“Er, starting tomorrow, we finally enter summer vacation. I expect you all, um, to act with the awareness and responsibility befitting a student of this institution. Never forget that each of your individual actions, um, reflects upon the reputation of all seven hundred and twenty-three students of our school... And above all, er, be exceptionally careful to avoid injury. Prioritize safety and health while you enjoy yourselves. Um, and—”
The Principal’s slightly raspy voice, amplified by the microphone, echoed through the gymnasium.
He’d already been standing on that podium for nearly ten minutes, but he didn't seem anywhere close to finished. He clearly had a lot on his mind; even without notes, new topics kept tumbling out of his mouth in rapid succession.
Today was July 20th. It was the final day of school before the break—the first semester's closing ceremony was currently in full swing.
Two weeks had passed since the rainy season ended, and summer had arrived with a vengeance. The weather was infuriatingly clear. In a cramped space packed with over seven hundred people, the stifling heat and humidity unique to a Japanese summer were baring their fangs. To put it bluntly, it was hell.
Naturally, the gym had no air conditioning. Massive industrial fans positioned in the four corners oscillated with a heavy drone, but they did little more than blow hot air around.
Amidst the rising heat, the sounds of heavy sighs, groans, and the occasional clicking tongue began to surface. Even as the Principal wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, he continued his lecture... until the Vice-principal finally stepped in to cut him off.
A few more minutes and students would have started collapsing for real. Honestly, I wished he’d intervened a little sooner.
The students offered a silent round of applause to the Vice-principal's back as he hurried onto the podium to take over.
After a few brief announcements and closing remarks, we were finally liberated from that inferno.
As a wave of profound exhaustion and relief swept through the gym, Moriyama—who had been sitting in front of me—turned around, looking utterly spent.
“...I was counting how many times the Principal said ‘um.’ Want to hear the tally?”
“...I guess so.”
“I lost consciousness somewhere around a hundred and gave up.”
Should I point out that he hadn't actually finished counting, or praise him for making it to three digits?
I tried to think of a comeback, but I quickly abandoned the effort. When I’m this drained, I don’t want to waste energy on trivial thoughts.
As I watched the crowd shuffle toward the exit, my eyes met Haruka’s a short distance away.
She was with Takamiya and her other friends, waving at me with a bright smile that showed no signs of the heat getting to her.
The power of Haruka’s smile when I’m exhausted is something else. It felt like my withered body was being instantly recharged with vitality.
Feeling a bit more spirited, I waved back and patted the shoulder of the slumped Moriyama.
“Don't give up yet. Let's get back to the classroom. Summer vacation is right there.”
“...I see. I see. So you’re that kind of person, then.”
“Sorry. I got a little carried away.”
“It’s fine.”
I offered a sincere apology to Moriyama, who was glaring at me resentfully while quoting a line from a book we’d read in middle school Japanese class. It seemed the heat had simmered his brain into a strange mood.
“You’re always like that when Akise-san is involved, though,” he noted.
“...I’m aware.”
“And Akise-san is the same way when it involves you.”
“She’s cute, isn't she?”
“Zip it. ...Well, I suppose because you two are always like that, things have finally started to settle down lately.”
Moriyama looked around at the bustling students.
Over the last few weeks, the news that 'the' Haruka Akise had a boyfriend had permeated every corner of the school. Haruka had achieved something akin to 'school idol' status across all grades, so the scandal (?) of her dating sent everyone into a frenzy.
Since we made no effort to hide our relationship, arriving and leaving together every day, information about her boyfriend—a guy named Tatsumi Yanagida—spread like wildfire. We became the center of attention overnight.
Every time we walked through the halls or changed classrooms, we were pelted with gazes of curiosity and jealousy.
People crowded our classroom either to verify the rumors or just to gawk. Some even worked up the nerve to interrogate us directly.
In the face of that chaos, we chose a simple strategy: we ignored it.
Haruka and I had built a real bond and entered a relationship because I’d confessed to her head-on. We had nothing to be ashamed of, and certainly no reason to hold back.
