I Don’t Want to Support You Anymore

Shinichi initially thought they would meet Rizu in the lobby outside.

But as he took Yotsuba around and greeted the cute kids, he didn't see the petite girl.

Walking side by side in the corridor, Yotsuba noticed Shinichi's eyes glancing around discreetly, then asked.

"Um, Asada-san, do you want me and Ogata-san..."

Suddenly, she didn't know why she couldn't say the words "build a good relationship."

Perhaps, afraid of unintentionally sounding accusatory towards him?

"I'm just a little worried about where she went. If we meet her, just chat briefly. If we don't, forget it. That's what I think."

Shinichi stared straight at her, trying to hide a complicated expression but always failing.

"Indeed, I hoped you five could get along, but it's purely because I don't want to see the harmonious relationship among family members torn apart by outsiders. It doesn't mean I want to see the harmonious relationship among family members ruined by outsiders. Don't force yourself to have a good relationship with both of them."

Both here, of course, referred to Fumino and Rizu.

"No matter how many people I like, I can't ignore the atmosphere you have right now, so don't worry."

After he finished speaking, Shinichi felt an inexplicable sense that his scumbag level had increased by two points.

The subtle gaze in Yotsuba's eyes seemed to confirm this.

"Asada-san, if you take our mood seriously, you won't use the word 'temporary'..."

(And what can make you sure?)

When something like this is involved, Yotsuba even becomes very skilled at complaining.

Shinichi scolded himself.

"Besides, no one knows what will happen in the future. Maybe someday I'll let go of my silly idea now and find a girlfriend and settle down, no matter how many people like me."

This sentence sounded very narcissistic, but somehow it suited him now.

Yotsuba looked at the side of his face, and her murmured words were almost inaudible.

"Asada-san, do you really have such a plan..."

"Of course. Finding a beautiful girlfriend is the dream of most honest men." Shinichi pointed at himself.

"Well, if I can make this resolve, I won't have many worries now."

Under her doubtful gaze, Shinichi smiled casually.

"For example, when I received Miku's gift at the department store."

"For example, when I held Nino's wet hand in the rain."

"For example, in the duel scene with Ichika, we pretended it was real."

"For example, before really getting to know you, confess your feelings and respond to hers."

After talking about something from the past that she didn't know, Shinichi and Yotsuba exchanged glances.

"Another example, when you told me, 'Everything will be okay,' I hope you can keep being with me and cheering me on like that."

Yotsuba looked at him with an empty gaze and said nothing.

As they walked back to the conference room, passing patients, nurses, visitors, and Michelle running, they still exchanged glances.

"I didn't do it then, and it's too late to do it now..."

"So, even if no one approves, because it's a choice made by my past self, my future self has to bear it and take responsibility."

Unless Shinichi can use a time machine to go back to the past and kick his always hesitant self to stop causing trouble for his future self.

If were to say who hates Shinichi the most in this world... It's Shinichi in the future.

"Ah."

Shinichi ended the conversation with the last word.

Yotsuba shifted her gaze from his face and lowered her head.

"Are we a problem for you?"

Shinichi placed his hand on her head and touched it gently.

"First of all, since I've also become a problem for you, let's resolve everything here."

"..."

Yotsuba opened her mouth and remembered her reaction when she heard the word "even" at the talent exchange meeting.

She didn't think that equality meant not owing anything to each other.

"Moreover, some people really feel like they're alive in this world because of their worries..." In the middle of speaking, Shinichi realized that he was running out of words.

He wanted to respond to Yotsuba with a simple sentence that didn't sound like boasting.

Shinichi spoke with sincere tone.

"If I hadn't met you, I could have lived an honest and ordinary life, without experiencing novel-like adventures and without hurting others' feelings. After I met you, my thoughts were always foolish and stubborn. I laughed at my naivety with others, called myself a scumbag and could never decisively be a scumbag, hesitated and wavered. You've been unfairly persecuted, and I've found plenty of sensible reasons..." Although not simple enough, facing Yotsuba, Shinichi expressed his feelings directly.

"Nevertheless, it's better than never meeting you."

"So, why does it bother you? At least I never regretted or felt bothered by it."

After reaching the conference room door, Shinichi put his hand on the doorknob and asked Yotsuba.

"By the way, can I ask for your opinion? After knowing that I have someone else I like, that I can't choose among everyone, and that I'm willing to accept everyone's feelings... Yotsuba, what do you think?"

"Me?" Yotsuba seemed unresponsive, and her tone became panicked, "If it's Ichika, she might say—"

"The person I want to ask is you."

Shinichi revealed an unmentioned fact, and his words sounded quite harsh.

"Do you seem to support me, Ichika, and the others... No, are you with the five of you?"

"What about the others? Furuhashi Fumino, Ogata Rizu... After they join, would you also support me?"

"Yotsuba, would you still say that sentence to me – 'Everything will be okay'?"

"..."

Shinichi didn't look back, but he could hear a faint sound of breath behind him.

"Asada-san, forgive me."

Yotsuba's head burdened on Shinichi's back.

Breaking the silence, her voice trembled slightly but sounded clear behind him.

"I won't support you anymore."

Yotsuba, who couldn't lie, held the hem of her clothes tightly and said.

"I don't want to support you anymore."

"So that's how it is."

A thin smile appeared on Shinichi's face.

"It's great."

△

After this activity, the volunteer club returned to school as one team.

Throughout the journey, Nagisa looked at the two junior students and found that although they were somewhat quiet and rarely looked at each other, they didn't look as gloomy as she had seen before.

Was this opening a door? Nagisa couldn't guess, but due to their unfamiliar relationship, she couldn't take the initiative to ask even though she had just taught her juniors a few words.

In the end, she suppressed her curiosity, announced the club's dissolution in the club room, and specifically kept an eye on Shinichi.

Sitting side by side with Tsubasa in the main seat, she began discussing serious matters related to the prospective student council president.

"I request Sensei to record this event. It might be useful for the campaign speech. The file will be sent to you later. In the upcoming weeks, we will only engage in some simple activities like distributing pamphlets, promoting love, and cleaning the streets. The specific schedule is here; if you want to participate, just come directly."

Handing the schedule to Shinichi, Nagisa continued, "The exposure bonus for the volunteer club is still limited. Although it can enhance your resume, those who don't intend to vote for you won't be swayed. Suddenly doing something good and changing your mind."

"If the Forest School doesn't give Yotsuba-chan a chance, even if she takes the initiative to help anywhere, she won't be able to win the hearts of almost all the teachers and students at school as she does now. People at Shuchi'in Academy really like her."

"I suggest you wait until the list of candidates is out and convey targeted political opinions and deliver a speech. But if you get support from former student council members, they should be able to get you many votes through their own networks."

Providing him with a lot of election advice, Nagisa smiled.

"Prepare and plan thoroughly. If nothing unexpected happens, you still have a great chance of being elected president."

Shinichi bowed.

"Thank you for your advice and assistance. Please take care of me next time."

Nagisa quickly waved her hand, "Don't be too polite! Besides, you were introduced by Kaguya-chan, and you're liked by the president and Fujiwara-san. Apart from seeming to be stepping on two boats, there's nothing wrong with being diligent and cautious like you. Candidates who clearly have shortcomings should be supported."

"...All the seniors are people I need to thank."

Hearing the word "support," Shinichi's expression became slightly strange, but quickly returned to a polite smile.

As for stepping on two boats, he pretended not to hear it.