Episode 67: Awareness

The conversation I had with Yuji last night flashed through my head, and I couldn’t shake this awkward feeling since morning.

「Today’s Home Economics is a cooking lab. If it were sweets, I could have given some to you, Takanashi-san.」

「I, I see. Since you’re good at cooking, Sara-senpai, it’ll probably be a breeze for you. Are you good at making sweets too?」

Come to think of it, I’ve been treated to all sorts of meals from Senpai, but I’ve never eaten her sweets.

But knowing her, I’m sure she’s great at making sweets too. Actually, I can’t imagine her doing anything but making them perfectly.

「Of course Sara is good at making sweets too. I don’t think there’s anything she’s bad at when it comes to Home Ec, though.」

「That isn’t true. I have things I’m not good at as well…」

「Then what are you bad at?」

It was rare for Natsumi-senpai’s words to have a bit of a sting to them. I wonder if something was up?

「Um…」

Personally, I didn’t think there was anything at the high school level that Sara-senpai would struggle with.

「Well anyway, this girl is basically a mass of feminine power, so from a guy’s perspective, she’s probably the ideal bride.」

Ugh… since I talked to Yuji about that stuff yesterday, I wish she wouldn’t use words like「bride.」

I was barely managing to act normal, but I felt like it was going to show on my face if I stayed too conscious of it.

「Takanashi-kun, your face is red, you know?」

Natsumi-senpai said it with a smirk.

Having it pointed out only made me more aware of it.

Endure, endure…

「Takanashi-san, you’ve been holding something back all morning, haven’t you? It’s making me concerned.」

「…Sara? Did you notice something was off with Takanashi-kun?」

No, I shouldn’t have been letting it show on my face.

In fact, Natsumi-senpai hadn’t pointed it out earlier either.

She only noticed because I reacted to the word “bride.”

「Yes, I noticed the moment we met today.」

Oh, I feel like we had this exact exchange before.

Am I the type who can’t lie because it shows on my face immediately?

「That’s our Sara. You really watch Takanashi-kun closely.」

I don’t know why, but it felt like Natsumi-senpai was teasing me extra hard today.

Honestly, I’m at my limit, so I really wish she’d give me a break…

Home Economics class has started.

Today is the cooking lab, just as planned.

It would have been nice if it were cookies or some other sweet…

Of course, I’ve made sweets many times, but now that I think about it, I’ve never given any to Takanashi-san.

If I get the chance, I want to do my best to make some cute sweets.

Now then, let’s start the preparations.

Cooking labs are done in groups, but the way the boys smirk as if they’re excited to eat girls’ cooking is just gross.

Especially in Sara’s group, since boys from other groups crowd around too…

I just hope she doesn’t get angry again.

Maybe because it’s a subject she likes, her expression becomes softer than usual.

That’s exactly why the boys get the wrong idea.

But man, that apron is cute.

So that’s the apron Takanashi-kun chose.

The fact that she even brought it to a school cooking lab means she must really like it.

Still, the report from Tachibana-kun yesterday was even better than I expected.

The fact that Takanashi-kun clearly said he liked her was great news.

If that’s the case, all that’s left is to somehow get Sara to realize it herself.

The problem is how to get Sara to realize it on her own… that is the question.

Telling her directly is obviously out of the question.

A trigger… just one would be enough. If there’s a good trigger, things should move all at once.

For now, I guess I just have to wait for a chance.

Well, I should start cutting vegetables too.

Got to show the results of my usual practice.

「Satsukawa-san, that apron is cute.」

「I was thinking that too.」

「It’s different from your usual one, right?」

「Yes, this apron is my treasure. It’s my favorite.」

Maybe because people praised Takanashi-kun’s apron, she seems to be in a better mood than usual.

The others in the group noticed it too and are proactively talking to her.

「A gift? That means it was a present, right? Maybe from a guy?」

「Yes, you figured it out well.」

「Whaaa, really? Satsukawa-san, you accepted a present from a guy?」

「? Is it wrong to accept it?」

「No, it’s just that you’re not good with guys, or rather, you hate them, right?」

「Ah, if that’s what you mean. The person who gave me this apron is special.」

I have a feeling this flow is going to be exactly like before…

Sara is in such a good mood that she’s answering properly, and besides, she has no intention of hiding things about Takanashi-kun anyway…

「Ah, I get it! It’s that guy who comes with you in the morning!」

「The point is that it’s not some random accessory or trinket. An apron shows he really put thought into what you needed, Satsukawa-san.」

「Yes, this apron is my treasure.」

Ugh, showing a happy smile like that… don’t say I didn’t warn you.

「I, I’ll put a lot of thought into a present too, so I want you to take it!」

「I’ll have one ready next time!」

「? No, I’m fine. I have no reason to accept anything from you, nor do I have any desire to.」

「「「…………」」」

She shut them down hard.

Well, for Sara, other boys aren’t even in her sight, so I guess it’s natural.

Looking at Takanashi-kun’s attitude this morning, he’s probably becoming more conscious of Sara after the conversation with Tachibana-kun yesterday.

Maybe Takanashi-kun will make a move before Sara notices, and maybe I should pin my hopes on that…