“Seriously, wow! You totally startled me, jumping on me out of nowhere like that!”
“I-I’m sorry... I just couldn’t help it.”
“Ehehe! Don’t worry about it, Aichi!”
It was late afternoon in the Central Courtyard. As the sun dipped lower, the second-floor walkway connecting the West and South school buildings cast a pleasant shade. The South Wind, weaving through the gaps between the buildings, turned into a gentle breeze that brushed against my cheeks with a refreshing coolness. I bought two bottles of iced tea and a sports drink from the vending machine, then headed back toward Natsukawa and Ashida, who were currently radiating a pink aura on their bench. Could they be any more difficult to approach?
“—Here, enjoy.”
“Thanks!”
“Oh, th-thank you...”
Ashida was apparently so overjoyed by the passionate hug she’d received from Natsukawa that she was now grinning from ear to ear, her arms wrapped around Natsukawa as she pampered her. It was fine enough now that they were sitting on the bench, but what they were doing a moment ago was a bit dicey. Two high school girls hugging and rubbing against each other in a place where middle schoolers were still hanging around is just plain dangerous.
If we were somewhere else, I might have kept watching... but since the scene was clearly not conducive to public morals, I pretended to be a wise sage and initiated a Sajou Stop. My willpower was severely depleted, and I only barely managed to recover by focusing on Natsukawa’s embarrassed face.
“Long time no see, Ashida. Do you have club every day?”
“Nope, not every single day, but the Volleyball Club has all sorts of tournaments! It’s definitely busy!”
“I see. You’re as energetic as ever.”
“Yep!”
Isn’t she a bit too energetic? It looked like she might start running laps around the courtyard at any moment. Ashida was still Ashida, I suppose... she had a way of momentarily blowing away all the annoying complications inside my head. But man, if she didn’t stop stroking Natsukawa like that, my own wicked impulses weren’t going to stop either.
“I didn’t expect the three of us first-years to gather on a day when only the third-years were supposed to be here. It’s almost like—hm?”
As I spoke during our little break, Natsukawa tugged on a loose part of my uniform. Yeah... I really love that gesture. Every time she does that, my heart nearly stops. Even if she doesn't mean anything by it, she really shouldn't do that to just any guy. Got it?!
“Hey... aren’t you going to sit?”
“Eh?”
She was telling a sweaty guy like me to dive into this flowery garden of two girls? Isn’t the hurdle a bit high? If she invited me only to think to herself later, ‘Crap, this guy reeks of sweat,’ I’d be devastated. What, you think Ashida might smell like sweat too? Well? Personally, I’d welcome that.
“Look, right here.”
“O-Oh.”
Natsukawa squeezed tightly to the right toward Ashida, and Ashida looked delighted with a giddy expression as space opened up on the bench. I was starting to get jealous. Flirting like that right in front of me... I wish I could trade places with either of them... Wait, then I’d just be me either way.
“...”
“O-Okay, okay.”
When I remained frozen by the alluring sight, Natsukawa shifted her gaze from Ashida to me and stared intently. The tiny bit of Gentle Force remaining within me was being ground away. Is it okay now? Can I just go for the goal?
Still, I couldn’t go over there looking like I had ulterior motives... so I psyched myself up with a silent ‘Heave-ho!’ and sat down to the left of Natsukawa. It felt like she was being a bit more insistent than just a simple kindness... but if Natsukawa said so, I had no choice but to obey. Man, though, I never would have had the courage to sit down on my own. Natsukawa really isn’t to be underestimated. I’ll worship her for life. I’m going to pitch her to Vatican City.
I looked to my right—naturally, since the people I was talking to were on that side. But Natsukawa was right there. Overwhelmingly Natsukawa. I couldn’t move an inch; what was I supposed to do? Why did she have to make such a satisfied face at a time like this? I felt like I was going to lose it.
—N-No, calm down, me. That’s why I bought a drink for myself. When the conversation gets awkward, I’ll use this to reset my brain. Now is the time to open the lid—wait, it’s a bit stuck.
