"……What the hell is that?"
"Huh? Oh……"
Morning. Following the gaze of Nee-chan, who was currently slamming back a smoothie, I realized my tie was hanging haphazardly around my collar. I looked like Dad coming home from work…… Come to think of it, I didn't even remember tying the thing in the first place.
"Give it here."
"Ah, wait—"
With a sharp tug on the fabric, I was hauled over to stand in front of her. While still biting down on the rim of her nearly empty plastic shaker, Nee-chan untied my mess and began re-knotting it.
"There."
"Thanks. As expected of the Vice President."
"Keep talking."
Nee-chan effortlessly brushed off my teasing, then tilted her head back with the shaker still in her mouth to drain the last few drops. Just what kind of dexterity is she trying to polish……?
"Kaede! Don't just toss the container into the sink!"
"Sor-ry."
Nee-chan tossed the empty shaker into the sink with a careless clatter. She sauntered out of the living room with an attitude that made it unclear whether she was actually apologizing for the scolding she'd just received from Mom.
Usually, I would have ignored our morning banter. I would have looked away to avoid getting dragged in while gnawing on my toast, but right now, focusing only on my own thoughts felt like a form of torture.
"……Yawn…………"
On the walk home yesterday, I had tried to lie to myself, thinking it wasn't a big deal. I thought I'd forgotten about it by the time I got home, but apparently, I have a habit of reflecting on my day while in bed. Without a doubt, the event with the strongest impact yesterday was that moment at the fork in the road.
The sensation of my back being embraced. Since Natsukawa herself said she "tripped," then that must be what happened. However, the impact was simply too strong to just dismiss it as an accident.
──It sure was soft……
I was so restless with simmering thoughts that I’d barely slept. There were issues like my relationship with Natsukawa, the potential awkwardness, and what kind of face I should make when I saw her today—but aside from those, there was a separate, instinctive problem for a high school boy. Long time no see, puberty. How have you been?
No…… it’s just, you know. I’d lost my sense of time, but the warmth and the physical sensation were burned into my brain…… Plus, we were in our summer uniforms…… And because of the momentum from her trip, she’d hugged me tight…… Seriously, what is this? Do I have some past life where I sealed away my worldly desires in childhood? Because this is too much. I can understand it at night before bed…… but in the morning, it’s just not okay……
I bit hard into a piece of crunchy toast, trying to jolt my brain back to reality.
◆
Even if that interaction with Natsukawa yesterday had been an accident, it was a stretch to think I could face her as if nothing had happened. And yet, of all times, Natsukawa’s seat is right in front of mine. I wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse──no, it was a blessing. Now that I was remembering it again, I could feel my heart bouncing around. Just having Natsukawa there, looking at the back of my head, was already more than I could take. No wonder I can't keep up with my classes lately; I finally get it now.
"—Ah."
When I arrived at school and entered the classroom, Natsukawa was already in her seat. On her desk was a Classical Japanese assignment sheet. She’d stayed late yesterday too, and considering she had to look after Airi-chan, she probably hadn't had much time. Classical Japanese was during fifth period, so if she started now and worked during the breaks, she’d probably make it. Yeah, I should probably do mine too.
The important part started now. Ignoring her was out of the question──sitting down in silence when our desks were right next to each other was impossible. We must both feel awkward…… So I, as the guy, should take the lead and give a normal greeting—
"Ah, morning, Wataru."
Normal……? Seriously?
Wait, really? After what happened, she can just be that normal? Does she really not feel anything about it? I was actually kind of shocked. If anything, her smile was even gentler than usual. What did this mean? Was yesterday really a dream? Am I the only one feeling awkward here?
Wait, even putting that aside, why didn't Natsukawa look awkward? Shouldn't she have been feeling awkward ever since we ran into Haru, that girl from our middle school? In fact, since then, Natsukawa and I have been working on Cultural Festival stuff together, eating lunch together, and walking home together, so we’ve barely spo—huh? Hmmm? We were feeling awkward, right?
