"Cute, you say? Hehe, thanks. It's still a little unnatural, but you're getting better at saying nice things, Maki… If we weren't doing fireworks, I might have kissed you on the spot."
"I might have missed out on something good… Hehe."
We laughed quietly to ourselves, thoroughly enjoying the first fireworks we had ever done together since we met.
It's not flashy, but I feel like this suits my personality better.
…Well, in the end, as long as Umi is by my side, anything is fine.
"You know, Maki."
"…Yeah?"
"While you were sleeping earlier, Yuu, Nina, and I had a talk."
"…Yeah."
It was probably about the matter Amami-san had told me about earlier. While I was blissfully snoring away on the living room sofa, it seems Amami-san had properly conveyed her thoughts to the two of them.
"I was hoping that this short one-night, two-day trip would be a chance for Nakamura-san and Takizawa-kun… for their relationship to move forward a little, so I decided to invite them on short notice. They're so obviously in love with each other, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for them to get together… y'know, like my big brother and Shizuku-san."
"…I see, so that's why."
It was an unusually sudden change of plans for Umi, but it seems the reason behind her actions was the trip back home the other day.
The moment when Riku-san and Shizuku-san's feelings connected is still firmly etched in my and Umi's memories and hearts. It was undoubtedly a moving scene, so much so that it brought tears to my eyes.
This time, however, it ended up being an unnecessary meddling.
"But, things don't always go as planned, do they? I just wanted Nakamura-san to be honest with herself, but before I knew it, I realized I had made Nina and Yuu feel bad. So I was a little down, you could say. Oh, we didn't get into a fight or anything, so you can rest assured about that."
"Yeah. But, so… it didn't work out, huh?"
"…Yeah. I couldn't do it like you, Maki."
After Umi finished speaking, the sparkler that had been crackling with sparks until then quieted down and quickly fell to the ground, extinguishing.
"…Maki, can I be a little spoiled?"
"Yeah. Here you go."
"Thanks."
When I lightly spread my arms, Umi immediately buried her face in my chest.
Lately, I've been the one who's always been spoiled by Umi, so at times like this, I have to be strong and support her.
"…It's nice, isn't it, for me? Maki's always by my side, and if something's bothering me, you comfort me like this… I know it's unfair, but I can't help but be spoiled by you, Maki. I can't stop."
"That's… well, I guess that's fine, isn't it? It's not a bad thing to have someone you can be spoiled by and tell anything to at times like these, and it's not unfair."
In my experience, bottling up your worries has a bad impact on both your mind and body, so if you have someone you can trust, whether it's family or a friend, you should talk to them.
Of course, there are probably people like my former self who have to carry their burdens alone, and in fact, there might be more of them, but that doesn't mean you have to base your standards on them.
Maybe people should be allowed to be more spoiled by someone. Whether it's family or friends, there will probably be times when you inconvenience them, but at that time, you can just return the favor for being spoiled.
In the few months since I became 'friends' with Umi, and through my encounters with various people, that's what I've learned.
"It's okay. You just did your best in your own way, you didn't do anything wrong."
"…Really?"
"Yeah. I guarantee it… Though my word might not be worth much."
"That's not true. If you say so, Maki, then I'm relieved… Ehehe."
Perhaps feeling relieved and her body relaxing, the way Umi was being spoiled gradually changed. She wrapped her arms around my back as if to press herself tightly against me, and like a friendly dog, she started sniffing my scent by rubbing her cheek against my neck.
Not to be outdone, I also wrapped my hands around her waist and held her tight, ruffling her hair. She let out a ticklish voice from time to time, but her expression looked very comfortable.
"…Umi, we still have some fireworks left, shall we continue?"
"Hehe, yeah. Ah~ if it were just the two of us here, I might have allowed anything right now."
"That's a shame… Well then, I'll light it."
"Yeah. We still have a lot left, so I'm going to treat myself and use two."
"That's a good idea. Then, I will too."
After kissing each other's cheeks, we returned to our original positions and started lighting one after another to enjoy the remaining fireworks.
It's not a very elegant way to enjoy sparklers, but the sight of the sparks crackling cheerfully in both our hands is, in its own way, beautiful and not bad at all.
