Even Though It’s Hard, Painful, and Hurtful

As Kazuma had said, even though it was a summer festival, there were not so many people that you could get lost in the crowd.

Perhaps that's why the only event was a stage in the center of the hall where children and elderly people from the area were holding some kind of entertainment.

In the past, Minato and the others used to participate. He remembered that his father was there back then, and he was always playing with Kazuma and Momose.

Now, they didn't play every day, but that's just the way time goes, he thought.

And with this kind of buzz, he felt a little sad that the festival might be gone in a few years.

"So this is what a summer festival is like. I thought it would be more exciting."

As they finished browsing the stalls, Airi muttered to herself as she stood in a corner of the venue, looking at the stage in a daze.

"As Kazuma said, it's a little late in the season and there's a big festival in the next town before the Bon Festival, so I think they're drifting that way. Are you bored?"

"No, this is about right. I get tired if it's too crowded."

"Guess so."

Both of them didn't like too many people around, so he laughed, thinking that maybe Airi was right and this was the right place for them.

During the summer vacation, she was strangely active, but that was only when she was out playing, and at home, she was the same as usual. However, since the fireworks display, the distance between them became closer and closer, and he was made aware of it many times.

And today. It was only a short time, but Minato was able to confirm the feelings that Airi had for him.

I get how Airi feels. But I'm fine with every day being the same as before.

However, Minato still chose to maintain the status quo. As long as he didn't change their relationship outside the house, he wouldn't change their relationship at home either.

It wasn't Airi's fault, Minato just wanted to protect the peace Airi was having. Minato already knew how much Airi was trying to distance herself from her surroundings to protect herself.

So, if she said, "I want to be somewhat close to you outside the house and your lover at home," then that was still possible, but Minato had no intention of forcing her to do so. If he did that, Minato would just be taking advantage of Airi's position.

As he was sorting out his own feelings, a voice that sounded like the rolling of a bell reached Minato's ears.

"Minato-san, summer vacation is ending soon, isn't it?"

"Yeah, there won't be any special events after this. How was it? Did you enjoy it?"

It was safe to say that he went to almost all of the summer events, which was a big difference from last year when he barely participated.

Minato could proudly say that it was the most fun he had had in a long time.

When he checked to see how Airi was doing, he was met with a soft smile.

"Yes, it was fun. How about you, Minato-san?"

"It was fun. I haven't had such a fun summer vacation in a long time."

"I'm glad to hear that. I was pretty worried about you since I took you around so many places because of my selfishness."

"I mean, there's been a few instances of selfishness and hardball."

" Fufu , I'm sorry. But Minato-san did give me what I wanted."

Minato said jokingly, and Airi laughed happily, as if she remembered that time.

It was Minato who had told her to be selfish, and that he wanted to fulfill her wishes. That hadn't changed.

"It's best if Airi enjoys herself."

"…When you're so nice to me, it makes me want to be even more selfish."

Airi turned her happy smile into a lustrous one and looked at Minato.

The light from the stage illuminated her face sexily, and Minato's heart jumped.

"…As long as I don't get in real trouble, please."

"I think that's up to Minato-san."

"Then just tell me."

When Minato said that, Airi's expression became determined.

For some reason, he could predict that the words coming out of her mouth would have something to do with the future of Minato and the others.

"…After the vacations, we'll be the topic of conversation. That you're the closest man to me, and that I may have found a man."

"Well, I suppose so."

Even on the first day of school, he received a lot of stares. The rumors would spread even further.

And when they went out shopping, several girls saw Airi in her true colors. And there might have been other people who saw Minato and Airi at that time.

Although Minato could bear that kind of gaze, even he knew that he wouldn't be able to have the same peaceful school life as before.

"First of all, I'm really sorry. I was selfish and brought Minato-san around, which resulted in that. I've ruined your peace."

"…I can't deny that, I guess."

Although he didn't regret it, Minato's school life would become more hectic after going with Airi.

He could not say "It wasn't Airi's fault," so he affirmed her words with a wry smile.

"And now for the thank yous. As I said before, thank you so much. This has been the best, most wonderful summer I've ever had. So much so that I don't want it to end, I want it to go on forever."

"Yeah, me too… But I guess it's really over."

