Episode 32: Summer Festival with Takizawa Beside Me ⑵

Alone once more this year.

I’m used to being alone now, so I don’t intend to feel sad about it, but perhaps I shouldn’t have worn my yukata.

Had I not worn my yukata, I wouldn’t have got blisters from my shoes, and surely Takizawa would still be beside me now, watching the fireworks together.

Boom!

　The sound of fireworks exploding reached my ears.

Even though it was summer, I felt a sensation of my body freezing over.

I’m not sad, I tell myself.

Then what is this trickling down my cheek?

“—If it hurt enough to make you cry, you should’ve said something sooner.”

I looked up to find Takizawa there, slightly out of breath.
She wiped my eyes roughly and spoke.

“Why are you here, Takizawa…?”

“Well… Endo-san brought me, didn’t she?”

Takizawa crouched down and gently touched my foot. I flinched reflexively.

Disinfectant was poured onto the blistered area, and a plaster was applied.

The warmth of Takizawa’s hands instantly melted the stiffness that had frozen my body moments before.

　Looking at Takizawa, I saw she was drenched in sweat.

“What happened?”

“Endo-san seemed odd, so I went to the nearby convenience store. I don’t know this area well, so I got lost and was late.”

“Why…?”

I’d assumed she’d been fed up with me and gone off somewhere. But Takizawa hadn’t done that, it seemed.

I wanted to know why Takizawa would go to such lengths.

“Thanks for the stuffed toy.”

Then Takizawa looked at me.

Takizawa sometimes does unexpected things.

She’s usually so cold, she could have just been cold today too…

I know that first day we met was just her whim. Today too, it was probably just a whim because I happened to give her the shooting gallery prize; it probably doesn’t mean anything deep.

　Even as I pondered this, the sound of fireworks continued unabated.

I harboured a faint hope that if I walked to where I could see them now, I might still make it in time. Just as I thought this, Takizawa crouched down, turning her back to me.

As I stood there looking dumbfounded,
she said, “We’re going home, so get on quickly.”

　I’d come to see the fireworks with Takizawa today. I’d worked hard for this, and Takizawa had made an effort to accommodate me, so I felt a rush of panic – I had to see them, even if my legs fell off.

“But I haven’t seen the fireworks—”

“Are they that important? You don’t need to see them if your legs hurt. Get on.”

Takizawa’s words stung my chest. She remained facing away, unmoving. She genuinely seemed intent on carrying me.

“I’m heavy, Takizawa, you’ll collapse.”

Honestly, I remember her feeling incredibly light when I moved her to bed before. Plus, I’m taller than her, so I doubt she has the muscle strength to carry someone like me.

“The fireworks can wait until next time, alright? Hurry up or I’m leaving you behind.”

“Eh…”

　I wanted to ask if she’d come with me again, but held back. If I’d said it, she’d probably change the subject, bringing up whatever she’d just mentioned.

“Takizawa, don’t say I didn’t warn you if you get muscle ache tomorrow.”

Taking advantage of her words, I decided to climb onto her back. I was surprised at how easily she lifted me up.

It wasn’t that far to the station, but carrying someone on your back must feel like an eternity.

　Beads of sweat dripped down Takizawa’s neck.

Even so, Takizawa didn’t complain once and never set me down.

My arms wrapped around Takizawa’s neck tightened, closing the distance between us. The warmth radiating from Takizawa’s back felt comforting.

“Endo-san, I can’t breathe.”

Hearing that, I loosened my grip.
My chest was throbbing with heat.

“Takizawa…”
“What?”
“I’m sorry I made you come to the fireworks display. I invited you because I wanted you to see the beautiful fireworks, but it ended up like this…”

I wanted Takizawa to see the fireworks, and I wanted to see Takizawa watching those fireworks beside me. I’d been lost in thought about how Takizawa, who never shows interest in anything, would react. Would she be her usual unresponsive self?

“I got to see beautiful Endo-san, so the fireworks are fine.”
“Eh…”
“Shut up. Be quiet.”

I almost doubted my own ears. Was I tired, or just flustered?
But seeing Takizawa’s bright red ears, even from behind, made me realise I hadn’t misheard.

　There was hardly any conversation until we reached home.

Still, Takizawa saw me home properly, right to the end. While she carried me on her back, various people stared, and I heard sniggers. Even so, Takizawa’s grip never loosened.

She set me down at my front door.

Takizawa was drenched in sweat.

　No wonder. Carrying someone lighter than yourself still requires considerable stamina. I wouldn’t call myself fat, but carrying someone heavier than Takizawa must have been exhausting.

“Right then, I’ll be off.”
Saying only that, Takizawa started to leave.

Unconsciously, I grabbed her hand.

“What?”

Takizawa pulled her usual sullen face.

　I placed my hand on that face.

Pulling her lighter body closer to me, I pressed my lips against Takizawa’s.

I don’t know why I did it.

I just did it because I wanted to.

I simply followed my heart. That’s all.

Takizawa pushed me away firmly by the shoulder.

“I didn’t say you could kiss me.”

She said it in a voice even more displeased than before.

“I’ll repay you for today sometime. Thanks for walking me home.”
“No need for thanks.”

Takizawa said only that before walking away. I watched her back until she disappeared from sight.

I didn’t get to see the fireworks this year either, but I wasn’t alone. Today became an unforgettable, special day in my life.

Takizawa was no longer visible.

Only the faint flutter in my chest and the lingering warmth of her lips remained vividly.