Adachi and Shimamura of Youth
"I gave it to you just in case, but you don't have to come."
"Who wants to go to the cultural festival~!"
"Oi."
Having been told so, my mother, rebelling as if it were natural, recruits participants with a large raising of her hand. I thought she might do it, but since there is absolutely no hesitation, I almost sigh unintentionally.
This is what happens when I give the cultural festival tickets for family members, which I had forgotten about after having her go help out.
The only one who jumped at it saying "Yeees" was the tanuki who was in the kitchen.
"I do not understand well, but."
"You went to a festival last summer, right? It's something like that."
See, my mother turns around to me. She completely, pleasantly ignores the part where I said not to come.
"That there are stalls sounds fu~n."
Perhaps imagining it with a hand on her chin, Yashiro's expression softens howa howa. Come to think of it, it seems only family members of current students can be invited, but is it okay to include this guy? ……Well, fine.
She's a friend who went to Grandpa and Grandma's house together too.
"It's this Saturday and Sunday. The day family can attend is Sunday."
"You don't have to come."
"What is your place doing?"
Ignoring people's words so perfectly up to here without feeling out of place might be a kind of talent.
It was a nasty talent.
"Fruit candy stall."
"That has a lovely ring to it."
Indeed, you seem like you'd like it, I stroke the tanuki's head. Her tail swayed happily.
"If you hate it that much, you shouldn't have given this to me."
My mother waves the ticket held between her fingers hira hira. That is so, but crushing it silently wouldn't feel good either. I didn't have the disposition to throw away submissions meant for parents.
"Not giving it feels somewhat wrong, and."
"Parental education is thorough, isn't it~"
Is this also called singing one's own praises? Immediately after saying it's wrong, I already want to take that ticket back. When I reach out, my mother avoids it as if sensing it in advance, jumps back exaggeratedly, and hides it behind her back.
"Do you want to take it back!? Do you want to play tag from the morning!? Bring it on!"
The morning news said that the intense heat and midsummer days would continue today too.
Why is this person noisier than cicadas even on such a day?
"I'm giving it to you, but don't come, okay."
"If told 'you don't have to come', one goes normally, right?"
"Do you understand the meaning of 'normally'?"
"The natural for each human being."
I understand. I understand, but mutual understanding is impossible.
In a sense, she is farther than an alien.
While we were talking like that, the tanuki trying to open the refrigerator with a smiling face is grabbed and thrown by my mother, still smiling. The tanuki achieved a beautiful landing while rotating in the air.
"Fufufu…… my landing has improved."
"Well, if you're thrown every day."
However, she is sent flying frivolously and somersaults nimbly. Well, this guy can fly originally, though.
"You have school, right? Get ready quickly."
Get out, get out, my butt is slapped. While brushing off the slapped part, I attempted a futile resistance once more, "Don't come." My mother started washing dishes ignoring absolutely everything as is.
……Well, I thought it would become like this.
The fact that Yashiro, who was kicked out of the kitchen together with me, is in tanuki form means she intends to go to Grandpa and Grandma's house today too. Even though she failed to peek into the refrigerator, Yashiro looks happy as if she had played a bit.
"Going today too, huh."
"Hohoho, I hear they will prepare snacks, so I am excited."
Even though we just ate breakfast together, there is not a bit of decline in the tanuki's appetite.
I even feel it's robust.
"If there is anything, I will undertake it, but."
She says as if sensing the intention of my asking. I wonder, I avert my eyes.
There are surely many things I want to say, but it's difficult to convey them well.
If I can't convey them, seeing her off is enough.
"N…… no, never mind. Take care."
If this suspicious tanuki and Gon are playing energetically.
"Yeees."
Seen off, Yashiro runs tette tette.
However, the tanuki who ran as if aiming for the future was caught by my sister on the way and had her belly poked tsun tsun.
Well, meaning there is that kind of future too.
"School, huh……"
Finally, the summer vacation of a high school student has ended.
Becoming September, the voices of cicadas still reach faintly, though becoming thin.
If I take one step outside, the continuation of summer is there. What makes me feel autumn is at most the chirping of insects at night. As if pushing aside that curtain of summer, I move forward through the heat.
Making noise from the morning, and moreover, attending school after summer vacation from now.
Somehow, I felt twice as tired.
Having said that, since today is also the first day of the new semester, there is no opportunity to open textbooks.
That I am secretly elated that school ends before noon, my roots might not have changed since elementary school. My feet under the desk were dancing quietly.
The new semester starting with summer still spread outside. Two years ago, I started detouring to the second floor of the gymnasium from here, and dyed this hair gold or something. Even if I pinch my current bangs and look at them, I can't recall well myself who was already blonde. But through that loitering on the way, I achieved an unexpected encounter and reached the present.
Perhaps, with the encounter that might influence my whole life.
Looking out the window while holding such feelings, for some reason, I felt like I was peeking into an aquarium tank.
Like looking at a different world somewhere…… a strange feeling was floating up.
After letting the principal and homeroom teacher's appreciated but long speeches flow through one ear and out the other and welcoming an early after school, Pancho had started a rehearsal for making fruit candy at the back of the classroom. Perhaps due to curiosity, a considerable number of classmates are watching the state without going home immediately.
Adachi and I were also joining there. Surprisingly, Adachi remained silently and started watching the state. Adachi rarely has interest in things other than me. No, does she?
It doesn't look like a profile obsessed with fruit candy.
Her cooled eyes, of when she has things other than me in her vision, were chasing Pancho's hands.
The candy to coat the fruit seemed to have been prepared in another place, and was already finished and placed by Pancho's side. Skewering drained fruits one after another onto bamboo skewers, she coats them in the candy in the container.
"Just this. The rest is cooling it and waiting for the candy to harden, and it's done."
Pancho explains while arranging the fruits finished being coated with candy. Certainly, the making process itself looks very simple. Probably, Pancho properly chose such things. Colorful fruits are coated with candy and shining glossily. If arranged properly and sold, it seems likely to make a quite good picture.
I thought such things, but looked up wondering how it reflected in Adachi's eyes.
Adachi was also looking here, our eyes met, and she flinched biku.
Adachi looks at me whenever there is a chance, I think, and, a little, almost become conceited.
"At my part-time job, we skewer strawberries and Muscats alternately and sell them……"
Adachi provides a topic boso boso only to me.
"Heeh. Shall we propose to do so here too later?"
Bunbun, Adachi shook her head.
"No good, absolutely."
"Eh, is it something to refuse to that extent?"
"That is…… no good."
Mogo mogo, without revealing the reason, Adachi doesn't break the wall.
"To that extent, huh……"
I still didn't understand what Adachi's mysterious obsession meant right now.
After switching fruit candy making to Delos, Pancho comes next to me.
Wondering if there is some business, I look at her.
"I'll schedule the time so you can go around together with Adachi-san."
Pancho announces in a reserved voice and grins. Time…… ah, the time in charge of selling fruit candy. And she will match it so I can share free time with Adachi.
While thinking it's itchy to have a classmate take care of me.
"I am grateful for your consideration."
Pancho laughed lightly and pushed my shoulder. She's a good guy.
Is leaving immediately also consideration? But actually, it helps.
I share the just-now beneficial information with the blank-looking Adachi.
"Since it seems to be so, that's good."
I put my arm around Adachi's shoulder comfortably. Due to the height difference, I have to stretch slightly awkwardly.
When I step into Adachi's world, it seems I also become unstable.
"L-Let's go around various places together."
"Adachi is lagging behind~"
That part is already decided, already.
After that, I also tried making just one fruit candy, received it as a souvenir, and headed home.
What I made was tangerine candy. Trying to eat it, the combination of the texture of the candy popping pari and the sweet and sourness of the fruit seeping from behind that is quite pleasant. I want to try other flavors too.
Adachi's is Muscat, but surely, that one will be better made.
When I tackle the same thing as Adachi, there is hardly ever a case where I produce results exceeding Adachi.
But without being impatient there, rather I feel proud thinking Adachi is good.
I wonder from what viewpoint that praise is.
"Adachi~……"
Did you casually give the ticket to your mother? I start to ask. Based on what happened in my family, I intended to make it a little funny story, but realizing after saying, even if I ask.
"Adachi is~…… what?"
Adachi peeks at the frozen me with a fearful appearance.
Based on Adachi's personality, the answer is either she didn't give it or didn't tell her.
Well absolutely, there is no doubt the atmosphere will cool down. So I forcibly change direction.