By acting openly as lovers and with the help of our classmates' testimonies, our relationship became an accepted fact. The school-wide uproar eventually simmered down to a quiet hum.
There were still a few characters who couldn't accept it and tried to pester Haruka or me, but I'd shut them down with a single glare.
...Until middle school, I’d had complicated feelings about my appearance, since my build tended to intimidate people and keep them at a distance. Now, I have nothing but gratitude for the parents who gave me such a large, sturdy frame.
Even though the initial fuss had died down, we were still very much in the spotlight. I felt just as many eyes on me as there were on Haruka while she chatted with her friends.
“Are you really okay with this?” Moriyama asked.
“The people who corner me directly are gone, and Takamiya-san is keeping a close watch on Haruka, so I’m not worried. Being stared at is annoying, but it’s not like it hurts. Besides...”
“Besides?”
I let out a short, amused breath through my nose as Moriyama looked up at me.
“It would be stupid to let that stuff get to me and ruin the time I spend with Haruka.”
“Hmph...”
Moriyama rubbed his chin, a complicated expression on his face.
“Summer vacation, huh...” he muttered. He looked almost... frightened.
“What’s with that look?”
“Well, summer vacation means a little over a month where you two can flirt to your hearts’ content without any school restrictions, right? Your relationship is already sweet enough to give me heartburn; I’m so worried about what it’ll be like after the break that I can only sleep at night.”
“............”
So you’re sleeping perfectly fine, then. I didn't bother pointing it out.
To mask the similar anxiety rising in my own chest, I gave Moriyama a firm shove toward the exit and started walking.
§
“Alright, listen up! I’m going to wrap up homeroom as fast as possible, so if you want your summer vacation to start, get in your seats!”
At Mr. Azuma’s command, the classmates who had been scattered about chatting scrambled to their desks with impressive speed.
With a wry smile, the teacher skipped the formal formalities and dove straight in. He began rattling off notices while handing out documents, which Haruka and I helped distribute. He clearly wanted to get out of here as much as we did.
“...This is my phone number and email address. If something happens, call or message me immediately. I trust you're all smart enough not to bother me for no reason!”
“Sir! Is it okay to invite you to hang out?”
“Will you keep us company when we're bored?”
“Absolutely not! You might be on vacation, but I have things to do. Training at other schools, exam prep... in fact, I have a professor visiting from a nearby university today, so I need to get ready. That being said, if you’re in an accident or get seriously hurt, you must contact me! Understood?”
The teacher's expression turned stern for a moment to drive the point home.
Next came the grade reports. Classmates practically jogged to the front as their names were called. Once everyone had their results, Mr. Azuma leaned against his desk and scanned the room.
“Again, be careful about injuries and illness. I expect to see all your healthy faces back here in September. It’s a long break. Go to the beach, go on a trip—enjoy yourselves to the fullest! That’s all! Student on duty... no, Representative, give the command! Make it a good one for the end of the term!”
“Yes, sir!”
Haruka’s command led a parting greeting that felt crisp enough to cut through the sweltering heat.
And with that, summer vacation had finally begun.
The classroom erupted in a roar of excitement. Hashimoto spun around in his seat, grinning. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Moriyama and Akasaka heading our way.
“Guys! It’s finally here! Summer! The beach! Festivals! Barbecues! Oh man, I can’t wait!”
“You’re too loud... though I get the feeling,” Akasaka said.
“For us, it’s practice before play,” Moriyama added. “The tournament is coming up, after all.”
“I’m looking forward to the tournament too, obviously!”
Despite the teasing, Akasaka and Moriyama couldn't hide their smiles. I chimed in as well.
“Let me know when the match schedule is set. I’ll come cheer for you.”
“You bet! You’d better watch the invincible ace in action... just try not to fall for me when you see how cool I am, okay?”
Hashimoto’s excitement had clearly fried a circuit. I gave his head a light smack.
“Don’t be an idiot. With Haruka right here, there’s no way my eyes would wander.”
