To go back in time a little—immediately after the bus departed.
"Have a good trip!!"
The faint sound of Kazunari-san’s voice and that smile he used to hide his loneliness tugged at my heart… I couldn't pull myself away from the window for a long while.
Starting today, for an entire week, I wouldn't be able to see him, take care of him, touch him… or hold him in my arms.
However, I couldn't let the feelings of Kazunari-san, who sent me off with as much cheerfulness as he could muster, go to waste. I was determined to enjoy this school trip to the absolute fullest.
"Sara, knock it off already and just sit down like a normal person."
Caught up in my thoughts, I hadn't even realized I was still leaning against the window with my hands pressed against the glass until Natsumi pointed it out.
"My apologies. I did it without thinking."
"No, you don't really have to apologize. But if you keep doing that, people are going to start snooping, wondering if something happened."
"Natsumi-chan, it's already too late for that. Ugh… Honestly, I want to interrogate her right now, but I'll hold back until the group activities start. Patience, patience."
"You’re right. This is the first time I’ve ever seen Satsukawa-san looking so heartbroken."
"Satsukawa-san is so cute… Natsumi, can't we just ask a little…?"
"No."
Natsumi was sitting next to me, but the seats in front and behind us were also filled with members of our group. It made it easy to talk, but it also meant they had witnessed my pathetic display.
"Satsukawa-san, are you really that lonely?"
"That is…… yes. To be honest, I am lonely. However, since I vowed to enjoy the school trip, I will do exactly that."
Thinking back, I didn't have anyone I could call a friend besides Natsumi and Eri, so I had never really gone out in a group like this. Excluding the people I was with during that recent incident, it had probably been since my middle school trip.
Middle school… back then, every single boy in my group gave me a bothersome confession… No, let’s forget that. I don't want to remember.
Since this school trip consisted of all-girl groups, I was grateful that I wouldn't have to deal with anything like that.
"You vowed? O-Oh, really? Then you’d better enjoy it with us!"
"Yes, I look forward to it."
That’s right. I promised Kazunari-san that I would enjoy the school trip.
So, I would try to have fun in my own way… Kazunari-san.
"Finally, we’re here! This is the place I've been waiting for!"
"You’re not the only one!"
"Yeah, I’m totally serious about this one too."
Everyone looked incredibly lively.
And with good reason; this shrine was a famous national treasure, but it was also a shrine famous for success in love—so much so that even I, who used to have no interest in romance, knew of its reputation.
When the school trip schedule was released and everyone learned that this shrine was one of the destinations, the way they rejoiced…
I was sure many of them had been desperate to make a prayer here.
Inside the shrine grounds was a small shrine specifically for that purpose. The moment our free time began, everyone started moving in that direction at once.
My classmates were leading the charge, but students from other classes were likely heading for the same spot.
However, to be honest, as someone whose love had already reached fulfillment, I wasn't particularly interested.
"Come on! We’re going too!!"
Still, since this was a group activity, I couldn't very well disrupt the harmony. Besides, it wasn't as if I was completely uninterested.
"I get it, I get it, so don't run."
Even as she said that, Natsumi looked like she was having fun too. Since I was already here, I decided I might as well pray for something.
Instead of success in love, perhaps I could pray that I may continue to make Kazunari-san happy from now on? Was that a bit strange?
It didn't matter. I decided not to overthink it.
"This year for sure… this year for sure!"
"Please let me become lovers with XX-kun!!"
"Please…"
They were surprisingly desperate. Their raw intensity reached me even as I stood beside them.
Was this how romance was originally supposed to feel?
Having been troubled by foolish men for so long before suddenly encountering my destined one, Kazunari-san, perhaps my experience wasn't a "normal" romance like everyone else's.
I found myself wanting to ask them what it was like for them sometime.
"I wonder what I should do…"
Natsumi hadn't made her prayer yet; she was looking around restlessly behind me. It was rare to see her so hesitant.
"Natsumi-chan, you should make a wish too."
"Yeah, yeah. Natsumi, you want a boyfriend too, right?"
"Don't tell me you’re going to say you have one already?"
"No, I don't have a boyfriend, obviously…"
"Then just make a wish!"
Oh, come to think of it, that talk reminded me. In the end, I still hadn't asked Natsumi about that one matter.
"By the way, Natsumi, how are things going with Tachibana-san? Mmmghgh!"
When I tried to ask, Natsumi covered my mouth with incredible speed. Her reflexes were terrifying; as expected of the tennis club ace.
"Eh!? What!?"
"W-Wait, why did you cover Satsukawa-san’s mouth!?"
"Wait, wait… Natsumi-chan… Satsukawa-san, tell us everything!"
Naturally, such an obvious reaction only made everyone more curious.
"No! It’s nothing! I don't have a boyfriend or anyone!!"
Natsumi denied it frantically. Had I picked the wrong time to ask?
But if there was someone she liked, she should just be open about it. I didn't see any reason to hide it.
…
Wait, this is bad. I’m actually starting to suffocate.
Natsumi, please let go.
"Suspicious!"
"Interrogation for Satsukawa-san and Natsumi tonight is officially decided!!"
"No objections!!"
"I’m telling you, you’ve got it all wrong!!"
The moment Natsumi’s grip loosened, I managed to pull away.
Phew, that was painful.
"Sa-ra… you… just you remember this."
I noticed Natsumi’s face looked a bit flushed. Was she not aware of it herself?
This was perfect. I already had a story to tell Kazunari-san as a souvenir.
"We’ll interrogate Natsumi tonight, but Satsukawa-san, aren't you going to pray?"
"I have already finished mine."
