Chapter 7: Approaching Takamiyagi-senpai (2)

With a soft snap, she closed her book and silently fixed her gaze on me. There was a faint hint of suspicion in her eyes—or at least, it felt that way. I wanted to believe it was because of those two lurking behind me that I was being doubted… though, considering everything, she is the hardest character to get close to in the game.

Well, I’ve cleared everything—there’s nothing I can’t do. Still, I should probably explain why I’m here… right? I flailed my arms a little and hurriedly tried to defend myself.

"I didn’t get to talk much this morning, so I came. I’m really glad I got to see you."

"Is there something you wanted to talk about?"

"...Let’s see—maybe why you like the sky so much?"

"Then why don’t you come over here? Don’t just stand there."

"...Ah, then… excuse me..."

Since she kindly offered, I hesitantly sat down on the bench beside her. …Wait, me? Isn’t this something the protagonist is supposed to do? In the game, you just stand in front of her the whole time. She’s probably just being considerate because I clearly look like a frail girl. She’s kind like that.

But after that, no conversation followed between me—sitting stiffly with my shoulders hunched—and Takamiyagi-senpai, whose expression didn’t change at all.

…This is awkward. Painfully awkward.

I searched for something—anything—to start a conversation, letting my gaze wander aimlessly. Then, almost unconsciously, I looked up.

A vast blue sky spread across my field of vision. As I continued to watch, clouds of various shapes drifted slowly from right to left, carried along one after another. They made me aware of the wind blowing far above. Watching that scene for a while…

For some reason, I felt a strange loneliness.

"So?"

…Huh? She asked me? Today’s senpai feels… oddly proactive. In the game, the only real exchange was the protagonist asking, "Why are you here?" and her replying, "Because the sky looks wide here." That was about it… Well, more conversation is a good thing, I guess.

"Somehow… it made me feel lonely."

"...Lonely?"

"When I watch clouds drifting far away, it feels like… there are things moving on beyond my reach, and all I can do is watch them go…"

…What am I even saying? Still, that’s what it felt like. Like everything around me was telling me the world keeps moving forward whether I’m here or not… like I’d be left behind here alone.

Then, pfft, I heard a faint laugh from beside me. When I looked over, Takamiyagi-senpai was definitely smiling. She covered her mouth and let out a quiet, restrained chuckle for a moment. Then, leaving only a slight curve at the corner of her lips, she spoke.

"You’re quite the poet."

…So embarrassing… I instinctively covered my face with both hands. Did my old chuunibyou phase just slip out? Could you please forget that? I’ll lock it away deep in my heart where it can never resurface.

"But it’s not bad."

"Oh, really?"

Alright, thank you, past me. You can come out again after all. Not bad, she says. Looking forward to working with you.

After that, there wasn’t much of a conversation. We simply sat side by side on the bench in silence, gazing up at the same sky.

…Oh, right. I need to give her the souvenir.

"By the way, I bought some cream puffs. Since we’re here, we could eat them together—"

"I’ll have one."

Got her.

As I pulled out the paper bag, Takamiyagi-senpai peeked inside with what looked like a hint of excitement. She really loves cream puffs, after all.

…Ah, right. I should introduce Suko. Honestly, I kind of forgot.

When I gave a hand signal, Suko and Kaimori-chan emerged from behind cover and awkwardly made their way in front of the bench. Without even glancing at them, Takamiyagi-senpai busied herself taking out a cream puff. Undeterred by being ignored, Suko stepped forward boldly, puffing out his chest. I have to respect that aggressive approach.

"I’m Ryuzouji Suko!"

I then glanced at Kaimori-chan beside him. With a look that said, "Wait, me too?" she still stepped forward and introduced herself with an even louder, cheerful voice.

"I’m Kaimori Ayumi! I love miso ramen, and my hobbies are handicrafts and reading!"

"...Hey, Kaimori, you—!"

With a smug little motion, Kaimori-chan glanced back at Suko. Oh? So she slipped in some self-promotion… I see—this is what a real offensive move looks like. In terms of winning Takamiyagi-senpai’s favor, Kaimori-chan might be one step ahead. Though seriously, Suko, how are you losing to her?

Takamiyagi-senpai watched their introductions silently, cream puff in her mouth, her expression completely unchanged. Well, at least she paused eating—so she is listening. That’s enough.

I gave Kaimori-chan a firm thumbs-up. She immediately responded with a sharp salute. Nice—what a great smile. Kaimori-chan would definitely make a good friend.

Meanwhile, Takamiyagi-senpai finished her cream puff in silence, still staring at the two of them. She closed her eyes, tilted her head slightly, then blink—opened them again.

"…………Who?"

"They’re both my friends. They may not look it, but they’re so interested in the sky they’d get a fever over it."

