Cards — They Huddled Shoulder to Shoulder 4

[gyaxa]

(A few days later)

Hiiro: …~♪︎

(“Notice for the Selection Results”! I’m so happy…)

Hehe…♪︎

(No matter how many times I read it, I keep finding myself breaking into a smile.)

(Even the weight of the envelope carrying the documents feels absolutely lovely to me! I find myself wanting to embrace it in spite of myself!)

I need to tell everyone as soon as… hm?

(This presence is…)

(Speaking quietly) Could that be you up there in the ceiling, Mayoi-senpai?

Mayoi: Yes, I’m coming down right now. Heave, ho…
 

Hiiro: Are there still press cameras placed in the building today? I don’t recall seeing you on my way here.

Mayoi: No; today, I was, um…

I wanted to watch Hiiro-san hum as he skipped down the hallway, embracing the envelope ever so carefully with that smile sneaking onto his face all the while, so before I knew it…♪︎

You did a little fist pump after you left the office, didn’t you?

Hiiro: Huh, you were watching me that whole time?

I’m aware of how overexcited I was, so that’s awfully embarrassing. You could have just made me aware of your presence before.

Mayoi: I apologize. The sight of you so happy was just positively adorable, so I couldn’t find a good time to make an appearance.

Um, I believe I got a rough idea while I was watching you, but the reason you’re in such high spirits is because…

Hiiro: Right! That’s right, Mayoi-senpai!

We get to participate in the live as the Card Soldiers, just as we had hoped for!

Here, take a look. Inside this envelope are the materials containing the details for "Underland".

Mayoi: “Underland”? Wasn’t the live’s name “Wonderland”?

Hiiro: That’s what I thought as well, but it turns out the official title is "Underland”.

No matter what the name is, the fact that we get to take part in such a grand live is still the same ♪︎

Mayoi: Congratulations, Hiiro-san.

Hiiro: Thank you! It feels like we’ve cleared the first big hurdle, which is a little reassuring.

Had I done it myself, the application would have taken even longer to complete, and we might not have made the deadline.

It’s thanks to your help that the application process went so smoothly. Thank you so much, Mayoi-senpai!

Mayoi: … No, I did nothing to deserve thanks.

Hiiro: Please, don’t say anything of that sort and let me appreciate you. Looking over the documents was a little bewildering for me, after all…

Above all, it’s thanks to you that I was able to elaborate on ALKALOID’s good points and why we want the Card Soldiers role.

Had you not given me all those good suggestions, I doubt I would’ve been able to finish writing the self-promotion.

And the truth is, today, I wanted to express my gratitude to you before anything else.

Mayoi: You don’t have to go that far… I’m glad I was able to be of help.

Hiiro: It’s pathetic of me to need this much help as our leader.

But I’ll put in my best efforts to make "Underland" a success, so I’d be grateful if you could keep helping me from now on.

Mayoi: You’re not pathetic. You’re always pulling us forward with that positive outlook of yours, Hiiro-san.

Please let me do anything I can to help you.

 

That’s the very least I can do—...

Hiiro: ? You look rather gloomy. Are you alright, Mayoi-senpai…?

Mayoi: ……

There’s still some time before our lesson, but shall we start heading to the dance room?

I… have something I want to tell you.

 

─── 
 

 

Mayoi: … (Faltering over his words)

Hiiro: …?

Mayoi: …, …. (Starts to speak, but stops immediately)

Hiiro: You’re blinking a lot. Are you nervous?

Mayoi: Ah, I apologize. I do have something to tell you, but words fail me every time I try to say it…

Hiiro: We still have time until the lesson starts, so I’ll wait until you calm down, okay?

Mayoi: N-No. I need to say it now, or this regret will just keep on haunting me .

Hiiro: Regret?

Mayoi: Huff, puff…

……

H-Hiiro-san.

Hiiro: Yes?
 

Mayoi: I—

From the bottom of my heart, I’m grateful that it is you who is our leader.

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