Chapter 152: Wanna Stay Over?

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Translator: Soafp

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“Sorry, Sora-chi!”

“It's fine. I was just… a little embarrassed, that's all…”

Suzu clung to Sora's arm as she apologized, and Sora gently patted her head. Ginji, watching the scene warmly, suddenly found himself approached by Mutsu and Tsukki. Both girls were wearing yukatas—Mutsu’s had a handball pattern that suited her slim figure, and Tsukki, in a soft pink yukata, wore her blonde hair up with flashy earrings, giving off a trendy vibe.

“Um, hey… You're Sora's boyfriend, right?”

“You look great in that yukata. Are you in college?”

At school, Ginji was usually ignored by the girls in his class. Though things had started to change after he began dating Sora, he still wasn't used to talking to girls his age. So, faced with the sudden attention, he blanked.

“Uh… no, I'm not. If you're the same age as Suzu, then I'm a first-year in high school too. Same as you.”

“Seriously!? You seem so mature—I thought you were older. What middle school were you from?”

“Totally different from what I imagined. I pictured some slim, delicate pretty boy… Hey, boyfriend—be honest, do our yukatas suit us?”

“I went to the nearby middle school. And yeah, I think you both look good in your yukatas.”

Ginji replied casually, as if talking to younger girls. But Mutsu and Tsukki suddenly stepped back and whispered to each other.

“He’s… the kind of guy who compliments girls like it's nothing.”

“Well, he does have a girlfriend. Of course he's used to girls. Ugh, this is dangerous… He's kinda my type.”

Mutsu placed a hand on her forehead, blushing.

“You've always been weak to guys with that classic, Showa-era vibe. But too bad—he's taken. Just take the compliment home as a souvenir.”

“I know, I know… but still, maybe just a little—eek!”

Sora was staring at them, expressionless. Suzu trembled behind her.

“…Are you interrupting my yukata date and trying to flirt with my boyfriend?”

When a beautiful girl goes expressionless, she starts to look more like a lifeless doll than a human being—Mutsu and Tsukki felt this firsthand as they froze in place.

“I-It's not like that! We just wanted a guy's opinion on our yukatas, that's all!”

“Yeah! Mutsu might've looked a bit into it, but I'm totally not into him or anything!”

“Tsukki, seriously!? Betraying me like that!?”

“C-Calm down, Sora-chi. And Ginji too—come on, complimenting other girls' yukatas in front of your girlfriend? That's on you, man. Let's just call this a draw…”

“Ginji didn't do anything wrong. He's just kind… So that means you two are the ones at fault.”

Sora took a step forward with her head tilted slightly. The girls backed away, cold sweat trickling down.

“Eeeek!!”

Just as Sora moved like some kind of vengeful ghost, Ginji took her hand.

“I was careless. Sorry, Sora.”

Like a doll coming to life, Sora blushed.

“I was just teasing a little.”

She clung to Ginji's arm and didn't let go—even though she said she was joking.

“C'mon, that killing aura was 100% real.”

“…Suzu.”

“J-Just kidding! I'll tell you all about it later, promise. Come on, Mutsu, Tsukki—we're leaving! Ugh, I want a boyfriend toooo!”

“Don't pull me like that, Suzu!”

“Ahaha, see you later, Sora-chan!”

Suzu stepped between Mutsu and Tsukki and led them away by the hand. Ginji let out a breath, overwhelmed by the lively girls.

“They're a noisy bunch, but pretty fun.”

“…Ginji, I think you're a little too easygoing around girls.”

“Really? I thought I was just acting normal…”

“…Do you hate it when I get jealous?”

Still clinging to his arm, Sora looked up at him. Ginji answered with a smile.

“Nah. I think it's kinda cute… Oh right, before Suzu interrupted, we were talking about the penalty game. So what's it gonna be?”

“Oh, right. But the fireworks are about to start—let's move first, I'll tell you there.”

The crowd was beginning to shift. Fireworks time was near.

“Good point. Let's go. I know a good spot—I'll show you.”

“Okay.”

A breeze rose from the riverbank, carrying away a bit of the summer heat. But Sora's embrace around his arm was warm. The soft feel of her body and the citrus scent of her perfume reached Ginji's nose on the wind.

“…Sora, it's hard to walk like this. Can I hold your hand instead?”

“Aww, but I like it this way.”

“We'll miss the fireworks at this rate.”

Reluctantly, Sora let go of his arm, and they held hands instead. When Sora glanced sideways, she caught a slightly embarrassed look on Ginji's face. Noticing her gaze, he looked back at her.

Just that slight touch and the meeting of their eyes made both their hearts pound. Every part of this person felt dear.

“Hmm, maybe I really am possessive…”

“That's fine by me. I think I'm pretty possessive too.”

“Then I guess we're even.”

“Yeah, we're even. This is the spot—see the stairs down there? You can't really tell unless you know where to look.”

“Whoa, you're right. It's kind of hidden.”

They stepped away from the flow of people and descended a staircase that was half-hidden in the grass. There were still people below, but it was far less crowded than up top.

A flare shot into the sky—the signal for the fireworks to begin. The display wasn't huge, but each one felt deliberate, blooming in the sky like a peony flower.

“We got here at the perfect time.”

“Wow… the sound is amazing. And it's beautiful.”

As the fireworks bloomed above, Sora rested her head on Ginji's shoulder. Even amid the booming sounds, their voices reached each other clearly—they were that close.

“Hey, Ginji.”

“What is it?”

“It's not really a penalty game… More of a request.”

“Is this still about earlier? If it's something I can do, anything's fine.”

“Tonight… I want to be with you the whole time. Stay over at my place.”

“…That's probably not a great idea.”

“N-No funny business! I just… don't want to go home alone after being with you all day. Just having you near me is enough…”

Ginji gently pulled her close and rested his head on hers.

“…Guess I'll have to message Tetsu.”

Like the fireworks, Sora's face lit up with a radiant smile.

“Yay. Thank you. I love you, Ginji.”

“…Jeez.”

Will I be able to keep my cool? Ginji wondered, watching the fireworks above, a little worried.