UPDATE TERBARU

AdaShima

I wash my face while wondering if there is any youth barely remaining, or not.

No matter how much I embellish what Adachi and I depict, in the end, it gets sifted out.

And finally, it becomes Adachi and Shimamura.

Washing my face with slightly warm water, the drowsiness also dissipates. On a usual holiday, I would spend the day in a holey shirt without any care after this, but today I have plans to meet someone. Moreover, since the person I'm meeting is her, I think this won't do and pick up the toner.

It lowers my girl power so I don't want to say it publicly too much, but there are times when I feel makeup is rather troublesome. I used to think so more before. But now, with the reason that I'm meeting Adachi, I can stand in front of the mirror a little positively. …………Oh my, do I like Adachi super much?

Acting playfully, I pat my skin peta peta.

Today is the second day of the cultural festival—not. The cultural festival ended long ago.

Yes, it ended, because it's not important anymore.

Today, the day after the cultural festival, is a substitute holiday, and originally I would cling to the floor and enjoy lazy time, but our cultural festival is not over. I'm saying something contradictory immediately, but there were things to do. Today, preparation, consultation, and guide making with Adachi are waiting.

This weekend, Saturday, the cultural festival will start once more. A cultural festival for just the two of us.

Selling fruit candy on the second day, the attractions we visited during the break, the exhibits we gazed at, and the campfire that burned as if holding up a light high—all were merely passing points within Adachi. Led by that Adachi, they become things of the past early for me too.

The real performance was from now on.

Adachi seeks a country for just the two of us endlessly.

She needs nothing other than me. Rather, she seems to think they are unnecessary.

However, Adachi is not completely closed off.

The world is filled with me alone, and expands infinitely.

For example, if I am at the ends of the universe, the wind blows there as Adachi's place.

If I am not in the school classroom, it becomes a place where Adachi is not even allowed to breathe.

Only I define Adachi to the world.

Best cost-performance, dangerous.

Imagining talk of old age from now is too much of a leap, but assume I stay with Adachi forever from now on.

During that time is fine. But I don't feel like Adachi can survive in a world after I am gone.

No, since the world itself is lost, my death would simultaneously be Adachi's annihilation.

Therefore, at least, I must live longer than Adachi.

That's tough~, I end up laughing.

It might be a good thing to have a proper reason to live to live long, though.

Thinking about such things endlessly, I get ready, and then sat in seiza and waited for Adachi.

Today, Adachi is supposed to come to my house.

Seiza isn't needed, I gave up in ten minutes and relaxed my legs.

Eventually, the chime rings at a relatively common-sense time for Adachi.

"Yes, yes~"

When I leave the room and go to answer, my mother asked "Adachi-chan?", so I answer "That's right."

"Don't just date all the time, you have to study too or necessary parameters won't grow."

"What story is that."

Leaving a mysterious advice, my mother leaves for the kitchen. And the peaceful scream of a rare creature appearing in the kitchen being captured was heard.

Setting that aside, I feel disappointed while proceeding down the hallway.

This time too, I couldn't sense Adachi's approach.

I don't think love is lacking, but then what is needed to capture the invisible Adachi?

We usually judge things that are not reflected in our eyes like heart, feelings, or emotions with a calm face. If that could be applied in a somehow nice way, wouldn't it be possible to feel the partner's existence in a nice way, nicely. Currently, it was the pseudoscience I'm interested in.

"Welcome, Adachi."

Adachi, gripping the bag strap, nods with glittering eyes, and stares at me with those shining eyes.

"Um, that outfit…… is cute."

"Otto? Recently, did you learn that kind of thing?"

Somehow she started praising my clothes quite a lot. Has the vocabulary to continue praising myself run out? While guiding her inside the house, I pay attention to Adachi's mouth.

"That kind of thing?"

"The gesture of praising her girlfriend's clothes."

My cheeks loosen, and I accidentally blurted out girlfriend even though we haven't entered the room yet.

And very naturally too, I self-proclaimed girlfriend.

I secretly feel relieved that we are in a narrow hallway now and Adachi couldn't circle around to the front.

"No, um, it's not like trying to please you or anything, really, very, because it's cute."

When Adachi becomes desperate, words stumble forward, and she loses vocabulary.

I can meet something heartwarming.

Since that comes often, Adachi is irresistible.

"Really? If told to that extent, I might become a little conceited."

It was worth standing in front of the mirror longer than usual when changing. Probably.

"Geez, become conceited, become conceited more and more."

"Adachi's Japanese is always fresh~"

Then, perhaps noticing while looking up as we climbed the stairs, praise is added as if flustered.

"Ah, the hairstyle is also a little different from usual, I think it's good."

"Thanks~"

"Also……"

"Also?"

Since words don't continue, when I turn around in the middle of the stairs, Adachi had dyed her ears red and was shaking her head bunbun. Speaking of the distorted behavior of her eyes, in times like this, if I chase the tip of that gaze, the mystery is mostly solved.

Considering the positional relationship and eye level, it seems she was staring at the back of my legs from a close distance.

"………………Adachi too, see, is at that age, right."

"N-No, no. It's different, okay, I was looking only forward, and walking!"

"……Yeah, it's great you can walk looking forward properly."

If you walk looking forward right behind me on the stairs, what you see is my legs though.

If I deny and rehash it, the awkward atmosphere seems likely to continue again, so I decide to let it slide. Really, I'm bad at it.

The mutual age of eighteen sometimes washes romance up onto a raw sandy beach.

Since I am not usually conscious that such things are also included in the love from Adachi, I get shaken up too when it comes unexpectedly.

I think a little whether I should have stopped wearing a skirt.

I don't wear skirts when at home, but today, well, thinking I'm meeting Adachi.

"Since the TV insisted it's already autumn, I believed it and took out a cardigan, but it's normally hot."

After entering the room, I take it off and hang it on the chair. Doing so, Adachi's gaze gathered at once on my exposed shoulders. When I laugh saying it's easy to understand, Adachi is shaking her head again as if saying it's different.