And the same goes for the others who are using up their fireworks in a flashy way over there.
"Alright, it's about time I taught you all how to enjoy Nakamura's fireworks. First, you take a few rocket fireworks and stick them in a handy empty can—"
"Mio-senpai, that's going too far with the mischief, and it's dangerous, so let's not, okay?"
"Hey, hey Nina-chi, look, look! Hya~ flamethrower~!"
"Oh, you're pretty good, Yuu-chin. Seki, come on, don't just stand there, light mine too. It's your job, right?"
"Good grief, you're hopeless… Hey Maki, don't just be all lovey-dovey with Asanagi over there, come over here and help me. We're about to set off the big one."
"Ah, coming… Umi, they're calling us, shall we go?"
"Yeah. But, I still feel a little awkward being with Yuu and the others, so can you stay by my side?"
"Of course. If I'm good enough, I'll always be your wall."
"Thanks… Hehe, I really am unfair, aren't I?"
Umi's hand, which had felt somewhat cold, gradually regained its usual warmth as I held it tightly.
Even for the five of us, who have been doing everything together recently, as we get closer, there will probably be more clashes of opinion and misunderstandings like this. We're not just friends on the surface; we're properly getting to know each other's thoughts, talking about them, understanding each other more deeply, and strengthening our bonds—surely, we're only halfway there right now.
So, when we wake up in the morning, we should be back to our usual selves.
We spent about an hour after that playing with almost all the fireworks in the bucket, and having finally finished most of the first day's schedule at the villa, we each went to our assigned rooms.
As for the room assignments, it was, as expected, the safe choice with three boys in one group and four girls in the other. Of course, there was no special treatment of just me and Umi being in the same room.
It's a secret that I was struggling with it until the very end.
"Hah~ I really played a lot… today…"
As I collapsed onto the bed after a late bath, the fatigue from the day washed over my entire body. I had taken a nap, but one or two hours was only a temporary relief. So, I have to sleep in order not to carry the fatigue over to tomorrow.
…I know that, but I'm in the mood to stay up a little longer tonight.
"Of course, it's the first time for the three of us, but it's also the first time for you and me, Maki, to stay over together like this. It's like a school trip, I'm kind of excited."
"Me too… Though I've never been on a school trip."
"Huh? Maehara-senpai, you've never been on a school trip? Oh, maybe you were unlucky and got sick or injured…"
"No, I was perfectly healthy… It just happened to coincide with my dad's transfers. Come to think of it, this is the first time I've told you this story, Takizawa-kun."
Thinking that Takizawa-kun wouldn't go around telling people, I asked Nozomu, who knew the situation, to supplement my explanation as I briefly explained the circumstances.
I sugarcoated the family matters, such as my parents' divorce, but perhaps sensing the subtle atmosphere between me and Nozomu, he listened with a serious expression without prying too deeply. He really is a great kouhai.
"…I see, so that's what happened. I'm sorry, I didn't know and said something rude to you, senpai."
"It's okay. It's all in the past, and now I'm living peacefully with everyone being so good to me… If you want to hear more details, I can talk a little more, though?"
"That would be… Ah, well, in that case, if you don't mind, could I tell you my story? It's about my middle school days."
Since it's about his middle school days, it's probably about when he met Nakamura-san, or about how he went from being a bean sprout (according to Nakamura-san) to a handsome boy that everyone turns to look at.
Other than being Nakamura-san's kouhai from middle school, most of the other information about Takizawa-kun's past is veiled in secrecy—of course, both Nozomu and I are curious.
"Nozomu, what do you think?"
"I think it's fine. I'm curious about Taki too, as long as we don't force him to talk about things he doesn't want to."
"Then… huh? Nozomu, did you just say Taki?"
"Yeah. While you were getting along with your girlfriend, we got to know each other pretty well too. Right?"
"Yes. Ah, Maehara-senpai, you can call me whatever you like too. It's more friendly than adding -kun."
I had completely forgotten about it because of the beach trip with Umi, but I have to keep in mind the goal of making new good male friends.
…To be honest, until just now, my head was full of Umi's bikini and various other things related to Umi.
If I let my guard down, it might be a bad habit of mine that I can only think about Umi.
