Chapter 4: Date! Date!
1
The week began, and it was Monday.
In the morning, on a whim, I arrived at school a little earlier than usual.
About half the class was already in the room. Minase wasn't there yet, but Yukari, who had already arrived, was talking happily with two other girls.
When she noticed me enter the classroom, she smiled and waved. I kept my face as straight as possible and gave a slight raise of my hand in response.
I reached my seat, tossed my school bag onto the desk, and sat down.
“You’re not going to ignore me, are you?”
It was Yukari, speaking to me.
“I responded, didn’t I?”
“But you didn’t even say hello.”
Yukari said in an accusing tone.
“I don’t want to look like I’m getting a big head.”
It was the middle of last week that I’d had a necessary reason to talk to Yukari. As a natural result, everyone around us found out we were childhood friends, and since then, I’d avoided speaking to her. I hesitated because it felt like I was claiming to be special. Even now, glancing around the classroom, I could see a few people looking our way, wondering what we were talking about.
“Do you understand your position?”
Position, or rather, reputation, or maybe how she was viewed.
“You talk normally with Minase-san, though.”
“That’s because she’s the kind of person who talks to everyone from the start.”
Minase’s popularity wasn’t just due to her looks; her approachable personality was also a big reason. Guys found it easy to talk to her, and she, in turn, interacted with everyone regardless of gender. It was true that living close by gave me an advantage, but there was little sense of special treatment.
Yukari, on the other hand, had a sort of ‘flower on a high peak’ aura, so only a handful of guys dared to talk to her. For her to initiate a conversation with me like this was a privilege for an average guy.
“It’s not like I enjoy being this way, either.”
Yukari sounded a little sulky.
It was undeniable that her perfectly formed, beautiful features unintentionally created an unapproachable atmosphere. It was a disadvantage for her.
“So, I’d be happy if at least Sakura could treat me normally.”
“I’ll try.”
Then, an idea struck me.
“Why don’t you ride your BMX again, like in the old days? Everyone would feel more kinship with you.”
“That’s a nice thought.”
However, there was no strength in Yukari’s smile. I realized she was just playing along, and then I remembered she was forbidden from riding her bike.
“What about Flatland? That’s basically just doing tricks on flat ground, right?”
“True, I wouldn’t be jumping or flying around. But my mother absolutely hates me riding a bike, period. I haven’t even ridden a normal bicycle because of it.”
“It’s that bad...”
I was speechless at her mother’s overprotectiveness, but if I had been there at the time of her injury, I probably would have stopped her, too. At the very least, I wouldn’t want her riding a BMX again.
“Because of that long break, I’d probably injure myself even doing Flatland now.”
“Best to leave it alone, then.”
Yukari was likely respecting her mother’s feelings by not riding. Even as a girl, she must have had times in elementary and middle school when she went out with friends on bikes. I shouldn't casually suggest she get back on a BMX.
“Morning!”
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
Minase had arrived at school. Both Yukari and I instinctively looked over. Minase noticed us, too, and smiled happily.
“Morning! What are you guys talking about?”
She put her school bag on her desk and walked straight over to us.
“Don’t worry about it. Nothing important.”
“Oh, okay.”
Minase easily accepted my curt reply. She glanced at Yukari for confirmation, and Yukari just smiled. It wasn't a secret, but it wasn't a conversation worth going into detail about.
“Hey, Sakura.”
“Stop right there, Minase.”
I cut her off as she was about to say something.
“You’re probably planning some other weird thing, but—”
“Don’t call it weird!”
“—sorry, but I have my part-time job today. I can’t go along with it.”
Minase’s protest came through halfway, but I finished my sentence anyway.
“Oh. Too bad.”
Minase backed down surprisingly easily. It was probably because I’d promised her before that I’d go along with her plans whenever I could. If she was thinking of trying again another time, I’d make sure to make up for today then.
“Alright, that settles it. Now, break it up. Back to your seats, both of you.”
“I just got here, though.”
“Such poor treatment.”
As I waved them away, the two of them complained in unison.
Don’t be ridiculous. What good was there in keeping the two girls—the reason every guy said they were happy to be in this class—lingering at my desk?
They exchanged a look, and thankfully, they went back to their own seats without further fuss.
My school life had certainly become a lot more colorful.
§§§
I always go home first before heading to 『Miss Me Blind』.
Today was no different. I returned from school and changed my clothes. For my shift, I was allowed to wear my own clothes under the apron with the cafe’s logo, but as it was a service industry job, I was told to avoid flashy attire. Not that I had any clothes with such an edgy style, so there was nothing in my room that would get rejected.
“I’m here.”
I arrived at 『Miss Me Blind』 and entered through the front door. There was a staff entrance in the back, but during business hours, I always used the main entrance.
“Ah, hello, Aoi-kun.”
The Manager, behind the counter, greeted me with a gentle smile and a kind voice. Misumi-senpai, sitting at an empty counter seat, only acknowledged me with a raised hand. As aloof as ever.
I looked around the cafe. As usual, there were only a few elderly customers scattered about. My life had suddenly become so lively recently that I felt a sense of relief in the quiet of this place.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, sir.”
Did my thoughts show on my face? I answered Misumi-senpai, who had tilted her head, trying to play it off.
I headed straight into the back room.
I placed my body bag on the sofa in the break room and tossed my wallet inside. Then, I tied on my apron, and I was ready. I went out to the floor immediately.
Just then, the door chime rang. A customer.
“Welcome.”
I decided to make this my first job of the day and approached them.
It was a rare sight for this cafe: a pair of girls—and—
“Oh, it’s Sakura.”
“My, it really is. It’s Sakura.”
It was Minase and Yukari.
Why are they here? I wondered, but the answer was obvious.
“Don’t talk like I just happened to be at the cafe you randomly walked into. You followed me, didn’t you?”
“Did I get caught?”
I was right. Minase had been curious about where I worked, so she must have tailed me from my apartment.
Minase stuck out her tongue in a playful, exaggerated way. The gesture was cute, but that didn’t make everything she did innocent.
Next, I looked at Yukari.
“What are you doing, going along with this, Yukari...”
“I was curious about your part-time job, too, Sakura.”
Yukari declared.
It seemed I had mistakenly assumed that Yukari’s current calm, mature demeanor meant she was fundamentally different now. She used to be a tomboy who rode her BMX everywhere, and I guess the core of her personality hadn't changed. Minase must have invited her, and she’d happily tagged along.
“Are they friends of yours, Aoi-kun?”
The Manager’s voice came from behind me.
“I apologize. I’ll send them right back out.”
“Nonsense. It’s lovely that they came all this way.”
The motivation for their visit was a little too impure for the word lovely.
“Please, come in. If you like, you can try our coffee. It’s on the house.”
The good-natured Manager called out to Minase and Yukari.
“Yay!”
“Thank you very much.”
The two of them cheered and offered their thanks.
Since the Manager had said so, there was nothing more I could do. Reluctantly, I had to treat them as customers.
“Sit wherever you want.”
I said, with a brusqueness unbecoming of a service worker, and turned my back on them. Then, I prepared cold water and paper towels and took them to the table where they had seated themselves.
“Aren’t you going to say, ‘Welcome?’”
I just shot back a “Shut up,” to Minase’s teasing.
“I think you’ll be fine, but don’t cause any trouble for the shop, okay?”
Both of them had followed me out of curiosity, but they weren't inconsiderate people. So, I wasn’t worried about that, but I figured I should warn them just in case.
“If you cause any problems, I’m quitting this job.”
“That’s a little dramatic.”
“I owe this place that much.”
