I Will Do Everything In My Power To Bring Happiness To The Enchanting Beauty Who Can No Longer Smile. - Chapter 10: The Second Holiday With The Beautiful Girl Who Can Turn A Nation Around.

The Second Holiday With The Beautiful Girl Who Can Turn A Nation Around.

After entering the house and completing the usual handwashing and other preparations as I did last week, I guided Tsubame to the living room.

I sat next to her on the sofa, ensuring that the distance between us was neither too close nor too far.

“The second time… A week feels like quite a while, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah. It didn’t really feel like just a week.”

Not only had I met Tsubame, but my high school life had also begun. Most of the first classes were just orientation, but even that brought a sense of novelty. Perhaps that’s why the week felt longer than it actually was.

“So, what should we do today? We could watch more animal videos like last time, but…”

That wouldn’t be a problem at all. Animal videos are uploaded daily, and some people even post seven a week. Though, of course, such dedication is rare.

We could easily spend every week watching them together. But if we only did that, something about it just wouldn’t feel right. I wanted her to experience different ways to spend her weekends.

After a moment of thought, I made a decision.

“Alright. How about a movie that features animals?”

“A movie… Yeah, that sounds good.”

I had prepared a few alternatives in case she refused, but she accepted without hesitation.

When it comes to animal-centered movies, one particular title came to mind—the one I used to love as a kid.

“Would you like a cold, warm, or room-temperature drink?”

“Something warm, please.”

“Got it. How about some hot milk?”

“I’ll take it. Calcium is important.”

She didn’t seem particularly concerned about the taste, but I figured plain hot water would be too bland. Besides, the aroma mattered too. When I suggested hot milk, she nodded in agreement.

I prepared the drink and got the movie ready. I hadn’t watched it in a while, so I had to dig through my memory to recall the title. Fortunately, I found it.

“What’s the story about?”

“Let’s see… It’s about a teenage boy navigating his emotions. He struggles with love, studies, and thoughts about the future. But he can’t talk to anyone about it—except for his pet, Alex. As the story unfolds, both he and Alex grow together.”

It’s a common theme, but it’s easy to understand, even for kids. My parents used to say that it resonates even more with adults.

But more than anything…

“Alex is incredibly adorable.”

“What breed?”

“A Siberian Husky, if I remember correctly. So fluffy and unbelievably cute.”

There are plenty of scenes where Alex and the protagonist play together, and each one is absolutely heart-melting. Honestly, everything about Alex is just adorable.

“It’s a fun movie, so look forward to it.”

“Yeah, I will.”

Although there are a few serious moments, the overall tone is lighthearted and heartwarming.

I hoped this movie would serve as a gentle introduction, gradually easing her into different kinds of films. Hopefully, she would enjoy it.

***

“Alex, what should I do? …I saw Angela walking with another boy, and it made me feel really uneasy.”

“Woof!”

“…Yeah, you’re right. I’ll talk to Angela tomorrow. Thanks, Alex.”

On the screen, the boy was licked all over his face by the pure white Siberian Husky. He laughed, clearly ticklish, and then began enthusiastically petting Alex.

It was incredibly cute—a heartwarming sight. And yet, I felt a faint sense of unease.

I thought it would be fine, but… Was romance a sensitive topic?

I glanced to the side—our eyes met.

Dark, unreadable eyes. Void of light.

“Shigure-kun.”

“Y-Yeah?”

Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I straightened my posture and turned my full attention to her. Had I made a mistake?

I braced myself, but instead—

“Shigure-kun, have you ever had a girlfriend?”

“Huh?”

I was caught completely off guard.

A girlfriend?

“No, I haven’t.”

“Then, have you ever liked someone?”

“…No, not really.”

Her dark eyes locked onto me, as if trying to gauge the truth.

“In middle school… The atmosphere just wasn’t one where people could easily date. If someone had a crush, they’d get teased relentlessly.”

Now that I was in high school, I could see it more clearly. The teasing in middle school had been excessive. People either kept their feelings private or avoided relationships altogether. There were plenty of close friendships between boys and girls, but relationships rarely went beyond that.

“Even without that, though, I doubt I would have had a girlfriend.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. Middle school was… complicated.”

There had been a lot going on, even before I became friends with Shirao. It wasn’t something I could explain in a short conversation.

“Maybe I’ll tell you about it sometime.”

“Alright, I’ll wait.”

As we spoke, the protagonist on screen continued playing with Alex.

For a while, neither of us said anything.

Then, out of curiosity, I asked, “What about you, Tsubame?”

“I’ve never had one either.”

She answered immediately. I expected the conversation to end there, but she continued.

“Most of my co-stars disliked me.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. Many models have strong pride. If I appeared in a magazine, I always stood out the most.”

“I see.”

“Because of that, when I had photoshoots with others, they either saw me as a rival… or were intimidated by my looks.”

She said it matter-of-factly, without a hint of arrogance—because it was simply the truth. When someone is so stunningly beautiful that it evokes fear, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

“Other than that, the only people who approached me just wanted to use me. I never really got close to anyone.”

“…I see.”

“Yeah. So, I don’t really understand romance either.”

“I suppose I can relate to that.”

I understood love as a concept—movies, manga, and books had shown me what it was supposed to be like. But imagining myself in that kind of situation? That felt foreign.

Tsubame studied my face intently.

And then—

She opened her mouth to say something, but at that moment, the scene on screen shifted to the protagonist’s school.

She closed her mouth and turned her attention back to the film.

What had she been about to say?

I considered asking but held back. She was watching the movie, and I didn’t want to disrupt her experience.

If I remembered later, I’d ask. …Though, I had a habit of forgetting these things.

So instead, I focused on the movie—enjoying it alongside her.

Even though I’d seen it as a child, it was still just as captivating.

Time passed quickly. The protagonist grew older, petted Alex one last time, and then headed off to school. The credits rolled.

I had always liked how cleanly this movie ended—showing growth, a sense that everything was moving in a positive direction.

…Had Tsubame enjoyed it?

A mix of nervousness and anticipation swirled in my chest as I glanced at her.

She was staring at the credits, eyes sparkling.

“…That was a good movie.”

With that quiet murmur, she let out a small breath.