"—Well then, let's get to the main topic. First, there's something I want you to see, senpais…"
"?"
Takizawa-kun nonchalantly took out his smartphone from his pocket and showed us a certain picture.
In it were two people, a boy and a girl. It's unclear when it was taken, but it was a tall girl with black-rimmed glasses and a short, very timid-looking boy.
"Could this be—"
"Yes. As you guessed, it's me and Mio-senpai in middle school. I was in my first year, and she was in her second."
Nakamura-san looks the same as she did in middle school, but as for Takizawa-kun, compared to his current appearance, he feels like a completely different person.
His was about as tall as Nakamura-san's shoulder, and with his long bangs and downward gaze, more than half of his expression was hidden.
To think that this boy would transform into the handsome young man sitting on the bed right next to me in just two or three years… I'm sure Nakamura-san was also surprised when she reunited with him after a long time.
"This photo is a treasure to me. Even though I was short, weak, and had a cynical personality, she treated me frankly without any prejudice… It was the first time I started to like school… Senpai was the first one. The first one who properly acknowledged my existence from the very beginning."
With a bookshelf full of what appeared to be mystery novels in the background, Nakamura-san, with her arm around the Takizawa-kun of that time and making a peace sign, looks as happy as ever.
Although Nakamura-san can sometimes attract resentment depending on the time and place, she almost never changes her attitude depending on the person, so in that sense, the Takizawa-kun of that time was probably very saved.
I won't pry, but I'm sure he must have felt lonely until then.
"…You like Nakamura-san, don't you, Takizawa-kun?"
"Yes. As a senpai, as a president, and of course, as a woman. The reason I'm like this now is solely because I want Mio-senpai to see me as a man, even just a little… But I never thought I'd change so much that I'd be approached by so many people. Some of them were quite annoying."
"Seriously…? You've been through a lot, man. Taki, just between us, how many times have you been… y'know, approached by girls since you enrolled…?"
"Let's see… If you limit it to getting letters or being confessed to directly, it's not that many, but if you include being persistently asked for my contact information, or getting DMs with invitations through friends even after blocking them, then it's honestly enough to make me fed up… haha."
It's probably partly because of his looks that he attracts so much attention, but it can't be good for a first-year student who just enrolled to say he's 'fed up'.
If he had a plausible reason like having a girlfriend, it would probably be easier for Takizawa-kun to turn them down.
"Um, senpais, I have a question. How can I close the distance with Mio-senpai from here? I think I tried pretty hard today, but whenever I try to gather my courage and confess, I feel like she just dodges it every time…"
There should have been several opportunities to be alone and in a good mood, like during the time before dinner or during the fireworks earlier, but it seems Takizawa-kun wasn't satisfied with the results.
As Umi also said, it's almost certain that they both have feelings for each other, and with just one trigger, their relationship should change from 'senpai-kouhai' to 'lovers' in an instant.
…Could it be that there's something holding Nakamura-san back?
Or maybe she's just incredibly dense. I can see that being the case with her.
"Well… Maki, what do you think he should do?"
"Eh, me?"
"Of course, you're the only one here with a girlfriend… If you say it's difficult, then I'll have to give him advice."
"…That might not be a good idea either."
I want to do something for my cute kouhai, but Nozomu has no experience with girls, and even though I have a girlfriend, it feels like I was clearly blessed by both luck and fate… We might be able to cover things related to studying or sports to some extent, but neither of us has enough experience to meddle in someone else's love life.
…I really want to ask Umi for advice, but I wonder what the situation in the girls' room is like right now.
After excusing myself from Takizawa-kun and Nozomu for a moment, I decided to send her a message.
(Maehara) Umi
(Asanagi) Hmm, what's up?
(Asanagi) Don't tell me you can't sleep because you miss my skin?
(Asanagi) Geez, you're so spoiled, Maki, even in a place like this.
(Maehara) …I admit I miss you, but that's not what I wanted to talk about right now.
(Asanagi) Oh? Then what is it?
(Maehara) How's Nakamura-san doing right now? She's in the room, right?
(Asanagi) Nakamura-san? She's already asleep… I think. Probably.
(Maehara) Probably?
(Asanagi) Yeah.
