"Man, that was fun."
"It may have been fun for you, but you were a little too high-spirited, Yuzuki-san."
It was night when I finally called Tachibana-kun. I wanted to summarize today’s events… or rather, I just wanted to bask in the afterglow for a while.
"So, what did you think of those two?"
"Well, I’d heard things from Kazunari, but I didn't think they had progressed quite that far."
When I saw them at the shopping mall before, they were already lost in a world of their own, but there was one thing decisively different this time. It was Sara.
Back then, even though she clearly already had feelings for him, Sara still looked at Takanashi-kun as a particularly close Best Friend. Because of that, while the atmosphere was certainly good, her face mostly showed joy and excitement.
But this time was different.
I noticed the change and impulsively jumped in because I was so happy for her (it’s not like I was just annoyed by the stupid couple, really). Sara’s expression had been one of pure, unadulterated "happiness."
As a maiden myself, I could tell. No matter how you looked at it, the expression Sara wore while gazing at Takanashi-kun was that of a girl in love.
In other words, I think Sara has finally come to understand, at least in some part of her heart, the difference between a Best Friend and a lover.
Not too long ago, Sara was crying from the agonizing pain of jealousy, but now she was finding bliss just by being at Takanashi-kun’s side.
It looked like we might actually be able to have some real love talk soon.
"Sara’s growth is so remarkable that it’s actually fun to watch."
"If you're going to put it that way, Kazunari is the same. The guy who used to say he didn't care what happened to him as long as Satsukawa-san was happy is now consciously trying to act on his own feelings."
They had basically been like a couple from the start, so it didn't take them any time at all to turn into a stupid couple.
"I think Sara is going to be fine now. She’ll pick up the experience she’s lacking as they go along."
"Kazunari will be fine too. It seems like the situation at school has been resolved, so all that’s left is for him to seal the deal."
Now it was just a matter of when Takanashi-kun would give her a proper confession again. I’m sure he hasn't forgotten, but since they’ve essentially already become lovers, I’m worried they might just stay as they are out of sheer momentum.
"By the way… Yuzuki-san, she really lit into you, didn't she? Is Satsukawa-san actually that scary? I’ve only ever seen her flirting with Kazunari, so I can't even imagine it."
…Please, don't make me remember.
"Natsumi, I understand perfectly well that coming to a resort pool like this makes you want to run around and have fun. That is only natural. However, I am certain I told you from the very beginning: Takanashi-san’s injury has not healed yet, so we must not let him overexert himself or do anything dangerous. I was well aware that Kazunari-san likely wanted to enjoy himself as well. Even so, he respected my wishes and chose to endure it alongside me. It was so heart-wrenching to see Kazunari-san watching from behind while you all ran off to play that, if I hadn't been in a swimsuit, I would have wanted to embrace him and offer him comfort right then and there. And yet, without any regard for our feelings, you… (omitted)… If his wrist had worsened because of your actions, all of Kazunari-san’s hard work until now would have been for nothing! You nearly ruined the efforts of Kazunari-san, who has been patiently enduring everything even at the pool, with your thoughtless behavior! If you must frolic, at least do it in a way that doesn't cause trouble for Kazunari-san… (following omitted)"
That was brutal… I think that was the first time in my life I’d ever been subjected to such a long lecture.
I mean, Sara is just way too head-over-heels for Takanashi-kun…
"…Sara is only sweet to Takanashi-kun. Tachibana-kun, you're getting somewhat preferential treatment because you're in the friend category for him, but if it weren't for that, she wouldn't even acknowledge your existence."
"Is that so? I really can't picture it."
Well, Tachibana-kun is going to be around from now on, so he’ll probably see that side of her eventually.
"Hah… Sara really left me in the dust, didn't she?"
"I feel the same way about Kazunari."
I never would have guessed that the first one in our group to get a boyfriend would be Sara, the one who had such an extreme case of being a man-hater.
Come to think of it, what about Tachibana-kun?
"Hey… I’ve never actually asked, but do you have a girlfriend, Tachibana-kun?"
"I don't have one right now. Just between us, I dated someone for a little bit a while ago, but we broke up almost immediately."
"Heh… Was it just not what you expected?"
"This might sound a bit rude, but it just wasn't fun. I'd prefer to be with someone I can just relax and have a good time with."
Ah, I think I get that. It really does have to be fun, doesn't it?
On the other hand, Takanashi-kun and Sara are the types who find happiness just by existing in the same space, so they’re probably the kind of couple that doesn't mind silence at all.
"And what about you, Yuzuki-san? Or rather, do you have someone in mind?"
"I'd like a partner I can have fun with, too… If I had someone like that, I would have brought them to the pool today."
"I see. So you're looking for the same thing, Yuzuki-san."
…………
Wh-what is this silence?
"A-anyway! I think they’re probably okay now, but those two are such a handful that we’d better keep a close eye on them until they officially become lovers!"
"Y-yes! No objections here!"
Those two will likely be just fine, but watching them is entertainment in itself, so I think I’ll keep meddling just a little bit longer.