“Bungaku Shoujo” CH 3

Bungaku Shoujo: Volume1 Chapter3

“Shuuji-senpai…”

Takeda-san didn‟t tell me why she was crying.

shared a single purple umbrella as we slowly walked home. Because Takeda-san had been crying

discreetly note her condition, and I noticed that her lips were a bit swollen, with blood seeping

unsecure) would show in her hazes, as if she was trying to ascertain something. Then she would

Pretty soon we arrived at a 2 story high building that is surrounded by beautiful flowerbeds. We

“Thank you for walking me home, senpai.”

Takeda-san raised her head and looked at me. She kept on staring at me as if there was

After she bid me farewell, she turned around to the front entry that was decorated with a

On the following day during the break after the first period, Takeda-san didn‟t come to find me. I

Because of this, I accidentally made eye contact with Kotobuki-san, who was just about to enter

(Wah, what should I do.)

lip, and with some hesitation, walked towards me.

After she said that, she curtly extended her fist towards me.

Kotobuki-san had put a 50 yen coin onto my hand.

“I know that. So give me 10 yen in return.”

“Then give it to me at a later date.”

“…Today, Takeda Chia didn‟t come.”

“Hey, yesterday after school…Inoue, you walked straight into the classroom, right? At that

As she said that, she gazed fixedly at me.

“Eh? Hear what?”

“You didn‟t hear anything…that‟s good.”

All that‟s left is the 50 yen coin in my palm.

(Aah, Takeda-san….she really didn‟t come.)

I was worried that she got a cold and was absent, so I decided to find her. As I was wandering

laughing as they came out of the classroom.

him a birthday cake as well. Ah.”

“Konoha-senpai…”

“Gosh, why did you come here without telling me, senpai? Ah, sorry, Yotsu-chan, I will be

Takeda-san grabbed my wrist, and with skipping steps, she walked forward.

She took the puzzled me to a deserted place, turned around and smiled at me.

“Well, since you were crying so hard yesterday, I was worried.”

rain made me depressed…or it‟s because Konoha-senpai is too kind…I couldn‟t help but play

help formulate a better one?]…kyaa, that was so embarrassing. Please forget what happened

With her face blushing furiously, and the way she waved her arms as she talked, she looked like

mere hallucination?

The boy that was looking for Takeda, was he Shuuji-senpai? After all, he did call Takeda-san

Takeda-san‟s expression quickly became clouded.

“…That…something is bothering Shuuji-senpai. Yesterday, I got Shuuji-senpai's letter, the letter

Letter?

Takeda san lifted her head and forced herself to smile at me.

“Yeah. I brought it.”

“Thank you so much! I think after Shuuji-senpai reads the letter, he too will become energetic

Takeda-san tripped and almost fell, but thankfully I steadied her before she reached the ground.

She once again stepped out her unsteady steps, and with a rhythmic „patapata‟ noise [TR:

her off.

Takeda-san was crying quite severely, these two events are probably related.

him already, but all I know about him are words I heard from Takeda-san.

makes everyone laugh.

a serious expression.

will realize he is also kind and empathic…

What if Shuuji-senpai is not the kind of person Takeda thought he is? It is common to hear

“Hey, Akutagawa-kun, are you in the Archery club?”

“Yes.”

deep voice.

seen him laugh loudly. With his cool look, he probably is very popular with the girls. When I

from me. He is very tall, his arms and his shoulders are very strongly-built, and his face is also

“Among the third years in the Archery Club, is there a student called Shuuji Kataoka?”

“No, I do not know.”

or „Kajuu senpai‟?”

don‟t think anyone calls him „Suu chan‟ or „Kajuu senpai‟.”

“I don‟t recall.”

only work before she confesses; she confessed already, they even write letters to one another,

Akutagawa finally finished moving the tables. He turned towards me.

“Let‟s see… I heard about him from someone I know. Then, is it all right if I accompany you to

“Ah. Sometimes we have students who are interested in joining dropping in to our practice

“Then, is today fine with you? But I don‟t plan on joining the club…can I still drop in?”

“Thanks, Akutagawa-kun.”

are five target boards. In addition, there are a few targets that are made of hay. Each haystack has

side.

for the bottom. They are all currently practicing archery. Standing beside them are the remaining

a few chunky rubber arrows. Everywhere there are shouts of

Akutagawa-kun has also changed into his practice uniform. He walked towards me and said-

“Ok, got it.”

