"Thank you very much!"
We finished our shopping and stepped out of the boutique.
"Man, I never pegged you as the type of guy who could pull something like that off, Kazunari. You’ve really grown."
Yuji voiced his admiration after seeing what I had bought.
It was true. In the past, I could never have imagined myself agonizing over a present for someone else with such sincerity.
At the moment, we were waiting for Sara-senpai and Natsumi-senpai to finish changing. While a guy can finish getting ready in a matter of minutes, it’s a different story for women. I’d taken advantage of the wait to do a little shopping at a nearby store.
I was glad I’d kept some cash on hand instead of giving it all to Sara-senpai for situations just like this.
Speaking of money, back when we were buying the train tickets, Sara-senpai had paid for both of our fares. When Natsumi-senpai saw that…
"Umm… Takanashi-kun, I’m not sure I approve of you letting Sara pay for everything… right, Tachibana-kun?"
"Y-Yeah. Kazunari, you should at least cover your own share…"
"Um… please, don’t misunderstand. This wallet and the money inside belong to Kazunari-san."
"…Huh? You just pulled that out of your bag, Sara."
"I’ve been entrusted with managing Kazunari-san’s living expenses."
Natsumi-senpai and Yuji both froze.
That’s right—I hadn't told either of them about the keys or the wallet yet.
"…No, yeah, I get it. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I just thought you two hadn't progressed that far yet," Natsumi-senpai said, her phrasing loaded with nuance.
"Kazunari… wow. That’s impressive, man."
As if following her lead, Yuji gave me a similarly complicated look.
In stark contrast to their reactions, Sara-senpai wore a smile that looked almost prideful.
That was how the exchange had gone.
I knew our arrangement wasn't exactly typical, but if it made Sara-senpai happy, then I didn't see a problem with it.
Anyway, setting that aside, I now held a straw hat in my hands.
When I’d seen her during the fitting the other day, I was certain a hat like this would look perfect on Sara-senpai. I’d wanted to buy it as a present then, but I hadn't found a good opportunity until now.
I felt a wave of relief at finally securing it. Now, all I had to do was wait for Sara-senpai and the others to arrive.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, it seemed they had finished changing; they were already walking toward us.
"My apologies for the delay. We kept you waiting."
"Sorry to keep you waiting~!"
"………"
I had seen her in it once before during the fitting, but the swimsuit design was a perfect match for Sara-senpai’s refined aura. It was truly wonderful.
During the fitting, everything had happened so fast that I didn't have the mental capacity to process it all. But now, Sara-senpai—who usually preferred modest clothes that didn't reveal her figure—was standing right before my eyes in a swimsuit.
Seeing her like this, her incredible proportion was undeniable.
As I stood there, lost for words and staring in silent admiration, Sara-senpai’s face flushed a deep crimson.
"Um, Kazunari-san… I can tell from your expression that you are pleased, but, um… this is embarrassing…"
She hurried over to me and practically hid behind my shoulder, sticking close to my side.
"Ah, wait, just a little more—"
The moment my honest thoughts slipped out, I knew I’d messed up. Sara-senpai, whose face was likely even redder now, let out a tiny murmur that made me want to writhe in embarrassment.
"…Kazunari-san, you’re a pervert."
Trying to cover my own bashfulness, I somewhat forcefully placed the straw hat I was holding onto Sara-senpai’s head.
"A-Ah… Kazunari-san, what is this?"
Sara-senpai looked up at me, clearly bewildered.
Say it… just say it…!
"I thought it would look perfect on you in your swimsuit, so I picked it out. It’s a… a present. It might be embarrassing, but could you let me see you wearing it?"
I said it. I actually managed to say it.
Hearing that, her happiness seemed to win out over her shyness. She reached up with both hands to hold the brim of the straw hat against her head and gave a small nod.
She stepped a short distance away from me. Fiddling with the edge of the hat as if to hide her face, she finally turned back toward me.
"You’re adorable. It really suits you."
It wasn't flattery; I meant it from the bottom of my heart. I was surprised at how naturally the words came out.
Sara-senpai scurried back to her spot just behind my shoulder.
"Thank you… I am very happy," she whispered, her voice meant only for me.
"…She’s a lost cause. She’s completely in her own world now. Ugh… I’m going to vomit sugar."
"…There were a couple of guys tailing them, probably planning to hit on them, but they cleared out once they saw that."
Those two—first the wallet thing and now this—their relationship had reached a new level of closeness lately.
I’d joked that Kazunari couldn't survive without Sara, but I wondered what would happen to Sara if Kazunari weren't around.
In any case, Takanashi-kun clearly only had eyes for Sara now. That meant I’d have to demand a high-quality compliment from Tachibana-kun to make up for the deficit.
"Sigh… well, whatever. Those two are a lost cause anyway. By the way, Tachibana-kun, aren't you forgetting to say something to me?"
"…No, well, that’s…"
Oho. So he knows exactly what I’m talking about and he’s staying silent? I’ll have to make him say it, one way or another.