"Adachi iiis……"
I edge closer jiri jiri while creating a pause to gloss over. I could see Adachi trying to retreat reflexively bikuri for a moment. However, not flinching there, and daring to choose advance was the current Adachi.
I collide head-on with Adachi who conversely closed the distance for some reason. Perhaps because I was bending my knees slightly and applying pressure in a half-crouch, when we collided…… speaking clearly, I end up burying my face in Adachi's chest area.
"………………………………………………………………"
Partly because it's over the uniform, separately, there isn't much difference in the sensation of touching.
Pulling back su, I dissipate the feeling that the back of my neck is about to stiffen by shaking my head many times.
My body almost becomes stiff, as if I became Adachi reflected in a mirror.
Needless to say at this late hour, Adachi is a beautiful girl. A masterpiece of beauty. That beauty dwells not only in her face like deep jasper eyes, a nose bridge like a white sand castle, and cheeks like mirror surfaces, but naturally also in her well-proportioned body; although she usually lets peek childishness, she is undoubtedly eighteen years old this year, and being eighteen means an adult, and physical maturity certainly exists.
In short what I want to say is, Adachi who is usually nothing but a cute creature is, so…… only vulgar expressions come to mind, and I get stuck on my own arbitrarily. But not wanting to decorate Adachi with such things, I choose many words.
Adachi is also a fine woman. Finally, I find a landing point.
Touching a fine woman, slightly, I was shaken. That was it.
It was like this before too, but the atmosphere when this kind of topic is likely to float between Adachi and me is…… awkward.
"Um, Shimamura? Adachi is?"
It seems Adachi's consciousness is not directed there. If it were, she wouldn't be able to stay very calm. The fact that only I was conscious corners me even more.
This kind of thing is rare, I think like it's someone else's affair.
It is rare for me to fall into puberty.
"Yeah, Adachi is, you see……"
Since Adachi is my lover, such stories also probably cannot be avoided someday.
But now I pretend I didn't see.
Digression aside.
Pulling myself together.
Looking forward as if nothing happened.
"This is delicious."
"Eh, yeah……"
Seeming to have no emotion, Adachi had already finished eating the fruit candy.
Seeing her hand holding the bamboo skewer with nothing pierced on it, my cheeks loosen thinking it's like her.
If it's Adachi-ish I laugh, and if she does something unexpected I can enjoy it as unlike her.
No gaps, I thought.
With that said, the day of the cultural festival arrives.
"Who is going to the cultural festival~!"
"Today is for students onlu~y."
"No, there you have to raise your hand."
My hand is grabbed by my mother, and raising hand is forced. When I shake it off, my mother showed her teeth and laughed.
"Go have fun. You're having a date with Adachi-chan, right."
"Date, you say."
Nahahaha, my mother laughed, slapped my back and left.
It's strong I tell you, I trace while stretching my back that seeps a little pain.
"Date, huh."
Cultural festival date. ……Certainly, it wasn't a bad ring.
After all there is no next. This was the last high school cultural festival, even though it's the first time.
"I'm off~"
Yashiro, frolicking while fighting over a bead cushion with my sister, looks at me and greets.
Gazing at those cheeks honyahonya enough not to lose to the cushion, fu, my breath seemed to escape.
"I'm off~"
Thinking of what will happen from now, I greet. The wave of my hand was also much lighter than usual.
The meeting with Adachi today is in front of the main gate. She said she wanted to enter together. Adachi might also be in a date mood. Not because I was told by my mother, but it seems better for me to heighten such mood a little too.
In the carried bag are wallet and phone, cultural festival guide. And an apron to help with the stall.
"…………………………………"
I shake the bag bunbun. Open and peek inside.
Alright, no one is inside this time. It's a guy one cannot let guard down against even if just checked.
Going to school on Saturday, and moreover not to take classes, makes my steps somehow strange. We were to help with the class attraction from the afternoon. Moreover, the time is properly aligned. Adachi and I seem like a closed relationship, but unexpectedly, we are helped by surrounding goodwill. If we pretend not to see such things, surely it will become only painful.
A week after the new semester started, summer is maintaining success. Cicadas retreated a step early, but cumulonimbus clouds are conquering the sky. The sensation that summer continues forever is the symbol of September for me.
But that sensation always welcomes an end, and before I know it, it becomes chilly.
There is no stagnation for us. Only advance.
Always, Adachi is waiting for me.
"…………See, waiting today too."
When the school main gate comes into view, I can find Adachi immediately.
Even though I came out to arrive fifteen minutes earlier than the promised time, Adachi was already waiting in front of the main gate. What on earth is the meeting time for us? Somehow, it always becomes a situation like I am late, so I feel a little sorry.
Thinking that talking about this to Adachi seems likely to make it even more complicated, I swallow it and join her with a smile.
Adachi comes sliding towards me with the bicycle.
"Mornin'. Were you able to sleep properly yesterday?"
It seems Adachi can't fall asleep easily every day, but that she is this energetic, expressive, and trying her best as if rushing through life every day despite that—I can't help but feel the surge of youth even though we are the same age. Being swayed by that momentum occasionally is, for me, probably enticing.
Entering the school, we head to the bicycle parking lot. After managing to slip through the cluttered space and parking the bicycle, I spread the cultural festival guide so the two of us can look.
Two days' worth of schedule and map of attractions are properly written in, and I feel the passion of handwriting.
"First, peek at stalls or something…… also, it seems Hino and others' class is doing a play from ten thirty, want to go see?"
I ask while pointing at the event schedule in the gymnasium. And while waiting for a reply, wondering what other attractions Adachi might be happy with, my finger sways left and right.
Going out to the mall with Adachi, going to play at the mall, dating at the mall…… memories of association like a healthy local high school girl drop poro poro. There is nowhere else to go, and the mall alone suffices.
"Play……"
Adachi lets her eyes swim.
"Yeah, let's go see."
What is that gesture of thinking for a moment recently? It seems she has something on her mind, but since she is usually open enough to say open, Adachi keeping secrets from me is fresh.
But surely, it's not a bad thing. Adachi's goodness is round and feels good to touch.
Though sometimes once it starts rolling without a hold, it cannot be stopped.
Since there is time until the performance time at the gymnasium, before that we go to check out the stalls lined up on the sports ground. When stalls line up and create partitions on the sports ground, it looks like another place again. I feel like I really wandered into a festival venue. If I came with my sisters, it's a scene to hold hands so as not to get separated.
But since Adachi doesn't seem to like being treated like a younger sister, I just walk next to her together.
"Oh, chocolate banana."
"B-Banana, huh~"
Passing in front of a stall with a rich smell, I inhale the strong, sweet scent from next to me.
"Ah, scent of baby castella."
"Sweeet…… huuh……"
To my mutter, Adachi rides along probably forcing herself. Since I'm just pointing randomly, she doesn't particularly have to pick up everything, but that stretching gesture is funny so I try continuing a little more.
Thinking I feel like we were doing something like this at the summer festival last year too, while laughing.
"Hou, here is tapioca."
"Ta, tapi."
As if choking on tapioca drink which name is often heard but never actually drunk, Adachi's reaction becomes muddy. It seems tapioca was quite an unknown existence. Does Adachi's workplace not have it?
"Among these, I like baby castella."
It seems various flavors are prepared, and just looking makes my heart bounce.
"Adachi?"
"Ah, then, I'll have that too……"
"It was a reply as expected."
I wonder with what sensation people uninterested in food gaze at these stalls.
In the end, we just looked around and headed to the gymnasium without eating anything.
A date with Adachi is simple, and difficult.
Adachi is fine anywhere if with me, but it doesn't make much difference where we go. Even if we go to see something, she is looking only at me, and I don't know if the rest is fun or not.
Since we are at it, I want to make Adachi happy, but making her happy itself is easy.
That's why, it's very difficult.
The entrance of the gymnasium was overflowing with shoes everyone took off, and it seemed likely to become a terrible situation when leaving if taken off and left randomly. I brush the soles of shoes carefully and decide to put them in the bag.
Incidentally, somehow, I take off socks too and free my feet.
"Shimamura, likes becoming barefoot…… doesn't she."
"That's right~. Maybe the sense of liberation is good."
Adachi, who was staring, also starts taking off socks. Then, spreading her toes, she observes my reaction.
Charming fellow, I welcomed with a smile.
The gymnasium with windows covered by blackout curtains had darker shadows than usual, reminding me of a typhoon day somehow.
