[LN] Kanojo ni Uwaki Sareteita Ore ga - Volume 1 - Chapter 9

 

Chapter 9 - Drinking Party

Many circles hold a drinking party after the test.

This is also true for the outdoor club Ayaka belongs to, which is also very large.

The number of circles that rent out izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) in front of train stations to hold drinking parties is not that large.

My tension was unintentionally raised at the first large-group banquet since my freshman year of college.

The basketball circle I belong to, "start," has about 40 members in total. The number of people who participate in the drinking party is less than 10.

On the other hand, Ayaka's outdoor circle is similar to what is called a "drinking circle," even though it is called an outdoor circle.

The circle originally has a large number of members, and the participation rate for drinking parties is very high. In spite of this, the number of members inevitably swells as outsiders like me are sometimes invited to join.

According to Ayaka's contact, there are sixty people expected to attend.

With that many people, it would be a challenge to collect money from each one of them.

When I saw the curtain with the word "Kaguya" painted on it, I stepped over the threshold and entered the restaurant. This is the banquet hall for this evening.

We arrived ten minutes before the meeting time, but there were quite a few people gathered in the restaurant, and the interior was already bustling with activity.

The table is divided into six with a dugout seating area, and the plates seem to have already been distributed.

I take off my boots, put them in the shoe rack, and step into the tatami.

"Oh, here they come!"

I looked in the direction of the light voice and saw Ayaka waving her hand in our direction.

"Oh!"

I reply louder than usual so that I can be heard over the din, and head for Ayaka's seat.

When I was seated next to Ayaka, she held out one hand to me.

"Hmm?"

Is there a high-five flirtation in this circle when they take their seats?

At any rate, I put my hands on top of hers, and Ayaka gives me a surprised look.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"No, sorry. I thought you had that kind of groove."

"I don't have a flirtatious attitude. I thought I'd hang your coat on a hanger for you since it was in the way."

"What the hell, this is the one I'm embarrassed about."

He withdrew his hand and took off his coat. The palms that had been touching me were getting hotter now.

Ayaka nodded and got up from her seat as I handed her the coat. There was a place to hang the clothes together a little further away, which may or may not have been thoughtful.

"Yuta, you and Aya get along so well."

The girl in front of me spoke to me. She was a petite girl with brown hair in a mash bob.

Her rounded eyes peek out from her large black-rimmed glasses.

And I recognized the girl.

"Long time no see!"

The girl who beams like that is one of the girls I met at a Christmas party and the only girl I talked to.

"Hey, long time no see. You remembered."

Of course not, it's only been a month or so. I don't remember things that well.

"I'm sorry."

See the moon in the moon.

I thought it was a beautiful name when I first heard it. It wasn't often that I felt beauty in a person's name, so I remember it well.

I was surprised when I learned that Tsukimisato is read as Yamanashi.

At the beginning of a blind date, he was told to "feel free to call me by my name," so he calls me Natsuki.

If they were originally called by their first name and asked to shift to their last name, the hurdle would be raised, but if they are called by their first name from the beginning, it doesn't matter.

We had shared a meal together for only two hours, but in my mind, we were already friends.

I am aware that they are friends, but they are not really friends.

The word "yottomo" is said to have been coined from the greeting "yo" that is exchanged when passing each other on the street.

In my experience, only about 20% of the time, the invitation to "go out for karaoke again! I think that only about 20% of the time, the invitation to "go out for karaoke again!

Although we are yotto-mates who even forget each other's names, it seems that Natsuki, sitting in front of me, clearly remembered my name.

I remembered hearing from Ayaka last night that she was pleased, and again wondered how the connection had connected from that blind date.

"What kind of clubs are you in, Yuta? You're not an outdoorsman, are you?"

"I'm in a basketball circle. Well, I only go when I feel like it."

"Ghost?"

"I'm not that far off."

He should have been spared from being treated as a ghost, as he showed his face just the other day. In addition to Todo, he has maintained some interaction with his seniors and probably has no problem with them.

In order to play basketball comfortably, you have to be somewhat attentive to your relationships.

"Come join us, you can join us on the way."

By "our house," do you mean this outdoor circle?.

I shook my head, pretending to ponder, "Hmmm.

"I'd like to get in, but it's too big. It would be hard to manage."

The words are strung together like a series of familiar social pleasantries.

When I show up at my friends' clubs, I occasionally receive such invitations, but I can tell that they are not all serious.

