Chapter 1: Reunion 6
Chapter 1: Reunion 6
1 P.M. came. We meet at the park near Hoshimiya's house.
As we promised last night, Hoshimiya and I had plans to hang out together today. And I'm currently waiting for her.
Since we live in the same house, I thought we could go out together, but Hoshimiya insisted on creating the right atmosphere, saying, "Mood is important!" So I left the house first and waited for her. Is this a date, perhaps?
As I was sitting absentmindedly on a bench, observing the entrance of the park when Hoshimiya arrived.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Did you wait long?"
"Not really..."
"Well, you should've said I just arrived too."
It's awkward to me to say that. After all, we were in the same house.
Without saying anything, I just looked at Hoshimiya's appearance.
She had straight brown hair and a light, natural makeup on her face.
She was wearing a white blouse that exposed her shoulders and a mini skirt... Her skin tone seemed a bit noticeable.
Hoshimiya possessed beautiful face, fair skin and a figure that attracted men's attention.
In other words, if she dressed so cute, her charm would go off the charts.
However, compared to Hoshimiya at school, it felt like she toned down her gal-style... And also seem she reduced the flashy elements.
...Ah, could it be... Because of me? Dressing up to match my basic outfit.
I have no interest in fashion, so I only have regular clothes for going out.
Perhaps Hoshimiya dressed up like that to avoid a stark contrast with me.
She's considerate. Perfect both inside and out...!
"Hm, what's wrong, Kuromine-kun?"
"Well... I just thought it looks good on you."
"Eh!? Uh, um... Th-thank you..."
Hoshimiya blushes and nervously scratches her cheek.
It seems she's not accustomed to receiving compliments from the opposite sex.
At first glance, no one would think she will goes on dates with a plain guy.
"Kuromine-kun... D-do you, um, say that to others normally...? Are you used to it?"
"Well, yeah, I've said it many times to my childhood friend."
"I-I see..."
Well, Haruno would proudly say, "I'm so happy to have such a cute childhood friend! Hehehe!" without any embarrassment. She's completely unaware of me as the opposite sex!
"Well then, shall we go?"
"Hold on, Hoshimiya."
"Huh, what is it?"
I stop Hoshimiya as she steps onto the sidewalk. How bold of me!
"Don't walk so close to the edge of the road. Move further to the side."
"Um... There's enough space on the sidewalk, isn't it fine?"
"Do you think life is a joke? You could die!"
"Huh?!"
"You never know when a car might come rushing in. Always be cautious of your surroundings."
"Yeah, you're right... Right."
Hoshimiya's face twitches, but she nods in agreement.
And so, we walk silently, staying not close to the edge of the sidewalk.
◇◇◇
First, we arrived at the movie theater. We took our assigned seats and waited for the screening to begin.
To pass the time, I decided to strike up a conversation with Hoshimiya sitting next to me.
"The movie we're about to watch is a romance, right?"
"Yeah. Mori-san recommended it, so it should be good."
"Oh, I see. If Mori-san recommended it, then I have high expectations."
"Right? I've been looking forward to it too."
"...By the way, who's Mori-san?"
"He's a classmate... Geez, Kuromine-kun. It's bad that you don't remember your classmates' names."
Indeed, Wait a minute? Now that I think about it... I can't remember the last names of my classmates other than Haruno and Hoshimiya. I guess it's because I was only interested in Haruno to the core.
I have to admit, I managed to remember only Hoshimiya.
"...Watching a romance movie with a classmate, huh?"
"Kuromine-kun?"
"Isn't this a date?"
"Eh?! W-Why are you suddenly saying that?"
"It's obviously a date. Going out together on a holiday to watch a romance movie... It's a date by any definition."
"I-I didn't mean it that way! I just wanted to hang out with you!"
"...Fine, calm down. Here, have a drink."
I took the drink from the cup holder on the armrest of my seat and handed it to Hoshimiya. Her face was beet red as she took the drink and started drinking it enthusiastically through the straw.
"...Ah, that... was mine."
"Mmmph!? *cough* ...K-Kuromine-kun?!"