It was a theater with freedom of entry and exit without needing tickets etc. It seems we just have to sit in empty seats freely and wait, and a considerable number of seats are already filled. Surprisingly, is everyone interested in plays that are not by the drama club?
Since S seats near the stage that seem easy to watch are filled, we sit together in seats at the edge.
The sight of countless people's heads swaying unevenly was like ears of rice blown by the wind.
When the lighting falls quietly, I feel a hot gaze pouring onto my fingers. I understood the meaning of that gaze immediately as I have experienced it in our association. Here, I hold out my right hand while hiding it with the chair.
Since it's a space where the person next to me is only faintly visible in the dark, well, fine, I held hands secretly.
When that hand is gripped firmly, the surprised bounce of fingers is always heartwarming.
It is lovely when she rubs the palm that has gradually become warm from touching as if confirming.
Just holding hands, fine fun is born.
After all is said and done, for me too, Adachi is becoming the best entertainment. I realize on occasion.
After a short while, the stage curtain opens.
"Ah, Hino came out."
I whisper secretly in a low voice.
She really participates in the play, moreover Hino's solo acting from the beginning. Wearing a blonde wig, round sunglasses, and a mountain of piercings on ears. If a human from a family reputable for being strict saw it, they might spill a complaint. However, it suits her quite well.
There was a sense of déjà vu in Hino complaining while walking listlessly. Lines and description…… I take out the cultural festival guide and confirm the program. Ah, my lower lip moves. I thought it was in my memory, it was based on a novel I have read.
It's a book by an author named Kai Shoko. I remember reading it during reading week in middle school.
An author with elaborate, or rather slightly difficult to read sentences and many slightly roundabout descriptions. In the afterword of that book, she stated gratitude for interviewing a model, but the protagonist was supposed to be a hitman. Don't tell me she has an acquaintance who is a hitman. Or rather Hino, are you a hitman?
"I gave it to you just in case, but you don't have to come."
"Who wants to go to the cultural festival~!"
"Oi."
Having been told so, my mother, rebelling as if it were natural, recruits participants with a large raising of her hand. I thought she might do it, but since there is absolutely no hesitation, I almost sigh unintentionally.
This is what happens when I give the cultural festival tickets for family members, which I had forgotten about after having her go help out.
The only one who jumped at it saying "Yeees" was the tanuki who was in the kitchen.
"I do not understand well, but."
"You went to a festival last summer, right? It's something like that."
See, my mother turns around to me. She completely, pleasantly ignores the part where I said not to come.
"That there are stalls sounds fu~n."
Perhaps imagining it with a hand on her chin, Yashiro's expression softens howa howa. Come to think of it, it seems only family members of current students can be invited, but is it okay to include this guy? ……Well, fine.
She's a friend who went to Grandpa and Grandma's house together too.
"It's this Saturday and Sunday. The day family can attend is Sunday."
"You don't have to come."
"What is your place doing?"
Ignoring people's words so perfectly up to here without feeling out of place might be a kind of talent.
It was a nasty talent.
"Fruit candy stall."
"That has a lovely ring to it."
Indeed, you seem like you'd like it, I stroke the tanuki's head. Her tail swayed happily.
"If you hate it that much, you shouldn't have given this to me."
My mother waves the ticket held between her fingers hira hira. That is so, but crushing it silently wouldn't feel good either. I didn't have the disposition to throw away submissions meant for parents.
"Not giving it feels somewhat wrong, and."
"Parental education is thorough, isn't it~"
Is this also called singing one's own praises? Immediately after saying it's wrong, I already want to take that ticket back. When I reach out, my mother avoids it as if sensing it in advance, jumps back exaggeratedly, and hides it behind her back.
"Do you want to take it back!? Do you want to play tag from the morning!? Bring it on!"
The morning news said that the intense heat and midsummer days would continue today too.
Why is this person noisier than cicadas even on such a day?
"I'm giving it to you, but don't come, okay."
"If told 'you don't have to come', one goes normally, right?"
"Do you understand the meaning of 'normally'?"
"The natural for each human being."
I understand. I understand, but mutual understanding is impossible.
In a sense, she is farther than an alien.
While we were talking like that, the tanuki trying to open the refrigerator with a smiling face is grabbed and thrown by my mother, still smiling. The tanuki achieved a beautiful landing while rotating in the air.
"Fufufu…… my landing has improved."
"Well, if you're thrown every day."
However, she is sent flying frivolously and somersaults nimbly. Well, this guy can fly originally, though.
"You have school, right? Get ready quickly."
Get out, get out, my butt is slapped. While brushing off the slapped part, I attempted a futile resistance once more, "Don't come." My mother started washing dishes ignoring absolutely everything as is.
……Well, I thought it would become like this.
The fact that Yashiro, who was kicked out of the kitchen together with me, is in tanuki form means she intends to go to Grandpa and Grandma's house today too. Even though she failed to peek into the refrigerator, Yashiro looks happy as if she had played a bit.
"Going today too, huh."
"Hohoho, I hear they will prepare snacks, so I am excited."
Even though we just ate breakfast together, there is not a bit of decline in the tanuki's appetite.
I even feel it's robust.
"If there is anything, I will undertake it, but."
She says as if sensing the intention of my asking. I wonder, I avert my eyes.
There are surely many things I want to say, but it's difficult to convey them well.
If I can't convey them, seeing her off is enough.
"N…… no, never mind. Take care."
If this suspicious tanuki and Gon are playing energetically.
"Yeees."
Seen off, Yashiro runs tette tette.
However, the tanuki who ran as if aiming for the future was caught by my sister on the way and had her belly poked tsun tsun.
Well, meaning there is that kind of future too.
"School, huh……"
Finally, the summer vacation of a high school student has ended.
Becoming September, the voices of cicadas still reach faintly, though becoming thin.
If I take one step outside, the continuation of summer is there. What makes me feel autumn is at most the chirping of insects at night. As if pushing aside that curtain of summer, I move forward through the heat.
Making noise from the morning, and moreover, attending school after summer vacation from now.
Somehow, I felt twice as tired.
Having said that, since today is also the first day of the new semester, there is no opportunity to open textbooks.
That I am secretly elated that school ends before noon, my roots might not have changed since elementary school. My feet under the desk were dancing quietly.
The new semester starting with summer still spread outside. Two years ago, I started detouring to the second floor of the gymnasium from here, and dyed this hair gold or something. Even if I pinch my current bangs and look at them, I can't recall well myself who was already blonde. But through that loitering on the way, I achieved an unexpected encounter and reached the present.
Perhaps, with the encounter that might influence my whole life.
Looking out the window while holding such feelings, for some reason, I felt like I was peeking into an aquarium tank.
Like looking at a different world somewhere…… a strange feeling was floating up.
After letting the principal and homeroom teacher's appreciated but long speeches flow through one ear and out the other and welcoming an early after school, Pancho had started a rehearsal for making fruit candy at the back of the classroom. Perhaps due to curiosity, a considerable number of classmates are watching the state without going home immediately.
Adachi and I were also joining there. Surprisingly, Adachi remained silently and started watching the state. Adachi rarely has interest in things other than me. No, does she?
It doesn't look like a profile obsessed with fruit candy.
Her cooled eyes, of when she has things other than me in her vision, were chasing Pancho's hands.
The candy to coat the fruit seemed to have been prepared in another place, and was already finished and placed by Pancho's side. Skewering drained fruits one after another onto bamboo skewers, she coats them in the candy in the container.
"Just this. The rest is cooling it and waiting for the candy to harden, and it's done."
Pancho explains while arranging the fruits finished being coated with candy. Certainly, the making process itself looks very simple. Probably, Pancho properly chose such things. Colorful fruits are coated with candy and shining glossily. If arranged properly and sold, it seems likely to make a quite good picture.
I thought such things, but looked up wondering how it reflected in Adachi's eyes.
Adachi was also looking here, our eyes met, and she flinched biku.
Adachi looks at me whenever there is a chance, I think, and, a little, almost become conceited.
"At my part-time job, we skewer strawberries and Muscats alternately and sell them……"
Adachi provides a topic boso boso only to me.
"Heeh. Shall we propose to do so here too later?"
Bunbun, Adachi shook her head.
"No good, absolutely."
"Eh, is it something to refuse to that extent?"
"That is…… no good."
Mogo mogo, without revealing the reason, Adachi doesn't break the wall.