“Uwaa…the sound is so loud. It is pretty intense when you are near.”

been hit at the same time.

Akutagawa-kun said emotionlessly. Afterwards, because he also had to practice, he had taken

I just stood behind everyone and observed their practice.

half and half. There are numerous members, just from looking there are about 50 people.

(Unn…if it is love at first sight, then he must be very good looking. If that‟s the case, that person

As the verification went on I put my head in my hands.

(If I have to pick the best looking guy in the club, no matter how I look at it, Akutagawa-kun is

friendly, and socializes with many people. Akutagawa-kun could hardly be described as

comes to the club? Uhnn…uhnnn…..)

During a break in the practice, Akutagawa-kun came to me and said in a low and passive vice-

The mystery mystified.

“Ku-shun~”

“Ku-shun~ Gusu….zuzu….”

“Ah, good afternoon, Konoha-kun. Ku-shu~!”

The waste bin next to her feet was filled with pink used Kleenex.

“This…umbrella, thanks.”

smiled at me. 

“You seem to have a cold…are you all right?”

I was so into it that I didn‟t notice that the bath water had turned cold. But don‟t worry, I will be

“If the bath water turned cold, you should have gotten out. Moreover, wouldn‟t the book become

“That‟s why it is another kind of delicacy. It is as if you are dipping biscuits into pink red

“I don‟t think there exists a soap or shampoo flavored champagne.”

it your turn to be on cleaning duty again?”

“Zuzuz…guzu…the Archery Club?”

cat tails, softly dangled on her back.

I told her about yesterday‟s incident with the crying Takeda-san, and how I failed to find Shuujisenpai

“What…”

Then, as she thought about what that meant, she said-

library.”

“Ah” 

“Kotobuki-san, could I use the computer?”

“Thank you.”

We passed through the help desk and headed to the computer section. We picked an empty

“Konoha-kun, please do it. I am not very compatible with machines.”

“Compatible...All we are doing is searching!”

The mouse cursor momentarily changed to an hourglass and then a warning saying „Record not

Then, I searched for the name „Shuuji‟.

Then I searched for the name „Kataoka‟. Seven records were returned. Four of them are female,

sounds remotely close.

What‟s going on?

school.

held the notebook, with a duck printed on its cover, to her chest.

While ignoring Kotobuki-san‟s stare, I dragged Takeda-san to the corner of the hallway. 

“Eh, why?”

“Eeeeeeeeeh”

shocked. Then, with a laugh, she amusingly said-

“But I couldn‟t find a person named Shuuji Kataoka in the Archery Club, nor could I find him in

Takeda-san still cheerfully answered me-

Her expression and voice showed that she was not at all bothered by my question. So much so

inside me.

“Bu-But…”

is talking about herself in third person term, as is common in Japanese for people to act cute

Takeda-san opened the duck notebook she has been holding with her arms. She took out one of

was no receiver‟s name. All that was written on it were the words „From: Kataoka Shuuji‟.

The letter was a simple piece of white paper as well. There seemed to be three pieces of paper

Now that I noticed it, yesterday Takeda-san also mentioned about the letters Shuuji gave her. At

She also said that something was bothering Shuuji-senpai.

Takeda-san‟s expression seemed a bit hesitant. With a look of unease I occasionally see from her,

“Konoha-senpai. It‟s true. I haven‟t made a mistake. Please read the letter. Shuuji-senpai is…in

please help him.”

outgoing; perhaps inside her stress level has already reached what she could handle by herself.

looking at me feebly.

Right now, the act of reading the letter is only for the purpose of assisting and helping Takedasan.

To be able to live a quiet and eventless life is my biggest wish.

handle such a heavy burden. This is what I should have said to her. I should have said that,

But that too seems to be too late. Does Shuuji Kataoka truly exist? …...Why is this happening?

I accepted the letter and opened it. The tips of my fingers were numbed. I could even smell a

“Mine has been a life of much shame.

Such as kindness, empathy, sympathy- emotions that a human should have.”

hoping that no one thinks that I am harmful. But, as the lies piled on top of one another, my heart

“On that day, I killed a man. The soft flesh was crushed. From it the sweet and sour scent of red

I killed a man.

“It‟s „Ningen Shikkaku‟

After Tooko-senpai read the letter, she unequivocally said.

