"So, what happened this time?"
Seeing how Sara-senpai refused to separate from me, Natsumi-senpai called out to us with an exasperated expression.
"Well... they're clearly getting along great," Hayato offered with a wry smile, doing his best to smooth things over.
We had arranged to eat lunch together during the Lunch Break, so when I arrived at the Meeting Place, Hayato and Natsumi-senpai had already joined up.
Natsumi-senpai had initially smiled wryly at the sight of me showing up with Sara-senpai glued to my side. However, when Sara-senpai showed no sign of letting go, her expression had shifted into outright disbelief.
"Sara-senpai."
A sulking Sara-senpai was undeniably cute, but I couldn't leave her in that mood.
I called her name and gently stroked her head.
"I'm sorry, Sara-senpai. Next time I'll be much clearer when I turn them down... Honestly, I'm not happy when anyone other than you talks to me."
As I slowly spoke while continuing to stroke her hair, Sara-senpai's mood seemed to improve. Her tight cling gradually softened into a gentle lean against me.
"...I mean, I knew it intellectually, but seeing the normally icy Satsukawa-senpai acting like this right in front of me... I still can't believe it."
Hayato stared at us with the face of someone who had just witnessed the impossible.
"It's fine. Even I didn't expect her to act quite like this."
I wasn't entirely sure what part of this was supposed to be "fine"...
"Here, say ahn."
Chomp.
Munch, munch.
"Hey, isn't your Right Hand... Actually, never mind."
I thought Natsumi-senpai was going to jump in with a comment, but she suddenly froze as if remembering something, then quickly backed off.
That was a new reaction from her...
Meanwhile, Hayato continued eating his Bento with the same stunned expression on his face.
It was probably time to move on to the main topic.
"Anyway, Sara-senpai's Mother invited us to the Fireworks Festival. What do you two think?"
"I'm totally free! My Club Activity is off that day anyway. The Boys are free too, right?"
"Yeah, we're off as well. But is it really okay for me to tag along?"
Hayato asked hesitantly. He seemed more concerned about Sara-senpai's feelings than Natsumi-senpai's.
When I glanced at Sara-senpai, she gave a small nod that clearly said she understood.
"...Wow. These two are literally communicating with their eyes."
I decided to ignore Natsumi-senpai's teasing for now.
"Yokokawa-san, please don't worry about me. Since Kazunari-san is the one inviting you, I have no issue with it whatsoever."
"Hayato, let's go together."
After hearing Sara-senpai's careful persuasion and my own direct invitation, Hayato nodded with clear delight.
"Thanks. In that case, I'll gladly join you... Kazunari, thank you."
The fact that he thanked me again so deliberately probably meant he realized I had created an opportunity for him with Natsumi-senpai.
As his friend, I genuinely wanted to give him that much support. Besides, since I also wanted some private time with Sara-senpai, I had the ulterior motive of wanting him to keep Natsumi-senpai company.
"Perfect, it's decided! Hehe~ In that case, I have to bring out my Yukata. Who knows? Takanashi-kun and Yokokawa-kun might both fall for me."
"As far as Kazunari-san is concerned, that will never happen, so there is no need to worry."
Sara-senpai answered Natsumi-senpai's joke with a perfectly straight face.
Even though it was true, the way she got so earnestly defensive in such a casual moment was adorable.
When we reached the Station Front, Hayato was already waiting.
He had come in regular Casual Clothes.
Since Sara-senpai was wearing a Yukata, I had wanted to wear one too, or at least something equally appropriate. Unfortunately, all of those clothes were back at my Family Home, so I had no choice but to come in Casual Clothes.
If Hayato had shown up in a Yukata or Jinbei, I would have felt completely out of place...
"Kazunari-san, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Sorry for the wait, you two~"
I turned around at the sound of Sara-senpai and Natsumi-senpai's voices behind me. There stood Sara-senpai wearing a Yukata...
"............"
This must be what it truly means to be rendered speechless.
Sara-senpai in a Yukata was... genuinely, breathtakingly beautiful. Her usual long, straight black hair had been elegantly styled up, and she carried a cute Cat-patterned Drawstring Bag.
As for how she looked in the Yukata itself... I was completely lost.
I felt ashamed of my poor vocabulary, only able to call her "beautiful." How could I possibly praise her in a way that would truly satisfy her?
"...Kazunari-san?"
"..............."
"? Takanashi-kun?"
"Hey, Kazunari?"
"..............."
"He's completely gone."
I had been so mesmerized that I hadn't even registered the voices around me.
"Um... Kazunari-san..."
"Sara-senpai... you look truly beautiful. I want to say so much more, but I can't find the right words..."
Overcome with emotion, the honest compliment slipped out before I could stop it. At my words, Sara-senpai looked down shyly and began fidgeting.
"I'm sorry, but you're just so beautiful that I..."
"Th-Thank you. I understand. I can tell you're happy with how I look, so that's enough... It's, um, really embarrassing..."
Her face flushed bright red as she timidly approached me. Once she was right beside me, she pressed herself tightly against my Arm, hiding her face there.
Sara-senpai looked so adorable like that that the two of us simply stood frozen in place until Natsumi-senpai finally scolded us.