The two of them immediately panicked at that. Okay, maybe "fever" was a bit of an exaggeration.*1 Still, only people interested in the sky are allowed to stand before Takamiyagi-senpai at first meeting. To her, strangers just aren’t that significant. Though once you become more than an acquaintance, she’ll protect you fiercely.

At that, Takamiyagi-senpai gave a faint nod. Her expression, of course, didn’t change in the slightest.

"…………I see."

Silence fell over the group.

An incredibly awkward atmosphere filled the space.

Kaimori-chan glanced back and forth between Takamiyagi-senpai and me, her expression practically begging the heavens for help.

…No, this isn’t my fault. For Takamiyagi-senpai, that response was more than enough. She clearly acknowledged them—that alone is a big deal.

"Senpai, by the way, how were the cream puffs?"

"If I had to say, they were sweet."

"Well, obviously."

Suko, every word Takamiyagi-senpai says carries meaning. Of course cream puffs are sweet—that’s a given. The fact that she went out of her way to say it means she’s implying they were too sweet. If you’re going to walk through life alongside her, you need to pick up on things like that instantly.

…Still, this might be a chance. A perfect excuse to invite senpai to lunch.

"We usually eat lunch together in the courtyard. If you’d like, would you join us? …Tomorrow, I’ll show you cream puffs with a much more restrained sweetness."

I’ve never actually made them before, but with Shione-chan’s cooking skills, she can probably handle cream puffs too. We’ve got a big oven at home, after all. Now all that’s left is to bet on senpai’s love for cream puffs…

"...Why?"

Still seated, she leaned her tall frame forward, peering up at me from below as she stared intently into my face. Her dark eyes were deep—I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. But I understood the meaning behind her words.

"We’re not that close, are we?"

I looked straight back at her. So directly that it felt like I could see my own reflection in her eyes.

She’s right—we’re not, not yet. But I—

"That’s true, I don’t really know you yet. But I want to. …From here on."

In the game, senpai didn’t talk much, but she was always so cool. The more you learned about her, the more you wanted to know. If that kind of person is right in front of me, then I want to build that connection—no matter what. Even setting aside Suko’s situation.

"...I see."

Takamiyagi-senpai closed her eyes for just a moment after hearing my words, then immediately stood up. Without saying anything further, she turned her back and began walking away briskly.

…Guess that’s it for today.

…Ah, wait.

I almost felt like things had ended nicely, but I haven’t completed the main objective yet. And she walks fast—hey, wait a second!

"Senpai!"

She barely stopped—but she did stop. And more than that, she actually turned around.

Alright… maybe I’ve built at least some kind of connection already? If Suko had called out to her, I can only picture her walking off without a second glance.

But as I quietly savored that small victory, senpai narrowed her eyes at me.

Not good. That look clearly says, “If you have something to say, say it quickly.” If I hesitate here, my likability is going to drop straight to Suko’s level.

I hurriedly asked the required question to complete the objective. For the record, the objective here is to get senpai to say: “I’m here because the sky looks wide.”

"Um… why do you come to this place, senpai?"

"What do you think?"

"Huh? Uh… because the sky looks wide…?"

I stumbled a bit, but I managed to give the same answer she gives in the game.

…Though somehow, this feels different from how I remember it going…

Then, senpai let out a soft, amused laugh.

There’s a phrase—“a smile like a flower blooming.” But senpai’s clear, delicate smile changed the entire atmosphere in an instant. I could tell Kaimori-chan beside me flinched.

Yeah… she’s usually expressionless, so when she smiles, the impact is honestly overwhelming.

"...Correct."

That was all she said before turning on her heel and walking off briskly again—this time for good. Without looking back even once, she disappeared into the distance.

The three of us watched her go in silence.

…Well, it didn’t go exactly as planned… but I’d say it was a success.

I would have liked her to talk with Suko a bit more, but that’s probably asking too much. At Suko’s current level, she might’ve left within ten seconds.

Still… Suko, can I ask you something?

Are you really supposed to be me from the game?

The three traits a romance game protagonist absolutely doesn’t need are: shyness, lack of common sense, and indecisiveness. And at this rate, you’re about to collect all three.*2

Honestly, protagonist or not—that’s kind of a problem as a person.

…Ah well. No point overthinking it.

I decided to drop the matter and instead thank Kaimori-chan and Suko. They both looked pretty drained. The senpai route seriously takes a lot of mental energy.

"Hehe, looks like today was a success. Good work, you two."

"Eh!? That was a success!?"

"Of course. I might even give it an 80."

"In my book, that was more like an 8…"

"Same here."

"Oh? Oh? …You two actually get along pretty well, don’t you?"

"Not at all."

"Not at all."

…Really?

You didn’t have to reject that so aggressively from both sides…