Episode 49: Our Own Stance

「Takanashi-san, aren’t you going to join any clubs?」

「Well… honestly, I just haven’t found anything I really want to do yet.」

「Are there no clubs that match your hobbies?」

「No. If I ever find something I actually want to do, I might join one then.」

We walk along, having a trivial conversation.

Zaaaaaaa

Amidst the sound of the rain and the rhythmic drumming against the umbrella, we eventually fell into silence.

It’s rare for us to have this kind of atmosphere.

It’s not exactly awkward, but… it feels like Senpai is thinking about something.

I walk with Senpai in silence.

By the way, half of my body is already soaking wet.

It’s colder than I thought… I’ll have to change as soon as I get home.

「Takanashi-san… am I being over the top?」

「Eh?」

Senpai suddenly asked with a serious air about her.

Over the top…?

「What’s this all of a sudden?」

「No… it’s just that lately, I feel like I’ve been doing things that the old me never would have done… and I feel like I was a bit pushy just a moment ago…」

I certainly think she’s been looking out for me in many ways, though.

「Also, lately, when I see stories in books or dramas, I suddenly start to think. Making your bento and all the other things I do for you… for a friend, maybe it’s too much…… or rather…」

Ah… I see…

Certainly, if you look at it through the lens of a typical guy-and-girl friendship, you don’t hear much about friendships that go this far.

But for me, as long as it’s something Senpai wants to do, I have no problem with it. Regardless of what’s「normal,」I think we’re fine with our own stance.

「If it makes you happy, Takanashi-san, then I am happy too. However, I’ve prioritized that and acted without considering what is ‘normal.’ As a result, I worry I’ve gone overboard… and if I’m just forcing things on you…」

「Sara-senpai, I’ve never once thought you were being pushy, or that you were doing too much. I’ve never felt that way.」

「……」

「Sure, if we think about it based on general friendships, maybe it’s a bit different. But I don’t think we need to care about the rest of the world. This is our stance, and if we, the people involved, don’t think it’s too much, then there’s absolutely no problem. I’ve never once been troubled by anything you’ve done for me, Sara-senpai. It’s all made me happy. So, it’s perfectly fine for you to keep doing things however you want.」

「…Is that really alright? To be honest, I feel like the desire to do things for you has increased lately. So, I will probably continue to do things on my own without you even asking. I might prioritize my own fun and happiness.」

「It’s okay. You don’t need to worry about being ‘normal.’ These are our lives, so we don’t have to let anyone else tell us how to live them.」

「Yes… thank you. In that case, I’ll continue to do things in my own way.」

Senpai showed me her usual smile.

「Fufu… I’m relieved. I just didn’t want to be a burden to you, Takanashi-san.」

She was bound to notice eventually…

The fact that it’s「too much」compared to the rest of the world is something you’d realize easily with just a little nudge.

But I think we’re fine as we are, and I’m happy with whatever Senpai wants.

We reached my place… my apartment.

I closed the umbrella once we were under the roof.

Senpai… well, it’s impossible to be completely dry, but she doesn’t seem to be that wet.

「Thank you. Sorry for making you come all the way to my house…」

「No, it’s quite alright. Well, I’ll be heading home now, so Takanashi-san, you should go inside and…」

Senpai seems to have noticed the half of my body that is drenched… then she looks at her own side… then back at me… eek.

「Takanashi-san… what is the meaning of this? I am hardly wet at all, but you are clearly soaked, aren’t you? Sacrificing yourself like this…」

「Sara-senpai, you looked out for me so that I wouldn’t get wet, right? Well, I don’t want you to get wet either, Sara-senpai. Plus, this whole thing happened because I forgot my umbrella. So, it’s only natural that I’d prioritize you, and you’d do the same if the roles were reversed, wouldn’t you?」

I spoke quickly, trying to cut her off before she could argue.

How’d I do…?

「…When you put it like that, I can’t really say anything else, can I? Certainly, if the roles were reversed, I would have done the same…」

Phew… she’s convinced.

「Take a bath, or change quickly and get yourself warm. Just changing isn’t enough, okay?」

「Yes. Well then, Sara-senpai, thank you very much. Please be careful on your way home.」

「See you tomorrow.」

Senpai headed back.

We ended up having an unexpectedly serious talk.

I guess the unusual atmosphere made it happen… I thought to myself, trying to sound cool.

It’s cold, so I better change fast…