"Shoulders, if you expose that much…… y-you'll get cold."

"Thank you for worrying, Grandma."

It's hot, I tell you. While turning on the electric fan, I face Adachi who dyes her cheeks with puberty.

Certainly, since it's light clothing with just one camisole, it might be a little too stimulating for Adachi. No but my naked body was already seen on the school trip, remembering that, I become embarrassed too.

I evaluate Adachi's cuteness and beauty higher than anything, but the desire to keep that in my hands doesn't well up much. Such parts might be making Adachi anxious, but even if I force myself there, surely something unpleasant like a line pushed and bent will remain between us.

I didn't want to bring complication or detour into the line of emotions drawn between Adachi and me.

Well fine, I toss the problem that will visit eventually to eventually properly.

Now is this, and we immediately start the work for creating the cultural festival guide.

"Assuming we do fruit candy, what else shall we do~"

The handmade guide for two is quite simple unlike the one Pancho and others made.

There is only work about stapling what we wrote. Moreover, it is leftover drawing paper.

But that scrap of paper is surely equal to the value of gold for Adachi.

"Shall we prepare food from other stalls too?"

"Nn……"

Adachi, pondering upon being asked, suddenly realizes something "Ah, that."

"Is something wrong?"

N-n, Adachi shakes her head.

"Probably, Shimamura's mother…… I guess."

"What story is that."

Because my mother came up suddenly, I accidentally become an Edokko.

Adachi starts talking about what happened yesterday while still tilting her head a little.

"When I returned from the cultural festival, there was a lot of stall food at home…… and my mother was eating silently. Since she couldn't finish it at once, she was eating in portions, but my mother probably didn't come to the cultural festival…… so I wondered if Shimamura's mother bought and delivered it."

"Ah…… that."

Certainly, my mother had come to the cultural festival. Even though I said not to come, on the second day, she came as if it were natural, smacked her lips at fruit candy together with the monkey Yashiro, power-harassed a specific shop clerk, and went home triumphantly. Buying all types of fruit candy on the verge of leaving, I thought they all fit in Yashiro's stomach, but apparently the destination was Adachi's house.

"If you say it's like my mother, I guess so…… Well, stall food is fine with just fruit candy."

Similar to Adachi mother, it could end up pushing leftovers onto Adachi.

Also, doing the same thing as my mother was somehow annoying.

Then, the next thing done at the cultural festival is.

"Do a play?"

"Eh."

N-geki (play), Adachi traces in a tone like tripping on a step.

"With two people?"

"Yes. A play we do everything with two people."

Would it be exaggerated to say it's just like our life.

But my days feel like that. Meeting Adachi, dancing with Adachi, singing with Adachi.

"Since the audience is only us too, well, I guess even Adachi will manage somehow."

The shy Adachi becomes the role name as is.

"Shall we try practicing a little immediately."

Saying so, I put down the pen, urge Adachi and stand up. Adachi, while bewildered, takes my extended hand, and circles the room with steps presumptuous to call dancing.

"Ah, Adachi, oh Adachi…… eetto, say something like that~"

"Eh, mu, impossible demand."

While walking round and round, Adachi's eyes also spin enough not to lose to that rotation.

"T-Then…… ma, mawwy, me."

"What?"

"Ma, mawwy, meee."

"Ara, sudden development."

Adachi coughs to clear the clogging of her throat. Coughs. Coughs, coughs, and coughs.

"Isn't that adjusting the throat too much no matter what?"

"I-It's fine. S-Sumamura."

"It's Sumamura, but."

My shoulders are grabbed and I accept the renaming unintentionally.

Adachi stares ji-, boils passion at close range, and burns out.

Her own self.

"Ma, mawwy…… me."

It tasted like Adachi which doesn't change no matter how much she adjusts.

"……Aha, I got proposed to."

I admire unintentionally Adachi's heat quantity which doesn't seem like practice at all.

Nice, very nice, I dance.

No original work needed.

No special script needed.

Just by me laughing and Adachi responding with all her might, the stage is set.

While feeling the atmosphere towards exams starting to tingle gradually in the classroom too, do we have the leeway to be doing this kind of thing? I harbor a trivial doubt.

But picking up the mechanical pencil after a deep breath, I thought it was fine.

Just like exams, the cultural festival for just the two of us was also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I remember being told by my mother during summer vacation to do both play and study.

It's hard to nod obediently because of my mother's uninhibitedness, but it was exactly as she said.

So studying, preparing for the cultural festival, frolicking with Adachi, a week passes.

I open the handmade guide and check the schedule. Today Saturday, no mistake.

The venue for the cultural festival was decided to be Adachi's house. So unusually, I go to Adachi's house.

Since my place has many noisy ones, it probably doesn't suit the atmosphere of a cultural festival for just two. Making a country for just two in a place other than each other's house is very difficult now. In that respect, we are still children attending school.

Becoming an adult for Adachi surely means creating such places.

The goal is easy to understand, and that single-mindedness is a little dazzling for me who has no such goal.

Brushing teeth, finishing makeup, I change into the outfit designated by Adachi.

Partly because wearing an apron over the uniform is an earnest request from Adachi, I am putting my arms through the uniform even though it's a holiday. It's a pity even though I had the spirit to teach Adachi thoroughly what a high school girl's fashionable coordination is. No really, a pity.

"Why are you wearing a uniform?"

A very reasonable pointing out enters from my mother passing by.

"No…… somehow, because Adachi says this outfit is good."

"Hee-"

Huun, she enters the room without passing by. When I tried to brush her away by waving my hand saying you don't have to come, she bit lightly on the waving middle finger. Gya, I scream and jump back. It's amazing to capture a finger waving randomly with an accurate bite, but I don't understand at all what she is thinking.

"Today you're going to play at Adachi-chan's house, right?"

"That's right but…… Are, did I talk about the destination?"

"But wasn't it good, you don't have to choose clothes for the date."