“Yes. The line „Mine has been a life of much shame‟ is what the main character of „Ningen

Shikkaku‟ as well.”

After a night of rest she got better, but she hasn‟t healed completely yet. Her eyes keep on rolling

imitation of the novel?”

content seemed very twisted and beyond help. I felt that I had been tossed into a truly black

This is the grim confession and repentance of a boy named Shuuji Kataoka.

Why would one feel happy?

And, what‟s the definition of like? What‟s the definition of dislike?

friend was going to move away, everyone was feeling bad. Except for him. When a puppy and a

such humans or animals. As these kinds of events happened more and more, he started to lose a

The failure of understanding other people's emotional processes made him feel fear, despair, and

If everyone found out that he was a monster, what would they do?

tries his hardest to make others like him.

circle. But deep inside him, he was clenched by a powerful sense of shame. This brought

Lying is shameful. Deviancy is also shameful. In his letter Shuuji Kataoka repeatedly described

“So ashamed.

Just the act of living brings me shame.”

Shuuji referred to that person as S. In the letter, he said that person understands him the best, yet

“Only one person, only S, through his intelligent eyes, made me realize I am merely a clown.”

“One day, S quietly said to me. Your girlfriend, do you honestly love her?”

Who is „her‟ the letter referred to? Who is „S‟? I have no idea. 

When I finished the letter, for some reason my chest felt very stuffed. I have felt like this before.

(This is the reason. This letter started with a reference to „Ningen Shikkaku‟.)

the book is that the name is very dark. The reason I chose to read the book is because it was one

it and write a report on it. Perhaps I was at an age of wanting to grow up, I picked the hardest

But back then I was only a junior high school student, I was not mature enough yet. So I didn‟t

confessing for his melancholic life, but I didn‟t get it one bit. At the end I chose another book for

Even that was a very long time ago, but deep in my mind I still seem to recall the content of the

“Ku-shu~”

“Uhnnn… In my opinion this letter did not completely copy Dazai‟s book. The author is only

I think.”

that‟s true as well?”

No matter how you put it, Shuuji Kataoka does not merely „have a little something bothering

fantasizing such a thing is already dangerous enough. Moreover, for someone who is in so much

“Dazai Osamu commited suicide a month after he completed „Ningen Shikkaku‟. Looking at this,

This letter feels almost as if it is a will. Shuuji Kataoka must be planning to commit suicide;

Tooko-senpai is sitting in her chair, both arms hugging her knees. Her right thumb is pushing on

“Dazai Osamu‟s „Ningen Shikkaku‟ is composed of „Prologue‟, „The First Handnote‟, „The

and August editions of „Tenbou‟. The beginning of the story, „Prologue‟, and the confession of

edition. A month later, on June 13th, Dazai Osamu, with his lover, Yamazaki Tomie, jumped

Tooko-senpai's gaze moved far away. Her lips, like a mechanism, rhythmically moved.

were found. „The Third Handnote‟ and the concluding „Epilogue‟ were published a month later

The main character was born in a rural well-known traditional family. He was ashamed and

movements. But halfway through he quit. He started to despise himself. To escape from his

During that time, he and a waitress of a cafe decided to commit suicide together. The waitress

more self-doubting and in despair. In the end, he returned to his poor, inward, fruitless life style.

drugs. His friends sent him to an asylum, where he ended up as a docile being.

social movements because he wondered whether he would remain as a rich heir for life. He had

That time Dazai Osamu was saved, but the waitress died. Afterwards, he married Geisha Oyama

was traumatized. He tried to kill himself, but again that failed. Afterwards, because of his heavy

After his release, he wrote the basis of „Ningen Shikkaku‟, „Human Lost‟. Not long after that, he

Following this, Dazai Osamu wrote many famous and incredible works. He became a wellknown

Immediately after the completion, he committed suicide. This time Dazai Osamu and his female

will.”

“Konoha, have you ever read Dazai Osamu‟s works?”

„Fugaku Hyakkei‟ right?”

good article, but it just doesn‟t taste right……un Ku-shu!~ Ku-shu~ !Ku-shu~!”

“You all right?”

“I don‟t really understand. The prologue alone made me feel burdened…but in contrast „Hashire

startled. For „Fugaku Hyakkei‟, I only remember the scenes when the pictures were taken. After I

relaxing to read it. You almost feel like you are conversing with the author.”

