Chikasugiru Karera no, Juunanasai no Tooi Kankei [LN] V2 Chapter 1.3

Chapter 1 - After The End Of The Rainy Season

Summer vacation began the next day.

When I went down to the living room before 9:00 a.m., although it was her day off, Izumi was already fully dressed up. She was wearing a white T-shirt with short sleeves, black shorts, and her hair tied up on the side. Her backpack, which she had been carrying when she first came to our house, was propped up at her feet, as if she planned to go somewhere.

"Are you going somewhere?

When I asked, Yeah, Izumi nodded her head.

"I'm going to the library."

"Are you going to read books?"

"Rather, I was thinking of studying. If I don't set a good pace on the first day, I'll be lazy."

For some reason, Izumi said in an apologetic tone, as if it was difficult to reply. I was a little surprised by her answer. As one would expect from a prestigious school. I don't think there are many people at my school who have such a high level of consciousness.

"That's admirable."

When I said that without thinking, Izumi shook her head and said, "No, no."

"Whenever I get tired of studying, I sometimes listen to music, so I'm not that serious."

"But there is no one like that around me. That's amazing."

"I'm not very good at the main points. If I don't do things slowly and gradually, I'll be left behind by the more capable students."

As Izumi said so, she got up from her seat.

"I'd better get going. Oh, by the way, Kenichi-kun, what are you going to do for lunch?"

"I wasn't thinking about it, but.......I have club activities starting in the afternoon, so I'll eat something at home."

"Then, shall I get something for you? There is a good bakery. Aiko-chan told me about it the other day."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. How about it?"

"Then, can I ask you a favor? I'll give you the money later."

"Understood," Izumi said, and carrying her backpack, she said, "I'm off," and walked out of the living room. I heard the sound of shoes being put on and the door opening and closing.

During the summer vacation, club activities are practiced three to four days a week.

Today, too, I have club activities in the afternoon, and I will see Yuriko later today.

The clear sunlight shines in through the window. I felt as if the lukewarm morning air was being warmed by that light.

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That afternoon, I was out on the field before practice, juggling alone, when Yuriko tapped me on the back with a "Hi," The impact was so off that the ball fell to the ground.

"That startled me."

When I looked back, fufu, Yuriko giggled. Tachibana was next to her, and with her usual cheerful expression, she bowed to me.

When Yuriko picked up the ball I dropped, she juggled it, let it loiter under my feet, and stood in front of me. I poked the ball a few times, thinking that she wanted me to join her, and then gave it back to Yuriko. She, too, juggled the ball about five times, then passed it to Tachibana, who was standing beside her, saying, "Akari's turn."

"Eh, me?"

Tachibana stretched out her foot for the ball, but missed trapping it. The ball hit her around the ankle and rolled away.

"Gezz. I can't do this yet," Tachibana said and went after the ball. As I watched her, Yuriko said to me, 

"Akari, she has been practicing soccer recently. Recently, she has been able to juggle the ball more than ten times steadily."

"Oh, really? I didn't know that."

"It's still difficult for her to catch the ball in the air as she did before, but I'm sure she'll be able to do something soon. Like passing the ball during shooting practice."

"Really? Tachibana?"

"Yeah. But since she's going to this trouble, don't you want her to be able to play soccer? If she learns basic skills, she will be able to enjoy futsal and other games. That's why I'm starting to teach her little by little."

"I see."

Then Yuriko was called by our advisor from the bench. Yuriko replied loudly, "Yes," and ran that way. As I watched her back, Tachibana came back, kicking the ball.

"Did you just say something about me?"

"Yeah. About you're getting better at juggling."

"Yes. My best record so far is 18."

"That much already?" I said. Even for boys, it takes a little while for a beginner to get over ten times. Ehehe, Tachibana smiled shyly. Then she glanced at Yuriko, who was running toward the bench, and said, "It looks like you two have made up."

"Eh?"

Without thinking, I looked at Tachibana. For some reason, she looked happy and was smiling.

"Mori-senpai has been in low spirits lately, and Sakamoto-senpai has been acting more suspicious than usual, so I wondered if something was wrong."

"......It's not a big deal."

It was a bigger deal than a fight, but there was no way I could tell Tachibana right here and now that Yuriko had kissed me.

"You know, after all, Mori-senpai loves Sakamoto-senpai."

Tachibana said. When she said that, my heart shook again.

"Normally, she wouldn't hit or kick a boy like that. The only boy that Mori-senpai has been touching is Sakamoto-senpai. Anyway, I'm glad you guys made up."

Tachibana chuckled, as if she was joking. When I was unable to say anything, she said, "Well then," and went toward the equipment shed.

I continued warming up by myself until the practice session started. The sun was baking the ground scorchingly. It was terribly hot. I had put on sunscreen, but the heat made my skin ache.

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