"Sorry, sorry. It's an accident that occasionally happens at the movie theater."
Haruno also often mistakenly drink mine.
"W-What should I do? It became an indirect kiss... It was my first time...!"
"First time? Isn't just an indirect kiss."
"It's not just an indirect kiss! Take responsibility for it!"
"...How am I supposed to take responsibility for that?" I confusedly asked.
But Hoshimiya turned her face away with a huff.
◇◇◇
"............"
After finishing watching the movie, Hoshimiya and I walked through the streets with our heads down.
Hoshimiya kept a slight distance, walking about three steps ahead of me.
No, it wasn't because of the indirect kiss. The problem was related to the content of the movie.
Yes, there were some sensual scenes.
Although it wasn't a movie focused on eroticism, it had some light scenes added on it...
It becomes awkward to watch such a movie with a classmate of the opposite sex.
"Hey, Hoshimiya."
"............Pervert."
"Why would you say that?"
Hoshimiya accused me without even turning around. Unfair!
Spending a day in this atmosphere is like torture.
Wait, it's not just for one day.
Although I haven't set a specific time-frame, how long will I continue live at Hoshimiya's house, I somehow want to change the atmosphere...
With that in mind, I recall how I spent my holidays with Haruno.
"Hoshimiya, wanna go to arcade? It's fun, you know."
"............"
"Or gals don't go to arcades?"
"...I go there normally. Kuromine-kun, you have strange conception about gals."
"I won't deny that."
Or rather, I'm already suspicious now whether she's a gal or not.
◇◇◇
I bring Hoshimiya to a nearby arcade center, who has been blushing all this time.
It's been a while since I've come here. As soon as we step inside, My skin suddenly feel the the sound of the BGMs coming from various game machines blend together, shaking our eardrums intensely.
Besides us, many junior high and high school students are enjoying themselves, and it's clear at a glance that this arcade is popular among young people. Of course, there are adults too...
Uh, there's a guy glancing at Hoshimiya.
"Kuromine-kun, is there any game you want to play?"
"Well, let me think... Ah, wait! Let's start with air hockey!"
"...Sure."
What was that? But I agree. Honestly, anything is fine.
For now, the priority is to get Hoshimiya in a better mood.
And so we walk around in search of air hockey. As soon as we find it, I insert a coin into the slot, and a puck rolls out from the dispensing area. The game begins.
"Alright, Hoshimiya, let's go."
"Yeah! Bring it on!"
She seems oddly excited. Like a fish back in the water...
Well, let's start gently and observe her reaction. If possible, I'll make it a close match and let myself lose. That should improve Hoshimiya's mood. In other words, it's a hospitality air hockey.
I strike the puck with the mallet. The puck heads straight toward Hoshimiya's goal at an astonishing speed... But before I could react, the puck is swiftly returned by Hoshimiya with a thunderous sound, bouncing off the walls at an incredible pace, and before I know it, it's sucked into my goal in the blink of an eye.
"...Huh?"
I blink in disbelief. I couldn't react in time and she scored a point. What was that speed just now...?
As I'm taken aback, Hoshimiya, emitting a slick aura, lifts her head.
"There was something I forgot to mention."
"...What is it?"
"I'm actually called the Air Hockey Queen by the neighborhood kids, you know!"
"I-I don't know if that's impressive! And seriously, are you really a gal?"
In the end, I suffered a devastating 10-1 defeat without being able to turn the tables. I didn't have time for hospitality.
On the contrary, I wanted her to show me some mercy. She's seriously strong. She's a queen, no doubt about it.
Her skillful manipulation of the mallet, repeatedly striking the puck, made her look like a pro.
However, well... whatever. Hoshimiya's joyful smile was worth it.
◇◇◇
After finishing the air hockey game, Hoshimiya and I decided to take a break on a bench in the resting area.
"Phew, we worked up a little sweat, huh?"
Hoshimiya returns from buying drinks. She sounds quite refreshed.
"Here, your drink."
"Thanks...!"
As I raise my head to accept the offered strawberry juice in a paper pack, I suddenly notice something.