Whenever he woke up in the morning, he felt that this summer vacation with Airi was irreplaceable, as they spent their days without any major events.

Of course, going out to various places was also a good memory. Minato, like her, wished that these days would last forever.

But time does not return. The summer vacation was over and the real work of a student would begin.

She nodded slowly at Minato's words, indicating this.

"That's right. And here's the thing. After coming this far, we can't go back to being just acquaintances now. So, can I get even closer to you outside?"

"…If that happens, Airi's peace will be disrupted. Are you okay with that?"

After the summer vacation, Airi, who hadn't let any man get close to her, became friends with a second-year senior.

It should be known to some extent that they had known each other since before the summer vacation through Momose, but even so, it would be inevitable that people would talk about it.

It was still not too late. If they stayed away from each other from the end of the summer vacation, it might be difficult at first, but eventually the rumors would disappear. Then, Minato and Airi would be able to regain their peace.

But Airi didn't choose to do that. And as a result, the peaceful life she had hoped for would collapse.

When he asked her if she was sure about this, Airi smiled.

"It's fine, in fact, it's my responsibility, so don't worry about it, Minato-san. It's just that I didn't want to get involved with anyone, and now I've got to pay for it."

"It's not only Airi's fault."

He couldn't say, "Airi's not wrong at all." The reason for this was, as she said, her refusal to get involved with the people around her, especially the boys.

But if she hadn't, Airi would have been broken, so there was no need to worry about it.

When he called out to her with this in mind, her bitter smile became even darker.

"But, as Minato-san knows, I'm partly to blame. And I'm going to swing you around from now on for my own reasons. …Please be honest with me, don't you hate that?"

"How could I hate it? I told you, I'm not leaving you alone."

That's what Minato promised Airi, and that's what Airi promised Minato as well.

Although they were slightly different, they were both people who had known loneliness and had no intention of breaking their promise.

Minato's words made Airi's eyes water, and she spoke slowly.

"…If we're not careful, Minato-san's peace will be disrupted even more than mine, you know? I think a lot of malice will probably fall on you. There will be stares and words directed at us, although I sincerely don't care, and I don't mind that. They will say that you and I don't match in appearance."

"Yeah, I'm sure they will."

"I'm sure it will be hard and painful. Are you sure you want to do this? Won't you regret it?"

Over and over again, Airi asked questions.

She was probably worried that Minato would be subjected to even more malice than he had experienced so far.

Kazuma and Momose were beautiful men and women, but to be frank, Airi was in a completely different league. It would be easy to imagine that a man with such an out-of-proportion appearance would get a lot more attention than when he was with his childhood friends.

And, of course, the meaning of those attentions would be jealousy, suspicion, or even displeasure. There would be a lot of condemnation.

He imagined such a fearful future, but after hearing her words from earlier, his mind was already set.

She had been distancing herself from others because she didn't want to get hurt, but now she was trying to change. If that was the case, Minato had to change as well.

However, unfortunately, Minato was a weak person. He felt inferior to the beautiful Airi, and he also felt humiliated. He would not be able to bear the words of blame by himself.

But if there was a girl who would be okay with the current Minato, Minato would be fine. And he was confident that she would stay.

"I'd hate it if I was alone. But Airi will be there, right?"

"Of course. I will never leave you alone."

If she said so, he wouldn't feel afraid.

The meaning of the words he was about to say would probably be understood by Airi, who was very perceptive. But even so, there would be no problem.

It had only been about five months, but he was confident that he had accumulated enough trust and time to think so. And enough love, too.

He took one deep breath to show his resolve.

"…Hey, Airi. Even though it's hard, even though it's painful, and even though it's hurtful, I still want to stand next to you."

"Minato, san, that means…"

Since Airi had experienced this kind of atmosphere often, she must have understood it. Her ice blue eyes widened in surprise and grew moist.

As expected, there was no ill feeling in them, they were filled with joy.

"I'll do my best so that I can be next to you."

He couldn't think of how to do his best right now. He didn't know how he could stand next to her with confidence.

However, he knew that he couldn't just run away.

When she heard Minato's words, she had a big smile on her face. Seeing that expression filled his heart with a sense of relief.

