Volume 1 - CH 3.2

“Makimura-senpai. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, not at all. Rather, I’m sorry for seeming to rush you.”

After that explanation, the section meeting was dismissed after the information was given about the welcome party for new students as the Stall Planning Department is to be held next Saturday. Only the sophomores were not gathered, and all that was left was to leave.

Misono seemed to be talking with some of her friends who were sitting nearby, but she soon slipped out of the conversation. I heard her apologizing, “I’m sorry,” and thought she could have waited as long as she wanted, but I guess that’s just like her. I felt sorry, but I also felt happy.

“Of course not. I’m the one who asked you.”

“I don’t have any plans, and I don’t think those girls will be talking for long at this hour. So, next time, don’t be in such a hurry.”

“Thank you. Next time, right?”

Her eyes rounded for a moment, then narrowed slightly, and Misono’s expression softly fades. It is a gentle, warm smile, but it is bad for my heart. The other day, I was aware of the emotions that I was feeling, but I had to be aware of my composure.

“Then, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

And so we walk through the empty campus again.

“By the way, that penguin was adorable.”

“Thanks, I guess.”

To be honest, it was completely under Misono’s influence that I changed the panda to a penguin, and I had no intention of telling anyone that I was the one who made it. So, when she told me what she thought of it like this was completely unexpected, and I was at a loss for a response.

“Do you like penguins, Misono?”

“Yes! I love penguins.”

I asked her about something that had been on my mind for a while, partly because I wanted to get away from the subject, and she answered as I expected. Her big smile made me shake my head as I realized that I had tried to jog my memory as to where I could see penguins in the prefecture. I was probably getting too carried away. I try to stay calm, but it’s hard to do so.

“Is there something wrong?”

“No, nothing. Speaking of which, where’s Shiho?”

I realized that Shiho was not there when I faked the reason why I shook my head. I realized this when I saw the bus stop in front of the main gate.

“Do you hate it when Shii-chan isn’t around?”

I could tell it was made on purpose, but the combination of her dissatisfied expression and her upturned eyes was so lethal that I couldn’t help but lose my words.

“I’m kidding.”

Misono’s expression broke down and she giggled. Sorry Shiho, but I had no complaints at all.

“She’s staying over at Naru-san’s house today, so it looks like she’ll be meeting us in front of the co-op.”

“Staying over, huh……”

In my image, which has never experienced such a thing, a sleepover by a lover equals that kind of thing. In reality, just because someone stays over doesn’t necessarily mean that they will do such a thing, but perhaps it is because the word “staying over” came out of Misono’s mouth that my imagination is leaning toward something weird.

“By the way. Is everything ready for tomorrow?”

It’s a forceful back-and-forth, but I’m trying to change the subject before my evil thoughts swell up. I feel like all I’m doing today is diverting and changing the subject.

“Yes. I bought some old clothes yesterday with a friend.”

Although the first session is not yet tomorrow, it is advisable to come dressed in clothes that can get dirty, since the actual work often involves paint. Furthermore, as far as I know, Misono is usually wearing a one-piece dress that is about knee-length. I was a little worried because it is obviously not a suitable outfit for physical work, but I was relieved to hear that. I don’t know how many people went shopping, but I don’t think they all bought skirts.

“Is there anything else to keep in mind besides what to wear?”

“Let me see. I think it would be good for boys to have gloves because they have to carry heavy things, but I don’t know much about girls.”

However, it would not look good if I could not say anything here, even though Misono had gone to the trouble of relying on me. I wracked my brain and recalled my memory, and found only one important note for the girls.

“I don’t think it will matter much tomorrow, but you might want to put your hair up. Or get some bands or rubbers or something to hold it together.”

The women in my memory, especially the longer ones, often wore their hair up. This was probably to prevent paint and glue from getting on their hair when they used them. I was relieved to be able to offer some advice, but Misono’s response was stiff.

“Thank you very much. I see…….”

“Sorry. Did you already know that?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not good at putting my hair up.”

Misono said this a little awkwardly, but since the purpose is to avoid interfering with the work and to prevent paint and so on, I think something appropriate is fine. When I tried to ask her about it—

“There are many things. For girls.”

She said. Being told that, as a man, I had no choice but to shut up. Then I changed the subject again, and I dropped her off at home while asking her about her sisters, and we parted ways.

“Good night, Makimura-senpai. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, good night. See you tomorrow.”

This moment of greeting each other is pleasant. I can’t turn my gaze away from the way she folds her hips so neatly.

As I thought, it is like that. I became aware of this once again.