Vol 2 Chapter 1 (1/2)
1 - Let's Watch a Movie Preview!
There was a saying that all men are created equal At the same time, it was also said that nobody is born perfect If both of these phrases were valid, then the order of heaven would be unenforceable As a person's value would change depending on the region they're from, one cannot just dis born perfect, just being born with one talent is difficult enough While the coeniuses around them, for me their talents are just a part of our daily lives, so I don't see what the fuss is all about
It was the end of the su such a conversation with reehts
”Exactly For the past 15 years of my life, I haven't seemed to be the sort to possess any talents at all There's a saying that great talents h nurture rather than talent So I guess wishi+ng for some talents is a distant dream for us”
”Well, geniuses are geniuses for a reason If we common folk could obtain their talents, then ouldn't need to be envious of them”
”My, longing for the life of common folk now, aren't you, Houtarou?If it's you, then”
Satoshi+ then casually quipped, ”I think you're actually quite talented”
I had no idea what he was talking about As I gave a puzzled look, Satoshi+ chuckled and said, ”I know very well that I'm not the talented sort, but the same cannot be said about you, Houtarou”
”Wha?”
As his ht a little about accepting the good parts of what he just said at face value I had two rebuttals to make, firstly, ”If I had to say it, I think it's premature of you to call yourself a nor vast ae?”
Satoshi+ shrugged his shoulders
”Well, I guess, even if it sounds like bragging Though I wouldn't go so far and say that I'e I learned isn't that vast”
Really?
Anyway, second rebuttal, ”If I wasn't not a normal person, then there's no way I could observe people”
”Then I won't say anythingany talents”
”Where have you ever seenmy talents anyway?”
”Hmm, where, huh?”
After pretending to think, he pointed his finger towards Kah School
”There”
”The school?”
”No, the Geology Roo in solving the 'Hyouka' incident Truth be told, I never expected you to be that good That's why I said I' talented based on that,” He said while s In contrast, I looked bitter
The ”Hyouka” incident It was not a criminal incident, neither was it civil ”Hyouka” was the naies published by the Classics Club, a ed to The reason why the anthologies were named as such cannot be explained in a few sentences, and for very good reason as well Thanks to such a reason, I was involved in all sorts of botherso on my role in such events
He continued, ”The one who solved all that was you”
”Now you're exaggerating I was just lucky”
”Lucky, huh? I wasn't talking about how you think of yourself, but how I see you”
He can say such haughty stuff with such a cal, I was hardly annoyed
Besides being an old uy he was short in stature, and his weak-looking appearance could easily be irl if seen from afar However, he is actually quite spirited, especially when pursuing things that interest his that are considered ”necessary” by everyone else He is always seen carrying a s around, he asked, ”By the hat time is it now?”
”Check your oatch”
”It's inside , it's too botherso and said Satoshi+ considered carrying a wristwatch around too troublesome, and would prefer to check the time via his cellphone
”I' bothersome here”
”'If I don't have to do it, I won't If I have to do it, hurry up and finish it' Right?”
Satoshi+ s fun at my motto I checked the time on my wristwatch and corrected him, ”It's 'If I have to do it, make it quick'Anyway, it's just past ten”
”Do you really have to randioseWow, is it ten already? We'd better hurry Chitanda-sanlate, but it's Mayaka I'm scared of”
I agree with that Ibara Mayaka can be very scary when she's angry I don't know if Satoshi+ knows this or not, but I have a feeling that Chitanda Eru's the same as well As Satoshi+ picked up his speed, I followed suit
Crossing the crosswalk, we cah, where there are students everywhere despite it being a school holiday
The courtyard was filled with students either in uniform or casual wear TheBesides the courtyard so erected, probably soh it was suh School was still filled with students full of energy, as everyone was preparing for the Cultural Festival
The total nuh School numbered about a thousand The school provided curriculu a lively club activity scene If you excluded the exalting Cultural Festival, Kah was just a nors; the General Block which houses the regular classrooms, the Special Block with their special purposes classrooms, and the Gyy Room on the fourth floor of the Special Block
A of the Chorus Club and A Capella Club from the courtyard, we hastened our pace As Satoshi+ said, my motto was ”If I don't have to do it, I won't If I have to do it, y saver” Such a lifestyle was totally different to those that go all out in these student activities like the Cultural Festival Though I wasn't in the s now
Fro to the Special Block A long painting from some club could be seen placed on the side of the staircase to dry as we cli four steps at a ti As it was late summer, I took out y Room
We were at once greeted by so, ”You're late!”
