Chapter 13 - The Latter Half of Golden Week
Day 1 of the latter half of GW
"Toya! Wake up!"
What the... today's a holiday... let me sleep
"Kanna-chan is here!"
Kanna's on holiday too... Kanna!?
I hurriedly sit up.
"Why is Kanna here?"
"She says she came to study with you. She's a serious girl, despite how she looks."
"You should follow her example," Mother added.
I didn't make any such promise...
Ignoring me as I stare blankly, Mother leaves the room.
"Kanna-chan. It's alright, come on up."
"Yes, excuse me for disturbing you."
Why is it that people try to frantically tidy their rooms when a guest arrives?
Even though they know it's a futile resistance.
While I was thinking about that, Kanna entered the room.
"Heh, it's cleaner than I thought."
"It's not your first time here, is it?"
"Nah, I just thought you'd be letting things slide since Airi isn't around."
Saying that, Kanna plopped down cross-legged on a cushion.
Today she was wearing jeans and a gray shirt.
I, who wasn't given time to change, was in a shirt and sweatpants.
"What brings you here today?"
I asked Kanna while getting ready.
"Well, I thought you might be bored since Airi's gone. It's better to have someone to be with than to do it alone, right?"
It's good that she's in the mood to study, but...
Is Airi on the plane right about now?
I got a message early this morning saying, "I'm heading out."
I was fast asleep, so I didn't notice.
I sent a reply now, albeit belatedly, saying, "Take care."
"D-don't get the wrong idea. I only came because there are things I want you to teach me."
Kanna makes an excuse now of all times.
"I know."
"Then fine."
With that, Kanna takes her study materials out of her bag.
Kanna studying...
I wonder what face everyone in class would make if they found out.
They'd surely be surprised.
After all, she was by far the lowest in the academic achievement tests...
"What do I do here?"
"Ah, that part goes like this..."
"And here?"
"We just did that, didn't we? Use the same method..."
Right now, we're tackling the massive amount of homework assigned during GW.
To be honest, it would be faster if I just solved them and let Kanna copy them exactly.
But then Kanna wouldn't learn anything.
That's why we're solving them together.
It takes more time because of that, but...
"Ah, let me see that for a second."
"If you look, there's no point in... doing it."
I choked on my words.
The reason was simple.
As I've said many times, Kanna has a model physique.
And she's wearing a shirt with a wide collar.
And she's leaning forward, peering over at me.
In other words... I caught a glimpse of her breasts.
"...Toya, are you listening?"
"W-what!?"
"Listen properly. So, isn't this part wrong?"
Whether it was because I was captivated by Kanna or because I was lost in thought, I realized I had made a mistake.
"Ah, you're right. Sorry."
"Geez, please pull yourself together, Toya-sensei."
We were supposed to eat lunch and study in the afternoon... but.
The two of us fell fast asleep.
By the time we noticed, it was dusk.
We ate dinner, studied again, and I walked her home around 21:00, then went to sleep.
Postscript
I had a message from Airi saying, "What are you doing~? ヾ(。｀Д´。)ノ彡☆ Boo-boo!!"
Day 2 of the latter half of GW.
This time, I woke up early.
Because I'd heard "See you tomorrow" last night.
Kanna arrived around the same time as yesterday.
Perhaps because we worked hard yesterday, most of the homework was finished by this evening.
"Finished—!!"
Kanna sprawls out on her back in a star shape.
"Good work."
"Now then, Toya."
Kanna sits up immediately.
"Let's do something for fun."
She's more lively than she was a moment ago...
"Do what...?"
"Ah, I wanted to read this manga. Heh, Toya, you're interested in this kind of thing."
Kanna begins browsing my bookshelf on her own.
"Toya, Kanna-chan. Dinner's ready—"
Called by Mother, I go downstairs.
Mother is unusually enthusiastic during the holidays.
The menu is lavish.
"Kanna-san, how is the studying going?"
"Yes, thanks to Toya-kun, I successfully finished my homework today."
"I see, that's perfect!"
Father gulps down his beer.
"I'm thinking of going to the park tomorrow, would you like to join us?"
"Eh!? Is that alright?"
"It's fine, it's fine. You've been such a help to our Toya."
Even Mother joins in.