"To that extent, huh……"
I still didn't understand what Adachi's mysterious obsession meant right now.
After switching fruit candy making to Delos, Pancho comes next to me.
Wondering if there is some business, I look at her.
"I'll schedule the time so you can go around together with Adachi-san."
Pancho announces in a reserved voice and grins. Time…… ah, the time in charge of selling fruit candy. And she will match it so I can share free time with Adachi.
While thinking it's itchy to have a classmate take care of me.
"I am grateful for your consideration."
Pancho laughed lightly and pushed my shoulder. She's a good guy.
Is leaving immediately also consideration? But actually, it helps.
I share the just-now beneficial information with the blank-looking Adachi.
"Since it seems to be so, that's good."
I put my arm around Adachi's shoulder comfortably. Due to the height difference, I have to stretch slightly awkwardly.
When I step into Adachi's world, it seems I also become unstable.
"L-Let's go around various places together."
"Adachi is lagging behind~"
That part is already decided, already.
After that, I also tried making just one fruit candy, received it as a souvenir, and headed home.
What I made was tangerine candy. Trying to eat it, the combination of the texture of the candy popping pari and the sweet and sourness of the fruit seeping from behind that is quite pleasant. I want to try other flavors too.
Adachi's is Muscat, but surely, that one will be better made.
When I tackle the same thing as Adachi, there is hardly ever a case where I produce results exceeding Adachi.
But without being impatient there, rather I feel proud thinking Adachi is good.
I wonder from what viewpoint that praise is.
"Adachi~……"
Did you casually give the ticket to your mother? I start to ask. Based on what happened in my family, I intended to make it a little funny story, but realizing after saying, even if I ask.
"Adachi is~…… what?"
Adachi peeks at the frozen me with a fearful appearance.
Based on Adachi's personality, the answer is either she didn't give it or didn't tell her.
Well absolutely, there is no doubt the atmosphere will cool down. So I forcibly change direction.
"Adachi iiis……"
I edge closer jiri jiri while creating a pause to gloss over. I could see Adachi trying to retreat reflexively bikuri for a moment. However, not flinching there, and daring to choose advance was the current Adachi.
I collide head-on with Adachi who conversely closed the distance for some reason. Perhaps because I was bending my knees slightly and applying pressure in a half-crouch, when we collided…… speaking clearly, I end up burying my face in Adachi's chest area.
"………………………………………………………………"
Partly because it's over the uniform, separately, there isn't much difference in the sensation of touching.
Pulling back su, I dissipate the feeling that the back of my neck is about to stiffen by shaking my head many times.
My body almost becomes stiff, as if I became Adachi reflected in a mirror.
Needless to say at this late hour, Adachi is a beautiful girl. A masterpiece of beauty. That beauty dwells not only in her face like deep jasper eyes, a nose bridge like a white sand castle, and cheeks like mirror surfaces, but naturally also in her well-proportioned body; although she usually lets peek childishness, she is undoubtedly eighteen years old this year, and being eighteen means an adult, and physical maturity certainly exists.
In short what I want to say is, Adachi who is usually nothing but a cute creature is, so…… only vulgar expressions come to mind, and I get stuck on my own arbitrarily. But not wanting to decorate Adachi with such things, I choose many words.
Adachi is also a fine woman. Finally, I find a landing point.
Touching a fine woman, slightly, I was shaken. That was it.
It was like this before too, but the atmosphere when this kind of topic is likely to float between Adachi and me is…… awkward.
"Um, Shimamura? Adachi is?"
It seems Adachi's consciousness is not directed there. If it were, she wouldn't be able to stay very calm. The fact that only I was conscious corners me even more.
This kind of thing is rare, I think like it's someone else's affair.
It is rare for me to fall into puberty.
"Yeah, Adachi is, you see……"
Since Adachi is my lover, such stories also probably cannot be avoided someday.
But now I pretend I didn't see.
Digression aside.
Pulling myself together.
Looking forward as if nothing happened.
"This is delicious."
"Eh, yeah……"
Seeming to have no emotion, Adachi had already finished eating the fruit candy.
Seeing her hand holding the bamboo skewer with nothing pierced on it, my cheeks loosen thinking it's like her.
If it's Adachi-ish I laugh, and if she does something unexpected I can enjoy it as unlike her.
No gaps, I thought.
With that said, the day of the cultural festival arrives.
"Who is going to the cultural festival~!"
"Today is for students onlu~y."
"No, there you have to raise your hand."
My hand is grabbed by my mother, and raising hand is forced. When I shake it off, my mother showed her teeth and laughed.
"Go have fun. You're having a date with Adachi-chan, right."
"Date, you say."
Nahahaha, my mother laughed, slapped my back and left.
It's strong I tell you, I trace while stretching my back that seeps a little pain.
"Date, huh."
Cultural festival date. ……Certainly, it wasn't a bad ring.
After all there is no next. This was the last high school cultural festival, even though it's the first time.
"I'm off~"
Yashiro, frolicking while fighting over a bead cushion with my sister, looks at me and greets.
Gazing at those cheeks honyahonya enough not to lose to the cushion, fu, my breath seemed to escape.
"I'm off~"
Thinking of what will happen from now, I greet. The wave of my hand was also much lighter than usual.
The meeting with Adachi today is in front of the main gate. She said she wanted to enter together. Adachi might also be in a date mood. Not because I was told by my mother, but it seems better for me to heighten such mood a little too.
In the carried bag are wallet and phone, cultural festival guide. And an apron to help with the stall.
"…………………………………"
I shake the bag bunbun. Open and peek inside.
Alright, no one is inside this time. It's a guy one cannot let guard down against even if just checked.
Going to school on Saturday, and moreover not to take classes, makes my steps somehow strange. We were to help with the class attraction from the afternoon. Moreover, the time is properly aligned. Adachi and I seem like a closed relationship, but unexpectedly, we are helped by surrounding goodwill. If we pretend not to see such things, surely it will become only painful.
A week after the new semester started, summer is maintaining success. Cicadas retreated a step early, but cumulonimbus clouds are conquering the sky. The sensation that summer continues forever is the symbol of September for me.
But that sensation always welcomes an end, and before I know it, it becomes chilly.
There is no stagnation for us. Only advance.
Always, Adachi is waiting for me.
"…………See, waiting today too."
When the school main gate comes into view, I can find Adachi immediately.
Even though I came out to arrive fifteen minutes earlier than the promised time, Adachi was already waiting in front of the main gate. What on earth is the meeting time for us? Somehow, it always becomes a situation like I am late, so I feel a little sorry.
Thinking that talking about this to Adachi seems likely to make it even more complicated, I swallow it and join her with a smile.
Adachi comes sliding towards me with the bicycle.
"Mornin'. Were you able to sleep properly yesterday?"
It seems Adachi can't fall asleep easily every day, but that she is this energetic, expressive, and trying her best as if rushing through life every day despite that—I can't help but feel the surge of youth even though we are the same age. Being swayed by that momentum occasionally is, for me, probably enticing.
Entering the school, we head to the bicycle parking lot. After managing to slip through the cluttered space and parking the bicycle, I spread the cultural festival guide so the two of us can look.
Two days' worth of schedule and map of attractions are properly written in, and I feel the passion of handwriting.
"First, peek at stalls or something…… also, it seems Hino and others' class is doing a play from ten thirty, want to go see?"
I ask while pointing at the event schedule in the gymnasium. And while waiting for a reply, wondering what other attractions Adachi might be happy with, my finger sways left and right.
Going out to the mall with Adachi, going to play at the mall, dating at the mall…… memories of association like a healthy local high school girl drop poro poro. There is nowhere else to go, and the mall alone suffices.
"Play……"
Adachi lets her eyes swim.
"Yeah, let's go see."
What is that gesture of thinking for a moment recently? It seems she has something on her mind, but since she is usually open enough to say open, Adachi keeping secrets from me is fresh.
But surely, it's not a bad thing. Adachi's goodness is round and feels good to touch.
Though sometimes once it starts rolling without a hold, it cannot be stopped.
Since there is time until the performance time at the gymnasium, before that we go to check out the stalls lined up on the sports ground. When stalls line up and create partitions on the sports ground, it looks like another place again. I feel like I really wandered into a festival venue. If I came with my sisters, it's a scene to hold hands so as not to get separated.
But since Adachi doesn't seem to like being treated like a younger sister, I just walk next to her together.
"Oh, chocolate banana."
