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Chapter 2 – The Plan for a Trip to Okinawa

After the second class ended, I unexpectedly met Touko-senpai outside the general subject building.

“Oh, Touko-senpai, you also have a class here?”

“Oh, Ishiki-kun. Yes, just for today. The room was suddenly changed due to the professor’s circumstances.”

It might just be a coincidence today. But this could be lucky for me because I might be able to have lunch with Touko-senpai.

“Are you going to have lunch now? If so, how about we eat together?”

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

She gladly agreed. Just that already lifted my spirits.

“Maybe we could go off-campus? But, we only have a short time before the third class, so we can’t be too long. Besides, restaurants outside are likely to be crowded. How about we just eat at the off-campus cafeteria?”

Hmm, I’m a bit disappointed. But it’s okay.

Classes can’t be ignored, and Touko-senpai might have professors who are very strict about attendance.

Besides, even though I have time now, I can’t suddenly say, “Let’s go on a date.” Maybe I feel rushed after what Ishida and the others said before.

Don’t rush, don’t need to rush. Think carefully…

We headed to the cafeteria in Building 11, located outside the campus.

“Touko-senpai, what are your plans for the summer?”

Although this wasn’t a topic discussed in the previous drinking party, I want to deepen our relationship during the summer holidays. As Ishida said, if it continues now without a decision, this relationship might just end up as ‘senpai and kohai who are just fine’.

I skimmed an online article, and it seems the words “Sorry 〇〇-kun, I just want us to be friends” from a woman indicates that ‘it’s already too late.’ I have to settle it before that happens.

Even if I realize it after passing by, I can’t express it.

So, for that, I want to know Touko-senpai’s summer plans.

“As a plan, there’s a club camp and then going to my younger sibling and grandmother’s house. Besides that, there are quite a lot of private tutoring jobs in the second week of August.”

Her plans aren’t too packed. So…

“Hey, if you want, could we go somewhere together?”

“Yeah, maybe this is our last chance to have fun during the last summer of our third year, right?”

“Not that, but just me and Touko-senpai…”

“Eh?”

Touko-senpai looked surprised. Is this bad?

“Maybe it’s better to invite others too…?”

I hesitated.

“No, that’s not what I meant, but…”

Touko-senpai also seemed worried about something.

“Do you think it’s better to invite others too…?”

I asked again, she appeared worried.

“Sorry if I asked like that, but I thought the two of us would go together, like what we did when touring the south beach last fall, maybe we could do something like that again.”

That time, Touko-senpai asked if I wanted to know about ‘beautiful girls’, and as an answer, I got a chance for a mock date for one day. It was a lot of fun.

And it seems like Touko-senpai also enjoyed it.

I feel that day was when the distance between our hearts first narrowed.

…Like that time, if I could narrow the distance between us two again…

“Yeah, that’s right. That time was a lot of fun.”

Does this mean she agrees?

And also about the ‘birthday just the two of us’ promise we made before.

I also need to make a decision earlier about that…

“Touko-senpai, about the promise we made before…”

“Ah, Touko!”

That voice sounded in opposition to mine.

Before I had a chance to turn around, the voice approached.

“Touko~! Please, can I copy last week’s homework from you!”

“Kumi, why are you like this all of a sudden?”

That name felt familiar. She is Touko-senpai’s classmate who helped me when Touko-senpai was attacked by a jerk before.

That time, I was almost expelled along with her.

“This afternoon’s lesson, we have to use the program that was last week’s assignment, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I just realized that I accidentally deleted the file. So, I want to use the program Touko made. Please!”

She clasped her hands together and begged.

“No other choice, then. Well, now we have to head towards the class.”

“Thank you~. I’ll pay for lunch this time. How about we have kebabs?”

At our university, there are several food trucks that provide takeout lunch boxes. Doner kebab is one of them and is one of the popular lunch dishes.

Touko-senpai looked at me.

“So, Ishiki-kun, it seems we can’t have lunch together today. Sorry.”

“That’s okay. We met by chance, it can’t be helped. See you next time.”

I left the place after saying those words to Touko-senpai who looked regretful.

Once alone, I let out a small sigh.

Indeed, love does not always go as one wishes.

Two hours later, after the fourth class ended.

In two weeks, we will enter the exam period.

(“Should I collect old exam questions and study in the library for a while?”) I thought so as I left the class.

