Episode 12 – Walking Through This Place Together

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“Nice to meet you, I’m Takaya Ritsu.

“Hi, I’m Miyama Chika. Uh, you are, I think.”

“Oh, um, I’m Tokiwa Sendai. Nice to meet you, too.”

Soon after school, Takaya san and her friend came to me and Kaneko.

First of all, we introduced ourselves.

Both of them greeted me in a friendly manner without making fun of me, which made me feel much more relaxed.

“Let’s get going, guys. Sendai the local will guide us to Akaitohama.”

“Eh, I’m looking forward to it. I’ve always wanted to visit Akaitohama. Right, Chika?”

“Yeah. Ricchan and I were thinking of going together, but I thought it would be nice to go with others, so it was perfect. I’m looking forward to it, Tokiwa kun.”

“Y-yeah. Well, I’m just showing you the way.”

I’m not used to interacting with girls, so I’m still a little awkward.

As I walked a little ahead of the three of them who were chatting noisily as they headed towards the station, I took several deep breaths to keep my nerves under control.

Miyama san came up to me out of concern.

“Hey, Tokiwa kun, have you always lived in Akaitohama?”

“Yeah. It used to be more rural.”

“I see. But why did you go to high school here?”

“Well, there were a lot of bad people in my hometown, and I didn’t fit in. I’m not the type of person who gets into trouble.”

“True. But girls tend to like serious-looking boys more than the playful ones.”

“I-I wish that were true, but I’ve never actually had a girlfriend.”

“Hmmm. Is this your first time to do this kind of thing?”

“Y-yeah. I’m a little nervous.”

“Fufu, you’re interesting. I didn’t know there was still such a person. I want to hear all about Tokiwa kun.”

“W-well, I doubt something will come out.”

“Ahaha, nothing seems to come up.”

Miyama san is very easy to talk to, as she speaks without hesitation to my awkwardness.

She is also amused by my shyness, which makes me feel like it would be fun to be friends with a girl like her.

And when I turn around to check on Kaneko, he seems to be having a good time talking.

Sometimes he would signal something with his eyes, and his expression was full of satisfaction.

Today is going to be a good day.

◇

“Hmm, it’s been a long time since I took the train.”

Miyama san was excited as she looked at the scenery outside as he boarded the train bound for Akaitohama, which came right after the station.

“Well, it would be boring if you rode the train every day.”

“But I’m longing to go to school by train.”

“Is that right……I mean, what about you guys?”

I looked around and saw that Kaneko and Takaya san were not there.

And then a line arrived.

[Let’s split up. Please, buddy.]

From Kaneko.

I was a little disappointed that he had intended to do that from the beginning, but I didn’t mind.

Whatever the case may be, today was just a social gathering to help Kaneko get along with Takaya san.

Besides, Miyama san is talking with a good mood, and I’m happy with the result.

“I was surprised to hear that Ricchan and the others had gone away. Well, it’s fine if those two are doing well together.”

“Well, I’m fine, but are you okay with it, Miyama san?”

“Eh, what?”

“Well, I thought it would be boring for you to be alone with me.”

“Ah,that kind of negativity isn’t good. It’s okay since we met like this. Besides, we are classmates.”

“Well, yes, but……”

“Maybe you’re someone who doesn’t have confidence in yourself? I think Tokiwa kun would be even better if he dressed more properly.”

Miyama san said the same thing as Kaneko told me.

“If you say that, I’ll feel a little more confident. Well then, since we’re both here, I’ll show you around some amazing sightseeing spots.”

“Ah, that’s very encouraging. A boy should be like that.”

The conversation with Miyama san, who seemed much more straightforward than she looked, never stopped during the train ride.

I was, to put it bluntly, in a state of excitement.

I wondered if this might be what is commonly referred to as a good feeling.

Of course, I didn’t have the guts to step out of line, but my conversation with Miyama san was that natural.

By the time we arrived at Akaitohama, we had become so friendly that she asked me, [Can I call you Sendai kun?].

◇

“You can see the ocean soon.”

“Heh, I’m looking forward to it.”

The first thing we did after leaving the station was to go to the seaside at Akaitohama, the most popular tourist spot.

According to Miyama san, you can’t start without going here first, and as we headed straight for the ocean, I suddenly remembered something.

“Ah, but are you sure you’re okay with me guiding you?”

“Eh, what?”

“No, um, a man and woman who walked along with each other on the beach, erm.”

“Oh, that. No, no, no, I’m free to ask whoever to show me around. I don’t really mind.”

“I-I’m glad to hear that.”

“I mean, do you have someone you like, Sendai kun? If so, I’m sorry.”

“Me? No, I’m……”

I don’t like anyone.

Just as I was about to say that, I caught sight of a woman standing at the entrance to the beach.

It was Hyori senpai.

Although it was from a distance, I felt like she was staring directly at me.

“……Hyori senpai.”

“Eh, who? Ah. That person, if I recall correctly, is a second-year senior, Hyori senpai. Do you know her?”

“N-no, I don’t know her, but……”

“But?”

“……”

Of course, we haven’t had a good conversation, and I’ve never told her my name, so I can’t call her an acquaintance.

I suddenly remembered what happened on the train yesterday.

I held her hand.

For some reason, that incident, which was just a coincidence, has stuck in my mind.

“Did she ever look at Sendai kun?”

“I-is that so?”

“Hm, is it possible that the person Sendai kun likes is Hyori senpai? If so, did I do something wrong?”

“N-no, no, it’s nothing like that.”

“Look, you’re suddenly in a panic. Ah, I see. Sendai kun was aiming for the unreachable flower, wasn’t he? Then it wouldn’t be a good idea to walk on the beach with me.”

“T-that’s not what I meant.”

“You don’t have to hide it. I’ll just hang out on my own from now on and go home, so it’s fine here. I’ll contact Ricchan and meet up later.”

“B-but.”

“Besides, if you’re going to walk around Akaitohama with someone, it should be with someone you like, right? Isn’t that right, Sendai kun?”

“Well, ideally, yes.”

“Right? Then, let’s just call it a day here. Thanks for the tour. See you tomorrow.”

“Y-yeah.”

Miyama san ran back the way she came without heading toward the ocean.

She turned around and waved to me as she easily left, and I waved back, staring at her back in the distance.

So, in the end, I didn’t have the guts.

I felt a little sad, or rather, I felt like I had been rejected on my own, which made me feel a little down.

But, well, today is not the day for me to make friends with a girl.

If I made a cheerful female friend like that, it might lead me to meet new people.

I wonder if Kaneko is doing well.

Suddenly, I looked back toward the sea.

Hyori senpai, who was standing at the entrance a while ago, was no longer there.

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