Natsuki was no exception, smiling lightly and saying, "I guess so," before handing me a pair of chopsticks.

"But I hear Aya will be the vice president of the circle next year. I can get in with connections, connections!"

"Haha, well, I'll think about it."

Vice Representative.

Ayaka's may have been liked by her seniors and recommended by them.

"Natsuki, aren't you supposed to be a representative or something?"

Natsuki blew up when he said that.

"I'll do it! I can't do it! Do I look like that kind of character?"

""I don't know your character. This is the second time we've met."

"I want you to see it for yourself the first time."

As they were chatting and laughing, Ayaka returned to her seat.

Wearing a black sweater and necklace, Ayaka is gorgeous even in a tavern.

In one hand he holds a beer mug.

"Excuse me while I talk friendly with you."

He puts a beer poured in a big glass in front of me.

I looked around and saw beer mugs flowing from one end of the long table to the next.

"Oh, I guess the first drink should be a beer."

I laugh, and Natsuki's mouth twitches.

"I wonder if there is a rule that you have to start with beer. I don't like beer that much."

"Ah, not many girls like beer. Ayaka drinks quite a bit, though."

Natsuki pulled the mug to her side a little heavily.

Surely this is annoying for people who don't like beer, I think, and Ayaka opens her mouth.

"Oh, that's it! My senior told me that he was just trying to be considerate."

"Oh, you care? Where?"

Ayaka smiled at Natsuki, who looked as if to say, "I don't remember being cared for".

"When you become a member of society, you have drinks with your boss. If everyone ordered different menus, it would take a long time for everyone to get together, right? So, let's have the first round of drinks delivered at the same time so we can get started quickly. That's how the idea started."

"Heh."

Well, that makes sense if you ask me.

While I am honestly impressed, Natsuki grumbles.

"Then why not just have a highball as your first drink?"

At those words, both Ayaka and I nodded our heads at the same time and said, "That's for sure".

I looked down at my watch and saw that the time was just before 19:00.

I looked around and saw many of the circle members who came later sitting at the same long table, signaling that it was almost time for the banquet.

Following Ayaka's gaze, she sees someone who looks like a representative holding up a beer mug.

When I asked if that was the representative, Ayaka nodded.

It naturally draws attention to that person.

"Well, first of all, thank you all for your examinations!"

As soon as the representative speaks a word, the people around him or her say, "Good day!" and voices fly in and out of the room.

Ayaka also put one hand to her mouth and said, "Good work! and put her voice. The other hand is holding a beer mug.

"Now, no matter how well you did on the exam, the results will be announced next month! Tonight's drink is a gathering to celebrate the beginning of the period of escape from reality that is about to begin."

Everyone is laughing and listening to the representative. I like the looseness of not being blamed for giggling.

Perhaps in this circle, drinking is also a splendid circle activity.

The color of their eyes is different from those of basketball clubs, where basketball is the main event and drinking parties are just an afterthought.

Everyone is waiting impatiently, beer mug in hand, for the representative to declare a toast.

"Now, we third-year students will be retiring from the circle next month. As much as I'd like to lead the charge, I'll pass the gavel to the next representative."

The representative looked around, but the representative and the designated person did not get up. Rather than not getting up, it seemed as if he/she could not be found.

Natsuki, sitting in front of me, raised her hand.

"Mr. Tree! It looks like the next representative won't be here today!"

"Yeah, you said you were coming today!"

The representative was deliberately surprised, then coughed and stood back up.

"Then we'll just have to ask the incoming deputy to lead the charge! Aya, please!"

Ayaka, sitting beside me, jumps.

Everyone does when they are suddenly nominated.

"Yes, it's me! Oh no, no, no, no, please represent me!"

As Ayaka waves her hand and tries to refuse, the circle members call out to her, "Aya-chan, I'll take care of it! and so on."

It seems that the name "Aya-Chan" is commonly used in this circle.

And Ayaka stood up with reserve, unable to go against the consensus of the circle.

It is obvious from the gesture that Ayaka is in full outgoing mode.

I thought it would be nice if I could at least cut loose in my own circle, but I guess that's too late for that.

"Well, then, ladies and gentlemen. With your permission, I would like to make a toast this time."

Ayaka says, and the representative laughs, "Stiff, stiff, stiff! and the representative laughs.

Certainly, that language may be stiff for words uttered at a circle drinking party, but in front of this number of people, it is not unreasonable.

