Volume 3 SS 2
Seto and Toshiya’s Memories of Summer Vacation
【What is it that you want to ask of me?】
A few days after the Astronomy Club’s summer camp, I found myself calling Hondō-kun to resolve a certain dilemma.
“I want you to deliver something to Matsuoka-kun.”
【What should I deliver?】
“A plastic model kit.”
【A plastic model kit? Oh, is that the one Seto-san won at the shooting gallery?】
“That’s right.”
I had won the plastic model kit as a prize at the shooting gallery during the summer festival a few days earlier.
At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but later I thought that Matsuoka-kun might be happy if I gave it to him.
However, after returning home, I began to wonder where I could give him the plastic model kit without causing a scene.
【Can’t Seto-san just give it to Toshiya directly at school?】
“As you’ve seen for yourself, Hondō-kun, the plastic model kit I got is quite large. Even if I put it in a bag that doesn’t show what’s inside, it would stand out and there’s a high chance it would be confiscated at school.”
【That’s true, the plastic model kit Seto-san got was big.】
“Besides, it’s summer vacation now, so it will be a while before I see Matsuoka-kun at school again.”
【Then it seems a bit difficult to give it to him at school.】
Hondō-kun seemed to understand, so I could proceed with the conversation.
“That’s why I thought of you, Hondō-kun, when I was considering how to give the plastic model kit to Matsuoka-kun.”
【Is that so?】
“Yes. Among our mutual friends, you’re the only one I can contact.”
【I see, that’s why you called me.】
“So, I’ll send the plastic model kit to you, Hondō-kun, and I’d like you to give it to Matsuoka-kun when you see him.”
【Umm, just wait a moment.】
Hondō-kun seemed to be thinking about something.
“Is it a bother?”
【Not at all. I’m just wondering if it’s really okay for me to give it to Toshiya instead of you.】
“What do you mean?”
【Let’s say, hypothetically, that Seto-san receives a present from Toshiya. Would it make you happier to receive it directly from Toshiya or through me as an intermediary?】
I paused to think.
If Matsuoka-kun were to give me something…
“…I think I’d be happier if Matsuoka-kun gave it to me directly.”
【That’s what I thought. Toshiya would probably feel the same way. It might make him happier to receive it directly from Seto-san rather than through me.】
Could that be true?
But if Hondō-kun, who knows Matsuoka-kun well, says so, then it might be the case.
“…I understand. I’ll give the plastic model kit to Matsuoka-kun myself.”
【Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.】
Hondō-kun’s voice sounded even kinder than usual.
“But now there’s a new problem.”
【What is it?】
“I don’t meet Matsuoka-kun outside of school, so I don’t have a chance to give it to him.”
I’ve never met Matsuoka-kun outside of school.
It’s not that we avoid each other; neither of us has ever invited the other to hang out, so we just don’t meet.
【I thought Seto-san and Toshiya hung out outside of school too.】
“What should I do…”
【Why don’t Seto-san invite Toshiya to hang out and give it to him on the way back?】
“I’ve never invited him before, so I wonder what Matsuoka-kun would think if I suddenly did.”
【Knowing Toshiya, I don’t think he’d mind if Seto-san invited him.】
“Really?”
【Yeah, so if it’s okay with Seto-san, I’d like you to invite him out.】
I would never have come up with the idea to invite Matsuoka-kun to hang out and give him the plastic model kit on the way back.
It was definitely a good idea to consult with Hondō-kun.
“Thank you, Hondō-kun, for suggesting the idea of inviting Matsuoka-kun to hang out.”
【I’m glad if I could be of help. I think Toshiya would be happy if Seto-san invited him out.】
“Can I ask you again if I have more questions about Matsuoka-kun?”
【I don’t know everything about Toshiya, but I’ll tell you what I do know. So, if you’re ever in trouble again, give me a call.】
“Yeah, thank you. See you later.”
I hung up the phone. With that momentum, I immediately called Matsuoka-kun.
The ringing lasted for about ten seconds, and just as I was about to hang up, Matsuoka-kun’s voice came through the smartphone.
【Hello, Seto-san?】
“Yes it’s Seto. I’m glad you could answer. I thought you might not be able to.”
【No, I noticed the call right away, but I couldn’t believe that Seto-san was calling me.】
I wonder what that means.
I can at least make a phone call if I have something to say.
“Matsuoka-kun, do you have time right now?”
