Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818792436236361426
August 6th.
While packing my bags in the living room for tomorrow’s trip, Mom called out to me.
“How nice—going on a trip with your girlfriend. I’d love to go too.”
“……”
For the past few days, Mom and Yuzuha’s constant nagging had been driving me crazy! Every time she saw my face, she’d say how jealous she was or how she wanted to go too.
Mom’s busy with work, and Yuzuha’s training hard for her club tournament, so apparently she’s super jealous that I get to go out and have fun!
“Ryo.”
“What? You’ve been noisy for a while now.”
“Don’t you dare do anything weird to Toka-chan.”
“Ugh!”
Why do moms always pick up on these things? But I guess it’s understandable to think that way when a guy and a girl go traveling together…
“I get it. I won’t do anything Toka would dislike.”
Things she’d dislike… I phrased it like that, just to cover my bases a little. I’m a high school freshman boy, after all. We’ve already kissed, so in a situation like this, I can’t help but think about the next step.
“I’m looking forward to the souvenirs!”
Munching on rice crackers, Mom said that, deliberately loud enough for me to hear.
After that, I looked it up. The hotel Kagurazaka had booked was a super-luxury resort hotel, the kind you only see on TV.
The room had a panoramic ocean view, and get this—it even had its own private open-air bath. The glass-walled room felt incredibly open, and apparently, the hotel rooftop even had a night pool!
…Though I’m not entirely sure what a night pool is, to be honest.
By the way, the astronomical room rate was listed right there too. I feel more than just gratitude toward Kagurazaka for arranging this—I feel downright guilty. If it were just the Kuga family, we’d never have a chance to stay somewhere like this, ever again…
Plus, Toka’s really excited about my birthday too. It’s the first time she’s ever celebrated mine, so I’m super looking forward to it!
“Dad was all fired up about going to the beach this year, but Ryo beat him to it, huh?”
“Dad?”
“Yeah, he said he was taking the whole family.”
Come to think of it, Dad did mention that before. He was serious about it.
“Well, we can always go again, right?”
“Because you get to go out with Toka a lot, right? Anyway, I’ll say happy birthday in advance.”
“Thanks.”
Our family’s birthday celebration ended up being rather anticlimactic.
◇
The next day, nine in the morning.
Right on schedule, the Kagurazaka family arrived at Toka’s house.
“Wow! Long time no see, Asahina-san! You’ve gotten so pretty since high school!”
A family of three in aloha shirts and sunglasses—apparently that’s today’s Kagurazaka family style. They’re so close, man. All three of them dressed the same. My family would never do that.
“Sorry, thank you so much for everything today.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it! Kaede kept saying she really wanted to go with Toka-neechan.”
A slightly plump woman with very kind-looking eyes was talking to Toka. Apparently, this was Kagurazaka Kaede’s mother.
“Sorry, nice to meet you all today!”
I bowed my head energetically too, greeting the Kagurazaka family.
“Not at all! So you’re Asahina-san’s boyfriend! Wow, you’re handsome!”
I was suddenly complimented. She was completely different from Toka’s mother… approaching me with full-on friendliness right from the start.
“Here, please enjoy these together.”
Saying that, I handed the prepared box of sweets to Kagurazaka’s mother.
“Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness! You’re so responsible for someone so young. Just what you’d expect from Asahina-san’s boyfriend.”
“Well, he is Asahina-san’s boyfriend!”
Her father seemed different from his usual work persona too. His expression was incredibly cheerful and gentle.
“Alright, let’s get going soon! Come on, onee chan!”
Kagurazaka led everyone out. All three of them radiated an undeniable air of seasoned travelers.
Parked in the lot was a different, more common wagon besides the luxury car from before. Urged by Kagurazaka’s dad, we loaded our luggage into the wagon.
Once inside the car, Kagurazaka and Mom sat in the middle seats, while Toka and I took the back row. The passenger seat was piled high with the Kagurazaka family’s luggage. Dad seemed a little lonely without anyone to talk to.
“Kaede, let’s buy lots of souvenirs!”
“Yeah! We have to get some for Grandpa and Grandma too, right?”
“Ahaha, Grandpa might cry tears of joy.”
As soon as the car started moving, I heard Kagurazaka and Mom having that conversation. …I know it’s rude to say, but it was a bit surprising considering the image I had of Toka’s family. The Kagurazaka family seemed to get along really well.
“You two in the back, don’t worry about us. Just enjoy yourselves today. Everything Kaede has now is all thanks to you, Asahina-san.”
“……”
I’m sure to Mom, those were words of pure, unadulterated gratitude. But I caught Kagurazaka’s face cloud over just a little at those words.
(…I hope I can properly thank Kagurazaka during the trip.)
Come to think of it, I’ve never really talked one-on-one with Kagurazaka. I don’t know what she’s feeling, but at least I hope I can properly thank her for today.
…As I was thinking that, my fingertips lightly brushed against Toka’s next to me. Her finger jerked away from me reflexively, as if startled.
“Ryo-kun…”
Toka whispered into my ear with a trembling hand.
“…Let’s take a bath together tonight.”
“Huh?”
“This is your comfort trip, Ryo-kun. I’m going to heal you thoroughly. My Ryo-kun cultivation plan is just getting started.”
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