However, it seemed to be a joke of Ayaka's and she said "Sorry! she said".

I looked up at Ayaka standing next to me, admiring her familiarity.

Looking at her from a position almost directly below me, I couldn't help but notice Ayaka's breasts. There was a definite bulge even through her black sweater, and I quickly removed my gaze.

I want to watch and feel guilty that I am betraying them.

"Then everyone, please get your mugs ready!"

At Ayaka's call, I raised my beer mug vigorously to shake off my evil thoughts.

"Thanks for the test! Cheers!"

The words "Cheers" echoed through the tavern in unison.

Each mug of wine moves right and left on the table, clinking and clinking as the toast is made.

First, he extends his jock to Natsuki in front of him, then to the strange girl sitting next to him, and then to the boy diagonally in front of him.

I turn to my right to toast with Ayaka, who has finished her last greeting.

There were still numerous mugs of everyone in front of Ayaka, some of whom had moved from neighboring tables to toast Ayaka.

Ayaka handled them one by one with a harmonious expression, but eventually seemed to notice me.

"Sorry about that, guys."

After saying this, he lowers the mug he had been holding up on the table once.

"Cheers."

A mug is offered in front of you.

Ayaka was waiting for me, her mouth relaxed.

I grinned at that and jingled my jock.

"Cheers!"

The party begins.

◇◆

After most of the food has been placed on the table, everyone is free to move from one seat to another, each with a glass in hand.

Ayaka also sat next to me at first, but was called to another group and switched seats.

It is quite natural to want to call a beautiful girl near your seat, but here and there, "Aya-chan! and "Ayaka-san! and "Ayaka-san!" were heard here and there, and the degree of affection was beyond my imagination.

A great woman.

Even the scene that unfolds before her eyes now is probably the result of the relationships that Ayaka has cultivated through her own efforts.

He may not have thought of it as an effort, but from my point of view, it had to be an effort.

So when I see Ayaka enjoying talking with the rest of the group, it makes me happy too.

"Yuta, aren't you looking at Aya a little too much?"

He fluttered his hand and I blinked my eyes.

In front of me, Natsuki looks dissatisfied.

"Did you see that?"

With that one word, I vaguely remembered that I had been to the bathroom.

When alcohol is involved, the time it takes for others to come back from the bathroom seems awfully short.

"I can see why you would be so taken by her face."

Natsuki said as she shook her highball.

"In addition to having a beautiful face, I have a small face and beautiful skin. God is unfair to make a difference at birth."

"I agree. Ayaka has a huge advantage."

"The best way to do this is to have a good look at the pictures. In our circle, there are many pretty girls because face is also a factor in the selection process, and I think Aya is the best among them, just my personal opinion."

Even when mixed in with the pretty girls, Ayaka certainly stands out.

Natsuki's subjective view may not be entirely wrong.

was also a standout among the group, as was Ayaka, I recall.

I consider myself nothing but lucky to be able to build a good rapport with such girls.

However, the words that bothered me more than that were coming out of Natsuki's mouth.

"I'm not sure I'd be scared of outdoor clubs. Outdoor clubs are scary."

When I reacted by pulling back lightly, Natsuki laughed.

Natsuki, who had earlier praised Ayaka, seems to be very popular with men, perhaps because she is drunk and her smile is friendly.

Looking around carefully, the level of the girls is indeed high, as they are said to be in the face selection process.

"Our circle is very popular. We get a lot of people from nearby women's colleges who want to join."

"Heh."

After a short reply, Natsuki tilted her head.

"Don't you like that kind of thing, Yuta?"

I wonder.

It's not enough to show overt dislike, but to say I don't like it very much might be true.

I don't understand it myself. I hesitate to reply lightly with such a thought, so I digress and say, "Yuta is fine".

Natsuki nodded.

"I think you feel the same way as Yuta. I think Aya feels the same way as Yuta."

"Why?"

Ayaka is the vice president of this circle.

That's why I avoided denying this circle without having my way with it.

"Most of the people who tried to join this circle were unaware of the actual situation," he said. Aya also found out about it later, and when she did, she made a blatantly disgusted face."

"Wow, that's unusual."

"Is that unusual?"

Natsuki looked at him curiously.

It was not unusual when he was with me. But I guess he didn't like that kind of attitude when he was with other people.

The irony is that it was Aya who benefited the most.

Natsuki's ears are stained red, indicating that she is quite drunk.

