Chapter 57 – See You Next Week

"Ah~ Teasing Maki was fun~ I didn't realize that the time passed so quickly~ Huh? Maki, what's wrong? Why do you look so tired?"

"Gee, I wonder why…"

After that mess started, Umi continued pestering me using the fact that we were sharing the blanket together. Whenever I tried to get out of the blanket, she would kindly remind me that it was freezing cold. In the end, I couldn't escape from her teasing.

…Though, now that I thought about it, I could've just borrowed mom's blanket, couldn't I? Why did I even agree to share a blanket with this girl?

I even said dumb things like how her smile looked better than Amami-san… Just kill me already.

I could feel my face getting hotter as I remembered all the dumb things I said.

"Ah~ Seriously, what are we even doing? We've made up our minds to not hang out for a while, but look at what we are doing…"

"Seriously… We're hopeless…"

Perhaps this was why Amami-san brought Umi here forcefully. Well, she did say that she didn't want us to stop hanging out. I guess I could understand why she did it.

Still, we really couldn't underestimate her, huh? Her timing was amazing. Was it a coincidence? Or was it calculated? Or maybe both? Who knows…

"Sorry, Maki, I got carried away."

"It's fine, I'm used to your antics… Besides, I was feeling lonely anyway, this much rowdiness feels like bliss to me."

Regarding our promise with Amami-san, we decided to discuss it with her again later. We were thinking about calling the whole deal off.

Today made me realize that our time together was important for both of us.

Of course we would try to make it up to Amami-san in other ways. I was thinking of letting Amami-san decide on what that would be… And yeah, I was prepared for whatever she'll have in store.

* * *

"You're all set, let's get going."

"'Kay."

The two of us left the house together. I made an excuse about wanting to go to the convenience store to walk her home, but I really just wanted to spend a little more time with her.

The moment we stepped outside, the cold air hit our faces hard.

Even though it was only November, the temperature felt as cold as the middle of the winter.

"Brr it's so cold! I need to start wearing tights…"

"Are you okay? Here, I got a hand warmer."

"Thank you– …Maki, you…"

"What?"

"No, never mind. No matter what I tell you, you'll insist that everything is about functionality…"

She started complaining after seeing my clothes.

I was wearing a puffy black jacket and dark jeans. Also, I wore another pair of pants underneath it to protect myself better from the cold.

"Seriously, even though there's barely any people around, you're still walking with a girl, so put more effort into dressing yourself. Also your presence is thin enough already, if you're wearing this kind of clothing in the middle of the night like this, a car might hit you if you're unlucky."

"Ugh…"

She even brought up functionality in her argument, it was hard to argue against her. 

"It can't be that bad, right? …I mean, whenever I go shopping for clothes, only plain colors like navy blue, black or gray suit me. Everything else didn't fit me, they only made me look weird."

"Well, your face is a lost cause so screw that, but you should change your hairstyle. Cut those bangs away and then try out the clothes again, you'll notice a difference. Maybe…"

"Sorry for having such an ugly face."

"At least your face is gentler than you used to look. It shouldn't be hard for you to change your atmosphere, don't worry."

That's what she said. I guess I'll try to believe her.

"Got it. Then, tell me more about it next week, okay?"

"Yeah, next week."

Next week. At the usual time, in the usual place, just the two of us.

After making that promise, we slowly walked down the road to the Asanagi's Residence in silence.

"…Umi."

"Mm?"

We were walking along the edge of the empty street. At one point, we started holding each others' hands for no particular reason.

As the temperature got colder, I pulled her hand and stuffed it inside my coat pocket.

Thanks to that, our bodies were closer.

"Ugh… How frustrating, this lame jacket is really warm…"

"See? It's warm and I could stuff a hand warmer in. The functionality is great."

"Mm… Well, I'll give you that for now."

"Thank you. Anyway, doing this kind of thing in public feels embarrassing…"

"…Tell me about it…"

If someone from our class saw us, things would get really messy. But even if they did, I wouldn't invalidate our relationship anymore.

I had no intention to hide from them anymore.

I wanted to act casually with her at school too.

…Well, save from calling her by her first name, it still feels embarrassing to do that.

"This is far enough, I'll go alone from here."

When we reached the railway, she slowly put her hand out of my pocket.

"You sure? I don't mind taking you all the way to your house, you know?"

"If you do that, my mom will catch you. She'd been nagging me to bring you home and if she were to see you now, she'll force you to stay over."

"…Okay, I understand…"

I could see Sora-san doing that.

But still, even if she personally gave the okay for me to stay over and stuff, there were still other Asanagis in the house. Umi's father, Daichi, and brother, Riku, were all there and I've never met them before. It would be awkward if I were to intrude.

"Then, I'd better get going."

"Mm. See you at school."

"Bye."

I waved at her lightly as I watched her walking away.

Her footsteps were light. Right now, she wasn't the honor student Asanagi Umi, but a normal high school girl you could find anywhere.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Maki! I forgot something!"

Just as I was about to leave, she came running back to me.

What did she forget? I made sure that she didn't leave anything back at home before I locked the door.

"What's up? If you left something at my house, I can deliver it tomorrow."

"Ah, sorry, it's not that. Give me your ear for a second."

"Huh? Sure??"

"Then…"

At that moment, the sound of the train crossing the railway echoed.

Then Umi whispered something in my ear.

"—-"

"…Eh?"

"Then, bye bye for real this time~ Take your time, okay?"

My cheeks reddened as she immediately ran away from me.

The vibrations and the sound of the train passing by shook my body, but I couldn't move from where I was standing, even after Umi was out of sight.

"Take my time my ass… That's just unfair…"

I noticed her feelings a while back, but I still got nervous when I actually heard it from her.

Thank you for always prioritizing me… I love you…

I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight…