During the lunch break of the sports festival.

–How to spend your lunch break.

Well, if I say so, you might imagine the usual routine.

You might imagine chatting in class, playing silly games with the guys outside, or having a … leisurely lunch.

But today, as far as I could see, it was a little different than usual.

It is as if it were a field trip or a picnic, and the sight of classmates gathering together to eat can be seen everywhere.

In other words, it’s not just the usual gathering of immediate friends, but unusual combinations and people who don’t usually seem to be close to each other … are together.

I don’t understand this phenomenon.

But I have the feeling that a strange sense of unity is spreading through the air … through the sports festival.

Well, I’m the same as usual…

Feeling somewhat alienated, I watched everyone to pass the time while waiting for Rin.

Even at a time like this, a loner still can’t get into the loop…

Speaking for myself, I feel a little empty.

“Why don’t you at least take a lunch break? Aren’t you tired of practicing all the time?”

I muttered to myself with a sigh.

The people who work so hard for this event, the sports festival, seem to be enjoying their lives, and to my eyes, they seem to be shining brightly.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t understand their motives.

For me, it just makes me think, ‘Why don’t they just relax and take a break during the lunch break of the sports festival?’ Why are they running and practicing seriously again when they can’t make up the difference in their abilities by doing it now?

I wish I could just ignore them, I don’t understand them, but … for some reason I care about people like that.

At that point…

“I guess I have my own way of thinking about it…”

Before, I never used to think anything in particular when I saw these sights.

I looked at them with a stream-eyed, emotionless, indifferent … I was that kind of person.

–But now I am different.

My gaze is guided a little bit, and it enters my thoughts without any choice. If my mind is moving like that, it must mean that I’m concerned about them.

But that doesn’t mean I want to do something about it.

How do you feel when everyone gathers and makes a fuss…?

… Just a little bit, just a little bit, I’m curious.

“Towa-kun!”

As I was thinking that, Rin, running from the distance, approached me, waving her hand.

“Thank you for waiting~! The class was so excited that it took me a while to get out of it, are you wondering how everyone is doing …?”

“Don’t read my mind right off the bat. Well,… this exchange is the most regular, so it’s a little late for that.”

“Fufufufu~. It’s easy to read Towa-kun’s expression. The melancholy on your face tells me exactly what you’re thinking.”

“I don’t think I’m giving off that kind of fatherly vibe.”

“Is that so?”

Rin tilted her head curiously.

No, don’t make it sound like I’m saying something crazy.

“I’ve told you before that I have a rather childish face, and it would be more accurate to say that I have a “boyish innocence” rather than an “old man” look. You see, my whole body exudes the innocence and purity of a child.”

“…………”

“Hey, don’t look at me like I’m such a disappointment. Why don’t you put your hand on my shoulder and …”

“…………”

The silence is conversely painful!!

Rin stared at me so intently that I felt uncomfortable and turned my gaze away from her face. Then Rin repeatedly poked me on the cheek to make her presence known.

“Towa-kun?”

“No…, it’s just a little blur. It’s okay, I’m just making it up as I go along.”

“Um… What do you mean, a little?

“Of course. I was just using the same metaphor I used earlier.”

“Um, Towa-kun. I’m sorry to say this so confidently, but … your ideas are more withered and twisted than youthful, aren’t they? Yes, that’s right. If I had to use a metaphor, I’d say that you’re old enough to be relaxing on the porch drinking a cup of tea…”

“It’s kind of ironic… I feel like I’ve been made a fool of…”

“But I personally like the fact that you are a loner and don’t get carried away by your surroundings. It’s cool to be true to yourself, isn’t it?”

“Don’t praise after you’ve humiliated me. It makes me feel uncomfortable.”

“I’m the type of person who lowers first and then raises.”

“Usually it’s the other way around, isn’t it?　I think you’d be more likely to be heard if you praised me with all your might and said something like, ‘If I may say so, here’s what’s wrong with you’.”

