Episode 109: When We’re Together

「Kazunari-san, please do not push yourself.」

Currently, Sara-senpai and I are in the lazy river.

By the way, Yuji was abducted; I mean, forcibly taken away by Natsumi-senpai.

Honestly, there are many other attraction-like spots with plenty of fun-looking things, but Sara-senpai, concerned about my right hand, stubbornly refused them.

So now, the two of us are just drifting lazily and floating along the river.

「Sara-senpai… I am sorry. Because of me…」

「Kazunari-san… no-no.」

Sara-senpai suddenly poked my forehead.

「I am doing this because I want to. Therefore, there is no such thing as it being your fault.」

Smiling, Sara-senpai began to speak gently, as if explaining it to me.

「Besides… I have been thinking lately. I have always felt happy and had fun being with you, Kazunari-san, but now, even beyond that…」

It seems she has some thoughts on the matter, as Sara-senpai began to say that.

Judging by her expression, the「beyond that」part doesn’t seem to be a bad thing, at least.

「I cannot put it into words well, but I am sure this feeling is precious and necessary for me. And I am happy that I have become able to understand that.」

Just as I thought Sara-senpai’s hand brushed against my left hand, she gently linked them together.

I gripped back slightly, making our connection even firmer.

「Just being together like this, the two of us…」

This might mean there has been a change in Sara-senpai’s heart, and she might have realized something herself.

It might be conceit, but I think Sara-senpai is directed a solid amount of affection toward me.

If she is directing it not as the affection one has for a best friend, but with a clear awareness of it being between a man and a woman, I would be happy…

While I was relaxing in the lazy river with Sara-senpai for a while, a sudden impact and a splash of water flew nearby.

「Uwa!?」

「Kya!」

Since it was so sudden, I reflexively took a position to protect Sara-senpai.

It seemed someone had jumped in, and I figured out who it was immediately.

「Pwah! Sorry for interrupting, you two!」

The one who jumped in was Natsumi-senpai, who surged up vigorously from the water.

She was laughing happily with an expression that didn’t have even a hint of an intention to actually be sorry.

She is in high spirits today; well, since we came all the way to a place like this, it would be a waste not to enjoy it.

「A… ah, Kazunari-san! Your right hand, your right hand!」

Hearing Sara-senpai’s frantic voice, I looked at my right hand; I was gripping Sara-senpai’s shoulder with all my might.

…I touched Sara-senpai’s bare skin… it was soft, or rather, smooth…

Wait, that’s not it!

「Sara-senpai, I’m sorry! I accidentally touched you…」

「That is not it! Is your right hand alright!?」

Oh, right, that was the issue.

It doesn’t really hurt, I think; but it might feel a bit strange.

Sara-senpai frantically held my right hand with both of hers and began to rub my wrist.

「It’s fine, it just feels a little strange.」

「It feels strange, does it? Is it around here?」

With an expression that was a mix of worry and anxiety, Sara-senpai gently stroked it.

Natsumi-senpai, who was watching our exchange, called out to us looking a bit flustered.

「Ah, no, sorr—」

「Natsumi!! I told you that Kazunari-san’s injury has not healed!! This is no joke, you know!?」

「I-I’m sorry!!」

It was the first time I’d seen Sara-senpai get that angry at Natsumi-senpai.

I have to stop her.

「Sara-senpai, it’s okay! This level of strange feeling is something I have occasionally even normally, so it’s really fine!」

Perhaps because I stepped in to persuade her, she regained a bit of her composure and Sara-senpai’s intensity subsided.

She is still rubbing my wrist looking worried, though…

「If you feel anything unusual, please tell me immediately… Natsumi, we will have a talk later.」

「Yes………」

It seems it will be lecture time later. She brought this on herself.

「Er, what happened?」

Yuji returned, carrying drinks.

He was made to be the errand boy, I see; Natsumi-senpai is getting a bit too carried away.

Suu… suu…

The one sleeping while leaning against my shoulder is Sara-senpai.

The train home was empty, and there was plenty of room in the seats, so I am grateful.

Everyone was tired, so it would have been rough if we couldn’t sit down.

I think this is a chance to see Sara-senpai’s cute sleeping face, but the angle makes it difficult; what a shame.

By the way, right in front of me, Natsumi-senpai and Yuji are sleeping in a clever position, leaning against each other.

These two actually seem to get along pretty well…

Well, it also just looks like Yuji is being jerked around.

However, it’s been a long time since we all went out to play like this, and it really is fun.

Next time, I definitely want to invite Hayato along.

「U… n… Kazunari-san?」

It seems Sara-senpai woke up.

There is still time before we arrive, so she could have slept a bit longer.

「Sara-senpai, we still have time before we arrive, so it’s okay to sleep a bit more, you know?」

Even though I said that, it seems she has woken up completely.

It’s a shame, but I guess the blissful time of Senpai leaning on me is over…

Or so I thought, but Senpai kept her head on my shoulder and didn’t move.

「Sara-senpai?」

「Um… would it be alright if I stayed like this for a while longer?」

Sara-senpai said that in a slightly spoiled tone as she leaned her body a bit more toward me.

「Of course. You can stay like that until we arrive.」

「Yes.」

Sara-senpai, murmuring happily, was so cute that I absolutely wanted to stroke her head; it was a bit difficult, but I reached my arm around from the other side and tried stroking it.

「Fufu…」

Senpai, moving her head like a cat being pampered, was too cute, and I stroked her head in a daze.

「Hey, you stupid couple, knock it off already.」

「I never thought Kazunari would become that kind of character.」

It was a while later that I noticed Natsumi-senpai and Yuji, who had woken up at some point, looking at us with cold eyes.