Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 3: Searching For Such Future

Act 3

We left the optical store.

In the end, she didn’t buy anything.

“Can you blame me? I’m not really sure what to choose since there are so many. Besides, Shizuru told me that the one I currently have suited me, so I thought it would be fine not to buy anything right now.”

Hasumi-senpai seemed a bit apologetic, probably because she didn’t buy anything even though we accompanied her. On the other hand, she seemed happy because of what she said at the end.

“What a terrible thing to do. Shizuru, what kind of compliment did you give her?”

“What do you mean terrible?!”

What a terrible thing to say.

With Hasumi-senpai, she probably receives all kinds of compliments on a regular basis. However, the fact that she was complimented for her glasses left a strong impression on her.

“So what are we going to do?”

Today’s objective has been fulfilled, or rather, postponed.

“Let’s see. I’d like to wander around a bit more.”

Said Hasumi-senpai. Takinami-senpai said nothing. She probably thinks that because she followed us on her own, she has no position to decide what to do. To begin with, it’s because my half-sister agitated her, so I don’t think she needs to worry about such things.

Hasumi-senpai looked at me, asking for my opinion.

“Please go ahead. I’m just a pitiful junior, so I’ll follow you anywhere.”

I jokingly say.

Then the two seniors looked at each other.

“What is he saying?”

“He probably doesn’t understand what he just said.”

“Uh, un…?”

I feel like they’re saying something disturbing.

Both Hasumi-senpai and Takinami-senpai looked at me.

“As I said before, you should be responsible for your words.”

“A man doesn’t go back on his words, right?”

They both had wonderful smiles on their faces.

It’s not that I don’t want to accompany them on the women’s fashion floor. I just find it boring.

Nah, I can live with being bored. But aside from that, it’s also incredibly frustrating.

We’re now in Kobe MARUI.

The two girls browsed the fashion floor, and I followed behind them. It would be so much easier if I’m just following them. But sometimes they ask for my opinion.

“Say, Shizuru. Which one do you think is better?”

Takinami-senpai holds up two different shirts for me to see and asks me.

“…The right.”

“Is it? I think the left also looks great, you see.”

In the end, she brushed off my opinion and compared the two with a difficult look on her face.

“Shizuru, Shizuru, what do you think about this?”

Now it’s Hasumi-senpai.

“…I think it’s great.”

“That doesn’t sound genuine. Do you really think so? Girls won’t be pleased if you talk like that.”

She turns away while scolding me.

Repeating this exchange several times, you will understand. There’s no meaning or right answer to their question. It naturally would kill my vibe.

Takinami-senpai suddenly noticed something. She put back the item she was holding and started to move. Ahead of her was Hasumi-senpai. She silently approached from behind, erasing her presence. The sight looked like a shark targeting its prey.

“Oh my, Hasumi-san, are you going to buy that?”

“?!”

Hasumi-senpai was so surprised that she jumped when she was suddenly approached and threw back the top she was holding in her hand.

“Wasn’t that a piece that had its back open? Showing off your back in summer? How bold.”

“N-n-n-no, it’s not like that!”

For some reason, Hasumi-senpai seems to be in a panic.

I didn’t see it, but in summer, an open-back design wouldn’t be that crazy. I’m sure it would look good on Hasumi-senpai, and I don’t think it’s something she would be teased for or feel embarrassed about when choosing.

Hasumi-senpai noticed me behind Takinami-senpai.

“Shi-Shizuru, you’re here?!”

“Yes, I am. Since I was told by a tyrant senior to accompany her.”

“Uh….”

When I responded, her words got stuck.

“C-Come on, let’s go.”

Then she forcefully dropped the story.

• • §§

Later, I was sitting on a bench.

In my line of sight were Takinami-senpai and Hasumi-senpai having a lot of fun together. Looking at them like this, they do not appear to be on bad terms with each other.

They’re in a swimwear store for the summer season. The glamorous atmosphere there was like some kind of barrier against men, and I didn’t feel like entering the store at all.

“The swimsuit I bought last year is already tight.”

“Wait a moment. What kind of bizarre phenomenon is that?! And why did you try it on?! Ah! Don’t tell me you took a bath with Shizuru―”

“N-no, that’s not it! That’s not why I tried it on!”

The two of them looked at the items and went deeper and deeper, like small animals lured by food. If possible, can they just go straight to the depths of the abyss?