I found this job when I quit soccer and had nothing else to do. Given the timing, I probably wasn’t very friendly back then, and I doubt a soccer fanatic like me was doing a proper job. Yet, they kept me on. If I were to cause trouble for the shop, I wouldn't hesitate to quit.
Minase and Yukari exchanged a look.
“Sorry. I won’t do anything like this again.”
“Yes, I promise.”
Perhaps realizing they’d been a bit too rowdy, the two of them apologized sincerely.
“Also, we’ll pay for our drinks properly.”
“That’s the Manager’s generosity. Just accept it gracefully.”
I turned on my heel and went back to the counter. I hadn't taken their order, but a blend would be fine. Whenever the Manager offered to treat someone to coffee, it was always the blend.
Misumi-senpai, who had been quietly observing the whole time, was waiting at the counter.
“I’m taking the price of their coffee out of your paycheck.”
“Seriously?”
Well, even if she did, I wouldn’t be too upset.
“Don’t worry, Aoi-kun. I wouldn’t do that.”
The Manager’s voice immediately flew in.
When I shot a reproachful glare at Misumi-senpai, she pretended not to notice, looking like she might whistle a tune. What a personality.
“Those two are... Minase and Koreeda, right?”
After a moment, Misumi-senpai spoke up, as if to change the subject.
“You know them? Even though you don’t go to school much?”
“I do go.”
Misumi-senpai looked annoyed.
However, in her case, saying she went to school just meant she attended enough classes to avoid being held back a year.
“Besides, I knew them last year. The guys were making a huge fuss about the cute new students.”
Misumi-senpai looked disgusted, perhaps recalling the frenzy of the time.
I see. The rumor had reached my class, which was in the same grade, but it had spread even to the upperclassmen.
“So, that’s why you’ve been looking so happy lately?”
Misumi-senpai asked, teasingly.
“Maybe so.”
“Aha! You admitted it.”
“I’m somewhat aware of it.”
The last time she asked me the same thing, I think I either denied it or dodged the question. But now, I should admit it. Going out for coffee or ramen late at night, pulling an all-nighter to watch a drama on a day off. It was a life I hadn't had just a little while ago.
And I was enjoying it.
“Hmph.”
Misumi-senpai gave a noncommittal response that showed neither interest nor disinterest.
“Here you go. Thanks for waiting.”
Before I knew it, I had finished preparing two cups of coffee.
“You should go and relax with your friends, too. I’ll call you if we get busy.”
“Thank you, sir.”
I replied, but I planned to return after a short chat. If things were normal, it wouldn't get busy from here on out. I might never be able to leave if I took the Manager up on his offer.
I prepared a milk pitcher, placed it on a tray with the coffee, and carried it over.
“Here you go.”
I delivered the cups to the table where Minase and Yukari were waiting, placing them in front of each girl. The milk pitcher went in the center of the table.
“Thank you. ...Hey, Sakura. Isn’t that Misumi-san over there?”
Since the counter was behind Yukari, she pointed toward Misumi-senpai with only a small movement of her neck.
“Yeah, this is Misumi-senpai’s grandfather’s shop.”
“I see. You two seem quite close. Did you start working here because you knew that?”
“Of course not. I just saw the 'Help Wanted' sign and walked in without knowing, and Misumi-senpai happened to be here.”
To be precise, only the Manager was there for the interview. Misumi-senpai was there when I showed up to actually start working a few days later.
I wonder what I would have done if I had known. Now I knew Misumi-senpai wasn’t as scary as the rumors and her appearance suggested, but before that, I might have avoided working here.
I happened to look at Minase, and she was staring intently at the counter.
“What is it?”
I asked, but she didn’t reply.
As I tilted my head, wondering what was going on, Minase abruptly stood up. She walked past me and headed for the counter.
“Manager, is your wife, by any chance, Misumi Ruka-san? The Super Senior Model?”
“Oh, you know her well.”
The Manager answered Minase’s sudden question in his usual calm tone. But he looked a little happy.
Yukari and I, completely in the dark, exchanged a look. Yukari took out her phone and started fiddling with it.
“I was in drama, and I always used Ruka-san as a reference.”
Minase pleaded excitedly. In her rare display of enthusiasm, I felt I saw the passion she held for acting.
Yukari held out her phone from the side. I took it and looked. It showed a photo of an elderly woman. She was clad in the kind of avant-garde clothing you’d see at a fashion show. Her hair was partially purple to match. Very flashy.
In the corner of the image, it read: Super Senior Model - Misumi Ruka.
“I see. This is her.”
“Looks like it.”
Judging by the words, she was the senior version of a supermodel. It was the first time I’d ever heard of such a profession.
The person in the photo, Misumi Ruka, was standing proudly, not in a pose befitting a lady her age. She was cool. However, this was a look that was only permissible in the world of fashion and modeling; if she walked through the city like this, she would definitely stand out. But her visual presence seemed perfect for the stage, and I could see how she’d be a good reference for drama.
“I remember there was a TV special about Ruka-san, and the Manager was in it.”
“I was interviewed briefly as her partner at the time. It was quite embarrassing.”
The Manager said, smiling sheepishly.
The Manager was a dapper man himself. They must have been a beautiful couple. I was starting to get interested, too. I should try to search for the program sometime.
“Ruka-san, I believe...”
“Yes, it’s been three years now.”
Minase probably already knew that Misumi Ruka had passed away. But confirming it again, she looked sad.
“She would be happy to be remembered by someone so young.”
The Manager smiled proudly.
Minase exchanged a few more words with the Manager before returning to the table.
“Come to think of it, Yakushiji was staring intently at the Manager, too. She must have known about his wife as well.”
“Oh, Asahi just generally likes older gentlemen.”
“Okay, I got it. I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”
The fact that a girl in my grade had a preference for men older than her own father was quite a shock. I hoped it was the same kind of admiration one has for a distinguished Hollywood star.
Minase followed up by saying, “Of course, she must know about Ruka-san, too,” to reassure me.
§§§
My shift ended, and I started my walk home.
It was just past nine-thirty at night.
『Miss Me Blind』 closed at nine, and I was always allowed to leave at that time. I would help clean up the shop until closing, but the work after that was handled by the Manager and Misumi-senpai alone. Unless a major problem occurred, I always left on time.
“Welcome back!”
I walked down the night street and arrived at my apartment building. Just as I was about to head up the stairs, a voice floated down from above. It was Minase.
I looked up and saw Minase peeking her head out from the landing between the second and third floors.
“Keep it down. Do you know what time it is?”
I chided her with a complaint, and Minase stuck out her tongue as if to say, Oops.
I climbed the stairs, and Minase was waiting on the second floor.
“Welcome back.”
“Yeah, I’m home.”
Saying such a greeting to a classmate, and a girl at that, felt awkward, so it naturally came out brusque.
“What’s up?”
“I was waiting for Sakura.”
I thought she might want to go out somewhere again, but that didn’t seem to be the case. We had just caused a ruckus at 『Miss Me Blind』 this afternoon.
I saw that Minase was wearing shorts and a loose-fitting hoodie. Not exactly an outfit for going out.
“Even if it’s inside the apartment building, don’t go outside in clothes like that too much.”
“Are my bare legs erotic?”
Sensing what I was thinking, Minase struck a pose that deliberately emphasized her legs.
“You were waiting for me—is there something you needed?”
“Ah, you dodged the question.”
Minase grinned, pleased with herself. I shot her a glare.
“Um... I’m sorry about today.”
Minase stopped fooling around and apologized formally.
“I already heard that. I only warned you just in case, but I never thought you or Yukari would actually cause trouble for the shop. If you feel like it, come by again.”
I had wanted to keep 『Miss Me Blind』 a separate space from the 『Quit-Club Alliance』, but now that they knew, it couldn't be helped. Minase and Yukari probably wouldn't hang around and cause trouble anyway.