"B-Banana, huh~"
Passing in front of a stall with a rich smell, I inhale the strong, sweet scent from next to me.
"Ah, scent of baby castella."
"Sweeet…… huuh……"
To my mutter, Adachi rides along probably forcing herself. Since I'm just pointing randomly, she doesn't particularly have to pick up everything, but that stretching gesture is funny so I try continuing a little more.
Thinking I feel like we were doing something like this at the summer festival last year too, while laughing.
"Hou, here is tapioca."
"Ta, tapi."
As if choking on tapioca drink which name is often heard but never actually drunk, Adachi's reaction becomes muddy. It seems tapioca was quite an unknown existence. Does Adachi's workplace not have it?
"Among these, I like baby castella."
It seems various flavors are prepared, and just looking makes my heart bounce.
"Adachi?"
"Ah, then, I'll have that too……"
"It was a reply as expected."
I wonder with what sensation people uninterested in food gaze at these stalls.
In the end, we just looked around and headed to the gymnasium without eating anything.
A date with Adachi is simple, and difficult.
Adachi is fine anywhere if with me, but it doesn't make much difference where we go. Even if we go to see something, she is looking only at me, and I don't know if the rest is fun or not.
Since we are at it, I want to make Adachi happy, but making her happy itself is easy.
That's why, it's very difficult.
The entrance of the gymnasium was overflowing with shoes everyone took off, and it seemed likely to become a terrible situation when leaving if taken off and left randomly. I brush the soles of shoes carefully and decide to put them in the bag.
Incidentally, somehow, I take off socks too and free my feet.
"Shimamura, likes becoming barefoot…… doesn't she."
"That's right~. Maybe the sense of liberation is good."
Adachi, who was staring, also starts taking off socks. Then, spreading her toes, she observes my reaction.
Charming fellow, I welcomed with a smile.
The gymnasium with windows covered by blackout curtains had darker shadows than usual, reminding me of a typhoon day somehow.
It was a theater with freedom of entry and exit without needing tickets etc. It seems we just have to sit in empty seats freely and wait, and a considerable number of seats are already filled. Surprisingly, is everyone interested in plays that are not by the drama club?
Since S seats near the stage that seem easy to watch are filled, we sit together in seats at the edge.
The sight of countless people's heads swaying unevenly was like ears of rice blown by the wind.
When the lighting falls quietly, I feel a hot gaze pouring onto my fingers. I understood the meaning of that gaze immediately as I have experienced it in our association. Here, I hold out my right hand while hiding it with the chair.
Since it's a space where the person next to me is only faintly visible in the dark, well, fine, I held hands secretly.
When that hand is gripped firmly, the surprised bounce of fingers is always heartwarming.
It is lovely when she rubs the palm that has gradually become warm from touching as if confirming.
Just holding hands, fine fun is born.
After all is said and done, for me too, Adachi is becoming the best entertainment. I realize on occasion.
After a short while, the stage curtain opens.
"Ah, Hino came out."
I whisper secretly in a low voice.
She really participates in the play, moreover Hino's solo acting from the beginning. Wearing a blonde wig, round sunglasses, and a mountain of piercings on ears. If a human from a family reputable for being strict saw it, they might spill a complaint. However, it suits her quite well.
There was a sense of déjà vu in Hino complaining while walking listlessly. Lines and description…… I take out the cultural festival guide and confirm the program. Ah, my lower lip moves. I thought it was in my memory, it was based on a novel I have read.
It's a book by an author named Kai Shoko. I remember reading it during reading week in middle school.
An author with elaborate, or rather slightly difficult to read sentences and many slightly roundabout descriptions. In the afterword of that book, she stated gratitude for interviewing a model, but the protagonist was supposed to be a hitman. Don't tell me she has an acquaintance who is a hitman. Or rather Hino, are you a hitman?
Hino's posture and gestures are usually well-groomed, so the theatrical movements on stage seemed strangely fitting. The blond hair also seemed to fit naturally, perhaps due to the outfit and sunglasses, causing me to taste a slight sense of defeat, gunu. My blond hair was unpopular and said to not suit me, but I wonder what part was no good.
Nagafuji also enters from the stage wing, bathed in attention and light. Nagafuji's role is indeed an up-and-coming actress. With her hair styled and mouth closed, she certainly could pass for an actress. As long as she keeps her mouth shut. However, since it is Nagafuji, once she starts moving, even the viewers become anxious. When she starts speaking, one feels suspense in a different sense, wondering if she will be alright. Ignoring those who know such a Nagafuji, she is speaking quietly in a gentle tone completely different from usual. Nagafuji is serious in these scenes too.
But Hino and Nagafuji are together even on stage, I harbor a strange admiration.
The hitman and actress who met by chance part ways once as the hitman escapes, but later the actress comes to the agency the hitman belongs to for a request, so they end up reuniting. And the content of that actress's request is…… that is the beginning of the story. When the actress Nagafuji speaks quietly and sensibly, of course I know she is doing it seriously, but it is so different from usual that I almost laugh.
Being able to become a self different from usual might be the good part of drama.
If our class attraction was a play, Adachi seems likely to be recommended for the leading role, I peek at her profile softly. At least if she stands on stage she is a top-class actress, in appearance. There is no one better than her in this school.
What am I competing with, me.
It was good that it's dim, I feel relieved while being conscious of Adachi's hand.
Nagafuji is an actress, Adachi is a top-class actress, and Hino is an actor.
Then when it comes to me, I think there probably isn't anything. I can't imagine myself as an actress at all.
Comparing Adachi and me, what I realize is a lack of radiance. When looking at that person, even without a light source, an unidentifiable light runs in the corner of the eye and I feel dazzled. Causing a phenomenon beyond human understanding to that extent is what a human possessing something does.
Because I lack such decisive things, I cannot attract attention.
But Adachi chases such a me with her eyes dazzlingly, like the number one star in the universe.
Maybe people only see the stars they want to see in the night sky.
Also, there was one more person. A girl who surely called me cute, beautiful, from the bottom of her heart.
I couldn't respond, but I will surely never forget that such a girl existed.
Looking back on that girl, I narrowed my eyes thinking it would surely be a big deal if the Adachi next to me found out.
On stage, the hitman played by Hino was running away from the actress who had arrived at the residence first.
The play reproduced one chapter of the novel and ended in less than an hour. Certainly, the climax of that novel was at its highest in the first chapter, and after that, it's bad to say, but it seemed monotonous. Guessing based on the contents of the afterword, it seems to be the result of writing the first chapter as a short story and then adding to it later to make it a single book.
"No, it was more elaborate than I thought."
Props were properly prepared, and the direction also had parts that took my breath away as someone unaccustomed to seeing such things. It easily exceeded my expectations before watching, and how should I say, I was satisfied.
"Yeah……"
Adachi's reaction is thin. Even when looking up at the stage, how is she processing that information?
Adachi's emotions when not involving me are still full of mysteries.
The performance ended, but everyone doesn't try to leave. Waa, voices talking all at once increase and fill the gymnasium. Mixed with the heat, it was like being hit by sudden rain.
Does not leaving their seats mean they are aiming for the next program? What is it.
"It seems they're still doing something continuing from the play."
Looking, figures of people entering further into the already cramped gymnasium are wriggling. I decided to open the guide and check. The lighting is unreliably dim, but if I strain my eyes, it's not invisible.
"After a short break, the next time is what what."
"Concert by a big-shot guest visiting Japan."
"Big-shot, huh."
Together with Adachi who read aloud from the side, I check the name of that big-shot guest.
Nijo Owari? ……Is it that I am ignorant of the world, or is she not a big-shot, which is it.
"Adachi, do you know?"
"Not at all."
Two ignorant spectators who don't know the big-shot guest waited for the appearance vacantly.
A piano that had been removed from the stage is carried in by several people. A woman in Japanese clothes who appeared from behind it sits down and starts touching the piano as if checking its condition. Wearing a wisteria-colored yukata, her long hair reaching her waist asserts itself strongly. It was black hair with a texture like woven night.
Is that not the big-shot guest? Although her appearance doesn't seem like an ordinary person.
Starting to notice that kimono beauty, the surrounding buzz calms down little by little. The tone of the kimono beauty's piano also gradually begins to echo clearly in the gymnasium. That melody draws a certain shape while being monotonous…… for some reason it was "Yuyake Koyake" (Sunset Glow). I am invited to go home before it starts.
