When I looked up at the night sky, a yellow moon hung leisurely above.
It shouldn't have been any different from the moon I saw back in the city, yet for some reason, it looked more beautiful than usual.
The handles of the plastic bag holding the ice cream dug lightly into my right fingers.
From my left hand, which was intertwined with hers, Shinonome's warmth gently seeped through.
One moment she was blushing with embarrassment, and the next she was pursing her lips, trying desperately to suppress a grin.
"Ehehe."
"What's up?"
"Nuh-uh, nothing at all."
I matched her pace as we walked.
I felt like we had walked much faster on our way to the convenience store, but the return trip was somehow leisurely, and her already short stride as a petite girl had become even shorter.
It was summer, so we really should have hurried before the ice cream melted, but pointing that out would probably be in poor taste.
"Hey, Hatsukade. Not that I'm one to talk, but I don't know about holding hands with girls so casually like this. You seem like a player."
"Really? You looked like you wanted to, so I went ahead and did it. Should I stop?"
"N-No, it's fine for now! I mean, it's only bad if you do it with all sorts of people, but there's no problem if you narrow it down to just one person, right? Don't you think?"
She glanced up at me with an intensely searching gaze.
Was this... a subtle message telling me not to hold hands with anyone else?
For my part, it wasn't like I was dating anyone, so I had no particular qualms about holding hands.
I had only offered my hand because Shinonome seemed troubled, and to be honest, it felt closer to guiding a lost child.
"Why are you staying quiet?"
"Sorry, I was just lost in thought..."
"Hmm?"
If I told her what was on my mind while she was softening her cheeks in anticipation, she'd probably get mad. I'd better stay quiet and keep it to myself.
"Hey, Hatsukade, what kind of person do you like?"
"That's a tough question out of nowhere."
"Everyone has a type, you know. I was just kind of wondering what kind of girl you like."
The person who briefly crossed my mind was my childhood friend, Miko, but that felt wrong too.
It was simply that we had spent a long time together; it was more like an extension of an inseparable, nagging bond.
So if asked what kind of person I actually liked, nothing really came to mind.
"I like you quite a bit, Shinonome."
"...Gh! I-I'm not falling for that trick anymore! You probably say that to those other two as well, don't you?!"
"Did I? But I really do mean it."
Shinonome, Nakina, and Sakura all had their own distinct charms. The more I got to know their personalities, the more strongly I felt that way.
On the other hand, the people I disliked were crystal clear.
People who talked behind others' backs, or people who put on an air of righteousness while casually directing malice at others.
Yet, for some reason, it was strange how I couldn't put what I liked into words very well.
I didn't have strict non-negotiables or specific ideals for how a partner ought to be.
Then, Shinonome pouted slightly and muttered dejectedly.
"Even if you say that, I can't really believe it. I don't have any confidence in myself."
"Why's that?"
"Because the ones I'm being compared to are Sakura and Nakina. They're both cute, and they have great figures. They're not scheming, and it feels like people like them just for being themselves... I have to patch myself up in all sorts of ways just to be seen as a proper girl. So every time I look at them, I think, Ah, there's no way I can win, and it makes me sad sometimes."
"I think you're overthinking it, honestly."
She slowly shook her head.
"No, that's definitely how it is. After all, Hatsukade, you're closer to those two than you are to me. You've interacted with Nakina like a friend right from the start, and you even ran away from home together with Sakura. You could say you've built a relationship of trust. It feels like I'm the only one left out, like I'm falling behind..."
Having said that much, Shinonome snapped to her senses and looked up.
"Ah, sorry. That suddenly got really depressing. I didn't mean to bring up stuff like this... Sigh, I'm starting to hate myself again."
"Heh."
Watching her alternate between being embarrassed and gloomy, I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ugh, why are you laughing?!"
"No, I just thought that finicky side of you is very 'you,' Shinonome. No matter how much you hate yourself, I could never hate you."
"~~~!"
She squeezed the hand she was holding tight.
"...Even if the person you like is short, you wouldn't mind, Hatsukade?"
"I'd actually think it's cute."
"Even if her family runs a ramen shop and she's super plain?"
"I have consistently believed that having a family that runs a ramen shop is something to be proud of."
"If you get married, they might force you to take over the shop, you know."
"You're making quite a leap there, but well, that sounds fun in its own way."
Shinonome linked her arm through mine and gently leaned against me, nestling close.
"...I can't trust just words alone. So, um, I want you to show me through your actions that there are no lies in what you just said."
"Even if you say that, what am I supposed to do?"
"Then... at least while we're staying here, I want you to only hold hands with me. Otherwise, I'm labeling you a liar, Hatsukade."
When I looked at Shinonome, the depressed expression from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a mischievous, scheming smile.
"Also, keep this a secret from the other two. I won't tell them either. The girls promised to report everything that happens, so if you hold hands, they'll find out right away."
It seemed I had been completely played.
"Alright, I promise."
"Ehehe, I'll reveal the trick and apologize to those two after summer vacation is over, so it's fine... To tell you the truth, I was planning to make this suggestion from the very beginning before we went to the convenience store."
Shinonome gave a bright smile.
...So that's why she wanted to hold hands so badly.
Well, I already knew she was actually quite scheming.
I supposed I could overlook this much.
We were almost back at the house.
Along the way, Shinonome spotted a poster pasted on a private residence and pointed at it.
"A summer festival fireworks display... That's right around the time we head back, isn't it?"
Staring at the poster, which prominently featured photographs of fireworks and food stalls, she murmured softly.
"It'd be nice if we could all go together at the end... Though slipping away with just the two of us midway through would be fine too—just kidding."
Letting that comment, which didn't sound like a joke at all, slide, I headed back to my relatives' house to deliver the ice cream.