Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818622170980528004
Next day.
I came to Asahina’s house again today in order to go to the festival. Let’s not worry anymore about the fact that the meeting place is naturally Asahina’s house.
“Yes! I’m dressed!”
Asahina came out of the changing room next to the bathroom. She is wearing yesterday’s light blue one-piece dress with a light white cardigan. She is cute to a foul level. But her hair is shaggy. But still cute.
“Okay, I’ll give you a comb.”
“Why do you make me do this one ……?”
“Hurry up, it’s your job.”
I took my usual position and started combing Asahina’s hair. Now that I think about it, Asahina Touka as a child actress seemed to be very cute after a lot of preparation, but the Asahina now is very natural. Maybe it’s easier to talk to her this way.
“Okay, it’s done. Then, let’s go.”
“Yes!”
I left Asahina’s house and headed to the festival site. The festival was held at a shrine very close to the school, so it was within walking distance. Today, the scenery on my usual route to school looked somehow different.
“Oh, Asahina, I’ll give you this.”
“What’s this?”
I handed Asahina a pair of sunglasses.
“Sunglasses. For a disguise.”
“Eh, aren’t you too conscious?”
“On the contrary, Asahina is too unaware. You should be more confident about your appearance.”
“Confidence ……?”
She looks like she doesn’t understand. But if I speak up like I did yesterday, she’ll say she is not used to being called cute.
You never know when, where, or who is watching Asahina. There might be someone who takes a malicious picture like before and calls Asahina a failure to nurture. Now that I know Asahina’s character, I can no longer allow that word to be used against her.
So, the sunglasses are a countermeasure. Also, if she doesn’t wear it, she might get hit on easily.
“I don’t really like sunglasses. I can’t see much in front of me.”
“……”
With Asahina saying that, an idea came to my mind. But the psychological hurdle of carrying it out is just too high! In fact, it’s something you should never do to a girl you’re not even dating. If you’re not careful, you could be sued for sexual harassment.
“Oh, so this is what I should do?”
“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
This girl is …… even though people are taking the utmost care of her!
She just held my hand like it was nothing.
“Wow, Kuga-kun is screaming the loudest ever!”
I mean, Asahina is a bit of a jerk, but he’s not! I mean, don’t you hate it, Asahina!
“If I don’t like it, I won’t connect with you.”
“Hee?”
“I won’t say it a second time. ……?”
Asahina pursed her lips and looked away.
“Oh, that thing! Like a pet lead! To stop them getting lost!”
“In that case, I guess I’d have to put a collar on you too…”
“What, ……? Kuga kun, do you have a proclivity for such things?”
“I-I’m not! I was just returning a metaphor with a metaphor!”
I wish she stop with this pet thing soon! It just seems so abnormal to me!
“…… Kuga-kun, you’re sweating.”
“Ah, sorry. I’ll let go then…”
“See, but it’ll be troublesome if we let go in a crowd… you know?”
Asahina’s small, beautiful hand rests hesitantly against mine. I don’t know, but my palm is starting to feel moist.
I’m nervous ……. I can’t really see her eyes because she’s wearing sunglasses, but I think Asahina’s cheeks are a little upturned as well.
Both of us were walking in silence and soon arrived at the shrine. The smell of food stalls, the sound of taiko drums in the distance, the laughter of children mixed in with the bustle and bustle of the crowd. I was so concerned about the feel of Asahina’s hand in mine that I couldn’t concentrate on anything else.
“There are so many food stalls.”
“Y-yes. The other side is yakisoba, and this side is candy apples. ……”
“Oh~”
From behind her sunglasses, Asahina’s eyes sparkle with amusement. Anyway, I try not to think about it… But the more I think about it, the more I can’t help but be drawn to the softness of Asahina’s hands.
“Ah! I want to try scooping goldfish!”
“Oh, let’s try it then.”
“Fufufu, I’ve always wanted to try it at least once before I die. It was one of my goals in life.”
“Tiny! The life goal is tiny!
Asahina seemed a little reluctant to part, as I gently let go of her hand.
I called out to the man at the stall, and the two of us squatted down in front of the goldfish scooping machine. Asahina readied his scoop and began to concentrate on the movements of the goldfish…!
“I’m different today!”
declared Asahina before dipping the poi into the water. Just a slight touch on the goldfish easily tore Asahina’s poi.
“…The whole gag was finished in a second.”
“Kuga-kun, do it.”
“Eeeh”
“I thought it might be a chance for the boys to show the girls how cool they are.”
“The moment you say that, it’s all ruined.”
Though I say that, I pick up the poi and get serious. If I’m going to do it, I’ll do it with all my might…! Ah, but what if I really do catch it? What will I do if I keep it?
Perhaps my doubts were contagious, as my poi was easily torn.
“Yes, you’re so bad at this~”
“You don’t say that!”
“But it was fun to watch.”
Asahina smiles at me with a slightly mean face. She can usually smile with a face like that. The more I get to know her, the more I realize that Asahina has so many different kinds of smiles.
“Kuga-kun, let’s go to that stall next time.”
Saying that, Asahina took my hand again.
The crowds are still going on. ……, right?
Asahina was such an innocent girl who could play around. Seeing her like that made me happy too. I’m really glad I invited her today.
“It’s kind of weird to play like this.”
“Eh? What?”
“I’m going to call Kuga-kun Ryo-kun from now on, okay?”
“Eh?”
“I wanted to call Kuga-kun by his name.”
The sudden suggestion left me speechless. She called me by my name. Just that made my heart pound.
“Mother, those two are adults, but they are holding hands.”
“Hey, don’t look at them!”
A mother and son were passing by and saw us!
“holding hands. ……”
“Don’t pick that up! It’s so embarrassing!”
I tried to pull my hand away, but…
“. …… no”
Asahina squeezed my hand tightly. Her voice was small, but it was filled with strong will.
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