Besides, having friends who would go so far as to visit my workplace was, in a way, something to be grateful for.
“Will you treat me?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
That said, depending on the frequency, I might not be against it. The Manager would probably welcome Minase, who knew about his wife.
“Did you wait for me just to ask that?”
“Ah, no, not just that. ...Hey, Sakura, you lived in this town when you were little, right?”
“Yeah.”
I left this town in the fifth grade and came back to play soccer at Kazamigaoka, but what about it?
“Then, will you take me somewhere during Golden Week?”
“Somewhere?”
“I’ll leave that to you, Sakura. See, I was only doing club activities until recently, so I actually don’t know where the fun spots are.”
Come to think of it, Minase was in a similar situation to me. She came here to join the Kazamigaoka drama club—and only quit about a month ago. If she’d been fully dedicated to club activities, she might not know the town well, even after a year here.
In that case, it was my duty as a local to show Minase around.
“Well, you could call it a... date?”
“Ah, sorry. I’m good on that.”
The expression instantly drained from my face, and I turned my back on Minase. Right, time to go home.
“Whoa, wait, wait, wait!”
Minase frantically grabbed my arm.
“Seriously, why do you suddenly say something that kills my motivation?”
“No, the weird reaction is the one that says no to a date with a cute girl like you, you know?”
She always throws out the word ‘cute’ so naturally. She probably means it for girls in general.
Glaring at each other here was utterly pointless. I’d lose my hair over it.
“Fine. I get it. We’ll go.”
“Really!? Thank you!”
Minase smiled happily. She was as honest with her emotions as ever.
“Okay, good night!”
And with a light step, she went up the stairs.
I need to come up with a plan to live up to that smile.
2
“Even though I said that—”
I muttered to myself, just like the other day.
It was the first day of Golden Week, and I was holding my head in my room. I had lived here as a child. But as I told Kuki before, my range of activity back then was small, and I had virtually no sense of the local geography. The places I could show her were limited.
“Why did I agree to that in the first place...”
I looked up at the ceiling.
Wasn’t it me who said we were in similar situations? I was just as consumed by club activities on weekdays and weekends. Since quitting, my life has revolved around my part-time job, and any advantage I had from quitting six months earlier than Minase has been completely erased.
It was too late for regrets. My promise with Minase was for tomorrow. It was a last-minute scramble, but should I go out alone and scout the area? Where would be good?
Just then, the doorbell rang.
I looked at the wall clock. It was just past ten in the morning. Who could it be? Minase, who couldn’t wait until tomorrow? That would be annoying, but it was possible.
“Yes?”
The monitor turned on as I answered the intercom, showing Koreeda Murasakiko—Yukari.
『It’s me, Yukari.』
“I’ll open it right away.”
I wanted to ask her a lot of things, but I hung up the intercom first.
Then, I looked down at myself. I was in my room clothes. If someone told me to go out like this, I couldn’t even go to the convenience store, but I could at least answer the door for a familiar face. Next, I went to the sink and lightly smoothed down my hair with my hand.
“Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?”
I opened the front door.
There stood Yukari in simple pants. She was smiling with a confident, almost daring look.
“Good morning.”
“Ah, yeah. Morning.”
We exchanged belated greetings.
“What’s up?”
“Sakura, you’re going out with Minase-san tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Oh, you heard about that.”
It wasn't a secret, so it might have come up in casual conversation.
“Yes. She invited me to go along.”
“She’s the type that thinks the more the merrier when she goes out.”
Given her personality, that made perfect sense.
“Are you going, too, Yukari?”
“No. I think I’ll pass.”
Yukari shook her head. Her schedule didn’t work out, then.
“So, it’ll be just me and Minase, as originally planned.”
“That’s right. ...So, where are you planning to take her?”
“Ugh...”
I choked on my words.
Yes, that was the problem. I had planned to leave the planning to Yukari if she came along, but that hope was dashed.
“That’s what you get for making promises so easily.”
Yukari gave a wry smile. It seemed she had figured out that I wasn’t very familiar with this town.
She was right; I had no excuse for making such a casual promise. I’d been asking myself why I’d agreed to it until just a moment ago. If I had to answer, it was because Minase, who was in a similar situation, had asked me, and I thought I’d do it if it made her happy.
“How about we go scout the area right now?”
Yukari suddenly suggested.
“Huh? You, too, Yukari?”
“Yes, of course. Knowing you, Sakura, you were probably thinking about doing that anyway, right? In that case, there’s no harm in bringing a genuine local like me along.”
Yukari was right about everything. I was just thinking about going on a scouting trip, and having Yukari with me would be much more reassuring than going alone with my poor sense of direction.
“Sorry. Could you help me out?”
“My pleasure.”
Yukari smiled sweetly.
“Alright, I’ll get ready right away. Ah, it’s rude to make you wait outside. Come on in.”
“My, how scary. Inviting a girl into your bachelor pad... What’s with that face?”
Yukari frowned.
Apparently, my expression was enough to make Yukari react like that.
“Well, I think I mentioned it briefly before—I thought the same way at first. But Minase kept saying things like, ‘Come over to my place,’ and, ‘Let me come up to your place,’ so it started to feel stupid. I thought I was being too self-conscious. Then you react like this, Yukari. Which one is the right way?”
“Ah, I see.”
Yukari looked understanding and chuckled softly.
“Don’t worry. What you’re doing is the right way, Sakura. Be cautious at first. Then, gauge the appropriate distance by observing the other person’s reaction. That’s all there is to it.”
“Is that so?”
If that was the case, Minase’s sense of distance was totally broken. She closed the distance right from the start. Though, being in the same class, the same apartment building, living alone, and having similar circumstances—it was probably natural for her to feel a sense of closeness and want to bridge the distance.
“Can I come in for now? The last thing I said was a joke, of course.”
“Ah, right, of course.”
I opened the front door wide and stepped back. Yukari walked in.
I offered Yukari a pair of slippers. She said, “Thank you,” and slipped her feet into them. I only had this one pair for guests. Would Minase and Yukari ever come over together? Maybe I should buy another pair just in case.
We went through the short hallway and into the main room.
“Why don’t you just come with us tomorrow? ...Oh, right. You had other plans.”
“That’s the one.”
Yukari answered, almost singing the words.
“Well, for me, there’s meaning in going a day earlier than her.”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just me talking.”
So, I should assume it was nothing to do with me?
3
“Where are we going?”
This was my third time asking that question today.
However, unlike the previous times when I was asking for a general plan, this time I was asking for a specific destination as we looked up at the route map at the station.
“Let’s see...”
Yukari, who was looking at the same map beside me, replied.
“Let’s not spend too much time traveling. Somewhere close by.”
“Got it.”
The place she named was the closest of the few commercial districts in the area. It was a single train ride away and would take less than thirty minutes.
We immediately passed through the ticket gate.
We were making small talk, and then the train slid into the platform. As long as we didn’t mix up the up and down lines, every train stopping at this station would reach our destination. There were no branches.
As expected for the first day of Golden Week, the train was moderately crowded, and there were no seats available. We realized this at a glance, so we walked straight to the door opposite the one we entered and stood there.
A magnificent lapse in judgment.
I felt it keenly the moment Yukari turned around to face me, perhaps to make conversation easier. Having such a beautiful girl within arm’s reach instantly made me uncomfortable. I had to pay the utmost attention to my gaze and my hand movements so they wouldn’t be misinterpreted.
I sighed, wondering if I would be in this exact situation with Minase tomorrow.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing...”
I answered vaguely, looking away, to Yukari, who asked, knowing or not knowing my struggle.
“I see. Then look at me. You look at people when you talk to them.”
