Episode 57 – Days left until the cultural festival

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The School’s Top Idol Is Acting Like She’s My Childhood Friend for Some Reason and Just Keeps Closing the Distance on Her Own…?! ~Stop Getting All Gloomy on Me Just Because I Turned You Down!~

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Seven days until the cultural festival.

In other words, one week.

Just one week.

The cardboard boxes that had been piled up in the back of the classroom had almost all disappeared, and in their place, finished decorations were beginning to cover the walls and windows.

“Café Twilight”

A sign bearing those words in gold lettering stood in front of the blackboard, and decorations mimicking an orange glow adorned the windowsill. Dark brown tablecloths covered the desks, and the menu was almost finished.

And then.

“Takahara, there’s news.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

It was right after I sat down at my desk that morning.

A male classmate leaned over my desk with both hands on it, looking strangely serious.

“Apparently, our class is getting the most attention for the first-year performance.”

“It’s because of Rino, right?”

“That’s part of it.”

“So what else is there?”

The boy stared at me in silence.

Why is he looking at me?

Stop it.

I’m not the kind of person who deserves to be looked at like that.

“The photo of Takahara and Hoshimiya-san.”

“……”

“It’s all the talk.”

“Can I go home?”

“It’s still morning.”

I rested my forehead on my desk.

ziIt’s over.

Even before the cultural festival began, my spirit had already closed its curtains.

I know the reason.

It’s the promotional poster displayed around the school.

Rino and I, standing side by side in matching aprons.

So close our shoulders were touching.

Since I’d just looked at Rino, I was smiling more naturally than usual.

On top of that, after the photo shoot, several people saw us walking down the hallway holding hands.

It would be strange if rumors didn’t spread.

“Takahara, hey—”

“I don’t want to hear anything.”

“So, what’s the deal with you and Hoshimiya-san—”

“Good morning, Seita.”

I heard a familiar voice.

I looked up.

Rino was standing right next to me.

“Good morning.”

When I replied, Rino smiled happily.

That alone was enough to make the boy in front of me pull an indescribable face.

“…Well, I’m off then.”

“Where to?”

“So I don’t get in the way of your youth.”

“Wait. Clear up this misunderstanding first.”

The boy ran off.

I didn’t chase after him.

Or rather, I couldn’t chase after him.

Because Rino had grabbed the sleeve of my school uniform.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“What were you guys talking about just now?”

“Apparently, a photo of Rino and me is making the rounds.”

“I’m happy.”

“Why would that happen?”

“Because everyone will remember that Seita and I are together.”

“It’s just a promotional photo for the cultural festival.”

“But we’re together.”

Rino’s logic was the same as always.

But I think the old me would have been pretty shaken up at this point.

I’d want them to take the photo down.

I’d think it’d be better to keep my distance from Rino.

That’s what I would have thought.

I’m still a little scared.

But there’s something more than that.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“We couldn’t walk to school together today.”

“You had work this morning, right?”

“Yeah. That’s why I felt lonely.”

“It was only a few hours.”

“It felt like forever.”

As she said that, Rino leaned in slightly, still holding onto my sleeve.

I looked around.

My classmates were already glancing our way.

It was too late now.

“Let’s have lunch together.”

When I said that, Rino’s eyes widened.

“You said it, Seita?”

“We’re together every day, aren’t we?”

“But you were the one who said it.”

“Don’t you like it?”

“I’m so happy.”

Rino gripped my sleeve, pulling it up to her chest.

“Then, behind the warehouse.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll listen to you talk about work, too.”

The moment I said that, Rino’s eyes wavered.

“…Seita.”

“What?”

“Can I say ‘I like you’ about ten times today?”

“You say it that much all the time, don’t you?”

“Then twenty times.”

“Don’t up the number.”

Rino smiled happily.

Watching that smile, I found myself smiling a little too.

And that’s when I realized something.

Before, every time Rino smiled at me, I’d try to run away.

Now it’s different.

I’ve started making plans to see her again on my own.

As changes go, this one was pretty serious.

　※　※　※

After school.

With the cultural festival just a week away, almost everyone was still in the classroom.

Today’s task was the final check on customer service procedures.

And—checking our costumes other than our uniforms.

“Alright then, the girls are going to go change!”

At Hara’s call, the girls left the classroom carrying their costumes.

Rino was among them.

The boys’ outfits remained the same as before—they simply wore a waist-tied apron over their uniforms.

But it seemed the girls’ outfits had been changed slightly.

To match the retro café atmosphere, they wore white blouses, black skirts that fell below the knees, and frilled aprons.

It wasn’t a flashy cosplay.

Still, it gave a very different impression from their uniforms.

The classroom door opened.

The girls were coming back.

Without even realizing it, I was looking for Rino.

