While Tanaka was busy being "occupied" by the dog, Yuria and I started getting the grill ready in the garden.
"Wait—hey! Why are you both ignoring me?! Don't you dare leave m—GYAAAA!!"
Yuria and I moved through the preparations with business-like efficiency, lugging a massive BBQ grill out of the shed before setting up the outdoor chairs and tables. I still had to get the fire started; a barbecue actually required a surprising amount of tedious work.
"I said don't ignore me! Help—! Hey, Mr. Dog, n-not there! Stop it! Kyah! ♡"
Even the most menial labor flew by in an instant, however, as long as I could perform it while admiring the thighs of the girl working beside me.
"Ryouta... I was wondering why you were so quiet while we worked, but you’re just staring at my thighs again, aren't you? Seriously, don’t you ever get bored?"
"Time flies like an arrow, but thick thighs are forever."
"Ugh, I seriously have no idea what you're talking about, but I definitely get that you're as creepy as ever."
Yuria exasperatedly continued prepping the grill. While I waited for the fire to catch, I couldn't help but look down at her legs again.
"Well, I guess it’s a good thing you don't get tired of me, right? After all, I think we're... going to be together for a long time from now on."
"L-Long? I guess so. If we both stay in the same advanced course, we’ll probably be in the same class next year too."
"Ah, no, that’s not really what I meant." Yuria frowned, quickly dismissing my comment. "Well... whatever. It’s all the same in the end. Regardless, Ryouta... as long as you're by my side next year too... that's enough for me."
"By my side? Oh, are you talking about the seating? True, our attendance numbers are close, so there’s a good chance we’ll be seated near each other at the start of next year as well—"
"Seriously, this guy... Argh! Honestly! Do you want me to roast your face on the grill?" Yuria snapped her tongs open and shut, her face flushed with irritation.
"W-Why are you mad, Yuria?! Is it because I was looking at your thighs?!"
"Forget the thighs for a second!"
"Wait, so the thighs are okay now?"
Accepting her silent permission, I continued to keep my eyes fixed on her legs while waiting for the meat to cook.
"Anyway, the meat looks like it'll be ready soon, so let's get the rest of this done. Hey, Tanaka—stop playing around and come watch the grill."
"I'm not playing! Just help me already!"
Tanaka, who had been pinned in a mount position by the dog since the moment we arrived, was finally liberated by Yuria.
"I... I will never forgive that oversized mutt," the sixteen-year-old fujoshi muttered, glaring at the animal.
Honestly, this was why Tanaka was so...
"Anyway, Tanaka and Ryouta, you two watch the meat. I'm going to the kitchen to cut the vegetables."
"Yeah, thanks, Yuria."
"Mm-hmm. Let me know if the fire goes out."
With that, Yuria headed back into the house.
"Wait a minute, Ryouta-kun. What’s with that pathetic look? You look like you’ve lost all motivation just because you can't stare at her legs anymore."
"How... how did you know? Are you a psychic?"
"I have never been so unhappy to be called a genius, seriously." Tanaka looked after the meat with an expression like she’d just chewed on something bitter. "But... it feels like it's been a while since you and I talked alone like this. Lately, the members of the Beautiful Girl Trio have always been around. Spending summer vacation together like this... it feels like the first time since junior high."
"That's... true, I guess." Looking back, this was the first time in two years that I’d spent summer vacation with Tanaka like this.
"Last year was like a blank year, I suppose. It was the first time since we became friends that we were in different classes, so it felt strange."
"Yeah, it did." Neither of us had ever brought it up, but a subtle distance had definitely formed between us back then.
"To be honest... I was a little scared to talk to you. Back in junior high when we were always in the same class, I always knew what you were up to, so you were easy to approach. When we were separated for the first time and only saw each other occasionally... I worried that one day, you’d turn into someone I didn't recognize anymore."
"Tanaka..."
"But that was a needless worry. You're still the same hopeless pervert, otaku, and total creep you've always been!"
"Hey! You're definitely insulting me!"
"I certainly am!"
"Why you—!"
"But... that version of you is the person who is precious to me. So it's fine just like this, right, Ryouta-kun?" Tanaka flipped the meat and gave me a soft smile.
The current me... was the version of me she valued.
"I... I'm relieved that you haven't changed either, Tanaka. You're... my one and only best friend, after all."
Perhaps because she had been so uncharacteristically sentimental, I found myself being a little more honest than usual. But it was the truth—I was glad she was still the same.
"Ryouta-kun... Geez! Don't say such gross things with that kind of face!"
"Huh? Okay, forget I said that!! I take it back!"
"Wait, are you two fighting again?" Yuria asked, returning with a salad bowl in hand.
"Listen to this, Ichinose-san! Ryouta-kun just told me he loves me so much!"
"Hah? Hey, Ryouta, are you serious?"
"W-Why are you suddenly furious, Yuria?! It's a misunderstanding! I was just showing her some basic gratitude—!"
Thanks to Tanaka, the barbecue was the last thing on anyone's mind.