“Are you enjoying this?”
“Isn’t that overthinking it?”
Yukari smiled mischievously. It seemed she had seen through my inner turmoil and was enjoying my reaction. The painful thing was that I couldn't really fight back.
“Doesn’t it feel weird?”
I asked, impressed that she could handle standing face-to-face with a guy at this distance. It couldn’t be a pleasant feeling.
“Because it’s Sakura.”
Yukari replied.
“I wouldn’t mind with you, unlike other boys. You’re my childhood friend, right? We played together every day, and we even went to the pool in the summer. ...Oh, the pool sounds nice. Should we go during summer break? I know a good place.”
“Absolutely not.”
I answered immediately. What kind of scary thing was she suggesting?
“My, I thought Sakura would say yes right away.”
“What kind of guts would it take to go swimming with Yukari?”
Kuki? Maybe he, the rugged ikemen and sportsman, could handle it.
Yukari was beautiful, as I could see, and she had a great figure. It would be a lie to say I didn’t want to see her in a swimsuit, but my shyness would override that desire. I’d rather pass.
It was true that we went to the pool together when we were kids. It was a pool with a lazy river and a water slide that wasn't very high—a mere slide, really. I think we went there that day because our usual skate park was temporarily closed. We were both wearing the swimsuits we wore for school classes, and more than that, there was no concept of gender between us back then.
But now, I was forced to be conscious of gender. Was Yukari really not bothered by it? I glanced at her from the side, and sure enough, she was smiling happily, enjoying my reaction.
The door on our side opened only after we had passed more than half the journey to our destination station.
§§§
After a train ride of just under thirty minutes, we arrived at one of the area's main commercial districts. While there were larger ones, this one was small but had everything you needed for a day off.
I knew that much, but for more detailed information, I had to rely on Yukari’s lecture.
We finished lunch at a fast-food place in the station concourse—a bit early, but before the rush—and now we were looking up at a large commercial complex.
“Here?”
“Yes, I think it’s a safe bet.”
Yukari replied.
I remembered it had nearly ten floors. The ground floor was a food area with fast food and crepes. The lower floors were fashion floors that were affordable even for high schoolers like us. Above that were specialty stores for luxury brands. The top floor was a restaurant area, with a rooftop garden on top of that. The targets were the ground floor, the lower floors, and the rooftop garden.
“So, where should I take Minase?”
“Who knows?”
“Hey, ‘who knows’...”
I was speechless at Yukari’s irresponsible reply.
“Because I don’t know Minase-san’s preferences. So, you should just let her decide where to go, and you just follow along obediently.”
“Is that really good enough?”
“It is. Since it’s impossible to pinpoint her interests and prepare knowledge in advance, that’s your best bet.”
When she said it with such confidence, I had to agree. If Yukari, a fellow girl, didn’t know, it was an impossible game for me.
“Then what was the point of scouting today?”
“Of course, I didn’t come here to do something pointless. I’ll show you the shops that girls often go to.”
“So, you mean I should study up.”
It was like a school test. I was being given the scope of the exam and told to study so I could handle any problem that came up.
“You don’t have to take it that seriously; just enough to be able to talk about it is fine. It’s better than being dragged around somewhere you know nothing about, right, Sakura?”
“I guess so.”
It was impossible to create a perfect plan based on Minase’s preferences. In that case, I should let her decide where to go while filling my head with enough background knowledge to hold a conversation. The biggest potential disaster was not being able to answer her questions or following along without showing any interest.
“Well? This is the work of a capable woman. Have I earned your respect?”
Yukari sniffed, huffing with pride.
“There you go again. What are you trying to prove?”
“It’s fine if you don’t understand. For now.”
Yukari said something even more confusing and started walking.
And so, we immediately began touring the shopping mall.
4
We started from the bottom.
In the food area, she taught me that if we were going to eat a proper meal, it would be fast food or hot sandwiches, and if we were just stopping for a break, it would be coffee or ice cream.
On the second floor were general goods and interior shops.
“Should I buy something?”
I asked, looking at some girl-ish accessories.
“You shouldn’t get too enthusiastic about 'doing something' here. It’ll come off as pushy somewhere down the line. Or what, are you planning to make this a date to win Minase-san’s heart? Because if you are, I’ll give you some serious advice.”
“That’s not it, but...”
I thought her phrasing was old-fashioned. She was probably doing it on purpose to tease me.
Of course, I had no intention like the one Yukari suggested. I had simply agreed to be the guide because Minase had begged me to.
“If you want to buy her something, make sure it’s something Minase-san actually wants, and keep it within a range that won’t be a burden to either you as the buyer or her as the recipient.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
That was Yukari’s valuable teaching. I’d store it in the corner of my brain.
We went up one more floor, and it became a full-fledged fashion floor. They only sold clothes, not accessories or general goods.
We entered one of the stores.
“This shop is popular because they change their items frequently. I always stop by here when I come.”
“I see. A classic spot for girls, then.”
Just as I accepted that, I suddenly remembered something.
“Speaking of which, Sera, was it? The model girl. Did she actually send you anything?”
During the video call the other day, Sera seemed to have taken a strong liking to Yukari and said she would send her some goods or something she had designed. What happened after that?
“Yes, she sent them. She’s collaborating with a popular brand for girls, apparently. She sent me a top and a cap that haven’t been released yet. I wonder if she’s going for a cool, edgy look this time.”
As Yukari answered, she picked up a cap from a display and put it on her head. She had a feminine aura, but since she was currently wearing pants, it actually suited her surprisingly well.
“I sent her my feedback. She said she also wanted to know the reactions of the girls around me, but what should I do about that?”
“Is there a problem?”
Unlike me, Yukari had many friends. If she wore it out when she went to hang out, she could get all the feedback she wanted.
“I’m starting to attract some resentment.”
She gave a wry smile and put the cap back where it was.
Yukari had a somewhat unapproachable aura, but she was a figure that girls admired. She was also very popular with the boys. If someone like her received unreleased goods from a high school model like Sera, it was natural that people would be envious, and some might even start to dislike her. I see. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Her own charisma allowed her to stick out a bit without being hammered, but if she stuck out too much, even Yukari would be hit.
“I’ll try walking outside wearing it next time. I should be able to gather reactions from the people around me that way.”
“That's an incredible way to think.”
That was a thought that could only come from someone who took it for granted that they would be the center of attention.
“The only downside is that guys will flock to me.”
“Huh?”
Was she talking about getting hit on?
“Yes, that happens.”
As if reading my mind, Yukari said it casually.
“You might not notice, Sakura, but I’m getting looked at quite a bit today, too.”
“Eh!?”
I instinctively turned around and looked around. But this was inside a store. There were no suspicious men. I even tried to look outside.
“It’s fine. They see I’m with a guy, and they all give up.”
Yukari chuckled softly, probably finding my panic amusing.
“I see. Well, be careful.”
“Are you worried about me?”
Yukari asked, as I was embarrassed about showing my panic.
“Of course I am. You’re my childhood friend.”
“Don’t worry. I’m used to brushing off stupid pick-up artists.”
That was a reassuring line.
Yuka-chan, who used to be a tomboy riding her BMX and jumping around, had now become the ‘flower on a high peak’ that everyone admired. When did she change like this? Was it when she stopped riding her BMX? I’d like to ask her about it properly someday.
§§§
Yukari’s lecture continued.
She picked out the essential shops to know and explained the general style of each one.
“Let’s go to that one next.”
In the middle of her explanation, she announced the next store.
A slight sense of incongruity.
Until now, she had simply started explaining when we arrived in front of a store while wandering around, but this time, she deliberately declared the next destination. What was the meaning of this?
