Episode 115: Determination

「Now then, shall we head out?」

Mayumi-san showed up right as I’d moved away from Sara-senpai after getting scolded by Natsumi-senpai. Her timing was spot on… though for some reason, the smartphone gripped in her right hand felt a bit out of place.

By the way, Hayato complimented Natsumi-senpai in a really smooth way, but it felt so practiced that I worried it might actually be a negative. I think it’s impressive he even managed to compliment Sara-senpai, though.

「I see, thank you very much.」

Her response was so blatantly businesslike and blunt that I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

「Yocchan, it’s been so long!」

「Mayu-chan, you’re as youthful as ever.」

It looks like this person is the acquaintance running the stall. Judging by how they’re calling each other by nicknames, they must be pretty close.

「Sara-senpai, do you know that person?」

「I’m sure I met her once about two or three years ago.」

It seems they’re at least acquaintances. The other person noticed Sara-senpai too and struck up a conversation with a smile.

「Sara-chan, long time no see. You’ve become even more of a beauty while I wasn’t looking… I bet the boys won’t leave you alone. My son’s probably gonna get all excited.」

Just when I thought she’d started on the most annoying topic possible, as expected, that son of hers showed up. From the look of it, he’s about the same age as us. He seemed normal enough, but his brown hair was a bit much.

「Whoa, are you by any chance Satsukawa-san!? It’s been a while, do you remember me?」

He talked to her looking pretty excited. To be honest, I didn’t like it, but if I said something rude, it’d cause trouble for Mayumi-san…

「Yes, it’s been a long time.」

Sara-senpai seemed to intend to end it with her usual businesslike response, and as pathetic as it is, that was my saving grace.

「Man, you were a beauty before, but… ah, calling you ‘Satsukawa-san’ is confusing since it’s the same as your mom. It’s a bit formal too, so if it’s okay, let’s use each other’s first names—」

Who’s this guy? He just shows up out of nowhere and starts acting too big for his boots…

Sara-senpai wasn’t hiding the displeasure on her face either. At this rate, she’d probably do what she always does… But since he’s the son of Mayumi-san’s friend, that might not be great. I decided it’d cause less friction if I was the one to play the bad guy. It’s not like we’ll meet again anyway.

「Excuse me…」

Just as I was about to cut in, Sara-senpai’s hand gripped mine.

「I’m sorry, but I dislike people acting overly familiar. Being formal is perfectly fine.」

「Eh? Ah… no, sorry, Satsukawa-san…」

When Sara-senpai warned him with a slightly angry tone, he seemed to notice and stopped talking like a hotshot. By the way, his eyes were fixed on our linked hands.

「I’m sorry, Sara-chan. I knew you’ve hated that kind of thing since you were little, but I didn’t warn him.」

The other mother apologized. Sara-senpai seemed to feel a bit awkward, or rather, sorry about it, but I guess she just couldn’t hold it in.

「Yocchan, I’m sorry. Sara-chan’s devoted, so no one’s allowed except for the person she likes.」

It seems the mothers understood each other and apologized to one another. As I thought, I should’ve been the bad guy…

「Kazunari-san, thank you.」

Sara-senpai suddenly thanked me. I haven’t really done anything to be thanked for, though…

「I was happy…」

After saying just that, she squeezed the hand we were holding a little tighter. It seems my intentions, and my jealousy, were completely noticed. It’s been a while since I’ve been read this deeply…

「Now then, Yokogawa-kun, let’s head off before we’re in the way.」

「Right. So you two, take your time. Kazunari, see you later.」

Since we’re supposed to watch the fireworks together, it was free time until the meeting hour, but Natsumi-senpai took Hayato and left quickly. Hayato probably has no reason to refuse since it’s exactly what he wants.

So we should… come to think of it, we’re still holding hands.

When I looked at our linked hands, Sara-senpai looked too, then smiled and moved closer. I think that’s her way of saying she wants to keep going like this.

「Sara-senpai, let’s go too.」

「Yes… I’ll follow you, so please go wherever you’d like.」

We didn’t have a specific goal, but for now, we’ll just wander around and enjoy the festival atmosphere.

However, as we walked, I felt gazes… or rather, jealousy…

I know, Sara-senpai is in a yukata today. It’s actually only natural that I’d be exposed to those kinds of looks while walking with someone so cute, and at this point, this much is nothing.

Ignoring them as we walked, I found a corner selling handmade trinkets.

Maybe there’s some cute accessories Sara-senpai would like…

「Sara-senpai, want to take a peek?」

「Yes, it would be nice if there was something good.」

Sara-senpai seemed interested too and followed along enthusiastically. Most of the shops mainly had orthodox, ordinary accessories, but there was one shop handling accessories for Japanese clothing.

This floral ornament… it’d probably suit Sara-senpai…

The thing that caught my eye immediately was a floral hair ornament used with Japanese outfits. It was a pair of light blue and white flowers, and instinctively, it was the only thing I could see.

I checked Sara-senpai’s reaction while looking to see if there was anything else. If there’s something she looks like she wants, I intend to prioritize that, but… she didn’t show any particular reaction, so I went with the floral ornament I’d decided on.

「Excuse me, I’ll take this.」

Sara-senpai looked surprised since I’d bought it so suddenly, but she didn’t say anything.

「Sara-senpai, this is for…」

「Fufu… thank you. Won’t you put it on for me, Kazunari-san?」

Since there’s no way I’d use it, Sara-senpai seemed to have expected this flow. She turned her head toward me so it’d be easy to put on, and I pinned it where I thought it should go. …Thinking about how Sara-senpai’s cute head was at this distance, I couldn’t help myself and ended up stroking it with both hands afterward.

「Ah, honestly, Kazunari-san. No-no to pranks…」

Sara-senpai, lightly counterattacking me with a slightly red face, was just too cute…

Is it enough? It should be okay to confess to Sara-senpai now, right? I might be being self-important, but I think the current Sara-senpai has come to like me as a man… I want to believe she has. Even if she hasn’t yet, then I’ll just wait forever.

We have to meet back up with Natsumi-senpai and Hayato later, and I don’t know if there’ll be a chance timing-wise… but even if I miss it this time, I can just make another opportunity.

…I’ve decided to confess.