Chapter 29 – The Conflict of Easygoing People
It was fully into the season where the sound of crickets could be heard.
At the end of July, after the closing ceremony, my first summer vacation as a high school student began.
Today, Sakurazaki wasn't present at the closing ceremony.
It seemed like she was busy with preparations for a live performance, so she was also absent from school today.
"Kou, do you want to go home together?"
I went home with Nanamizawa, who happened to not have any club activities today.
"How's your club been lately?"
"We have a new lineup, and there are still a few seniors left. Everyone is working hard for the National Tournament in the upcoming spring."
"I see..."
"I hope we can make it to the Inter-High Tournament next week, but it's unavoidable, right?"
They've been doing well, defeating their opponents, and I heard that they've reached a good stage, but it seems difficult for them to reach the National Tournament.
"So... like I said before, it's postponed until we get through the Inter-High qualifiers."
"Nanamizawa... I..."
"No matter what you say, Kou, I won't give up."
Nanamizawa, who was walking ahead of me, stopped and faced me.
"It's only you who's by my side."
I felt a mix of emotions and could only be my usual self, unable to face Nanamizawa's feelings.
Nanamizawa...
"Okay, let's stop talking about that. Should we go somewhere else?"
"I don't mind, but is there a place you want to visit?"
"Yes."
Why are we going to the park?
In the quiet park during the daytime, Nanamizawa took out a volleyball from her shoulder bag.
"Let's play for a bit."
We passed the ball back and forth with underhand passes and overhead passes.
Maybe because I've been treated like this by Nanamizawa since we were kids, I can also continue the rally without making any mistakes.
"Kou, why don't you join the club?"
"Because it's troublesome."
"By troublesome, do you mean human relationships?"
"Yeah, more or less."
"Interesting... but Kou, even though you say it's troublesome, you often hang out with a girl, right?"
Suddenly, the ball I was holding became chaotic and almost passed over Nanamizawa's head.
However, Nanamizawa quickly responded and returned it to me with a jump toss.
"Ah, that... that's..."
"I want you to be honest, really. Are you dating that girl?"
"No, we're not dating."
"Then, what kind of girl is she?"
"Hmm..."
"What kind of girl is she?"
"...She's innocent and a bit spoiled..."
"Oh, I see. So she's not from our class, huh?"
...I'm not lying, though.
She misunderstood that the girl was from another class.
Well, it's fine because the girl I usually hear and see in my daily life is very different from what she imagined.
"In that case, do you like that girl?"
"I don't know."
The ball rolled to Nanamizawa's feet.
"Kou, it seems like you really aren't suited for romance, huh?"
I didn't have any words to respond.
+×+×+×+
Not suited for romance, huh?
After parting ways with Nanamizawa, who said she had to go to the sports equipment store, I walked home towards the station while thinking about various things.
I remembered the words Michiko-san said earlier.
"A person who can't fall in love will only become colder."
Am I... becoming cold?
Then,
there was an incoming call on my phone. It turned out to be from Sakura.
"Hello? This is Himahara."
"Let's meet at the station, okay?"
That's all she said before hanging up. She's too casual.
When I arrived at the station Sakura mentioned, a suspicious-looking girl in a familiar jersey ran towards me.
"Himahara-kun, it seems like the first semester is over."
"Sakurazaki, stop calling me forcefully. At least listen to my answer first."
"But you're probably not busy, right?"
"...Well, I can't deny that. But how did you know I was on my way home?"
"I just guessed. Since the closing ceremony is over, I thought you'd stop by somewhere else."
Sakurazaki explained proudly.
"Hey, more importantly, I'm hungry. My mom packed a lunch, but it's not enough."
"You called me just because you wanted to eat?"
"Yeah!"
"Sigh..."
I'm truly being played by this girl.
But, well... for some reason, I can forgive anything she does.
"...Alright, how about kushiyaki? There's an all-you-can-eat restaurant."
"I want to go to the all-you-can-eat kushiyaki restaurant!"
"Fine. So we'll have kushiyaki."
Seems like I'm spoiling Sakurazaki too much.
But if that's what it takes to see her smile, maybe it's okay.
