Somehow I managed to confirm the hidden protrusion and pulled Suzune’s hand.

I felt like a mother discerning a child’s clothing, but in reality, Suzune was a bit quirky and that may be the actual case.

“Um, senpai? What kind of programs are there at the university festival?”

She asked me as we walked down the street, around us were a large number of food stalls of different varieties because of the university festival.

“There are various programs, I think?”

“From what I saw, are there a lot of food-related things…?”

“Oh no, I don’t think so.”

“Is that so? I thought so because of the circles…”

“Well, there are some traditional things too. Last year, there was a haunted house, a puzzle maze, a target shooting game, and even a game of throwing darts.”

“I see. I’m a little surprised. I thought it would be like a high school festival…”

When I explained it, Suzune put her finger on her chin and smiled in surprise. Her good point is that she shows her smile at times like this. Looking at her like this makes me feel good again.

But this is not the time to be enchanted by her bewitchingly beautiful appearance.

“The scale is different from the high school festival… Besides, it’s not a competition but it’s also about profits and things like that, so it gets better with everyone’s experience.”

“In that case, I’m looking forward to it. The fireworks display tomorrow seems to be really good too.”

“Oh, if it’s around here, you can see it from home, and even people from other cities gather here, and the police are mobilized. It’s like a small town event.”

“I’m even more excited now… Oh, senpai?”

“What is it?”

“Is it better to wear a yukata from the beginning tomorrow?”

“Well, you can change clothes, but it’ll be a hassle, won’t it?”

“I see… then I’ll wear it.”

“Oh, and make sure to wear a proper underwear. And we’re not going to a love hotel, okay?”

When I retorted with a bit of anxiety at her blushing smile, she gave me a sidelong glance for some reason.

“Hey, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Well… You’re worrying too much, aren’t you? Or are you really curious…? Senpai, you’re really naughty. Fufufu~”

“Hey, that’s not what I meant! I’m just being serious!”

“Your denial is suspicious too.”

“Stop it…”

“Hahaha! I’m just kidding, senpai!”

“Geez…”

“You’re cute, you know that? Can I eat you tonight instead?”

“No, you can’t.”

Well… I can’t let my guard down around her. Really this is getting a little out of hand, I have to do something about her confession as well. After all, I can’t keep her hanging for too long, it might hurt her feelings

As expected, I’m still not used to being teased like this all the time.

While having such a conversation, Suzune pointed to the food stall which was on the opposite side.

“Oh, Senpai! I want to drink tapioca!!”

“Tapioca, huh? Sure.”

“Let’s go!!”

While peeking at her overly excited figure as she was skipping steps while walking, I couldn’t help but smile.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

“Mmm, it’s so good…”

“Well, it certainly is delicious… I thought the trend had passed, though.”

The price of tapioca was 500 Yen for two people. Of course, I paid for this treat to thank her for coming with me.

But still, as she was looking so happy as her cheeks drooped in a satisfied smile is not something I witness very often, so it was another feast for my eyes. It was definitely worth treating her.

Really, how should I put it…She is unbearingly cute. I have this indescribable feeling to protect her and treasure her smile.

But that’s strange, why am I thinking such things? Calm down Kazuma. It seriously can’t be that.

It’s not like I’ve already come to a conclusion to reciprocate her feelings.

She’s been cute from the beginning.

Since that day, four years ago, when we met during that incident. Her vulnerable image has been etched in my mind.

No, that would mean that I’ve liked her since then… that can’t be. No, it really can’t be true.

“Phew…” Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm my raging heart beat.

As I was pondering about various kind of things, Suzune, who was standing beside me saw my current state and said,

“…Umm, Senpai, are you okay? Your cheeks are all red?”

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s nothing.”

“Heh~, I see. It’s nothing, huh?”

Scary… She is really perceptive when it comes to reading my expressions. I’ve been caught  yet again.

“Well, it’s okay, I guess…”

It seems like she’ll let me go this time.

But still, I have to start learning to control my emotions.

If I talk too casually with Suzune, I’ll get teased to death, so I have to talk more calmly.

Well, being teased isn’t all bad…but this kind of thinking is what’s not good. At the end she will say, “Are you a M by any chance, Senpai?” And that is something I want to avoid at all costs. It would hurt my pride after all.

Let’s stop thinking about rubbish things.

“Ah…”

“But still… senpai?”

“What, suddenly getting so close…”

Then, Suzune immediately closed the remaining distance between us and held my arm. Remembering the heavenly sensation of her soft b*****s from earlier, I averted my gaze.

“Why are you so shy? I just want to thank you.”

“Well, you don’t have to get so close to thank me.”

“But isn’t it easier to convey my feelings this way? And you seem happy about it.”

“Definitely not…”

“Oh, you are running away from me again… oh well. And also, please treat me again next time?”

“I’m not an ATM machine, you know?”

“Just once in a while, Senpai~!”

With an unexpectedly carefree smile, she let go of my arm and took a few steps back, placing the tapioca she was holding on top of her large chest before starting to drink it through a straw.

“As expected, tapioca bought with Senpai’s money is delicious, ehehe~”

“Well, if you say that, then it’s like with the barbecue. I wasn’t really feeling it, but I think I’d treat you once in a while.”

“Thank you so much, it’s delicious.”

“And, stop drinking it while placing it on your chest. The gazes are too intense.”

“Huh?”

She put the straw in her mouth and sipped the tapioca that was trapped in her cleavage. The zipper of her hoodie swelled, and I almost got excited from the scene, as if I was looking at an illustration that had become popular on Pixiv for a while. But that’s not what I meant!

“The fact is, it’s okay, it doesn’t decrease anything, right? Besides, there are many perverts who are staring at you!”

Well, there are many men around here.

However, her expressions were like she didn’t care a bit about them at all.

“Don’t worry about those pests. Come on, let’s create a world just for the two of us, where we will stay together for eternity.”

Apparently, for her they are non-existent.

“Treating them like a pest is too much, isn’t it?”

“Then how about a water flea?”

“Isn’t that a step down in grade?”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Anyway! I want to eat an apple candy next!”

“Hey, wait!”

As she excitedly jumped up and down, her two big melons shook as well under the hoodie she was wearing.

This strange and adorable kouhai, as expected…