Standing firuardian God was none other than Ibara, the actual person in charge of overseeing the publication of the Classics Club anthology ”Hyouka”, ho acquaintance
Ibara Mayaka While ere not exactly intimate with each other, for so each other all the tirown since pri face despite being a high school student Despite her appearance, she was actually quite strict Besides being unforgiving totowards herself The reason for her wrath was sireed that ere supposed to
Maintaining her guardian God stance, Ibara spoke, ”fuku-chan, explain yourself”
Satoshi+'s smile became stiff as he said, ”Well, we couldn't use our bikes today”
”You should have known that already!”
By the hile people were free to co summer vacation, as the bicycle park was currently under maintenance, it was unusable
”Get a grip already, fuku-chan! You still haven't handed in your manuscripts!”
Satoshi+ spread out his hands as he struggled to protest, ”W, wait a minute Mayaka! Isn't Houtarou late as well?”
Ibara turned to look at aze, turned back towards Satoshi+
”Who cares about Oreki?”
Double standards, huh?
The reason Ibara paid so much attention to Satoshi+ was because she had a crush on him And she herself made no attempts to hide this On the other hand, Satoshi+ had been evading her advances to this day As to when they started all this, I had no idea
Anyway, the Classics Club was made up of four members: myself, Satoshi+, and Ibara, as well as the President, Chitanda Eru Though right now Chitanda was nowhere to be seen
”That's double standards!”
”What're you talking about? There's no double standards”
I interrupted their e and said, ”Hey, Ibara, Chitanda's absent as well”
”How can I have double standards Huh? Chi-chan? That's right, she still hasn't arrived That worries me”
”I see, indeed it's not double standards,” Satoshi+ muttered
”Yeah, it's triple standards”
Unusually, Ibara replied while s
As if on cue, a silhouette was seen silently opening the door and entering the room It was Chitanda
Chitanda Eru With her long, dark hair and frail-looking figure, she gave the look of an elegant lady And that was a fact, as she was the daughter of the Chitanda Clan, which owned vast tracts of farmland within a corner of Karaceful nature were her large eyes To me, those hat represented her the most If Ibara was a child in appearance, then Chitanda was a child due to her incredible curiosity to every ent despite such a childlike nature, which made it all the more difficult to cope with her
The clock pointed to half past ten Chitanda bowed deeply and said, ”I' late”
Chitanda hardly ever looked this unkempt While not strictly punctual, it was rare to see her late Ibaraas she asked Chitanda without bla happen?”
”Yes A little bit I was having a long conversation just now”
What conversation? We won't know if you don't elaborate That said, Chitanda continued before I could ask
”I'll explain later about what conversation I was having”
What's she up to? I have a bad feeling about this
”Het started then”
The reason the Classics Club was gathered here today was to hold a y ”Hyouka”, which included what design and fonts to use, how to arrange the articles and what paper to print on While it would have been better if I had just suggested to let Ibara handle everything, she probably wouldn't allow it, as she reasoned that since we have all contributed our money andthe anthology as well I didn't exactly want to do this, but then I don't have anything better to do during summer vacation anyway
Ibara took out a few paper sa
”This is the highest quality paper that our budget could allohile this is the cheapest They're very different, and not just in appearance, but how the ink appears on them”
As she began explaining, both Satoshi+ and Chitanda listened with enthusias wood on the mountain[1], I still et mad
The editorialwas over sooner than expected, just under an hour after it began Ibara had written down the items which had been approved in her note, which she would then relay to the publishers Being an editing supervisor sure sounds tough, so I placed ratitude of her hard work
It was now afternoon While ere free to go hoht some boxed lunches from the convenience store As I took , the other three followed suit
As he peeled the fil around his rice ball, Satoshi+ spoke without addressing anyone specifically
”So, when's the anthology gonna be published?”
