A month has passed since the new semester began.
Just as we were finally getting used to the new environment, a brief respite arrived.
Golden Week, the string of holidays from the end of April to the beginning of May. The calendar forces a couple of schooldays in between, but that does little to diminish the feeling of liberation.
And today was the after-school wind-down before the first long weekend of Golden Week, a truly invincible time when tomorrow felt like a distant problem.
"—So, Umi? Have you decided what you want?"
"Maki… Hmm, I've narrowed it down to two, but I'm still stuck."
"I see. Well, why not just get both? It's not like we're on a strict budget or anything."
"Nuh-uh, no way. If I do that, I'll have to eat both, won't I? Or wait… is it some kind of hobby of yours? To parade around a chubby version of me after the holidays?"
"I don't have any hobbies that peculiar…"
We were in the convenience store near my house, picking out snacks to go with the movie we'd just rented. Potato chips, or perhaps chocolate-covered pretzels… Both were undeniably high-calorie, and while I could suggest she just pace herself, the atmosphere didn't feel quite right for that kind of advice.
Besides, even if she did get a little chubby like she said, I'm sure it would be cute in its own way.
"By the way, have you made your choice, Maki? I know I just appointed you the Minister of Beverages, but still."
"Yep. This."
"Craft cola, huh? You always pick the most unique stuff… Well, I get a craving for it every now and then, so I can't complain. Okay then, considering the pairing, I guess I'll go with the potato chips. Honestly, putting up with such a free-spirited boyfriend… I'm such an amazing girlfriend, right? Aren't I, Maki?"
"…That's one of those things I absolutely have to agree with, isn't it?"
Still, there was no denying that Umi was a wonderful girlfriend. We liked the same foods, thought in similar ways, and just being with her was comfortable.
And she was incredibly cute.
I hadn't fully grasped it when we first started dating, but the more time we spent together, the more I realized how lucky I was to be her boyfriend. You could look all you want, but you wouldn't find another girl like Umi.
As these thoughts drifted through my mind, a sudden urge to be close to her washed over me. We were the only customers in the store. A little something would be fine.
"…Hey, Umi."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Um… I was wondering if I could hold your hand."
"…"
For a moment, Umi just stared at me, puzzled. But then, understanding dawned, and the corners of her lips slowly curved upward.
"…Nfufu~"
"Wh-What? It's fine, isn't it? We're a couple."
"Yeah, it's fine. I was just thinking you're being quite the clingy one today~ Oh, since it's a special occasion, should I give you a little pat on the head?"
"That's… not necessary."
"Fufu, no need to be shy."
With a mischievous smile, Umi clung to my arm, pressing herself against me. Even through our uniforms, the soft swell of her chest was unmistakable, and my heart skipped a beat.
"…I would've been fine with just holding hands, you know."
"Really? But I figured you'd be happier this way, Maki. I can stop if you don't like it, though."
"No, this is fine, too."
I belatedly noticed a store clerk nearby, but once we started, neither of us could stop our playful flirting. From a distance, I thought I heard the young employee sigh and click their tongue, and a pang of guilt struck me.
Seriously, sorry for being one of those couples.
After our little moment, we paid and headed straight for our usual hangout: the Maehara family living room.
As promised during the class tournament the other day, all my free time during the holidays was dedicated to Umi. If she wanted to lounge around my house, I'd lounge with her. If she wanted to get all dressed up for a date in the city, I'd take her wherever she wanted until she was satisfied.
Today was for hashing out the details of those plans.
"Hey Umi, are you sure you're okay for the holidays? Don't you have plans with Amami-san or Nitta-san? Or family stuff?"
"No problem. I asked, and it turns out Yuu is going to her grandma's house. She's even taking the weekdays off from school for it. Since Yuu's busy, Nina is going to hang out with some other friends."
"I see. Amami-san's grandma… is that the one who lives overseas?"
"Yep, on her mom's side. Apparently, the trip was planned last year. Yuu was really looking forward to it. She's probably busy packing right now, don't you think?"
For someone like me who struggles with communication, the word "overseas" feels like a bundle of anxiety, but I'm sure Amami-san could get by with body language. I have no ties to any foreign countries, but I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to go.
Maybe a business trip for a future job, or maybe… for a honeymoo—with Umi… no, that's getting way ahead of myself.
"But I get it. It's a long holiday, so things like that are bound to happen."
"Ah… sorry, Maki. I made you remember something unpleasant, didn't I?"
"Don't worry about it. It's not like my parents hate me or anything, we just don't get many opportunities. …But speaking of which, I don't hear much about that from your family either, Umi."
"Ah~… yeah. I'll tell you, Maki, but things aren't exactly great on my end. I think you've heard bits and pieces, but my parents got married really young, right? That's part of it."
"Oh yeah… come to think of it, you're right."
From what I recall, Daichi-san got married (and Sora-san had Riku-san) when they were very young, probably still students, so that was likely the root of the issue. I feel like I've even heard Sora-san complain about her mother-in-law a few times.
"So, with my dad busy with work as usual and my mom not saying anything, I'm completely free. Aren't you happy you get to be with your cute girlfriend the whole time, Maki? You're happy, right? Because if you're not, I'll knock you out, you bastard."
"That second half got aggressive all of a sudden…"
My only concern was monopolizing her time and making her other friends feel left out. If that wasn't an issue, then I had no complaints. Now that we were in different classes, I had to make up for lost time. My part-time job gets busy during the holidays, so I'll have to pick up a few shifts, but I want to spend every other possible moment alone with Umi.
"Hmm, so for now, it seems neither of us has any problems with our Golden Week plans. That means the only thing left is… that."
"Right. And that feels like the biggest hurdle of all."
Though my spring break was set to be all about Umi, there was one more plan we had yet to finalize.
From the plastic bag filled with our movie-and-gaming snacks, I casually pulled out a single travel magazine and set it on the table.
A trip for just the two of us, with no one to interrupt.
It was a promise I'd made on a whim a month ago to cheer up a depressed Umi after the class shuffle separated us, but the preparations for it were, in fact, steadily moving forward.