It was yesterday evening when I received a message from Saijo-senpai on my talk screen, which had nothing left except the greeting we exchanged when we exchanged nyain on New Year’s Day.

When I replied that I was available, he sent me his location information along with the meeting time.

I was waiting for Saijo to arrive at a fashionable café just off the national highway.

I have lived in this town since I was born, but I had no idea there was such a café.

The age group in the store is a bit older, and it’s kind of embarrassing or punishing to be in uniform.

I sat down at a window seat at the far end of the store and looked out the window after placing my order.

The warm spring sun was coming in through the window.

I almost feel like falling asleep, but more than anything else, the questions going through my head are blowing away the sleepiness.

What on earth is Saijo-senpai talking to me about?

Even when we met before, it seemed like he wanted to talk to me about various things, but I don’t know much about Saijo-senpai.

I’ve never had any contact with Saijo-senpai before, so it’s only natural that I don’t know much about him.

That’s why I’m curious to know what it’s all about.

I looked around the restaurant, which had a cozy, hideaway-like atmosphere, and watched the ceiling fan lights slowly rotate on the ceiling.

A little later, Saijo-senpai appeared with the quiet sound of the doorbell ringing.

“I’m sorry for calling you out of the blue”

Saijo-senpai was dressed in his soccer team practice uniform, his right hand raised apologetically as he carried his sports bag on his left shoulder.

After exchanging a word or two with the clerk, he sat down opposite me.

“… You’re required to wear uniforms when leaving school.”

Our Yodogishi High School has strict school rules in a strange way.

If you are not wearing your uniform on the way to and from school, you will be scolded by the life guidance teacher.

On the other hand, I don’t know about this, since these kinds of side trips and shopping and eating are not considered a problem.

Saijo handed me the menu list that was propped up on the side of the table, smiling wryly.

“I see, well I’ll have to keep my mouth shut then. Ask me anything you like.”

“Oh, well, I’ll take your word for it…”

I look over the menu, somewhat put off by the familiarity of the staff.

It was getting warmer, so I ordered an iced tea with milk.

Saijo ordered hot coffee.

Saijo-senpai looked at me and smiled apologetically as he finished his order and closed the menu with a snap.

“I’m sorry I’m late after calling you. I was approached by my advisor.”

“You can treat me to delicious tea, so it’s totally fine.”

“I see.”

Saijo-senpai smiled amusedly at my words.

“Are club activities good today?”

“Ah, today is a day off for second year students and above as the first year students will have to take a test to determine their positions.”

“I see…”

I nodded vaguely and slurped my water.

To be honest, I don’t know much about soccer, so I don’t really understand what he is talking about when he talks about positions.

When I was in junior high school, I used to stand near the goal when we played soccer in gym class.

People who have never played soccer often do so, so we inexperienced people often chatted casually there.

I’m not sure if it was a good idea for a physical education class, but it was fun in its own way.

“I heard that Saijo-senpai became captain.”

“Oh, yeah. I didn’t really want to do it because it would be a lot of work. But I couldn’t turn it down if they said it was for the team to win.”

“Saijo-senpai is amazing, isn’t he?”

I honestly thought so.

He has a model-like figure, is one of the best soccer players in the prefecture, and is the captain of his club.

In addition, he is kind and considerate of others.

“Great, huh? Well, all I have is soccer.”

Saijo-senpai, after ruminating over my words, suddenly looked out the window and muttered a few words.

His voice sounded lonely and somewhat sad, but I pretended not to notice and took another sip of water.

In the meantime, drinks arrive on our table.

Saijo-senpai blew on his hot coffee and sipped it quietly, then took a sip and looked straight at me.

“I’ll get right to the point. Actually, I have a favor to ask you. I thought it would be better to ask you in person rather than in Nyan.”

“What is it that you want to ask me to do?”

I have no idea what Saijo-senpai would ask me to do, and even if he did ask me to do something, I don’t think I would be able to respond.

When I repeated myself, Saijo-senpai gave a small nod.

“I want you to go shopping with me.”