(Asanagi) All four of us were talking until just a moment ago, but when the topic turned to love, she snuck into her futon before I knew it.
(Asanagi) Even when we called out to her, she said she always makes sure to sleep by eleven.
(Asanagi) She's started to snore theatrically now.
(Maehara) I see.
Is she being serious, or is she just trying to avoid talking about her love life?
…It's probably the latter, but in any case, if she's asleep, then this is a perfect chance to get Umi's advice.
"Takizawa-kun, is it okay if I talk to Umi about this?"
"I don't particularly mind… I'll leave it to you and Asanagi-senpai."
"Thanks. Then, I'll talk to Umi."
Now that I have the person's permission, I'll try inviting Umi over to our room for now.
(Maehara) I have something I want to talk about, can you come over to the boys' room now?
(Asanagi) Lewd.
(Maehara) This exchange has become quite familiar… but that's not what I meant.
(Asanagi) Hehe, it's okay. I can kind of imagine what it's about.
(Asanagi) The one seeking advice is Takizawa-kun, right?
(Maehara) You guessed right. As expected.
(Asanagi) Ehehe. Well, we were talking about something similar over here until just now.
(Asanagi) Anyway, it's fine for me to come over, but is it okay if I bring Yuu with me? She's been sticking to me this whole time and she doesn't look like she's leaving.
(Maehara) Amami-san is fine. Nitta-san… what should we do?
(Asanagi) Nina… probably doesn't want to hear this, so I'll ask her to stay by Nakamura-san's side.
(Asanagi) As a lookout.
(Maehara) You're right. Sorry, Umi. For causing you trouble.
(Asanagi) Don't worry about it.
(Asanagi) Well then, I'll get ready now, so maybe in about ten minutes.
(Maehara) Thank you.
I told the other two in the room that Umi and Amami-san were coming, and after about fifteen minutes of restless waiting…
Knock, knock, a quiet knock on the door was heard.
"Looks like they're here… Nozomu, just to be sure, is it okay to let them in?"
"O-Oh."
Ever since he heard that Amami-san was coming to this room, Nozomu has been constantly checking his bangs and eyebrows with his phone camera.
We're usually together at school, but since we're in a different place this time, he's probably nervous.
I'm not nervous either, but the thought of Umi coming over at this time has me feeling excited inside.
"—Welcome. I've cleared my bed, so you two can sit there."
"Yeah… It's the usual people except for Takizawa-kun, but it feels a little strange at this time of night."
"Ehehe, excuse us for coming so late at night~ Wow, so this is the boys' room… The layout is almost the same, but the smell might be different."
It seems they were ready for bed, as Umi and Amami-san had changed into their sleepwear. Umi, like me, was wearing a cheap T-shirt and loose-fitting gray sweatpants, while Amami-san was in light pink pajamas with a cute floral pattern.
With the arrival of the two girls, a faint sweet scent began to drift through the previously boy-smelling room.
And Nozomu's movements were strangely stiff.
"Good evening, Takizawa-kun."
"Good evening, Asanagi-senpai, Amami-senpai… I'm sorry. For having you come all this way so late at night for someone like me."
"Takizawa-kun, don't say that! Mmm, it's been a while since I've had a love talk, the last one was with Umi… It's late at night, so I'm getting naturally excited."
"Yuu, let me tell you, this is a serious conversation, so make sure you give proper advice."
"Of course. I don't have any experience with relationships, so I don't know much about love, but I should be able to talk about how a girl feels when she's confessed to."
Guh, Nozomu, who is next to me, just suffered a sudden, unexpected blow, hopefully he'll hold on until the consultation is over.
First, Takizawa-kun told the two of them the story he told us earlier, and once they had a general understanding, we got to the main topic.
"I see… To trouble such a good kid, Nakamura-san is surprisingly a heartbreaker."
"But, I kind of understand Nakamura-san's feelings a little. Takizawa-kun is really cool, so maybe she gets nervous when he's too close? It's the same as Nina-chi, I'm sure."
"…So, it's not that she hates me or finds me annoying."
"Yeah. As your classmate, I can guarantee that."
"I-Is that so… I'm glad."
At Umi's words, Takizawa-kun's face relaxed in relief.