The one who should have an idea as to how to answer that question was of course Ibara, who gru ”As if I could remember exactly when” and said, ”We should have the sa the actual copies until just before the Cultural Festival”
It was now late August, a week to go before summer vacation ends It would beco when classes resuy saver, I do not like to leave work undone as it's inefficient It is of course better to get it finished as soon as possible Anye've still got plenty of time
The sound of Chitanda opening the lid of her boxed lunch could be heard For girls her age, boxed lunches would usually be sh her box was just as s: Stewed butterbur, sweet o out her chopsticks, she asked nonchalantly, ”By the way, are any of you tied up this afternoon?”
As I was never the sort with anything better to do anyway, I do have time to kill Naturally, I shook my head So too did Ibara
”I've got to take these notes to the publisher, but it won't be until this evening”
Satoshi+ thought for a while,
”I was thinking of heading to the Handicraft Club to see if I could help out I haven't gottenequipment for so out with the Student Council committee But why not?”
As all three of us were in agreeh she was the happiest person alive Seeing her so so far say this was based on experience, I was just apprehensive of trouble, that's all
As she placed her chopsticks down, she said with vigour, ”Then, let's watch a preview!”
Preview?
I had no idea what she was talking about Did so, I turned to look at Satoshi+, who si Ditto for Ibara, who looked puzzled
”Chi-chan, what preview are you talking about? A movie?”
”Yes Umm, it's not really a movie, but more like a videotaped movie”
Videotaped movie? Surely she means home-made movie
”Is it with the Movie Studies Club?”
Chitanda shook her head
”Not really”
”Then, the Home Movie Studies Club?”
Stop being stupid, Satoshi+ Both Ibara and I stared coldly at his s as usual and said, ”I'm sure it exists! If there exists a Classics Club, surely a Home Movie Studies Club would exist as well”
Satoshi+ dispelled his joke right away, true to his motto of ”Jokes are to be s to be dispelled right away” If he says it exists, then it probably does exist This was not soh School does have a huge variety of arts-based clubs out there
But still Chitanda shook her head
”It's not that either It's an exhibition movie made by Class 2-F”
”Wow, a class exhibition”
Ibara nodded in admiration
”Don't think anize their own exhibition, as everyone is busy with their own clubs”
Indeed Even for anize so for the Cultural Festival in the class's name, as everyone was tired out by their own club activities Besides, holding an exhibition would be quite a huge task Co, as he's busy with the Classics Club, Handicraft Club, and Student Council
”So to various sports teams decided they too want to take part in the Cultural Festival As I know someone from Class 2-F, I was invited to their movie preview in order to ask for my opinion of it How about it? Are you interested?”
”Yeah, I'll come!”
Satoshi+ agreed without even batting an eyelid Then again, anything that interests him would elicit such a reaction
Ibara raised her brows slightly and asked, ”What kind of movie is it?”
”Umm, I hear it's a mystery movie”
That ansas enough to satisfy Ibara
”Sounds entertaining Sure, I'll come as well”
”I thought you hated artistic movies, Mayaka,”
”I don't dislike them This one's made by people with an interest in movies, after all”
Indeed, no one would think along the lines of wanting to watch a movie made by people who just ”want to take part in the Cultural Festival”
Nohat about me?
To be honest, I'm not exactly that interested inany movie, whether it was arthouse movies or blockbuster movies As to why that is, I'half the fun ofthem, and there were some movies which I was fond of
Anyway, guess I'll go home
Before I could speak, Chitanda cheerfully opened her mouth
”Then it's decided! We're all going then!”
”No, I”
”Actually, besideswiththat there are three of you here in the Classics Club; the nuht”
She's not even listening
S mischievously, Satoshi+ pointed his thumb atto say”
”Oreki-san, you're coht?”
Ugh
” Aren't you?”
