Vol. 2 – Interlude: To Do It or Not (Asahi Hikaru’s Case) (1)

“Wow…! So pretty…!” (Hikaru)

Going out to the balcony, a breathtakingly beautiful starry sky spread across my entire field of vision.

Small stars I couldn’t see in our usual city were sparkling.

I love the big stars that shine bright enough to illuminate the ground, but I absolutely love scenes like this with many small stars scattered across the sky.

Spreading my arms and looking up at the sky, it felt like swimming together in a sea of stars.

“Look, look! The ocean is so beautiful too!” (Hikaru)

Excitedly pulling his hand toward the railing, I could see the ocean we’d played in today.

Reflecting the light of stars floating in the sky, it sparkled just like the sky.

“It’s really beautiful…” (Hikaru)

“Yeah, really beautiful. I thought I was used to seeing the ocean, but this is truly exceptional.” (Reiya)

Being able to see this with my favorite person felt so happy I might be struck by lightning.

The daytime ocean was really fun, but it couldn’t match this romance.

I thought this would definitely become a lifelong memory I’d recall even years later.

I couldn’t thank Kyo enough for creating this opportunity today.

“Today was really fun, it was worth forcing myself to come even if it was a bit much.” (Hikaru)

“Come to think of it, you cleared your practice schedule to come?” (Reiya)

“Yeah, so Mom gave me a bit of a lecture.” (Hikaru)

“You’re leaving in the morning tomorrow?” (Reiya)

“Yeah, I want to go back and at least hold my racquet lightly. If I take two whole days off, my sense might get dull.” (Hikaru)

“It’s really tough…” (Reiya)

“It’s tough in a way, but it’s something I love doing. Plus today gave me perfect energy replenishment!” (Hikaru)

“Replenishment… normally people get tired from playing and want to rest…?” (Reiya)

“Really? Playing makes me think ‘I’ll work hard at practice tomorrow!’ and motivates me.” (Hikaru)

Saying that and clenching my fist in front of my chest, he smiled wryly.

This relationship where he never tells me I have to work hard feels really comfortable.

Thinking that no matter what path I take in the future, being with him would always allow me to stay like this made my heart peaceful.

“Especially when I can spend time with Reiya-kun… right?” (Hikaru)

So I got loose-lipped again and conveyed another ‘I love you.’

Being with him makes the love in my heart grow quickly, and I can’t help but let it out.

My hand tightened and my gaze was drawn to his eyes.

Those always slightly sleepy eyes, the unruly hair swaying in the night breeze, how his expression still stiffens a bit nervously when we make eye contact—I love it all.

“Mm…” (Hikaru)

Unable to contain my love again, I kissed him on the lips.

The warmth and softness of his lips wrapped me in comfort that made my body feel like melting.

I’d done it hundreds of times since the first, but each time felt specially good.

“Ehehe, I got today’s first kiss.” (Hikaru)

“What’s that concept…” (Reiya)

When I said that, he responded surprisingly calmly.

Maybe he’d sensed the kiss coming from the flow.

I was a bit disappointed not to see him embarrassed, but it made me happy that our feelings were synchronized.

“I realized we hadn’t kissed today.” (Hikaru)

“Well, we were in front of everyone the whole time…” (Reiya)

“I’d totally welcome it in front of everyone though!” (Hikaru)

“I’d be too embarrassed for that… Also, saying ‘welcome’ means you want me to initiate?” (Reiya)

“Of course, doing it myself is still embarrassing…” (Hikaru)

“What’s that…” (Reiya)

“Hmm… but today really was fun…” (Hikaru)

While he smiled wryly again, I stretched greatly while holding his hand.

“It’d be nice if we could come together like this next year, and the year after that…” (Hikaru)

“Yeah. Though coming here might be tough for my financial situation.” (Reiya)

“Well, you know… we could ask Kyo again…!” (Hikaru)

“That might be difficult… next year it’ll be officially open with lots of customers…” (Reiya)

“Eh… then somewhere else… but I’d prefer here if possible…” (Hikaru)

I said that, but honestly, anywhere with Reiya-kun would be—

“Well… as long as I’m with Hikaru, anywhere would be fun for me…” (Reiya)

…I love you!!

