Ichikawa took a picture of her own CD with her smartphone, bought the aiko CD she was looking for (at a normal price), and we stepped out of the store together.
“It was so cheap! I’m looking forward to listening to it!”
Holding the black bag to her chest with a warm smile, we finished walking down the stairs.
“I have to help with dinner soon, so I’m heading home. Are you okay, Konuma-kun?”
“Of course I am. Thanks for sticking with me until late.”
So Ichikawa helps with dinner too. I hope she doesn't cut her fingers.
“Got it, see you! Thanks for today!”
Ichikawa held up the black bag and waved her hand.
There’s a certain law that girls holding Disc Union bags are cute... (Though there's also the 'landmine' theory.)
After awkwardly waving back, I took my smartphone out of my pocket.
Checking the screen, it was 18:30.
It seems we stayed longer than I thought.
Since final dismissal from school is at 18:00, Erina-san should be arriving in Kichijoji soon.
Just as I thought that, my phone vibrated.
Erina: 『I’ve arrived at Kichijoji. Where are youー?』
Perfect timing.
Even if I told her I was at Disc Union, she definitely wouldn't know where that is.
Takuto Konuma: 『I’m heading toward the Mac.』
I sent that reply and walked toward McDonald’s.
After waiting in front of the Mac for a short while, Erina-san arrived, her pinkish-beige, soft permed twin-tails swaying.
“I’m lateー, sorry!”
She said, pressing her hands together in apology.
Good, it looks like she isn’t that angry anymore.
“No, it’s totally fine.”
I replied, feeling relieved.
Then, Erina-san gave the cuff of my sleeve a little tug and asked with that upturned gaze of hers.
“Takuto-kun, are you mad at meー...?”
“Eh, wh-why would I be, I wonder?”
Crap, I got flustered and ended up sounding like some dandy old man.
“Because Takuto-kun, your LINE messages are so polite and formalー.”
“Ah, well...”
I mean, if we’re talking about that, wasn't Erina-san the one who was much scarier earlier?
“Yeah, I see! That’s a reliefー!”
She quickly let go of my sleeve and gave a bright smile.
I see, that was a technique to get me to forgive her...
Well, I suppose she does feel at least a little bad about stopping me so suddenly.
“Well then, let’s head into the Mac.”
How shrewd, Erina-san.
We lined up at the McDonald's counter.
“What were you doing until Erina got hereー?”
Ugh...! If she finds out I was at a CD shop with Ichikawa, it’ll be bad.
“Hm? What was that?”
Suddenly, I activated the skill <
I think that was pretty quick-witted of me.
“Umm, like I said, what were you doing until Erina got hereー?”
“I went to a CD shop.”
I’m not lying! Nice wit!
“So, why are you being so formal againー...?”
Because I’m panicking!
“Next customer, pleaseー.”
Nice one, clerk!
After buying our usual drinks, we sat in our usual seats. (Though it’s only our third time here.)
“Is Takuto-kun having coffee today too?”
“Yeah.”
“I wonder if you use formal speech because you’re an adult?”
“Heh?”
I couldn’t play it off completely, huh...!
“Not really.”
Erina-san seemed to get more displeased with each exchange.
“Takuto-kun, did you get tired of the operationー?”
“Eh?”
“I mean, if Takuto-kun is aiming for Amane-chan, then this is nothing but a nuisance, rightー?”
“Excuse me?”
Me, aiming for Ichikawa?
“Or maybe, Yuri?”
Azuma...? Uh?
Isn't she getting a terribly wrong idea about them?
“No, no, no, no, it’s nothing like that!”
I hurriedly denied it.
“Hoe? Reallyー?”
“Really! I’m just with Ichikawa a lot because of band stuff.”
“What about Yuri?”
“Azuma... well, she’s been talking to Ichikawa a lot lately, so I just started talking to her too.”
“Hmmー?”
Erina-san leaned in and peered into my face while sipping her chocolate shake through the straw.
“...Is that true?”
For a moment, I froze under that gaze and that question.
“...It’s true.”
“There was a bit of a pause there.”
She glared at me suspiciously for a moment before saying,
“Well, whatever. Even if that’s the case...”
She puffed out her cheeks and went back to sipping her shake.
Wait, 'even if that's the case' what...?
While I was mentally tilting my head in confusion, she finished her shake, snapped her head up, and declared loudly,
“Then, the operation is a go!”
“O-Oh.”
Feeling embarrassed, I gave a small fist pump.
“Erina is going to participate in next week’s study session, rightー?”
“Ah, yeah.”
“At that time, we have to make sure to appeal to Sakosh!”
Erina-san made a guts pose with both arms in front of her.
Wait, what is this person saying?
“Kenji isn't coming to the study session, so there’s no point...”
“Hae? Kenji? Ah, r-right...?”
She tilted her head.
“...Are you really okay?”
“Ah, Kenji, rightー! We’ll call Kenji too! That was the plan from the beginning!”
For some reason, she said that hurriedly and then sucked air through her empty cup.
A slurping sound echoed.
“So, anyway, the operation is on! Put your back into it next week!”
With a bright red face, Erina-san pointed her finger sharply at me.
“Haaa...”
I could only nod, without understanding a single thing she meant.