“Oh, there he is. Ishiki-kun!”

Suddenly, when that voice called me, Kazumi-san approached while waving his hand.

“It’s rare to see you here, Kazumi-san, in the faculty of science and technology building.”

The economics faculty is in a different building. And since Kazumi-san is a third-year student, aside from in the club environment, we rarely meet.

“Of course, I was looking for you.”

“Me? For what?”

Deliberately looking for me, maybe something happened.

“You, Ishiki-kun, what are your plans for the summer vacation?”

“I’ve taken some part-time jobs, but other than that, I’m free…”

Hmm, is this about the club retreat story?

“After the exams are over, how about we go on the 5th to the 10th of August?”

“I don’t have any specific plans for those dates.”

“All right, it’s decided then!”

Kazumi-san slapped my shoulder.

“Let’s go to Okinawa together!”

“Okinawa?”

This feels like a sudden conversation, so my mind couldn’t follow.

And when he suddenly mentioned such a trip, I also had to think about the necessary preparations.

“Sure, I want to go… But won’t it be quite expensive?”

When I said that, Kazumi-san nodded as if to say that it wasn’t a problem.

“That’s not a problem. My father runs a certified accounting firm, you know? Well, the owner of the client company, he’s the president of that company, bought a villa in Okinawa as a rest place for employees as a tax measure. The president told my father, ‘You’ve always helped us, so please use it as you like.’ So I got this chance as a sort of scouting trip. Therefore, there are no accommodation costs. Only round-trip flight tickets and pocket money are needed.”

Ah, if that’s the reason. Maybe I don’t need to worry too much.

“Okay, I understand. But who will go together?”

Even though I said this, I thought of the usual people he invited, like Touko-senpai, Mina-san, and Manami-san.

In that scenario, my role might be “carrying luggage while avoiding flirtations.”

“Aren’t Mina-san and Manami-san invited?”

It seemed a bit surprising.

“Of course, if I could invite everyone, that would also be good, but it’s not a big villa, you know? The number of bedrooms is no more than two, he said. So, I can only bring four people.”

“Okay, I understand. But am I suitable to enter a place that can only accommodate four people?”

“I said the same thing. Then Kazumi-san said, ‘This time is special.'”

“Special? What does that mean?”

I hoped not to say it, but I couldn’t hold back.

“Maybe he’s thinking of me. Kazumi-san said in the end, ‘This is a chance for you.'”

“Eh?”

Before I could ask further, Kazumi-san gracefully walked away with his hand raised.

“Hmm, Okinawa, huh.”

That night, when I called him, Ishida didn’t seem too enthusiastic.

“What’s wrong? You don’t seem too excited.”

“It’s not like that, but I wonder, ‘Why me? Normally, you would invite Mina-san and Manami-san.”

“I said the same thing too. Then Kazumi-san said, ‘This time is special.'”

“Special? What does that mean?”

Saying that, Ishida laughed.

“What’s with the ‘difficulty’?”

“Isn’t that right? Yūu who is as timid as a turtle, and Touko-senpai, who is very guarded. Kazumi-san might think you guys won’t get together until you’re 60 years old.”

“After I turn sixty years old? What’s with that?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Anyway, I understand. I’ll join too. But this time, Yūu better make a decision quickly.”

Saying that, Ishida hung up the phone.

“Unnecessary worry.”

Mumbling that towards my phone, I felt thankful for Ishida and Kazumi-san’s consideration.

Yes, I can’t be in a relationship like this forever. If I don’t break down the barrier from my side, our relationship won’t progress.

On Saturday night that week, me and Ishida were called by Kazumi-san.

Whether it’s just my imagination or not, but Touko-senpai’s cheeks seemed a bit flushed.

“Thank goodness. I thought you might reject me…”

Unintentionally, along with a sigh of relief, such words slipped out.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“So, it’s just the two of us for your birthday meeting, okay?”

“Yeah… thank you.”

With that, she added softly.

“I’m happy…”

(Eh…?)

Just as I was about to ask for the meaning behind those words,

“What are you doing, Touko-senpai? Let’s go,”

Ishida stood beside his car, calling out like that.

“Oh, wait a moment. I’ll be right there.”

Touko-senpai replied to Ishida, then quickly said to me,

“We’ll talk more about it later,”

She said so and ran off as if fleeing.

