“Well…. That’s it. If you want to rely on me, I’ll be there for you. That’s why don’t push yourself too hard. For my sake, too.”
“What!?”
Otomizu’s cheeks flushed as she suddenly let out a strange voice and trembled.
“…. your face is red. Are you tired after all?”
“N….. no! This is because, due to certain circumstances, the sympathetic nerves have become too active, how should I put it…”
“How can it be cured?”
“If only Sasamiya-san would give me a hug!”
“Really?”
“It’s a lie!”
Hmmm ……. If we could joke around like this, it looks like it was not that serious.
Then Otomizu giggled and looked at me.
“Actually, my parents have taken the liberty of arranging a blind date for me, and I’m leaving today to decline.”
“Is…. that so”
To be honest, I was surprised by the term “blind date.”
Nowadays, it is rare for parents to arrange an arranged marriage on their own.
“I feel invigorated when I talk with you. What you said earlier really touched my heart, Sasamiya-san.”
“I was just trying to be cool. Although, …, I would go crazy if someone I knew saw me like this.”
That’s really it.
I was trying to act the part of a good senior in front of Otomizu, but if anyone I knew heard this line, I would want to run through the Sea of Trees at Mt. Fuji in embarrassment.
But I was on a train.
And it was Obon season.
I was sure that my acquaintances would never find me.
Then, I heard a childish voice right behind me.
“Ah. Sorry, Bro. … actually, I was behind you the whole time.”
I slowly turned around to see my sister, Aina.
She saw something she shouldn’t have seen and awkwardly put her hands behind her head.
“….. how long have you been there?”
“Since you got on the platform.”
“Didn’t you say on the LINE that you were already at the rendezvous point?”
“That was a lie. I was hiding the whole time because I wanted to surprise you. …. Sorry.”
I looked up at the train ceiling and covered my face with my hands.
Why? Because I was embarrassed!
“I want to jump off the train right now. ……”
“Please be patient as it is a nuisance to other passengers.”