Flag Crusher

“I forgot to introduce myself. My name’s Takeshita Nene.”

“Oh, I’m Yamamoto.”

Since this Takeshita girl bowed so deeply, I stood up from my chair and bowed back.

I never would’ve imagined we’d reunite like this.

Honestly… I’m freaking out.

What am I freaking out about? It’s not some romantic nonsense like fate bringing us together again. I’m not that kind of starry-eyed dreamer. That stuff’s cringeworthy. Gives me the creeps.

What’s got me on edge

is the girl glaring at me from across the table.

Man, I didn’t know you could make a face like that.

That’s how terrifying Kasahara’s expression was right now. Like a Hannya mask. …Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. If I said that to her face, she’d probably deck me.

During our time together, my body was never without fresh bruises…

Oh, wait, that’s not part of this story (lol).

“Um…”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Thank you so much for yesterday. That handkerchief—it’s really precious to me. The thought of losing it made me shudder.”

“It was that important, huh? Well, good thing you didn’t lose it, then.”

“Yes. Really, thank you so much.”

…But seriously.

Getting bowed to over and over like this is kinda awkward.

I scratched my head.

Honestly, I just want to bolt from this situation as fast as possible.

…Before the girl in front of me does something.

“Um, if it’s okay, could I do something to thank you…?”

“Huh?”

I let out an obviously reluctant sound.

“Is that… not okay?”

…A thank-you, huh.

Well, if that handkerchief was that precious, I can kinda understand why she’d want to show her gratitude.

What do I even want here?

Putting Kasahara aside for a moment, do I actually want her to thank me?

…I decided to think it over for a bit.

“Nah, no need.”

That’s the answer I came up with.

“Huh?”

“I mean, all I did was pick up a handkerchief.”

The girl looked completely taken aback.

“To me, it’s just something anyone would’ve done. Getting thanked for it feels like you’re forcing your gratitude on me, and that doesn’t sit right.”

Whoa…

Someone muttered.

It was Kasahara.

Her voice was something else.

It was the kind of tone that screamed, I’m totally grossed out by what you just said.

Weren’t you the one who didn’t want me reconnecting with her in the first place?

I couldn’t help but retort in my head.

She’s the one who told me to take Hayashi’s penalty game, and now she’s acting like this.

Man, I’m always getting jerked around by her.

“…But it’s really important to me.”

“Then you don’t need to thank me. Just take precautions.”

“Precautions…?”

“Yeah. Figure out a way to keep your handkerchief from flying off next time.”

“…Precautions.”

“It’s important to you, right? Are you planning to go around thanking everyone who picks it up every time the wind snatches it? That’s inefficient. And what happens when someone like me says they don’t need thanks? You’re just gonna stew in your own head about it, aren’t you?”

“You’re aware you’re making people stew, huh?”

“What’s that, Kasahara? You’re acting all high and mighty now.”

“I am floored. You’re really… something else.”

“‘Something else’ doesn’t tell me anything. If you’ve got something to say, spit it out.”

“I’m saying it’s important to read the room.”

“…Hmph.”

Is that how it works?

Well, if Kasahara says so, I guess that’s how it is.

Man, she’s got me wrapped around her finger.

“…So.”

Takeshita, who’d been listening to our back-and-forth, finally spoke up.

“If I asked you to help me come up with those precautions, would you give me some of your time?”

“…Huh?”

“I don’t want to lose my handkerchief again, or have to thank someone, or feel all conflicted when they refuse my thanks. So, could we think about it together?”

“I mean, why not just put it in your bag instead of your skirt pocket?”

“…”

“That way, you won’t misplace it. And even if it falls out or gets blown away, it’ll only happen before or after you use it, so you’d notice, right?”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

“Then just be more careful next time.”

“Okay…”

“Let’s go, Kasahara.”

“…Oh, yeah.”

Leaving the girls behind, we headed out of the cafeteria.

“…You really are a flag crusher, aren’t you, Yamamoto-kun?”

“Huh?”

“I’m just wondering how many girls you’ve made cry like that.”

“…Well, I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve made cry by causing trouble.”

“That’s not what I meant… but close enough, I guess.”

“…You’re the one who told me not to get too involved with her in the first place.”

“Wait, you shot her down like that because of our promise?”

“…You think so?”

“Not you. No way.”

She gets it, which is… helpful, I guess? Or maybe not.

“You don’t lie. So… ‘forcing your gratitude on me doesn’t sit right.’ That’s your real answer, isn’t it?”

“…Pretty much.”

“You could’ve sugarcoated it a bit.”

“If I could do that, I wouldn’t be called a troublemaker by you guys…!”

“Fair point.”

Kasahara burst out laughing, ahaha.

…Rude jerk. Laughing like an idiot over something like this.

…Still, I ended up breaking my promise with Hayashi, didn’t I?

Oh well, nothing I can do about it now.

Guess I’ll just accept the penalty game… let Hayashi buy the cleaning supplies, and give up on organizing them.

Man, oh man… what part of this is even a punishment?

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