◆
It was now the middle of June, and the transition period for the seasonal change of clothes had passed.
Our high school starts the change in June, but there is a one-week grace period as a transition phase.
This year's June was still a bit chilly, so most students were attending school in their winter uniforms during the transition period, but that was finally over.
As far as the eye could see, every Gin'nan High School student walking along Ginkgo Avenue had changed into their summer uniforms.
The boys wore thin, black slacks.
On top, they wore white dress shirts, though they were allowed to choose between long or short sleeves.
The girls wore thin skirts of the same color and white dress shirts. They also had the choice between long and short sleeves, but it felt like the majority chose short sleeves.
As for me, I was also in my summer uniform.
I basically only wear long-sleeved dress shirts.
Even so, I fold them three times to shorten them to just below the elbow.
The fabric of the slacks has become thinner, and even though I'm not wearing a blazer, the humidity of the rainy season is annoying.
In any case, the bangs sticking to my forehead are irritating.
It’s a different kind of annoyance than sweat. I want to go home. I want to go home and take a shower. If possible, I want to go to a hot spring.
...A hot spring, huh? That sounds nice. Maybe I'll go to a hot spring when the rainy season is over.
I recalled the pleasant feeling of a hot spring. But even that couldn't beat the humidity of the rainy season.
Suppressing the urge to turn right back around immediately, I arrived at school safely.
I took off my socks, which were slightly damp, and put on the spare socks I had stuffed in my bag.
As I said before, I hate the rainy season.
The humidity makes my clothes and hair stick to my skin, and the rain makes my socks wet and uncomfortable.
That's why I carry these spares and towels as necessities.
As I was putting the socks I took off into a plastic bag in front of the shoe lockers, I was suddenly called out to from behind.
"Yo, Akito. Hey, hey~"
"Oh, Ryuya. Good morning."
Ryuya changed his shoes without caring about his wet socks.
Honestly, I can't understand it.
"The seasonal change of clothes starts today. As usual, Akito is quite muscular."
"Don't touch me all over. It's gross."
"You don't have to go that far!?"
I don't have a hobby of being touched by men.
I brushed off Ryuya's hand and looked at his body again.
Unlike me, Ryuya was wearing a short-sleeved dress shirt.
As a social otaku, he has a decent amount of muscle, but his skin is inevitably pale. Not as much as Neika or Ryuguin, but he doesn't look like the type who plays actively outside.
He had his summer slacks rolled up to his shins, and the second button of his dress shirt was open.
It was a level of dishevelment that would get him scolded immediately if a teacher saw him.
Perhaps noticing my gaze, he twisted his body like a maiden trying to hide herself.
"Stop it. Don't... look... at... me... like... that... ♡"
"......"
"......Say something!? At this rate, I'm just a painful guy!"
"Good for you. Your impression is the same as always."
"Are you implying that my reputation is that of a painful guy!?"
Why mention it now?
Ryuya, following behind me as I headed to the classroom, was muttering complaints.
"Maybe looking a bit more taciturn would make me look cooler...? No, but a me that isn't high-tension isn't really me... If the me that I call me isn't me, it means everything about me is being rejected, and the concept of me—"
"Shut up."
"Isn't Akito-kun being a bit too harsh on yours truly today?"
Because it's the truth.
Good grief, this guy is always—.
'Maybe looking a bit more taciturn would make me look cooler...?'
...Hmm? ...Taciturn?
Ryuya wouldn't say words like that.
The usual Ryuya would be high-tension all the way, no questions asked. He would never use words that deny his own reason for existence.
"Hey, Akito. Are you thinking about something rude?"
"It's just your imagination."
But... what is it? Isn't something strange?
Questioning those words just now, I looked back.
Ryuya had a blank, puzzled look on his face.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"...Ryuya, did something happen?"
It was a passing question. It didn't have a particular meaning, just an extension of small talk.
But my suspicion must have hit the mark.
A shadow cast over Ryuya's face.
"...Akito, you're sharp in weird places."
"The 'weird places' part was unnecessary. ...If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. But I'm always here to talk."
"...Hehe. Thanks."
"Don't put your arm around my shoulder. You're big, annoying, and stifling."
"Huh? Are you still being harsh?"
I headed to the classroom accompanied by Ryuya, who was slightly depressed.
Perhaps because of the humidity of the rainy season, the hallway was wet as if water had been sprinkled on it.
The rubber of my indoor shoes and the material of the hallway made an unpleasant sound.
As expected, Ryuya's heart seemed heavy as well, and his usual high-tension energy had vanished.
To express my current feelings, it would be this.
"Gloom."
"I understand the feeling, but the density of the kanji for 'Gloom' already feels damp and humid."
"Indeed."
"Hey Akito. Talk to me in sentences."