Thus, the kimono beauty who stood up after finishing playing one song waved her hand this way while holding her sleeve, showing amiability unbecoming of her calm appearance. Receiving applause before the favorite big-shot guest appears. At first, it was sporadic like light rain, potsu potsu, but it reached a mass as if grasping the flow. Adachi and I also clapped each other's hands pachi pachi and jumped on the bandwagon.
I learn that clapping with something other than my own hands is quite difficult.
With the kimono beauty exiting once, human voices begin to wriggle in the darkness again.
"I wonder if everyone knows who that is."
"N-……"
After looking around restlessly, Adachi tilts her head. However, that yukata color seems likely to suit Adachi too.
The yukata she wore at the previous summer festival was also good though.
"Come to think of it, can Adachi play instruments or something?"
Watching the piano performance, I ask something I suddenly wondered.
"Not at all. I've never touched anything other than the school recorder."
"Same as me."
Comrades, comrades, we awkwardly touch the tips of our index fingers. Since Adachi is happy when there is something in common with me, if I find it I share it properly. Conversely, if there is something that doesn't match with Adachi, I feel relieved feeling like I am facing the human named Adachi properly.
Because Adachi is a good girl, if she senses it, she immediately tries to match me.
Is being a good girl bad?
It was decided to be good.
Before long, together with the earlier kimono beauty, the big-shot guest probably finally appears. It was a fair-skinned older sister with short hair. She walks swinging her arm exaggeratedly with a microphone in one hand. Even with distance, the redness of her lips drew the eye.
And the song older sister who stood in the center of the stage slammed her singing voice without even greeting.
It wasn't a joke, but a volume enough to shake the entire gymnasium. Naturally, our eardrums are also shaken violently. Adachi, who was watching vacantly at the attack without prelude, is also grimacing.
The kimono beauty ran to the piano while widening her eyes at the abrupt start of the song, and starts playing while sitting as if jumping on it. Apparently, it is an ad-lib not in the meeting etc. The piano tone also chases the singing voice intensely from the start.
Until getting used to it, the singing voice was mere noise. As I become able to distinguish, a sensation like my heart floating sprouts where the piano and the high-pitched singing voice overlap.
There, finally, I started to understand in the back of my ears that she might be a big-shot guest.
"Thanks for inviting me toda~y!"
Even after the song ends, the voice is still loud enough to echo in the bones. Somehow, it seems her volume is naturally strange.
Adachi's lips were distorted as if enduring something bitter.
"……Want to go outside?"
Because she looks uncomfortable, I ask secretly, and Adachi shook her head after freezing silently.
"You don't have to force yourself, you know?"
"I will."
Adachi's will is hard as if gripping a stone.
"Because forcing oneself is something one must do as one goes."
Even though it should be a fun concert, it was an argument as if doing training.
Is it Adachi's philosophy? I don't know what she is trying to find there, but if she says she will do it, there is no way to stop her. When I squeeze her hand under the chair, she squeezed back strongly.
The big-shot guest cheerfully declares "I wonder if everyone knows this so~ng? You definitely don't know it~!" and starts singing. The way of singing like shoving the listener's whole body with too much loudness doesn't change, but the habituation from earlier works moderately well, and I adapted enough to match my heart to the excitement of the venue. At least I settle on an evaluation of about "quite good".
Adachi continued to stiffen her shoulders intently with her lips and eyes completely flat.
Adachi, whose dislikes are hard to understand, showing a blatant reaction was painful but quite fresh.
The short but rich concert ended, and people are spewed out one after another like laundry being scooped up from a washing machine after washing. Pushed on the back by that flow, sometimes jostled as if about to be pushed back, we manage to leave the gymnasium. Putting on the shoes taken out from the bag by stepping on the heels, we escape to near the school building and finally calm down.
"Good work."
I appreciate Adachi who accompanied me until the end although she didn't look fun at all.
"Etto…… eetto…… y-young people's songs are, difficult~"
Seeing Adachi act playfully with all her might in her own way, I reach a state of mind that it would be rude not to accompany her.
"Oh my, Grandma, really."
Hohoho, when I ride on the conversation, Adachi finally relaxed her cheeks just a little.
"Well, setting that aside. Adachi, are you good for the toilet?"
Since we spent a long time in the gymnasium, I ask how is it. After this, we have to go to the classroom to help with the class attraction.
Adachi answered "I'm okay," then reconsidered a little.
"Just in case, maybe I should go first……"
"I'll be waiting here so go ahead."
"Mu, I am being mothered……"
When I pat the head of Adachi-chan who looks dissatisfied at being treated like a child, she twists her lips more and more while dyeing her cheeks and accepts that hand obediently, her face is busy. Since she doesn't leave easily, when I tried to release my hand from here, she walks zunzun and chases me. I declare beforehand, but now is not the time for the petting corner. For a moment I ended up thinking maybe I should guide her to the toilet like this.
Sandwiching such recreation, I see off the departing Adachi.
Leaning against the wall of the school building, I wait for Adachi. Doing so and calming down to listen, the cicadas' voices still reach faintly. I kill time carefully picking up the smoldering embers of summer in the crowd and hustle and bustle.
"……N?"
Suddenly, our eyes meet at a height close to my feet. The opponent was not a human, but a dog.
Dog?
Since outsiders are prohibited today, does it mean this dog is also a splendid current student…… well, assuming not.
It was a round dog with white fur, and the impression at a glance is like a ball. Since it seems likely to be kicked by the flow of people as is, I try beckoning it. Responding to that, it came to my feet notta notta. When I crouched, it raised one leg like a greeting.
"Chii~ssu."
When I greet back, it looked like it nodded un un. ……It didn't actually nod, I think.
"Came alone…… unlikely."
Again the round dog affirms un un. While nodding, the meat on its belly also shakes poyo poyo.
……Obviously looks like it understands my words.
Well, since there is an alien at home, it's not…… strange even if there is a dog that understands Japanese? Anyway, the dog is cute. Looking at it and smiling niko-, it waved its hand…… no leg again. Somehow one by one, the gestures are human-like.
"That guy is my friend."
Called out, I raise my face. The round dog also looks there much later than me. A reaction speed with not a fragment of wildness.
The one who approached was the older sister who was called on stage and singing just now. The redness of her lips, as if floating up from the whiteness of her skin, draws the eye. The round dog walks up to her feet as if happy to find its owner.
The singer picks up the dog, and laughs while patting peta peta its belly that looks comfortable to touch.
"While I was working, it seems it was taking a walk because it was bored."
"Haa."
Her vocalization is firm haki haki just like being on stage, and on top of that loud.
The loudness of her voice reminds me a little of my mother.
Holding the dog, the singer peeks at my face.
"Were you listening? My song."
"Ah, yes."
"Thanks~"
She waves her hand like thanks together with the dog.
"Was my voice properly loud?"
"Yes, very."
And even now.
"Was it noisy! Yoshi yoshi."
She seems satisfied enough to stroke her chin at high speed as if polishing.
"I have confidence in the loudness of my voice. I have nothing else!"
"……My, my."
Is that okay. For the time being, it seems it wasn't good for Adachi.
"This guy always complains that my voice is noisy. That's why it doesn't listen to my songs either."
This guy, see, she raises the dog as if showing it off. The dog acted playfully with a gesture like blocking its ears with its front paws…… acted playfully. It is obviously understanding human words and reacting since earlier.
A singer challenging the world with only voice volume, and a round dog understanding human language.
A thick combination as if jumping out from fiction makes the voice even louder. Why?
"I'm not selling much yet now, but I'll become more famous eventually so remember me, okay."
"Haa……"
Since I remembered the name, voice, and face this time, it was certain that she is easy to remain in impression.
"I'll show you I will become."
While emphasizing as if telling herself, she left walking fast with the dog.
Somehow recently, there are many encounters with this kind of person. The potter older sister was also a dreamer.
Maybe adults also want to dream at least, and struggle in life.
"Ah! I'll sing tomorrow too, so if you like come!"
As if brushing aside the crowd, the voice pierces straight here.
Immediately after that, the held dog left a cry as if saying it doesn't really matter either way.
If she says she is not good at the owner's singing voice, Adachi and that dog might get along.
No, there is no other intention like Adachi is dog-like or such.
"……Anyway."
Dogs are cute. That's all there is to say.
As if switching places, Adachi comes back trotting.
"Welcome back. Wasn't it crowded?"
"Lined up a little. S-Shimamura, are you good for the toilet?"