【I’m free! Even if I wasn’t, I’d make time!】
“You should say you’re not free if you’re not.”
Matsuoka-kun sometimes overreacts.
【So, what do you need from me? It’s not a wrong number, is it?】
“It’s not a wrong number. I wanted to ask when Matsuoka-kun is free.”
【Ah? Um, just a moment, please.】
Matsuoka-kun seemed to be checking his schedule as he went silent.
【…As for this week, I’m currently free on Friday.】
This Friday?
I should be free that day too.
“Got it. Matsuoka-kun, I have a favor to ask.”
【A favor!? From Seto-san!?】
I could tell from his voice alone that Matsuoka-kun was surprised.
“Is it strange for me to ask a favor?”
【Not strange, just that there hasn’t been much precedent for it. I’m not against it at all! In fact, I’m happy that you’re relying on me…】
Although he spoke too quickly for me to catch everything, it seemed he wasn’t against the idea, which was reassuring.
“Then I’m glad. So, my favor is, if you’re willing, I’d like you to hang out with me this Friday.”
【…what?】
“Didn’t you hear me? I want to hang out with you this Friday.”
【It’s not that I didn’t catch what you said, it’s just that the content was so unexpectedly favorable for me that I couldn’t believe my ears…】
“Hanging out with me is convenient for you, Matsuoka-kun?”
【Isn’t it?】
I’m at a loss for words when asked.
“So, what do you say, Matsuoka-kun? Is it too sudden after all…”
【I’ll go! I’ll definitely go! I’ll make sure to go no matter what!】
I’m so surprised by the volume that I instinctively pull my smartphone away from my ear for a moment.
“Are you really okay with it?”
【Of course! I’m more worried that Seto-san might turn me down!】
“I’m the one who asked, so there’s no way I’d turn you down.”
I’m relieved that the plans to hang out were settled more easily than I thought.
【So, Seto-san, have you decided what you want to do or where you want to go on Friday?】
“Not yet…”
I hadn’t planned anything because I didn’t expect things to move this fast.
【Then, would you let me decide where to hang out?】
“Is that okay? Aren’t you busy with your club activities, Matsuoka-kun?”
【Well, I do have practice, but it’s not too busy right now, so no problem!】
“Really?”
【Yeah, yeah, if there’s anything you want to do or any place you want to go, Seto-san, please tell me?】
Prompted by Matsuoka-kun, I start thinking about what I want to do and where I want to go.
“I’m not sure…”
【Don’t you have any activities or places you want to go to?】
“I’ve never hung out alone with a boy before, so I don’t know what kind of place would be good…”
【Ughh!】
A strange noise, or rather a sound that doesn’t seem human, comes from the smartphone.
“Are you okay, Matsuoka-kun?”
【Seto-san, that’s not fair…】
It was just stating a fact, but it seems I might have said something I shouldn’t have.
“Sorry?”
【I was planning to try my best from the start, but now it seems I need to try even harder.】
“I don’t understand, but you don’t have to try that hard.”
【Please let me do my best, I beg you. This is where I need to put my effort in for my summer vacation.】
I can’t see him, but I can feel Matsuoka-kun’s strong enthusiasm through his voice.
“Okay, but please don’t overdo it.”
【Thank you, Seto-san!】
“And it might be obvious, but I want you to make sure that not just me, but you also have a good time, Matsuoka-kun.”
【Okay! Then, I’ll contact you with the details of the time and place once I’ve decided!】
“Please do, then see you on Friday.”
【Yeah, see you!】
I hang up the phone. I feel a sense of relief.
I realize that I was a little tense. Maybe it’s because I’ve never invited someone of the opposite sex to hang out before.
After two back-to-back calls, my throat is dry, so I go to the fridge to get a drink and run into my mother eating an ice cream cup in the kitchen.
“Don’t eat too much ice cream just because it’s hot, it’ll chill your stomach, so eat in moderation.”
Since I’m eating ice cream myself, it isn’t very convincing.
“I just came for some barley tea.”
“Then that’s fine.”
Right, I should tell her now that I’m going to hang out with Matsuoka-kun this Friday.
“I’m going out to play this Friday.”
“That’s nice. Who are you going out with?”
“Matsuoka-kun.”
At that moment, my mother drops the spoon she’s holding onto the floor.
“Mother?”
“Matsuoka-kun, as in the Matsuoka-kun who sometimes comes up in Mio’s stories?”
