Final Chapter: The End of a Miraculous Summer
The second half of summer vacation disappeared in the blink of an eye. I worked on homework with the crew, went to see the Maebashi fireworks display with everyone, enjoyed my time with Nanase at work, hung out with Uta and the others after they’d finished their club practices, and so on. I even went to Tatsuya’s to have a Smash Bros. showdown. Every day was fulfilling.
On August 28, I received a birthday present from Uta. It was a simple necklace, nothing over-the-top. I liked the minimalist design. It must’ve been fairly pricey too.
Hoshimiya wrote a short story for me. She’d even taken my preferences and requests into account while writing it. I was overjoyed by the effort she’d put into it, but Hoshimiya had thought it insufficient as a present and had also given me some homemade cookies. They looked a bit misshapen, but I was on cloud nine that she’d made them just for me. It didn’t matter what they looked like; they were delicious!
Also, the short story she’d written was very interesting. As an otaku, there wasn’t anything I could be happier about than having one of my favorite authors spin a tale just for me.
Before long, the final day of our vacation arrived. Recently, Miori had been frequenting my place often for god knows what reason. Currently, she was lying on my bed reading a popular rom-com manga. Isn’t it funny?
“Y’know, Miori. Are you sure you should be goofing off at my place right now?”
“What do you mean? It’s not that late in the evening.” She looked at me blankly.
Does this girl not think about anything? “I’m not talking about the time... I’m talking about the future. If you hang out here too much, won’t Reita get the wrong idea?” Though, my house is pretty comfy. Plus, she has a personal gofer to do her bidding here—me. Ha ha ha.
“Oh...right.” She looked taken aback. “I guess I’ll head home today.” Her back seemed oddly small.
“No, uh, I’m not saying you can’t come over anymore. I just—”
“I know,” Miori interrupted before I could finish. “You’re just worried about me, yeah? But I think you’re right. Reita and I aren’t dating yet, but I’m the one lacking tact... And I’m probably bothering you too.”
I couldn’t bring myself to deny that. I have fun when I’m with Miori, and I’m happy when she comes over... But I’m still sitting on a decision; it would be rude to those two if I ran away and spent a lot of time alone with Miori instead. With that in mind, it was sorta hard for me to disagree with her.
I decided not to comment on it and asked, “Anyway, why aren’t you guys dating yet? Seems to me like you only need one more push to make it official.”
I know Miori wants to date him, and I can tell Reita’s at least interested in her. They looked like they were getting along well on the trip, and they spent a lot of time chatting alone. Neither of them are late bloomers when it comes to romance, so it’s strange that they’re not a couple yet, given how close they are.
She looked down. “Yeah... Right. Isn’t it weird?”
An unsettling quiet paid us a visit. The atmosphere in my room felt stifling. Did I misunderstand?
“All right, I’ve made up my mind.” Miori stood up on my bed. Her usual smile had returned, and the stifling silence felt like it had been just an illusion. “I’m going to confess to Reita-kun. I’ve been acting cautious lately, but that’s not very me... I’ll end this battle lickety-split and secure my happiness!”
She raised her fist towards the sky to pump herself up. “Hell yeah!”
Watching her do that made me raise my own fist at her. “You got this, Miori! I’m rooting for you.” I’m praying for your happiness—after all, your happiness is my happiness. That’s just how much I treasure you. Thanks for always being there for me. I hope your wish comes true.
“Yeah.” She bumped her fist against mine. “You’d better decide soon too, okay?”
She wore a smile, but for a split second, she looked like she was about to cry. Why?
***
Our vacation ended, and it was now September. The lingering summer heat continued into the beginning of autumn. School kicked off again, and our days of normalcy returned.
“Natsuki, can I borrow you for a sec?” Serika stopped me while I was walking down the hallway during lunch.
Her expression deadpan as usual, she asked with indifference, “Wanna make a band with me?”
“S-Say what now?”
The fun summer would live on in my heart as a series of unforgettable memories. And now in the season when the trees began to turn from green to yellow, a new page of my youth would start. The school festival, renowned as the most important youth event of all (according to my research), was close.
“I’m serious. Let’s change this world with our music.”
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