Chapter 71
Sketching
By mid‑November, the temperature had dropped even during the day.
It wasn’t quite cold enough to need a heavy coat, but wearing anything like summer clothes was already impossible.
Around noon on Saturday… I was summoned for a request.
The most beautiful girl in the academy—well, technically second place in the beauty contest, so maybe that title is inaccurate.
The girl so beautiful she’s called Princess Kaguya at school: Kaminagi Tsukuyo had called me out.
“Almost all the leaves have fallen now.”
Tsukuyo and I had come to a nearby nature park. We’d visited it many times—during the summer festival, on dates—so we both knew the place well.
Nothing romantic like that was happening today, though. Because Tsukuyo was holding up a sketchbook in her hand.
“Time to do my best~”
It was the usual special class art assignment.
Every year around this time, first‑year students were told to go sketch outdoors on a weekend.
And the theme this year was portrait drawing.
Last year it was “someone who helped you,” so Seiya and I drew each other.
He was pretty good at drawing, but since his subject was me, he didn’t score very high.
If he’d drawn Tsukuyo, he probably would’ve won an award.
This year’s theme was the opposite sex.
Honestly, I’m glad this wasn’t last year’s theme.
I could just draw my mom or my sister, or even cheat and draw someone from TV or a celebrity.
And that’s why Tsukuyo had called me.
Today she was wearing a calm outfit: a soft‑colored cardigan and a long skirt.
She looks cute in anything, but she’s especially cute today.
The fluffy white hat she wore matched her flowing, silky hair so well.
What was that type of hat called again?
“How should I draw you, I wonder~”
“This assignment really is only for the special class, huh? It’s annoying.”
“Yeah. Since Umi and Kinori don’t have to draw anyone, we can’t work on it together… and drawing the opposite sex is tricky.”
“You could’ve just asked your brother.”
“Eh? Why would I ask him when you are here, Taiyo‑san?”
She said it so naturally.
Lately, it feels like her ranking is clearly me > Seiya.
That must hurt Seiya, considering what a sis‑con he is…
As for me—well, it’s embarrassing, but also… kind of nice.
She tilted her head at my reaction. Maybe it wasn’t even worth thinking about for her.
Is Tsukuyo good at drawing?
Seiya was extremely good… so I’m curious.
But since the subject is me, even if she draws well, it’s kind of… complicated.
“Don’t move, okay?”
“Oh—sorry.”
“You look happy.”
“Yes! Because I get to stare at you the whole time, Taiyo‑san!”
“—!”
T‑That is not okay.
Actually, lately Tsukuyo has been a little more assertive again.
I can’t lose here either.
“Then I’ll stare at you too.”
“W‑Wait! If our eyes meet I’ll get embarrassed, so no!”
She quickly averted her eyes.
Her assertiveness vanished instantly, and her cheeks turned pink.
But if she looks away, she can’t draw—are you sure that’s fine?
“Taiyo‑san! Eye contact is not allowed. Not allowed!”
“Okay, okay.”
Smiling softly, she continued sketching while sneaking glances at me.
Thinking that my reflection was captured in her big, round eyes… made me feel strangely embarrassed.
We spent the afternoon together like that, talking occasionally without meeting each other’s eyes.
But man, I was tired—I’d stayed up late last night.
Maybe I should sleep early tonight.
“Faaaaahh—”
“No yawning!”
“Sorry, I might’ve played games too much yesterday.”
She relaxed her lips like a small animal, saying “sheesh” with a teasing laugh.
Ah… this is nice.
Just spending time like this, talking with her… it’s the best thing ever.
I wonder how long this happiness will last.
Fighting sleepiness, chatting here and there, Tsukuyo eventually completed her sketch.
“So… what does it look like—”
“No, I’m not showing you.”
“Why not!?”
She shoved the sketchbook into her bag.
I was so sure I’d get to see her artwork…
“Nope. You can’t see it. It’s… overflowing too much.”
“Overflowing with what?”
“N‑Nothing! Anyway, I need to thank you, don’t I?”
She abruptly changed the topic loudly and sat on a long bench nearby.
She patted her thighs repeatedly.
“Uh… what are you doing?”
“You looked sleepy, so go ahead. Also, I kind of want to try doing this.”
T‑This is that famous lap pillow, isn’t it?
But… this is embarrassing…
When I hesitated, Tsukuyo stood up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me over to sit.
I really am weak when someone pushes me.
I rested my head on her lap. Even through her skirt… her thighs felt soft.
One thing I can say for sure—
“So cute…”
“?”
Looking down at me, Tsukuyo smiled gently—and I involuntarily spoke my thoughts out loud.
Her hand stroking my hair and cheek was so comforting that… my consciousness began to fade.
“…suu… suu…”
“Oh? Taiyo‑san fell asleep? Hehe, his sleeping face is so cute.”
“…Tsukuyo…”
“A sleep talk? Yees, what is it~?”
“…I love you.”
“…Huh?”
Ah—
My consciousness snapped back.
Crap, I must’ve slept for a moment.
Still… her thighs were so nice. The perfect fit for my head…
Huh? Tsukuyo?
She was looking down at me with the reddest face I’d seen from her in months.
“W‑What’s wrong? Ow!”
She suddenly jumped up, and my unsupported head slammed into the bench.
“T‑Today I’m going home! G‑Goodbye!”
Panicking, she grabbed her bag and ran straight out of the park.
My head was full of confusion.
“Huh? Why…? Did I do something wrong?”
Did I enjoy her thighs too much…?
I agonized over it until she finally sent me an apology message that night.
But…
That agony was about to multiply even further—very soon.