What is that way of life ignoring absolutely all of a person's questions. And, that's true, I almost agreed for a moment. No no, I deny the laziness.

"Actually I planned to do a fashionable coordination."

"Hoho~u fashion is it."

"Wa."

I am surprised because the guy who was sticking to my mother's back suddenly showed her face. Was she there.

The chicken seemingly unrelated to fashion who landed takes out something sasa-.

"How about this mimicry costume for Shimamura-san."

She held up asking how about a tiger kigurumi. ……I kinda want to try wearing it though.

"That was fashion in your own way."

"I am aiming for fashion leader."

"The road seems far."

Oh my, Yashiro jumped on one foot and leaned back.

"Ma, certainly the recent you pays attention to appearance though."

She pats my shoulder familiarly, and thrusts a grin niya-. With an expression seemingly containing quite a lot, I can guess immediately around where she is poking, so I ignored it.

It was pointed out before too, but as expected, parents seem to be unexpectedly watching changes in children.

Even if I tell her about Adachi, separately, this mother probably won't be surprised.

But still somehow, I decided to keep silent while the partner is feigning ignorance.

"Then, since I'm going. I'll return in the evening so I'll eat dinner."

"Ee-"

If asked why the reaction seems like she hates it, probably, she is acting like she hates it without reason. Because she is twisted.

"Mama-san, what is today's dinner?"

"What is good? I'll just ask."

"Ooh, Obon and New Year came!"

Leaving the dream-filled chicken and mother in the room, I head to the entrance. Imagining Adachi walking around inside the house and waiting, thinking I should go early for her, I take out shoes while laughing.

Since there was no designation, I chose only shoes worrying with all my might.

Just when I was wearing those shoes, the chime rings beyond the door.

"Who is i~t?"

I check while standing up after putting on shoes.

"……It's Adachi."

Adachi, my lips trace that name in the air unintentionally.

From over there, I thought for a moment but it's different.

It's Adachi-san, but not Adachi's voice. Much lower altitude.

Hearing the voice and thinking no way while opening the door, the visitor was Adachi mother looking like she crushed unfriendliness further with her lips.

"……Morning."

She greets in a tone where not a single thing seems pleasant.

"Good morning……"

While taken aback by the unexpected encounter, when I manage to return the greeting, footsteps and voice unrelated to gloominess fly from behind.

"Yoo Hana-chan welcome!"

"Who is that."

Adachi mother tries to leave immediately although she just came. My mother grabbed that shoulder unreservedly.

"N-"

"What are you staring at, go away."

"No, because she starts saying she wants to come play at our place, I wondered if she hit her head or something."

"I didn't say I'm going to play. I said let me kill time a little, don't pull."

While being dragged by my mother, Adachi mother stares at me. Probably the person herself is just staring normally, but I can only think I am being glared at.

"Because Sakura said she wants to do something, I left the house but."

"Yes? Ah, yes."

Even if I give a nod, Adachi mother doesn't speak further. Words are insufficient, but I communicate with Adachi mother with gaze. Mother empties the house for the daughter, and I go to meet that daughter.

Adachi mother looks intently as if entrusting the role of being by her daughter's side, then closes her eyes.

"……Contact me immediately when satisfied. Because I want to leave from here."

"Eh, want to stay over today?"

"Die."

Avoiding the arm of my mother trying to put an arm around her shoulder, Adachi mother runs around the hallway.

The footsteps of my mother trying to get ahead are too noisy. On top of that, although not participating in conversation, the chicken is mixed in that dance jumping happily. What is this house, I am amazed as expected.

"Thinking I was spoken to by my daughter for the first time in a while, she says please exit, rude but funny."

"That's right funny right I'll hit you."

"Aaalright then let's do cultural festival one more time!"

I want her not to shout things that make my heart skip a beat suddenly.

"Enough already. It was hard not to leave leftovers of that."

"Hana-chan eats too little."

"Also stop trying to make that Hana-chan stick."

"Then Akahana (Red Nose)-chan. Can I make your nose red while at it?"

"I'll kill you."

"No, not making the nose red with anger."

To the two developing into murder notice suddenly, I bow slightly and leave the house.

Close…… probably, maybe.

Saying Kill You to a partner not close is a big problem. Even if close, it's plenty dangerous.

For example, if Adachi suddenly starts saying 『I'll kill you, you』, what should I do.

……What should I do!? I face difficulty just by imagining.

And I realized while walking, but I had been wearing the apron from the stage of leaving the house. Too much spirit. Since taking it off one by one is troublesome, I walked as is. Puffing out my chest as if saying this is natural.

However, I see.

"Adachi is, like that, huh."

For the country of just two, she can even throw away her mother.

Not that Adachi is cold, nor that she doesn't think of her mother, nature…… it is such a way of life.

Adachi's world is surely composed of two colors, white and black.

Gray is, exactly the supreme radiance.

That is where we are decisively different, I think.

I…… surely cannot do it.

While unable to do it, still dyed in white for Adachi.

Looking up at the clear sky, finally, clouds are shifting to those of autumn. If not conscious, days don't change like gazing at the same picture, and it's hard to notice changes. But, everything flows.

The pace of the season is never slow.

That's why I think I will walk so as not to be late. To Adachi, and then, together with Adachi.

I haven't rung the chime yet. Haven't contacted by phone either.

Just when I stood in front of the Adachi residence, suddenly the door opened and welcome flew out.

"Adachi, did you put a transmitter or something on me?"

"F-From the second floor I was looking intently, and since Shimamura came I just came down…… is all."

"……What, it was unexpectedly normal."

It is a lie. Not normal at all, and although I shouldn't say it, it's a little scary. But there, if it's Adachi, it ends with 'I guess so'. Rather than that, since it's Adachi, I was expecting something like detecting me with a sense completely different from Yashiro. I sometimes dream that love has the power to overcome about one paranormal phenomenon.

Ma, setting that aside.

"………………………………………"

"Welcome……"

"………………………………………"

"Shimamura?"

Adachi who welcomed me was dressed up super much.

