Episode 41: About Sara

「Shall I explain things in order? Please let me know if there’s anything you’d like to ask.」

After saying that, Senpai began talking about the things I’d mentioned not knowing earlier in the shop.

She told me about a friend in the gardening club she’d been close with, just like Natsumi-senpai.

When that friend moved away, there was no one left in the club, so Sara-senpai took over the care of the flower beds because there was no one else to do it.

The first time I’d gone to the flower beds was right when Senpai had been out for a few days with a cold.

Then, the conversation moved to more personal matters.

「My family consists of my father, my mother, and me. Also, as you know, Takanashi-san, my maternal grandmother lives nearby. My paternal grandparents have already passed away.」

From there, I heard about how she’d been bad with boys for a long time, how it got worse in middle school, and how she’d grown fed up with it in high school… she also told me about how she’d worked hard on her studies and the circumstances of her joining the student council.

「I feel like I understand how you feel, Sara-senpai—how you got fed up with everyone around you and ended up with your current stance.」

「When we spoke before, I had a feeling that Takanashi-san and I were similar in some ways.」

Then, she talked about her daily life.

「I mentioned I didn’t have any particular hobbies, but lately, I’ve been spending more time on things related to cooking. I’ve been checking new menus, looking up how to make them, and practicing a bit more. Since I didn’t know much about menus that men prefer, it’s been fun to increase my repertoire.」

She’s practicing cooking for men—that means she’s doing it for me.

She’s going that far, just for my sake…

「Um… I mean, thank you. I feel a bit guilty knowing you’ve gone to such lengths… but I’m truly happy.」

「I’m doing it because I enjoy it, so if it makes Takanashi-san happy, I couldn’t ask for anything more.」

Senpai really loves cooking.

And now she could almost say that cooking is her hobby…

Then the present should definitely be something related to cooking.

I’ve heard that people prefer using tools they’re used to, so instead of a tool, it should be something she can use or wear while cooking… yeah, I’ve decided.

I’ll get her an apron.

I’ll find a cute one that Senpai would like!

And I’ll buy that other thing I found earlier, too!

「Fufu… is something the matter? You have a very happy look on your face.」

「N-no, I was just really happy.」

Thinking of the present must have made it show on my face.

Then, Senpai reached out both of her hands toward my hand on the table…

And she touched it softly.

「…I am finding school life very fun right now. Takanashi-san, Natsumi, and I… walking to school together in the morning, eating lunch together, and being able to go out shopping or hanging out on our days off like this. Even if the people around us don’t change, I’ve found something fun that makes me not even care about them anymore.」

Senpai wore a truly happy smile.

I’m just glad that I’ve become at least one of the elements of her happiness… I felt once again that I want to protect this smile.

「………Um… Yuzuki-san…」

「…Don’t say it, I know…」

Yeah… we’re totally in the way, aren’t we…

It’s not like we’re interacting with them directly, so we aren’t physically in the way, but I still feel like a total third wheel…

Tachibana-kun must feel the same way, because he can’t hide his awkwardness anymore.

Why are they able to create such an atmosphere and yet not be a couple…

Or rather, they still intend to be just friends… what’s going to happen if they actually become a couple?

It’s terrifying to think about… and to have to watch that play out in front of me all the time… yeah, I definitely need a sacrifice, I mean, a collaborator, to share this burden with, right?

「Hey, Tachibana-kun. I think it’s too heavy a burden for me to watch over those two alone from now on.」

「No, I go to a different school, so that’s a bit…」

「For now, let’s exchange RAIN info. Come on, get your phone out.」

「Eh? Right now!?」

「Tachibana-kun, you’re lucky. There are plenty of kids who would die to know my RAIN info. You’re happy, right?」

「……Yes.」

Good, good. Friends have to share all sorts of things.