I looked where Yukari’s gaze was directed. It was a swimsuit section, getting a jump on summer. I could see mannequins in colorful swimsuits even from here.
“No, I told you I’m not going in there.”
That was one place I absolutely did not want to set foot in.
“Oh, why not? I’ll even let you choose for me, Sakura. I’m not bragging, but I have a good figure, so I think almost anything would suit me.”
“Ugh...”
I choked on my words, imagining things I shouldn't.
Perhaps satisfied with my reaction, Yukari chuckled softly and then brought up the serious point.
“Seriously, Minase-san might say she wants to go. Are you going to flat-out refuse and tell her to go alone?”
“I’ll just wing it if that happens.”
I hoped it wouldn't come to that, but Minase had a broken sense of distance, after all. Unlike Yukari, who was teasing me, Minase would probably be serious if she suggested it.
“Well, fine. I just wanted to see what your reaction would be. Too bad. ...Oh, right. Minase-san may seem like that, but her figure is better than you’d think.”
“...”
That was information I didn't really want to know. She was so energetic that I had never paid attention to that kind of thing. I hoped I wouldn’t become too conscious of it tomorrow.
“Well, I think we should head back now.”
At Yukari’s words, I instinctively looked at the clock on my phone. It was only just past four in the afternoon.
“Isn’t that early?”
“What are you saying? Your main event isn’t today, is it, Sakura? You need to prepare for tomorrow.”
That was true.
“Sorry for dragging you out.”
“I just came by myself.”
“Even so, you were a big help. Thank you.”
I had been thinking of scouting the area myself, but having Yukari with me to gain background knowledge on the kinds of shops girls like was a huge advantage. I needed to organize that information when I got home so I could use it tomorrow.
“I’ll treat you to something next time as thanks.”
“Oh? Then how about you take me to the skate park we used to go to all the time?”
“That place is still there?”
I was surprised. But now that I thought about it, I had pushed it into the realm of childhood memories and never considered what had become of it.
“Yes, it is. There aren’t many skate parks in Japan, so it gets a lot of use. I think the skateboarder who won a medal in the last Olympics even practiced there.”
Yukari was right. Since the skate park was a familiar place for us, we had become numb to it, but there weren't many proper facilities in Japan where you could practice BMX or skateboarding. That’s why the skate park was so valuable.
“Then we could go right now—”
I started to say, then stopped.
We used to bike there every day, but a facility that large wouldn’t be in a convenient location like the front of the station. Yukari couldn’t ride a bike now, and I hadn’t bought one since I didn’t need it. It was a problem figuring out how to get to the nostalgic skate park.
“Sorry. Let’s do it another time.”
“Sounds good.”
Yukari seemed to understand perfectly and gave a small smile. We would think about the method later.
And so, the scouting trip for tomorrow was over.
5
The next day.
Minase had said, “See you at ten, okay?” and I had agreed, but we hadn't settled on the details. Was she going to come get me, should I go invite her out, or were we meeting outside?
While I was debating, it turned ten o’clock.
I was already ready to go. If I was going to hesitate, I should move. At the very least, it would be arrogant to wait at home, expecting her to come get me when I was already prepared.
I left my apartment, locked the door, and headed for the floor above. I reached Minase’s door and rang the doorbell.
『Coming!』
Minase’s voice came through the intercom. She didn’t just open the door right away today.
“It’s me, Aoi. Are you ready to go?”
『Wait just a second. I’ll open it right away!』
The intercom cut off. And, without much delay, the door opened.
She was wearing a top that was a subtle length, just barely showing her navel, and a pair of shorts. Both were simple, unadorned designs, so it was clearly her room wear.
“Sorry. I was planning to come get you.”
Minase apologized as soon as she poked her head out.
“No, by the looks of it, you’re not going to be ready to go anywhere for a while...”
“I had a slight unforeseen circumstance...”
Minase gave a dry laugh.
“Just come inside and wait, okay? I just need to change my clothes.”
And with that, she disappeared inside.
I hesitated, wondering if it was appropriate to enter a girl’s apartment when she was dressed like that and had just announced she was about to change. In front of me, the door, having lost its support, slowly began to close.
A moment later, the door opened again. Minase literally just poked her face out.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, um...”
She tilted her head in confusion. It seemed she had no reservations about letting me into her apartment, no matter the situation.
I stepped inside. But today, she didn’t offer me slippers as usual. She must have been too flustered. I walked into the living room in my socks.
A smell of curry wafted through the air. Had she made it to eat when she got back? The unforeseen circumstance she mentioned might have been that making this had caused her to run late.
“I’ll change right away.”
Minase said, and disappeared into her room. I was left alone in the living room.
Now what? I thought about looking out at the scenery, but I immediately averted my eyes because something I shouldn’t see was hanging on the balcony. With no other choice, I sat down on the sofa, which I had sat on a few times before, and waited for Minase while looking at my phone.
About five minutes passed, and—
“Sorry for the wait!”
Minase finally appeared.
She was wearing an oversized cut-and-sew top and shorts. It looked very similar to what she was wearing just now, but I wondered what the difference was that made one clearly room wear and the other clearly for going out. Was it the design?
“How do I look?”
Minase asked, twirling around. She had a mini-backpack slung over her back.
“You look cute, I guess.”
“Really? Thanks!”
Minase smiled happily.
“Then how about my bare legs?”
“I don’t know about that.”
I turned my back on Minase, who was smiling mischievously and showing off her legs, and headed outside first.
“Well, you’re used to seeing them at school, right? ...Oh, I get it. You prefer them with a mini-skirt?”
“Shut up.”
I don’t know why she was so determined to make me a leg fetishist. Though I had to admit, Minase’s legs were nice.
“So, where are we planning to go?”
Minase asked as we walked toward the station.
“I was thinking we’d stick to somewhere nearby today.”
“Okay. Got it.”
It seemed she didn’t have any specific place she wanted to go. I was grateful if she was going to leave it up to me.
“I invited Koreeda-san, too, but it seems she had other plans.”
“That’s too bad.”
For a moment, I almost replied, “So I hear,” but I swallowed the words. If I said that, she’d ask how I knew. I wanted to keep my meeting with Yukari yesterday a secret.
“If she had come, Sakura would have had a flower in each hand.”
Minase, walking beside me, was out of my sight, but I somehow felt like she was grinning.
“Are you and Yukari close, Minase?”
I asked, avoiding the previous topic.
“I don’t know. Just normal, I guess?”
Minase sounded unsure.
It was just my guess, but—she got along with everyone. Gender didn’t matter, and there was probably no great depth to her friendships. So everything was ‘normal.’ The only exceptions were probably the special group of girls from her talent school days.
“Koreeda-san is beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, she is.”
I had no argument there. She had a well-formed face even when she was a tomboy as a child. I was surprised to see her turn into such a striking beauty when I met her again after five years, but it made sense.
“Aren’t you two dating? You’re childhood friends, right?”
“Don’t be an idiot. She’s too good for me.”
She was a ‘flower on a high peak’ that no ordinary guy could approach. The status of a childhood friend only served to slightly weaken the barrier that repelled men.
“Besides, I don’t see her as a romantic interest. And neither does she, for me.”
More accurately, I hadn't even thought about love or romance itself. It was a problem that existed before the question of who the target was.
“Is it a case of being too close to notice?”
Minase tilted her head.
She was saying whatever she wanted. I felt like leaving her and going home.
§§§
As we waited on the station platform, the train soon slid in.
“It’s more crowded than yesterday...”
A sound of disgust unintentionally escaped my lips.
It seemed many people were traveling on the second day of Golden Week. I could tell it was crowded at a glance, even before the train stopped.
“Huh? Did you ride the train yesterday, too?”
Minase, catching my words, asked.
