Volume 15.5, Chapter 4: The Growth in Each of Us, Part 4

Late afternoon. I was on my way to the caf terrace with one of my friends.

Its been a while since weve met up just the two of us like this, hasnt it, Sat-san?

Yeah. Probably not since that time.

Since that time. Shes talking about the time I told her I was going out with Kiyotaka.

Since then, Sat-san and I have become good friendsNo, were much closer than before, to the point where I could now call her my best friend.

However, our group is usually made up of four or five people.

Taking turns, Im always hanging out with a group around that number.

Thats why its not often that I have the opportunity to be alone with Sat-san. Its the same on the cruise ship during this summer vacation. In fact, I have even less private time because Im always hanging out with seven or eight other people. We even went to the pool, which I was somewhat resistant towards Well, I was able to cover my skin with a rash guard, so there werent any problems. Anyway, there was a reason why I forcibly created some time to spend alone with Sat-san today.

First things firstfind an empty seat. Sat-san and I looked around, trying to find a seat before ordering. Unlike the school, the caf terrace was spacious so there was no need to worry about finding a space.

However, because of the subject of todays conversation, I dont want people around me if I can help it.

If you want to keep some distance from other students, the best place would be a spot with poor sunlight.

What should I do?

Im okay with the back of the room if you want.

Eh? Is that okay?

I mean, you have something important to talk about, right?

Sat-san, who had already figured it out, replied so and gave me a cute smile.

Thank you.

I thanked her and we decided to take the unpopular seats with no view of the outside.

After turning over the in use tag, we headed over to place our orders.

Let me pay for your drink. Im the one who called you out here after all, Sat-san.

I pushed through Sat-san, who seemed to be hesitant, and ordered two cups of coffee before taking my seat.

Sowhat did you want to talk about?

As soon as we sat down, Sat-san began to speak.

I also wasnt intending to drag this out at all, but

Hmmwait a moment.

Whats wrong?

Dont you think theres something strange about this atmosphere?

I felt something was wrong regarding the atmosphere in this place so I went to check with her, but she just tilted her head curiously.

Strange? I dont think theres anything though

Yeah, I guess so. Im sorry for saying something weird.

At first, I also didnt know why I felt this way.

But maybe its something Ive learned from spending so much time with himKiyotaka. That guy never overlooked even the slightest detail.

No matter if its someones facial expressions, emotions or the atmosphere of a place like this.

Whatever it might be, he would see through them and detect any anomalies.

Perhaps Ive also become able to discern things like that?

I dont know whats really going on, but thats what Ive decided to think for now.

But what could it be? Why do I feel such a bad vibe?

I tried to keep my composure and began quietly observing my surroundings.

If only we could keep living on this cruise ship forever

As I said that, I put the cup to my mouth, and looked around casually.

Ahaha, I feel the same. But if we keep going like this every day, well run out of money.

Thats true. With the pool, movies, and good food, Im sure Ill run out of money soon.

I noticed that the strange atmosphere had disappeared. Or rather, it had faded away.

Was I simply mistaken? Or maybe I was too preoccupied with probing, and it became too late to notice that things were starting to change.

A group of three 3rd year girls sat at the table next to us, chatting and laughing.

You know, you know~ Kisarazu-kun from Class B, yeah~?

No way, are you serious? I didnt know that~

They were chatting amicably, laughing out loud and having a great time.

Ahh, geez I should have spoken sooner. Even though the ocean side was more popular, its not surprising that some people might choose this place to avoid the crowds or keep out of the sun. I dont think our conversation would be very interesting to them, but theyre still close enough to overhear us. We could just move and run away, but I dont want to leave a bad impression. It would be one thing if they were 1st years, but these are 3rd year upperclassmen.

I cant ignore the possibility that they could become upset if I were to move just because I didnt want them to sit next to us.

I know very well that bullying can start from trivial things like that.

Actually, I was thinking I should tell you first, Sat-san.

Lets not worry about the irrelevant 3rd year students and focus on Sat-san here.

It would be rude to worry about unnecessary things.

I think its about time I told everyone. About Kiyotaka that is.

Yeah.

As I thought, Sat-san had almost expected the contents of what I was going to say.

She mightve also considered the possibility that I was perhaps going to tell her we broke up

No, I dont think so. If that had been the case, I wouldnt have been able to keep a level head.

I couldnt imagine myself being able to laugh about it and say, we broke up~ without a care in the world.

Thats whyI thought I should tell you, Sat-san.

Everyone will be very surprised when they find out, won't they? That the two of you are dating.

I simulated it over and over in my head.

Theres no doubt that no matter when I reveal it, its going to cause a bit of a stir.

I dont intend to speak ill of myself, but I don't have a very cute personality.

(Note: Technically she said Im not very cute but in Japanese this can be referring to appearance or personality. Im 99% sure shes talking about the second one, so I added more so that she seems self-aware rather than thinking she's ugly.)