What is that black tights. What is that beret with a ribbon. What is that pleated skirt. What is that blouse. Isn't it cute.

"Fashion leader."

"Eh, eh, what?"

Adachi rounds her eyes at my accusation. Even if it's the same reaction as usual, thanks to the outfit, the flavor is different again. Even though saying it like this is somehow, the beautiful girl feeling is increasing more than usual.

"It is, normal, outfit though."

"Liar. You're more spirited than usual."

I've never seen her wearing a beret or such. Suits her~, I admire rudely.

To Adachi moving right and left trying to escape from gaze holding her hat, I also move my head right and left chasing. Remembering the chase of my mother and Adachi mother earlier, layering it, laughter leaked unintentionally.

"Normal Adachi doesn't wear a beret."

"Somehow, I feel terrible prejudice."

Exactly so.

"Me, on a holiday, it's uniform and apron."

"Cute."

Eyes and cheeks draw rich coloring. Since the reaction is outstanding even within Adachi who praises anything unconditionally, she must have been quite impressed. Since Adachi tends to affirm me totally, if I can sense a difference in that, I become a little happy.

"Where in this combination does Adachi get excited?"

I try asking with a light feeling.

"Eh, that is first, under the premise that Shimamura's uniform look is very, good…… wearing an apron over that, combined with Shimamura's long hair, what is it, a refreshed feeling, neat and clean? That cleanliness comes fluffily is the best, I said the best…… it's very good, and tying hair in the back is also different from usual, but looking a little more adult than the usual Shimamura is somehow, cuute…… even though older style, being able to think so, and also sometimes seeing knees beyond the apron and skirt, suddenly comes to the head like a meteorite falling, unexpectedly…… ah, I'm not always looking only at feet like that, you know? Not at all, but when Shimamura's active parts are visible sometimes, that active dynamic expression is good, approaches me saying good…… deep in the chest becomes kyu, and so it's the apron, but, t-this is, not in a weird meaning…… Shimamura's, body, line…… it's nothing, nothing okay. U, hi, hiihe, that is fine, not fine but fine, inside me Shimamura has an image of being solid, and I think the outfit that suddenly matches there was the apron over the uniform, but when I first saw it wa sparks flew. Under eyes became warm like wet with blood, with a sensation like carbonation popping in ears…… joy being conveyed from cells, the emotion when noticing Shimamura's cuteness before understanding, I wonder if you understand…… no, not at all, you don't have to understand, but rather than logic or such, being moved by the fact of being moved itself, or rather, that speed, being fast means it's piercing deeply in a place closer to the heart, and realizing that the natural feeling of 'ah cute' I feel for Shimamura is more refined made me feel a little proud, which brought an even deeper impression, I understood that while thinking about Shimamura all the time unable to sleep on the bed that day. No, rather than thinking about Shimamura all the time, my thoughts are Shimamura, or rather, time thinking about other things is always wasteful, so that is fine as is, but anyway the combination of Shimamura's uniform and apron was unmistakable that shocking, so being looked at even now, roots of teeth don't fit, or rather, I even feel like the sensation of walking on the ground disappears and my feet are sliding. Probably the soles of feet too, seeing Shimamura's figure and jumping at that information, I think they are abandoning work. That's why sensation disappears, and everything else becomes irrelevant, and because I gather wanting to feel only Shimamura, I wonder if it hurts around the heart this much. If there is that pain, ah, now I feel strongly that I am looking at Shimamura, and having this pain is what is it, it's a weird way to say but I can realize I am living, so I can't deny it, and I don't want it to disappear. Ah, right right so about the apron, seeing the knot from the back side is also somehow, feels ticklish so any angle is fine, right…… not so much, I'm not looking at it so much all the time, but ah but even now looking like this, so, body's…… e, fuehe, yeah, just that. In short, Shimamura's apron over uniform is for me, about that much, but ah, the explanation was too simple, so things I can speak more are……"

"……Waa."

Even though it was a light feeling like tapping the shoulder of a passing classmate and greeting.

I might have asked carelessly. I admonish myself that a little more mental preparation was needed.

However, with those cute eyes, how much is she looking at me.

When staring at each other, the amount of information visiting each other is too different.

Me, I'm only thinking about wa- it's Adachi it's Adachi-.

"Oho, hoho…… then soon, can you guide me to the cultural festival venue."

We haven't even stepped up to the entrance yet.

"Ah, please please……"

Guided by the fashion leader Adachi whose excitement hasn't cooled down, I visit Adachi's house after a long time. I remembered Adachi's room is on the second floor.

I try asking while climbing the stairs.

"But isn't autumn coord still hot?"

"A little."

Right~, in the temperature staying on the tip of the nose, I search for the summer starting to fade.

What I feel entering Adachi's house anew is, it's a weird expression, but it smells quiet. A smell with little movement, possessing unique coldness. The air Adachi wears in the classroom exists as is in this house.

But this tranquil air, once it learns to flow, raises heat at once.

"Wait a little."

Coming to the front of the room, Adachi instructs me to rest. When I stop, Adachi was sucked in as if diving into the room. And returns after about ten seconds passed.

Regarding that series of movements, Adachi explains while averting her eyes.

"Just in case, check."

"Haa just in case."

"Weird things, aren't there, or such."

"Eh, usually are there many weird things in the room!?"

When I pick up the end of words and attack, I received a denial with quite a lot of force, "Nu, nuwaa there aren't!" while turning her face bright red.

Because she denies too desperately, are there really? I started to think.

Weird things in Adachi's room……?

Life-size stuffed toy of me!

Isn't that such a cute thing.

The expedition team heads to the unexplored Adachi's room to reveal that truth.

"Sit, a little."

Adachi leaves me in the room and goes out immediately. Since a cushion probably prepared in advance was designated, I fit there obediently. Somehow following Adachi's example, I tried sitting in seiza.

Is it the first time to stay long in Adachi's room…… might be the first time…… weird things, I try looking around restlessly. For the time being, it's an Adachi-like room with few things overall. It's not like pictures of me are decorated all over the wall, nor is love spelled directly, just deep silence spreading like peeking at rainy weather beyond the window.

