Episode 130: The Beginning of Summer

Since I got Endo-san’s promise to be careful about not overloading her schedule, she’s started planning with her own wellbeing in mind. I’m glad I pushed her — even forcefully — to take breaks from work.

The rainy season was drawing to a close and summer arrived in no time at all. Summer break was right around the corner.

When I got home, Endo-san was already back, and the apartment smelled delicious. I hurried to set down my bag, wash my hands, and rushed to the living room. I went over to Endo-san, who was humming to herself as she got things ready, and held her tight.

“Takizawa…? What’s the matter?”
“Endo-san, I’m home.”
“Welcome back.”

I’m still not used to this life — coming home to someone who says welcome back. No, I don’t think I should ever get used to it. It isn’t a given — it exists because Endo-san creates it. That’s why I want to do everything I can for her.

“Let me help get ready. Thank you, as always.”
“O-okay——”

I heard her very flustered voice, but paid it no mind and moved to the kitchen cupboard. I took out our two mugs and the plates for serving the food. Endo-san’s delicious-looking cooking filled the plates one after another.

Just seeing it stirred my empty stomach, demanding her food as soon as possible.

“Itadakimasu.”

Our voices aligned, and I felt the faintest sense of something — not quite strange, but new. We hadn’t been able to eat together much lately, and the warmth in my chest deepened.

Tonight’s menu was oyakodon.

How this person can make absolutely anything is beyond me. The silky egg and generous pieces of chicken passed between my moistened lips.

Delicious…

She’d made oyakodon before too, when she competed with my sister over whose was better. At the time I’d been annoyed about the whole competition — but even then, I’d privately thought Endo-san’s oyakodon was better. I couldn’t say so honestly back then. But now I can.

“I love your oyakodon, Endo-san.”
“Huh?”

It’s just like her — whenever I say something embarrassing like this, she always reacts in a way that makes me even more embarrassed. I said nothing more and quietly kept eating. The bowl was empty before I knew it, and I started clearing up.

“Endo-san, I have something to tell you — wait for me on the sofa.”
“Alright.”

Even if I didn’t say so, as long as I’m in the living room Endo-san won’t go anywhere. Watching her always trying to stretch out the time we spend together, my heart always stirs. Even while I was clearing up, even while I was running the bath, she didn’t move an inch from the sofa, waiting for me.

She’s almost too devoted — worryingly so. There are times I wonder whether her own wishes have any room in all of this.

I sat down beside Endo-san, who was waiting patiently on the sofa.

“What did you want to talk about?”
“I’m going to start a part-time job.”
“You are? What kind?”
“Cram school tutoring.”
“I see… don’t push yourself, okay?”
“I don’t want to hear that from Endo-san.”
“Fair enough.”

We caught each other’s eyes and both let out a quiet laugh. Endo-san gently pulled my arm and drew her face close.

I’ve gotten fairly used to this kind of moment — or rather, I’ve been made used to it… Endo-san reaches out to me more than she did in high school. And since I don’t mind it, I always just accept it.

The soft sensation landed not on my lips but on my cheek. The fact of that — I’m being a little unreasonable about it lately, perhaps.

“I have something to tell you too.”
“What?”
“During summer break I’m going to the beach with Mai and a girl I got to know at university called Saaya — will you come too, Takizawa?”
“I’d just be in the way if I came — no.”
“It’ll be fine. If anything, it was Mai and I who wanted to go somewhere, and Saaya joined in.”
“I’d just make the atmosphere awkward.”

The truth was I was happy to be invited to the beach by Endo-san. But even if it would be fine with just the two of us, with other people there too I’d surely end up making things unpleasant for them, I thought.

Not wanting to let any more negative feelings surface, I got up from the sofa to go back to my room — and my arm was grabbed firmly.

“Let go.”
“I’ll let go if you agree to come. Also — if you don’t come, I am going to turn the other two down anyway.”
“What?”
“It’s already decided. Let’s go buy swimsuits next time!”
“You always just decide things for me without asking, Endo-san.”

I let out a sigh large enough to echo around the room. Endo-san looked delighted, completely unbothered.

“Let’s look on our phones now and see what kind of swimsuits to get.”
“I’m not wearing a swimsuit.”
“No. I want to see Takizawa in a swimsuit.”
“That makes no sense. You can just wear one yourself.”
“No. Wear one.”
“No.”
“No.”
“Are you an idiot?”
“I’m not budging today. If you won’t wear a swimsuit, I’m not cooking for a while.”

She tossed her head and stopped looking at me. That was rare for Endo-san — and more than anything, not being able to eat her cooking was a problem…

“Endo-san, look at me.”
“Only if you’ll wear a swimsuit.”
“Fine, I’ll wear one…”
“What?!”

The girl who had been stubbornly refusing to look at me a moment ago was now staring at me with sparkling eyes. I had absolutely no idea why she wanted me in a swimsuit so much. I reached over and stretched both her soft cheeks outward.

“Forget the swimsuit, go cook.”
“Yes! I’ll cook forever!”

For some reason she’d lost all vocabulary — she just said that and nodded over and over.

At this point I had been planning to wear a rash guard, so I thought well, that’s fine — but when I saw the swimsuit Endo-san chose, I was absolutely shocked.