Episode 6: Even the Summer Uniform Being This Dazzling Is Just Too Convenient!
Before I know it, it’s July.
Summer.
Summer’s arrived.
I’m not exactly a huge fan of summer.
It’s hot, and despite that, the air’s still weirdly humid on top of it…
But even so, there’s one thing about it that’s genuinely the best.
That’s right — summer uniform season!!!!
In the little stretch of time before homeroom starts, everyone’s scattered around the classroom, killing time however they like.
Makina’s near the front, talking with some other girls.
Whatever the joke is, she’s laughing, having a great time.
Well, honestly, the content doesn’t matter.
What matters is — thanks to the short sleeves of the summer uniform —
Makina’s pale arms are on full, unguarded display!!
And the glimpse of the back of her neck peeking out from her collar has honestly got a frightening amount of destructive power too.
“…Ia.”
“What.”
Ia, deep in her phone in the next seat over, answers without looking up.
“Don’t you think whoever decided short-sleeve blouses should be part of the girls’ high school uniform deserves some kind of massive national award, immediately?”
“Oh, ‘cause they’re cool? But with how the climate’s changing lately, that logic kind of falls apar—”
That’s when Ia seems to notice where I’m looking.
She looks up from her phone and sighs.
“Hey, Yotsuka, what are you even staring at?”
“…Looking at the summer sky.”
“There’s no window over there. And besides, you live with her — you can look all you want, any time.”
“It’s different in the classroom, okay…”
“That again. Actually, aren’t you being way too honest with me about this stuff?”
“Figured at this point, you’d just become my punching bag for whenever I need to vent my delusions.”
“You know, if you said that stuff directly to her instead, things might actually change.”
“…For the worse?”
“Couldn’t say.”
“Ugh, you just don’t get it, Ia — what it’s like, falling for a childhood friend…”
Outside the window, the cicadas start up.
Yet more proof summer’s really here.
“You’re one to talk about summer uniforms being great, Yotsuka — you’re wearing one too, you know.”
“No, no… it matters who’s wearing it.”
“Hmm~ okay then, how about mine? How’s my summer uniform?”
“Huh, actually, not bad.”
“…Well, thanks, I guess.”
Ia doesn’t so much as flinch, just keeps spinning her mechanical pencil between her fingers.
“So. Died again today?”
“About three times.”
“Homeroom hasn’t even started yet.”
“I know.”
Just then, Makina notices us and gives a small wave.
I wave back.
Smiling. Casually. Playing it cool.
“…What number was that?”
Ia asks quietly.
“Number four.”
“Yotsuka, are you seriously going to die of stress at this rate?”
“That’s what I’ve been saying all along…”
—Back then, with my days already ending in a fatal wound just from the sheer destructive power of a summer uniform, I still had no idea.
The real convenient-plot-device event god had waiting for me wasn’t going to be anything this gentle.
◇◆◇◆◇
A few days later.
After dinner, the four of us in the living room, Makina’s dad’s expression turned a little more serious than usual as he spoke up.
“Actually, there’s something I wanted to talk to you two about.”
Makina and I both look up.
“So, um, actually, my company’s assigned me a transfer… yeah. It’s a bit much, honestly.”
“…A transfer?”
“Yeah. It’s sudden, I know. It only got finalized officially yesterday…”
“Which company? Still in Tokyo?”
“Starting the week after next — the Hokkaido branch.”
“That’s so soon, and so far!”
I end up standing without meaning to.
This isn’t even a question of convenience anymore.
“Wait, after we just moved in?”
“I know, right…? Well, they’re covering rent out there and everything. But seriously, the timing couldn’t be worse.”
Makina’s dad scratches his head with a rueful laugh.
Glancing to the side, I see Makina watching her father with a quiet expression.
Whether she’s worried, or thinking something through, her face is harder to read than usual.
“So, I was thinking I’d go alone. Live apart from you all for work.”
“I see…”
Well, that’s probably the most realistic option.
Makina’s in high school too — it’s not like she can just casually transfer schools.
But what happens to this life we’ve built?
We just started living as four people, and now it’s suddenly back down to three?
While I’m vaguely turning that over in my head, Makina’s dad continues.
“So, I know this might not be the best way to put it, but — I think it actually worked out well, timing-wise, that we’d already decided to all live together. Makina can stay here where it’s safe, so, Makina, you sh—”
“Dad.”
Makina speaks up, quietly.
“Won’t you be lonely? All by yourself?”
At moments like this, Makina’s face shows a side of her I don’t usually get to see.
She’s really thinking about her family, properly.
…Come to think of it, what’s going to happen to our life together, going forward?
The living room goes still.
Makina’s dad blinks, wide-eyed for a second, then smiles, a little troubled.
“…When you say things like that, Makina, it really gets to me.”
“Well, I’m worried. Being all alone…”
“Thank you, Makina. It’s a shame, after we just started living together as a family, but work is work — can’t be helped.”
“…I guess.”
Makina nods, small.
She probably hasn’t really accepted it, but she doesn’t push any further.
Watching this exchange beside them, I feel something warm settle quietly in my chest.
“Oh, wait, wait, hold on — about that—”
Mom raises her hand.
“I think I’ll go too.”
“Wait, what??”
Everyone’s eyes land on Mom at once.
“H-hold on, wait, isn’t this getting a little out of hand…?”