In that, the boomerang I gave as a present in the past is still decorated on the shelf. A child who takes good care of things~, I end up becoming a relative aunt. I want to see Adachi's weird things~! I tried becoming a flailing spoiled child, but since there seems to be nothing in particular, I get bored immediately and sit straight obediently.

Glancing at the bed, imagining the state that she probably sat in seiza on this bed and waited for contact from me. That Adachi returned with footsteps clearly running up the stairs.

"It's dangerous so you mustn't run on the stairs."

Adachi is too rushing in life and dangerous, there are times when my heart becomes a mother unintentionally.

"Because it was hot, first here you go."

"This is this is thanks."

I receive the welcome drink she came to deliver covered in sweat. Being spoiled, I welcome fully. The content of the glass was apple juice. Chukii (likie), I drink jurujuru without reservation.

"Adachi, you're not drinking?"

When I ask glancing at the remaining can, since she pushes zuzui saying "I'll give it all," I laugh saying okay.

"Let's drink together. Since it's a cultural festival for two."

"……Yeah."

Before receiving the rest and putting her mouth to the can, Adachi goes gunegune. Probably, reacting late to the part about two people and twisting her body. I feel deeply that this kind of honest reaction is Adachi's pure charm.

"Come to think of it, Adachi's mother, came to my house."

When I report, Adachi straightens her back biku.

"She said Adachi asked something."

When I speak expressing softly, Adachi looks down and lowers her eyes apologetically.

"It's not that I wanted to say I want her to leave or anything…… I couldn't, convey well."

Her shoulders are shrinking in self-loathing. I guess so, I think.

Both Adachi and Adachi mother are too clumsy at communication. But.

"Surely it's conveyed, that kind of thing."

Exactly because both are bad at talking, they should be able to understand each other.

"Because that person is, Adachi's mother."

Even if family, everything is not unconditional. There are things that don't reach unless effort to convey is made.

At least, Adachi tried to convey in her own clumsy way.

Optimistic, but want to believe. There are such things too.

Surely for Adachi too, there should be such things.

"……If so, that's good."

"Believe in me."

Nahhaha, laughing I'm becoming like a mother, feels bad~, I mock myself.

"……Yeah."

Adachi hung a little smile on the edge of her mouth, and closed her eyes as if praying.

"Ah, right…… a little, I prepared."

"Eh, what what?"

Wondering what, I watch over Adachi standing up. Adachi faces the desk with a stoop, and brings one notebook. It's a cover with an atmosphere like a nostalgic study notebook, but well well that is, I doubt my eyes.

"It's Shimamura's observation record but."

Gui, the apple juice about to pass the throat almost got stuck.

Certainly, Shimamura is written largely on the cover of the notebook.

responding to the request, a weird thing appeared! In this slightly good atmosphere now!

"Because there were…… exhibits, and such."

"Hoho~u."

While pretending to be impressed, I earn time to regain composure. What, observation record.

Am I a plant or an insect?

Month X Day Y, Shimamura was clinging to the desk and dozing off, is something like that written?

Adachi opens that dreadful notebook.

"First this is, the average record of time zones when Shimamura dozes off during class……"

"O, ossu."

It wasn't far from the mark.

"Since there might be places I missed, it's not complete but……"

"Don't look apologetic……"

Number of times Shimamura laughed at my jokes, number of times Shimamura looked at me during class, lunch records, expenditure at date destinations, phone time, number of times she said she likes me…….

"…………………………………………"

I think it was really, really good that the one recording this is my girlfriend.

If it were anyone else, I would cry.

What's scary is that usually, while we interact normally, there is no sign of her taking records, yet she remembers the exact number of times. Is she a genius?

"Maybe I'll let you read it thoroughly later……"

Hehehe, please spare me, I plead. Adachi closes the notebook looking a little embarrassed, saying "R-Really?", and places it down carefully. No, um, happ…… happy? I am, but, happ…… scaaary.

"Alright, then first let's offer a treat to Adachi-chan."

I change the topic immediately. It's no exaggeration to say I came practically for that purpose.

"Then I'll bring it."

"Yeees, please do~"

I see off Adachi running away happily with a single sigh.

To think she prepared something amazing in less than a week. I underestimated Adachi.

Glancing at the notebook on the desk, glancing inside, I sat down and waited quietly.

Adachi brings melted candy and cut fruits. Since I reminded her about thirty times not to buy too much, the fruits were properly a realistic amount.

After looking at the things prepared on the desk, I twist the towel I brought and wrap it around my forehead instead of a headband.

It was decided in advance that I would be the shopkeeper and Adachi the customer.

"Hey welcome, it's a fruit candy shop."

Even saying that, Adachi prepared the ingredients though. Adachi prepared the candy too though.

I am an artisan who only does the finishing touches.

"Hey miss over there, how about some fruit candy?"

"Ah, yes, I'll have some."

Adachi slides in with seiza. And takes out her wallet sucha.

Eh, you're paying? I thought, but well, since it's a cultural festival stall, maybe it's fine, I accept it.

Money, thinking of that, there was something I remembered by association.

Come to think of it, I had completely forgotten to return it.

"Customer, you are lucky. Today, surprisingly, all-you-can-eat fruit candy for 500 yen."

"W-Wow."

She rejoices with a gesture like placing a small flower next to her cheek.

"But I might not be able to eat that much."

"It's all-you-can-eat for 500 yen, you know."

I push forcefully. I cannot choose means for debt repayment.

I can return it normally from my own wallet, but that is that.

"If it wasn't all-you-can-eat, how much for one?"

"500 yen."

Won't you buy~, I felt like I heard an auditory hallucination.

"……Please give me the all-you-can-eat course."

"Yes, with pleasure~"

It felt like rather than cajoling her, I pushed, crushed gushagusha, and forced it through.

"But somehow I feel bad. Even though Adachi is paying for ingredients, I'm even receiving payment."

