Episode 190: A Worried Sara-san

「Thank you very much. If you have a specific photo in mind, please bring it with you on the day. We can set the photo for you before wrapping it.」

「Alright, thank you. I’ll count on you.」

The design was set and the payment was done. I tried to act cool while talking to the clerk, but my heart was pounding.

The price was higher than anything I had ever spent. It was exactly as planned and the budget was enough, so there was no real problem, but seeing the actual number still made me a bit nervous.

But I’m really grateful I could cover it with the pay I got from Masaomi-san.

If I add what’s left to my liquor store wages, I should be fine for the date expenses on the day, and I’ll even have a little left over for Christmas.

Looking for Hayato as I left the shop, I found him staring at some ready-made locket pendants on a table.

He noticed I was finished and walked over.

「Sorry for the wait. If there’s something you want to look at, feel free.」

「No, I was just browsing. Satsukawa-senpai is probably waiting for you to get home, so let’s head back.」

「Sorry… I’ll make it up to you.」

「Don’t worry about it. But yeah, next time I’m looking for a gift, I’ll definitely ask a pro like you for advice.」

「Wait, this whole idea was your advice in the first place, wasn’t it…?」

Honestly, if I were alone, I never would’ve thought of this gift. I owe Hayato for that alone…

「There were so many conditions to meet, but to actually clear them all and pull it off, I honestly respect you. I don’t think I could’ve done it.」

「Masao… I couldn’t have done it either if Sara-san’s Father hadn’t helped me out.」

「But isn’t that just the result of all the good things you’ve done in the past coming back around? So it’s still your own doing, Kazunari.」

Hayato seemed to mean it from the bottom of his heart, without a hint of flattery.

It’s embarrassing to be told that to my face, but that’s just the kind of guy Hayato is.

「Oh, let’s stop by a convenience store on the way back.」

「Sure. Ah, right, the tickets for the date?」

Those tickets… were for the trendy aquarium I planned to take her to.

It isn’t exactly close, about an hour away by train, but since the plan is to stay out until evening, the distance is just right.

By the way, here’s the schedule for the big day.

Go out in the morning for an aquarium date with Sara-san. While we’re out, everyone else preps the party at my place. Give her the birthday present on the way back. Then the second we walk through the door…

That’s the plan.

Cliché? Just call it a classic.

「You’re really going all out.」

「That’s what I worked for. I’m not holding anything back.」

「I seriously respect you…」

Even with Hayato’s wry smile, I couldn’t stop grinning as I imagined how happy Sara-san would be.

There’s a newly opened cafe on the street opposite the way home from school.

As someone whose hobby is visiting cafes, I wanted to check it out early, but since the school trip happened, I finally got the chance to come.

It’s on the exact opposite side from the shopping mall where Takanashi-kun and the others went, so the location is perfect.

「Mmm, delicious.」

I ordered a cake set, but Sara only got a drink.

「Want some?」

「No, I’m fine.」

Saying that, Sara took another sip from her teacup. Her gaze looked like she was staring at something yet seeing nothing at all. It felt like she couldn’t quite focus.

It looked like she was thinking about something… or maybe worrying?

「What’s wrong, Sara? Something on your mind?」

I was curious so I asked, but even if Sara is worrying or thinking, nine times out of ten it’s about Takanashi-kun.

「No… well, actually, I would like you to listen for a bit.」

「I’ll listen. It’s about Takanashi-kun, right?」

Sara looked at me with a startled, wide-eyed expression.

「…How did you know?」

「Why did you think I wouldn’t?」

「?」

She’s so dense about these things.

Well, I’ll listen to her story.

Though given the timing, I have a bit of a bad feeling.

「As you guessed, it is about Kazunari-san. Do you remember when I mentioned he looked exhausted during the trip?」

「Yeah, when you said we just didn’t notice it?」

「Yes. Even before the trip, Kazunari-san seemed sleep-deprived. He looked tired during the trip, and even this morning, he didn’t seem to be able to wake up at his usual time.」

「I see.」

I have too many ideas why, so it’s hard to answer.

And she even knows his wake-up time… just how early is Sara going over to Takanashi-kun’s house anyway?

「There were shirts in the laundry with clearly different types of dirt, and Kazunari-san’s shoulders and arms have suddenly become more toned… there are a few other things too…」

That’s probably from the part-time job at Todo-san’s grandfather’s liquor store.

Sounds like heavy labor.

Now, what do I do…

「At first, I thought he might have started a sport. But if that were the case, I’m sure he would have told me immediately… and I can’t think of anything else…」

Sara looked down, a trace of sadness on her face. I see, I guess it’s easy to misunderstand like that.

