Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622176457099544
After waiting for Nagisa’s shift to end, the three of us went outside together.
It was mid-October, and it had started to get a little cooler.
With the change of seasons, people were wearing a variety of outfits, such as knit vests and short-sleeved shirts.
Many students were also wearing regular school uniforms or class T-shirts.
Our class didn’t have the budget for it, but memories like this aren’t so bad either.
“There are so many people.”
“Even though it’s a weekday, it’s surprising how many people from outside the school are here.”
“Are your parents coming?”
When asked, Reisa and Nagisa exchanged glances.
“My parents…well, I don’t think they’ll come as usual.”
“Mine probably won’t either. My mom wanted to come, but she doesn’t like crowds, so I told her not to.”
“What about Tsukushi kun’s parents?”
“She’s working all three days, and even if she wasn’t, I’d want her to rest, so she won’t be coming.”
My family is a single-parent household living in poverty.
Since I don’t have a part-time job, we rely entirely on my mother’s income, and even if I could take time off, I wouldn’t want to waste her precious rest time for something like my cultural festival.
Besides, I’m just a behind-the-scenes guy, so there’s nothing to see anyway.
After laughing together and reaffirming that everyone has their own family circumstances, we took the pamphlet map and headed to a less crowded area.
We sat down at the bench square and held a strategy meeting.
“So, what should we eat?”
“Potatoes, fried chicken, frankfurters…yakisoba, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ikayaki….”
“Are you planning to eat all of that?”
“No, that’s not it ! It’s just that there are so many delicious-looking things…”
Nagisa’s stomach growled, and her face turned bright red, which was adorable.
She had been serving omurice and pasta in the classroom earlier, so after smelling and carrying those foods around all day, it’s no wonder she was hungry.
It’s different from us, who were just staring at it with a smirk.
“Actually, I don’t have much experience with Japanese street food festivals. What do you recommend? Is there anything I shouldn’t miss?”
“…The spirit of enjoyment, maybe?”
“It’s about the atmosphere, right?”
“Did I ask something weird?”
I’m sorry to say this to Reisa, who grew up abroad, but I don’t think there are many dishes that are particularly noteworthy for their taste.
They’re not bad, but they’re made by amateurs.
There’s definitely nothing that would impress Reisa’s refined palate.
That’s why you need to develop the skill to enjoy the whole experience, including talking and walking while eating junk food.
When I explained this to Reisa, she laughed.
“I’m not looking for a three-star restaurant level either, you know? So, can we just go around to where my friends are working? There’s seven groups of takoyaki and two groups of apple candy.”
“Oh, then I also want to go to the second-year students’ ikayaki next to the class 7 !”
“Then I’ll go for the fried potatoes before that.”
Each of us decided where we wanted to go and returned to the crowd together.
◇
After buying whatever food we wanted, we moved to a less crowded area with our plastic bags.
However, in the end, it was inconvenient to eat outside, so the three of us returned to the school building.
We decided to eat at the cafeteria, which was bustling with people as usual.
The cafeteria was very busy around noon.
Everyone brought the food we had bought from the stalls outside, and it was literally like a festival.
The atmosphere alone made us feel happy.
“We bought a lot, didn’t we?”
“In the end, we bought almost everything Nagisa said we should.”
“…We all chose it together, didn’t we?”
“I’m not saying that we’re greedy or anything like that.”
She said it with a sullen expression, so I hurriedly corrected myself.
It seems she doesn’t like being thought of as a glutton.
Since we don’t know who bought what, we spread the food we bought randomly on the table.
The delicious smell immediately fills our noses, and we feel happy.
It’s a little hard on our wallets, but that’s just part of the fun.
That aside, it was really hot outside.
Even though it’s mid-October, we’re sweating from the direct sunlight.
In front of me, Reisa took off her knit vest and let the breeze through the gaps in her shirt.
“Phew…the air conditioning is a lifesaver.”
“Hey, Reisa, please button your shirt.”
“But it’s hot !”
“Because it’s showing too much.”
Nagisa said this while glancing at me, making me feel awkward.
However, Reisa just smiled.
“It’s not like it’s a big deal if someone sees your cleavage. If you keep saying that, you won’t be able to wear cute clothes anymore.”
“But we’re at school.”
“Are you saying that after you wore a miniskirt in school earlier?”
“…That’s mean.”
“Also, it’s okay if Tsukushi sees it.”
“Stop being such a sudden pervert.”
Ever since we first started talking, Reisa often says things out of the blue, so I don’t know how to react.
Even now, I was honestly at a loss for where to look.
As I started eating the potatoes I had bought, Reisa buttoned up her shirt and reached for the plastic bag.
At the same time, the boys around us, who had probably been staring at her to enjoy the view, let out a sigh.
So I wasn’t the only one watching her after all.
Nagisa, who is shy and demure, and Reisa, who is a bit more relaxed, are complete opposites.
“Here, open your mouth.”
As I was lost in thought, there was a takoyaki in front of me.
I blinked in confusion, not understanding what was happening.
Leaning forward, Reisa held out a takoyaki with a toothpick.
“Um…can I take it?”
“Of course. That’s why I’m holding it out for you.”
“Then, I’ll take it without hesitation.”
I cautiously put Reisa’s takoyaki in my mouth, and for some reason, our eyes met.
After staring at me intently, Reisa turned her face away.
“W-what’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“…This is good.”
It wasn’t that hot anymore because some time had passed.
It tasted better than I expected, and I chewed it slowly.
It felt kind of strange.
My face felt a little hot, but I convinced myself it was just my imagination and took a deep breath.
Then I noticed the cold atmosphere around me.
Nagasaki in front of me was silently staring at me.
I even felt like she was glaring at me a little, but that was probably just my imagination, right?
Moreover, I could hear voices of resentment from the other boys around me.
“That guy just had Reisa chan feed him.”
“Damn ! Why does he get to…”
“But he’s the top student in the grade, isn’t he?”
“Damn, I guess it can’t be helped…are those two dating?”
“I wonder. He seems to be getting along well with Amakusa san too.”
“So it’s all about grades, huh?”
Because I had done something that stood out in public, I was more isolated than ever.
People were saying whatever they wanted about me.
However, it seemed like I was being accepted more than I had expected.
Thanks to my good grades, people seemed to accept me for some reason.
Well, as far as I’m concerned, that’s a bit intimidating, so I’d rather not.
“Haa…being projected is mentally exhausting.”
I looked at Reisa, who was muttering to herself, feeling confused.
…Is it just my imagination?
Am I being overly self-conscious?
I found myself staring at Reisa for some reason.
She was eating the rest of her takoyaki, her mind elsewhere.
Her figure refused to leave my field of vision.
At that moment, thoughts I would never normally consider were dominating my mind.
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