An awkward silence hung between Yuria and me on the bus, all thanks to Tanaka (though, in truth, I only had myself to blame).
(Damn it, Tanaka...! Keep your nose out of my business!)
Sure, my track record isn't exactly clean, but I felt like Tanaka's blatant prejudice against me went a step too far this time.
Regardless... I needed to clear the air.
"Oh, hey, by the way... where’s Rui right now?"
Since we were heading to watch Rui's meet, it felt like a safe enough topic to bring up.
"Rui? She’s already at the venue. The Track and Field Club travels separately. Wait, did you seriously not hear anything from her?"
"Not a single word."
"Good grief, that girl..."
Yuria sighed, looking exasperated, but I saw a hint of her smile returning.
"I guess Rui's no different after all."
"No different how?"
"…Ah, never mind. It’s nothing. Anyway, Ryouta, make sure you don't go taking any creepy photos of the girls on the track team."
"Hey, even I have some standards!"
"Heh, I know. I was just messing with you."
"Why you..."
The mood had been a bit tense and suggestive before, but Yuria was gradually returning to her usual self.
"Hey, Yuriaaa! Airi wants to play with Ryouta too! Swap with me!"
"Yeah, yeah, fine. We'll trade seats when we stop at the service area later."
"Yay!"
So Yuria had promised to swap seats with Airi.
Originally, Tanaka was meant to be sitting next to me... but she was quiet as long as she was stuffing her face with snacks, so I didn't mind.
As for this bus... it was new, but the seats felt a little cramped. If Airi ended up sitting next to me... gulp. Even now, Yuria's thick thighs were pressing slightly against my leg. At this rate, an accidental boob touch was definitely within the realm of possibility.
"By the way, Ryouta..."
"...! W-what is it?"
Thinking such degenerate thoughts about Yuria's thighs and Airi's chest made me jump when she suddenly spoke. Crap, did she notice me shifting my leg to get a better feel of her thigh?!
"Ryouta, you've got Rui interested in you, Airi's practically attached to your hip... and you and I are pretty close too, aren't we?"
"Eh? Y-yeah, I guess."
What was with her all of a sudden?
"So... you must be thinking of one of us that way by now, right?"
"Huh?"
Me... thinking of Rui, Yuria, or Airi that way?
"Let’s be real... which one of us do you actually like, Ryouta?"
"...T-that's..."
The question hit me out of nowhere. It was the ultimate dilemma.