"Rock-paper-scissors? So, if Airi wins, does that mean Airi gets to play with Ryouta first?"
"Exactly. Whoever wins the match gets Ryouta all to themselves at the start of summer vacation. Whether it's carrying bags, running errands, or whatever—you can ask him for anything. How's that sound?"
"Heh... That sounds fine. I have no objections."
What do you mean, "no objections"? They were just rattling off decisions one after another without me... Don't I even get a say in this?
Following Yuria's lead, the conversation about the promise moved forward, leaving me—the prize in question—completely sidelined.
"You’d better be ready, Ryouta. We held up our end of the bargain and avoided those failing grades, so there’s no backing out now. You’re coming with us, whether you like it or not."
"W-well... I don't really mind that part, but..."
Truth be told, being bossed around by these three all summer was nothing short of a reward for me. Besides, there was a real chance I’d see the three of them in their private clothes—and thin summer outfits, no less. It was a golden opportunity I wasn't about to pass up.
Looking at it that way, I didn't have a single reason to refuse... except for one nagging concern.
"...Hehe. Rock-paper-scissors."
Rui shot me a sidelong glance, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips. She was undoubtedly up to no good. My biggest fear was what kind of bizarre order she might come up with.
If she says something like, "I'm locking you in a room until you love me," I'm screwed. She'll realize that kind of thing actually turns me on.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, Rui’s hand shot out and gave my arm a sharp pinch.
"Ow! Wh-what was that for, Rui?"
"Ryouta-kun? If you keep having such... interesting thoughts about me, I might actually have to follow through."
Wh... how does she read my thoughts so naturally?
"D-don't read my mind!"
"I can't do something like that."
"But, what I was thinking..."
"Because, Ryouta-kun. You've had such a suspiciously skeptical look in your eyes for a while now. Even though I have no intention of making any strange requests."
I wondered about that. Considering she’d mentioned "taking me somewhere" when we talked about it before. Still, if someone possessed a superhuman talent like Rui Kuroki, they could probably easily win at rock-paper-scissors, even if it was just a game of luck for an ordinary person.
"Well then, let's have our match now."
The three of them faced each other and held out their hands. Sitting in my seat, I watched the spectacle of the rock-paper-scissors meet for my ownership unfolding before my eyes.
"Rock-paper-scissors!"
The second they threw their hands, it was over. A clean sweep.
"...Eh?"
☆☆
The first day of summer vacation arrived.
Coinciding with the start of the break, summer had truly begun. The heat was oppressive; just standing outside was enough to make a layer of sweat break across my skin. As for where I was on this midsummer's first day...
"Ryouta, Ryouta! We're almost at Airi's grandma's house!"
I spent an hour and a half on a rickety, non-air-conditioned bus that was mostly empty, watching a landscape of endless rice paddies roll by. When I finally stepped off, I was in a countryside town nestled deep in the forest, where the air was crisp and the nature lush.
"My, my. Welcome home, Airi."
"Grandma! Thanks for coming to meet us. Oh, this is Airi's friend, Ryouta Izumiya-kun."
"My, my. Is he your boyfriend?"
"Jeez, no he's not!"
And so, here I was—at Airi’s family home in the middle of nowhere. It seemed the winner of the rock-paper-scissors match had a very specific plan in mind for me.