanks to Kaguya-sama’s making arrangements for my sake that I was able to participate.

Ah, is that right?!

That is because… I have never attended school before.

…O-Oh!

So I thought that by experiencing school life, I would be able to gain something that I currently lack.

To gain something you lack, eh…

(I see, Kinari’s never gone to school.)

(Up until the day I switched places with Kiba, I’ve never gone to school either.)

(…Kinari probably has his own reasons too.)

I don’t know what exactly it is you’re lacking and all, but…

I hope you do get it someday. If there’s anything I can do to help, just tell me. I’m your senior, after all!

Thank you very much. You are a very reliable senior, Nishizono-sama.

Ehehe, yeah!

Azekawa-san, do you have a moment?

Is something the matter?

There is a topic I wish to discuss with you. Would you like to come with me for a moment?

Hm? Understood.