Traveling With a Beautiful Girl - Chapter 42: Let's Come Again

“It looks fun, both of you.”

Kanade-san has returned.

Whether she was fully satisfied with her swim, Kanade-san seems refreshed.

“Isn’t it good that you came?”

Kanade-san asks, as if knowing the answer already.

“Yeah, to put it mildly, it’s amazing. Thanks for bringing us here, Kanade-san.”

“Don’t mention it. I wouldn’t have come by myself, so I’m actually the one thanking the two of you.”

Kanade-san smiles broadly.

Not a business smile, but one that genuinely reflects her gratitude.

“You know, humans need to take a break like this once every 120 days or so.”

“Take two days off a week.”

“That’s impossible. I have too many clients, never know when the boss will call, there are many projects that would stop if I weren’t working, and I’d inconvenience a lot of people, so I can’t easily take time off. Even today, it took meticulous planning 180 days in advance to get this holiday.”

“Growing up is starting to scare me.”

“Is it okay? To use such a precious break to spend time with us?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. If I were alone, I’d be too concerned about project progress to really rest, and besides…”

Kanade-san looks toward the distant horizon and then says,

“Somehow, watching the two of you reminds me of my invincible high school days when I did what I wanted, how I wanted. It feels really good.”

Her narrowed eyes probably reflect memories related to the piano, something she was passionate about during her high school years. The sentimental atmosphere lasted only a moment.

“Don’t become a boring adult like me.”

Kanade-san turns around and gently places her hand on both mine and Nanase’s heads. I felt a sincere emotion in her words. I couldn’t respond. My high-school self couldn’t say anything substantial in return, or so I thought. Nanase opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. I wonder what she was going to say.

“Alright, let’s play hard with the little time left before we retreat. Ready, go!”

Splash!

“Kyaa…”

Once again, Kanade-san shoots Nanase with a water gun.

“You did it again, didn’t you?”

Splash! This time, Nanase retaliates.

I’ll skip over the ensuing battle, as there’s nothing noteworthy to mention. The three of us enjoyed ourselves like elementary school kids, and that’s enough to sum it up. Exactly an hour and a half after arriving for a swim, we had enjoyed the sea of Okinawa.

“Shall we head back in time for our flight?”

At Kanade-san’s word, we leave the ocean. Our bodies, sticky with seawater, felt heavy on land, almost as if rejecting the return to civilized society.

“What’s the matter, Nanase?”

I ask, as Nanase, who has just come out of the sea, looks wistfully at the horizon.

“It’s nothing important. …I was just thinking how beautiful the sunset must look from here.”

“Ah… you do love sunsets.”

It’s 4 in the afternoon now. We need about two more hours to see the sunset.

“We can always come back.”

I pat Nanase’s head. It feels quite damp. I think it reflects Nanase’s feelings.

“…if there is a next time.”

At Nanase’s murmur, I feel a sharp pain in my chest.

I pat her head again to soothe the pain.

“I don’t remember giving you permission to pat my head in the confusion.”

“Sorry.”

I apologize instantly, and Nanase smiles triumphantly, saying, “Baka.”

I swear I’ll come back to Okinawa with Nanase again. Definitely.