“Yes.”
There’s only one Matsuoka-kun that I know, Matsuoka Toshiya.
“He’s a boy, right?”
“Yes.”
“How many people are going?”
“Just the two of us.”
“M-Mio is going out to play alone with a boy!?”
She looks as surprised as if she’s discovered an unidentified creature.
I haven’t seen my mother this excited in a long time.
“Hehehe…”
“Mother? Are you okay?”
“Now things are getting interesting!”
“?”
What has gotten into my mother? Could it be the summer heat?
“Mio! Let’s go buy some clothes tomorrow!”
“I bought summer clothes before going to the camp…”
“That was for the training camp! You need different clothes to go out alone with a boy!”
“I don’t understand why…”
“Don’t you want Matsuoka-kun to think you’re cute?”
Do I want Matsuoka-kun to think I’m cute?
I ponder this in my head…
“…I might want to be thought of in that way.”
“Right? I’ll teach you all about makeup later, so look forward to it!”
I have a feeling that it’s my mother who’s actually looking forward to it.
Time flew by as we went shopping for clothes and she taught me about makeup, and before I knew it, the day of the promise had arrived.
***
On the afternoon of the promised day, I was making my way to the cafe near the station, our meeting place.
I was more than twenty minutes early.
Since I was the one who wanted to hang out with Matsuoka-kun today, I wanted to be there before him and wait.
With that thought in mind, I arrived at the cafe.
I took a deep breath to compose myself before opening the door.
“Welcome. How many people are there?”
“Two, please.”
“Could you possibly be Seto-sama?”
“Ah?”
I had only mentioned the number of people.
Could this waitress possibly be an esper?
“Matsuoka-sama informed us earlier. He said to check if it was Seto-sama if a high school girl with a cute short haircut came in. Did I get it wrong?”
I see, this waitress had gotten information about me from Matsuoka-kun beforehand.
That means…
“I am Seto. Is Matsuoka-kun here?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Do you know how long he has been here?”
“I believe he has been here for over forty minutes now.”
Waiting for me more than an hour before our meeting time…
I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“Could you show me to Matsuoka-kun’s table?”
“Of course, right this way.”
I followed the waitress to where Matsuoka-kun was sitting.
“Here is your table.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Not at all, please enjoy your time.”
The waitress bowed and went back. I shifted my gaze to Matsuoka-kun. He hadn’t noticed me because he was reading a book while listening to music with earphones.
I considered tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention, but instead, I quietly sat down in the seat facing him to observe him a bit longer.
“Huh?”
Matsuoka-kun noticed me about five minutes later.
Perhaps he had reached a good stopping point in his book because he inserted a bookmark and looked up at the clock, only to meet my gaze.
“Did you notice?”
“Seto-san, when did you get here!? And it’s still way before our meeting time, isn’t it?”
“If you’re going to say that, then you’ve been here more than an hour before our meeting time?”
“How do you know that… Ah, the waitress told you? Sorry, Seto-san.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
I had no idea why Matsuoka-kun was apologizing to me.
“Because I didn’t notice you came early… It’s truly an oversight for a lifetime…”
Matsuoka-kun seemed down.
It appeared to be a more significant matter to him than I had thought.
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t want to disturb you because you were reading so intently.”
“Seto-san, you’re too much of an angel…”
“So, what will we do? Stay here a bit longer? Or shall we move on?”
“Aren’t you thirsty, Seto-san?”
“I might be a little.”
It was a sunny day, and while there was no need to worry about rain, being outside quickly made one’s throat parched due to the heat.
“Then let’s have a drink here before we go. That was the plan even if you had arrived on time.”
“Okay.”
After that, Matsuoka-kun and I quenched our thirst with iced coffee before leaving the cafe.
***
“So, Matsuoka-kun.”
“What’s the matter, Seto-san?”
Ten minutes after leaving the cafe, I was on a train with Matsuoka-kun.
“Where are we going today?”
Matsuoka-kun hadn’t told me where we were going to hang out today.
“Is it okay to say it’s a surprise until we get there?”
“Is it going to be a fun place?”
“I guarantee it. I’m sure Seto-san will absolutely love it.”
“Alright, I’ll save the excitement for later.”
“Thanks, Seto-san. We’re getting off at the next station, so get ready.”
“Okay.”
As we talked, the train slowly came to a stop.
