Chapter 23
The Walk Home
After club activities ended, Tsukiyo and I ended up walking home together.
There were voices from the track and field team members saying they wanted to walk home with her too, but back in spring this year, Tsukiyo’s popularity got so overheated that some idiots even tried to figure out where she lived. So, basically, Tsukiyo only walks home with people she can trust.
That’s how Tsukiyo and I ended up alone together. At the academy, the only guys who get to walk home with Tsukiyo are Seiya and me. People often tell me they’re jealous.
“So, how was your manager experience trial?”
“It was fun. Everyone was kind and helpful. They’re all nice people.”
Well, that’s only natural since it’s only guys who want to get closer to Tsukiyo.
Wanting to look good is just what guys do. But I’m glad she had fun.
“If you run into any problems, you can talk to me. I think I can be of some help.”
“Understood! But, Taiyo-san, you have quite a lot of friends, don’t you?”
I wonder what she means by that. Did she think my only friend was Seiya?
I normally have about four or five friends I talk to in class. I’m also fairly close with the club members, including the seniors and juniors.
I hardly have any female friends, but I’ve always had a good number of male friends! I’m not a loner!
“Although, in the end, I do end up talking with Seiya the most.”
We’re in the same class, the same program, and we even walk to school together in the morning… It’s like we’re dating!
…is what people actually say quite often. The girls say they’re jealous, but it doesn’t make me that happy.
The conversation about club activities ended there.
“As for the lunches… do you think you can try making some new menu items?”
“Let’s see~”
Tsukiyo held her bag behind her back and spun around. Her skirt fluttered softly, and my eyes were drawn to her slender, beautiful legs.
“Rolled omelets are convenient, but I’ve heard it’s not very good to make them the night before and let them sit.”
The Kaginagi siblings are extremely weak in the mornings, so they make their lunches at night and refrigerate them.
The cooking-proficient Tsukiyo is in charge, but Seiya is actually good at cooking too. It also helps that he works part-time at a restaurant.
“Something about germs, right? I think my mom said something about it once.”
“I think it’s probably fine unless something extreme happens. Onii-chan eats things past their expiration date like it’s nothing, after all.”
“That guy, it seems like he’s got a strong stomach to match his strong mental fortitude.”
The academy’s number one handsome guy, Kaginagi Seiya… It’s not well known that he’s actually a member of the Home Economics Club. He eats his dinner using school ingredients and does his mending with school supplies.
He’s the epitome of a penny-pincher.
Tsukiyo smiled and asked me in a gentle voice.
“I might try taking on the challenge again tonight. What do you like, Taiyo-san?”
“Hmm. I like cheese, so I like side dishes that have cheese in them.”
Tsukiyo nodded lightly, going “Mhmm, mhmm,” as she thought.
Every single little move Tsukiyo makes is just so cute. I think she’s a miraculous person.
“If only I could really wake up early in the morning, I could make lunches with a lot more variety.”
“Even with an alarm clock… if that worked, you wouldn’t need someone to wake you up.”
“Whether I go to bed early or late… I don’t think I’d be able to wake up.”
“I wonder if you’d wake up if there was some kind of surprising sound.”
At that point, Tsukiyo’s steps halted. I stopped too, following her lead, and she stared intently at me.
“That might be the way to do it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Not right now… I’ll ask you for a favor when I owe you one.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about… but I have a feeling it’s not anything good!”
I was talked into a corner by Tsukiyo’s smile… and couldn’t press the matter any further.
And so… the weekend I would spend with Tsukiyo was approaching.