Why does he hit my weak spots at such perfect timing?

It really feels like he’s reading my mind.

But if that’s how he wants to play, then I will too… I stepped closer and pressed my shoulder against his.

We looked at the night view together and had casual conversation for a while.

Talk about new games coming out, where we should go together next time, how fun today really was… nothing special, but very important time for us two.

I wanted to stay like this forever… but of course that wasn’t possible.

“Well… shall we head back soon? If we disappear too long, everyone might worry.” (Reiya)

About thirty minutes in, he brought that up.

“Yeah. Ah, but… wait a minute.” (Hikaru)

I stopped him from pulling my hand to go back inside and picked up my smartphone.

“Since we’re here, let’s take a photo with the night view in the background?” (Hikaru)

Even if our time together was ending, I at least wanted to record this moment.

“A-ah… yeah, sure.” (Reiya)

“Then come closer? Come on, get your face really close too…” (Hikaru)

Starting the camera app, bringing our faces close enough for cheeks to touch—

“Okay… cheese!” (Hikaru)

I took the first shot with a smile carrying all my current emotions.

Continuing with another and another, capturing the best memories.

So that even years or decades later, I could remember today when looking at these photos.

“Next, I’ll take some with Reiya-kun’s phone!” (Hikaru)

“I don’t need to take any if you just send me those later…” (Reiya)

“It’s fine! Different cameras might take even better photos!” (Hikaru)

“If you say so, then okay…” (Reiya)

At my request, he reached into his pocket to take out his smartphone.

Now, what kind of photo should I take…

I know! He’s off-guard again, so I’ll kiss his cheek when taking the shot!

While scheming that mischievously, something fell at my feet—

“Ah…” (Reiya)

With his strained voice and a soft pattering sound, something fell.

‘0.01mm’

Thanks to the moonlight, I could clearly read the text on its surface.

Over several seconds, the information received visually was gradually processed in my head.

During that time, he stared into my eyes while picking it up as if nothing had happened.

“Well, shall we head back?” (Reiya)

And he urged me to go inside as if nothing had happened.

Slightly awkward air filled the space between us.

But if we both pretended not to see anything now, it would still be fine.

That air could easily be dispelled… it should have been, but—

“That just now… that was it, right?” (Hikaru)

For some reason, I said that to him.

“T-that just now…? W-what do you mean by ‘it’…?” (Reiya)

“What just fell from Reiya-kun’s pocket…” (Hikaru)

“Eh? A-ah… that! That’s, well… sanitary supplies… convenient wet wipes you carry around—” (Reiya)

“It’s what men wear… right? When they’re, you know… doing it…” (Hikaru)

Overlapping his words, I muttered what my knowledge told me.

I recognized it immediately because I’d seen the real thing during health class when boys and girls were separated.

But the one shown in class had 0.05mm written on it, so this was much thinner.

I guess that way you can feel your partner more clearly…

Then having none would be best— wait, no…! What am I thinking…!

I shook off the oddly specific imagery that had popped into my head.

But wait, wait…

If this just came from Reiya-kun’s pocket…

That means Reiya-kun was planning to use this with me on this trip…

Understanding what it meant for him to have that in this situation—

My face got so hot it felt like it caught fire.

A strange heat I’d never known was born between our joined hands.

Different from the usual loose, comfortable warmth when we were together—a heat that seeped deep inside my body.

Not unpleasant, but it felt strange and made my body restless.

Our intertwined fingers moved restlessly as if confirming each other’s presence.

“A-ah… somehow, Shuu forced it on me… I just forgot it was in my pocket… don’t worry about it, it’s really nothing—” (Reiya)

“I see… it’s not Reiya-kun’s…” (Hikaru)

I see… then it’s still okay…

“N-not mine, not mine! We don’t need it! I said I didn’t want it when I refused!” (Reiya)

“Yeah… I don’t need… that…” (Hikaru)

“R-right! We don’t need it! Something like this… i-it’s still too early for us—” (Reiya)

If I just said ‘let’s go back to the room’ now, everything would return to normal.

We could go back to our usual selves… we should have been able to, but—

“That’s not what I mean… I’m on the pill… so it’s okay without that…” (Hikaru)

What am I really saying…