"Wait, Mother, Father, Kanna might have plans..."
"I'll go. Thank you very much."
Kanna answers instantly.
Well, the parents are coming too, so it should be fine...
After dinner, Kanna relaxes in my room and starts reading manga.
I'm reviewing the material for the tests.
"Hey."
"What?"
"About Airi... honestly, what do you think of her?"
"W-what's with the sudden question?"
"No, it's just... I heard things from Airi before. Toya, you've always been shy, or rather, dense about that kind of thing."
"I love her. If I didn't, we wouldn't be dating, right?"
What is this all of a sudden?
"I see... then it's fine... Like I said before, take good care of her."
"I know. What's gotten into you? Suddenly."
"Nothing, it's just that Airi is my first female friend since coming back here. So I worry about various things."
Then, at the usual time, I walk Kanna home and return to my own house.
"Well, see you tomorrow... should I bring a lunch box or something?"
"It's fine, Mother will probably be enthusiastic about preparing one."
"I see. Got it."
When I return home and go back to my room, my smartphone rings almost simultaneously.
It's Airi.
I answer the phone.
"Hello."
"It's not 'hello'! I sent you so many messages..."
"Eh!?"
I hurriedly check my phone.
A lot of messages from Airi had piled up.
"Sorry, I was studying and didn't notice."
"...Was Kanna with you?"
"How did you know that!?"
I thought, I just said it!
It's not like I'm doing anything shameful.
"I'll be angry if you're doing anything strange. I'll be back the day after tomorrow."
"Got it. Take care."
"Yeah. Toya-kun..."
"What is it?"
"I think it's not a good thing to doubt a friend... but please be careful."
"What are you worried about?"
"Nothing. Well, see you tomorrow."
"A-Airi. Tomorrow..."
Beep-beep.
She hung up.
I guess I'll just report it tomorrow.
Day 3 of the latter half of GW.
The park in Kokonoe was beautiful, with fields of nemophila, poppies, livingston daisies, and Haru-iro (spring colors).
However, there were many people.
As expected for the end of GW, the roads were crowded with cars.
The three people other than me were having a lively conversation.
Today, unusually, she was wearing a black skirt.
As expected, the length was short, and even though she had a bag on her lap above her knees... it was distracting.
On top she had a hoodie, and she wore sneakers.
From the perspective of the three of them, I might have looked bored, but that wasn't it.
Because I couldn't look at Kanna directly, I was looking at the scenery reflected in the window.
"Try to look like you're having at least a little fun."
Kanna pulls my arm.
"That's right, Toya, even though we've gone to the trouble of inviting her."
Father is misunderstanding something.
"That's not it."
Kanna denies it with a smile.
"That's right, he has a girlfriend named Airi-chan, after all."
When Mother says that, my father makes a surprised face, asking, "Is that so?"
What has he been seeing until now?
"Ah, is that so... It's a waste when such a beauty is right here."
"Airi is cuter."
"Sorry, Kanna-chan. My husband only says rude things."
"No, it's alright... more importantly, it's beautiful here."
"It's even more beautiful once you go inside."
We were finally able to park the car and went inside.
Everywhere was full of people.
The time had passed 12:00.
We spread a sheet on the grass and ate the lunch boxes Mother had been making since early morning.
"Delicious!"
Kanna eats with genuine appetite.
"I made a lot, so please keep eating."
Mother says as she pours tea.
"Yes!"
She really ate a considerable amount.
We look around the park.
Colorful flowers are in bloom.
Kanna takes photos of various flowers with her smartphone.
Father finds a bench built into a flowerbed.
"Since we're here, why don't you take a photo together?"
"Eh!? That would be bad."
"A photo is fine! Come on, Toya, sit down too."
Is he serious...
Reluctantly, I sit on the bench.
Then, Kanna takes an unexpected action.
She grabbed my hand.
Kanna holds my hand and makes a peace sign with her other hand.
Click
"I wonder if it came out right?"
"Let's see. Ah, it's fine. Thank you very much."
She's very happy.
"It won't be found out if I make it my wallpaper, right?"
Kanna whispers in my ear.
Well, it'll probably be fine...
Kanna and I choose a souvenir for Airi at the gift shop.