I don't know what she said to him when they were alone, but if he was pushed away even a little, he would tend to worry unnecessarily about whether he had done something to be disliked.
And so, because he treasures their current relationship too much, he loses the courage to take that last step.
I just encountered a similar story the other day.
"Mmm, is it bittersweet, or is it frustrating… But why is Nakamura-san being so noncommittal? They like each other, so they should just get together quickly like Umi and Maki-kun. 'I love you, Umi.' 'I'm so happy, I love you too, Maki,' and then the two of them share a passionate kiss… Kya~!"
"…Yuu, can you stop with the weird skit? It's quite different from the truth."
"Huh? Was it…? It was pretty accurate from what I remember…"
" M a k i ? "
"…Um, maybe I was wrong. Amami-san, I don't think fabricating things is good."
Umi, who is exuding an undeniable pressure with just one words, and me, who obediently follows her.
We've been dating for a little over half a year, but this dynamic of me being under her thumb is already completely established in my high school days.
"Putting us aside… Um, Takizawa-kun, in my personal opinion, I think it's better to be honest about your feelings right now, for your own sake, regardless of Nakamura-san."
"For my sake, you say?"
"Yeah. I understand you want to cherish Nakamura-san's feelings, but I don't want to see you worrying unnecessarily because of it."
It's important to respect Nakamura-san's feelings, but I think Takizawa-kun's own heart should take priority.
I understand that confessing requires timing and mental preparation, as I'm not without experience myself. It took me over a month to realize my romantic feelings for Umi and actually confess, so I'm not in a position to speak from a place of authority.
But, suppressing your love for too long is not good for your mental health.
I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't been able to confess to Umi last Christmas and just let it slide.
"I've said something similar before… but being lovers with someone you like is really great… It's not something you should say in front of people, but there are things you can't do as just friends, y'know, a lot of things."
"Hey, hey Umi-san, Maki-kun is saying that, but what's the real story?"
"N-No comment!"
I feel bad for Umi for getting her involved and embarrassing her, but as I told Riku-san, this is what I honestly felt.
Being just friends is fun enough, but if you both have feelings for each other, being lovers is much more fun and filled with happiness.
"…I'll have a talk with Maki later, but I agree with being straightforward with your feelings. People often talk about timing and the atmosphere of the place, but if it's someone you really like, that kind of stuff doesn't really matter."
"I agree with Umi. It might be surprising if it's out of the blue, but that's not the case this time, right? Then, I'm sure Nakamura-san will be happy too… Huh? What's wrong, Seki-kun? Are you getting sleepy?"
"Ah, yeah. I'm starting to not be able to handle what's happing before my eyes…"
"?"
Nozomu took damage from Amami-san's words again… or so I thought, but it seems he had already reached his limit, as he was lying on his back behind me as if he had collapsed.
…He's on his last breath. How pitiful.
"I understand what you're saying, senpais… You're right, if I like her, maybe it's better to just convey my feelings straightforwardly without thinking too much. But, how can I get her in the mood for it… I guess it's better to do this sooner rather than later."
As Takizawa-kun says, it's better to settle things before his resolve wavers. It doesn't have to be right now, but at least before the summer vacation ends.
"…I have an idea about that, actually."
"Eh? Really?"
At my words, Takizawa-kun's gaze became hopeful.
There's only one excuse that could drag Nakamura-san, who is currently pretending to be asleep, out of bed and also pique her interest.
An event that is a staple of the summer season, and one that Nakamura-san is likely to jump at precisely because it's the middle of the night.
"…Hey everyone, can we delay our bedtime just a little bit longer?"
At my question, everyone in the room seemed to have gotten the hint.
We've fully enjoyed our summer at the villa, with swimming at the beach, barbecue, and fishing from a cruiser offshore, but we shouldn't forget that there's one place we haven't gone yet.
The small shrine located near the top of the mountain that spreads out behind the villa—
That's where I'm proposing we all go now.
It was almost midnight, but after some quick preparations, the seven of us left the villa and gathered in front of the torii gate right next to the building.
"…Hey, Umi."
"No."
"I haven't said anything yet."
"You want to say we should cancel the test of courage, right? …I definitely feel a 'presence' here, though."
