Episode 26: Together Every Morning…

「I think I mentioned this the other day, but I’ve seen Takanashi-san together with that child several times while on my way to school. It was always near the convenience store by the intersection along the way, so is it correct to say you pass through there every day?」

She’s probably talking about the convenience store I stop at every morning.

It’s true that I always meet Mio-chan around there.

「Yeah, I usually meet Mio-chan right around there.」

「My route from the station also takes me toward that intersection. If so… if it’s alright with you, Takanashi-san, would you like to meet up?」

「Eh!? I-I’m fine with it, but」

I didn’t expect to get an invitation from Senpai.

That means going to school together every morning.

Whoa… am I trying to use up a lifetime’s worth of luck in this short period of time…?

「That way, we can greet each other every morning, and there won’t be any interruptions.」

「Um… is that really okay?」

Going to school with the Goddess every morning, what kind of reward is this?

This isn’t a dream, is it?

If Yuji were here, he’d pinch my cheek… no, he’d slap me as hard as he could.

「Yes, Natsumi often walks with me too. It’ll probably be the three of us most of the time, but if you’re okay with that, Takanashi-san, how would you feel about it?」

Ah, Natsumi-san is coming too.

No, three would probably be less awkward, and jumping straight to just the two of us would be difficult.

More importantly, that’s right, Natsumi-san?

I’m pretty sure… or rather, almost definitely that it’s that person.

I’ve left it vague without checking for one reason or another, but I should probably ask properly soon.

「Understood. By the way, Natsumi-san is the name of the friend in your class, right? The one who came to the rooftop the other day…」

「………Ah, I’m so sorry! That’s right, I haven’t formally introduced her yet!」

Senpai made a surprised face, as if she had completely forgotten.

Honestly, it just felt like the conversation had been making sense anyway.

「I’ve told Natsumi about Takanashi-san… but in that case, all the more reason for us to go to school together. I really want to introduce Natsumi to you, and I want to properly introduce Takanashi-san to Natsumi as well.」

I know she just means introducing friends to each other, but is it my fault that it sounds like it has some other meaning…?

I don’t mind a formal introduction, and I am curious about what kind of person Senpai’s best friend is.

「Got it. Then I’d definitely like to. But, is it okay not to check with your friend first?」

Since we’ll be walking to school together almost every day now, it bothered me to decide without checking with her, so I asked just in case.

「Natsumi knows about the situation between Takanashi-san and me, so I’m sure it’ll be fine. She’s social and friendly, so I’m sure you’ll be able to hit it off quickly.」

「Understood. Then, please talk to your friend, and let me confirm the time on RAIN tonight.」

「Yes. Fufu… I’m happy because it looks like tomorrow will be fun.」

When Senpai said that, she smiled truly happily.

Every morning from now on… I’m glad my things to look forward to are increasing.

If I hadn’t met Senpai, I wonder what my high school life would have been like.

「We’ve used up quite a bit of time. Let’s hurry and water the flowers.」

「Right. If the two of us do it together, we’ll have plenty of time without having to rush. Well then, I’ll leave things to you today as well.」

I start the daily watering and weeding.

It’s been a few days since the last time, but the reason I find it fun must be because Senpai is here…

Even after we finished tidying up, there was still a little time left to catch our breath.

Just like Senpai said, we had some breathing room thanks to doing it together.

Senpai gathered her things from the bench and started getting ready to head back to the classroom.

「Well then, I’ll head back to the classroom.」

「Yeah, I’m heading back too. Senpai, thank you for the food today. It was delicious.」

「Thank you. I’m happy to hear that. I’ll contact you again tonight then.」

With that, Senpai went back to her classroom.

And as always, I stay here until the very last second.

Because I want to cut down the time I spend in the classroom as much as possible.

I spent the rest of the time messing around on my phone while sitting on the bench.

Having eaten something delicious, I feel a bit dazed.

I hope I don’t get sleepy during the next class… Time to give it my best.