Hoshimiya's clothes... are transparent with sweat!
The outline of her bra is clearly visible, contrasting against her white blouse!
"Uh, what's up, Kuromine-kun?"
"H-Hoshimiya... How much did you sweat? I can.... see through your clothes!"
"Eh... Ahhhh!"
Hoshimiya clutches her body, screaming in distress as she crouches down.
I hadn't paid attention before, but the amount of sweat is incredible.
Her sweat are stuck to her forehead, and her blouse, soaked with sweat, drawing her curves. This is bad. It would be embarrassing to walk around the arcade in this state.
I look around, searching for a place to seek refuge.
"Hoshimiya, there's a photo booth over there."
"So what?! Are you suggesting we take pictures of me like this?! You're worst!"
"No, that's not it. The photo booth is like a private space, right? It won't attract attention. So let's take a rest in there until your sweat dries."
"I-I see... You should have said that earlier."
"...Is it my fault?"
With mixed feelings, we move towards the purikura booth together.
Luckily, no one sees us.
Or rather, it seems that the photo booth in that corner is not popular. There's no one there.
We push aside the curtain and enter. It's smaller than I thought.
I choose the largest booth available, but it's still a tight fit. If I extend my arm slightly, it would touch Hoshimiya.
Well, if it's a booth for two people, I guess it's normal.
"..."
Silently, Hoshimiya moves to the corner.
"What's wrong?"
"My... sweat. Doesn't it smell bad?"
"Not at all. It actually has a feminine scent."
"G-Gross!" (TL: Ki-mo)
It seems like I messed up the way I tried to comfort her.
Now I'm getting confused whether she is a gal or just childish person.
"..."
An indescribable, awkward silence hangs in the air. The background music from the arcade outside is the only sound in this place. Hoshimiya and I face away from each other, not speaking a word.
The situation, reminiscent of being in a confined space, heightens the tension even further.
Wait, do I even need to be here?
I could just wait outside. I ended up entering together with her by chance.
"I'll go outside."
"Why?"
"Why? well..."
"It's just... it feels lonely, you know? Just... stay with me."
Me staying in this situation... What should I do?
To be honest, I want to escape. However, seeing Hoshimiya's back dampened with sweat, looking somewhat lonely, I had no choice but to stay.... No, maybe I don't need to think about it.
When talking to my childhood friend, I don't need to think about anything, and it's probably the same when talking to Hoshimiya. If we're together and silence fills the air, then that's the natural atmosphere.
"Hey, Hoshimiya."
"What?"
We talk with our backs facing each other. I can't see her face, but this is fine.
"Um, Thanks for today."
"..."
"I feel refreshed now."
Just slowly and carefully expressing my true feelings. It feels like the fog in my mind has cleared.
"I should be the one thanking you. I had a lot of fun. I can't let loose like this with my usual friends after all..."
Hearing Hoshimiya's voice from behind, I felt a sense of satisfaction.
It's a satisfaction I haven't felt before.
"..."
An emotion I haven't even embraced with Haruno.
I didn't know what was that emotion comes to me in that moment.
◇◇◇
"Mmm. Today was fun, right?"
"Yeah, it was."
I give a nod as Hoshimiya says that while stretching.
We were walking side by side through the city, bathing the orange glow of the setting sun.
On the close roadway, cars are lined up at a traffic light.
"You and I took a picture in that booth, huh?"
"Mmn? Is there any special meaning behind it?"
"Nah. I just said it on a whim."
Hoshimiya held up a picture we took at photo booth and she put it above her head and said it mischievously.
I secretly felt a little excited.
"Hahaha, Kuromine-kun, you're not used to taking photos, are you? Your smile is awkward. Hahaha."
"Well, what can I do? I don't smile much..."
"Then... from now on, you have to smile a lot."
"..."
In that moment, unexpectedly, my heart skipped a beat.
Hoshimiya's smile, illuminated by the setting sun, looked truly beautiful.
And in the next moment...
From behind, screeeech! A loud horn resounded.
My heart skipped a beat, and memories from the past resurfaced in an instant.