Tooko-senpai wiped her nose with a pink red Kleenex, squeezed the used paper into a tiny

“Dazai‟s works often make their readers feel as if they are in an intimate and realistic

transcription. The intense dialogues were shooting out so fast one has trouble following them.

view is Dazai Osamu‟s greatest magic. It is „resonance‟ between the author and his works.”

“Yes. Dazai was an author with polarized comments towards him. Even though to people who

is a very attractive author. One could not help but fall in love with him. In fact, following his

to mourn for his death]. Even up to this day many people still join the gathering. By having such

last line is not translated properly, but this is the best I could do.]

reflected from Dazai‟s works?

read his works they often think like this.

No matter who it is, everyone wants to be understood by others. Each person wants to seek that

Deviancy can be a scary thing. Loneliness too is very miserable. Dazai‟s works can often, at this

with the author. Together you will experience the world of the story. Aaaa, it‟s like it‟s my own

According to legends, when Dazai was alive, his readers often wrote letters or diaries to him to

about a normal girl‟s one day of life, „Joseito‟, was based on the diary of his reader, „Ariake

It is quite believable if you say this is part of Dazai‟s works.”

reason why he wrote this letter?”

attraction and at the same time terrifying quality of Dazai‟s stories…when you are already in a

the darkest sea…”

“But, this letter ended halfway. Would it be like „Ningen Shikkaku‟ and have second and third

“Ku-shu, gosh. If that is the case, if his problem is not solved before the appearance of the

“Please don‟t say something that can jinx it.” 

hungry I am I won‟t touch this letter. If I eat this poisonous letter, I too may want to kill myself.”

“Then who is S that he mentioned in the letter? And what about „her‟…does that mean Takedasan?

“That‟s right. This is the number one problem. We must see Shuuji-senpai as soon as possible. If

“In the end…the only person who can do it is Takeda-san…”

On the following Monday, during the break after the first period, Takeda-san, with her lively

“Konoha-senpai, could I have the letters now?~~”

“Sorry, I can‟t write the letters. I need to know more about Shuuji-senpai, or else I can‟t write

The smile on Takeda-san‟s face disappeared. Her eyes looked like a puppy's that has been

“About Shuuji-senpai, could you tell me more about him? Please tell me everything you know

“…”

Her fingers were twisted together, and she kept on flexing them.

storage room.”

I knocked on it.

A voice from inside answered.

It‟s not the smell of cream or chocolate- it‟s the smell of old books.

bookshelves were standing in the room, with many stacks of books lying on the floor.

desk and a chair. The lamp on the desk was turned on, and it alone illuminated the whole room.

closed her duck notebook and quietly looked at me. Beside the notebook there was a coffee mug.

“This room has cockroaches and mice.”

I looked at the bottom of my feet with unease.

place as a secret room and often stay in here.”

“Konoha-senpai, you dislike roaches?”

“That‟s true, I‟ve never heard of things like Cockroach lovers club, or cockroaches‟ enthusiasts‟

“…If I have to compare, mice terrify me more than roaches. When I was in elementary school I

pillow. When I shifted my body position, my face rested against the mouse‟s corpse. Even

sensation.”

“Ah, that was a disaster. But mice „only occasionally appear‟, so there is nothing to worry about.

With a thud, Takeda-san banged her chest with her hand.

“Ah, Konoha-senpai, would you like some tea?”

beverage into it.

“You have a traditional hobby.”

The thermal jug kept the roast tea at the best temperature; it was good.

I put the lid onto the table and, from my pocket, I took out Shuuji Kataoka‟s letter that Takedasan

“…First of all, you can have it back.”

Takeda-san silently received the letter. She slipped it into her duck notebook, and tightly held the

“I apologize in advance if I am mistaken. I don‟t think the letter was meant for Takeda-san. It

Takeda-san‟s finger jolted.

think the letter was written to you.”

Takeda-san muttered.

“A book, from the library?”

and was shaken by it. It bothered me a lot and I couldn‟t stand it, so I went to find Shuuji-senpai.”

Takeda-san slightly hesitated, and then forcefully nodded.

“But the Archery Club does not have a member named Shuuji Kataoka…”

She lifted her head and said intensely.

I don‟t understand.

Also, what is the true identity of the Shuuji Kataoka that Takeda-san claimed existed?

Takeda-san put the notebook back onto the table and kept her face down completely.

