The Out Side Day2¹

<⁠Good morning, everyone. You’re watching the HAMA morning news.⁠>

<⁠The police investigation following the explosion at the Hama Asunaro High School old building this July has concluded after two months.⁠>

<⁠Because there were several students on the scene at the time of the explosion, the incident was initially being investigated as both a possible accident and a possible crime.⁠>

<⁠But after searching the scene, the explosion was determined to be caused by a rupture in a deteriorated water pipe.⁠>

<⁠The building held a lot of history, so this case was considered important news worldwide. Tell me, could a ruptured water pipe truly cause a large explosion?⁠>

<⁠This investigation was incredibly sloppy! This is a conspiracy! The police force is attempting to pull the wool over our eyes to hide a serious incident or a person who could bring the country to ruin!⁠>

<⁠I-I see… But it’s relieving that the students present at the explosion were unhurt.⁠>

<⁠They must have seen something! We should⁠—⁠>

<⁠Uhh, let’s move on to the next story.⁠>

<⁠Late last night, suspect Domeki Kuguri was arrested on the streets of Roppongi, Tokyo. We will be reporting to you from outside the Azabu police station. Announcer Takemitsu?⁠>

<⁠This is Takemitsu! We are live outside of the Azabu police station, where I’m surrounded by a great number of reporters. Suspect Domeki has been arrested today on counts of criminal incitement.⁠>

Kugu-nii…

I knew this would happen, but…

Make sure you have everything. Did you bring a handkerchief and tissues?

Teach, we’re in high school now. We’re not little kids, so don’t worry about it!

What are you saying? Your new semester starts today! You haven’t been to school since the open campus.

You have to make sure you’re prepared! Now let’s hurry up and go eat breakfast!

Dudes, what if there are a buncha people waiting for us at the gate when we go to school?

Like, “Ahhh! Akuta-san, you’re so hot!”

*sigh…* You’re still going on about that? Quit dreaming.

I do think we’ve done well enough to deserve attention.

Oh, nice! You wanna be popular too, Muneuji? Guess I can’t judge a book by its cover! You sly dog!

Not quite. I have unintentionally become the face of my club, so…

I’m hoping the Anthroposophical Astronomy Club receives new member applicants.

Hmmm… You’re already kinda famous as the guy who wears a helmet everywhere. You’d probably get more popular if you showed your face more.

My face?

People always fall for you after they look at you for a few seconds.

Ah, so that’s what you mean. I’m not sure I understand why people fawn over my appearance, but I don’t want people joining my club for that reason.

AAGHHH! I wanna say that too!

Muu-chan, I love it when people get hit by your friendly fire like that.

Kiroku, what if you get surrounded by people and they start giving you stuff?

…I want…to…lay low…still…

What about you, Nanaki?

I…

I’d…be happy if just one person looked my way.

Hm?

You can chat, but please hurry up and get ready!

Okaaay.

(Now that we know the cause of the explosion, they shouldn’t be seen as bombers anymore…)

(That’s great to hear.)

(But I’m still confused about the ending of the hospitality live…)

It’s the alien egg’s fault!

Yeah, we thought it would explode.

The alien egg?

Yes… But…it’s not…really…an…egg…

So the alien egg is not an egg?

It is an egg a secret service was tracking down.

……

I know it doesn’t make sense, but we’re not lying. I swear.

……

Principal Naoe handled the situation well by announcing it to be an emergency drill, so I shall not press further.

You’re not gonna fool me, Mr. Kari! I can tell you don’t believe us.

Whatever could you mean? All teachers believe in their students.

There was a really crazy-looking secret agent standing on the fence.

And then the student council prez got his clothes ripped off.

Hm. I believe you.

Ahahahaha!

I don’t really get it, but it sounds interesting, so let’s leave it at that.

(What was that egg thing all about?)

Aw, frick! I gotta go! I’m gonna waste my time in the spotlight!

See you!

See you later!

Haha…

Good morning, Chief. Have the students already left?

Yeah. They just hurried off.

Summer vacation is finally over. I’m glad to hear the Noon Team’s first tour went well.

Now that they’re done, you know what comes next, right?

Good morning, Kafka.

President Oguro, I’d really appreciate it if you explained what I have to do with the Evening Team already.

Ahaha! It’s a secret for now. Things are more fun that way, right?

(Kafka’s smile… When he smiles like that, he’s always plotting something outrageous.)

Good grief. My stomach hurts…

Dude, my uniform looks good, right? My necktie isn’t all outta wack, right?

Neck…tie…? Where…?

Do I look alright as the Anthroposophical Astronomy Club president?

You look great, as always. That includes your helmet.

Is my hair okay?!

It’s…great…

*sigh* This is dumb. Nobody’s gonna pay attention to your uniform or your hair.

Uu-chan, you have your pants tucked into your socks.

What?!

You sure fixed that in a hurry.

Alright… Let’s roll…!

Ah, look! Over there!

Ahh! No way!

(H-Here it comes…!)

Morning, everyo⁠—

Good morning, President Kuraku!

…Huh?

Hm?

…Presi…dent…?

Good morning to you all. I’m very glad to see you again after so long.

Senpai! I’m so happy to see you today!

You were so cool at the open campus!

You calmed down the crowd after those ward mayors caused a panic with their prank… I was so moved!

Hahahaha! Thank you!

Oh… O…kay…

I have no words.

N-No way… This can’t be happening…

Oh, it’s the ward mayors who caused a panic. Morning.

Morning…

I heard the prez lectured you to repent on the roof.

Huh?

Everyone knows it happened. Hahaha!

It didn’t! On the roof, he⁠—

HM?!

He…

You don’t have to say it. Let’s go.

……

Yeah.

……

(It’s kinda relieving to see all of these square classrooms be arranged in the same way. But I feel like something is being covered up too.)

Day2, can you guys hear me? Over.

We just started this semester, and we’re already skipping the opening ceremony.

Let’s watch President Kuraku’s speech on the broadcast.

No, that sounds annoying.

……

Isotake, do you find it difficult to forgive the president for making us stay as rank 1 students despite knowing the truth?

Nah, that’s not it. It’s really not, to the point that it even surprises me.

(Compared to last semester, I haven’t gotten more popular or grown that much, and my dream of playing tag on the moon is still just a dream. Nothing’s changed.)

But… Now I believe.

I believe in a future where we shoot right through the hearts of all those guys who looked down on us and covered us up. And we’ll make ‘em give us a big round of applause!

“Preacher…of passion”…!

Sounds like something a little kid would say. Where’d you get all that confidence from?

……

So don’t give up and don’t run away. Because if you see things through, then this summer will…

Even when you lose your way. Even when you stop in your tracks…

This summer will give you courage.

Well, that’s obvious! I got it from the summer I spent with you guys.

Pfft…

Haha, nobody’s got you beat in charisma, Akuta.

We’re gonna get our revenge on them for making fun of us!

Alright! Now that that’s decided, let’s hijack the opening ceremony, like we did at the summer festival!

What? Are you crazy?

Allow me to explain!

(When I lose confidence in myself, I just have to think back to this summer. And when I can’t think back, I’ll just ask any of these guys, who knew who I was this summer.)

(Day2 has enough courage to last a lifetime!)