Episode 36: Shopping

「If Sara is fine with it, then why not?」

「But actually, that’s something I should have prepared myself. It’s not really much of a thank-you…」

「Takanashi-san, I want a bento box for you that I chose myself. Of course, I wouldn’t mind if it was something you chose, but if possible, I would like to choose it.」

Ugh… when she puts it like that, I can’t say a word.

If it’s okay with Sara-senpai, then I guess there’s no problem… I think.

「Which means Sara picks it out and Takanashi-kun buys it. In that case, you two have no choice but to go shopping together!!」

「Eh!?」

Wait, is that the only way?

But that means, with Sara-senpai…

「Shopping with Takanashi-san… I’m so happy… Oh, but is it alright with you?」

「No, I’m totally fine with it! If anything, someone like me with Sara-senpai…」

「? I would be very happy if I could go shopping with you, Takanashi-san.」

「Ah, of course I’m happy too!」

「Fufu… then, will you go shopping with me?」

「Understood.」

So that means we’re going out together on the next day off?

Oh man, I need to look for some clothes…

「I’m looking forward to it. Is it okay if we discuss the date and details later? If we don’t start watering soon, we’re going to run out of time.」

「Got it.」

「I’ll help too.」

I have to see this through no matter what…

Sara on a date with a guy is interest… no, I mean, I’m worried.

As someone in the position of watching over these two, I need to go see how things are going.

「…And that’s how it happened.」

That night, I was talking to Yuji on the phone.

The topic, of course, was the upcoming shopping trip with Sara-senpai.

「Choosing your bento box, man, you…」

「I really should have been the one to buy it and ask her. In that sense, I feel bad. But honestly, I’m just happy she’s thinking about me that much.」

Senpai told me I was a precious friend.

I’m genuinely happy that she’s thinking about me in so many ways.

「………Hmm… hey, can I ask you something?」

Yuji suddenly changed the subject.

「What is it?」

「What do you think of that Senpai?」

「What do you mean… I think Senpai is a precious person.」

She’s the person who understood me.

Of course she’s precious to me.

「I’m sure she is, but for example, do you not like her as a woman? I thought about this when I heard the story from the other day, too. How are things on that front?」

「Honestly, I’m not thinking about that. More than anything, I was just really happy that Senpai clearly told me I was a precious friend. If that’s what she wants, being friends or best friends is plenty. The fact that she’s a precious person to me won’t change.」

「In other words, it transcends that, and she’s a precious person to you in any form…」

Ever since that incident in middle school, Kazunari has been unable to trust almost anyone.

Because of that girl… Sasagawa Yuzuha, Kazunari’s childhood friend… he became consumed by suspicion. He couldn’t even fully trust the people he’d been friends with until then.

I consider Kazunari my best friend, and I knew that girl well, too.

So, I thought I understood how Kazunari felt back then.

As far as I was concerned, I managed to get him to trust me by staying as involved as possible.

But the other guys who didn’t understand the circumstances decided they couldn’t deal with him and left.

He sought someone who would truly understand and believe in him, yet he himself couldn’t believe in others… that negative spiral is what isolated him.

That’s why he might be becoming somewhat blind because he treasures the person who finally appeared to understand him so much.

As long as a precious person seeks his existence, the position doesn’t matter. And his feeling of treasuring that person won’t change…

「Got it. Sorry for asking something weird. Anyway, just make sure you have fun. It’s been a long time since you went out with anyone but me, right?」

「I guess… but first, I have to fulfill the actual purpose.」

「If you’re planning on hanging out even a little after buying it, a shopping mall or a shopping district might be good.」

After the shopping is done, if Senpai is okay with it, I plan to move around a bit.

And to be honest, since the bento box is for me, I’m hoping I can at least give Senpai one other thing.

「Yeah, I was thinking along those lines too. Either way, I’ll decide with Sara-senpai. We haven’t settled on a date and time yet.」

「I see. Let me know when the details are set. I might be able to give some advice… or I might be able to go see how things are going.」

「Wait, was the reception bad? I couldn’t hear the last part very well.」

「It’s nothing major, so don’t worry about it. Anyway, let me know when you’ve decided on the details~」

「Sure. Goodnight~」