6.2
In the blink of an eye, the promised day arrived—summer vacation’s final event. We’d agreed to meet at 8:30. Making my way downstairs to the lobby, I saw that most of the group had already assembled.
“You just barely made it, huh?” Horikita prodded.
“There’s still about ten seconds left until we were scheduled to meet.”
“The elevator’s really swamped, right? That’s why you were late, isn’t it?” she shot back.
She was probably still angry about my coercive invitation. Plus, chances were she didn’t like the company. Since Kushida, Sakura, Ike, and Yamauchi were coming to the pool, there wasn’t really anyone else for Horikita to talk to.
“G-good morning, Ayanokouji-kun.”
“Morning, Sakura,” I replied.
Sakura peeked up at me as she greeted me politely. Yamauchi appeared to be checking Sakura out, glancing at her from his peripheral vision. Sakura looked somewhat anxious.
I’d remember for reference that romantic confessions didn’t necessarily result in happiness—they could cause trouble that persisted afterward, too.
“Where’s Sudou?”
“He probably overslept,” replied Horikita.
It was well past the time we’d agreed to meet, but there was no sign of Sudou. He was probably exhausted from club activities. Since no one was trying to contact him, I went for it.
“It’s no use. The call’s not connecting,” I said.
The phone just kept ringing and ringing. I couldn’t even reach his voicemail.
“Man, what the hell’s Sudou doing? It’s already 8:30! If we don’t hurry, we’re not gonna be the first ones there!” shouted Ike. He looked at the elevator, tapping his foot.
“A-all right, I’ll go wake him up,” said Yamauchi. He got onto the elevator, looking uncomfortable with the awkward silence between him and Sakura. As soon as he left, the heavy atmosphere began to dissipate.
“Did something happen to him?” asked Horikita in a low voice. She must’ve noted the change. I scratched the back of my head as I considered how to answer.
“Several things happened,” I replied. I left it at that. Neither Yamauchi nor Sakura would be happy if word got out.
“Oh, what’s this? Horikita-san, everyone, good morning!”
As we waited for Sudou to arrive, Ichinose came down with three friends. Bath towels peeked out of the colorful plastic bags they carried.
“Are you guys heading to the pool, too?”
“Yes, that’s exactly it.”
The pool was the summer vacation’s last special treat. It wasn’t really strange that they were going.
“Well, why don’t we all go together?” asked Ichinose.
“Of course, the more the merrier!” shouted Ike, jumping so high off the sofa that he looked like he was about to take off into orbit.
Horikita didn’t utter a single word.
“Well, it’s just… I’m sorry, but someone in our group overslept. We’re waiting for him to come down. Another of our friends went to get him,” explained Ike.
“Gotcha!” replied Ichinose cheerfully.
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