Volume 1 Chapter 3 (1/2)
White light shone down
”Wh-what?”
Waking up, Koutarou found hiht on the ceiling
”Why a down? And where is this?”
”You finally woke up?”
Koutarou blinked a couple of tiht, and Kenji's face fell into focus
”Mackenzie?”
”Don't look so dumbfounded You scared the hell out of me when I heard you suddenly fell at work”
”I fell?”
”Yeah, you slipped and fell Supposedly that's when you got that bump on the back of your head”
”Ouch, there really is a bump”
Rubbing his head, Koutarou surveyed the area and found that he was lying in a hospital bed
”If I ree stone over at the area Obaa-chan was digging up”
Koutarou recalled what he had done before he had woken up in the hospital
”That old lady orried about you too”
”I'll ht later Anyways, after ned area”
Koutarou stopped and thought for a while, then continued
”What happened after that?”
”How should I know? You probably slipped and fell there; you were found in the middle of the excavation area”
”Hmm”
Koutarou tilted his head and pondered
”What?”
”H else that happened, but”
So felt off to Koutarou, but the bump on the back of his head and his location in the middle of the excavation site made Kenji's conclusion seem very likely
However, that explanation did not satisfy Koutarou
”Don't be stupid Maybe you were drea?”
”Hmm”
As Koutarou was crossing his are of Koutarou ca a cart
”Oh, you're awake”
”Thanks to you”
Kenji, who had ht bow
”Fufu, shouldn't you be grateful to your partner?”
The s nurse peeked at Koutarou's face
”Grateful?”
”Yes, Kenji-kun sat beside you the entire time with a worried look on his face”
”Mi-miss!?”
”There's no need to be embarrassed, Kenji-kun; that's very cute of you Orout?”
”Not at all”
Kenji coldly denied the question
”Yes, actually The two of us are lovers”
Koutarou, on the other hand, swiftly confirmed it
”So you really are going out! H-hey, which one of you is the bottom!?”
”Hey now”
”Idiot!”
Kenji threw a punch at Koutarou to shut him up
”Ouch!”
”Stop it Kenji-kun! There's no reason to hit your lover on the head like that!”
”Please stop saying such horrifying things!”
Satisfied by Kenji's reaction, the nurse pointed at the bandages around Koutarou's head
”Fufufu, I'm sorry But as you can see, Koutarou is injured, so please don't hit him too much”
”I'm sorry My bad, Kou”
”Don't worry about it”
”Now that that's settled Here you go, Satomi-kun”
The nurse reached into to the cart she had been pushi+ng, pulled out a thermometer, and handed it over to Koutarou
”Could you measure your temperature with that? Just to be safe”
”Yes, of course”
”When you're done with that you can go hoes to your body you have to come back, okay?”
”Got it”
”Good, I'll leave the rest to you, Kenji-kun Please hand this file over to the cashi+er on your way out”
”Got it Thank you”
”Goodbye then, you two”
The s nurse waved her hand at the pair and turned her back to move on to the next patient
”Hey, Mackenzie”
”Hm?”
Kenji, who had been flipping through the file, looked up at Koutarou
”Are you ai for that nurse this time?”
”Idiot!”
Kenji raised his fist at Koutarou, but re his head again
”Really, I can't believe you”
Instead, Kenji sighed
”Sorry, sorry”
Koutarou placed the ther
Leaving the hospital room, Koutarou passed by the cashi+er whostore
Koutarou had injuries apart fro for ht need
”This way”
Koutarou followed the direction board hung up on a corner into a hallway
The drugstore was at the end of the straight hallway, but Koutarou's feet had stopped just before it
By chance he had seen a fah a
”That's Sakuraba-senpai What's she doing in a place like this?”
Koutarou saw the figure of the Knitting Society's club president
She was sitting on a bench in the hospital courtyard doing so
”Hmm”
Deciding to leave the drugstore for later, he passed through the glass door leading to the courtyard
The early spring sun shone on the courtyard, illu it
Since the courtyard was surrounded by hospital walls there was next to no wind passing through
Because of that, the courtyard wasthis an obvious place for the hospitalized children to play every day
When Koutarou came in, however, the children were co intently to the person who had sat down on the bench
Upon said bench sat a young girl wearing a cardigan over her pajamas
She was one year older than Koutarou, but her lily-white skin and delicate figure er
Her name was Sakuraba Harumi
She was the club president of the Knitting Society that Koutarou was joining
”And the North Wind said: 'With ht off! I'll prove that I'er than the Sun'”
She was currently in theout loud to the children around her
The book was open on her lap, and she spoke with a calentle expression on her face
”However, the Sun would not be defeated He said to the North Wind - Oh? Hey, who's the one who scribbled on this page?”
”Hiromi, it was you, wasn't it?”