(What’s this? Touko-senpai seems different from usual today…)

“Yuu, we should also be going,”

Ishida, who had his bicycle parked in front of the café, called out to me.

The next day, on Sunday.

Today, I promised to help Meika-chan study.

She had given her vote for Miss Muse, and in return, I promised to help her with her studies.

But her strange request was, “Just the two of us at your house.”

However, there hasn’t been a convenient chance for her to come over to my house.

Because of that, it’s been postponed until now.

“Please come in.”

When Meika-chan arrived, I greeted her at the front door.

“Please. My room is on the second floor.”

Today my mother was at home.

For me, having my mother at home was necessary, but I didn’t want them to meet.

Although I had no bad intentions, somehow it made me feel embarrassed.

However, sometimes parents appear when we don’t want them to.

“Oh, a guest?”

My mother came out of the living room and greeted.

The look on her face clearly showed, “Yuu bringing a girl home, that’s rare.”

I didn’t want to cause any weird misunderstandings.

“She’s Meika-chan. Ishida’s little sister who’s always with me. We promised today to study before the exams.”

I quickly explained the situation.

Even though it felt somewhat defensive…

“Nice to meet you. I’m Meika Ishida. Pleased to meet you.”

Meika-chan greeted with a sweet smile.

My mother initially looked surprised, but it seemed she was instantly charmed by Meika-chan’s smile.

“Of course, please make yourself comfortable.”

My mother also replied with a smile.

(If it’s her, this is definitely a first meeting that scores high, right?)

Thinking so, I led Meika-chan into my room.

“Wow, this is Yuu-san’s room.”

Meika-chan, upon entering the room, looked around my room as if with deep interest.

“There’s nothing special here. Nothing out of the ordinary, similar to Ishida’s, right?”

My room was just a typical boy’s student room with a desk, computer on it, bookshelf, and bed.

“My brother’s room is filled with manga, light novels, and action figures. And also, doujinshi and the like.”

“That’s Ishida’s personality. If not for that, it’d be similar.”

I said as I pulled out a low table.

“So, shall we start studying? I can teach you about mathematics, physics, and chemistry, but that’s about it.”

Meika-chan, sitting next to me, took out her exercise books from her bag.

“First, let’s start with mathematics, because I really don’t understand things like vectors.”

For about the next hour and a half, I tutored Meika-chan in mathematics.

She’s naturally smart. After being explained once, she smoothly solved the problems I gave her.

But… when I was explaining, the distance felt weird. It was too close.

As if she was creeping closer.

Our heads were closer than twenty centimeters apart.

Meika-chan’s body was so close to mine.

I saw her healthy and firm skin.

(Meika-chan also gets more beautiful every time we meet…)

Such thoughts spontaneously came to mind.

And since it’s not July, she wore light clothing.

She wore a stylish shirt, and every time Meika-chan bent down, the neck of her shirt opened wide.

From there, a cute pink bra was visible.

It was hard to decide where to look.

“Phew, it’s kind of hot, isn’t it?”

Meika-chan said that, then she grabbed the collar of her shirt and fanned it.

I immediately looked away.

“What’s wrong?”

Meika-chan asked.

“Oh, if it’s hot, should we make the air conditioner cooler?”

“It’s okay. I don’t like air conditioning because it makes my body cold.”

She said that, and I felt her moving closer.

“So, is that so? Should I bring some cold drinks?”

“Yuu-san…”

Her breath she exhaled felt on my cheek.

“What’s the matter?”

I leaned in a bit.

“Do you dislike me?”

“I don’t dislike you.”

“But it seems like you’re avoiding me a bit.”

“It’s not because I’m avoiding you.”

“Even though we promised to study together, you don’t often invite me to your house.”

“I’m busy with various things. Need to find the right time as well.”

“Today I thought it would be just the two of us… but your mother is at home.”

Indeed. That’s why I called her when my mother was at home.

Of course, I would never do anything to Meika-chan when it was just the two of us. I have enough sanity and discretion.

But, it’s not wise to bring her into the room without anyone else. It’s hard to explain if suspected.

“You understand my feelings, right?”

Meika-chan said so, and she moved even closer to me.

The sensation of her warm body felt so close.

“Come on, Meika-chan. Please don’t get too close…”

“Yuu-san.”

At that moment, the sound of someone climbing the stairs was heard.