I felt as if a mouse was squeaking near us. I tried to change the topic.

do you know?”

Takeda-san smiled weakly.

the story. Why does this person feel so much pain…He is rich enough to hire house cleaners.

and teachers all like him. He is smart and writes many fun works. Women love him; some are

live? This is-too strange. He rants too much. There is no point in living so painfully.” 

through her talk, she lowered her head. Her shoulders were shaking greatly, her lips continued to

“…That‟s all I can think of, I am so useless. I am so dumb. It‟s true, I am really common, and

spent a lifetime thinking about why, I still wouldn‟t understand. I read „Ningen Shikkaku‟ from

Takeda-san‟s grief quietly stained my chest.

But is unable to.

Takeda-san‟s throat, as if trying to swallow her tears, gave out „thumping‟ noises. Then she took

“…This cup, was a birthday present from my friend; Shii-chan is my best friend. She differs

and am always tripping in places that have nothing to trip over...

do for him, I will do my best to complete it.”

At least in Takeda-san‟s heart, Shuuji-senpai does exist. Takeda-san really does love Shuujisenpai.

Seeing such a show of emotion from her, I cannot find anything to counter.

I could only say this.

Her lips shook softly.

wondered. 

at me.

a wealthy family and still feel ashamed of themselves…they really do look stupid. Ehehe”

crying again.

“Wh- why all of a sudden-”

“Konoha-senpai‟s face….looks very beautiful, very gentle.”

was beautiful. I was becoming flustered.

“Eheh, I need to ask Konoha-senpai for a favour. Tomorrow after school, could you accompany

Takeda-san‟s voice was so forceful that I was taken aback.

◇ ◇ ◇

S sees through everything.

One day, I will be killed by S.

◇ ◇ ◇

(The Archery Club does not have someone called Shuuji Kataoka. So who does Takeda-san plan

Despite being a few years since I read „Ningen Shikkaku‟, I still think the story is so hopelessly

of relate to the main character‟s thoughts.

the same as me‟, I was startled.

“Konoha, the phone.”

I lifted the extension; The caller was Tooko-senpai.

It‟s probably because she forced herself to go to school before, Tooko-senpai‟s cold got a lot

went she, with unsteady steps, came to find me.

ghost appears, escape as fast as you can. If anything happens phone me immediately, here is my

Following that, she wrote her phone number on my right hand with an oil-based marker.

that you might have been eaten by a ghost. Ku-shu”

Even if she didn‟t write it, I could have found her phone number in the club member list

hand and, with tears in her eyes due to her constant sneezing, very solemnly wrote on my hand.

“Because you are still on your sick bed, I thought I shouldn‟t bother you. How do you feel now?”

This person‟s definition of „fine‟ is absolutely untrustworthy. As I recalled her past reckless

When Tooko-senpai heard that Takeda-san and I were going to go to the Archery club, Tookosenpai

“Maybe Shuuji-senpai‟s ghost will appear! Konoha-kun, you must not forget to bring salt [TL

Why does she always think of ghosts? Do you befriend ghosts? If there exists a book eating

I told her that after I reread „Ningen Shikkaku‟ I seemed to have fallen for it a bit. She sneezed,

“I too fell into the dark with the main character when I was in a baaaaaaaaad mood. Dazai‟s

“Tooko-senpai, you actually get depressed from time to time as well?”

“Hahaha”

This time I didn‟t laugh. Foods that everyone thinks are delicious—to Tooko-senpai, they are

Just like the main character of „Ningen Shikkaku‟, who is unable to experience the emotion

taste nothing. This is very lonely.

“So I used my imagination to imagine myself eating a delicious book, and say „Wha, so

“Because you are the bungaku shoujo.”

“Which part?” 

I just couldn‟t understand that feeling…Aha, I have been chatting with Konoha-kun for so long, I

“…”

Tooko-senpai.

A book that is filled with Vitamin C…What would that book be like?

After class, Takeda-san came to my classroom to meet up with me.

She seemed so happy, it was as if we were going to an amusement park.

“No way, nope.”

Kotobuki-san was still staring at me coldly. „And he claimed he was not going out with her.

say it means liar.].‟ She must be thinking that.

“Then, is Shuuji-senpai really in the Archery Club?”

Perfect? What‟s perfect!?

“Excuse me~~~, we are here to observe~”

“Hey, Chia-chan, long time no see.”

