The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 4Volume 3 .5 - Shimizu-san and the Sea
Shimizu-san and the Sea 5
“We’re a bit late, huh?”
“An unexpected event popped up in our schedule.”
After the contest, we were in front of a beach house.
We didn’t win the contest, but we received compliments from the Onee-san.
Having passed noon and feeling hungry, we decided to grab a somewhat late lunch.
“Let’s see if there are any seats available.”
A staff member noticed us waiting and quickly approached.
“Welcome. How many people?”
“Five of us.”
“We are a bit crowded at the moment and don’t have a table for five available right now, so we would have to seat you at a table for two and a table for four if that’s alright?”
“Can we have a moment to think about it?”
“Of course. Please call me once you’ve decided.”
The staff member left us to attend to other customers.
“How should we split up? Into two and three?”
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“Why not just split by gender?”
“Then we might get hit on!”
“So what do we do?”
“Let’s all throw rock or paper at the same time, and if the genders split evenly, we’ll go with that!”
“That seems like the quickest way. Is everyone okay with that?”
The three sophomores including myself nodded.
“Alright, it’s decided. Ready, set, go!”
At the same time, everyone put their hands forward.
***
“This turned out to be an unusual combination.”
“Indeed.”
“It might be so.”
The grouping ended up being me with Seto-san and Ai-san, while Yousuke-san and Shimizu-san were seated quite far from us.
We could see them but couldn’t hear their voices.
After placing our orders, the three of us were waiting for our food.
“Well, the fact that we ended up as this trio must be some kind of fate. Would you two mind listening to me for a bit?”
“Of course, we’ll listen.”
“Thank you, Mio-chan. So, do you think Yousuke likes me?”
“Spfft!”
I nearly spit out the water I was drinking.
“Daiki-kun, are you okay?”
“I’m, I’m fine…”
“It was so sudden, so it surprised you, huh?”
I was honestly very surprised because I hadn’t expected her to ask such a thing at this time.
“Why do you ask that?”
“Well, you see… I like Yousuke.”
“I knew that.”
“Huh, did I ever tell you, Mio-chan?”
“Not directly. But I’ve been watching you and Sakata-senpai since our freshman year, so even I can tell that much.”
“Mio-chan knew too? It’s embarrassing but also kind of nice…”
Ai-san showed a bashful smile while twiddling her fingers.
“I went off-topic. The reason I asked you that question is because I’m feeling anxious!”
“Anxious?”
“The final term of our last year in high school has just ended, and the time that follows will fly by in the blink of an eye with all the entrance exam studies. If things continue this way, Yousuke and I might end up going to different universities and gradually lose touch… I don’t want that to happen, so I’m hoping Yousuke will confess his feelings to me!”
“I see. That’s what’s been on your mind.”
I understood the intent of the question.
However, there was something I still didn’t grasp.
“Can I ask something that’s been on my mind?”
“What is it?”
“Ai-senpai, why don’t you confess first?”
That had been on my mind too.
It seemed more like Ai-san to take the initiative to confess rather than wait.
Faced with Seto-san’s question, Ai-san made a bitter face.
“That’s because…”
“Because what?”
“Because Yousuke is too kind.”
“What do you mean?”
I knew Yousuke-san was kind, but I couldn’t see how that related to Ai-san waiting for a confession from him.
“If I were to confess, I’m sure Yousuke would accept my feelings. But Yousuke is so kind that even if he didn’t like me back, he might accept my feelings just to avoid hurting me. Maybe this is purely my selfishness, but I really wish Yousuke would be the one to confess to me…”
Ai-san’s expression was tinged with a melancholy I had never seen before.
“Do I really lack charm as a girl…”
It was then that Seto-san pinched Ai-san’s cheek.
“Ouch!”
Hearing that, Seto-san finally let go of Ai-san’s cheek.
“Do you understand why I pinched you?”
“Ah? Because you didn’t like what I was saying?”
