The clubroom later in the day was far more frigid than usual.
We informed Hiratsuka-sensei about how the clubroom heater had started spewing out abnormal noises since a few days ago. After that, we were notified not to use it until the manufacturer made their repairs.
Our school life was as normal as could be—the clubroom wasn’t utilized during the day—but it was a slightly different story after school.
With the gradually declining sun and the dropping temperatures, we still chose to participate in club.
That’s why even in the clubroom, my scarf was still wrapped around my neck. The only reliable source of warmth worth mentioning was at best the electric kettle.
However, the kettle wasn’t meant to keep us warm. After all, it was being used to brew our tea for today. That said, its miniscule contribution of warmth was far better than having none at all in this frozen wasteland of a room.
Humans were creatures that couldn’t cope with the emptiness that followed the loss of their extravagant life they had gotten so used to. For every chilling sensation that crept up my feet, my hand would stop turning the page of my book on a casual whim.
At any rate, our club wasn’t one to see frequent visitors. It’d be far more enjoyable spending my time reading at home than here. Heck, as shameful as it is for me to say this, reading in a Starbucks surrounded by overly aware (lol) people would be more preferable than this. On another note, why did overly aware (lol) people always sit near the window and attempt to show off by playing around with their MacBook or pretend to read a new book they bought, anyway? Were they trying to be the bugs that would stick themselves to windows on a late summer night?
Of course, reading peacefully at a popular location such as Starbucks wasn’t that simple. If we take into consideration how crowded it’d be, the clubroom was the superior place to be. And I certainly didn’t dislike the tranquil and cool atmosphere that was in it. But come winter, the coolness would intensify.
My seat, in particular, was positioned near the wall that separated the room from the hallway. Only, this wall was as thin as Something-Place 211. Calling it a panel would be more accurate. It was so thin that it didn’t prove to be much in obstructing the outside air and the cold wind would seep through the crevices of the doors.
“…Hey, can we end club early today? It’s really cold.”
My shoulders would shake every time I became aware of how cold it was. Unable to endure the chilliness, I spoke to the two that sat near the windows.
Reading just as I was, Yukinoshita tilted her head in wonder. “Really…? Well, what should we do?”
“Ehhh, why? I’m not even cold.”
Yukinoshita moved her hand to her chin and contemplated. Answering her question was Yuigahama.
Well duh, of course Yuigahama wouldn’t feel cold.
After all, she was the one who immediately relocated her seat right next to Yukinoshita after realizing how cold it was in here. She then invaded Yukinoshita’s lap blanket. Yukinoshita would normally shoo her away with complaints about how sultry and bothersome she was being, but today, she was letting Yuigahama do as she pleased.
As such, they both had very cozy expressions.
While they were sitting in a spot where the sun could reach them, the biggest reason was the mutual exchanging of their body warmth. Looking rather warm, you two…
I gave those intimate two a reproachful stare. Yuigahama who was clinging right onto Yukinoshita slightly straightened up.
“H-Hey Hikki, aren’t you cold over there?”
“…Yeah, it’s cold.”
When she reconfirmed the fact with a question, I felt another chill crawl up my body and I found myself rubbing my upper arms.
“Oh…” Yuigahama turned over the blanket once as though to confirm its size. After, she hesitated for a moment and let out a small breath.
When she sent me an examining look with upturned eyes, I grew restless.
She breathed in and out in hopes of trying to say something and her plentiful bosom would expand and contract. Then, looking ready, she opened her mouth, her voice so small and audible that didn’t align with her behavior moments before.
“Th-Then, how about you…”
Yuigahama mumbled her words in difficulty and Yukinoshita finished her sentence with a soft smile.
“Wear your coat?”
I saw that coming, yes. I grabbed my coat as was suggested and placed it around my shoulders, not wearing it through my arms like how an office lady sensitive to the cold would agonize from air conditioning during the summer.