But I can’t tell her…

「I’m sure Takanashi-kun will tell you eventually.」

「I know. I’m not worried about that part. It’s just…」

「You’re worried about him, right?」

「……Yes. He looks like he’s pushing himself too hard.」

Looking at Sara’s sad expression, I had to fight the urge to tell her the truth.

We just want her to be happy, but the secret is making her sad.

It’s really troublesome… honestly.

Thursday

The lingering glow of the school trip has faded, and student council activities will finally resume next week. With the school festival approaching, things are going to get busy.

I finished my morning routine and left home at the usual time.

The morning air has started to cool, and the traces of summer are gone. It will likely keep getting colder as we head toward winter.

It might be time to start preparing a scarf and gloves for Kazunari-san.

Since I have the chance, would it be alright to knit a matching pair?

A matching set… or, like I saw somewhere before, should I knit a long scarf for the two of us to share?

Which would be better… it’s a difficult choice. But I think even this is a very happy kind of worry.

Maybe because I was lost in thought, I arrived at Kazunari-san’s house in no time.

I took the spare key from my bag and opened the door, giving a greeting in my heart first.

Good morning, Kazunari-san.

Watching Kazunari-san’s sleeping face, I gently stroked his head so as not to wake him… fufu, he really is adorable.

I am the only one who can see this precious sleeping face… thinking that makes me feel proud and realize just how happy I am to be someone special to Kazunari-san.

Alright, now that I’ve recharged my energy for the day, I’ll get to work on breakfast and the bento.

Kazunari-san has seemed tired lately, so I should make a nutritious menu.

This is about all I can do for him right now…

Please don’t overdo it, Kazunari-san.

……n, Kazunari-san.

A soft, gentle voice. My consciousness drifted upward, drawn by the sound.

「……Good morning.」

「Yes, good morning. Kazunari-san, it’s time to wake up.」

I checked the clock on my phone. It wasn’t a panic-inducing time yet, but it was long past my usual wake-up time. As my sluggish brain started to move, memories of last night came back to me.

Right, my boss called last night and I had to go in for an emergency shift.

Actually, thanks to Masaomi-san, I’d already cleared the target amount for the present, so in that sense, there was no need to push myself. But I have a date planned for the actual birthday, and I think it’s better to have as much savings as possible for the future.

If I have the chance, I want to work as much as I can.

「……Kazunari-san?」

「Ah, sorry. I’m getting up.」

Maybe because I was lost in thought, it looked like I was still half-asleep and dazed.

Sara-san’s voice brought me fully awake.

As I tried to get out of bed, I unconsciously put weight on my right hand and pain flared through it.

「U……」

Crap!

I’d totally forgotten about the pain from last night and just used my hand normally.

I looked at Sara-san in a panic… thank goodness, she was busy taking a shirt out of my dresser and wasn’t looking my way.

「Here you go.」

「Thank you.」

I have to get up fast or I’ll be a nuisance to Sara-san.

I feigned composure as I took the shirt with my left hand and got out of bed, then washed my face and finished changing.

I’ll have to be careful with my chopsticks during breakfast so I don’t feel the pain too much…

Including today, there are only four days left until Sara-san’s birthday. I should probably talk a bit about the day itself. While we were relaxing after breakfast, I decided to bring up the Sunday plan that I’d left vague.

「Sara-san, about that Sunday I mentioned…」

「Yes, of course I’ve kept my schedule open.」

I’d only told Sara-san that I wanted her to keep her schedule clear. We’re usually together on weekends anyway, but it isn’t always guaranteed.

I took an envelope from my bag and lined up the tickets inside on the table for Sara-san to see.

「Um, these are…」

Sara-san picked them up and read the text on the tickets before tentatively asking me. Her mouth was twitching, a clear sign she was suppressing her joy.

Sara-san obviously knows when her own birthday is, so if I’m blocking out that day and have two tickets, she can easily guess what’s happening.

Still, she’s waiting for me to say it.

「Sara-san, please go on a date with me this Sunday. It’s a bit far, so we’ll have to start in the morning.」

「Y-yes!! I’d be delighted!!」

Maybe because she’d been holding it back, Sara-san broke into a beaming smile like a flower in full bloom.

Seeing her this happy makes all that hard work at the part-time jobs worth it.

If she’s this happy now, I can’t wait to see her reaction when I give her the present.

「Ufufufu, I’ll make a huge bento for the day. Oh, I need to take care of that hat you gave me, Kazunari-san… what else do I need…」

Even though there are still a few days left, she’s acting as if we’re going tomorrow. I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement.

「And please let me pick out your clothes too, Kazunari-san!」

Sara-san was happy for the rest of the day, and just watching her made me feel happy too.