Episode 156: If Only It Were a Year Earlier

「Now, about the plans for later…」

It took a little while to soothe the sulking Nishikawa-san, but she seems to have bounced back.

So, we reset the mood and got back to the conversation.

「First, the report to my father has already been handled by the staff, so there’s no real reason to rush. That’s why I’m thinking of a celebration… or is that not quite right? An appreciation party? Yes, I’m thinking of an appreciation party, so what do your schedules look like?」

At Nishikawa-san’s suggestion, everyone checked their phones, but nobody spoke up about being unable to make it.

「It looks like everyone’s free. Then I’ll go ahead and make a reservation, but do you have any requests?」

「Where are you planning to hold it, Eri-rin?」

「If there aren’t any specific requests, I was thinking of a restaurant or a hotel again.」

Wait, shouldn’t we think about the budget first?

Nishikawa-san paid for everything last time, but surely this time too… that wouldn’t be right.

「By the way, what about the bill?」

「Don’t worry, leave it to me.」

「Um, Nishikawa-san, it was like that last time, and if it’s the same this time, it’s honestly a bit awkward.」

Putting it like this makes it sound like I’m telling everyone else to pay, but after last time, I can’t just go,「Okay, thanks for everything」again…

「You’re quite the dutiful one, Takanashi-san. Don’t worry about it, just think of it as a thank you for helping us remove a cancerous element from the Nishikawa Group.」

「Score! Then I’m totally in.」

「Honestly… Natsumi, why don’t you try learning a thing or two from Kazunari-san?」

Sara-san scolded Natsumi-senpai, who was celebrating with her hands in the air, while Nishikawa-san watched them with a wry smile.

Somehow, I wondered if this was what the daily lives of these three looked like back when Nishikawa-san was around.

It felt kind of heartwarming… and I wondered, if I had been born just one year earlier, could I have been part of this daily life too?

「Oh, is something wrong, Takanashi-san? I can’t quite put it into words, but you had a very complicated look on your face.」

It seems I was seen by Nishikawa-san, who was facing my way.

A complicated look… I wonder what kind of face I was making?

Hearing Nishikawa-san, Sara-san spun around and approached me looking a bit flustered.

And then she stood right in front of me, looking at my face for a moment, before eventually placing her hand on my cheek and stroking it slightly.

「Kazunari-san, was there something on your mind?」

「…No, it’s nothing big. I just had a simple thought that if I’d been born one year earlier, I might have been able to see you all having fun up close, or even join in.」

It was just a passing thought, and I didn’t mean to think about it too deeply.

Maybe sensing how I felt, Sara-san got a slightly pained look on her face and placed her hand on my chest, closing the distance between us.

「Hmm, but if Takanashi-kun were the same age, the way you met would’ve been different, and in that case, there’s a high chance Sara would’ve treated Takanashi-kun just like any other guy.」

That’s definitely a possibility.

If that had happened, I might’ve been too shocked to ever recover…

「True, if the way we met were different, our relationship might have changed too. But no matter the form, I’m certain I would have ended up like this with Kazunari-san. Maybe I would have even been able to do this for you in the classroom.」

Sara-san tilted her head slightly and gave me a dazzling smile.

「I might not have been able to even talk to you, though, Sara-san.」

I can’t imagine myself being the one to talk to Sara-san. Even if I’d fallen for her, I probably would’ve just watched from afar and ended it without ever confessing.

「Fufu… it’s okay. I would have fallen in love first, so it’s not a problem.」

「No, I think I would have fallen for you at first sight even faster, Sara-san.」

「But in reality, even with our current relationship, I was… right from the start, even if I didn’t realize it was love…」

「I think I probably…」

「STOOOP! Seriously, knock it off already!!!」

!?

Natsumi-senpai’s scream echoed through the venue, and I realized we’d done it again.

…Everyone’s gazes were piercing and painful.

But Sara-san didn’t seem to mind much…

「The result’s the same either way, right? You’re holding up the conversation, so just stop.」

Looking around at everyone, they all nodded as if Hanako-san’s words were the general consensus.

Why were we even competing…

「Sara-san, like Hanako-san says, let’s…」

Chu…

!?

Just as I thought Sara-san’s face was suddenly closing in, the sensation of her lips touched my cheek, right near my mouth, and my whole body, and my words, just stopped.

I wonder how many seconds I was frozen…

When Sara-san slowly pulled away, she looked a bit embarrassed but still wore a mischievous smile.

「…I was the first, okay?」

「…………Yes.」

That’s cheating…

I had no choice but to honestly admit defeat.

「「「「「「「…………」」」」」」」

Wait!?

I was totally taken aback.

Seriously, those two really are something…

Even Hanako-san, who seems to have the highest tolerance, is staring blankly.

「…If Takanashi-san were a classmate, we’d have to see this every day? Please tell me you’re joking. If it came to that, I’d honestly die.」

Eri-rin was muttering under her breath in a tone that was actually pretty serious.

「Well… there’d definitely be a daily casualty count. The girls would be totally over it, and the guys would be so jealous they’d try to mess with Takanashi-kun, only to get yelled at by Sara… I can totally see it.」

Well, I guess that sounds a little bit fun in its own way, but I’d really rather not be forced to puke sugar every single day.

「But I really respect Satsukawa-senpai. She was amazing today. I really admire a woman who can become that strong for the person she loves.」

Tachikawa-san praised Sara with stars in her eyes. I guess from a girl’s perspective, you can look at it that way.

Though Sara’s originally the type with a strong personality, when it comes to Takanashi-kun, well…

「Let’s just leave those two alone and keep the talk moving here. It’ll be faster.」

「True. As long as Kazunari and Satsukawa-senpai are together, they won’t care where we go anyway.」

There’s no doubt about that.

I guess we’ll just go with Eri-rin’s recommended place.

「Then I’ll just go ahead and decide… since I can’t keep up with those two.」

It’s not just Eri-rin who feels that way, though…