“I had a thing.”
“Oh, okay.”
But she only acknowledged my answer with that. She didn't pry. Did she think she shouldn't, or was she just not interested? Or was she just cutting the conversation short because we were about to get on the train?
The train stopped, and the door opened. A few people got off.
It was clearly impossible to get a seat. Now, I just had to avoid repeating the same mistake as yesterday, when I accidentally ended up facing Yukari. The ideal would be to stand side-by-side, holding the strap.
“Let’s stand over there.”
But as if to mock my plan, Minase walked straight to the opposite door, where people had just gotten off.
“Perfect.”
She reached the spot and stood with her back to the door. I had no choice but to stand facing her. In the end, it was the same situation as yesterday.
“What’s wrong? You look tired.”
“...Just thinking about the crowd.”
My feeling of being overwhelmed must have shown on my face. I gave a vague answer to cover it up.
The train started moving.
“Do you have a part-time job during Golden Week, too?”
“Of course, I do.”
The cafe 『Miss Me Blind』 didn’t have a fixed closing day. Even during Golden Week, the shop stayed open every single day. It was fine for me since I was a part-timer, but the Manager never took a full day off, though he would be briefly absent for breaks or errands. It must have become a complete part of his life.
“Did you take the day off for this?”
“That’s the fact of the matter, but it’s pretty flexible, so don’t worry about it. I’ve taken time off for dumber reasons.”
Simply put, to balance it with my studies, my hours would decrease when tests were near, and I would take the entire test period off.
“I see.”
Minase breathed a sigh of relief.
“Don’t you go home to your parents?”
She piled on another question.
“Only in the summer and around New Year’s.”
“There are school days in the middle of Golden Week, aren’t there?”
Minase gave a wry smile.
She was right. The media called it a ‘miracle long break,’ but that was only when working adults managed to take time off. It had nothing to do with us high schoolers. If there was a weekday in the middle, we had to go to school and attend class.
I had told Minase I went home during summer and New Year’s, but I hadn’t gone home last summer break. I had quit the soccer club right before it. I’d insisted on going to a distant school to play soccer at a powerhouse school, and I couldn’t face my family after quitting less than six months later.
I did go home for New Year’s, but I still hadn’t told them the truth. I should tell them soon.
The train arrived at the next station. More people got on.
“Whoa.”
As the crowd pushed me from behind, I instantly braced myself by putting my hands on the wall on either side of Minase’s head.
“Ooh, is this the rumored kabedon?”
“No, you idiot.”
Superficially, the composition was exactly that, but why did she have to say something like that in this situation?
“It’s a little close, but bear with it for a while.”
At least by bracing myself like this, I could keep Minase from being crushed, and I could ensure no one got closer than the length of my arms. I remembered there was a slightly larger station a few stops away, where the passengers would shift significantly. I just had to endure until then.
The door closed, and the train started moving.
“Trains are strange, aren’t they?”
Minase said.
“You don’t mind standing shoulder-to-shoulder with total strangers, but you get bothered or feel awkward when it’s someone you know. Shouldn’t it be the opposite?”
“That’s true.”
Unless there was some element of physiological disgust, I never cared who was standing near me. I just compartmentalized it as strangers on a packed train. Conversely, with Minase, whom I knew, I was trying my best not to touch her. It was the opposite, now that she mentioned it.
“Ah, but you’re an exception, Sakura. I don’t mind if you’re closer.”
“I mind, though.”
Her sense of distance was still broken.
But well, despite the awkwardness of our faces being close, I didn’t feel the same tension I had with Yukari yesterday. Was it because of Yukari’s too-perfect, beautiful features, or was it thanks to Minase’s strange sense of distance?
Damn it. Thinking about that made me remember something else.
Yukari had said yesterday, “Minase-san may seem like that, but her figure is better than you’d think.”
Minase was wearing an oversized cut-and-sew top today, so her body line wasn’t clear. But her chest area was definitely protruding forward. It wasn't an assertion that immediately jumped out at the eye, but once you noticed it, the impression was that it was certainly there.
“I’m a 34D.”
“Guh!”
That violent piece of information suddenly entering my ear made me choke.
“What was that, out of nowhere!?”
“Oh, nothing. I just noticed you were looking.”
That’s right. Minase was extra sensitive to being looked at.
“You still didn’t have to say that, did you?”
“So you’re not denying you were looking.”
“Well...”
I answered vaguely, looking away to the scenery rushing past the window. I glanced at Minase from the corner of my eye, and she was smiling happily.
“I see. So Sakura is a chest guy, not a leg guy.”
“I never said anything like that!”
I tried to argue, but I didn’t think I sounded very convincing, even to myself.
6
As the train arrived at our destination station, we moved ourselves and exited the ticket gate.
“Which way?”
“That way.”
We spoke like travelers in a Nordic picture book, roughly setting our direction.
“What’s over there?”
“Basically, a huge shopping mall. It has all sorts of shops, so it’s perfect for spending a whole day just wandering around and looking.”
“Ohh.”
I could tell from Minase’s tone that she was interested. If I could clear this hurdle, everything else would be fine.
“So, what kind of shops are you going to take me to?”
“I’m leaving that up to you, Minase.”
“Relying on others at this point!?”
Minase’s eyes went wide.
“No, everything I know is for guys, you know? What are we going to do if we go there?”
“That’s true.”
“So go wherever you want, Minase. I’ll go along with it.”
I managed to guide her successfully this far. It was all going according to plan. Though, it wasn’t my plan.
I walked side-by-side with Minase.
This area was filled with department stores and commercial complexes, and they were mostly interconnected. If you walked around without paying attention, you could easily find yourself in a place with a different name.
“What else is there?”
Minase asked.
“There are amusement facilities, too. Arcades, bowling, karaoke, a multi-purpose court...”
“Ooh, that sounds fun.”
Something must have struck a chord with her.
“No, that place is only good if you go with a large group.”
“It’s fine. Teach me soccer. Girls play soccer in PE, too.”
Of all things, she chose that. Bowling would be fun for two people, but why did we have to rent a somewhat large multi-purpose court just for the two of us?
“Are you serious?”
“Pretty serious. But, let’s do it another time. If we’re going to do that, I want to prepare things like a towel and a change of clothes.”
“That’s true.”
and I agreed, thinking, Is that really all? When guys use facilities like that, a towel is a given, but they don't usually pack a change of clothes. At least, a sloppy guy like me never thought that far ahead.
“Besides, I’m not really dressed for exercise today.”
“Oh, really?”
Minase was wearing shorts. She looked pretty easy to move in.
“Yeah. When I jump and run, things tend to... jiggle a lot.”
I choked.
“Wow, so many stores!”
When we reached our destination, Minase gasped, looking at the floor guide.
“So many choices, I don’t know where to look, man.”
“Stop talking like some old geezer. ...Why don’t we just go floor by floor, starting from the bottom?”
That was what we did yesterday, too. It was probably the most efficient way.
Minase looked at me immediately. I looked back.
“Ah, my bad. I was the one who said you could wander wherever you wanted.”
I was trying too hard to guide her.
But Minase grinned and said, “I’ll take it.”
She turned and walked toward the escalator.
We went up one floor and looked at the floor guide again. This one was more detailed than the one downstairs. The lower one was just a list of store names, but this one included words like 『General Goods』 and 『Accessories』, along with a map of the floor.
“Where should we go?”
Minase asked me.
“Uh, I’m just—”
“No, no, it’s fine. Just give me a rundown.”
I’d planned to keep my mouth shut, but Minase urged me on. If she was asking, I couldn't refuse. I pointed at the map and answered.
“This one, this one, and this one are all classic spots for girls, I hear.”
