Suqin likes me.
I’m not sure, but maybe.
So what am I supposed to do?
I like Kaho.
And Mizukoto hasn’t officially confessed to me.
But if you think I’m important, that makes me happy.
I was on the train, unable to think straight.
I suddenly froze, and Mizukoto-san peeked at me worriedly.
Haruhito? What’s wrong?
I’m so close to Suikoto-san’s beautiful face that I can’t help but feel a thrill…
I can see myself blushing.
Because you’re aware of Suqin-san.
I shook my head.
It’s nothing. We’re at the station.
With that I got up from the train seat and went down to the platform.
The next town over is a pretty big city.
When you go out of the ticket gate, there are many people walking in the station.
To get to the aquarium from here you need to take the city’s subway.
I’ve used the subway when I came to this town in the past, and I’ve done my research beforehand, but I still feel a little lost.
What’s going on?
“Oh, you know what? I put my hand on Haruhito…
Do you want me to connect you?
I asked and Suikin-san nodded her head.
I thought it was because he wanted to pretend to be my girlfriend, but he’s not.
I’m afraid we’ll get separated.
I chuckled.
Suikoto-san looks at me a little discontentedly.
“Why are you laughing?”
“No, Suqin-san, I just think you’re cute.”
I think she’s really cute.
Until a while ago, I only knew you in the classroom and thought you were a cool, unemotional person.
But the real Suikin is so expressive.
I held out my hand to Suikoto-san.
“Join hands.”
“Yeah.”
Mizukoto-san intertwined her fingers with the fingers of my hand.
… This is a perfect lovers’ bond.
It’s a little embarrassing.
I asked Suikin as I walked to the subway entrance.
“Is there anything you want to see at the aquarium?”
I thought it might be penguins or something like that, but Mizukoto’s answer was different.
“You know… This aquarium’s full of sardines.
“Sardines? The kind you eat dried?”
“Yes, there are 35,000 sardines. They’re all swimming together, and they’re so beautiful. It was on TV.”
Tens of thousands of sardines are swimming in the tank.
That’s beautiful.
Doesn’t really ring a bell.
But since you’re looking forward to it, maybe it’s really beautiful.
It’s a little quirky, but it’ll be fun.
I’m looking forward to it.
“Yeah.”
Suikin-san nodded and whispered shyly.
Can I go to the bathroom?
“Okay, but can I go alone?”
We can go!”
Suqin-san’s face turned red.
Maybe I’m treating you like a child.
I smiled at her and she blushed as she went to find the bathroom.
I’ll be right back.
That’s what I thought, but I was wrong.
Mr. Suqin isn’t coming back.
That’s enough.
I’m getting worried.
I wonder if he got lost.
No, it could be worse.
Suikoto was once almost attacked by a boy from another school on his way home.
I don’t know what the circumstances were, but it would be bad if it happened again.
I couldn’t stand still and called Suikoto-san… but I couldn’t get through.
What do we do?
I looked around.
I want to go look for him, but if I leave, I’m sure we’ll get separated.
But my troubles soon became meaningless.
A tap on the shoulder from behind.
I turned around and saw Suikin-san smiling at me.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.
“I was worried. You didn’t come back.”
Well, I’m not lost, so I’m fine.
Did you almost get it?
Suqin-san’s face turned red.
I think you’re right.
But that’s not why I’m late.
“Then what makes you think…”
“There are a lot of things you can’t say to a girl…”
Suqin-san giggled as she said that.
I don’t know, but I don’t think I should ask any more questions.
Anyway, none of the things I feared had happened.
I sighed in relief.
But it’s too early to tell.
I noticed some strange stares coming our way.
A girl in a green blazer stares at us from behind a pillar in the station a few meters away.
I think those are the uniforms for our town’s middle school.
I think it was a middle school in the school district across the river.
She came on to us.
Mizukoto didn’t seem to notice her, but turned around and paled.
The junior high school girl was a beautiful, innocent-looking girl.
Her black hair is straight and clean, and her large dark eyes are shining like a wise man.
She’s not very tall, but she’s not bad looking.
Every move she makes has a certain elegance to it, giving the impression of a lady.
Her face is frighteningly fair and cold, and she looks a bit like Suqin-san.
The girl smiled a strange smile as she stood in front of me.
You must be Haruto Akihara. It’s my first time meeting you. And my sister is always grateful to you.
“Sister?”
“Yes. My name is Kotone Tohmi. I’m the daughter of the Tohmi family and the younger sister of Rei Suikoto. I look forward to your continued friendship.
The girl who introduced herself as Kotone Tohmi put her hand on her chest and greeted me with an air of elegance.
