Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094101424177/episodes/16818792437863079204
The area around the station was undergoing some kind of land development project, transforming into an overly stylish streetscape. The bustling crowd filled the air with noise, people and cars flowing restlessly, never stopping.
Occasionally, the air carried a hint of decay, making my eyes sting.
──I’ll pick it out for you.
I never said I’d buy it. A brilliant narrative trick.
Orimoto held up a finger and closed one eye.
It was an exquisitely annoying wink.
“Ah, I said I’d pick it out for you, but I can’t buy it myself, so if you want it, you’ll have to buy it yourself, okay?”
“…Then it’s not a birthday present, is it?”
Buying my own birthday present. I didn’t deny it, but a sense of emptiness lingered.
I’d never even experienced the moment of receiving a birthday present to begin with, so having this time to carefully consider it was unusual. And with a beautiful girl involved, it felt even more fresh.
…And what the hell was I thinking, just trotting out of the house like that?
“Just kidding. Once my body’s back to normal, I’ll give you a proper present. This is just a preview, okay? Seriously, you always have to go and rub me the wrong way, don’t you, Kasugai kun!”
“Orimoto, tell me what impression you have of me.”
“A foul-mouthed, clumsy dog who spouts a lot of bullshit.”
“Saying it that bluntly is just being mean.”
Arguing all the while—we eventually reached the mall in front of the station.
The cool air conditioning felt pleasant on our flushed bodies, and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
Glancing over, I saw Orimoto also exhale a hot breath with a “Phew.” Even then, Orimoto skillfully maneuvered to avoid bumping into passersby while soaking up the cool air.
People avoided me when they recognized me.
But not Orimoto. People seemed surprisingly unforgiving; in just this short time, Orimoto had nearly been charged at multiple times, and even from the sidelines, it looked inconvenient.
“Seriously, I’m right here. Hey, everyone—isn’t this a bit mean?”
“They can’t see you, what can you do?”
“…I know it sounds weird coming from me, but aren’t both Kasugai kun and I starting to get numb to this situation?”
“…Now that you mention it. Well.”
The height of summer. June had passed, and the calendar turned to July.
The rainy season was drawing to a close. It had been two or three weeks since I’d started talking to Orimoto, albeit reluctantly. Summer vacation would be upon us before we knew it. Time slipped away in an instant.
People adapt surprisingly well, it seems.
Invisible. Non-existent.
Not even needing food.
It’s true that I find Orimoto, transformed into a superhuman, ridiculous, yet I accept it. Truth is stranger than fiction—I realize once more what an incredible find he is.
“Surprisingly, Kasugai kun, you’re actually quite caring despite all your verbal abuse. The cool, aloof, tsundere type?”
“My social awkwardness has magically transformed into such a lovely string of words. Even Takumi would be shocked. No way! I refused, but you kept pushing.”
Honestly, that’s exactly how it is.
No matter how sharply I push him away, the extroverted Orimoto calmly lays out his own theories. Seems I can’t match his honed communication skills.
Orimoto is a bright guy. I won’t deny that.
I also won’t deny there are moments when the tension eases.
(…Can’t just leave things like this, can I?)
Let’s sort out this messy situation.
Honestly? I feel sorry for her. It’s unfair what she’s being subjected to.
I’ll listen to her. But honestly, it’s not my role.
It should be Sera, or Michikusa. Kanzashi senpai would be fine too. Someone with a deeper connection should support him. —This isn’t me shirking responsibility. I…just can’t get any more involved.
“Huh? Thinking about something?”
“Nah, nothing.”
The disappearance of existence.
If that’s resolved, my job is done. Sera will handle the rest. As for me getting involved with Orimoto romantically…no way.
The person who got dragged into this.
I hated the idea of abandoning her.
I…no, never mind.
No need to dwell on pointless things.
Drowning in my thoughts is just my bad habit.
Orimoto suddenly stopped. Her gaze fixed on a corner of the food court. A café advertised as newly opened. More precisely, she was transfixed by the signboard.
“Kasugai kun, they have shaved ice!”
“Oh?”
“Kasugai kun, they have shaved ice!”
“Oh?”
“Kasugai kun, shave—” “I heard you!” —Kasugai kun, I…I want some shaved ice, can I?”
A subtle glance up at her.
“You don’t need it, right? And shaved ice, of all things. It’s basically water.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, you just don’t get it.”