Matsuoka-kun and I got off and started walking towards our destination.
“There’s something I meant to say earlier but forgot to.”
“What is it?”
“First, I want to say this. Seto-san, you look incredibly cute today! That white blouse and the blue fishtail skirt suit you so well!”
“Thank you.”
I had put in extra effort to look cute today, so I was very happy to be acknowledged for it.
“I want to say more, but I think it might embarrass Seto-san, so I’ll stop here. But something’s been on my mind since we were on the train…”
“Do I look strange somewhere?”
“Not strange, but I was wondering if the backpack you’re carrying isn’t too heavy.”
Matsuoka-kun had noticed after all. I was carrying a larger backpack today.
Inside, of course, was that plastic model.
My mother had been against it until the end, saying it would be a nuisance, but I had insisted and brought it with me.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not as heavy as it looks.”
“Really? If you say so.”
“How much further to our destination?”
“About ten more minutes. Sorry for making you walk in this heat.”
“No problem. Are you okay, Matsuoka-kun?”
“I’m used to being outside for club activities, so it’s fine.”
I took the opportunity to observe Matsuoka-kun.
Even upon closer inspection, he didn’t seem to be very sunburned.
“Um, Seto-san? My heart can’t take it if you stare at me like that…”
“Are you the type who doesn’t get sunburned easily, Matsuoka-kun?”
“Was that what you were concerned about? I don’t tend to get sunburned that much, maybe it’s just my constitution.”
“I see.”
“Did Seto-san get a little sunburned?”
“Maybe a bit during the training camp.”
Even though I applied sunscreen, I was outside for a long time on the first day of the camp, so I did get a little sunburned.
“Training camp, huh… The photos of Seto-san that Ai-san sent me were all amazing…”
That’s right.
Ai-senpai had taken photos of me during the camp and sent them to Matsuoka-kun.
“Summer clothes, swimsuits, yukata… each one was so amazing it’s hard to choose a favorite…”
“…Please, it’s embarrassing, let’s leave it at that.”
I might have understood a bit of how Shimizu-san felt when she was blushing from Hondō-kun’s compliments.
It’s hard to describe, but it felt ticklish.
“Ah, sorry, I got carried away.”
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After that, as we talked about the Astronomy Club’s training camp, Matsuoka-kun suddenly stopped walking.
“Here we are.”
The place where Matsuoka-kun stopped was in front of a Japanese-style building.
On the wooden sign attached to the building, it read “Japanese-style Cafe Kobachi.”
“A Japanese-style cafe?”
“Well, let’s go inside and talk about it. It’s hot, so let’s go in.”
Once inside, the interior was also Japanese-style, just like the exterior.
“Welcome.”
“We have a reservation under Matsuoka.”
“Matsuoka-sama, correct? We’ve been expecting you. Please, this way.”
Following the staff member, we were led to a seat at the back of the cafe.
I sat across from Matsuoka-kun.
“Please call us when you’re ready to order.”
With a bow, the staff member left.
“What kind of place is this? A cafe?”
“Yeah, it’s a cafe that specializes in Japanese-style dishes.”
Matsuoka-kun said that and handed me the menu.
“Seeing is believing. You’ll understand what kind of place this is once you see the food.”
I flipped through the menu.
There were various Japanese sweets like daifuku, warabimochi, and zenzai.
With so many Japanese sweets, could it be…
As I turned the pages, I found the Japanese sweets I was looking for.
“Matsuoka-kun, there are so many types of dorayaki!”
Looking at Matsuoka-kun, he was smiling happily.
“I’m glad you like it. This is a cafe that focuses on Japanese sweets. I thought Seto-san, who loves dorayaki, would be pleased.”
“I’ve never seen a shop with so many types of dorayaki. Matsuoka-kun, thank you for bringing me here.”
“If Seto-san is thanking me like this, maybe I accumulated too much virtue in my past life…”
“But with so many delicious-looking dorayaki, it’s hard to decide which one to choose…”
“Take your time deciding. I’ve made sure we have plenty of time for today’s schedule.”
After much deliberation, I decided to order a set of three different types of dorayaki.
After about five minutes of waiting, the dorayaki set I ordered arrived along with the Uji matcha Matsuoka-kun had ordered.
After some thought, I decided to start with the dorayaki filled with anko.
“…Delicious.”
The soft, fine-textured dough and the anko with its refined sweetness were top-class among all the dorayaki I had ever eaten.