Naturally, Kanna doesn't buy anything.
She just helps me choose.
"Ah, isn't this one good?"
She picked up two keychains.
They were keychains with the names Toya and Airi on them.
"These are sold everywhere, aren't they?"
"You're an idiot, it's the thought that counts. Go with these!"
I bought them as told.
On the way back, Kanna slept as if she were dead.
She must have been exhausted from being too excited.
She's making soft snoring sounds.
"She must have had a lot of fun."
Father says, looking at Kanna through the rearview mirror.
He probably hasn't noticed.
That Kanna's left hand was gripping my right hand.
"So, I asked before, but which one is the real favorite?"
Mother suddenly asks something completely out of the blue.
"Mother, you said it yourself, right? For me, Airi is..."
"Looking at today's behavior, I feel like Kanna-chan isn't entirely opposed to it either."
"You thought so too, dear? I thought so as well."
"Kanna is a friend... don't talk about that in front of Airi."
"I know that..."
Saying that, I look out the window again.
That's why I didn't notice.
The traces of tears streaming down Kanna's cheek.
When we stop the car in front of Kanna's house, Kanna gets out.
"Thank you for today, sir."
"No problem, let's go again."
"Toya, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
After seeing her enter her house, Father drives the car away.
The Final Day of GW
Kanna had been holed up in my room since morning reading manga.
She really is bored.
Ring
My smartphone rings.
Looking at the phone, a message had arrived from Airi.
"I've just returned."
When I tell Kanna that.
"Then, let's go to Airi's house."
She suggests.
"N-now!?"
"There's a reason, right? You have to deliver that."
Saying that, Kanna points to the keychains I bought yesterday.
"Let's go."
When we arrive at Airi's house, I ring the doorbell.
"Ye—s?"
It's Airi's mother's voice.
"This is Katagiri, is Airi-san there?"
"Ah, Toya-kun? It's been a while~ I'll go call Airi."
The sound of footsteps is heard through the door.
Click
"Toya-kun—!"
Airi suddenly hugs me.
Was she that kind of character!?
"Airi, long time no see."
When Kanna greets her, she suddenly pulls away from me.
And then she hugs Kanna.
"Kanna, long time no see too!"
It's only been three days, though.
"Ah, I have souvenirs."
For me, a necklace set, which she says is to be used as a set with her own.
I gave Kanna a shoulder pouch.
"Thank you."
Kanna gently nudges me with her elbow.
"Ah, I have a souvenir too."
"Eh?"
"Apparently they went to a park with their family yesterday. I got some sweets too."
Even though they're sweets she bought herself...
I give the keychain to Airi.
"It's something ordinary, but."
"I'm so happy! Thank you!"
Airi rejoices, saying that.
Kanna watches her.
"Well, I'll be heading off around here..."
"Eh? Kanna, stay and relax for a bit."
"No, it's the last day of the long holiday, right? You two spend some time together."
Saying that, she turns on her heel and leaves.
"Toya-kun, stay and relax at home for once."
"But it's almost time for lunch."
"Let's eat together, I've always been the one being treated."
And so, I am treated to lunch and find myself in Airi's room.
Airi's room doesn't feel like a typical girl's room.
White wallpaper with maple wood-grain built-in furniture, a desk, and a chair.
The bed was also made of wood.
A white table was placed on the flooring, and there was a white dressing table too.
When I came here in elementary school, the dressing table wasn't there.
I sit on a cushion, left alone in a girl's room.
I feel strangely fidgety.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, here you go."
Saying that, she offers me tea.
"So, what were you doing with Kanna?"
She hits the core of the matter while smiling brightly.
Scary...
"W-what do you mean, we were studying."
"Just that?"
"Once the homework was finished, she just made herself at home."
"I see..."
Airi seems to be thinking about something.
"Yeah, I believe you."
After that, I'm told normally about her trip to Osaka, and I talk about the park while keeping the details about Kanna vague.
Time passes in the blink of an eye.
I'm taken care of until dinner, and leave the house around 9:00.
"Well, see you tomorrow."
Airi says that and gives me a light kiss.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Saying that, I leave.
"...Because I believe you."
When I turn back once toward Airi, who is seeing me off, Airi is waving her hand vigorously.