LMLCG – Episode 26 – Every Morning Together…

“I think I mentioned this the other day, but I’ve seen Takanashi-san and that girl together a few times on the way to school. It’s usually around the intersection near that convenience store, do you pass through there every day?”

She was probably talking about the convenience store I always stopped by in the mornings.

It’s true, that’s the area where I usually run into Mio-chan.

“Yeah, that’s around where I meet up with Mio-chan.”

“I also take the route from the station that passes through that intersection. If that’s the case… Takanashi-san, if you don’t mind, would you like to meet up there?”

“Eh!? I… I don’t mind, but…”

I never thought I would get an invitation from Senpai.

That means we get to go to school together every morning.

Whoa… Am I seriously using up all my lifetime luck in just these few days…?

“That way, I can greet you every morning, and there won’t be any interruptions.”

“Um… are you sure that’s okay?”

Going to school with the Goddess every morning… What kind of blessing is this?

This isn’t a dream, right?

If Yuuji were here, he’d pinch me on the cheek… no, he’d hit me hard.

“Yes, Natsumi and I often walk to school together. I think it will be the three of us most of the time. So if it’s okay with you, Takanashi-san, how about you join us?”

Ah, Natsumi-san will be there too.

No, no, three people would be more comfortable. It might be awkward with just the two of us.

More importantly… Wait, it’s Natsumi-san, right?

I’ve been almost certain for a while now who she is, but I’ve left it vague without asking directly. I should confirm properly now.

“Got it. By the way, Natsumi-san is your friend from the same class, right? She came up to the rooftop the other day…”

“…Ah, I’m sorry! That’s right, I haven’t properly introduced her yet!”

Senpai looked genuinely surprised, as if she had completely forgotten.

Well, to be fair, the conversation had flowed naturally up until now.

“I’ve already told Natsumi about you, Takanashi-san… but that makes it all the more reason to go to school together. I’d really like to introduce you to Natsumi, and I’d also like to properly introduce Natsumi to you as well, Takanashi-san.”

I understand she wants to introduce her friends to each other, but is it just me, or does it sound like something more?

Anyway, I don’t mind if she wants to formally introduce us. I’m curious what kind of person Senpai’s best friend is.

“Understood. In that case, I’d be happy to. But are you sure it’s okay to decide this without checking with your friend first?”

We’re going to be walking to school together almost every day, so I figured it would be a little awkward if her friend wasn’t on board. I asked just to be sure.

“Natsumi knows about the situation between Takanashi-san and myself, so I’m sure it’ll be fine. She’s sociable and friendly. I’m sure you two will get along right way.”

“Okay. Then, please let her know, and maybe we can finalize the time over RAIN later tonight.”

“Of course. Fufu… I’m looking forward to tomorrow already.”

Senpai said that with a genuine, happy smile.

Every morning from now on, huh… I’m happy to have more and more things to look forward to.

What would my high school life have been like if I hadn’t met Senpai?

“We spent quite a bit of time talking. Let’s hurry and water the flowers.”

“Yes. If the two of us work together, there’s no need to rush, we’ll make it in time. Well then, I’m counting on you again today.”

We began our daily task of watering and pulling weeds.

It had been a few days since I last did this, but I think the reason it feels enjoyable now is because Senpai is here.

Even after we finished tidying up, we still had some time left to take a short break.

Just like Senpai said, working together gave us a bit of breathing room.

Senpai gathered her things from the bench and started getting ready to return to class.

“Well then, I’ll be heading back now.”

“Yes, me too. Senpai, thank you again for the meal today. It was delicious.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to hear that. I’ll message you later tonight.”

With that, Senpai returned to her classroom.

And I, as usual, wasted time there until the very last minute.

I want to reduce the time I spend in the classroom as much as possible.

I spent the remaining time fiddling with my phone on the bench.

Maybe it’s because I had something so delicious for lunch but I’m in a bit of a daze.

Hopefully I don’t get sleepy during class… Let’s do our best.

Once I got home, I finished my assignments, had dinner, and played some games. That’s my usual daily routine.

I don’t really have any particular hobbies, so it’s pretty much always the same.

By the way, Senpai is usually busy with the student council after school, so we rarely see each other then.

That means I usually go home alone.

But now we’ll be seeing each other in the mornings too. If I asked for any more than this, it would definitely be too greedy.

In the first place, I’d been alone for a long time. She’s my first female friend aside from Yuzuha, and the first one I’ve made on my own.

It’s a double blessing… No, if I think of her as a goddess, then it’s more than that…

**Piro-piron**

A RAIN message notification sounded. I started messaging with Senpai.

“Good evening, Takanashi-san.”

“Good evening, Senpai. Thank you again for the meal today.”

“No, thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“No, no, it really was delicious. I’m already looking forward to the next one.”

“I’ll do my best to make something nice. About tomorrow morning, Natsumi said she’s fine with it, so let’s meet up as planned.”

“Okay. What time should we meet? I can match your schedule, so I’ll leave it to you.”

“Well, considering when Natsumi and I usually meet, I think we’ll arrive at that convenience store around 7:30.”

“That works for me. Let’s go with 7:30 then?”

“If Takanashi-san is okay with that, then let’s do it.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow at 7:30.”

“Yes, looking forward to it. See you tomorrow.”

“Alright, good night, Senpai.”

“Good night, Takanashi-san.”

…Having a nighttime chat with a girl, with the Goddess herself, still feels unreal.

But the messages left on my screen make it clear that this is definitely real.

Alright, I’d better get to sleep early.

Because I definitely can’t be late tomorrow.