Since the cost price is zero for me, it's pure profit.

"I have money saved up for times like this."

"……That's a good way to use it."

I dip the fruit in candy and wait for it to harden. I indescribably like how the surface of this fruit shines teratera. It's a simple expression, but it's like a jewel, and gazing at it gives birth to something smooth in my heart.

Looking at beautiful things is probably good for health.

Since she handed me 500 yen, I receive it gratefully and offer tangerine candy first in return. Adachi bites into the tangerine candy saying "Itadakimasu", and shakes her cheeks mugumugu. Somehow cute.

Since the base is cute, whatever she does is cute, I hold an impression as if Adachi-fication has progressed.

"It's colorful and nice, this. I like that part first."

Yashiro, who came to the cultural festival, was also tasting it with shining eyes and tongue. The tongue is not a metaphor; that guy's really shines faintly light blue. Thinking calmly, she is a terrifying creature that ignores all laws accumulated by humanity.

"Yeah…… yeah. I, I like the color of strawberry candy, I guess."

Adachi makes her words pitch up, trying to make the flower of conversation bloom.

"Then shall I give strawberry candy as service."

Surely feeling sorry that I am making it for her, she must have stared at the cut fruits and thought about which one she likes. Such loveliness is one of the reasons why I think Adachi is nice.

"Hey, strawberry candy up."

"Wa."

Rejoicing shortly, she spins the strawberry pierced on the bamboo skewer kurukuru. It suits her, I feel warm and fuzzy.

"Here, have this mix too as a bonus."

I also hand a skewer with strawberry and Muscat pierced alternately. It is what is served at Adachi's part-time job, and what we didn't offer at the previous cultural festival. I understand that Adachi prohibited it for this moment. Adachi is always looking towards the future. The future with me.

"Customer, can I eat too!"

"Ah, go ahead, go ahead without reservation."

Suddenly transforming into a delinquent clerk, I touch the shop's goods. I also make strawberry candy and stuff my cheeks.

The sweet and sourness seeping from behind the pleasant texture is irresistible.

Just like that, until the cut fruits ran out, we enjoyed fruit candy together.

The taste remaining in the mouth is colorful, and the aftertaste is good.

"E~ next attraction is……"

Opening the guide expressly, I check the content that doesn't need checking.

"It will be a play starring Adachi."

"Eh, the main role is Shimamura……"

"It's you~"

Either is fine but I persist pretending to be stubborn.

"N-No good. Shimamura is the main role."

Adachi's tone really gave a glimpse of obsession. Seems like her, I think.

"Then fine, me."

"A, are? It's fine though."

Adachi's preparation, having pulled her arm and accumulated power to push one more time, ends in a misfire.

Moving the table to the side, emptying the center of the room widely, I declare.

"Then the play attraction is~…… us ten years later!"

Announcing the program I decided impromptu while walking now, after thinking about what to do for a long time.

"Ten years later?"

"Yes. Now, raising the curtain."

It starts, I clap. We have to prepare the opening applause ourselves too.

From a surprised expression asking if it started, Adachi looks left and right, and leaves the room.

Just when I thought the heroine exited from the stage suddenly, a sound like unlocking a key "Gacha gacha" was heard from the hallway, and Adachi came in.

"I-I'm home."

"Eeto…… welcome back~, Adachi. Was the supermarket crowded?"

I see, understanding the cohabitation setting, I throw the conversation.

"Eh, you won't go to the supermarket with me……?"

Are, she is dejected.

"Etto, today I have business I absolutely can't miss……"

"Is that so……"

"Ah…… Let's go to the supermarket together properly ten years later!"

"Yes."

Adachi makes her cheeks shiny niko- satisfactorily.

History was corrected during the performance. Then let's make it that she returned from somewhere.

"Adachi, good work."

"Ah, yeah. I did my best, and got t-tired."

The fluffy play resumes. I see tired huh, did her best huh, I think about it.

Living together, dual income maybe? What kind of work am I doing.

Adachi is…… I don't know, but whatever job she takes, she seems likely to handle it flawlessly.

I believe in Adachi's aptitude too much.

And me ten years later huh.

"Uwaa~n, actually I got fired from the company~"

"Eh."

I cry to Adachi who rounds her eyes at the sudden development.

"No, imagining the real me, I feel like I'll become like that."

I can't imagine myself working averagely in society at all. Because I've never worked.

My feelings stay in eternal summer and high school student, and are trapped.

"T-That's not true."

Adachi encourages me while making a fist.

"Shimamura will surely work splendidly, and l-live together with me……"

The last part was fast and quiet, running away like rushing into a burrow.

I wonder if we are living together, shuttling between company and home.

"I-I see~"

"Yeah."

She affirms clearly with full confidence enough to wonder if there is really any basis.

Inside Adachi, conversely, it seems like she is overestimating the thing called me.

I am not a splendid human as Adachi expects, though.

But, a me commuting enthusiastically to live with Adachi might really exist ten years later.

Gazing at Adachi's current blushing face, I think so.

However, if it comes to that, is there no path to become unemployed and be fed by Adachi?

"Life is tough."

"L-Let's do our best together."

Dazzling. Adachi is dazzling now enough that ten years later looks hazy.

"Now, setting aside the joke that I got fired from the company, now."

I correct the route again. Since the preparation and spirit to play a useless human were already set, if I jump from here to return to a decent human again, I seem likely to hurt the meat of my flank.

"You were tired, right."

"T-That's right."

It is a very healthy complexion hiding passion.

"If you're tired, etto~…… need a lap pillow?"

"I, I do do."

Adachi, answering too immediately and increasing 'do's with momentum, crouches by my side as if collapsing. Since she stares at me with eyes harboring expectation, saying yes go ahead, I adjust the posture for a lap pillow.

Adachi slides onto my thighs from her forehead zuza-. Then correcting her posture awkwardly, she rolls to the side. Her shoulders stiffening and becoming square is as usual, ten years later, I end up laughing.

