SCPK 18

Chapter 18

 Returning to School

I woke up Seiya and Tsukiyo, and we went to school as usual… but the situation was so unusual that everyone there was fairly confused.

“Um, Mizusato-san, it’s hard to walk like this—can you let go?”
“Mizusato-chan… you’re clinging too much.”
“Sorry, Tsukiyo-chan! I just want a little wall, that’s all. No funny business.”

This girl, Mizusato Kagaya, treating me like a wall, grabbed my right arm and continued watching Seiya from the farthest spot.
Even if it didn’t stir my feelings, being clung to by a well-featured girl is a little embarrassing. Mizusato-san’s light brown hair is really beautiful…

And Tsukiyo isn’t exactly happy. She’s been lightly tugging on the left sleeve of my uniform with her finger.
It’s really embarrassing. I want to memorize her face—she looks a bit annoyed, like she’s troubled, and we don’t often see this side of her. She’s cute.

“You’re like a flower in both hands—lucky you.”

Seiya said it teasingly, which made me mad. Who do you think is to blame?
I walk a little awkwardly, slightly restricted. It’s going to be tough getting all the way to school like this…

“So, Mizusato… how’s your dad doing?”
“He’s fine. Thanks for asking.”

With that, Seiya moved to Mizusato-san’s side. Maybe he couldn’t hear her well, or maybe he had some other idea.
With Seiya moving to the other side, Mizusato-san no longer needed to be a “wall.” That guy… is he being considerate? Will spears fall tomorrow?
Mizusato-san seems to have returned to her usual self as she talks with Seiya at a more relaxed pace.
I’m curious about their conversation…

“It’s kind of hard to get into their conversation, isn’t it?”
“Those two really are a little different now.”

Tsukiyo and I watch Seiya and Mizusato-san chatting amicably. Before summer break, Seiya was a bit more blunt, and Mizusato-san was a little noisier.
One notable thing: Seiya has no sharp words for me, and Mizusato-san—who usually treats me roughly—also isn’t treating me poorly here.
Wait, these two aren’t being bad to me? The only one who still adores me is Tsukiyo, holding onto my left sleeve.

Looking at them like this, they really look like an ideal handsome-and-beautiful couple, and it’s surprisingly calming to watch.

“I… can’t say it too loudly, but watching you and Mizusato-chan together, I like it. It feels like you support each other where the other is lacking.”

Tsukiyo describes their relationship as supportive. Maybe I shouldn’t say this in front of the two of them, but it’s interesting.
Mizusato-san has only been in this district, this school, for seven months… not even a year, but it already seems like that. Human relationships aren’t measured by time.
Or maybe summer will change things drastically.

“Does summer change relationships a lot, I wonder?”
“Maybe it does.”

Tsukiyo chuckles softly.
We’re almost at school, so I need to say something…

“This is kind of hard to say, but…”
“Yes?”
“Could you… let go of my arm soon?”

Since the start of our walk to school, Tsukiyo had been holding onto my left sleeve. Because of that, I couldn’t move my left arm, which was a bit troublesome.

“!?”

Tsukiyo quickly lets go, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, eyes cast downward.
Summer changes things. My relationship with Tsukiyo has changed a lot too…

“Summer, huh.”
“Yeah, summer.”

Seiya looks at us with a mischievous smile, and Mizusato-san’s gaze pierces unnecessarily.