“Towa-kun is often a bit of an innocent, so I went with the opposite approach.”

“Eh …”

I chuckled and sighed loudly.

Rin smiled at me with a giggle and sat down beside me, stretching out her body exhaling a “Fuuu”. The spurt of stretching causes her T-shirt to roll up, emphasizing the nape of her neck and at the edge of my vision something fierce over her clothes.

…You’re still defenseless and careless.

Should I be somewhat careful?

While thinking this, my gaze is led and I look at her with a sideways glance.

But this can’t be helped.

It’s impossible to … keep her out of sight when she’s so attractive in every way.

After admitting my feelings about a lot of things, I’m even more concerned about it.

Of course, that’s not the only thing… The reason why I can’t help but be guided by her sight may be that it is the nature of being a male creature.

I made excuses in my mind.

However, Rin probably knows exactly what I’m going through.

As proof of this, as soon as our eyes meet…, she giggles with her mouth arched into a smile.

“Fufu. Towa-kun has become much more honest, haven’t you?”

“You know, Rin… If you’re doing this for the sake of doing it, you’re called a witch.”

“I don’t mind. I only do this kind of thing in front of Towa-kun. I’m sure you’ll be able to give in to temptation. There is a saying in this world that “it is a man’s shame if he does not eat at the table”.”

“Don’t say that to yourself. I have to admit that it is true that you are attractive…, but I have a will of steel, so I will not give in to temptation.”

“You say that, but your eyes seemed to be glued to my waist and chest, didn’t they?”

“Ugh…”

“Look, look~. You can be more honest with me.”

She flutters the hem of her shirt and acts provocative towards me.

…Damn. My reaction is funny, you’re teasing me…

You’ve got a really nice smile on your face.

“Yes, it’s nice of you to provoke me… I doubt Rin would have the guts to do it anyway. Rin will be scared off at the last minute.”

“Please don’t decide for yourself. I have a lot of guts.”

“If you think so, just imagine it.”

“Imagine?”

“Yes. Suppose, metaphorically speaking, I act on my desires. I’m sure Rin would be surprised and confused by the somewhat aggressive move. Surprisingly, people with strong offensive tend to be vulnerable.”

“… I see. There is certainly such a thing to be said about that.”

“Right?”

“But there’s no such thing as being in a hurry, only for me…”

Rin closes her eyes and begins to think. Then, her face turned red as she thought about it.
I mean, the reaction is too obvious… I chuckle and look at Rin, who still hasn’t come back from her fantasy.

“Towa-kun, that’s maniacal!! That’s not right from the beginning!”

“Oww!?!?”

Rin, blushing, suddenly pinched my cheek. However, when I showed signs of pain, she immediately apologized, “Ah, I’m sorry.”

“You’re so powerful for nothing, Rin…”

“Whew…I’m sorry. But…”

“Um… but?”

“I don’t think you should, Towa-kun. …I’m too embarrassed, it’s not a matter of being ready for it… Ha!　This is what I’ve heard rumors about, the “trials of love”!”

“…Yes?”

“I see… Bridal training is very deep. Accepting and satisfying every aspect of your husband. And… what kind of p-pre… I can’t say any more!”

Rin’s face turns bright red, and her expression changes in an interesting way.

No, no, Rin-san?

What on earth did you imagine…?

… That thing again?

Did someone insert some weird knowledge into your mind!?

I’m starting to get worried in earnest because you’re too easily convinced…

It would be embarrassing if I were to say something to make her change her mind, because it would feel like a theoretical argument.

I’d prefer to tell Lisa-san, who seems to have a lot of experience and is an adult?

Oh, but if I tell her, she’ll……. yeah.

I can only see a future where things will get even worse.

Then, for now…

“Rin. Let’s just call Fuji-san and ask her.”

I threw it all to Fuji-san, who is a person of common sense.

I am sure she would be able to stop Rin from going out of control.

By the way, after I called her… needless to say, Rin ended up curled up shyly in the shade of a tree.