What the flashlight illuminated ahead was a long flight of stone steps leading to the summit and a bright red torii gate that stood out even in the darkness. It seems to be a shrine dedicated to Inari-sama, and on both sides of the torii gate, small and cute statues of Inari-sama were enshrined.
I asked one of the accompanying staff members before we went out, and they said it's a famous power spot in this area.
They said there shouldn't be any problem just paying a normal visit, day or night—but honestly, I was regretting it a little.
"Hey Yuu, have we been here with Sanae and the others before?"
"Yeah. But I think that was for a morning walk, and we've never been here at this time… Manaka-chan and I tried to invite you, but Sanae-chan and you got scared."
"…Did we?"
"Yeah!"
"You're agreeing with such a lively face…"
"Ehehe~"
With her first test of courage with her best friend Umi and the late-night high, Amami-san was beaming with what could be said to be her biggest smile of the day.
And the person who was (supposedly) sleeping until just a moment ago.
"Hoh, so this is the legendary Inari shrine of the local area… In the dead of night, with only the faint moonlight illuminating the main shrine, where a mysterious corpse along with a message was left at the scene… Is this a curse, or is it—"
"…Mio-senpai, I understand your mystery-loving blood is boiling, but let's stop making things up, okay?"
After Umi and the others left the room, Nakamura-san, who had continued to play dead in front of Nitta-san (apparently), jumped out of bed with her eyes sparkling just as much as Amami-san's right now, the moment the test of courage was suggested, just as I had expected.
"—I can't sleep after all, so I'll join you!"
It was great that she fell for it, but at this rate, it feels like it's just going to end with a simple test of courage.
…Of course, I plan to do my best to make sure that doesn't happen.
"Alright, we're going to draw lots to decide the pairs now… There are two of each color: red, white, and yellow. The two who draw the same color will be a pair, and you'll go to the top to pray, and there are also fortune slips, so bring one back with you."
"Hey, hey Class Rep, that means one person will be left out, what happens then? Do they stay behind? Or go alone?"
"I was thinking they'd go alone… but I feel too bad for them, so let's say the person who draws the blank one can join any pair they like."
…Otherwise, I don't think I could handle it if I ended up alone.
Risk management is important.
After that, we decided the pairs by drawing lots I made on the spot with chopsticks.
1st pair: Maehara, Nakamura 2nd pair: Asanagi, Amami 3rd pair: Takizawa, Nitta
Nozomu, who drew the blank one, decided to join me and Nakamura-san's pair after much deliberation.
"…I wanted to be with Maki."
"Hehe, sorry Asanagi-chan, for taking Maehara-shi's first time."
"Nakamura-san, your choice of words."
"…Maki, you cheater."
"I-It was a lottery…"
I would have preferred to be paired with Umi too, but since the lottery was 'mostly' fair, this result can't be helped.
…Umi should know that too, but.
"Um, well then… Umi, I'm heading out first."
"…Maki, when you come back, you're with me next time."
"I have to go twice? …Well, I'll think about it positively."
Leaving the four of them behind, the three of us—me, Nozomu, and Nakamura-san—slowly climbed the stone steps, relying on the light of our flashlights.
"Too bad for you boys. You ended up with a weirdo like me instead of the girls you were hoping for."
"Well, yeah. But it's the same for you, right?"
"Hehe, I wonder about that? Right, Maehara-shi?"
"…Nakamura-san, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop joking around."
The other four shouldn't be able to see us anymore, but for some reason, I can feel a 'pressure' from behind me.
…Maybe it would have been better to decide the pairs by discussion instead of a lottery.
Nakamura-san also seems to have figured out our intentions somehow.
I guess I'll just be myself and cut to the chase.
"—Nakamura-san."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"Takizawa-kun came to me for advice earlier."
"…About what?"
"Nakamura-san, do you dislike Takizawa-kun?"
As I said it in a casual tone while treading on the stone steps, Nakamura-san's feet stopped.
"...…Hehe, Maehara-shi, you ask some pretty mean questions for someone with such an innocent face."
"I'm only quiet at school, I'm usually more like this… So, what's the answer?"
"......Hehe."
After a short pause, Nakamura-san let out a resigned, bitter smile.
