Chapter 50: What to Tell Nagase Aya
A whole night had passed since the shock of yesterday's kiss.
I was still dazed, completely out of it.
No, it wasn't my first kiss, you know?
But even though I desperately tried to prove myself in all sorts of ways, some part of me still clung to the feeling that I was just... not enough.
It might look different, but Yukari-san, who spent this summer with me to cast off those doubts together, has grown so strong and beautiful.
I am completely captivated by that light.
The culture festival preparations are finally entering the main stage! It'll be held over two days starting this weekend.
We're super busy with preparations!
Right now, the film club is busy editing, but since I'm on diet support, I'm exempt from that.
Then there's the class hamburger shop and the basketball club's food stall.
Our Class 3's hamburger shop is run by the vice-executive committee, so we're slammed!
Only five days left until the festival.
Ta-da! With a flourish, several girls came into the classroom dressed as hamburger shop staff!
"Ooooooh..."
"Waaaah."
Both the boys and girls couldn't help but let out a cheer.
The uniforms are kind of like McDonald's, but cuter.
Among them, Nagase-san is totally into it, grinning and sparkling.
Both boys and girls are drawn in by her bright, sharp moves and dazzling smile.
The outfit is like a pink short-sleeved polo shirt. The sleeves and collar are red, with a single horizontal line across the chest.
The skirt is a dark brown color, short, with a vertical yellow line on the left leg, and a short apron tied low on the waist. The matching apron also has a yellow line, but this one is horizontal.
And then there's a little visor-like hat? She wears it on her head.
The boys can't stop chattering.
"The way the line on her chest curves... she's big..."
"Isn't that skirt really short? Or are her legs just long...?"
"When she moves, it sticks tight and looks sexy!"
See, that's careless! You should be careful.
I gently warn them.
Nagase: "Huh? Really? I'll be careful! Are you looking at me that way too, Kousuke-kun?"
Heh! It's the classic Nagase Aya smile that charms the boys, but it doesn't work on me at all now.
"No, but the guys in class are going to be totally knocked out."
"Boring!" she says, and as she bends to pick up a dropped pen, the apron can't hide her unprotected thighs, and the boys stare, making her face twitch a little.
Nagase: "Yeah, you're right, I'll be more careful."
Nodding, Nagase-san puts on a cardigan and properly adjusts her apron, which she'd been wearing short because it looked cute.
The boys let out a sigh.
Now all that's left is the interior, fixtures, tables, and chairs.
At this point it's mostly checking things and handling the setup and confirmation the day before.
Maybe we'll just spend two days training the kitchen staff?
Nagase-san, the top clique girls helping out, Koji, and Hiroshi are all competent, so we're actually ahead of schedule and it's a huge relief.
On the way home, feeling a bit relieved.
Nagase-san invites me.
Nagase: "Hey, hey, Kousuke-kun! Let's go check out that non-chain hamburger shop on the other side of the station?"
I think about it and decline.
"No, at this point, it's better to focus on building our skills than adding new stuff, right?"
Nagase-san puffs her cheeks and sulks.
Nagase: "Geez! That's just an excuse! I just wanted to hang out and take a detour with you!"
It's a bright and breezy invitation—those are the perfect words for it.
But, you know.
...Yeah, I should tell her.
I decide to speak up.
Maybe I'm just being self-conscious. Maybe Nagase Aya is just naturally friendly with guys.
Even so, I don't want to do anything I couldn't face Yukari-san about.
"Hey, Nagase-san... can I talk to you for a second?"
Nagase-san looks startled, fussing with her bangs.
She's glancing around nervously... Wait, is she misunderstanding? I should get to the point fast!
Nagase: "...No way... right now? You want to enjoy the festival as a couple?"
"No. ...Actually, I'm about to... start dating Tomonaga-san... Yukari Tomonaga... So I can't do anything that would cause misunderstandings, like being alone together... not from now on."
I mean, I know I'm just being self-conscious.
It's not like it's clear Nagase-san even likes me, right?
But still, I don't want to take even the slightest risk of hurting someone or causing a misunderstanding.
There's a saying: 'Do not adjust your crown under a plum tree.'
*The proverb means you shouldn't adjust your crown under a plum tree, because people might think you're stealing plums—so you should avoid any act that could be misunderstood.*
Nagase-san, who'd been listening with a blush, suddenly drops her mood.
With eyes just a bit too humid,
Nagase: "...I see."
She looks like a different Nagase-san from the usually expressive, cheerful, and friendly one.
Even so, I...
"So, just the two of us... isn't gonna happen, okay? Next time, let's come with everyone."
Nagase-san lets out a sigh.
Nagase: "...So you picked Tomonaga-san? It's final?"
I nod.
Nagase-san sighs again.
Nagase: "I see. But isn't it just high school romance? ...I..."
For a while, she just looks down.
Then, suddenly looks up—her usual expression is back.
And with a triumphant face, she declares!
Nagase: "No matter who you love or how dirty you get, I don't care. As long as in the end, you're by Nagase Aya's side!"
I can't help but think that's kind of cool.
And right away, Nagase-san says,
Nagase: "You're no fun to hang out with, Kousuke-kun! I'm going home! See you tomorrow!"
We part ways just before our usual goodbye spot.
Somehow, my chest feels heavy.
The next day, Nagase-san is just her usual self.
I was honestly so relieved that our sense of distance hadn't changed.
Nagase Aya is someone I get along with, in studies, in club, we have lots of topics in common—she's a fun, charming girl to talk to.
I realized I was truly glad we hadn't grown apart or become distant.
☆ ☆ ☆
Today's Yukari-san.
Yukari: "...If you squish pancakes, they get this flat, you know? There's no way something like this could have calories, right? Right?"
Osada: "Hey, Yukaricchi. I get that dieting is tough, but at least try sleeping."
Yukari has become a devotee of Sandwichman's zero-calorie theory to escape the reality of dieting.