Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818792437988664771
My second year of high school summer vacation… was cruel, passing in the blink of an eye.
What’s sad is that since that trip with my childhood friends, there hadn’t been any particular events. Going to the arcade with Hideki and Yuri, playing Enfil with Suzukita-san, lazily working on summer homework… Before I knew it, time had flown by.
I’d thought about getting at least one short-term part-time job, but after searching around, I ended up not applying for a single one. This useless person—I tried cursing myself instead of Renka. It just felt hollow.
And before I knew it, August was drawing to a close.
Well—that’s just how it goes, I suppose. When I was a kid, summer vacation felt like it would last forever. But as I got older, that feeling faded. Now, it was just a long holiday where I suffered through piles of assignments and the sweltering heat.
And then, finally, today.
August 31st, the last day of summer vacation.
—The day I had a date planned with Renka.
◇◇◇
“I’m here.” —A message like that arrived from Renka, and I hurried to the front door.
I opened the door.
And there… stood a beautiful girl in a yukata.
“…Good morning, Akito.”
I couldn’t help but swallow hard.
I had imagined it, and I was prepared. But—more than that, Renka in her yukata was adorable, and above all, beautiful.
“How… do you think it looks? This yukata is my mom’s hand-me-down, but…”
Renka fidgeted shyly, twirling her flaxen hair.
That navy blue yukata wasn’t just “suiting her”—it was beyond that. Why did this beautiful girl look so adorable in absolutely anything she wore…? I found myself genuinely thinking such a foolish thought.
“…It suits you, Renka. Honestly, it suits you so well it’s almost scary.”
Matching her yukata, Renka had changed her hairstyle too.
A complex bun. The hairpin stuck in it accentuated Renka’s beauty. The phrase “kimono beauty” fit her perfectly right now.
And—a thin layer of glossy lipstick was applied to her lips.
Usually, Renka had a stronger cute-girl image. But today, she gave off the impression of a beautiful woman. …Ah, no. It’s hopeless. She was so beautiful it felt like I might forget to breathe.
“Hehe, what’s that supposed to mean? But—thanks, Akito.”
Renka smiled softly.
Needless to say, it was a lovely smile. …Would my heart actually survive today without bursting? I was worried.
◇◇◇
Walking alongside Renka—an angel in a yukata, no less—I suddenly looked up at the sky.
It was a cloudless, clear blue. With weather like this, cancellation seemed unlikely.
But it was only nine in the morning. The fireworks display wouldn’t start for another ten hours.
So why did we decide to meet so early?
“Akito. I’m excited for the aquarium!”
That’s right. Apparently, there’s a fairly large aquarium near the fireworks venue we’re heading to.
Stopping by this aquarium before enjoying the fireworks… that’s the foolproof date plan, according to an article I read online.
“Yeah. How many years has it been since I’ve been to an aquarium?”
“I haven’t been in a while either. We used to go often as a family when I was little.”
Walking side by side, the profile of Renka in her yukata was—as expected, absolutely stunning. I realized her eyelashes were this long.
To spend the last day of summer vacation alone with a universally acknowledged super-beautiful girl… I was undoubtedly the luckiest guy in the school.
I should be the luckiest guy…
(—I knew it. Dammit, why does my chest hurt so much…?)
I—have feelings for Renka.
Then what is this thorn-like thing growing deep inside my chest?
I get to see her in her yukata. I get to go on a date with her to the aquarium. And on top of that, we even promised to watch fireworks together at the end.
Yet. My chest still throbs painfully.
It feels like I’m overlooking something important—
“——…Akito?”
Squeeze. …Renka pinched my sleeve.
She looked up at me with her usual anxious gaze. —Her yukata fit her perfectly, her lips carrying a hint of sensuality. That innocent gesture from such a grown-up-looking Renka captivated me instantly.
“…Is something wrong? Are you thinking about something…?”
“No… Sorry, nothing. I’m just so excited I ended up spacing out.”
“Oh, really? Well, that’s good then…”
I brushed it off with a casual reply and broke eye contact with Renka.
—Right, that’s it.
I knew thinking about it wouldn’t change anything, which is why I asked Renka out on a date. I realized nothing would change unless I took action. So I mustered up my courage and spoke to her.
To confirm both her “true feelings” and—my own “true feelings.”
Enough of these unnecessary thoughts.
Today, I’ll just focus on enjoying this date with Koiuta to the fullest. At the end of it, I have to find my own “true feelings.”
If I can make that happen, then I…
Will tell Renka—that I like her.
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