Episode 35: Do Something Special
Not words, but actions… wait, what does that even mean!? Like, what am I supposed to do!?
Actually, wait, Sora-san, why so sudden…!?
I frantically raced back through our conversation in my head.
My memory’s never been great, but I definitely haven’t forgotten what we were just talking about a second ago… probably.
Could it be… because I brought up Maria’s name?
Ever since Maria stormed into Sweet Stella, Sora-san’s opinion of her has probably been pretty low.
And even so, I went and brought up Maria anyway — did that end up upsetting her?
“Ruri. Are you working this hard right now just to make that childhood friend of yours approve?”
“Th-that’s not… I mean, it’s not wrong, but that’s not the only reason!”
It’s true that one of the reasons I’m trying so hard is to put Maria’s mind at ease and get her approval.
But the whole reason the event happened in the first place was that I needed to earn tuition money.
No — it’s not just those two reasons either. I…
“E-everyone, together! Preparing all this stuff like this, it’s, it’s fun…! So I really want it to succeed…!”
We talked it through as a group and decided to hold the event. Möbius-san’s been handling all the concrete logistics. Miyuki-san’s been making the costumes.
Me, an introvert — I’ve never once experienced accomplishing something together with other people, not until now.
Even school festivals — I’ve never properly participated in one, not even once.
“So, um, the preparation itself is fun, and I want it to succeed because of that, and, I don’t know, in a way, throwing myself into it like this is fun on its own too, kind of…”
I couldn’t put it into words properly, and that frustrated me. But somehow, I felt like it was getting through to Sora-san anyway… though maybe that’s just me being naive.
“I get how you feel, Ruri. But I already told you. I want you to show it through actions, not words.”
“A-actions…”
Wh-what does that even mean!?
“W-woo, woo-hoo, event prep, s-so fun!!”
I shouted it loudly and stood up, throwing together some kind of improvised samba dance. Watching myself in the mirror was so pathetic I almost cried.
“…That’s not what I meant.”
“Eh!? Sh-should it have been a more traditional-style dance instead!?”
“Not even close. Geez, Ruri, honestly…”
Good. At least Sora-san laughed.
Relieved by that, I sat back down next to her. Then Sora-san grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight.
“…Yesterday, when you relied on me, I was honestly really happy about it. But you only did it because I looked free, didn’t you?”
“Th-that’s… I, I can’t fully deny that, but…”
“You live with Möbius-san. You wag your tail like a dog for Miyuki-san. And even while you’re with me, you bring up your childhood friend.”
“Ugh…”
Sora-san glared at me, her eyes faintly wet.
Could it be… was Sora-san lonely…?
“…Feels like I’m the only one who thinks of you as special.”
“Sora-san…!”
Now that I think about it, she did say she doesn’t have friends at school.
Maybe that’s exactly why she thinks of me as something really special…
“I—I do too! I think that too. That you’re special, Sora-san!”
“…Really?”
“Really!”
“…Then show it. Through actions.”
“Through actions…”
“Do something special.”
Still holding my hand, Sora-san looked straight at me.
Something special… what would even count as something special?
Sora-san probably thinks of me as an important friend, and that’s probably exactly why it bothers her a little, seeing me get close with Maria, or anyone else, too.
For me, everyone matters, everyone’s special. But maybe Sora-san can’t feel special if she’s treated the same as everyone else.
Something special, something special…
“U-um, Sora-san.”
“What?”
“F-for example… should we try, um, kissing?”
The idea popped into my head on reflex, probably because of the “yuri act” Sora-san and I run together.
Posting overly clingy photos, acting all lovey-dovey in front of customers.
But we’d never actually kissed, not even once.
“J-just kidding, that’s, th-that’s obviously not it, s-sorry!”
For a second I thought it might be a “special” that suited exactly who we are, given the whole yuri-act thing, but that couldn’t possibly be right.
“Ah, then, how about, D-Disneyland! What about going to Disneyland!?”
“…Do it.”
“Sea or Land, which one!?”
“Not that. Not that at all.”
“…Huh?”
“I said kiss me.”
Sora-san’s face moved closer. Before I even had time to process what was happening, something warm brushed against my lips.