Natsuki's expression turned to one of shock as the words came out of her mouth.

"Sorry, that was..."

I said, "Fine. You know, sometimes it seems that way."

Ayaka herself has a section that thinks it is inevitable to be told such things.

It might be a different story if it were said by a circle of friends with whom I shared a meal.

Partly because I felt that getting angry at a drinking party would not help, I let Natsuki's gaffe slide lightly.

But perhaps feeling uneasy about my attitude, Natsuki follows up with, "Aya-chan is a really good person, though.

I guess they are afraid that the gaffe will be passed on to Ayaka from me.

I almost thought girls would have a hard time, but it might be the same for guys in this situation.

"I won't tell. I'm not going to tell you."

As I said this, I wondered how Ayaka would have behaved under such circumstances.

If I say something behind your back, will you be angry for me?

If I say something behind your back, will you be angry for me?

Natsuki cuts in to change the subject.

I didn't try to mention it either, but nodded my head honestly.

Ayaka again!

I thought so, but Natsuki seems genuinely interested.

I decided to answer honestly.

"No. Sometimes people ask me about it, but I've never gotten to know them that way. I've been asked occasionally, but we've never gotten to know each other that way."

"Oh, really? I'd be misunderstood if I had a girlfriend or something."

"I'm not here, so it won't matter."

"Then they might have misunderstood me when I was there."

You are going to have to go into a lot of detail.

I'm surprised because when we talked before, all we talked about was cartoons and other entertainment.

"This restaurant has great cartilage!"

Natsuki didn't seem to want to continue that topic anymore and dressed my empty small plate with cartilage and hockey sticks.

I thank him, "Thanks," and pull my beer closer to me and start drinking again.

"I still have some left for myself."

"I drink both, so it's fine."

I'm a strong drinker, so it's not a problem. There is a man I don't know lying right next to me, but at least I am proud that I am not weak enough to go down in an hour like him.

"I drink a lot."

He says it in a surprising manner.

If he also smokes, it is clear that he is not a man for everyone.

I don't know if the girls in this circle have such values, but in case they do, let's not smoke. I was dumbfounded by who I was trying to get to look at me.

My pants pocket trembled and I took out my phone.

The screen indicating an incoming call showed Shinohara's name.

"Senpai, what time are you coming home today? I'm in the neighborhood."

I looked down at my watch and saw that it was twenty o'clock. I was told that I could stay for about four hours, so I still have two hours to go.

['It's going to be the last train today, so go home.]

I sent the message and received a reply in an instant.

[What do you mean, "Go home! What is this?]

When I loosened my mouth involuntarily, Natsuki spotted me and asked me.

"It's a girl."

"You think so?"

"I'm sure of it. I know what it is!"

I wanted to say, "What do you think you know?" but I was actually guessed, so it was frustrating that I couldn't say anything. Besides, if you think about it, it is bad manners to reply to someone when they are talking right in front of you.

"Sorry, I was messing with my phone."

"Hmm? Don't worry, I don't mind that kind of thing!"

"Open-minded, indeed!"

"Wahaha, praise, praise!"

Natsuki playfully puffed out his chest.

Then the phone rang again.

I thought it was Shinohara, but apparently not.

The phone shows a screen indicating an incoming call.

"Ugh, hey, sorry, I'm calling. I'm going out."

"Oh my God, you're so popular! Okay, it's time to change seats, but I'll wait here."

"Oh, seriously. Thank you."

Is there such a thing as changing seats?

In a circle with a large number of people, that may be necessary if you want to socialize. The fact that Natsuki said he would not move his seat indicates that it is not mandatory either.

Nice salt-and-pepper drink.

With that in mind, I got up from my seat.

After walking out of the pub, I checked my phone, which kept shaking, and it seemed that the number was not registered.

But the number was somewhat familiar.

I picked up the phone, feeling a stirring in my chest.

Hello, this is Hasegawa."

[Hello, Yuta-kun]

I remember hearing that clear voice.

That's what I hate to say.

The residue of memory stimulates the mind.

"...... Reina."

The caller was my ex-girlfriend, Reina Aisaka, whom I broke up with a few months ago.

◇◆

"What do you want?"

Far from the cheerful atmosphere of the tavern, a reivery voice emanates from his own mouth.

There should be nothing for the two of them to talk about anymore.

Even when they met each other on a shopping spree accompanied by Ayaka, they must have parted without having a good talk.