"I don't dislike him… No, that's a bit of a dishonest answer."
"Then—"
"Yeah. Well… I like him. Properly."
Properly. In other words, she's conscious of Takizawa-kun as a member of the opposite sex.
Takizawa-kun likes Nakamura-san, and Nakamura-san also likes Takizawa-kun.
…They both like each other, but for some reason, they're slightly out of sync.
"I like him, but… y'know, I have my own… circumstances, yes, circumstances. Things like my future, my studies, and all that. You had your own share of twists and turns before you became lovers with Asanagi-chan, right, Maehara-shi?"
"No, we didn't have that many… We were supposed to start as friends from the second semester, but by winter break, we were sleeping over at Umi's house. The entire New Year's holiday."
"My apologies, it seems I asked the completely wrong person."
Even in my and Umi's case, there was a period between 'mutual feelings' and 'lovers', but during that time, we were in a 'friendship with the premise of dating', so there was no 'avoiding someone you like' situation like Nakamura-san's now.
"A-Anyway, I have my own plans, so just leave me alone for now. When the time comes, I intend to accept his feelings properly."
"When the time comes… when exactly is that?"
"A-As soon as possible… No, by the time I graduate!"
With that, Nakamura-san left the two of us behind and quickly ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
"By graduation… isn't that just going to be the same as in middle school?"
"…I think so too."
However, judging from Nakamura-san's panic, I also feel like her feelings are wavering between 'senpai-kouhai' and 'lovers'.
Now, I wonder if Umi and the others left behind are doing well.
After that, we somehow caught up to Nakamura-san who had gone ahead, and the three of us paid our respects together, drew a fortune slip (ten yen per draw. The result was 'small fortune'), and then slowly walked down the descending slope.
"Good grief, if it was going to be like this, I should have just kept pretending to be asleep… What's with everyone, taking Souji's side… I mean, I also…"
And Nakamura-san, in this state, is keeping a slight distance from the two of us, muttering to herself with a dissatisfied look on her face.
…As she said, maybe we did go too far. However, if we didn't do this, I also feel like their relationship would never progress beyond that of a senpai and kouhai.
Just like with the 'childhood friends' the other day, does being too close for too long also have its own drawbacks?
"! Ah, hey Umi, Maki-kun and the others are back. O~i, you three, good work~ How were the ghosts~?"
"Unfortunately, nothing in particular… How about you guys, Amami-san?"
"We were just chatting the whole time… Hey Souji-kun, you had that picture we took together earlier, right? How was it?"
"Ah, um… Mmm…"
"Takizawa-kun, you don't have to try so hard to find it for Yuu."
"Hey Souji, show me too… Oh, you look pretty good in this~"
It seems the group of four had completely hit it off when they were waiting, but there was one girl who was looking at them with a displeased expression.
"Huh? …Souji-kun? The four of you? A picture taken together? Looking good? No honorifics??"
As if to confirm, Nakamura-san picked out the words that bothered her from the previous conversation and repeated them.
First, she looked at Amami-san, then at Umi, then her gaze moved to Nitta-san in order, and finally, she looked at Takizawa-kun, who was surrounded by the three of them.
"…Tch."
And then, she let out a loud click of her tongue that even we could hear. It was dark, so I couldn't see her expression in detail, but it was clear that she was in a bad mood.
It seems that this group of four also made a mistake in their acting of getting along.
"Well then, it's my and Umi's turn next. What do you want to do, Umi? I feel bad for Maki-kun, but it's scary, so let's have him come with us."
"Yeah. Maki, scary, we, go together."
"Why are you suddenly talking like a robot… Well, if you say so, Umi, I'll go with you."
I feel like this defeats the purpose of the lottery, but since the original objective has been achieved, it doesn't really matter what we do from here.
If she just stands around, there's a non-zero chance that even Takizawa-kun might be swayed by other girls—as long as we make Nakamura-san feel even a little bit of a sense of crisis.
"What's with that Souji guy, having fun with girls other than me… Amami-chan and Nitta-chan, is being cute all that matters in the end? …This makes me look like an idiot for getting all worked up… an idiot…"
Of course, we'll be sure to follow up properly for making her sulk.
Amidst a mix of various emotions, our summer night slowly passed by.