”It wasn't me!”
”It was Saya-chan, I saw her!”
”Is that true, Saya-chan?”
”Y-yes ”
”I see You shouldn't have done that, Saya-chan This book belongs to everyone”
”Yes I'm sorry”
”As long as you understand I won't be ret it”
Haruht expressions on their faces
Koutarou found the sight of the diligent, s
It'd be best not to disturb her
Koutarou decided not to call out to Harumi and instead sat down behind the row of children
Fortunately, she did not notice him
”Onee-chan, keep reading!”
”Okay, I will”
”I'hts back!”
”What was it they said on TV the other day?”
”Hey batter, batter, batter!”
”That's it!”
”Everyone, you shouldn't be watching those kind of channels yet! Wait until you get older!”
”Everyone, don't become that kind of adult, okay?”
”Okaaaay”
Heeeh Senpai can make that kind of face as well
Watching the children play with Haruht back to when he first met her
Koutarou and Haruo on the 1st of March
Koutarou had gone to the school that day to find out his entrance exam results
Unfortunately, the skies were cloudy that day, and even though they had entered March it was still cold, thanks to the weather
”The Soccer Club is recruiting, we're looking for fresh meat!”
”The Chorus Club is recruiting! Last year we placed second in the chorus tourna for first place! Please lend us your strength!”
”We're not just fat people, we're fat people who can ht! Welco Club! Feel free to visit!”
”Withdraw! We're the true strong et to take your bellies with you!”
”What was that!? Just try saying that one more time!”
Despite the weather, Kitsushouharukaze's schoolyard was being warmed by the hot blooded recruiters
It was a battle to recruit new members
At Kitsushouharukaze, club activities were actively participated in
Moreover, there were a lot of club events; h school In fact, those activities had become normal parts of their school lives
The more members a club had, the more power it held within the school, which hy every club was desperate to recruit as many members are possible
As a result, recruitment started earlier and earlier each year, and eventually it began to be held during the day exam results were announced
Peacefully waiting until the entrance ceremony would leave a club with no members to recruit
As such, the schoolyard was filled with recruiters trying to lure in students who had let their guards down after being accepted
”Th-the Knitting Society is recruiting Would you like to join the Knitting Society?”
Harumi was one of the recruiters
”Ah Please, at least listen, please”
However, the recruiting was not going well
The Knitting Society had been s, Harumi, was shy and withdrawn
Her voice was s chaos of recruitment
”Hey, if I join the Knitting Society will you go out with me?”
”Um, that would Trouble me”
The ones she could attract were good-for-nothing people ere only interested in her appearance
She was unable to find the kind of clubfor
” Hmm?”
That Koutarou noticed her was just a coincidence
He had been passing nearby when Harumi's small cry for help entered his ears
If at the tiht not even have noticed her existence
”Please stop it! Let go!”
”You want o out with you It's a in situation, don't you think?”
”This society was not s like that!”
”You're lacking ht? Face reality!”
”No! Let go of me!”
A persistent, sleazy boy and a powerless, slender girl trying to escape from him
The girl seeon her
Koutarou, picking up on the severity of the situation at a glance, approached the boy and girl
Would you at least think about what you're doing? Geez
Hearing the boy's selfish excuses irritated Koutarou
”Welco man~”
Koutarou spoke up in a flamboyant feminine voice and embraced the boy
”Wh-what!?”
”You're joining our club, aren't you? I'm so happy, you're just my type!”
”Le-Let go! Who are you!?”
Surprised by Koutarou's sudden hug, the boy let go of the girl's hand
Noticing this, Koutarou kept talking to the boy whilst tearing hiirl
”Oh, I thought you wanted to go out with me?”
”Wh-Who would want to go out with someone like you!?”
”You want to go out with soo out with a boy It's a in, don't you think?”
”It's a lose/lose! Let go of me, you freak!”
”Don't be so cold♪”
Koutarou swung the boy around and let go
”So, you'll join, right?”
”Who the hell would join this plain, boring society when a freak like you is in it!”
”Oh, I'm sorry to hear that”
”Ueh, I' to feel sick”
Throwing out those words, the boy turned his back to Koutarou and ran away
He had only started up a conversation because he had seen a cute girl, and he had left just as easily as he had come
”There's just toofor me I hope he's not one of my classmates”
Koutarou said with a sigh, having safely resolved the incident
Even after the boy had run out of sight, Koutarou kept staring in the direction he had ran in for a while
”Uhm, Thank you very much”
”Wh-what!?”
A sudden voice surprised Koutarou and he let out an odd sound
”Ah, I' you!”
