Episode 25: Summer Holidays ⑴

“It’s so hot, I can’t concentrate.”

The beautiful girl next to me was saying things like that while rolling around on the floor.

We hadn’t even studied for thirty minutes yet.

Endo-san’s lack of concentration was utterly baffling.
Unfortunately, even after summer holidays began, my relationship with Endo-san continued.

　This arrangement could end at any moment, dissolved the instant Endo-san declared she no longer needed tutoring.

Honestly, I suspect this arrangement isn’t particularly beneficial for either of us. Yet she keeps asking me to teach her.

Is she up to something?

Well, whatever she’s scheming, it doesn’t matter.

I’ll teach her, and I’ll take payment for my time.

　During the summer holidays, Endo-san seems busy with club activities, so we only hold study sessions once or twice a week.

I do wish she’d make the effort for one or two sessions a week.

As for my summer holiday plans, studying is pretty much all I have. If I had to mention something else, my sister is coming home in August, and I plan to ask her to teach me sewing then.

I resent my own actions back then, even though I was the one who asked her.

　I want to develop skills beyond studying. I acted on that thought.
Perhaps it was meeting Endo-san that made me feel this way.

In my home, where studying was everything, I had no meaning in life beyond academics.
Seeing Endo-san, who could do anything, made me want something I excelled at, some talent of my own.

As for talents I currently possess, it’s studying and making Endo-san’s plastered-on smile slip, revealing a pained expression.

　Today, I decided to bite her arm.

I always bite hard enough to leave teeth marks, so I imagine it hurts quite a bit. And when I bite her arm, Endo-san always looks terribly distressed.

Just as I thought how nice it was to see that expression again today, an unbelievable pain shot through my own arm.

Is this how owners feel when bitten by dogs that were once obedient? It hurts so much I couldn’t care less about that. She bit down with such force it felt like she might tear me apart.

“That hurts…”

I replied with a rather grim expression.
Then Endo-san happily released my arm.

“I think I understand a little of how you feel, Takizawa, wanting to get your own back like this sometimes.”

Endo-san was beaming with delight, looking happier than ever.

“I don’t think you have the right to get your own back.”

Endo-san’s teeth marks were left on my arm.

“It’s always me getting the rough end of the stick.”
“But that’s the deal, isn’t it? If you don’t like it, don’t associate with me.”

I wish she’d just leave me alone. But my wish goes unfulfilled; she’s still sitting right next to me.

“Sorry, sorry. Anyway, are you going to the fireworks display on the fifteenth of August?”

My words were brushed aside lightly as she changed the subject. I don’t much like fireworks displays; they’re too crowded.

　Last year, Mai dragged me around and I felt like she drained five years’ worth of my vitality.

“Mai hasn’t invited me this year either, so I probably won’t go.”
“Would you go if she invited you?”
“If I didn’t have plans, I’d go.”

Endo-san seems deep in thought.

Endo-san looks incredibly beautiful when she’s serious. It’s unfair how striking she looks just because her features are so well-proportioned.

“Let’s go to the fireworks festival together.”
“Eh?”

What on earth is she saying… It seemed odd for us, who weren’t even friends, to go to the fireworks festival together.

Well, maybe there are people in the world who go with non-friends. But I didn’t want anyone from school to see Endo-san and me at a summer festival.

However, Endo-san looked at me with those sparkling eyes. Using her beauty like that in a situation like this felt unfair.

“If I’m free, then.”

A beaming smile spread across Endo-san’s face, making her look like a soft, fluffy flower had bloomed.

I hadn’t actually promised to go yet, but seeing Endo-san’s rare, genuine smile, I decided not to tease her any further.

Endo-san’s expressions changed more readily around me than before. She’d frown when something annoyed her and look genuinely happy when pleased.

　Her tail and ears are visible.

Like a large dog delighted to receive its treat.

This summer holiday flew by in an instant.
Cram school, school homework, looking after Endo-san…

＊＊＊

When August arrived, my sister came home.

She barged into my room without permission, hugged me tightly, and said things like, “I missed you, my beloved little sister.”

　I didn’t miss you one bit, big sis.

Apparently, university students have their summer holidays in August and September.
My sister said she’d be home in August but would return to university in September to study.

