Episode 105: Who to Invite

While picking out a few, a swimsuit on a mannequin caught my eye. It was a neat, floral one-piece with a pareo wrapped around it.

…This swimsuit would really suit Sara-senpai…

「Um, Sara-senpai… about this swimsuit.」

「Yes, then I shall try this one on.」

When I tried to take the plunge and recommend it, Sara-senpai accepted it as if it were only natural, without even letting me finish. There’s probably size checking to do, so I’ll wait a bit further away.

By the way, Natsumi-senpai is currently in the fitting room. Since she was making a fuss about picking a bikini, she chose a few candidates herself and we decided on one from among them. Of course, I have no confidence in the choice.

After confirming Sara-senpai entered the fitting room, I waited nearby, and then Natsumi-senpai came out.

「Thanks for waiting~. Well? Does it look good?」

Ugh…

I realized just now that there’s no way I can stare intently at a woman in a swimsuit, but do I really have to give my thoughts…

Natsumi-senpai has a stylish vibe, so the bikini suits her well. Her type is different from Sara-senpai’s, but being shown off to like this by such a beauty is honestly embarrassing…

「No, well, it looks good on you… yeah.」

Natsumi-senpai seemed satisfied after seeing me acting self-conscious.

「Alright, then let’s go with this one. Decided~!」

With that, she retreated back into the fitting room, quickly changed back into her original clothes, and came out.

「Is Sara still not done?」

「She’s changing right now.」

Just as I said that, the curtain opened. Senpai came out from inside looking shy, wearing the swimsuit I had picked…

「………」

I unintentionally became dazed…

It was a slightly modest swimsuit, but the floral design suited the neat Senpai so well. The contrast between her black hair and the white base of the swimsuit really stood out…

She’s beautiful………

「Fufu, I understand.」

Leaving behind that single phrase with a full smile, Sara-senpai went back into the fitting room. I’m sure she read that from my expression without a doubt. Uugh… this is embarrassing.

「Hmm, so you’re saying Sara was so beautiful you were speechless.」

And so I ended up being glared at by Natsumi-senpai with a side-eye.

「By the way, Takanashi-kun, who are you going to invite?」

Natsumi-senpai asked suddenly, seemingly curious.

「Ah~ actually, I’m torn. Between Hayato or my best friend from middle school…」

Actually, I still haven’t decided. Hmm.

「Let’s see… Come to think of it, you left things on an awkward note with that friend of yours we met once, Takanashi-kun.」

…Now that she mentions it, back then I was in a total negative spiral due to a misunderstanding, so Yuji didn’t have a very good impression either. Our schools are different anyway, so this might be a good opportunity.

「Ah, that’s true. Ending things like that back then is definitely not what I wanted. But is it okay? It might be awkward at first since it’s Yuji.」

「If he is a precious friend of yours, Kazunari-san, I would like to greet him properly as well.」

「We can see Yokogawa-kun at school or club anyway.」

Hmm, it seems Natsumi-senpai hasn’t noticed anything about Hayato at all. But the conversation is flowing toward inviting Yuji, and I’d hate for Yuji’s impression of them to stay bad too.

「Then I’ll try inviting Yuji.」

I’ll follow up with Hayato on another occasion; this time, I’ll invite Yuji.

「Fuffuffu…」

…?

That night.

「Marine Garden Pool?」

I contacted Yuji to check his schedule first. Since Natsumi-senpai has a tennis tournament, there are many days she has to avoid due to practice, so it would be great if it works out.

「Sara-senpai and her friend are coming so there will be four of us, what do you think?」

「I’m fine with that. I can make it work.」

It seems he’s okay with it. All that’s left is to actually go.

「Alright, I’ll contact you later with the meeting time and place.」

「Yeah, I’m looking forward to it… I’ve got to greet your girlfriend too. Tell her ‘he’s a handful but please take care of him’.」

「Yeah, yeah. Sorry about that.」

In reality, I’ve caused Yuji a lot of trouble and he’s helped me out a lot, so the fact that I can’t quite deny it is painful.

But it’s been a long time since I’ve hung out with Yuji, so I’m looking forward to this pool trip in two ways. Natsumi-senpai is very personable, so I’m sure she’ll get along with Yuji quickly. I wonder if it’ll be tough for Sara-senpai, though…