The voice belonged to the girl who had been with the boy Having startled Koutarou, she frantically bowed her head
”Uh, no, I'ht, Senpai was here too”
Being so irritated at the boy, Koutarou had coirl
”He was very persistent You were a big help”
”Sorry, actually I was out of line, and I even drove away a potential club ”
”No, that's okay That person wasn't interested in knitting anyways”
The girl's expression finally loosened up
This girl's eyes look very gentle
The girl left a very cal at her made Koutarou feel at ease
”Knitting?”
”Yes I' Society”
”The Knitting Society”
The girl was seated by a receptionist's desk, where the words 'Knitting Society' ritten and hung
”I' for most men”
The girl's face turned gloohtly
Koutarou sensed that the club was severely lacking in members
”That's true; even I-”
Koutarou was about to nod in agreement when suddenly he re safely wrapped up at home
If I join this society, I ht be able to
”Excuse me, Senpai”
”Yes?”
”If I join this society, would I get better at knitting?”
”Of course; that's why the society exists”
The girl nodded her head
”Would it be possible for a complete amateur to knit a sweater?”
”I'm sure it would be next to impossible at first, but if you keep at it, surely”
”Would it be possible, even if I was clumsy?”
Koutarou raised both his hands and showed his fingers to the girl Looking at his hands the girl nodded
”You'll be fine In the end training and effort is more important than dexterity”
”That's my specialty I'm the athletic type, after all”
After speaking for a while, Koutarou made his decision
After his dad's sudden transfer, he was unable to continue with baseball, so there wasn't much to worry about
”Um, ould you like to join?”
The girl's expression brightened Froirl sensed that Koutarou
”Yes, if it's not too much trouble I'd like to join Do you mind?”
”Of course not! We-welcome!”
As if really happy, the girl hurriedly welcomed Koutarou
”This way please! Th-there's an application form to fill out!”
”Of course”
Koutarou followed the girl's lead
”I'm Satomi Koutarou Pleased to meet you”
”Oh no, that's right”
The shy girl made a small, embarrassed smile
It quickly changed into a big smile, however
”I' Society”
This was Koutarou and Haru
”Satoht away”
”Hahaha, Senpai looked like she was having so much fun with the children, so I would feel bad just butting in”
Koutarou and Haru the lively children, who had split into groups, running around the courtyard
”Do you normally come here, Sakuraba-senpai?”
”Yes Ever since I was a child, I've had a weak constitution, and every now and then I'm hospitalized and examined Because school starts to”
”And, do you play with the children every time you come to the hospital?”
”Yes”
Haruhtly
”Onee-chan!”
”Is he bullying you? Should we get him!?”
The children loved Harue that became very clear to Koutarou
That's why Koutarou figured they had known each other for a long time
”It's okay! This person is my friend!”
”Oh, okay”
”Take a hint!”
”It's an adult”
”Adult! Adult!”
Satisfied, the children began playing again
”I' people”
”It's fine I'ht?”
”Yes, a precious friend”
Nodding to Koutarou's words, Haru children once more
Her eyes were incredibly gentle Harumi also loved the children
”So why are you in the hospital, Satomi-kun?”
”Is it that unexpected?”
”Yes, you look so healthy and energetic”
”I'm not sick, I'm hurt Here, look”
Koutarou turned around and showed the back of his head
Although the bandages wrapped around his head had been removed, the bump and a band aid were still there
”Are you okay?”
When Koutarou turned back to Harumi, she bore a worried look on her face
”It's just a bu, really”
”Oh good But how did you get hurt?”
Haruhtly
”Actually, I tripped and hit etic”
Koutarou spoke happily, shoulders high, but Harumi looked worriedly at Koutarou's head
”Are you sure you're alright?”
”I'et any dumber than this anyways”
”If you say so”
”Fufu, don't worry so much, Sakuraba-senpai”
”Head injuries are pretty bad, you know? Besides, you're a member of the Society after all”
”I see, so it's the club you're worried about?”
”The club? No! I'm not”
Haruhed to himself
”Kukuku, ahahaha!”
”Oh you, Satomi-kun”
While Haru, one of the children thrust her face between Koutarou and Harumi
”Ah!”
”Kyaa!”
The child was one of the older girls who had climbed over the backrest of the bench, and she had surprised Koutarou and Harumi
”Did I scare you? Are you Onee-chan's boyfriend?”
”Bo-boyfriend!?”
Harumi, as not accustomed to this kind of topic, was left speechless, and she stared in amazement
”Ahaha! That would be nice, but I'm not her boyfriend In fact, I'm her apprentice”
”Apprentice in what?”
”In knitting I'll start learning it fro the day after tomorrow”
The Knitting Society's activities started the day after the entrance ceremony In other words, Tuesday, which was the day after tomorrow
”I see Onee-chan is good at knitting, after all”
Satisfied, the girl smiled
It see skill ell known even in the hospital
”Hey! Kou! Where are you!?”