That Adachi is slightly leaning forward and a little excited uki uki is probably because she has been warming this up thinking of saying this while moving. That kind of place leaves the innocence of a young child even now, as Adachi's atmosphere is very…… nice, good, it becomes.
"Then, I guess I'll go too. Can you wait here, Adachi?"
"Yeah."
Adachi shows a posture of waiting by the wall happily kiki at the achievement of consideration and communication.
Because it's rude to the person…… strictly, strictly only in my mind, but that movement and subtlety of heart are a bit dog-like. Are there only cute dogs in my life?
Wait like a good girl, okay, I wave my hand with a smile and walk towards the school building.
I don't think things like I should have gone together from the beginning. This double effort is surely important.
Finishing such exchange and preparation, since there is help for the fruit candy shop from the afternoon, we head to the classroom.
"Oh, Shimamura-san and company came too."
Pancho beckons us while dirtying the edge of her mouth with a chocolate banana.
"This is lunch. I said buy whatever so this was it."
Pancho eating the chocolate banana baku baku looked dissatisfied while eating deliciously.
"The definition of lunch breaks."
"Hate chocolate banana?"
"Relatively like it. Did Shimamura-san and company listen to the concert or such?"
"Yeah. It was a person I didn't know, but the voice was loud."
"Tomorrow I'm going to listen during free time too~"
"Are you a fan?"
"No, don't know at all, but since I don't usually go to such things, there is a sense of value."
You should bring earplugs, I hesitated whether to say as a joke and stopped.
The song itself remained in my impression. Really, due to the loud voice enough to crush ears. Thanks to it.
I wear the apron I brought over the uniform. Since I borrowed my mother's, traces of heavy use are scattered. Putting it on and looking down, I feel a strange emotion about wearing the apron I have seen casually since childhood like this myself. The ceiling of adulthood that I couldn't even see in the past has become an age where it seems likely to reach if I stretch my hand a little more.
Feeling something more passionate than such sentiment, I raise my face.
"What's wrong Adachi."
Clutching the apron, Adachi is making ripples of agitation on the surface of her eyes.
The cause seemed to be me.
"Shimamura in that outfit…… abyo."
"Byo."
"Um, cute……"
"Is thaaat so?"
I'm just wearing an apron over the uniform though, I pinch the edge.
"Cuute……"
In a tone like withdrawing into a burrow in a small voice, she praises me further. It seems to be very well received by Adachi. Being pleased so much with a simple outfit, naturally I don't feel bad.
"I'll explain so you two over there come here too."
Pancho beckons us as if containing something while floating a smile. Probably, it means come instead of flirting. After the employees for the afternoon session gathered, Pancho starts explanation and assignment of work.
"Adachi-san is……"
"Ah, she says she wants to handle cooking."
"Eh."
I offer a helping boat to Adachi arbitrarily. Adachi is surprised as if hit on the head by that boat.
"Then please handle cooking of fruit candy."
"E, eeto…… yeah."
With Adachi's personality, backstage would be more suitable.
Also…… well, fine.
I thought it might be tough if Adachi is paid attention to by customers too much. Too beautiful girl.
That was all.
Even saying that, she handles customer service at her part-time job though.
As was in Pancho's explanation, since we provide fruit candy and simple drinks, it has become a business like a slightly tasteless cafe. Still, we are trying to wipe out the atmosphere of the classroom by finishing it properly like that with decorations and colorful curtains. Just paying attention to fine details changes things quite a bit. A cultural festival is probably exactly about lining up this kind of extraordinary sensation inside the school.
When looking at the store interior like that, customers come in immediately.
The one who visited was a beauty wearing a wisteria-colored yukata. Or rather, the person who was playing the piano on stage.
It wasn't just her hair that was dark like a shadow, but also her graceful features.
Even though smiling, the shadow cannot be wiped away.
After guiding her to a seat, I hand the menu list and ask for the order.
"How would you like your order."
I wonder if I should serve like this, the manual is vague and my attitude also becomes ambiguous.
The kimono beauty is staring at the menu list with a difficult look enough to create wrinkles.
I end up staring intently at those long fingers that were playing the piano skillfully.
"……Is this all, furutsu……?"
"Eh?"
"Furutsuu……"
Looking up, the kimono beauty taps the top of the menu list ton ton and urges me. Eh, what?
"All are fruit candy (ame), though."
When I say the obvious, the kimono beauty relaxes her cheeks as if understanding something, and closes her eyes.
"Ah this, you read it ame."
"Yes?"
The beauty said as if feigning ignorance without breaking her intellectual profile at all.
"Please give me one of each flavor."
Returning the menu list to me as if giving up on reading it, she orders like that.
"Eeto, all types, right."
It seems likely to be a considerable amount, but will she eat it all alone?
"I want to bring back the most delicious one to my little sister."
"Haa."
"I could bring back all of them, but that would seem too sweet for my sister, right?"
It seems fine even if it's sweet though.
"Order for one of each type entered~"
When I pass the order to the chef, "Eh, all?" Adachi starts preparing while tilting her head.
Starting customer service, business is brisk immediately.
The beauty playing freely with fruit candy laughs frivolously and darkly without observing the surroundings.
The shadow she wears was accentuating her own features like makeup.
Although the atmosphere is quite different, seeing a beauty in Japanese dress makes memories ache.
I really haven't met that person since then, and I feel like I won't meet her in the future either. Sometimes there are partners for whom such premonitions work.
She was a strange person, but thinking now, it was like a faint first love…… I feel not unlike that. This is also, a memory that should be kept secret from Adachi.
I am Shimachan who loves Adachi very very very much, but if my memories are rejected, it is very painful. That alone I might not be able to forgive, so, sinking it in secret is enough.
Adachi might want to understand all of me, but because I cherish the partner, there are surely things that must be hidden.
Adachi might not have such things though.
Because common sense of socializing doesn't apply in various ways, Adachi sometimes seems like an alien.
After that too, the customer entry was better than thought, and my feet going around the classroom don't rest easily.
Adachi is handling the work of making fruit candy flawlessly while chasing me serving customers with her eyes all the time. Our eyes meet countless times, and Adachi shrinks her neck shyly but there is no hindrance to the movement of her hands. Except for how to treat me, Adachi was extremely dexterous.
Putting too much strength only for me and spinning wheels, that appearance is…… ah well, maybe it's fine, I think comparing. When watched to that extent, I end up thinking rudely during work where Adachi's charm is. First, that she is a good-looking girl is a major premise and explanation is no longer needed.
Trying her best, being shy, yet not flinching.
Where vocabulary melts when overcome with emotion, always delivering a bouquet of emotions.
Good face.
Not wavering. Challenging forcibly. Good profile.
Being innocent. Being pure. But sometimes being tossed about by puberty.
Being beautiful.
Above all, being able to believe unconditionally that she needs me more than anyone.
The posture, spirit, self-abandonment of throwing that trust without hiding.
I am also ignited by the love like a fireball.
"…………Or~der entered~"
"Y, ye~s."
Daring not to focus my eyes, I swing my limbs for work.
If I think any more, I looked likely to become a strawberry candy.
Business ended at 5:30 PM. After finishing cleaning up such as throwing away trash, we are dismissed at six today. Pancho, who watched the store all day, was giving instructions briskly until the end, and I think she might be enjoying the cultural festival the most. That was not something to be teased, it was youth.
I was also enjoying receiving the grace of people enthusiastic like that quite a bit.
Specially, it's not dramatic, but I think I am receiving the youth generated from the cultural festival.
Wondering how Adachi was, for the time being when hands are free opening and reading the guide, there is something heightening towards the cultural festival nicely.
Tomorrow, cleanup and a post-festival party are scheduled after this time.
Speaking of post-festival party, will they do a campfire or something? We did a campfire at night when we went towards the mountain for elementary school accommodation training, but I suddenly remember being scolded by the teacher for frolicking too much. When I told that story to my mother after returning, I was surprised by 『Why are you doing the same thing as me? Are you doing thought tapping!』. I don't want to admit it, but maybe it means like mother like child.
"Shimamura."
Choi choi, my back is pinched over the uniform. Closing the guide, I turn around.
Adachi, gripping the strap of her bag tightly, was staring at me with upturned eyes.
This is the face when she has something to talk about.
"What is it? It's difficult to stop by somewhere before going home today, you know?"
Biku, Adachi's shoulders jump.
Thinking is it that kind of talk, smiling wryly.
"Just a little, come."