My family, in front of my eyes, in a car...
Before I knew it, I was tightly embracing Hoshimiya, shielding her from the car behind us.
"Ku-Kuromine-kun!?"
"..."
"Kuromine-kun! Wh-Wh-What's wrong!?"
"...Huh?"
In the end, the car didn't horn to hit us.
"Well, um... I think maybe it's too soon for this kind of thing. We should get to know each other a bit more..."
"...The car."
"Yeah, the car... the car?"
We stared at each other up close, blinking our eyes rapidly. Wait, what?
"No, earlier... the horn..."
As I said that, I turned around. The cityscape was unchanged, with no signs of anything happening.
There was no issue with the road, and countless cars were roaring past.
"Oh, yeah, the horn from earlier. It seems someone honked because a car didn't move even though the light turned green."
"Oh, is that so..."
It seems I misunderstood.
"By the way, Kuromine-kun... it's about time..."
In my field of vision, Hoshimiya's face was bright red. I was still holding onto her!
"I-I'm sorry!"
I quickly let go. I messed up big time.
I lowered my head, and ready to bow.
"I'm really sorry! I mistook it the car crashing into us... I'm really sorry!"
"S-So, does that mean you were trying to protect me?"
"Well... yeah."
In the end, I became a pervert who suddenly embraced her!
This is worse than being a stalker.
"I-Is that so..."
"Hoshimiya?"
"..."
Hoshimiya turned her face away from me and started walking a bit faster.
...Ah, she must hate me now. I messed up. This is awkward.
And to make matters worse, we're heading home together!
...
I stared blankly at Hoshimiya's back as she walked away. I couldn't move a step.
I didn't know what to do.
Despite having a pretty good day, I ruined everything in the end.
"Kuromine-kun?"
Suddenly, Hoshimiya, who had stopped walking, turned back to look at me with a sly glance. Her face was still red.
"What are you doing?"
Her voice reached me, just barely audible. I wanted to answer her question, but I couldn't say anything. Since the moment I thought she hated me, my mind stopped functioning.
"Kuromine-kun, let's go home."
"But, I..."
"I'm not angry about what happened earlier."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah... umm, thank you for trying to save me."
Hoshimiya, blushing and looking embarrassed, spoke with her warm smile.
◇◇◇
"Oh no... What should I do? I can't even look at Kuromine-kun's face properly..."
It was during the evening after finishing dinner. I let out my voice while soaking in the bathtub.
My face felt hot, incomparable to the hot bathwater. It was probably due to my emotions.
"I was tightly... embraced."
I vividly recalled what happened after the honking of the car horn.
I could remember the sensation of being held by Kuromine-kun, his breath, and the beating of his heart.
It was the first time I had experienced such close contact with the opposite sex.
"Kuromine-kun... He protected me with his body, even if it was a misunderstanding."
Regardless of the misunderstanding, he tried to risked his life to protect me.
"It makes my heart race so much..."
I placed my hand on my chest, confirming the rapid beating of my heart.
Unable to hide my confusion about these newfound emotions, I submerged my entire body until the water reach my nose.
*Bubble, bubble, bubble...*
I exhaled and watched the water foam, my head is filled with confusion about these emotions.
◇◇◇
This is the moment just before the honking of the car horn.
"Uh, Riku-chan?"
I stopped in my tracks as I spotted my close childhood friend while out in town with my friends.
I wanted to rush over to him, but I hesitated when I saw Ayana-chan standing next to Riku-chan.
Walking side by side, their shoulders almost touching, they exuded an intimacy that was hard to ignore.
"...Why? Shouldn't there be nothing between Ayana-chan and him...?"
And then, as the car horn sounded, Riku-chan embraced Ayana-chan...!
I was left stunned. It felt like a sharp blade had pierced my heart, leaving me in shock.
"Why... Why...? He said there was nothing between with Ayana-chan..."
"Riku-chan, you're a liar."
I couldn't think of anything else. I just stared at them blankly watching their backs moving out away from me.
Chapter 1 End. Chapter 2 will start next week.
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