I want her to teach me sewing quickly, then stay out of her way. When I’m involved with Mayo-nee (my sister’s nickname), Mum and Dad don’t look kindly upon it.

　They look at us like we’re contagious and try to keep us apart. They don’t need to do that; I’m not going to get in your way.

To avoid our parents’ prying eyes, Mayo-nee suggested we do the embroidery lessons at a café.

Today, Endo-san asked me to tutor her, but I turned her down because my appointment with Mayo-nee came first. She messaged asking who the appointment was with and grilled me about the details, but I couldn’t be bothered replying and just stashed my phone in my bag.

As for the embroidery, it wasn’t going well, partly because I’m clumsy. It’s been years since I properly talked to Mayo-nee, and I’ll blame my nervousness about this renewed connection for my poor progress.

Despite my utter lack of skill, Mayo-nee teaches me without a hint of annoyance. So I tried hard to match her sincere effort. First, I practised stitching flowers onto a piece of fabric.

The finished result was hardly recognisable as a flower; it was rather misshapen.

Just like me.

Meanwhile, my sister worked silently, embroidering flowers onto a handkerchief. Even her sewing looked radiant, like a goddess. What sort of person could fall for or date someone so perfect…? “Mayo-nee, do you have someone you like? Or are you seeing anyone?”

For some reason, I felt curious about my sister today, despite having no interest in her before, and wanted to ask.

Mayo-nee kept her usual cheerful smile, not breaking it.

“I have my precious little sister, so I don’t need anything more than that, I suppose.”

What on earth is she talking about… I’ve tormented her unbelievably, and there’s no reason for her to cherish me.

“Fine, if you won’t answer seriously.”

I refocused my attention on the embroidery practice in my hands.

Even after the conversation ended, Mayo-nee kept moving her hands while smiling cheerfully at me. Being looked at with that kind of fake smile made my breath catch.

How could I get back that genuine smile I used to love so much? No, perhaps I couldn’t change her anymore, not with the person I am now.

　I’d been so focused I’d skipped lunch, and by the time I ate with my sister and got home, it was already two o’clock.

Back home, I concentrated on my embroidery again until past seven in the evening. Realising I’d be hungry if I didn’t eat dinner, I decided to walk to the nearby convenience store, treating it as a stroll.

I dislike summer, but I don’t dislike summer nights quite so much. The daytime heat subsides, and insects chirp in a variety of tones.

　I put rice balls and drinks into my basket at the convenience store. Among the drinks, the orange juice Endo-san always drinks stood there, all alone.

I don’t understand why Endo-san continues this relationship with me. I didn’t know how to become friends with her now, even if I wanted to.

Endo-san has a bug in her sense of personal space, so I can imagine myself feeling a little sad at graduation if we became any closer than this.

That’s why it’s fine just as it is.

　Still, there are things that bother me.
Why does she stay with me?

If I drank her favourite orange juice, would I understand her feelings a little better?

As I pondered this, my hand reached for the orange juice without thinking.

Another hand brushed against mine.

Excuse me…

“Endo-san?!” I blurted out loud without meaning to.

Unusually, Endo-san didn’t say anything back.
Or rather, is she angry?
She looked sullen.

Well, I do feel bad about not being able to study today, but there are days when I can’t because of cram school or Endo-san’s club activities, so I don’t think that’s the reason.
I can’t think of anything else.

She grabbed my arm
and asked, “Can we have a study session tomorrow?”

　I just nodded. Endo-san bought some orange juice and started to leave the convenience store.

“The stars are really clear tonight. Have a look.”

She left, leaving those words behind.

I paid at the convenience store and stepped outside too.

It wasn’t because Endo-san told me to. I was just lost in thought about everything that happened today and happened to look up.

Where I live isn’t the city, so I suppose there aren’t many lights.

　Perhaps because of the lack of lights, or no… regardless, the stars looked incredibly beautiful.

Each one twinkled, as if saying, “I’m here.”

I doubt I’ll see such a beautiful sight again anytime soon.

Starry Sky (Hoshizora)

I wonder what my parents were thinking when they gave me this name.

It’s too late now to ask them, as we’re no longer that kind of family, but it was a day when I found myself wanting to know just a little more about my family.