Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139845923627658/episodes/2912051596348686837
I gaze out the window from inside the air-conditioned store.
A sky so blue it seems to stretch endlessly, and heat waves shimmering and rising.
Seeing this quintessential midsummer scene, I realize once again that we’re right in the middle of summer vacation.
“Hey, Kensuke. What are you spacing out for?”
Mashiro, who had just set down her pen in front of me, gave me a sidelong glance.
“Oh, I was just thinking, ‘Man, it really feels like summer.’”
“……Huh? How dare you sit there so carefree, appreciating the season when you’re making me help you with your homework? If you want to feel the season that badly, why don’t you go outside? Eight hours of direct sunlight.”
“Don’t underestimate Japanese summers—you’ll die.”
But Mashiro was right; this wasn’t the time to be spacing out.
Mashiro and I had come to a family restaurant in the neighborhood in the early afternoon.
Mashiro had said she’d finish her assignments during the first half of summer break, but apparently, that was just like me.
Since I hadn’t touched a single one, she’d blown her top, and now I was working on my assignments under Masaki’s strict supervision.
“Anyway, let’s just get these assignments done quickly.”
“Why do I have to finish mine in the first half, too?”
“Because I finished mine.”
“Does the fact that you finished yours have anything to do with my homework?”
“Huh? Seriously… This is exactly why you’re Kensuke. If you were dating any other girl, you’d have be dumped by her.”
“What?! S-seriously…? Phew, I’m glad I’m dating you, Mashiro.”
“Hmph! …Y-yes. I wish you’d show a little more gratitude.”
Mashiro cleared her throat sharply and continued.
“…It feels kind of gross, doesn’t it?”
“Huh, me? Out of nowhere? Even though I’m used to hearing it, that still hurts…”
“No, that’s not it! I mean, it would feel gross if I was done with it but you weren’t, right? Because…”
Mashiro clenched her fist and looked down at the floor as she spoke.
“We’re going to be together the whole summer break… and since we’re already ‘a couple’…”
“!!!”
That conversation from the first day of summer break.
“So, I’m going to finish Kensuke’s part too.”
“…I guess so.”
With Mashiro helping out like this, I can’t just sit around spacing out.
“…Wait, Mashiro, so we’re planning to be together the whole summer break?”
“?! …………I-Is that a problem?”
“No, it’s great.”
“……Hmph.”
A happy summer break with her by my side.
With the first half of summer break almost over, I’d already met up with Mashiro and gone on dates with her countless times.
Even so, I still feel like it’s not enough. And conveniently enough, summer break is far from over.
“Thank you for waiting! Here is the Rainbow Strawberry Summer Splash Fantasy Tropical Parade!”
“What?”
A ridiculously huge parfait was brought to the table.
Mashiro brought it over to her with a composed expression and began eating in silence. Though, the corners of her mouth were slightly turned up.
“Mashiro…”
“…I need something sweet. I’m using my brain.”
Well, I suppose that makes sense…
I mean, how did the waitress even manage to say that without tripping over her words? And how did she even bring it here in the first place…? As I watched the waitress, Mashiro set her spoon down with a clink.
“Hey.”
“What? Oh, go ahead and eat. I’ll keep working on my assignment…”
“Why were you staring at the female waitress just now?”
“…Huh?”
The atmosphere shifted completely.
Just a moment ago, he’d been all warm and fuzzy with his favorite sweets right in front of him…
“I’m right here, and you’re interested in another woman? Why? That’s impossible. Can you explain the reason clearly, in a way that satisfies me?”
“No, I wasn’t interested in her—I was just genuinely impressed…”
“Oh, really? Interest. You’re interested in that female clerk?”
“Wait a second. I think you got it wrong…”
“Kensuke, I told you, didn’t I? To devote everything to me. If you’re truly devoted, you shouldn’t even glance at other women, right? Isn’t that so? It is, isn’t it? Yes, that’s exactly right.”
“Here we go with the self-righteousness… I’m telling you, it’s not like that. It’s not just interest or curiosity…”
“Don’t you ever take an interest in another woman again. I consider that just as forbidden as cheating or an affair. Or rather, it’s utterly unforgivable. So—there won’t be a next time.”
Her expression turned stoic once more, and Mashiro began eating her parfait.
…Was I in the wrong just now? Yeah, it’s all my fault.
Also, it’s strangely cold in here. Maybe the AC is too strong… I’ll ask them to turn it down later. To a male staff member, of course.
▽ ▽ ▽
The days flew by in the blink of an eye…
Before I knew it, summer vacation was already in its second half.
After finishing our assignments, Mashiro and I spent almost every day together.
We went to a fireworks festival, and we went to the beach. We took trips outside the prefecture and went on journeys in search of sweets.
And today, we spent the whole day relaxing at my place.
“Kensuke, I’m thirsty. Water.”
“Huh… now?”