Adachi's shoulders ten years later also seem square.

No, actually she might not be used to it unexpectedly?

How much of the current Adachi will the flow of time leave, and how much will it change.

Since that balance is crucial, do it well, I advise time.

"Are you getting along well with everyone at the company?"

I try asking about imaginary human relationships. Although 'well' for Adachi is probably tasteless and odorless.

Interest towards other than me is…… wouldn't it be about mother entering just in case.

"E, etto~…… I'm good friends, with everyone~"

"Liaaaar."

I'm sorry, Adachi apologizes for committing falsehood in non-existent human relationships.

"No, if that were the case, it would be fine though."

"Enough not to be troubled at work, probably, I'm managing somehow……"

I hope so, I heard her adding in a small voice. Well, she doesn't cause discord with anyone at school, and there seems to be no problem at the part-time job, so Adachi will manage with minimum response.

"Come to think of it, aren't Adachi and I in the same company?"

"Ah, uun…… uun……"

Adachi worries while rounding her back a little.

"If we are in the same place, I, might not work much……"

"I seee."

Greatly convinced.

"But if Shimamura is in another company, that is that, I might be worried and unable to focus on work……"

"I seee~"

Greatly convinced there too. It seems to be a very difficult task for Adachi.

"……Why is that?"

"I feel like I asked ten years ago too, but what part of me does Adachi like?"

If I ask directly "Why do you like me so much?", it might sound like doubting love, so I take a detour. I don't doubt the goodwill from Adachi, but occasionally, I find it strange.

That despite its size exceeding stars, we can still stand properly on Earth.

"Want to be together, beauty, makes heart pound, kind, want to be spoiled, soft, cute, beauty, cute…… cute…………"

While taking out from the shelf in a tone that seems likely to list endlessly, 'cute' seemed to overflow, and in the end, it becomes that one color. While turning bright red, Adachi places her palm softly on my knee.

"Should I speak about all properly one by one?"

"N-……"

If we do that, the screening time of the play seems likely to become a grand feature length.

Also, I don't feel like I can endure being killed with praise. Even now I can't look directly.

"No, if you like me…… it's fine though."

Really, it is fine. ……Fine.

When I raise my face, I feel a wet sensation around my nose like after being hit by rain.

Various sweats were seeping. After wiping that, I say.

"Long ago, really long ago…… even on the second floor of the gymnasium, we were doing things like this, right."

I strain my eyes towards our origin, which has become hard to see even if looking back.

"Back then, I didn't think about living with Adachi……"

Even now that place is vague. Ten years later, am I really living with Adachi?

I can't imagine well myself leaving my parents' home, but.

Like this, stroking the hair, the back of the spoiled Adachi, the acting overlaps with the current self.

"I want to be like this…… from now on too, forever."

"Yeah."

When I affirm that which is like Adachi's earnest wish, Adachi jumped and got up.

When I am surprised at the way of jumping up like a spring mechanism, Adachi spins her tongue that doesn't turn fully with fast talking along with her eyes guruguru.

"S, speaking of long ago, deciding to live here was like this, right."

"N-?"

Adachi takes my hand, and lets her lips rampage with eyes staring only at the current Shimamura.

"L-Let's live together. After graduating university, the two of us."

"Adachi……"

Her eyes are serious. No, the observation record tells that there is nothing but serious in that staring at me.

Observation record scary.

She connected to a modern proposal terribly forcibly.

Graduating university, building a country for just the two of us.

If that is adulthood for Adachi and me, I want to layer the future.

"……I see."

That is also, not bad, I felt; is it because of the sweetness of fruit candy still remaining in my mouth?

"At that time certainly…… you replied like this, right."

Consciousness moves far away, drawing an arc.

Unconsciously surrendering my body, I hug Adachi. Adachi stops moving not even a twitch as if she stopped all life activities for a moment, and I become a little worried. But she vibrated and restarted as if power was turned on, and fearfully, hugged back.

The size of palm is also different from Adachi, I think feeling the hands placed on each other's back.

"Happy end."

"A, o, oooh……"

"Pachi pachi pachi."

"……Pa, pachitchi."

Since hands are occupied while hugging, I clap with my mouth.

Hugging each other intently as is, it seemed likely to become a weird atmosphere, so I escaped.

Byoon byoon, I jump and move away. Adachi hugged the air regretfully.

"Thus we presented us ten years later."

Closing, this time we clap properly together.

Whether what each other sees ten years later will really be fulfilled, how many pages later is the answer.

Hopefully, I want to keep turning pages forever so we can witness it together.

"Now next is…… I brought a microphone."

"A, thanks."

It is the opening of the concert serving also as the ending theme of the current play.

Even saying concert, it's just karaoke inside this narrow room.

Moreover, since there is no instrument performance, a cappella.

"Thanks for gathering toda~y."

Serving as a microphone test, I become a big-shot guest.

"Waa~……"

Adachi welcomes with applause reservedly. I also respond with a smile, and entrust the microphone.

"Here, from Adachi."

"Eh, eh."

"Waa~!"

I become a fan gathered with quick change and clap intensely. Adachi stands up fearfully, blushes, becomes suspicious, while treading the usual process, she brings the microphone close to her mouth as if biting it.

"T-Then since it's an occasion……"

"Waited for it!"

"I-In this world~"

"Stop it."

"Yes."

She stopped immediately obediently. Isn't it the first time Adachi is this distinct?

Moreover, she returns the microphone calculatingly. Eh, I rotate the microphone in my hand.

"Then what shall I sing…… rather, want to sing together?"

I propose before Adachi sits and returns to audience. When was the last time we went to karaoke, containing faint recollection, I invite Adachi. Hino and Nagafuji who were there at that time are also no longer here.

Therefore, let's decorate with words suitable for a place for just the two of us.

"Together, what?"

"Che*** *****" (Cherry by Spitz implied?)

A lovable song, projecting us arbitrarily.

Also saying it's the only one we seem likely to be able to sing together.

"Then…… if together."