“Oh, the money...”
“...Eh? Oh, it’s fine, don’t worry about it. It’s just a drink. I get my paycheck in three days, so don’t sweat it—...oh, it opened.”
“Eh? A paycheck...?”
“Hm? Yeah.”
Stopping the girls-love atmosphere, Natsukawa turned her face toward me and asked with her eyes wide in surprise. I’d kept it a secret from Natsukawa that I’d been working since middle school. I’m sure she found the idea of me working unexpected. Heck, even my mom mentioned it the other day.
“Did you start after summer vacation began?”
“Yeah.”
“...I didn’t know that.”
“Eh?”
Well, of course you wouldn’t know. I haven't told anyone, probably. I couldn't stand the thought of people coming to tease me at my workplace. There was no way I could mention it in the group chat. Plus, I haven't told the school; and while I don't know if part-time jobs are banned or not, I feel like it's better if they don't find out.
“We talked in our private chat, didn't we?”
“Huh? When?”
“The day you added fuel to the fire, you jerk.”
“Oh, dear.”
Something like that did happen, didn’t it... Truly, it was a terrible incident.
They’d forced me to promise a public apology before I could finally return to the group. The sheer force behind those girls’ words afterward... Ugh, the way Iiboshi-san turned into an enemy in an instant was seriously terrifying.
“Why did you start...?”
“Eh? Well, you know... uh... social experience?”
There was no way I could honestly say I started because I wanted money to blow on fun stuff. If she looked at me with cold eyes from this distance, I’d die. I’ll escape with a safe, student-like answer. How’s that, Professor Natsukawa?
“...That’s a lie.”
Oh no, she saw through me. I’m gonna die.
“...”
“Well, uh...”
Natsukawa looked at me with reproachful eyes. Sixty percent awkwardness, forty percent excitement. My tension skyrocketed at seeing an expression on Natsukawa that I rarely got to see. I wanted to watch her like this for another eight hours. But I was weak when she looked me straight in the eyes. Had Natsukawa ever looked at me so directly before?
“Ah! That’s right, Sajocchi! What kind of person is that college sister you met?!”
“I’ve been put on doctor’s orders to keep quiet, so...”
“Sajocchi! Thanks for the drink! So, what kind of person is the college sister?”
What... I can’t dodge this? Is this one of those infinite loops you see in RPGs? You’re telling me I can’t escape this sin?!
Well, I mean, it’s not like it’s something I need to hide.
“Is that... what you were saying in the group chat, Wataru?”
“Yeah! There’s no way Sajocchi could get to know someone like that on his own!”
“Wait, but the part-time job...”
“...Ah!”
Oops, the atmosphere just changed.
As expected of Detective Natsukawa, what a keen eye. Yes, I met Sasaki-san, the so-called college sister, on my way home from work one day... actually, it was on my way home from my first day. I never imagined I’d get to know someone through such a minor scuffle, though.
“...”
“...”
The two of them stared at me with judging eyes. Being looked at like that by two girls actually made me a little excited. I’d lost it. Yes, I was simply a pervert. What even is a ‘simple pervert’?
“Hahaha. Well, you know, hahaha—urgh.”
While I was trying to fake a laugh to dodge the question a bit more, Natsukawa grabbed my right arm as I scratched the back of my head and yanked it, forcing me to meet her eyes. I flinched at the unexpected physical contact.
No, seriously, Natsukawa-san, what is with you today? Isn’t there a lot of contact? My mind is going completely blank. Please, keep it coming.
“—What kind of person is she?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I can’t dodge this. I don't have enough physical strength left to try. I never thought the day would come when Natsukawa would focus her attention on me this much... But if Natsukawa desires it, then responding is my true wish. And you’d better prepare yourselves to realize the charm of Sasaki-san, who is a literal bundle of adult appeal.
“It all began on the way home from my job—”
“Oh, something’s starting?”
“...”
It was a day that felt as if the heavens themselves were offering their blessing... Note: It was blistering hot.