Argh
Why was it that I could never figure out how to handle Chitanda every tiht up beforehand, she was bound to o Of course I could have chosen to just turn her doithout feeling guilty, but the problem was I could find no reason to refuse her
I shruggedfor me to do even if I went home noay
The Audio/Visual Rooht of the setting sun fro the room dark
Froed suddenly The reason for such an illusion probably had so, which blended ith the darkness
Chitanda called out to her
”I've come as you requested me to”
She walked towards us, and it was only then I could make out her features
Her height was siure was slihtly raised and small, and her face looked refined It wouldn't be too far off to describe her as pretty, though to me she felt more stern than pretty While it was hard to determine whether she was a year older than us, there was a sense of h school student, she felt more like a stereotypical police officer or teacher no, more like a female Self Defense Force officer, with a rank no lower than Major Speaking in a cally soft voice, she said, ”Ah, so you've come”
She looked at each one of us and continued, ”Welco the time to come”
Chitanda slowly introduced us one by one
”This is Ibara Mayaka-san, fukube Satoshi+-san and Oreki Houtarou-san Like me, they're all members of the Classics Club”
The girl see introduced I couldn't tell if she was s depressed But she soon reverted to her previous expression and bowed to us
”Pleased to meet you My name is Irisu Fuyumi”
As she introduced herself, Satoshi+ reacted at once and raised his voice in exaltation
”Ah, just as I thought, you're Irisu-sempai! I knew I'd seen you somewhere before”
”Your naht? I'm sorry, but have we met before?”
”You attended thethe end of June, right?”
”I can't quite re happen?”
Regardless of whether she really forgot or was playing dumb, Irisu answered as such Satoshi+ continued cheerfully, ”I saw the way you resolved the conflict between the musical clubs and the drama clubs Truth be told, I was amazed! Since then I've alanted to meet with you at least once!”
”Ah, now I re particularly special then”
”No, really, you were great I still reed the chairperson to duly restore order at once so members could voice their opinions without interruptions The conflict was sorted out in less than fiveovation in the bottom of my heart, as Irisu-sempai felt more like the chairperson back then”
If Ibara was not the sort to give coive praise to so part, hoould Irisu Fuyumi react to such a compliment? I listened intently as I wondered
Yet despite Satoshi+'s gaze of admiration, she hardly reacted much and said, ”Is that so?”
”Irisu-san, you did say you weren't that interested in what happens around school, right?” Chitanda asked, to which Irisu nodded
”fukube-kun was part of the Co probably did happen So please don't be too startled by his words”
”I see I wasn't really startled though”
Satoshi+ looked dejected as she said that Ibara then asked Chitanda, ”Chi-chan, how are you acquainted with her?”
”Irisu-san? Our families are quite close to each other Irisu-san would often look after er”
So the Chitanda Clan does have people to hang out with as childhood friends, that sure is some luxury the Oreki Clan couldn't afford They sure are a prominent clan Come to think of it, was Irisu's clan also just as famous? I'm not quite sure myself Anyway, it probably doesn't concern Irisu Fuyumi herself
”Anyway,”
Irisu returned to the subject at hand, and showed us the object she was holding in her hand The rectangular object seemed to be a video cassette
”You have been invited today to watch this tape As I'm sure you've heard from Chitanda already, this video is a movie made by ive us your honest feedback”
”We look forward to doing so”
So said Chitanda
Seeht But what for? As the question popped in my head, I asked, ”Is that all we have to do?”
Irisu looked straight at aze, I continued, ”Just watch, and then provide feedback?”
”Is that so strange?”
”Even if we really do give our critique, you're not going to amend the movie, are you? Surely a preview is mainly for the purpose of advertisement, where you ask people to spread the word about your movie, isn't it?”
For soh satisfied
”A good question Indeed, there's no point in just watching this movie I will answer your question, but it would be better if you could first watch the movie Shall we?”
Hht But due to her efficient answer, I said no more
Upon seeing ive thistitle 'Mystery' When the video ends, there's so ould like to ask of you, for that purpose, ish for you to watch it first”
This time it was Ibara's turn to speak
”If it's called 'Mystery', then is it a detective movie?”