I was always so pompous and trying to push everyone else down. Before I met Kiyotaka, I acted much more bossy than I was now because I didnt want to get bullied. Ive even sent amorous glances at boys I wasnt interested in.

So when do you plan to tell everyone?

When Sat-san asked me about the timing, I replied immediately.

Since its summer vacation now, I was thinking Ill wait until the second semester starts.

What did Ayanokji-kun say when you told him?

He said hed adjust to whatever timing I liked.

Sat-san sucked on the straw and sipped her drink.

I see. You guys are all lovey-dovey?

Eh?! Ehhh?

Its fine to tell me isnt it?

Y-yeah. Well, I mean, itd be weird if we werent lovey-dovey given that were a couple.

Have you kissed and stuff?

Ehhhhh?!

Its been a while since you started dating, right? So hows the progress?

She clenched her right hand and held it out to my mouth, mimicking a microphone.

J-just once, by surprise.

Hearing my honest reply, Sat-san gave a wide smile.

Thats nice, I like the idea of a surprise kiss.

R-really? I wasnt able to prepare or anythingEven though it was my first time

Hearing such a murmur, Sat-sans eyes widened slightly and she let out a little, huh.

Did you never do anything with Hirata-kun, Karuizawa-san? You were together for quite a while, weren't you?

Eh?

And if its you, Karuizawa-san, it wouldnt be surprising if you had a boyfriend during middle school.

As I listened to Sat-sans comments, I felt the blood drain from my veins.

Karuizawa Kei was a very popular girl of high caste, who was constantly moving from one boy to another.

Reporting that such a person had only just had her first kiss certainly was a problem.

Wellyou see, its because I'm a modest girl.

I replied, trying my best to look composed.

Dont you think that it has to be a special person, not just any boyfriend, to allow that kind of thing?

Suddenly feeling thirsty, I poured a third of the cup of coffee down my throat in one gulp.

But Hirata-kun was a super cool boyfriend, wasnt he?

Well, yeah. But maybe it just wasnt stimulating enough for me.

This is fine, you can do it, me.

Now that Id slipped up, I had no choice but to go along with the flow and deceive her.

Hirata-kuns a passive guy, so he didnt make a move even if I wanted him to. It was a bit unsatisfying for me~

(Note: She calls him which literally translates to herbivorous man and can mean things like spineless or having no balls, but I went with a more reserved TL because I dont think Kei would be that savage.)

Sorry, Hirata-kun! I apologize in my heart whilst I sacrificed him for my own sake.

Is that so? Well, its true that you might want your boyfriend to take the lead in some areas.

Right, right?

But Ayanokji-kun looks like a more passive guy, but hes actually quite aggressive, huh?

Sat-san seemed a little regretful after saying that.

Sat-sanI

Ah, sorry Karuizawa-san. Thats not what I meant!

Todays meeting was just supposed to be for me tell her that I was going to reveal our relationship.

And yet, this was nothing more than a disagreeable jerk bragging about herself.

When I first came to this school, I thought that was fine.

I was a gaudy woman who went around mentioning all kinds of things about Hirata-kun.

But now, I think that kind of thing is no good.

I consider her a precious friend, so I shouldve avoided saying something so thoughtlessI could say it's a defense mechanism to protect myself, but that sounds like an excuse and is just my selfish ego talking.

Its fine, its fine. I mean, its normal to fall in love with the same boy if you think they are nice, or rather, its something thats been happening to me for a long time. Wellin my case, I was always on the losing side though.

Sat-san pouted her lips as she let out her complaint.

But after that, she immediately returned to her lively self.

Just to be sure, if you dump Ayanokji-kunIts fine right?

When she says its fine she means that right? She continued without letting me clear my mind.

You know, now that Hiratas free, he can go get a new girlfriend, right? So its the same for Ayanokji-kun, yeah?

Thatswell I guess thats true, but

That definitely cant happen! I mean were not breaking up!

I was screaming in my heart, but I couldnt show it on the surface so it was difficult.

You know, I think you could aim for better guys, Karuizawa-san.

Better guys? Like who?

Answering who straight after being asked is a little difficult, butlike Tsukasaki-kun, or Nagumo-senpai.

Ehh~?

For me, both of them are out of the question.

Its true that if we only talk about visuals, Tsukasaki-kun is top class, and the Student Council President might be too. And if were talking about status and stuff, they are unmistakable at the top.

Butyeah, I dont think they could rival Kiyotaka.

That guyhe could be disagreeable at times, buthes strong, handsome and mysterious.

And most of allHe understands me.

Okay! I said something unnecessary, thank you for the meal!

E-eh?

I mean its written all over your face, Karuizawa-san. That for you, Ayanokji-kun is number one.

Geez My poker face cant get past Sat-san, who knows the details of my love life.

Thank you, for telling me about it first. I was glad.

I wonder If thats the case then thats good.

After that, our conversation turned to other peoples love stories.

Reflecting on the uninhabited island or something completely unrelated.

It was the first time in a long time that the two of us were able to spend an enjoyable time together.