And I found her.

“Seita.”

A white blouse.

A black skirt.

A white apron tied around her waist.

Her long hair was pulled back to one side, unlike usual.

It’s much more low-key than her stage costume.

But.

That’s exactly why it struck a chord with me.

The outfit an ordinary high school girl wore for the cultural festival.

The ordinary cultural festival Rino had always wanted to have.

And here we are, spending it together right now.

“What do you think?”

Rino stopped in front of me.

“……It suits you.”

“Is that all?”

“You look cute.”

Words that would have taken a lot of courage to say before.

Now I can say them a little more naturally.

Rino’s cheeks turned red.

“Seita, that’s not fair.”

“You asked me yourself.”

“But you say it more naturally than before.”

“Do you mind?”

“Say it more.”

“Don’t get too full of yourself.”

Rino laughed.

As I watched her smile, I suddenly noticed that the shoulder strap of her apron was slightly twisted.

“Rino, don’t move.”

“Huh?”

I reached out toward her shoulder.

I straightened the twisted strap with my finger.

Rino’s body froze.

“Seita?”

“The strap’s twisted.”

“…You touched me.”

“I had to, didn’t I?”

“From you, Seita.”

“I was just fixing your clothes.”

“I’m happy.”

Since it looked like she was going to make a big deal out of it again, I quickly pulled my hand away.

But at that very moment.

“Okay, my turn now.”

“What?”

“Seita’s apron.”

“I can tie it myself.”

“I know.”

“Then—”

“But I want to do it.”

Rino moved behind me.

She untied the string that was tied around my waist.

“Rino.”

“Don’t move.”

Her fingertips touched my waist from behind.

Even through my uniform, my body was strangely aware of it.

Her slender fingers took the string and slowly retied it.

“Is it too tight?”

“I’m fine.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, all done.”

Rino came back to face me.

Behind my waist was the knot she’d tied.

From a short distance away, Hara was watching us with an indescribable expression.

“I’m tired of pointing this out.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Hara’s gaze was distant.

Shinozaki, sitting next to me, said sleepily,

“Let’s just leave him alone.”

“I will.”

“Aren’t you being a little rough with her?”

“I’m used to it.”

She had gotten used to it.

To the distance between us.

I felt like that was a problem in its own right.

But then, at that moment.

“Hoshimiya-san, can I talk to you for a sec?”

One of the boys called out to Rino.

“What?”

“It’s about the customer flow—I’d like you to check it with me.”

“Sure, no problem.”

Rino walked away from me.

She and the boy started walking between the desks.

In the past, my heart might have fluttered again at this point.

In fact, it did flutter a little.

But it was different from the last mock sales session.

Rino kept glancing over at me.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Every time our eyes met, she smiled just a little.

As if to say,

“I’m right here.”

As if to let me know that.

I let out a small sigh.

And then I did something that even surprised myself.

The moment Rino finished checking the customer flow and came back, I spoke up first.

“Rino”

“What?”

“Are you done?”

“Yeah.”

“Then come help me over here.”

Rino’s eyes widened.

“Seita called me over.”

“I meant to talk about work.”

“But he said to come.”

“I said to help me.”

“It’s the same thing.”

“No, it’s not.”

Rino came over to stand next to me, looking happy.

Then, she whispered in a voice so soft that no one around us could hear.

“Were you jealous?”

“A little.”

This time, I didn’t try to hide it.

Rino froze.

“Seita.”

“But I know it’s work, so there’s nothing I can do about it. Still, I was hoping she’d come back sooner.”

“……I can’t.”

“What?”

“I like you too much.”

“Don’t speak so loud.”

“Seita.”

Rino gripped my sleeve with both hands.

“Can I hug you right now?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Everyone’s here, aren’t they?”

“Then later.”

“Don’t make a reservation.”

“I already did.”

It was decided without my say.

And, just as she’d said.

After we finished our work.

Rino and I were left behind in the classroom again.

The reason was simple.

As members of the planning committee, we had to do a final check.

Our classmates went home, and Hara and Shinozaki also left the classroom, saying, “Make sure to lock up.”

The moment we were alone.

“Seita.”

“What?”

Before I could even turn around, a soft sensation pressed against my body.

Rino had thrown her arms around me.

“Hey.”

“I made a reservation.”

“I didn’t approve that reservation.”

“But Seita, I’m not letting go.”

I reflexively wrapped my arms around Rino’s back.

It wasn’t until she said it that I realized it.

It was true—I hadn’t let go.

“You asked me to come today, Seita.”

“I just asked you to help out.”

“You wanted me to come back.”

“……Well, I guess so.”

“I was jealous, too.”

“Don’t make me say it.”

“I’m happy about all of it.”

Rino pressed her cheek against my chest.