Adachi beckons reservedly and leaves the classroom walking fast as if escaping. Since suspicious behavior is the usual, it's not something to pay much attention to, but wondering what it is, I try chasing. Sticking to Adachi's back, I am guided to another classroom at the back of the hallway not used today. Carelessly unlocked, the unmanned classroom had its floor drawing scorch marks as if wearing the sunset.
While the embers of summer burn the air, the time of sunset is definitely becoming earlier.
Adachi moves to the window side of the classroom, stops, and turns back here.
The fragments of shadow she carries on her back are dyed the same color as her hair, as if everything synchronizes with Adachi.
Adachi floating in the twilight, her twin eyes were shining like early blooming stars.
Adachi raises her fingers.
The number is two, just in the shape of a peace sign.
"What are those fingers."
Peeking between the fingers, I ask the intention. Perhaps becoming embarrassed of the peace sign, Adachi retracts it quickly and looks down.
It was the usual Adachi. As usual, she starts talking boso boso.
"Separate from this, I want to do it."
This, separate, I don't get the idea of individual words respectively.
"What story?"
If Adachi doesn't raise them, this time I press a peace sign. What what, when I ask.
"Cultural festival."
Adachi's thin lips muttered so as if reading a name written at her feet.
"N-?"
Being held with great acclaim though, cultural festival.
Want to do separately?
Examining that preamble, ah, it becomes.
Ah.
"You mean doing a cultural festival with just the two of us?"
Assuming if Adachi makes a distinction, it probably means that, I infer and ask.
"Yeah……"
She is watching my reaction fearfully. She proposed a trip for just the two of us before the school trip, and Adachi must also remember that it was refused. A trip was indeed impossible, but if it's a cultural festival, no but a festival with two people huh, I glance at the classroom floor.
Cultural festival for just two, is it. Certainly, if doing a cultural festival, there is no opportunity other than now.
You were thinking about such things all along, I stare at Adachi.
Totally, an idea and proposal like Adachi.
Even while I am enjoying the cultural festival quite a bit, Adachi must have been imagining only overwriting the memory of the cultural festival with that of the two of us.
It seems Adachi wants to make the love with me shine in the deep sea where no light reaches or at the ends of the universe.
I feel honored to be chosen as that partner, and also awe-inspiring.
Various feelings sprout, and what is consistent is making me restless.
That I cannot stay standing still.
Looking up at the claw marks of the sunset clouds, as if tearing the sky.
Inhaling the lukewarm air, I hallucinate the second floor of the gymnasium.
My heart is loose, but without retreating, it accelerates.
"Well, fine."
Always the conclusion finishes stepping with such ease.
"Shall we do it, a cultural festival for just the two of us."
Against the flow circulating overhead like a sphere, dawn visits Adachi's expression.
What makes Adachi happy is not food, or place, or song.
Just simply to a foolish extent, it was me.
As long as there is me, food, place, and song become unnecessary.
I was the outline, the skeleton, the background, and the heart of Adachi's world.
I am bearing everything, not losing to Pancho at the cultural festival.
And for such an Adachi, I prepare a world where she can live comfortably.
Why, because Adachi's expression showing joy from the heart is………… because…… desirable.
After a slightly long run-up, our cultural festival was about to begin.
Interlude
Considering my own nature, if a cultural festival is being held, I would go peek every year, but I think about the incomprehensible fact that for some reason I have no memory of doing so for about two years.
"Well, fine!"
"Hohoho."
The monkey riding on my shoulders also shakes its tail, expressing emotions suitable for a festival.
Since there is a public opening for relatives and it's Sunday, when I invited everyone to go immediately, the reaction from the family was unexpectedly indifferent. The lower daughter went out saying she has business to play with friends, and the husband let it slide with a rough attitude saying 『Iiyaa』.
『You are truly energetic. Sometimes I am impressed.』
『What's wrong Elder, come on stand up!』
『Didn't Hougetsu say you don't have to come?』
『That's why I'm going, isn't it.』
『I am not particularly impressed by that part of you.』
『Because that guy isn't honest, see. Who does she resemble I wonder.』
『School is a place for children, and for parents to intrude there unreservedly is.』
『In short, going out is troublesome.』
『Yeah well.』
That was it.
So, the only one who followed was this monkey who seems free all year round.
"I heard there are many bazaars so I came in formal dress."
" Gozaru, huh." (Note: Pun on 'bazaar' and 'gozaru' - samurai sentence ending)
The summer dome, lingering heat only in name, covers the town in the form of a blue sky. Perhaps thanks to carrying the cool monkey, I arrive at the school Hougetsu attends without sweating much. That is fine, but the number of visitors was more than I thought. Since I imagined it would be more deserted, I am surprised.
Starting from the main gate, it's dressed up and lively, and passing through there, a long line is visible immediately. Stretching myself, I confirm that it extends to the entrance inside the school. Apparently one cannot enter inside without lining up for this. While thinking seriously~, since I came all this way, I lined up at the very end.
Even though I intended to just check it out lightly and go home.
I feel with my gaze that the monkey is bathing in slight attention. I feel like it's not slight.
"I tried inviting one more person, but over there didn't answer the phone."
"There are times like that too."
"Do you really understaaand?"
Since I can't see because of the shoulder ride, I raise my hand roughly and poke the soft cheek.
If I came alone, the waiting time would have been boring and I seemed likely to go home, so it was good I brought her.
I haven't actually seen it yet, but that success is conveyed from the school building by colorful voices.
Like bathing in sunlight, that air soaks into the skin.
"Iya~ reminds me of days of youth."
"Hoho~u."
"I did a little too much youth while enrolled and was banned from entering my alma mater though."
I still twist my head wondering which was the deciding factor. Too many ideas come to mind to narrow down the candidates.
……Well, it was fun so it's fine. At least I enjoyed it from the bottom of my heart.
If participating in this kind of event anyway, one should bear warm, warm-colored memories.
It would be good if Hougetsu is also so.
When looking back at that light occasionally after becoming far…… it is really, a good thing.
"Fufu, I got sentimental."
"Fufufu."
"You don't have to laugh now."
While talking about such things, the phone finally returned from the partner I tried to invite. Answering the phone while feeling warm thinking she must be calling seemingly hating it. Since the monkey holds the phone and puts it to my ear, my hands were easy.
『……What?』
A dry voice reminiscent of a pond where water has dried up. Mood seems to be the best. Truly, my preference.
"The one who called is you."
『Because you were calling like an idiot.』
"Only three times."
『Three times. So what?』
"Today is the cultural festival, did you know?"
『Your head is always a festival, right. Ah noisy.』
"No, not that kind of abuse. Adachi-chan's school's cultural festival."
There was a little pause until the reply. She probably didn't know.
『So?』
"Let's play together."
『I hate crowds. It's bustling, isn't it?』
"Not at aaaaall. Can even look over the horizon."
『I can hear many human voices even over the phone though.』
"Shut up let's go!"
『The noisy one is you.』
"Yes."
『Anyway I won't go. Good night.』
"Oi it's before noon."
It gets cut. "Redial" "Pepopo" I order the monkey and call back immediately.
『……You, really.』
"You come to the cultural festival too and play with the monkey."
『Not attracted at all.』
"Ee, which animal do you like?"
『Creatures other than you.』
Wha~t, I laugh.
"Then you like your daughter too."
The back of the line advances little by little. But still far, a length sufficient to wait for someone.
The reply was slower than before, and a little roundabout.
『When my daughter is enjoying the cultural festival with much trouble, if she meets me and feels bad…… it'll be trouble, right.』
She spits out her true feelings as if reluctantly. Well, I thought it would be such reservation.
Since it is a premise that I am hated, setting aside that there is no need to speak of it anymore.
Even though she is unfriendly, she is thinking about her daughter, but she cannot shape that well.
Evaluating that in one word.
"Hana-chan is delicate~"
『Die.』
"Isn't there too much difference in response between daughter and me?"
『Obviously. That's why I won't go. I decided so. Bye.』
Words come like stepping stones, and the phone cuts again. Fuumu, thinking a little.
"……Alright. Shall I buy various things and go to Hana-chan's house~"
"Hohoho, that is good."
"Umu umu."
I can't help looking forward to facing that face disliking it from now.
I'll bring the cultural festival to her.
The youth chorus of the school building, the flowers of parasols of lining parents, and the voices of smoldering cicadas too.
What, I alone suffice.
If I go, I had confidence I could start a festival alone.
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