Following those words, Kenji showed up at the entrance to the courtyard
”Ah”
Haruot a bit flustered
”Mackenzie! Over here!”
Not noticing her change, Koutarou waved his hand as he called Kenji over
”You idiot, what about the medicine!?”
”Oh crap, I forgot!”
Koutarou jumped off the bench and ran towards Kenji
”Hey, Onee-chan”
The young girl, looking at Koutarou's back, whispered to Harumi
”Yes?”
”Are you sure he's not your boyfriend?”
”He's not! He's a classmate and I made a promise to teach him how to knit, that's all”
”You're lying! He's the only guy you don't get flustered around”
”Th-that's not”
Haruht
Harumi had only met with Koutarou a few times since announcement day, so they were not all that close
Usually, she would be unable to even talk to a man at this point
”It's not?”
”Um”
However, oddly enough, Haruuard up around Koutarou at all
Harumi was also perplexed by this
”Sa-Satomi-kun is”
As Haru his name, Koutarou joined up with Kenji and turned towards Harumi
”Senpai! I'll be leaving now, but I'll see you again the day after tomorrow!”
”Ye-Yes! We'll see each other the day after tomorrow, Satomi-kun!”
”Goodbye!”
Koutarou bowed deeply and left the courtyard with Kenji
Harumi held her hands in front of her chest and stared at Koutarou's back
”So you're not lovers, but you're interested in hiht?”
Observing Haruirl had come to
”Ehhhh!?”
Haruht red and she was at a loss for words She desperately started looking for words to deny it, but she couldn't think of anything that she could say that would deny her feelings for Koutarou
”It's okay, it'll be our secret!”
In the end, Haruirl The silence continued
”Does she hate ?”
”What?”
”When I called out to you she looked she got really nervous all of a sudden, remember?”
”Really?”
”Please, at least notice so that obvious”
Kenji s on his bike
Kenji had left his bike at Corona House
Normally he traveled by train to the closest station, and fro up, the two of them would walk to school
”I don't know if she hates you or not, but if an enemy to all woet anywhere near her Shoo, shoo!”
”Come on now”
Koutarou smiled at Kenji's reaction, but he soon ain
”To be honest, though, it seems Senpai is a bit shy”
Although they had only talked a few times, Koutarou had picked up on that
”Hh”
”A lot of things happened e met, after all”
”Ah, that time with a real enemy of all women?”
”That's right It seems she's a bit thankful, and after that we've met by coincidence a few times, so it's probably because of that”
The normally quiet and shy Harumi would probably treat Koutarou the same if not for the events that had transpired when they had first met
At least, that's how Koutarou thought of it
”That's how it is, so until she gets used to you just keep your distance, Mr Enemy-of-All-Women”
”Would you stop calling me that!?”
Kenji was usually the one as popular omen
”Just understand that you'll be rejected, Mackenzie-kun”
”Fine, fine”
Kenji ell aware that it was a joke, and he smiled wryly as he turned his bike around
”Well then, Kou Toet to bed early”
”I get it, I get it Don't worry so much! I woke up just fine today, you know”
”You have a point See you tomorrow, then”
”Yeah, see you”
Kenji started riding towards the station, while Koutarou began walking back to Corona House
With a click the door to Room 106 became unlocked
Although the door looked old, shi+zuka would properly replace the locks every time a new tenant moved in
The door opened without any noise, as it had been well maintained
”I'm back”
Koutarou said while entering the empty room
It sure is boring co home to an empty house
Unexpectedly, the thought of Koutarou's mother crossed his mind
It had been a sight he would always see when he cao
”You're finally back, you thick-headed man!”
However, a voice caic moment
”What!?”
Koutarou quickly threw off his shoes and headed for the inner room
”You didn't notice anything yesterday, but today I'll make sure to chase you out!”
In the inner roo a summer dress
She looked like she was several years younger than Koutarou, and frorade-schooler
With powerful eyebrows and large eyes, she left quite an impression
”Plan Nu!”
Koutarou wasn't sure if she had noticed hi the furniture with both of her hands in the middle of room
”What?”
Running back and forth across the roo Koutarou astonished
What's this girl doing?
Koutarou was too surprised about what the girl was doing to think about how she got in
”It was a ht! Starting the noise when he's awake - I'm on fire today!”
The girl wandered around the roo she could
”How about you start getting scared, thick-headed man? It's a paranormal phenomenon!”
And finally the girl turned her head towards Koutarou, who had been staring at her in astonishment, and their eyes met
”And with that, you'll be running away!”
”Huh?”
The girl stopped beating on the furniture
And the two then stared at each other for a while
”What are you doing here?”
Koutarou was the one who broke the silence
Koutarou pointed at the girl, who had her hands clasped together, and asked her, dumbfounded