It seems it was conveyed to Adachi properly even with this much censorship. What is censorship.

"Singing together after a long time."

I share one microphone with Adachi who came next to me. The audience disappears, only we become the main characters. Stretching back as if peeking into the ten years later we acted in the distance, I purse my lips.

"Tu tu- tu tu- tu-"

When I hum the prelude, Adachi rounds her eyes. Hey hey.

"No, because it's embarrassing, hum the prelude together too."

"Ah, yes."

Adachi's lips protrude forward softly munyo.

"Tu tu- tu tu- tu-"

"Good~"

"S-Shimamura also tu tu."

"Can't be helped~"

We tu tu together. And from tu tu like bird mimicry, we fly off together.

Singing voices of two people, with no room for any other sound to interject, echoed in the room.

Adachi gradually lowers the embarrassment she carried at first from her shoulders, and laughs naturally while staring at me. We hold naturally those palms that surely only I can touch.

If we hold hands, we become simple creatures that can gain something just by that.

Always, from before, and until hereafter.

Like that, until the first verse, even if slightly misaligned, it was smooth. The problem is.

"Second verse's~ lyrics are~"

"A, ambiguous~"

Mixing ad-libs, we laugh loudly. Walking around exaggeratedly, I am unreasonably happy that Adachi follows in a panic. Connecting remembered lyrics, we form a song for just two that cannot be reproduced ever again.

Like jumping around in the rain even though indoors, I can sense something jumping between each other.

Emotions with mass might be overflowing.

Certain hallucination that only we can feel.

Seen from the side, it might be an unreliable world like a small sandbox.

But I like playing in the sandbox with Adachi too.

If we go together, no matter how far, there is a sandbox for just two, and I indulge in playing with sand.

Treasures might be sleeping inside the sandbox.

When I dig them up, Adachi, who is bad at smiling, responds with a full smile.

I grip the warmth of the sand, wanting to see that again, as many times as possible.

In short, I thought, I guess I love her.

The following Sunday feels like a substitute holiday, and I've been enjoying self-indulgence since morning.

Rolling around in my room, I was spacing out doing nothing in particular.

At the edge of my vision, I saw a passing tail.

"Hey there, Po*ta."

I call out to the guy whose gait looks like he's been liberated from all worldly bindings.

"Oh, that is undoubtedly myself."

"No it's not."

Even though I was the one who called.

The self-proclaimed humane tanuki turns back lightly. Sitting up and staring, I almost return to sanity wondering why a mysterious tanuki is living in my house. Is there any problem if I do return to sanity?

"You're going to Grandpa and Grandma's house, right?"

"You figured it out well."

"You rascal, hahaha."

I won't retort.

"Then, there's something I want you to take."

Come here, come here, I beckon and guide her. Accompanied by the tanuki following tetteko without particular question, I headed to the kitchen. In the kitchen, my mother is fiddling with her phone while sipping barley tea.

"Oh, did you come to be exterminated again, Tanuki and…… cat."

"Am I a cat?"

"You were sleeping for half the day."

How long on earth is she going to talk about when I was a child.

No, well, I am this person's child for life, though.

In middle school, I hated that kind of thing helplessly, but now, unexpectedly, I can accept it honestly.

Bringing the furoshiki Yashiro uses, I show the apples sliced thinly to be easy to eat, then place them down.

"Give these apples to Gon. Make sure you don't eat them."

"Hai hai."

"The reply is light."

"Yeees."

This in itself seemed like it would fly away with the wind.

"Because I'll give this to you."

When I show the fruit candy made earlier, "Hoho~u," Yashiro stretches up.

"Give one of those to Grandpa and Grandma each too. Tell them I made things like this at the cultural festival."

"Hou hou. If so, two will remain but……"

Since Yashiro looks up chira chira (glancing), I unintentionally laugh.

"The rest is your share."

"Waa."

Since this tanuki is humane, I assume there are no fruits she can't eat, and hand her both Muscat and apple. The colorful fruit candy matched the fancy tanuki outfit.

"Also this. The money I borrowed before."

I place the earned 500 yen on Yashiro's hand. "Ooh," she grasps the 100-yen coins.

"I had completely forgotten!"

"Even if humane, you have to remember properly."

Yoshi yoshi, I play by stroking the smooth cheeks.

"A big spender bought generously, you see, so I could finally repay the debt."

Come to think of it, this might be the first time I earned money other than helping at home.

That money flows to a tanuki. It's a strange life.

But thanks to this tanuki, I came to feel my grandparents' house closer.

"To think the current you would make such a face."

My mother, who was watching me and Yashiro, suddenly points out something I don't understand well.

"What?"

Face? Even if I touch and check myself, I don't really know.

"Nothin'. Well, let's just say you're making a good face because it's a holiday."

My mother convinces herself alone and withdraws. What, I tilted my head one more time.

Well, fine.

Packing the luggage from me and carrying the furoshiki on her back, Yashiro waves her short hand.

"Then I'm off."

"Be careful, just in case."

"Yeees."

I don't know how she goes there, but I prayed for her safety.

After seeing her off, I return to my room and lie down again as if bathing my whole body in the substitute holiday.

A pleasant fatigue, like after running the full course of a road, weighs on my mind and body. The bright mood of when one can believe in tomorrow continues, continues, and I can't help but wish it would continue forever.

Elation traces the outline of my body lying spread-eagle, but strangely there is no impatience.

Seeming like I can't stay still, I also want to watch over my body warming up gradually.

Fulfillment dominates me to my fingertips.

And already, the phone rings. I unintentionally laugh wondering at what speed she is moving.

As expected, it was from Grandma.

『Thank you.』

"……Yeah."

An image is sent immediately too.

Wa, my mouth opened naturally as if blooming in profusion.

The tanuki laughing like a young me, holding fruit candy happily in both hands, and Gon gazing at the sliced apples with a soft expression.

As if watching over that one person and one animal, Grandma is smiling in the background.

What is this sensation of the heart being stretched up and down that comes and goes by staring at it?