Vol. 2 Chapter 103 – The Sea, Popular Types, and a Luxury Resort (23)

The morning after a night with several major events for me dawned.

“Eh~ Kage-P, you’re leaving already~?” (Takasaki)

“Yeah, Hikaru’s resuming practice starting today, so I’m going with her.” (Reiya)

When I explained why we were packing to leave right after breakfast at the hotel, Takasaki-san said disappointedly.

Other girls who learned the situation voiced regrets one after another, saying things like ‘You should stay since you’re here.’

A scene completely unimaginable at the same time yesterday.

“Eh~ that’s too bad~ I wanted you to see my new swimsuit today~ it’s a bit more daring than yesterday’s~” (Takasaki)

“Haha… maybe another time…” (Reiya)

I smiled wryly at her, as usual unclear whether she was serious or joking.

Behind me, guys who’d been listening in were reacting strongly, so I wanted her to show them instead and be satisfied with that.

“It can’t be helped. For Kageyama-kun, there’s no point in an ocean without Hikaru, right?” (Matsunaga)

This time Matsunaga-san said that from the side.

“No, I wouldn’t go that far… but I can’t really let her go home alone in case something happens…” (Reiya)

“…We’ll pretend that’s the reason.” (Matsunaga)

This was said with an obvious grin as a joke.

Indeed, Hikaru had also said ‘Reiya-kun could stay if he wants.’

It would be a lie to say I had no desire to stay and play more with everyone I’d become friends with.

But I couldn’t really let Hikaru go home alone, so I decided to accompany her.

“Sorry, let me just go greet the guys too.” (Reiya)

Getting away from Takasaki-san who was still trying to keep me there, I headed toward the guys.

“Morning. We’re leaving first, but yesterday was really thanks to Shuu—” (Reiya)

I tried to thank the friend who’d really helped me this time, but—

“S-Shuu…?” (Reiya)

He turned around at my voice with a face like his soul had been stolen by death itself.

“You look terrible… did something happen…?” (Reiya)

“Nothing happened…” (Shuu)

He spoke to me in a monotone voice while maintaining enough despair to ruin his handsome features.

“You don’t look like nothing happened…” (Reiya)

“No, nothing happened… really nothing happened… Reiya…” (Shuu)

“…What do you mean?” (Reiya)

When I asked the still incomprehensible him for the true meaning of his words—

“‘I think that kind of thing is still too early for us…’ she said…” (Shuu)

“A-ah…” (Reiya)

I understood everything from the words he managed to string together while drooping his shoulders.

Last night, when he was alone with Fujimoto-san, she’d rejected that.

I immediately didn’t know how to respond.

“I won’t lie and say I had no ulterior motives… but I really wanted to because I love Haruna… but she didn’t feel the same way…” (Shuu)

“No no… it’s just that people have their own pace and way of thinking. Fujimoto-san values what she has with you, so she made that judgment… probably.” (Reiya)

“But this morning when we met, she seemed a bit distant too… maybe I’m hated…!?” (Shuu)

My comforting words didn’t get through as he became even more dejected.

“That can’t be… Fujimoto-san seems bad at expressing emotions… she’s just embarrassed and probably happy that you care about her so much… probably.” (Reiya)

“So how did it go for you…? You and Asahi-san disappeared together yesterday…?” (Shuu)

While I was trying to calm him down, the conversation suddenly turned to me, leaving me flustered.

“M-me? Nothing happened with me either…” (Reiya)

“Really…? You were pretty late coming back yesterday…” (Shuu)

“R-really… we just looked at the night view together… nothing more than that…” (Reiya)

I skillfully deflected the pursuit based on facts while being careful not to stimulate him too much.

Actually, we’d confirmed our mutual desire and even made future promises.

But telling him that now would be like shooting a corpse and then teabagging.

“I see… you too…” (Shuu)

“Y-yeah… it was probably still too early for us…” (Reiya)

“Too early…” (Shuu)

“B-but just because now didn’t work doesn’t mean it won’t work in the future… actually, when both people’s feelings perfectly align, it’ll definitely be a better experience… wait, what am I saying… anyway! Don’t be so discouraged! Your feelings for Fujimoto-san definitely got through!! Probably!!” (Reiya)

Not knowing what to say, I gave him my best comforting words.

I wondered if this was okay… while watching him a bit—

“True… right… I just need to keep conveying my love to Haruna…” (Shuu)

“Eh? A-ah… yeah, something like that…” (Reiya)

“Right! Woooooh!! Haruna!! I love you!!” (Shuu)

Shuu roared loud enough to reach beyond the horizon.