Both Meika-chan and I immediately turned our heads towards the door, surprised.

The footsteps stopped in front of the door, and two knocks were heard.

“Yuu, I’m coming in.”

With my mother’s voice, Meika-chan also moved away from me for a moment.

I was still leaning forward. But in my heart, I felt relieved.

“Please come in.”

Quickly the door opened, and my mother came in carrying two glasses of iced tea and a plate containing chocolates and cookies.

“You must be tired from using your brains to study, you probably want something sweet, right? How about you take a break?”

My mother said so, looking at Meika-chan.

“Can Yuu teach you the lessons?” “Is it helpful?”

Meika-chan smiled as she answered.

“Yes, Yuu-san teaches me very well. It’s easier to understand than the teachers at school.”

“If that’s the case, then good.”

My mother said so, throwing a quick glance at me, then left the room.

When the mother left, Meika-chan looked at me with a somewhat jealous gaze.

“Now, let’s take a break for a while.”

I said so, placing the glasses and snack plate in front of her.

“Thank you.”

Meika-chan said thanks while picking up her glass.

“Oh yeah, Yuu-san, what are your plans for the summer vacation?”

“I… plan to go out with club friends. And I also work part-time quite often.”

“People in the club, right? Including Touko-san?”

Meika-chan’s sharp gaze made me feel pressured.

“Yes, maybe. She might join too.”

I gave an ambiguous answer.

“Vacation together or something like that?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

I felt as if she was investigating something. There was fear inside me.

But, why should I arrange my schedule? However, when I felt Meika-chan’s sharp gaze, it was hard to say it honestly.

Maybe it’s better not to tell her about the trip to Okinawa later.

Meika-chan continued to look at me with her sharp gaze.

“Sorry, for bothering you.”

Then, after about an hour had passed, Meika-chan went home.

My mother and I escorted her to the front door.

After the door closed, my mother said softly.

“It seems, Meika-chan is a very cute child, right?”

“Yeah.”

My mother then looked at me intently.

“You better not get too freely in touch with your friend’s sister. You don’t want to feel awkward with Ishida-kun, do you?”

My mother said so, then went back to the living room.

It’s impossible she heard the conversation between me and Meika-chan in my room, right?

That night, I sent a message to Touko-senpai.

＞（Yuu）About yesterday, are you okay?

The answer came quickly.

＞（Touko）Yeah, it’s okay.

＞（Yuu）Touko-senpai, your last exam is on August 3rd, right?

＞（Touko）Yes, that. The fourth last subject exam.

＞（Yuu）Me too. So, how about we meet after the exam near the North Gate?

＞（Touko）『OK Sticker』

＞（Touko）Where shall we go together?

＞（Yuu）I’m thinking about a French restaurant or something like that.

＞（Touko）I’m fine with anything. Don’t overdo it, okay.

＞（Yuu）It’s my choice of restaurant, so it won’t be too fancy.

＞（Yuu）『Sorry Sticker』

＞（Yuu）But I’ll do my best!

＞（Touko）It’s really okay. More important for me if Yuu remembers my birthday and celebrates it.

＞（Yuu）There’s no way I would forget! I’ve been looking forward to celebrating it with you, Touko-senpai.

＞（Touko）『Jumping for joy sticker』

＞（Touko）Thank you, Isshiki-kun.

＞（Yuu）It’s really nice to hear that.

＞（Touko）I’m also excited. It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve looked forward to my birthday like this!

I unconsciously smiled.

Touko-senpai rarely expresses her happiness like this.

＞（Yuu）Me too. I hope the exam ends quickly.

＞（Touko）After that, we can also go to Okinawa.

＞（Yuu）Yes, that would be fun.

＞（Touko）Hey, Isshiki-kun…

＞（Yuu）What is it?

There was a brief pause.

I waited for the answer from Touko-senpai

＞（Touko）No, it’s nothing. Maybe some other time

Hmm, that made me curious.

But in situations like this, it’s better not to press women too much.

＞（Yuu）Alright, tell me next time we meet.

＞（Touko）Good night.

＞（Yuu）Yes, good night too

Even though the chat had ended, my heart felt warm.

When I checked the chat messages again, it could be said that this was like a conversation between lovers.

My face smiled again.

It’s been a long time since I felt happiness like this.

Celebrating a birthday with Touko-senpai…..

I’m really looking forward to it.