“No. It’s because you were belittling my Ai-senpai.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ai-senpai is attractive. I’m sure Sakata-senpai thinks so too. I won’t forgive anyone who belittles Ai-senpai, even if it’s Ai-senpai herself.”
It seemed that Seto-san was angry with Ai-san.
“Mio-chan, you were saying earlier that I’m not cool!”
“That’s because it’s also true.”
“That’s harsh!”
Ai-san was shocked by Seto-san’s words, but soon her usual smile returned to her face.
“You’re merciless, Mio-chan. But thanks to you, I feel better now!”
“That’s good. Ai-senpai, you are better off when you’re lively.”
“That’s part of my charm! I’ll keep shooting for Yousuke’s heart with this momentum!”
It was a relief to see her spirits lifted after a moment of concern.
“As a thank you for listening, I’ll be the one to take your concerns next! Do you guys have any questions?”
“I’ll think about it. Hondō-kun, go ahead if you have any questions.”
“What does Daiki-kun want to ask?”
“Um, Ai-san, what is it about Yousuke-san that you like…?”
Ai-san smiled as she looked towards Yousuke-san’s seat.
“Like I said during the contest, Yousuke has always been there to help me out whenever I’m in trouble, no matter what. I think I was gradually drawn to that about him.”
“I see…”
Ai-san had gradually fallen for Yousuke-san, who had always been by her side.
“Can I ask a question too?”
“Of course!”
“What do you think it means to fall in love with someone, Ai-senpai?”
Ai-san’s expression turned serious again.
“That’s a difficult question. To me, falling in love means wanting to be by that person’s side forever.”
Wanting to be on their side forever…
“Well, you might not get it. But I think there are as many forms of love as there are people, so you should find your own way of loving someone else! Ah, looks like our food is here!”
Afterward, I pondered what it means to fall in love as I ate the yakisoba I had ordered.
***
“Why are you keep glancing at them?”
“I was just wondering if Ai’s voice could reach us from there.”
I strained my ears, but the distance was too far, so I couldn’t hear Ai and the others at all.
“I can’t hear anything. Besides, what does it matter if we can hear each other?”
“It would be troublesome if Ai overheard our conversation.”
“What are you planning to talk about?”
“Don’t look so displeased before I’ve even started.”
Yousuke smiled wryly. It seemed my emotions were clearly reflected on my face.
“Alright, just tell me.”
“Sorry about this. Kei, there’s just one thing I want to ask of you.”
“Ask me? What do you want me to do?”
It’s rare that Yousuke asks me for help. That’s why I can’t guess what he’s going to ask me to do.
“It’s nothing too complicated. Kei, I need you to create a moment for Ai and me to be alone during tomorrow’s summer festival.”
From Yousuke’s serious expression, I immediately realized what he intended to do tomorrow.
“Are you going to confess to Ai?”
“You figured it out?”
It seemed my hunch was correct.
“Is this because of the couple’s contest earlier?”
“I had decided to confess long before that.”
“Then when did you decide?”
“It was when Ai suggested going to the training camp.”
It seemed that Yousuke had been determined to confess to Ai for quite some time.
“Why now?”
“After this training camp, we’ll be busy with preparations for the cultural festival and studying for exams. I thought this might be my last chance to convey my feelings to Ai.”
Kaho had said something similar before.
It seemed that Yousuke also understood that the time he could spend with Ai during their high school days was running short.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Aren’t you afraid that confessing will ruin the relationship you have with Ai now?”
“It would be a lie to say I’m not afraid… Whether my confession is successful or not, our relationship can’t stay the same.”
“Then why…”
“Because I want to be by Ai’s side from now on. I want to see her smile forever.”
As he declared this, Yousuke’s face looked more resolute than usual.
“Got it. I’ll make sure you two get your moment alone at the summer festival tomorrow. So make sure you nail it in one go.”
“Thanks, Kei.”
“Save your thanks until after you’ve succeeded.”
Yousuke was about to take a brave step forward, huh?
I wonder if I’ll ever be able to take a step like that myself.