“Could you bring me some snacks while you’re at it? I’m a little hungry.”
“But we just ate, didn’t we? Mashiro… aren’t you eating a bit too much?”
“It’s fine. I’m exercising to make up for it.”
“Huh… so you’re putting in the effort.”
“Of course! I mean… you’d rather I be cute, right, Kensuke?”
“!! …You’re cute. Always.”
“!! …T-thank you.”
Inside the house, with no one else around, those inhibitions inevitably start to slip.
Mashiro was no exception; lately, she’d been more proactive than ever.
“Well, I’m going to get some water.”
“Sure.”
“…I’m going to get it.”
“Sure.”
“…………”
“……What?”
“No, I mean……”
“What?”
“……Can you let go of my hand?”
I said this while looking at our tightly clasped hands.
Mashiro kept staring at me, making no move to let go,
“Sure.”
“You say ‘sure,’ but you’re not even trying to let go.”
“It’s you who isn’t letting go, Kensuke.”
“No, no, it’s you, Mashiro.”
“No, no, it’s you, Kensuke.”
Our gazes met.
When we were at home, we basically always held hands.
It wasn’t just that we weren’t embarrassed anymore—holding hands had become the norm.
“Well, I’m letting go now.”
“Go ahead.”
Though she hesitated a little, she stood up and let go of my hand.
Then, Mashiro looked slightly sad and pulled her hand back.
……What the hell was that? That’s way too cute.
I quickly got some water and snacks and returned to my usual spot on the sofa.
When I came back, Mashiro looked up at me with a meaningful expression.
“…………”
“…………”
I’m sure she wanted to do the same thing, and was thinking the same thing.
I set the water and snacks on the table and gazed back at Mashiro.
Mashiro let out a dramatic sigh and opened her arms slightly.
“……I guess I have no choice.”
“……Thanks.”
Kneeling on the sofa, I simply pulled Mashiro into a hug.
The sweet scent and the soft feel of her body.
Her vivid body heat and gentle breathing made her feel even closer than when I was simply holding her.
“……Really, Kensuke, you do love hugs, don’t you?”
“If you’re going to say that, doesn’t that go for you too, Mashiro?”
“……Well, I won’t deny it.”
“I’m the one who’s always shouting it from the rooftops, though.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re always so full of yourself.”
For a while, Mashiro and I stayed embraced.
We’ve been hugging a lot more often lately, too.
By the way, it was Mashiro who first suggested we start hugging.
With this much time alone together during summer break, it’s only natural that we want to touch each other—and want to be touched.
We’ve been able to move forward at our own pace.
“……Mashiro, you’re so cute.”
“! ……Ah, it’s kind of embarrassing to hear that at a time like this.”
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed, too.”
“Huh!! ……Kensuke, you like me way too much.”
“That’s because I do. What can I do?”
“……I guess so. I suppose there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“What about you, Mashiro?”
“W-what?”
“What’s the deal?”
“…………I like you, though.”
“…………No way, you’re too cute.”
“H-hey, Kensuke! You’re being too forceful…… so……”
Sharing happiness.
When we’re like this, I can really feel that we’re both happy, and it puts me at ease.
Eventually, without either of us initiating it, we parted and gazed into each other’s eyes.
And slowly—our lips met.
A brief moment, lasting less than five seconds.
“H-hey… you’re being too aggressive.”
“I-I couldn’t help it… I wanted to.”
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Neither Mashiro nor I were used to kissing yet, and we both felt a bit shy.
But we were definitely moving forward.
Before I knew it, it was time for Mashiro to go home, so I walked her to the front door.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
Mashiro put on her shoes and reached for the doorknob.
But then she stopped, spun around suddenly, and leaned in toward me.
And then—
Chu.
Mashiro stood on tiptoes, then slowly lowered her heels to the ground.
“Good night, Kensuke.”
Saying that, Mashiro walked out with the look of a child who’d pulled off a successful prank.
I couldn’t help but smile. No, I had no choice but to smile.
“She really is cute… Mashiro.”
A happy summer vacation slips away—
▽ ▽ ▽
And before I knew it—the last day of summer vacation.
School starts tomorrow.
I felt a bit reluctant to see it end, but I was also looking forward to going back to school.
There’s the cultural festival coming up, then Christmas, New Year’s, and the start of a new semester.
Just because summer vacation is over doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of things to look forward to.
It’s definitely because Mashiro is right here beside me that I can think that way.
As I sat alone at home thinking about that, the doorbell rang.
“Coming!”
When I opened the front door, there stood Mashiro.
She had her bag slung over her shoulder and was standing there, looking a little shy.
“What’s up?”
“W-well… um, er…”
Mashiro fidgeted, searching for the right words.
As I waited patiently, Mashiro looked up as if she’d made up her mind… but then she dropped her gaze and said in a faint voice.
“…………I… I’d like to stay over tonight…”
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