“Got it. Then I’ll make sure we stop by those.”
Minase stared at the floor guide for a moment, then turned on her heel and started walking. She wandered into whatever store caught her eye. I just followed behind.
Watching Minase’s back, I recalled Yukari’s advice.
“Don’t get overly enthusiastic about trying to ‘do something’ for her,” I repeated in my head.
“Oh, look. This is cute.”
Minase said this in a general goods store.
She must have found something she liked. I wondered if I could buy it for her if it was affordable, but then I realized that was exactly the kind of overly enthusiastic gesture Yukari warned me about.
I looked at what she was holding.
“That’s that thing, right? The one you use to tie up your hair.”
“Yeah, that’s right. A scrunchie.”
Right, that was the name. The one Minase was holding was a honey-colored scrunchie.
“See? It’s cute because it’s shaped like a ribbon.”
Now that she mentioned it, it wasn't just a simple donut-shaped piece of fabric but was designed to look like a tied ribbon. The ends of the knot stood up instead of spreading out to the sides. It made me think of cat ears. No, they were too long. Rabbit ears.
“It’s cute, but do you need it, Minase?”
Her hair was medium length, barely reaching her collarbone. I doubted she could even use it, let alone needed it.
“Do you prefer girls with long hair, Sakura? Like Koreeda-san?”
“Nah, never thought about it.”
Besides, hair length and style are up to the individual. There’s no room for others to comment on it, and I didn’t think it would influence whether I liked or disliked a person.
“I see. ...Well, a scrunchie isn’t just for tying up hair, you know.”
Minase said, slipping the scrunchie she was holding onto her wrist. It looked like a bracelet, with the rabbit ears sticking up on the back of her hand.
“See? Isn’t it cute?”
She showed it to me with a proud look. I see. So you could use it like that, too.
“I think this one is for Sakura.”
Minase picked up a scrunchie with a blue, denim-like pattern from the various color options.
“And then, like this.”
She grabbed my hand and slipped the scrunchie onto my wrist. I just watched her in silence, letting her do what she wanted. When Minase finished adjusting the shape, my hand, too, had the rabbit ears.
I stared at the first wrist accessory I’d ever worn as if it were some strange object. It didn’t feel like my own hand.
“Matching!”
Minase brought her hand next to mine. The honey-colored scrunchie and the blue denim one were side-by-side. They were indeed matching, just in different colors.
It became an even stranger sight.
But I didn’t think it was bad.
“Should we buy these?”
I realized I had just said that.
“Huh?”
Minase’s eyes went wide.
“No, I just thought it was kinda interesting.”
I couldn’t quite articulate what I meant by that.
Minase blinked, still staring at me.
“Sorry. That was a weird thing to say. Just forget I said it.”
“No, no. I was just surprised because I didn’t think Sakura would ever say something like that.”
She smiled happily.
“Okay, let’s buy them. What color do you want?”
“I’m good with this one.”
The denim-like blue. I didn’t dislike it. Besides, Minase had picked it out for me. I probably would have chosen it even if it wasn't perfectly to my taste.
Minase was also fine with the honey-colored one she was holding.
“I’ll pay. I was the one who suggested it.”
I had glanced at the price tag earlier, and it wasn’t much.
“It’s okay. Let’s just buy our own.”
“No, but—”
I swallowed the rest of my sentence. I remembered Yukari’s other piece of advice: “Keep it within a range that won’t be a burden.”
If I snatched the item Minase was about to buy and insisted on paying for it, she probably wouldn't be overjoyed. I would be burdening Minase in a way that wasn’t financial. I decided to back down gracefully.
“Alright. We’ll do that.”
In the end, we went with Minase’s suggestion, and we each bought our own scrunchie.
7
When lunchtime arrived, we went down to the food area on the ground floor.
Looking up, the space was open all the way to the third floor. We had a light lunch of hot sandwiches and juice in that space.
As we ate at an empty table, I stared intently at my wrist. The scrunchie I had just bought was on it. Minase’s wrist was the same.
“We’re doing something weird.”
I couldn’t help but give a wry smile.
“Hey, I think it’s cute!”
“Yeah, I guess.”
I was the one who suggested buying them. It wouldn’t do for me to be the one who was totally baffled.
“What even is this, though?”
However, it was also true that if someone asked what the meaning of it was, I couldn’t answer.
“Hmm? If you want a meaning... maybe a souvenir of today? Or the symbol of the 『Quit-Club Alliance』?”
“I like that. That’s a good one.”
I wasn’t sure which one I was agreeing to. But maybe that was the point—that it didn’t matter.
I decided to be careful not to get it dirty.
After lunch, we went back to browsing the stores.
We had covered most of the general goods and accessory shops in the morning, so the afternoon was mainly about clothes. Minase kept picking up items, looking at them, and holding them up to her body, saying, “That’s cute,” and, “I want this.” She looked so genuinely happy that I didn’t get bored just watching her.
“Speaking of which, I heard that girl Sera, your classmate, really did send clothes to Yukari.”
I brought this up as the next topic when there was a lull in the conversation.
“Oh, Sakura heard about that, too? Yeah, she did.”
Minase was looking at a T-shirt and turned back to me, holding it up to her body.
“Isn’t that a little small?”
“It’s for summer. I’m thinking of wearing it so it shows off my figure.”
As she said that, she gave a slightly malicious grin, as if a light bulb had gone off in her head.
“Yukari was happy that she got something nice.”
“Hmph.”
I quickly steered the conversation back, sensing what Minase was about to say. She frowned, annoyed.
“Sera seems to have really taken a liking to Koreeda-san.”
In the end, Minase returned to the main topic anyway.
Was she done with the clothes? She started folding them as we talked.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? To get pre-release samples.”
“Don’t you get stuff, too, Minase?”
“Sometimes. But only the stuff that’s already been released.”
So, that meant Sera really liked Yukari that much.
Minase finished folding the shirt. She folded it so quickly and carefully, like an apparel shop clerk, that when she put the item back, it was impossible to tell which one she had unfolded.
“Alright, let’s go to the next one.”
Minase left the store without any apparent lingering attachment.
§§§
And then, the moment finally arrived.
“Oh, swimsuits. ...Hey, let’s go look.”
“Pffft!”
I had hoped she wouldn’t take an interest in that section from the moment we entered this floor, but my wish was in vain; Minase had spotted it.
“Why does everything have to go...”
Between where we stood on the train and this right now, why did she keep doing the exact things I didn’t want her to do?
“Huh? Do you have some kind of NG list?”
“No, it’s fine. It’s my problem.”
Still, Minase was not to blame, as I hadn’t told her anything.
“Well then, let’s go.”
Minase headed toward the swimsuit section.
“You should go to places like that with other girls.”
“It’s fine! Just looking, just looking.”
Did she mean she wasn't going to seriously consider buying one? Since I had told her to wander as she pleased, I couldn't stop her, so I decided to follow in silence.
“Oh, you’re coming with me. ...Are you interested?”
“Damn it.”
Maybe I didn’t have to follow her so dutifully.
“I’ll wait over there. Call me when you’re done.”
“Now, now, don’t be like that.”
Minase linked her arm through mine as I tried to pull away, trapping me. She dragged me toward the swimsuit section. The mannequins I had seen from a distance yesterday were waiting there.
“What kind do you like?”
Minase released my arm, perhaps thinking I wouldn’t run away now that she’d brought me this far. She looked at the mannequins in their colorful, summery swimsuits one by one as she asked.
“Don’t ask me. Pick one yourself.”
“Is it a bikini, after all?”
“Don’t ask!”
I pushed back.
This was not a place a guy should be. Not knowing where to look, I mimicked Minase and looked at the mannequins. But I still felt resistance against looking directly at them.