I was relieved he’d recovered.

Setting aside Fujimoto-san looking at us with an extremely bitter expression.

“Hey, Kageyama.” (Guy A)

While watching the recovered Shuu fondly, one of the guys called out with his smartphone in hand.

“You’re leaving early with Asahi-san?” (Guy A)

“Eh? Ah… yeah, that’s right…” (Reiya)

“Then can you give me your PINE ID?” (Guy A)

“Eh? P-PINE?” (Reiya)

I was a bit flustered by the completely unexpected request.

“You don’t use it?” (Guy A)

“I do, but… just in case…” (Reiya)

“Then let’s exchange. Here, this is mine.” (Guy A)

Saying that, he held out his screen displaying a QR code.

I took out my smartphone while still somewhat bewildered by his action.

Nervously reading the code, ‘Sayama Yuuya’ was added to my friends list.

“What are you doing?” (Guy B)

While I was looking at the screen with strange emotion, another guy spoke up.

“Just exchanging PINE with Kageyama.” (Sayama)

“Ugh, you… you’re thinking ‘If I get friendly with Kageyama here, maybe I can get introduced to Asahi-san’s model friends,’ aren’t you!” (Guy B)

“N-no way! I just want to stay in touch with a comrade who shared hardships yesterday and today—” (Sayama)

“Then let me exchange with you too!” (Ooba)

“You’re definitely the one with ulterior motives!” (Sayama)

“Shut up! Here, Kageyama!” (Ooba)

Interrupting Sayama-kun’s words, Ooba-kun held out his smartphone.

That was the trigger for guys and girls alike to hold out smartphones displaying codes one after another, saying “me too” and “me too.”

“E-eh… wait a minute… I’ll do them one by one…” (Reiya)

Confused, I read them one by one and added them to my friends list.

My list, which hadn’t really grown much even after dating Hikaru, instantly more than doubled.

“Reiya-kun! Let’s go soon!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru, who’d been talking with the girls a bit away, called me.

Everyone who’d finished exchanging contacts sent me off with teasing like “Your beloved girlfriend is calling.”

I joined up with Hikaru and was about to leave after checking for forgotten items—

“You’re leaving already?” (Sakuramiya)

Sakuramiya-san, who’d joined us late, called out to us.

“Ah, Kyo! Yeah, we’re leaving now! Sorry we couldn’t stay until the end even though you invited us.” (Hikaru)

“I knew Hikaru was busy, and… I’m the one who should apologize.” (Sakuramiya)

“Hm? Why are you apologizing, Kyo?” (Hikaru)

At Sakuramiya-san’s slightly dejected apology, Hikaru tilted her head.

“Well… I caused you worry about various things…” (Sakuramiya)

“Not at all! Is your health okay now?” (Hikaru)

“Yeah, I’m fine. I need to make up for not playing much yesterday today.” (Sakuramiya)

“Ah~ I wanted to play more too… if only there wasn’t the tournament…” (Hikaru)

Seeing Hikaru say that regretfully, Sakuramiya-san laughed.

I’d been tensely watching in case something happened, but on the surface at least nothing seemed wrong, so I breathed a sigh of relief.

“You can just come again next year. Actually, it’s still far off, but want to go skiing during winter break?” (Sakuramiya)

“Skiing!? What an attractive idea!” (Hikaru)

“Actually, Papa’s friend runs several lodges at ski resorts in Hokkaido.” (Sakuramiya)

Sakuramiya-san said proudly, apparently completely back to normal.

Ah, this person… this is her default state… I smiled wryly.

“Eh! Amazing!” (Hikaru)

“I’ve been told for a while I could come visit, so I was thinking of gathering people to go this year.” (Sakuramiya)

“I want to go! I definitely want to go!” (Hikaru)

“Then I need to plan ahead this time… and gather people again…” (Sakuramiya)

Saying that, she looked my way and our eyes met perfectly.

Her eyes seen in bright light somehow seemed to sparkle more than before.

Usually at times like this, I’d look away in 0.1 seconds, but…

“T-this time it’s far away, so we need to schedule in advance so it doesn’t conflict with practice…” (Reiya)

Before that, Sakuramiya-san looked away with strangely flustered behavior.

“Right. Well, winter is basically off-season, so it should be fine…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru showed no particular reaction to her behavior, checking her schedule on her smartphone.

Well, something like that just happened yesterday, so it must be awkward… I thought while watching the two start planning winter already.

And so, my and Hikaru’s first summer trip came to an early end.