The club members all ran to us and intimately greeted her. Takeda-san seems to be a frequent

(So Takeda-san always comes to the Archery Club to see Shuuji-senpai…)

The club members brought two chairs for us, so Takeda-san and I sat down.

“Uwha, that‟s great~, nice~!”

In the middle of the process, the fully changed Akutagawa-kun saw me. A strange expression

I nodded at him, he also greeted me back. Judging from Akutagawa-kun‟s personality, I don‟t

with Takeda-san to see them practice, I would still be pretty embarrassed.

“Hey, who is Shuuji-senpai?”

Following the direction she was pointing, I saw the person she was pointing to was Akutagawakun,

serious. He looked very cool.

“Eeeeeeeh? Does Konoha-senpai know him?”

student. Also he is a strenuous person that has never even joked once in his life.”

Takeda-san just kept on giggling. 

*zubantsu*

“Kya~~~~! Amazing! It was dead center~~~~!”

“Hey, hey, he is very skilled!”

“~~~~Tsu. Takeda-san, we are not spies from other schools‟ archery clubs, nor are we members

“I know that. Chia and Konoha-senpai came here to see Shuuji-senpai.”

“That…”

“Hello, everyone [TL note: the original word is 後輩諸君 (Kohai Shokun), which translates to

Four or five adults came over here.

“Hello everyone, we graduated senpai have come to visit~”

“Oi, have you gotten any better, Kashiwagi?”

I do that!”

“Please do!”

“Yo, we are here to bother you guys again.”

“Rihoko-senpai I heard the expected delivery date is around next year, congratulations!”

come visit you all next month as well.”

“Ufufu, Manabe-kun is always so worried.”

only one female among them; the rest were males.

Takeda-san explained to me.

ago, he was the captain that led the club to second place in the national finals. Every now and

“You know a lot about it.”

Takeda-san said proudly. Aah, we are getting off topic again. When will I finally meet Shuujisenpai?

At that instant-

A terrified shout reached my ears.

Has Shuuji-senpai finally appeared?

“What Shuuji! Don‟t be stupid!”

Other graduates also shouted with horror in their voices.

Suddenly I smelled a mixed scent of sweat and tobacco. Someone, with both his hands, grabbed

That moustached man, with his wide open eyes, stared at me. He is one of the graduates,

“Shuuji…”

With his eyes, he just stared at me as if he wanted to swallow me alive.

Shuuji is me?!

Manabe-san finally removed his hands from my stiff face.

The fire in his eyes disappeared. He started to frailly mumble to himself.

club member?”

I don‟t know when, but all the graduates have now surrounded me. They looked at me as if they

As these stares are directed towards me, I am confused and don't know how to react.

going on?

“He really looks like Kataoka, but Kataoka is taller…but their faces are almost the same. He is

“I…Inoue Konoha.”

relatives that have the last name Kataoka?”

However, another graduate that wore a suit and glasses, a seemingly very smart man, continued

“But the similarities are striking. Perhaps Konoha-kun is related to Shuuji in some way.”

that our memories are getting fuzzy. That‟s why we mistook someone who is moderately similar

“That makes sense…Maybe it‟s just as Soeda said.”

A grim expression appeared on Rihoko-san‟s face.

All the graduates looked at me. After that, they looked at each other with difficulties.

Rihoko-san suddenly said.

“Enough, Rihoko.” Manabe-san stopped Rihoko from talking any further. Then he smiled

“Shuuji was a member of the Archery Club. He was around the same year as us.”

Then this means Shuuji-senpai and Manabe-san etc. are all alumnus of the same Archery Club.

Except he does not exist in the current Archery Club; he existed in the past Archery Club. 

she was staring at the alumnus.

anything about him, yet she fell in love with him? How is that possible?

The Shuuji Kataoka, who always felt „My concept of happiness differs from the norm of the

the part of a clown. What is he like?

Manabe-san‟s face grew darker and darker.

continuing. I apologize for scaring you, Konoha.”

The glasses wearing alumni good-naturedly shouted. No one is talking about Shuuji-senpai

All the graduates have moved away to mentor the kouhai. Only Takeda-san and I remained

Takeda-san‟s face was stiff. Her eyes were fixed on the center of an arrow target.

“Takeda-san”

“……Sorry. Shuuji-senpai didn‟t come today.” 
 

Chapter end