Here you go

I hand the soda I bought from the vending machine over to Shirota.

Sitting on the bench, Shirota smiles as she grabs the PET bottle.

Thanks

I sat next to her.

Draining the tea in the PET bottle, I drank a mouthful.

Its hot

Yeah

A small walk away from the bus stop, there was a small plaza with a lawn.

There was a bench placed there in order to rest on.

Since it was quite hot today, there werent very many people.

However, because its a place kids could play at, its probably crowded during holidays.

There was a billboard posted up with notices and events on it and a performer we didnt know turned towards us with a weird smile.

So? You have something you want to say, right?

Yeah

Shirota looks at the sky as if dodging the question.

It was clear skies. There wasnt a cloud in sight and the sun sat at the top of the sky.

I was different from Shirota who was used to being outside. Ill end up melting in the direct sunlight.

Shirota opens her PET bottle.

*Bushu*, the carbonated drink let out a short noise.

I thought about finishing what I started earlier

Ah, the thing you were saying at the station?

Yeah

Swinging her feet, Shirota took a sip of her drink.

We have an hour. Im fine with her using as much time as she needs.

However, we wont have as much time for anything else wed want to do.

Okutani, youre going out with those two right?

I am

I somehow kind of get what Shirota is trying to say.

In other words, Shirota wants to properly be in a relationship with me.

I feel I cant let Shirota say it to me herself though.

As a man, I should be the one to say it.

Then, you know, I-

Shirota

I interrupted her.

She looks at me with a surprised expression.

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And then she frowned feeling suspicious.

With more silence in between us, I need to summon some courage.

I pushed away as much of my thoughts as possible and words came rushing out.

I also like you

Ah

Shirota immediately guessed my aim.

Her drawn together eyebrows were now in a shape that made her look worried.

She seemed troubled but her expression also somehow seemed embarrassed.

Thats why, I also want to go out with you. I want to be your boyfriend

Ah, etto

Shirota was hesitating on how she should reply to such a sudden confession.

Without minding, I tell her everything.

You already know this but I am going out with Mia and Mikoto

Y-yeah

Its far from normal. But, the both of them agreed on it, like that they came to be on good termshow is it? Would you also want to go out with me?

I cant believe it

And so cutting it off there, Shirota turned away from me.

Her gaze was looking at the broadleaf tree planted nearby. It was a plant where it would have green leaves whether it were summer or winter.

I didnt think it would be said to me first

Shirota smiled as if she relaxed.

I nodded.

Me too

Whats with that?

Shirota smiles by just raising the corners of her mouth.

She continues talking with a serious look in her eye.

Mia said you probably wouldnt say it yourself so itd be a headache

Thats cause Mias evaluation of me isnt quite high

I said that intending for it to be a joke.

It seems she understood it was a joke. She gave an exaggerated nod.

I think so tooI thought you would try saying you would want to keep your relationships vague

Well, its impossible for me to not grow up

There wasnt any need for the words after.

Shirota nods.

YeahIve also become their companion

In the first place, Shirota told me earlier she didnt want to fuss about monopolizing me.

That confession was like a so-called ceremony.

The latest_epi_sodes are on_the . website.

I am also aware of the ceremony to take responsibility of Shirota.

There was a bit of silence between us both.

I also look away from Shirota and look at the tree.

There was no wind. The situation felt as if time had stopped.

However, quite a bit of sweat was running down my neck.

What are we gonna do?

Shirota suddenly breaks the silence.

Since you showed your manly side, we ended up finishing our business early

Th-thats right

Looking at the time, 15 minutes have yet to pass.

I guess Ill call them and well meet up?

When I get up from the bench, Shirota grabbed the hem of my shirt.

Losing my balance, I sit back down on the bench.

Okutani

Wh-what?

Lets try using the full hour

The sporty girl wearing a hat showed her white teeth.

Its been so long too

Its fine but its hot here so I want to go inside

Did you possibly want to hurry up and finish this because its hot?

Well there was that too

I exchange jokes together with Shirota like this.

Going from friends to boyfriend and girlfriend isnt too bad.

I fell in love with Mia.

Unless I overreach myself I cant stand next to her.

Mikoto became my lover after being my childhood friend.

I felt safe enough to tell her everything.

So, my relationship with Shirota is like extending friendship into a relationship.

Theres no tension and we can just have fun together.

Is there some place you want to see?

I asked as I take a pamphlet from a rack nearby.

After thinking for a bit, she points at it.

I wanna go here

Eh? An arcade?

No good?

Its not that its no good butWhat do you want to do when we get there?

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Listening to that, I was already standing up from the bench.

I put the pamphlet in my back pocket and start walking.

In a fluster, Shirota starts catching up from behind me and muttered.

Lets go to a photo booth

Do you often go to photo booths?

Shirota pouts at my words like they were vexing.

Is that bad?

No, just unexpected

Ive done it quite a bitTogether with Fukiko

With Eda? A photo booth?

She dislikes them though

As you would think.

I understand at least doing it with Shirota.

It was unexpected but it didnt feel all that out of place.

However, doing a photo booth with Eda seems way too distant.

Have you taken any with Kurusu-san?

NoI havent

What about Mikoto-chan

Nope

The inside of the building was refreshing.

Because I was covered in sweat, it was a bit cold.

There were lots of stores lined up and there were more people than I thought going down the wide passage.

The center became an atrium installed with criss-crossing escalators.

It seems the floors are all different themes. Its interesting just looking at it.

Getting on the escalators, Shirota showed me a carefree smile.

Then Ill be the first one youll do a picture booth with

Thats wrong, you know? Ive done it before

Eh? With who?

It was with someone named Ogiwara. We were good friends back in middle school. They ended up moving though

Fuun

When we got to the floor with the arcade, Shirota suddenly asks in a loud voice.

Then what about a kissing picture? Did you do that with that Ogiwara person?

Ogiwara was a guy. We didnt

Okay

Shirota smiles seeming happy.

Then lets take a kissing picture!

The latest_epi_sodes are on_the . website.

Haa?

Itll be my first kissing picture

Shirota entered the arcade in a jog.