─ ─ "See you later," I had wondered about his parting words.

[Sorry to barge in on you?]

"I'm not. It's been a long time since you called me."

[Yeah, I thought the line might be blocked.]

"No. ......"

Indeed, at the beginning of the breakup, I thought about blocking it.

However, I stopped, thinking that I would never hear from him again and that it would be childish to go out of my way to block him.

Now I think such a "break" may be necessary for a fresh start.

[Were you busy just now?]

Rena makes such a confirmation, as if she can hear the buzzing of the tavern.

"I'm going to a drinking party with my circle. If you have something to do, please make it quick."

There will be a short pause.

I listened absentmindedly to the hustle and bustle I could hear through the door.

[I said the last time we bumped into each other, but I was wondering if we could meet again. Like I said when we bumped into each other the other day, I was wondering if we could meet again.]

─ ─ I thought it was a social call.

I swallow the words that are about to come out of my throat.

I'm not looking for a fight.

I want to get the call done as amicably and quickly as possible.

"No, thanks."

[Why?]

Why? Why?

I never expected to be asked such a question.

I involuntarily stare at the screen of my phone.

You don't know unless you ask, this guy.

[Yuta-kun?]

I honestly wasn't sure whether to hang up or not.

As I am at a loss for an answer, the door behind me opens.

It seems Ayaka came to check on me outside.

"Oh, there he is...he's on the phone. Sorry."

"No, I'm fine."

[Girlfriend?]

The question gave me some idea of what to expect.

Reena has probably already stepped past the affair in her mind.

Maybe the question I just asked is also not altruistic, but just curious. It's all in the realm of the imagination, but that's what I thought.

When I remain silent, Reina's questions continue.

[Have you been busy lately?]

"I just go to the club once in a while."

[I see. Same as ever.]

As usual.

We'd known each other long enough for such words to come out.

I felt that if I did not break it off here, I would not be able to move on.

But when he speaks like this, the buzzing in his chest remains the same.

I wrinkle my brow involuntarily.

Why am I continuing to call when it should already be my unwillingness to think about Reina in this way?

Do you have something you want to tell us? Something you want to ask? Or do you just want to...?

"I don't care what you do. Don't contact me."

I half forced those words out of my throat.

The sounds coming from the tavern grow louder, as if in resonance with the tone of voice that comes out of the various emotions being stifled.

I could hear Reina's slightly surprised breath in my ear.

[..... so]

That's a short reply for a pause.

You have no use for it anymore.

I decided to do so and put my finger on the button to end the call. As if to cover up some emotion that had passed through my mind.

As I was cutting away, I heard a voice.

[I'm not cheating.]

What did Rena say at the end?

I didn't cheat on you, it sounded like.

She was in front of my house, stringing hands with another man. I don't know if that's not cheating.

"What's wrong?"

Ayaka speaks to me, looking puzzled.

"Now..."

"Don't ask."

I don't want to be bothered by the fact that they heard my conversation with Reina.

Ayaka would never know that the person she was calling was her ex-girlfriend, but it would at least be obvious from the side that she had a problem with someone.

I am aware of having had that many conversations.

"So ...... then, I won't ask."

I bite my lip, feeling irrationally angry at myself for making him care about me.

Ayaka tapped me on the shoulder and said.

"Go home and get some rest, or have a drink and blow off steam. If you go home, I'll pay for your share."

I look at Ayaka's face.

There was a gentle expression on his face, not an outgoing one.

"I'll have a drink."

Frankly, I don't believe that alcohol can dissipate all of these feelings.

But right now, he did not want the time that Ayaka had made for him to be destroyed by Reina.

Ayaka turned up the corners of her mouth when she heard my response.

As we pass through the curtain and return to the tavern, the circle members' chatter becomes even louder.

Just as some of the circle members were moving to change seats.

"Then I'll move to the seat next to you. You missed me, didn't you?"

"Don't be silly, I was having a great time."

"I don't know~."

Grinning, Ayaka walks to the seat she was in.

As Ayaka holds the glass, the people in the seats say, "You're going away!" and a voice of lamentation rises from the people seated.

Ayaka, laughing and bailing, began to move to an empty seat.

When we sit down, he and Natsuki turn around and wave to us.

"I'm coming!"

Because of the large number of people in this drinking party, the laughter never stops coming from the entire restaurant.

Such hustle and bustle was very comfortable for me now.

———————

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