About Touma-kun, Who Wants to Spend His Time Quietly, Is Liked by the School’s Madonna - Chapter 25

The Decisive Battle is Friday ~Part 1~

Translated by AmaLynne

 

Today is finally August 1st.

 

It’s the day Shimizu and I promised to watch fireworks together.

 

Since the day I invited her, I’ve been working part-time and finished my school homework.

 

I even put down my novels and video games…!

 

……If I get dumped for this, I’m just an idiot……

 

……Let’s not think about it.

 

◆◇◆◇◆

 

「Brother! I got to wear a yukata!」

 

「Oh! Amazing! …Good grief…You’re wearing a navy blue yukata…a memento from mother’s collection.」

 

Or more accurately, a memento of my late grandfather’s…

Mother’s parents have already passed away.

I don’t know if it’s a blessing, but before my mother…

Mother was an only child, and she was a late child…

 

I walk into the downstairs living room, remembering all this.

 

「Wow! Brother! You’re so cool! Uh-huh! Shoulder length, good hair! You passed the sister screening!」

 

「All right, thanks. Then, I’m off.」

 

「Bye! Brother! Don’t be a wimp, okay?」

 

「I know……I know.」

 

I only told my sister that I was going to Seibu Amusement Park with Shimizu, but I guess she knows.

 

What is it? You’re not only aware of it, but it was obvious from the side?

 

…That’s embarrassing.

 

Thinking about this, I got on the bus and headed for the station.

 

When I got off the bus and went to the station, I saw many people dressed the same way.

 

I guess they are all going to the same destination.

 

There are couples and parents and children waiting for each other.

 

I never thought I would be on that side……

 

I wasn’t giving them a cold shoulder, but I thought it was none of my business.

 

I took the escalator and headed for the ticket gate where I was to meet.

 

Now, I wondered where Shimizu was……here……for real?

 

In front of a crowded ticket gate, only there is no one there.

 

Everyone is glancing…from afar.

 

That’s because there is an incredibly cute girl in a…yukata…

 

She is wearing a light blue yukata and her hair is tied back…

 

What is it…? I can’t move my body..? 

 

Am I fawning over…? Nervous?

 

…No, both?

 

I take one deep breath and tell myself.

 

…Calm down…don’t be a chicken…don’t expose your pathetic figure in front of a girl you’ve fallen in love with!!

 

I straighten my back, chest out, correct my posture, and look up.

 

Then, without panicking, I slowly approach…

 

Then Shimizu looks at me…and gives me a radiant smile.

 

…So cute, right? Eh? I’m going on a date with that girl now?

 

「Yoshino-kun!」

 

「Sorry, did you wait long?」

 

I came here 10 minutes ago, just in case… 

I mean, that’s date-like line, now……

…Calm down…!

 

「No, I’m not waiting!」

 

「What? She was there half an hour ago, wasn’t she?」

 

「I thought she was filming something…」

 

「Well, she must have a boyfriend if she’s that beautiful.」

 

Shimizu’s face fell in embarrassment at the words of the people around her.

 

「…Hey? I told you the time, didn’t I?」

 

「……I-I’m sorry…I’m just looking forward to it…」

 

…The heck!? What is this lovely creature…!

 

「Oh…let’s just go for now.」

 

Not good…I can’t seem to keep my cool…

…No! Get a grip! It hasn’t even started yet!

 

「Y-Yes…」

 

We both go through the ticket gate and the train comes at the right time, so we just get on.

 

「Are you okay?」

 

「Yes…」

 

The train was crowded, so we couldn’t help but stick close together.

 

Of course, I lead Shimizu to the side of the train entrance and I become the wall.

 

…I can’t breathe, it’s close…Do I smell bad? Everything’s fine, right?

……Beautiful……I can’t stop looking at all.

 

And then we arrive at the station where we get off.

 

I quickly get out and offer my hand to Shimizu.

 

「Eh…?」

 

「Look, it’s packed back there. You’re not safe in those shoes.」

 

「Y-Yes…」

 

Hand-to-hand contact, but…soft!? What the hell!? This!?

 

I let her down safely and let go of her hand and walk away.

 

「T-Thank you…」

 

「Y-You’re welcome.」

 

……Not good, I can’t feel my hand……

As it is, we walk side by side toward the amusement park.

 

「I-Is it weird? My outfit…」

 

「Hmm? Why?」

 

「B-Because, you keep looking…」

 

My behavior was…! Exposed…no, it was before that.

First of all, I didn’t say what I should have said first.

 

「No, I just thought it looked good on you… That yukata looks good on you. And your hair, too.」

 

「Eh…? I-I see…ehehe. Thank you, Yoshino-kun, you look good too, don’t you?」

 

「I see.」

 

Dammit…your smile is so cute, I can’t even look at it properly…!

I don’t know how I managed to stay sane until now…I can’t think!

 

The two of us walk in silence, side by side…feeling embarrassed, but strangely not awkward.

Then we come to a place where we can see the fireworks.

Of course, I lead them to my hidden spot.

Here, there are no people nearby.

It’s harder to see the fireworks, but that’s not the main attraction.

 

「Wow! I didn’t know there was a place like this! That’s amazing!」

 

「Well, it’s just like the locals do. Mother and I used to come here all the time.」

 

「Is that so…」

 

「Oh, come on, you worry too much. It’s a cheerful story. It’s all right now.」

 

「Eh? I thought you were having a hard time remembering…」

 

「I knew you were aware of it. Well, thanks to someone else, I’m over it.」

 

「Eh…? What does that mean?」

Play

Unmute

 

「Look, it’s starting.」

 

Whizz…bang!! the sound of fireworks decorates the night sky.

 

「Wow! Beautiful! It’s amazing! I’ve always only seen them in places with lots of people!」

 

「I’m glad to hear that. It’s worth bringing you here.」

 

Totally…the innocent smile on your face…You’re more beautiful than I remember…

 

…What a line from me.

 

This is what it’s like to be in love…wow, it really changes your values.

 

Then we sit side by side and stare at the fireworks.

 

Shimizu is absorbed in the fireworks.

 

I, to be honest, am having none of it.

 

Of course, there are times when I’m admiring Shimizu’s face.

 

But the number one reason is that I’m going to confess my feelings as soon as these fireworks are over…

 

Of course, there is no excuse for being sunk to this point.

 

But I can’t help but be nervous.

 

After all, it’s my first time…

 

And then the fireworks stop…

 

「It was amazing! So beautiful! I’m so glad I got to see it with you, Yoshino-kun!」

 

「…Yes, I think I’m glad to see it with Shimizu too.」

 

「Eh…? I-I see…Ah! You know!」

 

「Shimizu, can we talk…?」

 

「Eh…? Yoshino-kun…?」

 

It may be old-fashioned, but this one thing is non-negotiable.

 

「…Shimizu, no, Aya. I like you…go out with me.」