While I was thinking about Riran's Christmas gift, day after day passed by.
Before I knew it, it was December. It had completely become winter.
The cold wind pricked my skin. It was the season when I missed the summer heat.
“Uugh, it’s so cold...!”
“It really did get cold all at once.”
Today, like any other day, Riran and I were heading to school.
I was wearing a down jacket and a muffler on top. Since I was also wearing winter undergarments underneath, I was managing to hold off the cold reasonably well.
However, Riran, walking beside me, had bare legs. She wasn't wearing stockings or tights.
Her upper body was all fluffy with a jacket and a muffler, but the defensive power of her lower body was like paper.
On top of that, her skirt was short. Why did it turn out like that?
“If you're cold, you should have worn tights or something.”
“But Akito, you're always looking at my legs, aren't you? You wouldn't be able to see them anymore, you know?”
“Eh, was I looking that much?”
“Well, yeah. That's why I thought you liked them. You're always getting excited by my legs anyway.”
“Shut up.”
There’s no need to mention that last bit of information now. It’s embarrassing.
“Wear tights properly starting tomorrow. It's more important that Riran's body doesn't get cold.”
“Oh. My legs will be hidden, but is that okay with you?”
“Tights have their own charm, you know.”
“...Pervert. But I love you.”
“That's complicated.”
I'm happy that she loves me, but I can't accept being treated like a pervert.
Trying to escape the cold even a little, Riran clung to my arm.
I’ve gotten used to walking with our arms linked like this.
When I slowed my pace just a little, Riran noticed and let out a small smile.
It seemed my feeling of wanting to walk like this for just a bit longer had reached her.
“Hey, hey, Akito. Tomorrow is a holiday, right? So, is tonight okay?”
“It’s fine, but... that's rare, for Riran to be the one inviting me. Usually it’s from me.”
“My love is just overflowing and I can't stop it.”
She just says such embarrassing things so casually. I’m the one who can't stop, you know.
My face became hot enough to rival the winter cold.
I covered my mouth with my muffler and nodded silently.
“Sooo cuuute.”
“S-Shut up.”
“Should I say it many more times until you realize it? Akito, you’re too cute.”
Damn, I didn't expect to be teased this much.
I don't particularly mind being called cute, but being told so many times really makes me blush.
Ah, I was cold until just a moment ago, but now my body is hot enough to feel flushed.
“You two. I’m sorry to interrupt your lovey-dovey moment.”
“Kyaa?!”
“Whoa!”
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind us.
T-That startled me. Good thing a girlish scream didn't come out of me.
When the two of us turned around, a single woman was standing there.
She was wearing a fluffy outer garment, but I could tell she was a student of our school from the skirt I could see.
Let’s see, have I met her somewhere before, or not?
“Ah. I-Ishite-dera-senpai... Geez, please don’t startle us like that.”
“Ahaha, sorry, Kuonji-san.”
Ishite-dera? ...Ah, the person from the gemstone exhibition during the Ginkgo Festival. You remembered well, Riran.
Ishite-dera-senpai slapped my shoulder repeatedly with a grinning face.
“Boy, you guys are certainly energetic from the morning. Good, good! It makes me want to meet my fated person too.”
“From how far back were you listening?”
“I wasn't listening, but the atmosphere was just so pink.”
Seriously? I wasn't conscious of that at all.
So that qualifies as a pink atmosphere... I should be careful.
“Hey, hey, Kuonji-san. As expected, you and Sanada-kun are very compatible, right? How is it? Are you enjoying yourselves?”
“Eh?! T-That is... well... y-yes...”
“Hoo-whee!”
“You’re noisy. Also, Riran, you don't have to answer so honestly.”
I mean, Ishite-dera-senpai is being really pushy.
“By the way~ I have a favor to ask of you two~”
“A favor?”
“Yep! We’re putting out an advertisement for our shop soon, and I wanted to ask you two to be the models... is that a no?”
Ishite-dera pressed her hands together and asked cutely.
Come to think of it, there was a conversation like that. This person also remembered well from just that brief talk.
“I don't mind. Akito is fine with it too.”
“I haven't said a single word about that though.”
“Is it a no?”
“...It’s not... a no, but...”
“Then it's settled! The shoot is next Saturday, so I’m counting on you!”
Wait, that's the day after tomorrow. That's way too last minute.
What a haphazard person.
Ishite-dera-senpai said, “Well then, see ya!” and energetically ran off.
“She’s like a storm.”
“Children of merchants are probably like that.”
Neika is like that too. I feel a similar atmosphere to Neika somehow.
...Hmm? Hoho...?
“Hey, Riran. Do you have the business card you got from Ishite-dera-senpai?”
“Yes. It should be in my file... here it is. Here.”
“Thanks.”
I took the business card I had received from Ishite-dera-senpai before and went to the website via the QR code.
It was a beautiful site, featuring many eye-catching gemstones.
And then—I found what I was looking for.
“What's wrong?”
“No, I just thought if I’m going to take on the modeling job, I should know about the shop.”
“Oh, you're quite motivated.”
“I have to get the job done.”
When I put my smartphone away, Riran linked her arm with mine again.
All that's left is to negotiate with Ishite-dera-senpai... well, it’ll work out somehow.