“Ah, I get it. The ones with a deep-cut chest. So lewd.”
“Stop bringing that up!”
I felt like she had found my weakness.
“Besides, what’s the point of asking me? You’re the one who’s going to wear it.”
“That’s true, but Sakura is going to see it, right? And I don’t want you to be embarrassed to be seen with me.”
That was a strange thing to say. I turned to face her.
“Am I supposed to be going out with you this summer, Minase? To the beach or the pool?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
Minase looked at me and smiled happily.
“I’d like to invite Koreeda-san, too, if possible. Yay, Sakura, you’ll have a flower in each hand!”
“Ah, sorry. I have an unexpected sudden illness scheduled for that morning. It’ll probably be a last-minute cancellation.”
“Already!?”
She should be glad I didn’t say I had a funeral to attend.
“We should probably go now. Sakura looks troubled.”
“That would be a lifesaver.”
In the end, we didn't venture further into the section and left the area.
“You have a surprisingly low tolerance for this, don’t you?”
“Shut up.”
As we exchanged barbs and turned to leave—
“Oh.”
Standing there was the active drama club member, Yakushiji Asahi.
“It’s Asahi. Hey there!”
Minase called her name happily.
But Yakushiji quietly looked back and forth between us and the swimsuit section.
“N-No, this is...”
Feeling like we’d been caught in an awkward situation, I searched for an excuse.
“Did you come to look at swimsuits? Me, too. I was wondering what styles would be popular this year.”
However, ignoring my panic, Yakushiji said this in a very serious tone. It was as if she were here on a market research trip.
Minase whispered to me, covering her mouth.
“Asahi is so earnest.”
“I see.”
Thinking about it, it wasn’t strange to come look at swimsuits in preparation for summer. Although the selling space was small, there was a men’s section over there, too.
“Even so, you’re so carefree.”
Yakushiji said, looking at Minase. Her slightly sharp features made her look like she was glaring.
“Hey, Asahi. Want to grab some coffee downstairs?”
But Minase was unconcerned. Yakushiji’s intense gaze rolled off her like water.
Yakushiji sighed.
“Fine.”
She surprisingly agreed.
We returned to the food area on the ground floor.
Yakushiji spotted a coffee stand and said, “That one looks good.” We followed her.
Yakushiji bought hers first, and then me.
I bought the most affordable iced coffee. At the condiment bar, I only added milk to the coffee and stirred it with a disposable stirrer. Then, I put the lid on the cup, turned around as I put the straw in.
“Right, where’s Yakushiji?”
I looked around and saw her occupying a round table. She clearly raised her hand to signal me.
There were exactly three chairs at the round table. It wasn’t a large table, probably meant for taking a short break with a drink. I sat down.
“I told Minase what you said before, Yakushiji. She said she has no intention of returning to the club.”
“I see. I thought as much.”
Yakushiji gave a small, wry smile. She must have anticipated the answer.
“I figured there was no point in saying anything more, so the conversation stopped there.”
“Understood.”
Yakushiji nodded.
“Sorry for the wait!”
Minase joined us just as we finished sharing the minimum information, and the last chair was filled. She placed the same drink as me on the table: iced coffee.
“Sorry for interrupting. Wasn’t this a date?”
“It was not.”
“Yeah, it was. A date.”
To Yakushiji’s light jab, our reactions were split right down the middle, for some reason.
“Hey!”
“Actually, he was just showing me around the area.”
Minase quickly corrected herself when I glared at her.
“What about you, Asahi?”
“I was just wandering around all by myself.”
She said it self-deprecatingly, but she looked like the type who enjoyed doing that.
“What about the drama club? Are you guys off?”
“Of course, we’re off. Did we have any activities at all during Golden Week last year?”
“Same as ever, huh?”
Minase gave a wry smile.
The drama club, once a regular contender at the national level, was now completely off during Golden Week. It seemed to have become a very relaxed club.
“Mishio, you’re really not coming back to the club?”
“Sorry, but that’s the plan.”
Minase replied casually, sipping her coffee.
“Even if I were to drive out the seniors and rebuild the drama club?”
“Yeah. Even then, I won’t go back there.”
Even after hearing Yakushiji’s secret plan, Minase’s feelings hadn’t changed.
“I thought you had more motivation, Mishio.”
“I do have motivation. I want to be an actress. I’m definitely going to continue somewhere. It’s just not going to be at our drama club.”
It was Minase’s philosophy of “I’ll decide for myself where I bloom.”
Yakushiji stared at Minase for a while, then finally spoke.
“You have high aspirations.”
“I wonder? I’ve never thought about whether my aspirations are high or low.”
Minase smiled as she said that.
From my perspective, watching from the side, both of them had high aspirations. One saw no point in staying in a futile place and was earnestly searching for a place where she could seriously pursue her passion. The other was trying to rebuild a club that was once a national contender. In different ways, both were the result of a sincere commitment to acting.
Yakushiji let out a sigh that sounded somewhat resigned.
“I understand. I won’t bring this up again.”
She sounded lonely as she said it.
It was understandable. Minase and Yakushiji’s paths had decisively diverged.
§§§
In the evening, Minase and I walked home.
It was still early for high schoolers to return from an outing, but after talking with Yakushiji, we had decided to call it a day.
“Mmm, today was fun.”
Minase said, stretching as we walked through the residential area toward our apartment building.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
I was happy that she enjoyed herself.
“Thanks for today.”
“Ah, yeah...”
Her direct expression of gratitude made my words come out awkwardly.
“Is something wrong?”
Minase asked, turning to face me.
“No, nothing.”
There was something on my mind, but it wasn't worth bringing up.
Minase pondered for a moment.
“Oh, right. Next time, I’m definitely going to buy a swimsuit, so come with me. Maybe sometime during Golden Week?”
“Actually—”
“You’re going to confess now!?”
Of course I am! I thought. I’d confess all my past sins rather than be dragged along to that terrifying place.
“Sorry. The truth is, I came here to scout the area yesterday.”
I started over, confessing my secret.
“I talked a big game about being a local and leaving it up to me, but I only lived here as a kid, and the town changed a lot while I was gone. Honestly, I wasn’t confident I could show you around properly.”
Watching Minase’s unreserved gratitude, it felt unfair to keep this secret.
“Oh, you did that?”
Minase said simply, then muttered, “Hmm...” and started thinking.
Then, she said, “But my thanks still stand.”
“You went out of your way to scout the area just for me, right?”
“I just didn’t want to look uncool.”
If you asked me which feeling was stronger—wanting to please Minase or not wanting to embarrass myself—it was probably the latter.
“That part doesn’t matter. What matters is, is it really that weird to prepare thoroughly before a date with a girl?”
“Well...”
When she put it that way, maybe it wasn't so underhanded after all.
“I think it’s sweet.”
Minase looked even happier than before. If that was the case, there was no need for me to spoil the mood any further.
“Hey, want to come over and have some curry when we get back?”
Minase asked me.
“Is that your way of thanking me for today?”
“No, I just wanted to eat it together.”
Come to think of it, the curry was already made before we left. Had she planned this from the start?
“Oh, should I give you a thank-you gift for today? How about a selfie in a lewd swimsuit—”
“I can’t offer you any tonjiru.”
I cut Minase off before she could finish.
“You know, it hurts my feelings when you dodge the question like that?”
Minase seemed to be glaring at me from the side, but I ignored her. There was no way I was going to let her keep pulling that thread.
“I can have the tonjiru another time.”
Minase brought the conversation back and replied.
“Alright. If you don’t need it, I’ll come eat.”
“Okay. I’ll get it ready and wait for you.”
The apartment building came into view as we walked down the road, where the atmosphere was still far from dark.
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