Chapter 227: Celebration Party (1/2)

Once they were done cleaning, Amane and the others went to the venue, feeling somewhat fatigued.

There were three rooms booked, and the participants had to split into three teams, each into their own room. Itsuki kindly put those who were on better terms together.

Amane’s group consisted of the ones he had been talking to, Mahiru, then Itsuki, Chitose, Kadowaki, Hiiragi, Kuju, and Kido, whom he had been talking to more recently.

The girls found it a pity that Kadowaki was in this group, but the girls in this room had boyfriends, and would not care about him, so thus, they were all relieved while finding it a pity. On a side note, the girls assigned to the other rooms narrowed their eyes in glee, and said, go flirt all you want with Shiina-san, and Amane frowned back at them.

“Anyway, good work⸺”

Itsuki led everyone in the toast, his cup contained cider from the drinks bar,and everyone in the room did likewise.

They merely gestured so, for it was too far to do so. Once done, Amanae drank his cup of melon soda.

The taste and fragrance of this drink was something unique to junk food, which he liked. Mahiru said that she wanted to try, so he gave her a sip, and she frowned. It seemed this did not suit her tastes, probably because she could not handle the carbonic acid.

The teary Mahiru sipped at her oolong tea and leaned on Amane. She was tired, and felt restless as so many people were at this karaoke session.

“Good work everyone. A lot of it is thanks to Kido.”

Itsuki finished his cider, sat down, and nodded happily.

The aforementioned Kido sipped some water and gave a wry smile.

“No no, it’s thanks to the owner being kind enough to lend us clothes…I didn’t expect them to prepare this many.”

“We’ll offer a box of sweets next time as thanks.”

“It’s amazing, Ikkun’s being serious~”

“How rude, Chii. I’m serious from time to time.”

“How often is that?”

“…Once every half year?”

“That won’t do!”

Everyone burst out laughing, and Amane sigh as he looked at them.

He did interact with everyone involved, but it was hard for him to say something when there were so many people. Amane was not as naturally cheerful as Itsuki, did not have the sociability, and he never intended to join in the conversation unless someone actually talked to him.

Mahiru watched the joyous scene with a smile. She did not like the ruckus, but neither did she dislike it, and perhaps she was happiest just watching.

“…Amane, why are you watching like it has nothing to do with you? Stop flirting and come here.”

“Alright alright, I get it. Don’t stand up. It’s squeezy here.”

The room was relatively wide, but it was inconvenient for eight to move, packed even. Truth be told, he found it a hassle to wriggle here and there, and hoped everyone could remain still.

“Come here Mahirun~ let’s tease Ikkun.”

“Come on, don’t do that…wait, are you bad at karaoke, Shiina-san?”

“N-no, I cannot really say that…”

Mahiru fidgeted about, and Chitose seemed to understand as she lifted her head, oohhh, and continued on.