Lonely Me and the Lonely Caring Goddess

Chapter 115 – Determination

“Now then~~, let’s get going.”

Mayumi-san arrived just as Natsumi-senpai was about to get angry.

She appeared at exactly the right moment… And why do I feel like something is strange with the smartphone in her right hand?

By the way, Hayato was smartly praising Natsumi-senpai to appease her anger, but I was a little concerned that it might backfire.

Also, it was really a smart move of him to also include Sara-senpai in her praises.

“Was that so? Thank you very much.”

But I couldn’t help but chuckle at the blatantly clerical and curt response from Senpai.

——————————————

“It’s been a while, Yot-chan.”

“You’re looking younger every time I see you, Mayu-chan.”

Apparently, this person was the acquaintance who was going to set up the food stall.

The fact that they call each other by their nicknames shows that they are quite close.

“Do you know her, Sara-senpai?”

“Hmm… I think we met approximately two or three years ago.”

So they were acquainted.

The person also noticed Sara-senpai, smiled, and began talking.

“Sara-chan, it’s been a while. You’ve become even more beautiful since the last time we met… I’m sure the boys aren’t leaving you alone. My son would be thrilled to meet you.”

The topic was becoming unpleasant to my ears, and like a strange coincidence, her son soon arrived.

He looked about the same age as us and give off the impression of an average guy, though he has brown-dyed hair. (TN: 茶髪 (Chapatsu) refers to a once-rebellious, once-trendy style of bleaching hair, found among Japanese teens)

“Uwaaah! Are you possibly Satsukawa-san? It has been a while! Do you still remember me?”

He spoke to Sara-senpai in a very excited tone.

To be honest, I didn’t like how he spoke, but if I said something rude, Mayumi would get in trouble…

“Yes, it has been a while.”

I think Sara-senpai intends to end the conversation with the same businesslike response as usual, which is bad if you think about it, but it’s my only saving grace.

“Iyaa~ you were beautiful ever since but… Ah! It’s hard to call you Satsukawa-san since you have the same surname as your mother. I know it’s formal to use that, so if you like, we can use each other’s names.”

What’s with this guy? He just appeared out of nowhere and was getting too carried away…

Sara-senpai wasn’t hiding her displeasure either.

If things continue as usual then…

But it’s the son of a friend of Mayumi-san’s, and that will be bad.

I decided it would be best for me to play the bad guy.

I won’t probably see him again anyway.

“Excuse me…”

I was about to intervene when Sara-senpai’s hand took hold of mine.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t like being overfamiliar. It’s fine to treat our relationship as strangers.”

“Eh? Ah… that’s not… I’m sorry, Satsukawa-san…”

When Sara-senpai warned him in a slightly angry tone, he got the message and stopped his overly familiar way of speaking.

Also, his eyes were staring at Sara-senpai’s and mine’s hands.

“Sorry for that. I haven’t paid attention to this kid and knew Sara-chan always disliked this kind of thing.”

The mother apologized.

As expected, Sara-senpai felt awkward and apologetic for what happened, but she didn’t say anything.

“Yot-chan, I’m sorry, Sara-chan is single-minded, so she can’t be with anyone other than the person she likes.”

The mothers seemed to understand each other and were apologizing to each other.

I knew it. I should have played the bad guy…

“Thank you, Kazunari-san.”

Sara-senpai unexpectedly thanked me.

Though I didn’t do anything in particular to be thanked…

“I was happy…”

Saying that, she held our clasped hands a little tighter.

Looks like my intentions and jealousy were completely noticed.

It’s been a long time since someone was able to read me this deeply…

——————————————

“Now, Yokogawa-kun, let’s go before we get in the way.”

“Yes, I suppose so. Both of you, take it easy. Kazunari, see you later.”

We were supposed to see the fireworks later together, so we were free until the time of the meeting, but Natsumi-senpai took Hayato with her and quickly went away.

There was no reason to refuse since Hayato would probably like it more.

With that being said, we should, too… Come to think of it, we were still holding hands.

When I looked at the hands that were still held together, Sara-senpai looked at them at the same time. She smiled and moved closer to me. I think it was a sign of her intention to keep things as they were.

“Sara-senpai, we should go too.”

“Yes…I will follow you, so go wherever you like.”

I don’t have any particular activity I want to do, so for now, we’ll just wander around and enjoy the atmosphere of the festival.

However, as we walked by, we were met with a lot of stares, or rather, scowls.

I understand. Sara-senpai was wearing a yukata today.

It’s probably natural that I would be subjected to such stares since a lovely person was walking together with me. There’s nothing new about it and probably best to ignore it.

As we walked, ignoring their stares, I found a corner where handmade accessories were being sold.

I might be able to find something that might suit Sara-senpai.

“Sara-senpai, would you like to take a look?”

“Yes! I wonder if there is anything good.”

Sara-senpai looked curious about it too and willingly followed me.

Orthodox stores were everywhere, or rather, stores that mainly sold ordinary accessories, but there was only one store that sold accessories for kimonos.

This flower decoration… will surely suit Sara-senpai.

What immediately caught my eye were the flower hair ornaments used for a kimono.

It was a pale blue and white pair object.

I observed Sara-senpai’s reaction while looking for something else.

If Sara-senpai found something she wanted, I would give priority to it…

But since she did not react to anything, I decided to go with the flower decoration I had chosen.

“Excuse me, please give me this.”

Sara looked surprised at my sudden purchase but didn’t say anything.

“Sara-senpai, please take this…”

“Fufu… Thank you very much. Would you please put it on for me, Kazunari-san?”

There was no reason for me to use this, so Sara-senpai seemed to have expected it and asked me.

She turned her head around for me to easily put it on her. 

I couldn’t resist Sara-senpai’s adorable hair at this distance, and I ended up stroking it with both hands. 

“Aaah~, Mou~, you really are mischievous Kazunari-san. Bad~.”

Sara-senpai, who was fighting back lightly at me with a blushing face, was truly cute and adorable…

I wonder if it’s okay now… to confess to Sara-senpai.

Maybe I’m being overly self-conscious, but… Sara-senpai now likes me as a man, or so I think.

If she does not, then I’ll just wait for as long as it takes.

After this, Natsumi-senpai and Hayato will join us. I don’t know if I’ll have another chance… although there would probably be another time, but…

… I’ve decided to confess my feelings.