We finished our drinks, talked for a bit, and then left Mac.
It was about the time Ichikawa would usually wave and say, "I have to help with dinner, so I’m heading home!"
Since I always gave a pathetic reply like, "Oh, okay...", I was trying to think of something stylish and smooth for once—even though I knew I couldn't pull it off.
"Takuto-kun, where should we go next?"
"Eh, we’re going somewhere else?"
I answered instantly despite Ichikawa's smiling question.
"...Do you hate it that much?"
Oh, crap.
The angel looks seriously hurt... Like a wounded angel...
"Ah, no, it's not like that. You usually go home around this time. I was just worried your parents might get concerned, you know?"
"Oh, I see."
Ichikawa chuckled softly.
"You're kind, Takuto-kun."
"No, it's not about being kind..."
I just don't want to get scolded myself...
"But you know, even if it wasn't a date, you've been to Mac with Erina-chan several times, and you’ve walked that long way home with Sako-san before,"
"Pardon?"
What is she talking about all of a sudden...?
"And you're going on a trip with Yuri soon, right?"
"...Huh?"
What is this person even saying...?
"Ah, wait, I shouldn't bring that world's perspective into this one. Yuzu-chan will get mad at me..."
"Perspective...? Yuzu...?"
I'm pretty sure she just mentioned my sister's name...?
"No, sorry, it's nothing! Anyway,"
Ichikawa took a deep breath and continued.
"I’m asking if we can stay together just a little longer," she explained her intention somewhat indirectly.
Ten minutes later, Ichikawa and I were at Inokashira Park at dusk.
"Oh, so this is the 'Boat' holy land..."
"Holy land! That's an exaggeration... though it makes me happy..."
Ichikawa smiled bashfully.
"Ah, well, I mean, for me, you see..."
"I see, ehehe..."
With her looking so much like an angel, I couldn't bring myself to explain that in certain circles, "holy land" refers to the setting of an anime or a filming location, and that I just called this place that since it was the model for the song. I didn't want to ruin the mood by saying I didn't actually feel anything divine here.
Well, since an angel descended upon this place thanks to those words, it ended up becoming a holy land after all. (Is that okay?)
"Hey, Takuto-kun," Ichikawa asked while gazing at the pond. "Who did you want to give this morning's 'Boat' to?"
Her profile seemed to be smiling gently.
"Ah, well, that's..."
I mumbled at the sudden question.
"This is just my guess, but was the first one Yuri? The president of the Instrumental Music Club is really working hard. Yuri's performance this morning was truly amazing..."
"Yeah..."
It really was. It felt like it happened a week ago. Wait, that was only this morning...?
"And was the second person Erina-chan?"
Ichikawa tilted her head slightly.
"Uhhh..."
How did she figure that out...? Did she learn a skill from Yuri-neesan?
"Ahaha, did I hit the mark?"
"Ahaha..."
My fake laugh was terrible.
"I’m sure there are things only you know, things that everyone can only talk to you about. Yuri, Erina-chan... and even Sako-san."
There's also the possibility that the fact there are secrets is itself a secret.
"No, that's not... I haven't heard anything, really."
As I tried to hide it, Ichikawa let out a lonely-sounding laugh and turned toward me.
"Takuto-kun, you're so kind..."
"No, it's not about being kind..."
I opened my mouth to deny it, but she cut me off.
"Takuto-kun, you're kind to everyone."
What does she mean...?
"That part of you... is unfair."
Ichikawa's expression remained unclear, obscured by the backlight of the setting sun.
"Just kidding! I don't have the right to say anything like that! Sorry for being pushy."
"N-no, not at all..."
I answered flustered.
"Ahaha, you're kind to me too."
Her expression was hard to read.
Could I say something to cheer her up?
Today, Ichikawa was unusually obsessed with the date. Date-like things, date-like things...
"Uhh, do you want to... ride a boat or something?"
"Eh!? A boat!?"
Ichikawa let out a surprised voice.
"Well, because you seemed to care about doing date-like things..."
"I see... hmm..."
After thinking for a bit, Ichikawa said, "I want to ride one with you, but I will absolutely never ride one with you."
"W-why...?"
Isn't that contradictory...?
"Because it's bad luck!"
Saying that, Ichikawa started walking toward the station.
Watching her back, I recalled the lyrics to 'Boat'.
"Let's go home, Takuto-kun."
"O-oh..."
I followed along behind her.
"See you then, let's go again sometime!"
We reached the ticket gate, and as she entered, Ichikawa waved from the other side.
Ah, that's right, Ichikawa lives in Kichijoji...
...Wait, didn't she come from the park side?
I got off the train at Ichika-cho Station.
Just then, my phone vibrated.
Sako Hasu: 'Tomorrow, meet in front of the station at 5 PM!'
Yeah, Sako sure knows how to use exclamation marks in LINE. Even when we're talking normally, she probably thinks she's expressing plenty of emotion with that flat tone of hers.
".........Tomorrow?"
A question slipped out of my mouth. Even though I was alone!
"Wait, what's tomorrow!?"
While staring at my phone and thinking "hmm," another LINE arrived as if to finish me off.
Sako Hasu: 'If you're late, it's the death penalty!'
How much does she like Haruhi? (Who does?)
Actually, Sako went home saying something about preparing for tomorrow, but was that for something with me? I have no memory of this...
But even I know that if I ask "What's tomorrow?", Sakoshu will get angry.
I don't know what to do...
"Sigh..."
I looked up and saw a large poster on the station bulletin board.
"Ah...!!"
My eyes landed on what caused me to shout out alone again.
'Ichika-cho Fireworks Festival'
Along with those words, tomorrow's date was written.
So that was Sako's plan for tomorrow! I agreed to it without checking the schedule... Well, I'm free, so it's fine.
As I was writing the appointment into my mental calendar, my phone vibrated again. This time, it was a long, rhythmic pulse.
Geez, Sako, you don't have to remind me that many times...
I thought as I answered the phone.
"Takuto-kuuuun, it's terrible! It's a pinch!"
"Ah, Erina-san!? What happened?"
"I have something to talk to you about! Can we meet tomorrow!?"
"A-tomorrow...?"