"I understand. I have three things to say in return. First two are requests, and lastly…a thank you, I suppose."

Although Minato was confident that she would accept his resolve, he hadn't expected her to thank him.

When he froze in surprise, not understanding the reason for her words, she giggled and laughed heartily.

"It's not that big of a deal. Let's start with the first. I am a weak person who drew a line with those around me so that I wouldn't get hurt. Therefore, will you support me in my weakness?"

"Of course I will. I'll support you as much as I can."

"Secondly. From now on, you who support me will suffer. Therefore, let me be the closest to you and support you. As I said before, when we suffer, we suffer together."

"I'd like to ask you to do the same. …You're gonna have a hard time with me because I don't match your looks. I'm sorry."

"If that's the case, then it's both of our faults and there should be no hard feelings. And the third. I was supported by you, and I was close to you. However, I broke your peaceful life, and you accepted it. So I'd like to thank you for that."

"…What, what are you doing?"

His voice naturally trembled as he asked the question.

There was no negative emotion in it, just a nasty, debauched, lustrous smile that stared at Minato.

Combined with her clear and beautiful blue eyes, her face was so attractive that he couldn't take his eyes off her.

She moved closer to Minato. Even their breaths touched each other's skin, and a thin finger traced Minato's cheek as if it was touching a treasure.

"I'll pamper you when you're in pain, so don't hesitate to drown yourself, okay?"

He felt a shiver run down his spine. He didn't know if it was fear or joy.

Apparently, Minato had fallen in love with someone outrageous.

After the summer festival, he went back to Kazuma's house to change out of his yukata and waited in the garden for Airi to arrive.

While he was changing, he couldn't forget her words of "Drown yourself, okay?" and the expression on her face.

For a thank you, those words were too bad for Minato's heart.

Nevertheless, as he convinced himself that he would work hard after the summer vacation, Kazuma called out to him with a serious expression on his face.

"Minato, did you find the answer to Ninomiya-san's attitude?"

"Yeah, I found it."

"That's good. Now, until Ninomiya-san arrives, let's talk about your love life with her, okay?"

Immediately, Kazuma returned to his usual cheerful tone, but there was a mistake in that statement, and Minato had to make sure to correct that.

He promised to do his best, but they weren't dating, and she wasn't his girlfriend.

"No, we're not dating, okay?"

"…What? Why?"

"I just promised I'm going to work hard now."

When he explained to Kazuma, who froze in a daze, his face quickly changed to one of dismay.

"Well, that makes sense considering your situation, but… It's not like you can take your time, is it? After all–no, nevermind."

"Don't cut off your words, I'm curious."

From the way Kazuma said it, things would start to get more hectic after the summer break, but Kazuma retracted his words before Minato could ask why, so Minato didn't get what was going on.

Minato stared at him for a bit, but he gave him a lukewarm look back.

"It's your fault for forgetting. Don't worry, I'll help you."

"Just say it."

"No way. I said it to you before summer vacation…"

"What? I don't remember any of that."

Apparently, Kazuma had said something to Minato before the summer vacation. But Minato had completely forgotten and nothing came out of his memory.

"Well, that's all right. Good luck, man. I'm rooting for you."

"…Yeah."

Then, as Kazuma and him were chatting about trivial things during the summer vacation, Airi and Momose arrived.

"Sorry, I'm late."

"Don't worry about it. Let's go home."

"Yes. Well then, see you again, Mutsura-senpai, Shiori-san."

"See you again!"

"Goodbye."

When she was ready to leave, they thanked and greeted Kazuma and Momose's parents and went back to their own house.

Of course, they didn't hold hands. But they were so close that their shoulders almost touched, and he could feel the hem of his clothes being tugged.

Minato didn't ask and Airi didn't say anything about the situation. This was because both of them, who couldn't hold hands without a reason, wanted to do so at least.

"Minato-san, please don't forget my requests. Also, let's work hard from now on."

"…I know, thanks."

They were so close that they could touch each other if they leaned in a little closer, and although they were aware of each other's feelings, they couldn't cross the final line, as if a thin membrane was covering them.

But someday, if Minato could stand next to Airi with confidence, if he could show her that her worries about him were unnecessary–

At that time, he would tell her about the big, hot, and very important feelings in his heart.