"What did you wish for!?"
"Fufu… you aren't supposed to tell people your prayers, you know? So, it’s a secret ♪"
"""…………"""
I didn't think I had said anything particularly strange, yet everyone froze. They seemed paralyzed with surprise.
"S-Satsukawa-san said something so playful…"
"What should I do? Satsukawa-san is so cute."
"C-Could it be? Is this what they mean when they say a woman changes when she falls in love…?"
Changing when one falls in love… I might have indeed changed. But if I changed for Kazunari-san’s sake, I believed it was a happy change.
"So cute~"
"Wow, with amulets this cute, I don't know how many to get…"
"How many different types of success-in-love amulets are you planning to buy?"
I understood their indecision. I, too, was struggling as I looked at the cute amulets spread out before me.
By the way, amulets are technically things one "receives" rather than "buys"… but pointing that out would probably just make me seem like a killjoy.
Regardless, there were so many. They were so charming that my eyes kept wandering.
Family Safety, Perfect Health, Fulfillment of a Great Wish, Success in Love.
As I scanned them from one end to the other, I discovered a pair of amulets meant to be shared.
Matching amulets for me and Kazunari-san to carry together… that sounded wonderful.
I wondered what kind it was.
"Couple's Amulet"
……Couple!?
T-That was surely still too early!
B-But, Kazunari-san and I as a couple… a couple… No, no, we’re still high school students!
Wait, if I were to receive an amulet like this, would Kazunari-san think I was a "heavy" woman? That would be a disaster! I would surely end up crying if that happened.
As lovely as a pair sounded, I decided I’d better pass on this one.
"Satsukawa-san, what have you been squirming and agonizing over—wait, what!?"
"A Couple's Amulet!?"
"Wait, Satsukawa-san, have you two progressed that far!?"
Startled back to reality by the voices of surprise, I realized I had been lost in thought while still holding it in my hand. Before I knew it, I was surrounded, and everyone had seen exactly what I was looking at.
"…Huh!? N-No! This is still far too early for us!!"
"She said 'us'!!"
"I want to hear! Tell us everything!"
"Wait, wait, Satsukawa-san, are you actually thinking of a student marriage…?"
"No, I’m telling you, this is—!!"
As I spiraled into a panic, a hand was placed gently on each of my shoulders. I turned around to see Natsumi wearing a very gentle smile, patting my shoulders comfortingly.
"Now, now, calm down. Making a scene in a place like this will trouble the other visitors, right? You guys too—save the talk for tonight."
Seeing Natsumi’s composure, I felt my own heart begin to settle. How unseemly of me to lose my cool like that.
"…My apologies, Natsumi. I just got flustered."
"Sorry, Natsumi-chan."
"I’ll look forward to hearing the full story tonight."
"Sorry about that."
"As long as you understand. By the way, Sara, if they’re so cute that you can't decide, shall I pick one for you?"
Natsumi, who had been nodding along to our apologies, suddenly made the suggestion. She really was a kind person.
Since every amulet here was charming in its own way, having my best friend choose one for me seemed like a lovely idea.
"That’s… true. Since we are here, I’ll take whichever one you think is best, Natsumi…"
"In that case, this one!"
As if she had already made up her mind, she chose a cute, pink amulet without a moment’s hesitation. Taking my hand, she placed the amulet on my palm and led me toward the counter.
"This one, please!"
Natsumi spoke for me, and the shrine maiden at the counter took it with a smile, placing it into a small bag.
Oh, come to think of it, I hadn't actually checked what kind of amulet it was. Well, it was an amulet, so it couldn't be anything bad, and it was a gift chosen by my best friend.
After everyone had received their amulets, we moved to a different area. Everyone else had chosen amulets for success in love or a good match, and they were already showing them off to each other.
As for Natsumi…
"By the way, Natsumi-chan got a success-in-love one too!!"
"So there really is someone!"
"T-This doesn't have any deep meaning!! It’s just someone I’m a little curious about… wait, how did you even know!?"
It seemed she had been caught red-handed while making her choice. Even so, "a little curious"—it really was Tachibana-san, wasn't it? I was quite curious about that story myself.
"Satsukawa-san, what did you get?"
As the conversation turned back to me, I realized I still hadn't looked at my own amulet. I decided to check it then and there.
"Let’s see, mine is……"
I pulled the cute pink amulet out of its bag. The moment I saw the characters embroidered on it, I froze.
"!?"
"Whoa, Satsukawa-san is bold!!"
"Eh? What is it? …Whaaaaaat!?"
"S-Satsukawa-san…"
"N-No, this is just what Natsumi picked on her own… Natsumi!!!!"
T-This was far too early, no matter how you looked at it. Although I was at fault for not checking, I never expected Natsumi, after acting so kindly, to choose something like this.
"Oh my~? Was something wrong~?"
Natsumi didn't look sorry at all. She was watching me with a nasty, self-satisfied smirk.
At that moment, I realized her calm demeanor earlier had all been an act… I had been completely played.
"Natsumi! No matter how you look at it, this is—"
"It is almost time to depart~!"
Just as I was about to confront her, the bus guide’s voice rang out. It was already time to go… It couldn't be helped; I would have to put this matter on hold.
I hurriedly shoved the amulet back into its bag and hid it in my bag.
"Darn, what a shame. I guess the rest of the story is on hold until tonight."
"I want to hear every single detail from Satsukawa-san."
"I wish it were tonight already."
Sigh… honestly.
If anyone saw this, they would think I was a high school student with some incredibly "heavy" ideas. This was definitely staying sealed away.
……But, if the day ever comes when we truly need this… I would be very happy.