Orimoto smiled, shaking her finger.
The gesture irritated me, but I didn’t interrupt her flow and listened for now. Orimoto plastered a huge grin on her face for me and said,
“The looks! Cute! That’s all!”
“…Why should I be the one to pay?”
“You wanted some too, didn’t you, Kasugai kun?”
“Sigh. …Strawberry’s fine, I guess?”
I was starting to understand how to handle Orimoto Ryoka.
Once she got like this, she wouldn’t listen to my opinion and would run wild until she was satisfied. It was probably easier to just buy it for her rather than try to resist.
It felt similar to feeding a dog.
“Kasugai sama. I’ll never forget this favor.”
Oritomo bowed repeatedly, rubbing her hands together.
“…Just kidding. Ah, I want melon after all!”
“Don’t they all taste the same anyway?”
“Who cares! It’s all about the mood!”
Even at a coffee shop, the syrup should taste the same.
Though it seems they put fruit on top.
Fundamentally, it’s probably a trick to fool the brain with color. Apparently aware of this, Orimoto pushed her own forceful theory, and we ended up entering the shop to order shaved ice.
“Besides, the coffee shop syrup might have real fruit juice in it, right?”
“…Whatever. Just get it. As long as it tastes good.”
Seated, I and the invisible girl looked down at the touch panel. The menu was decorated with summery, cool-looking designs, with shaved ice prominently featured at the top.
…Only now did it occur to me—this was only the second time I’d come to a cafe with her.
The first time was to chase after Sera and the others.
Could it be…Orimoto actually likes cafes? Knowing that wouldn’t change anything, but I wasn’t about to be such a killjoy as to dampen her spirits.
I absolutely had to get my money back. It was way more expensive than I’d expected.
Seriously, over a thousand yen for crushed ice? What an idiot.
“Excited, excited!”
“Is it really that exciting?”
When I asked, Orimoto nodded vigorously.
“I want to enjoy this summer with all my might!”
“…Sorry. …So, what does that mean?”
“Shaved ice is an important event too!”
Her answer made me feel like the fool for asking.
I replied to Orimoto in the quietest voice possible. It was a habit I was getting used to.
Overreacting to everything would just draw unnecessary attention.
“Sorry to keep you waiting~, here’s your shaved ice~”
“It’s here! It’s here, it’s here, it’s here, Kasugai kun!”
Even if she got that excited, I couldn’t react.
The shaved ice placed with a thud right in front of me looked slightly bigger than the menu picture. As I nervously wondered if this was reverse fraud, Orimoto impatiently pulled out her phone.
The sound of the shutter clicking echoed repeatedly.
“Ah, I got Kasugai kun’s dumb face in there too. Oh well!”
“Just getting my face in is fine, right? You don’t need to call me dumb.”
“But you were making a dumb face! Look!”
The smartphone thrust in front of me showed my face.
A man with a gruff expression, his brow furrowed.
And half-closed eyes. Stupid.
“…Delete it.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t be so sulky~”
“I’m not sulking. Just eat already.”
I stabbed my spoon into the shaved ice and held it out.
Orimoto let out a small snort before smiling gently.
Finding something amusing, she snapped another photo of me.
“Thanks for the shaved ice.”
“Eat it before it melts.”
“──Hey, wanna try a bite?”
The spoon thrust toward me held a crystal of ice. It had a faint green tint, with a tiny piece of melon perched on top. Orimoto offered it toward me.
…Does this girl even realize what she’s doing right now?
“Do that kind of thing to Sera.”
“…Oh, right! N-no way~, just kidding!”
“You’re teasing me. Fine, give me a bite.”
I snatched the spoon and, instead of the ice, targeted the melon, scooping it out. Orimoto then puffed out her cheeks in a sulk, showing her defiance.
“Th-that’s cruel! I wanted melon!”
“That’s your punishment for provoking me. It’s fine, I’m the one paying.”
“I wasn’t provoking you…!”
Flustered, she pouted and sulkily drew a circle on the table.
Why? Why does it look like I’m bullying her?
But then she glared at me, and I felt my own venom drain away.
“…Tch. Fine. I’ll give you back the melon.”
“Seriously!? Kasugai kun, you’re so easy to fool~!”
“You…were you acting just now…!?”
Orimoto, her cheeks faintly flushed, stuck out her tongue.
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