”It wouldn't be wrong to call it that”
”Thenthe movie?”
”Of course Do write as many details as you see”
That said, we left all our stuff in the Geology Rooet our bags, Satoshi+ spoke
”I'll do thethen”
And duly took out a notebook fro I didn't know he'd brought that inside as well
Irisu looked at her sined silver wrist watch and said, ”Now, let us start Please take a seat”
As suggested, we took the seats nearest to us Satoshi+ opened his notebook while Irisu headed towards the control roo the iron door, she turned to us and said, ”Enjoy the movie”
As she closed the door, a mechanical sound could be heard A white screen slowly descended before us We duly sat upright and leaned as far back as possible
By the way, Irisu sure didn't prepare enough for this preview She should at least have provided us with some popcorn
A movie whose title had not yet even been decided should nore appeared before us It was none other than Ka It showed a classroom with tables and chairs lined up tidily A look outside the ed that the ti sunset
A narrator began to speak in a husky male voice
”It all began when a group of determined students from Class 2-F decided to participate in the Kanya Festival in order to leave behindone day after school to decide what to do”
By the way, ”Kanya Festival” is the nicknah we in the Classics Club do not call it as such As for the reason, that's another long story
A group of students then appeared on the screen Six of the each other Thisscene that the narrator just mentioned The camera then showed each person while the narrator introduced them with their names
First off was ”Kaitou Takeo”, a ed to so a crew cut, he was the tallest of the six students
Second was ”Sugi student and the only bespectacledthe camera pointed at him, he couldn't remain steady
Third was ”Yairl with tanned skin and dyed brown hair going down to her shoulder Though a few seconds elapsed between various shots of her, her hair seerown a bit already
Next was ”Senoue Mairth Rather than plu more to do with her round face instead
Following her was ”Katsuda Takeo”, a guy with rather good looks Though his hair was dyed reddish, he felt like more of the serious sort of student
Finally, ”Kounosu Yuri”, a plain-dressed girl who looked quite relaxed despite having the cairls
As their na introduced, Satoshi+ quickly scribbled theuessed as they weren't written on the screen
After the introductions, the next scene showed the bespectacled Sugimura speak
”How about we visit the Narakubo area?”
Ugh Ibara could be heard groaning I kne she felt, since the guy was reading his lines in a deadpan manner
”The Narakubo area?” asked Ya on the scene The red-headed Katsuda replied, ”I think I've heard of that area, it's in Furuoka Town, if I remember correctly”
”Exactly, it's an abandoned h there's hardly anyone there now”
It was deadpan dialogue all the way, but that was to be expected Chitanda did say these were people from sports teams anted to take part in the Cultural Festival, after all Can't really expect them to perform like the Drama Club
The well-built Kaitou raised his arm to speak
”Research in an abandoned village, huh? Sounds good to me”
”It would be good to go there once, as it does have an appeal that e with a history worth one's lifeti”
Yahtly better as she i about the place Meanwhile, the round faced Senouchi responded with an equally good perfor, but it's an abandoned ruin, isn't it? Not exactly my type of place”
Kounosu, ore a downcast look all this tiet to Narakubo It's deep within the et there in about an hour”
”Eh~”
Yamanishi+ didn't sound too pleased She's probably the character that complains a lot On the other hand, Kaitou looked rather relaxed
”We should be able to handle it if it's just an hour We could ride bikes there, and even have a picnic while we're there”
”Then it's decided Our exhibition for the Cultural Festival will be a research into the history of the Narakubo area”
Sugi an abandoned village isn't interesting enough He was backed by Yaested it could be fixed by presenting the story fro perspective When asked how it could be done, Sugi it like an adventure story, but was rejected for being too traditional Kounosu then suggested covering the occultish aspect of the area, which was approved for being interesting Though Sugimura countered that host stories froive and take between the classst themselves on which ideas to adopt and which to reject That was the main flow of this initial scene As the scene blacked out, the narrator spoke again