CH 82

After finishing our shopping, Rin and I came to Fuji’s mother’s house, where we were to meet. The house we were in was even more remote than the station.

The atmosphere is rather idyllic, I thought to myself.

It’s a really quiet place without the hustle and bustle of the city and I honestly think this is a good place to live. I would love to live in a place like this. And I would love to put my pillow on the porch and lie around all day long…

It’s just an idea that popped into my head, but I think it’s a good one…　

Let’s not go to the festival today, let’s just do that.

“Towa-kun…?”

As if sensing my overloaded mind, Rin called out to me at just the right time. I think she’s giving me a suspicious look, but I’d like to believe it’s just my imagination. ……

I let out a big yawn to cover it up and stretched my back. Rin saw this and sighed, raising her arms in the same way I did and stretching.

“Hmmm, the air is so clean ……. It’s kind of nice to be able to stretch.”

“I guess so. ……”

A defenseless expression that she doesn’t usually show. And the lines of her body that are emphasized when she stretches …….

It is an inescapable fact that summer clothes are thin ……, and just the fact that a beauty like Rin wears them makes them look fancier.

Even though I’m withered, I’m still a high school boy with a certain amount of bloodlust.

I’m not going to say where, but it’s inevitable that my gaze will naturally be led towards her ……. In a sense this is the natural order of things.

As I was looking at her, my eyes met with Rin’s, who noticed my gaze.

–A silence that seemed to stop time.

At the same time, a sense of frustration enveloped me as I thought, “Oh no!”

I coughed deliberately to cover it up and shifted my gaze to the sun. I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my hand and muttered, “It’s still hot …….”

Yeah. Perfect follow-up.

I could not find anything to complain about in my acting.

However, my ears pick up the sound of a small laugh, as though to ridicule me.

I had a bad feeling and looked sideways at Rin. Then her cheeks turned red and she smiled, looking somewhat happy.

“…… Hmm? Is there something wrong?”

I clicked my tongue and scratched my head as if I was in love.

There was no way to cover up the situation. But for some reason, Rin tilted her head and looked puzzled.

“It’s nothing, nothing at all.”

‘That’s fine, but ……. Just don’t make any weird misunderstandings or anything, okay?”

“Of course not.”

“Well, I wish I had …”

I was at a loss for words, but when I looked at Rin, she gave me an evil smile.

“Hmmm. I guess you’re a boy too, Towa-kun.”

“What do you mean ……?”

“What do I mean? I think you should ask yourself, you know?”

Oh man, …….

I feel perfectly beaten. …… If I say anything more, I’m going to dig myself a grave, so I’ll stop.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to beat her.

Besides, I feel like I’m being used as a pawn. ……

I slumped my shoulders and sighed.

“Hey, Towa~!”

A handsome voice passed through my ears.

I turned my head in the direction of the voice and saw my evil friend waving his hand at me with his usual grin on his face. And next to him, of course, was Fuji.

Fuji’s cheeks were puffed up a little and her mouth was agape, probably unhappy about being kept waiting.

When the conversation had died down, Kenichi’s voice came through.

I’m sure he was watching …….

“Hey! It’s getting late, both of you. Where have you been? …… No, you don’t have to tell me. I know all about it!”

“…… Both of you are late.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Rin said, bowing politely. Her posture is as beautiful as ever, and she looks like a model student from a manners training DVD or something.

“Kenichi … You can see why I’m late by looking at this luggage. Kenichi sent me to the store to buy some things, so please don’t solve your own troubles by making weird assumptions, even if it’s a joke. ……”

“No, no, no! Don’t be angry.”

Kenichi puts his arm around my shoulder from behind and shakes me.

I don’t know what it is, but I’m really excited about ……. Maybe it’s the summer heat, but it’s making me feel even hotter.

I would shout “Let go of me!” but he wouldn’t budge.

But seriously, I want him to let go as soon as possible …… because I’m afraid of the way Fuji is looking at me …….

“…… For now, Rin, come here, I’ll show you around.”

“Please.”

“What should I do, Fuji-san?”

“…Tokiwagi-kun, you and Kenichi prepare the barbecue. Cut up the vegetables and carry the luggage to the door.”

“Hey, I got it. We’ll take care of it.”

“……That means ‘yes’, right?”

“Yes……”

“”…… If you understand, then quickly prepare it. Rin, let’s go.”

“Okay. I’m sorry, but I’d like to thank you, Towa-kun and Katou-san. We’ll help you as soon as we get back.”

Rin bowed her head apologetically and ran into the house.

Her steps looked strangely bouncy. …… Am I imagining things?