“Oh, so it’s like that,” Hamasaki deadpanned as he joined the group.
What other way would it be?
Akasaka looked at us with a touch of envy.
“Must be nice, having a girlfriend. Summer vacation is basically prime time. Beaches in swimsuits, festivals in yukatas... I’m jealous.”
“Tell me about it!” Hamasaki added. “Show a little mercy to those of us who have nothing...”
“You should use this summer to actually make some progress,” Akasaka told him. “If you can’t even work up the courage to talk to Mukai-san, you’re just going to stay a stalker.”
“I’m not a stalker! That’s harsh!”
Objectively speaking, he was a bit persistent, but I was kind enough not to say that out loud.
Regardless... I see. A summer festival in a yukata.
We’d already planned on the beach, and I was currently in the middle of mentally preparing for the sight of her in a swimsuit, but I hadn't even thought about the festival.
A yukata... I really, really wanted to see that. Maybe I could offer to pay for the rental if she wanted to wear one.
“Tatsumi-kun!”
Haruka and her friends approached us from behind Hamasaki. Seeing her beaming, I decided to ask her then and there.
“Huh? A yukata? Hmm, I think my mom has one at home... do you want me to wear it?”
“Yeah. And I was thinking it would be fun to go to the summer festival.”
“A festival! That sounds amazing! Let’s definitely go!”
Perfect. That was one more thing to look forward to.
Ignoring the exasperated stares from Hashimoto and the others, I gathered my things and stood up.
“Wait, are you leaving already?” Hashimoto asked. “I was gonna see if you wanted to grab lunch.”
“Sorry, I’ve got plans. Maybe next time.”
“I’m out too! I’ve got a date!” Hashimoto added with a grin. “Ow! Why just me?!”
“I’ve reached a state of Zen-like acceptance with Yanagida, but you still annoy me,” Akasaka grumbled.
“That’s so unfair!”
Hashimoto and Akasaka started their usual scuffle. They certainly had enough energy for the upcoming tournament.
I exchanged quick goodbyes with Moriyama and the others and turned to Haruka.
“See you later, Karin! Miki!” Haruka called out.
“Yeah, see you. Try not to lose your heads just because it’s summer vacation,” Karin warned.
“Karin, you sound like such a mom! See ya, Haruka! I’ll text you later!”
“Fufu, I’ll be careful.”
“I’m talking to you too, Miki. If you want to play, finish your homework first—”
“Waaaah! Haruka, Karin’s bullying me again!”
“There, there... I’ll help you with it, so just make sure you get it done, okay?”
After their usual lively exchange, Haruka joined me. She naturally took my hand, and I interlaced our fingers, shifting into a proper lover’s hold.
We shared a small smile and walked out of the classroom toward the station.
“We’re stopping by the supermarket and then heading to your place, right?” she asked.
“Yeah. What’s for dinner?”
“It’s so hot today, I thought I’d make Hiyashi Chuka. It’s nice and refreshing, right?”
“Hiyashi Chuka... sounds great. Egg, ham, and cucumber?”
“Yep! And I think I’ll buy some tomatoes too. You like tomatoes, right, Tatsumi-kun?”
“Yeah, I actually like them a lot. I’m looking forward to it.”
The conversation was easy and natural. But deep down, I couldn't quite settle.
While I was excited about Haruka’s cooking, my stomach felt heavy when I thought about what was coming next.
Sensing my pace slowing, Haruka peered into my face.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, I was just... thinking about tomorrow. We should probably talk about the plan while we eat.”
As if sensing my nerves, Haruka gave my arm a reassuring squeeze and hugged it close.
“I’ve told you so many times, you don’t need to be that tense! Fufu... well, let's eat a lot so your brain is sharp enough to handle it.”
“...Yeah, good point.”
Encouraged by her bright smile, I tried to relax, but my heart refused to slow its frantic rhythm.
I suppose that was only natural. After all, tomorrow... I was going to visit Haruka’s house to meet her family.