Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818792436242877010
Evening――.
After finishing Toka’s first SNS post, we came back to the sea. It turned out to be quite the birthday, but my heart was filled with a sense of fulfillment. I’m sure Toka felt the same way.
“D-did you really post it?”
“Yep. Perfectly.”
“I’m so scared about what’ll happen to Asahina Toka’s SNS, it’s all unknownnnnnn! But I followed her too!”
Kaede had been letting out these scream-like noises since earlier. While we barbecued, we also reported posting the photo to the Kagurazaka family.
“…So, what’s the actual reaction been like?”
“Followers are steadily increasing.”
Currently, Asahina Toka’s follower count is skyrocketing.
The post featured Toka and Kaede playing with the ocean as a backdrop. Incidentally, the photos were provided by Toka’s dad. After that, for some reason, he sent us tons of photos, so we used a few gems from that batch. I think I heard he used to be a photographer, so they’re incredibly well-taken. Or rather, when did he take all these?
The photos themselves are of Toka and Kaede in the middle of a battle, but when two beautiful girls come together, it’s magical. Even unedited, they look like they belong on a magazine cover.
“After that, only heaven knows, I guess.”
The first post had just one line.
[The Best Summer with My Junior]
It ended up sounding more like a painting’s title than actual text.
“But who’d have thought Toka would use a self-deprecating joke?”
“We can’t exactly laugh about it though…”
And then, the second post was astonishing! The content of the text was…
“I finally said it myself…”
—“Who’s the failed training one!”
The photo showed Toka in a swimsuit, beaming an SSR-level smile.
Honestly, I hesitated a lot about this post. I myself had serious reservations about using that as material. But…
“If the failed training case is right beside her, doesn’t it make Kaede-san shine even brighter?”
Since Toka said something like that, I had no choice but to agree. So this is what Toha meant. She thought it through way more thoroughly than I expected—honestly, I’m surprised.
“W-whoa…! The replies are flooding in!”
Kaede peered at her phone and let out a scream.
“What’s it like?”
Curious, I ended up peeking at Kaede’s phone too.
‘This is totally worth supporting!’
‘Far from a failure, it’s a huge success!’
‘When are you coming back to showbiz?’
‘I want to see Toka-chan on TV again!’
‘I’ve known her since forever, this is making me tear up.’
‘The agency might be trash, but the talent under them aren’t at fault.’
‘Is her boyfriend taking the photos, maybe?’
‘I’m a fan of Toka-chan’s boyfriend, by the way. Show us the boyfriend.’
‘Her chest is definitely…’
The comment section was buzzing! Everyone seemed to be posting whatever came to mind.
“Ryo-kun, the meat is delicious.”
“Ah, thanks.”
Toka brought me some grilled meat.
Just like during the cultural festival, maybe Asahina Toka really shines when she’s doing something for someone else.
“What’s wrong? You’re staring at my face.”
“Nothing. I just realized I really like you, Toka.”
“Huh!?”
Toka’s face flushed bright red.
It’s still unclear how Toka’s SNS will affect Kagurazaka Kaede. But there’s no doubt it became an unforgettable day for us.
◇
At night, huge fireworks erupted over the sea.
Red, blue, and golden light spread across the entire sky, sparkling and reflecting off the water’s surface.
“Ta-ma-ya!”
Kaede waved her arms up like a child. Just moments ago she was all worked up over SNS, but now she was completely absorbed in the fireworks. That childish side of her was kind of reassuring.
“Amazing…”
Toka murmurs quietly. Her profile, illuminated by the fireworks, looks almost ethereal. We spread a sheet on the sand and watch the fireworks side by side.
“Sorry. Somehow it doesn’t feel like Ryo kun’s birthday anymore, does it?”
“Not at all. It’s been the best birthday and the best trip.”
We have to go back tomorrow already… I’m already feeling a little sad.
Oh, I need to buy souvenirs for my family. Maybe just a random keychain from the shop for Yuzuha.
“Ryo kun, do you have plans once you get back?”
“We have Obon, so maybe just visiting the graves? School starts right after Obon ends, right?”
“…I’ve never actually gone to visit graves before.”
“Really?”
“I don’t really know my grandparents that well.”
Toka murmured this quietly while watching the fireworks.
“I kinda want to go visit your family’s graves, Ryo-kun…”
“Whaaaaaat?! I’ve never met anyone who actually wants to go visit graves!”
“Well, it’s an important occasion where ancestors and family gather, right? I kinda envy that kind of thing.”
“……”
No way could I casually say, “Hey, wanna go visit graves together?” It’s way harder than asking someone out on a date! Because going to visit graves means you’re already family…
“Listen. What I said this morning… wasn’t a joke, okay…?”
“What you said this morning?”
“About living with you after high school graduation. And about becoming Hisaka Toka.”
“Huh?”
“I really want to marry you… okay?”
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