I rested my chin lightly on her hair.

“I think it’s a hassle, though.”

“What part?”

“Getting jealous, or feeling lonely when you’re gone.”

“I feel the same way.”

“Yours is way more intense, isn’t it?”

“We’re a match.”

“The intensity is different.”

“Seita, yours is going to get heavier too.”

“Don’t make such a grim prediction.”

Rino gave a small laugh.

Her voice echoed against my chest.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“I’m a little scared that the day of the actual performance is coming.”

It was an unexpected thing for her to say.

“Why?”

“Because it’ll be over.”

“It hasn’t even started yet.”

“But it will end.”

Rino grabbed my uniform.

“I’m so happy right now, getting ready for it. We’re together after school, we go shopping, we take pictures, and every day I talk to you, Seita, about the cultural festival.”

“We can still see each other after the festival’s over.”

“But the cultural festival will end.”

“There’s always next year.”

“This cultural festival is only happening this year.”

It felt heavy.

But I felt like I understood a little bit.

I, too, get a strange feeling when I imagine the cultural festival ending.

At first, I wanted to run away.

I thought it was the biggest hurdle of my teenage years.

But now…

“I might be a little sad, too.”

When I said that, Rino looked up.

“Really?”

“Yeah. The preparations were more fun than I expected.”

“Was it because I was with you?”

“Quite a bit.”

Rino’s eyes flickered.

“Quite a bit?”

“Quite a bit.”

“The most?”

“What kind of ranking is that?”

“The reason it was fun.”

“……It’s the most.”

I replied.

Rino fell silent.

She just looked at me.

Her eyes were a little moist.

“Don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’ll cry if Seita wipes them away.”

“Then don’t cry.”

“You’re mean.”

Rino smiled.

I reached out to her cheek.

I gently wiped away the tears that were welling up in the corners of her eyes with my thumb.

Rino’s body froze.

We were close.

Still holding her tight.

My hand was on her cheek.

Rino’s arms were wrapped around my back.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“Will you do it again today?”

I didn’t ask what she meant.

A kiss on the forehead.

I think that’s what she meant.

In the past, I think I would have hesitated a little.

Today was different.

“Close your eyes.”

Rino’s eyes widened.

“Seita?”

“Hurry up.”

“U-uh-huh.”

Rino closed her eyes.

I parted her bangs with my finger.

I slowly brought my face closer.

I let my lips touch her forehead.

One second.

Two seconds.

A little longer than before.

Rino’s fingers gripped my back tightly.

I pulled my lips away.

Rino didn’t open her eyes right away.

“Rino?”

“……One more time.”

“Don’t get carried away.”

“Just once.”

“We just did it once, didn’t we?”

“That’s why—one more time.”

“You’re asking for more now.”

Rino opened her eyes.

Her eyes were full of anticipation.

I let out a sigh.

And then, once more.

This time, instead of her forehead—I lightly brushed my lips against Rino’s hair.

Rino froze.

“Seita?”

“That makes two.”

“That’s a different spot.”

“Did you not like it?”

“No.”

Rino buried her face in my chest.

“I’m too happy to handle it.”

“That’s all you’ve been saying lately.”

“It’s because you’re getting closer and closer to me, Seita.”

I stroked Rino’s hair.

Naturally.

Much more naturally than before.

“For me, too, having you close by has become normal.”

At those words, Rino looked up.

“Normal?”

“Yeah.”

“Even being next to you?”

“Normal.”

“Holding hands too?”

“……Well, I guess.”

“Hugging me?”

“That still makes me a little nervous.”

“What about kissing?”

“Just on the forehead.”

“What about the lips?”

“Don’t ask.”

Rino laughed.

But I didn’t press her further.

“Then I’ll wait.”

“Yeah.”

“But I might not be able to wait forever.”

“Which is it?”

“If you take too long, Seita, I’ll make the first move.”

“Don’t make such scary threats.”

“Don’t you like it?”

I didn’t answer.

I didn’t deny it either.

That seemed to be enough to satisfy Rino.

She rested her cheek against my chest once more.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“Will you still do this for me even after the cultural festival is over?”

I tightened my arms around her back just a little.

“Even after the cultural festival is over, Rino is still Rino, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, nothing will change.”

Rino’s body trembled.

“Seita.”

“What?”

“I’ll never forget what you just said.”

“I know.”

“Next year, too?”

“You’ll remember, right?”

“Even ten years from now?”

“If it’s Rino, then yes.”

“Forever?”

“Probably.”

“I’ll definitely do it.”

Rino said it with absolute certainty.

Seven days left until the cultural festival.

We hadn’t even reached the main event yet.

But for me, even this very moment of preparation was already beginning to feel like a part of my youth that I didn’t want to lose.

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Maigetsu

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