“It’s great to see Seto-san looking so happy.”
“Does it look that way?”
I often hear from others that my facial expressions are stiff and it’s hard to tell what I’m thinking.
“Yeah, your expression was usual, but your eyes were sparkling.”
“…Really?”
“Seto-san really loves dorayaki, huh?”
“Yeah, I’ve loved dorayaki since I was little.”
“Come to think of it, I’ve never asked before, but is there a reason why Seto-san likes dorayaki so much?”
“…There is.”
“Is it okay if I ask what it is?”
Indeed, I hadn’t talked much about why I liked dorayaki to anyone before.
“The reason is simple. Dorayaki is a food of memories for me. When I was little, my parents were always busy with work, and my grandmother took care of me. Whenever I felt lonely because my parents weren’t around, my grandmother would always give me dorayaki.”
Even now, my grandmother still invites me to eat dorayaki together when I’m at home.
“So you have such memories with your grandmother…”
“And now, the members of the Astronomy Club also share dorayaki with me, so those memories are there too.”
“I see, so dorayaki is like a living memory of Seto-san’s daily life.”
“That might be true. This dorayaki will also become a fun memory of eating with you, Matsuoka-kun.”
Matsuoka-kun, who was looking at me, suddenly turned his face away.
“…Seto-san, it’s unfair to say something like that with that expression.”
I’ve never wanted to see a mirror more than I do now.
“What kind of expression was it?”
“…How should I put it, it was a little gentler than usual.”
“Why did you look away?”
“Because it was unexpected, I couldn’t handle it.”
“I understand, I’ll be careful next time.”
I turned my gaze back to the dorayaki.
Then, Matsuoka-kun and I spent about an hour chatting at the Japanese-style cafe.
***
“How was it today, Seto-san?”
I reflected on the day’s events. I enjoyed dorayaki at the Japanese-style cafe, searched for books at a newly opened bookstore, and watched the anime movie “21 Gram of Difference” at a revival screening in the cinema.
“The dorayaki was delicious, the bookstore was fun, and the movie was moving.”
“Then I’m glad.”
Matsuoka-kun showed a relieved smile.
“There’s just one thing that’s been on my mind.”
“What is it?”
“Did you have fun today, Matsuoka-kun?”
I got to eat my favorite dorayaki, look for my favorite books, and watch my favorite movies.
But I wonder if all of that might have been boring for Matsuoka-kun.
“Of course I had fun.”
“Really?”
“How could I not have fun watching Seto-san enjoy herself?”
“…I don’t quite understand what that means, but I’m glad you had fun.”
“Thanks for worrying about me.”
Matsuoka-kun smiles. In that moment, I finally remember the main purpose of today.
“Ah!”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing, no, it’s something.”
“You’ve just made it more mysterious…”
“It’s time to fulfill today’s true purpose.”
“Huh, what?”
Judging by his expression, Matsuoka-kun has no idea what I’m talking about.
I take off my backpack and pull out a bag containing the item in question.
“This is a souvenir from the training camp.”
I hand it over to a dumbfounded Matsuoka-kun.
“Is this…”
“The plastic model Matsuoka-kun mentioned he was interested in before. I won it at the shooting gallery.”
Curious about his reaction, I watch Matsuoka-kun, who is making a face I’ve never seen before.
“Is it not the one you wanted?”
“No, it’s exactly the one I wanted the most.”
“Then why are you making that face?”
“Because today, Seto-san, I’ve been having fun all day, and on top of that, you surprised me with the plastic model I wanted the most? I don’t have anything to give back to Seto-san…”
Matsuoka-kun seems to think he needs to give something back to me for some reason.
“You don’t need to give anything back. I’m happy just knowing you’re happy about it.”
“Seto-san… Isn’t there something you want me to do for you?”
“There is.”
“Tell me!”
“When we both have time again, I want to hang out like we did today. And next time, I want you to tell me about the things you like.”
Matsuoka-kun’s face went blank for a moment, then he smiled.
“Got it, let’s hang out together again, just the two of us. Next time, let’s go to karaoke or an arcade.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
I had intended to say that I didn’t want him to do anything for me, but the words that came out were that I wanted to hang out again.
Maybe I’ve become more selfish than before.
Perhaps Matsuoka-kun has changed me. But that’s probably just passing the blame.
With these thoughts, I head home with Matsuoka-kun.