Wait, aren't we spending a ton of time together? If anything, it's more than during my Stalker Era──who's a stalker? I was just following her around a bit because I liked her too much. What do they call a person like that in English? That's the answer. This is bad.
"Excuse me."
"Eh."
While I was so overwhelmed by the awkwardness that I couldn't even put up a front, I realized Natsukawa was suddenly standing right in front of me. I mean, she’d been sitting there a second ago, but now she was standing right there. Wait a second, I wasn't mentally prepared for this.
"Your tie. The back part is sticking out."
"Eh, seriously──………………h?"
"W-What……?"
"Ah, no, it's nothing."
Natsukawa naturally reached out her hand toward my tie to fix it. I’d been in a daze until I left the house, so I let her handle it while my heart pounded, but then I noticed something strange.
──Didn't Nee-chan fix it for me?
I thought I’d double-checked it myself, but apparently, I'd failed. Or maybe the wind caught it on the way here…… the wind is pretty strong right now with the change of seasons. Regardless, between the body heat occasionally reaching my chest and that same scent from yesterday wafting over, I had no choice but to fight a battle within myself.
"Y-Your hair too……"
"Eh, no, wait."
It seemed that, perhaps combined with my lack of sleep, I looked messy all over. It wasn't like before where I’d applied a bunch of wax, so I could just run my fingers through it myself. It wasn't just that the distance between us was dangerously close; I felt a sense of risk in the way Natsukawa would immediately use physical touch on a member of the opposite sex for a bit of grooming. I understand she’s devoted when it comes to Airi-chan, but doing it to me is dangerous.
"I can do this much myse—"
"Y-You can't see it yourself, can you……!"
"Eeeh……!?"
S-She was pushing back……!?
Why? Was my hair really that bad? It didn't feel like any of it was sticking up when I touched it…… Or was it something else? Did I have such a pathetic aura coming off my back that she felt compelled to look after me? I might be simmering, but I wasn't exactly troubled. If I had to say, it’s just that my wide grin refused to return to normal. Maybe I’m a rubber man, but only in the area under my nose.
"──Yahoo. What's up with you two? Flirting already?"
"……!"
While I was dodging Natsukawa’s hand, a voice cut in from behind. At the same time, Natsukawa quickly pulled away. When I turned around, Ashida was there, fresh from morning club practice.
"W-We weren't flirting or anything……!"
"Man, things are heating up since morning. Good thing I didn't switch out of my summer uniform yet."
"Geez……! What are you even saying!"
Exactly! What are you saying, Ashida! It’s really going to get awkward now!
I didn't even have the leeway to fire back…… I had my hands full dealing with the palpitations that hit me afterward. No, this wasn't just heart-pounding anymore; it was a full-on arrhythmia. I was reflexively clutching my chest. I’m in my teens and I feel like my blood pressure is going to kill me. This is the perfect crime. The Goddess is dangerous.
"Ni-hi-hi. Well, Aichi looked so busy and tired until a little while ago. I’m relieved."
"Ah……"
Ashida grinned, showing her teeth. She actually looked happy to see Natsukawa acting huffy. True, there was a period recently where Natsukawa was so busy that she barely reacted when Ashida played around with her. Because Ashida is sensitive to people’s moods, she must have noticed Natsukawa’s state.
"Daily hug!"
"Kyah……!? Wait……!"
Hey, Ashida, you──A hug!? Once a day!? You were doing that!? To think you were doing something so enviable, so boldly and shamelessly……! Even on weekends! You met up on weekends and did that too! As for me, I’m at my limit from just that one time yesterday──Uwaaaa, the sensationnnnn!!!
"Geez…… Kei!"
"Hey, Ashi──ah?"
No matter how much I respect Ashida-sama, this cannot be forgiven──just as I was thinking that and preparing to fire a Light Bullet, Ashida poked her head out from Natsukawa’s shoulder and looked at me. She gave me a grin that felt more pointed than innocent. She might have just been showing off, but it felt like she was trying to tell me something.
I wasn't quite sure what it was, but she mouthed a few words to me with a happy expression.
──Way to go, Sajocchi.