“You’ve got a pretty good status, huh?”

“Pfft.”

A voice jumping unexpectedly into my ears made me gush out.

Turning around and looking up, I saw Mibu Kanata standing there in a blouse and ripped jeans. How elusive…

“Ka-Kanata-senpai, why are you here?”

I stood up without a second thought.

“Isn’t there only one thing a woman would do in here?”

“Well, I guess so…”

That was a stupid question.

“And besides, even if you didn’t follow me, my plans wouldn’t have changed.”

It’s true that I was originally supposed to accompany Kanata-senpai today. However, Hasumi-senpai forced me to make plans with her, so I couldn’t go with her. Still, Kanata-senpai went shopping on her own.

“Did you find something good?”

“No luck. I’m not cut out for this.”

Kanata-senpai then chuckled.

“For the record, I can’t do it today.”

“I know. You’re not skillful enough to handle three people.”

That’s right. Frankly speaking, Hasumi-senpai and Takinami-senpai alone are enough.

Looking at the front, I saw the two still choosing swimsuits. Takinami-senpai shoved one into Hasumi-senpai and she hurriedly returned it to its original place. She seemed to be complaining. I bet Takinami-senpai chose a flashy swimsuit because she thought it would be funny.

“I wouldn’t last long just by myself.”

“Phrasing! What are you talking about?!”

Kanata-senpai is so unnerving since she’s the type of person to say something ridiculous without batting an eye.

“I wonder? Wouldn’t it be quicker to ask your own chest than others?”

“…..”

For now, let’s stop talking about our chests.

“That said, you look like you’re having a lot of fun.”

“Does it look that way to you?”

As you can see, I could not keep up with the two girls, so I took refuge here. I’m like a father who brought his children to an amusement park but got exhausted first and slumped on a bench. There’s nothing fun about it.

I turned my attention back to the two without any reason.

“From a woman you dumped, it does.”

“I didn’t dump you.”

Why does she express her words in such a way that would make someone misunderstand it?

“I can’t make you look like that.”

“I also enjoy your company, Kanata-senpai.”

I replied without a pause.

It’s true that most of the time, when she’s going to invite me, our exchange would be like, “You should follow me,” followed by, “Yes, with pleasure,” but I’ve never unwillingly accompanied her. I’ve been going with her happily. I can say that with confidence, and I do not want her to misunderstand that.

“It seems like there’s one thing genuine.”

“……”

Genuine.

In other words, they are not made up, but feelings that arise naturally from within the self.

“Checking it one by one is also one way.”

“It sounds like a daunting task.”

“Eventually, you’ll realize it’s all for naught.”

Kanata-senpai turned on her feet without warning. It seems that she’s going home. She must have given up on the idea of being able to choose her own clothes. Naturally, there was no goodbye.

I watched Kanata-sensei’s back as she left.

When a person is working on something and feels it’s a waste of time, oftentimes it’s because the results stay the same for a long time. Now, what about my case?

“Shizuru!”

“Shizuru, hey!”

It seemed that they just missed Kanata-senpai and I heard a voice calling from inside the barrier.

“Hey, Shizuru, what do you think about this?”

When I went there, Takinami-senpai asked me that.

Both of them have the swimsuits of their choice. Both are bikinis. It was hard to look directly at them when they shoved them into my face.

I first looked at Takinami-senpai.

“Why ask me?”

“It’s your girlfriend’s swimsuit, you know? Of course, you’re not going to be the only person who would see it, so I’m asking if it’s ok or not to wear it, you being my boyfriend and all.”

I mean, we’re not even lovers in the first place, so why don’t you just do whatever?

This time, I looked at Hasumi-senpai.

“I thought you didn’t want me to pick for you.”

“Give an opinion at least.”

I’ve been through a lot because of that opinion though?

“Well, if it’s just that.”

They probably won’t respect it anyway, but let’s just say it.

Looking again, Hasumi-senpai’s pick was of a fresh blue border pattern. Meanwhile, Takinami-senpai’s pick was decorated with a hibiscus pattern.

“I’m sure Shizuru is imagining us wearing it right now.”

“Hey, stop it! You’re suddenly making me embarrassed!”

Takinami-senpai said a few unnecessary words, and Hasumi-senpai quickly hid her swimsuit behind her back.

I decided to leave for now. If these two are going to get excited on their own, I won’t be needed. Also, if a man stays inside the barrier for too long, he will die.