Chapter 10: Giving Shape to Feelings

A few days later, after school, the day before the Hanabishi Festival.

Thanks to everyone pitching in, the costumes were finished yesterday.

The band was polished and ready, just waiting for the big day.

“Let’s go.”

“…Mhm.”

With tense expressions, Takumi and Kotori headed from the Nabata house to Kintaro Mall to buy Akira’s gift. They’d stopped by Kotori’s room for a routine first.

They still hadn’t decided what to get.

Neither had experience with this, so they were fumbling in the dark.

The past few days, they’d been researching what to buy.

They hadn’t known Akira long and didn’t know much about her tastes.

Plus, they were aware their gratitude was pretty one-sided.

Something heavy like jewelry would probably just burden her.

After much discussion, they settled on a consumable gift.

Food was ruled out due to preferences and allergies.

Wanting something she’d use, they landed on daily necessities—but got stuck there.

Takumi’s first thoughts were things like tissues or soap.

Kotori suggested deodorizers or hand cream—pretty basic stuff.

The direction wasn’t wrong.

But with their lack of experience, all they could think of were drugstore items.

Feeling that wasn’t quite right for a thank-you gift, they decided a general store might have something unique and suitable.

They arrived at a general store in Kintaro Mall—a place they’d only known by name.

Naturally, they’d never set foot inside. It was uncharted territory. All they knew was it seemed fancy.

The store was dazzling, practically sparkling from the entrance.

Signs reading “For someone special!” and “Perfect for a new chapter!” were paired with rows of stylish products.

It felt promising, like they’d find what they needed.

But seeing chic people shopping, they couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place.

Standing frozen near the entrance, they swallowed hard.

Then, their fingers brushed. Glancing down, Takumi realized he’d bumped into Kotori’s hand, which she’d been nervously fidgeting with.

Her eyes wavered with anxiety, but meeting his gaze, she pressed her lips together tightly. Seeing that, Takumi steeled himself.

“Let’s do this.”

“…Okay.”

It was just a chain store—not that high-end, right?

Reassuring himself, he took Kotori’s hand, and they stepped inside with heavy steps.

At first, they were hyper-aware of people’s stares, but the novelty of the products soon distracted them.

“Whoa, a double-walled mug? Like a thermos that keeps stuff hot?”

“Look, Takumi, a clay pot just for cooking rice!”

“This smells nice. Are these… reeds? A diffuser? Never seen one before.”

“Not just notebooks—tons of cute sticky notes too!”

Getting sidetracked by random items, they picked things up, chatting and feeling their spirits lift.

Takumi had never understood the appeal of window shopping, but talking with Kotori like this? He was starting to get it.

After much excited debate, spending way more time than planned, they settled on a bath salt assortment.

It wasn’t too expensive, let her choose scents based on her mood, and bath salts just sounded classy—a big plus.

They split the cost, had it wrapped, and left the store with their heads high, unlike when they entered.

Takumi mentally patted himself on the back for a job well done.

Kotori, clutching the gift to her chest, looked thrilled.

It felt like they’d cleared another high hurdle, leveling up their youth game.

Kotori’s growth had been incredible lately, and it’d been nagging at Takumi. A mix of rivalry spurred his next words. “Hey, mind if I handle giving her the present?”

“Huh?”

Kotori stopped, blinking in surprise. Takumi scratched his cheek, looking away, embarrassed. “I mean, I don’t wanna fall behind you, y’know? I wanna live a normal high school life too, and this feels like a good first step…”

Kotori blinked, then giggled as she caught his meaning, holding out the gift. “Alright, it’s all yours.”

“…Cool.”

Takumi took the gift hesitantly. No backing out now.

Feeling the weight of it, he was caught off guard by a voice. “Hey, Hashio? Nabata-san?”

“!?”

Unused to being called out in public, they both jumped and turned toward the voice. There was Kuroda, guitar case slung over his shoulder.

He approached, raising a hand. “Yo, what a coincidence. What’re you guys—huh?”

“Uh…” “…!”

Kuroda’s gaze landed on the bath salts in Takumi’s hands.

Wrapped up nicely, it was obviously something special. Takumi and Kotori floundered, unsure how to explain.

After a moment, Kuroda gave an awkward look and said hesitantly, “Uh, did I… interrupt something?”

“No, it’s not like that!” Takumi blurted out. “This is, uh, I was just getting Kotori’s help picking it out.”

“Y-Yeah…!” Kotori nodded vigorously.

Not quite sure how to take it, Kuroda flashed an ambiguous smile, letting the topic slide.

Takumi stuffed the gift into his bag and, trying to change the subject, asked, “So, what’re you doing here, Kuroda-senpai?”

“Oh, I just got my guitar strings replaced. Should be fine, but with the big stage tomorrow, I wanted to be safe. Plus, I can’t let Nabata-san’s singing outshine me.” Kuroda tapped his guitar case with the back of his hand, shooting Kotori a glance.

Caught off guard, Kotori clutched her hands to her chest, flustered. “I-I’ll do my best!”

“Let’s make the event awesome. You guys made killer costumes too, Hashio.” Kuroda casually included Takumi, ever considerate.

He kept the conversation going, mostly about Kotori. “I thought Nabata-san seemed kinda scary at first.” “The way you always stick by Ikoma’s side is like a loyal puppy.” “Thanks to you and Ikoma joining, the band’s got some real flair.”

Kotori responded, curt but earnest. “I get that a lot.” “Akira-senpai’s so reliable.” “I was into the costumes, but I’d be too shy alone.”

Takumi chimed in with the occasional “Same” or “Huh,” marveling at the two holding the conversation.

(Kotori’s actually talking normally without Akira-senpai around?)

No matter how you looked at it, she was casually chatting with someone they’d run into by chance. Her youth-conquering level had skyrocketed.

Maybe the day she wouldn’t need their routines wasn’t far off.

“Well, I’m off. See you tomorrow!” Kuroda said, turning to leave.

“Y-Yes!” Kotori replied.

“…Later,” Takumi added.

After the conversation wrapped up, Kuroda walked off.

Once he was out of sight, a deflated “Haa~” came from beside Takumi. He gave a wry smile, praising her. “Kotori, you talked totally normally without Akira-senpai. That’s huge, right?”

“Probably ‘cause it was Kuroda-senpai. Anyone else, I’d be screwed.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, we’ve been talking a lot after practice lately. Mostly about Akira-senpai.”

Takumi’s eyes widened at the unexpected news. Apparently, a lot had happened without him knowing.

Come to think of it, he’d been hanging out with Yagi and the others without Kotori too.

And Kuroda, being Kuroda, was probably looking out for her.

That was a good thing. So why did his chest feel all foggy?

Trying to brush it off, Takumi forced a bright tone. “…Got it. Kuroda-senpai’s a good guy, huh?”

“Yeah,” Kotori said with a shy smile.

Seeing that, Takumi felt a selfish pang in his chest, even though he knew it was irrational.