Episode 40: If There’s So Much We Don’t Know

I feel like Takanashi-san is a bit downcast.

Admittedly, now that he mentions it, I haven’t talked much about myself until now.

There wasn’t any deep reason for it; time at school was simply fun, and I was satisfied with just that.

So, there simply hadn’t been an opportunity to have such a conversation.

Furthermore, I realized that I haven’t asked Takanashi-san about his daily life or the things he likes either.

This is quite an oversight on my part.

But… for him to say such a thing must mean that he wants to know more about me, right?

I’m happy…

I want to know more about Takanashi-san too, I want him to tell me…

「Takanashi-san, ever since you became my friend, I’ve just been spending my time enjoying school life. But hearing that now, I feel regret that I also remained ignorant of your daily life.」

She’s right, I haven’t talked to Senpai about my daily life either.

The present was so fun that I couldn’t see anything else…

「Since we’ve gone out together like this, let’s set aside some time after this to talk properly. Let’s tell each other the things we want to ask and the things we want to know.」

Senpai tells me this with a smile, wanting us to get to know each other.

「…Yes, I’d like to do that too.」

「Fufu…」

Senpai smiled happily.

Good…

I was happy that Senpai wanted to know about me too.

「Um… honestly, this is the first time I’ve seen a scene like this…」

「Yeah, I know exactly what you want to say. I see it all the time.」

「They’re completely in a world of their own, aren’t they? …Staring into each other’s eyes right in the middle of a shop… they’re drawing quite a lot of attention.」

「Even when the three of us are together, I’m often left behind. I’m used to it by now.」

It doesn’t seem to matter even if they’re inside a shop.

It’s too late for that anyway.

「I don’t know what they’re talking about, but even if they’re putting off that kind of atmosphere, they’re still just friends, right…?」

It’s a help that he seems to be understanding those two smoothly.

「About that, it’s just like we discussed earlier. As long as they don’t think it’s strange, then everything is within the normal range.」

「Sigh… Or rather, did they actually decide on a present in the end…」

Hmm, if we don’t get a bit closer, we won’t be able to tell what they’re saying…

Since we decided to talk about each other, I can just pick a present after hearing what she has to say.

I might think of something from her stories.

「Senpai, why don’t we eat lunch before it gets crowded?」

「You’re right, it will surely get crowded from here on… Um, if you’d like, considering what we just discussed, there is an open-terrace cafe nearby, so shall we talk while having a light meal there?」

「Yes, let’s go there.」

We left the shop and headed for the cafe.

On the way, we passed through the boutique area.

As I walked along, glancing casually at the displays, there was a shop that mainly handled cute clothing like the kind Senpai is wearing today.

The mannequins visible from the hallway, and even the staff, were dressed just like her…

!?

That’s it… I’ll make that my top candidate.

We ordered sandwich-style bread and drinks at the cafe and sat at a corner of the open terrace.

「Shall we eat, then?」

「Yes.」

I had a roast beef sandwich, and Senpai had a chicken salad and tomato sandwich.

Honestly, I figured it probably wouldn’t be enough, but I couldn’t exactly order two or three…

「This is the first time I’ve had lunch in such a stylish place. When it’s just guys, we usually just settle for ramen or something.」

「In my case, Natsumi looks up all sorts of different places, so I basically leave it to her.」

It wasn’t intentional, but the flow of conversation headed in a good direction, so I’ll try talking a bit more like this.

「I see. Do you go out often on your days off, Senpai?」

「Natsumi invites me out often, so even if I’m not buying anything in particular, I do go window shopping sometimes.」

「I see. Do you do anything hobby-like at home?」

「As for things I could call hobbies… I like reading books, but I don’t think I’d go so far as to call it a hobby. When I don’t have plans, I do housework, study… and occasionally, I help out at Obaa-chan’s house… at the shrine.」

I see.

A shrine feels like it would be busy with quite a lot to do.

In my head, I’d just had this simple image of Senpai reading while drinking black tea, but housework and helping out…

Since her bento is so delicious, she must be good at cooking, too. Senpai is a very domestic person.