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Season: Summer
Author: Yuumasu
Location: Yumenosaki School Gate Entrance
Souma: —I do wonder how long it has been since we have left school together in such a manner as this, Hidaka-dono.
Since our promotion, our environment has undergone a grand change, and now both our “kurasu” and agency are entirely separate.
And thus, I cannot help but feel that us walking together now is quite the rarity indeed.
Hokuto: Yeah. Now that we’re third-years, we don’t have that much time left to be students. Once we’ve graduated, we won’t be wearing school uniforms anymore, nor will we have to commute to school.
I want to rejoice1 in being a student as best as I can— that way I won’t leave behind any regrets.
Souma: Mhm. I understand it is still quite far off, but the second semester’s sports festival is approaching as well. My work as an “aidoru” is of far greater importance, and thus, if it so happens that I am occupied by work, I shall be unable to participate...
Being separated into teams of red and white, participating in a heated match—- I pray from the bottom of my heart that I am able to participate.
Hokuto: Sports festival, hm? Otogari’s in your class too, so it seems as though you guys would make for a formidable opponent.
But I’m not stupid enough to rush into things blindly. It’s a class-to-class competition, so we’ll devise some countermeasures to fight back.
Souma: Naturally. Let us both devote all of our strength to make our final year one that we can recall with pride ♪
...Oh? Who is that walking over there...
Ah, just as I had expected, it was you, Anzu-dono. I thank you for your hard work today ♪
...Anzu-dono, why is it that you are laughing? Ah, we are away from “iiesu” at the moment, so thanking you for your hard work is rather strange… Is that correct?
Hokuto: Mhm, that’s right. We’re students right now. It might be a little strange to say things that you would normally say to your coworkers on your way home.
This is just if you’ve got nothing else to do, but... Anzu, did you want to join us?
Souma: ...Mhm! I, too, am very pleased that we happened to come across one another by chance.
To return home from school with Hidaka-dono and Anzu-dono… Fufu, I feel the memories of last year arising by the minute.
...Has something happened, Anzu-dono? Ah, you would like to take a brief detour, you say?
Hokuto: Ooh. You’d like to go downtown to buy some more konpeito to keep on your person, hm? I don’t mind. We’ll come with you.
Location: Downtown
Hokuto: ...So, konpeito. What flavor have you been keeping on you recently?
Wow, you have grapefruit flavored konpeito? That’s my first time hearing of that.
The citric acid found in grapefruits is perfect for revitalization. I’ll buy some too if we happen to come across it.
What kind do I have? The same kind as always; konpeito bought from a small-time candy store.
Souma: ......
Souma: (...Anzu-dono and Hidaka-dono seem to be having quite the pleasant conversation.)
(I am but a layman when it comes to konpeito, and thus I have kept silent to avoid interrupting, but…)
(...I am… somewhat lonely.)
Hokuto: ...Hm? Oh, sorry, my phone’s ringing.
Hello. What happened, Tomoya? ...I got it, I’ll be right over.
Something came up for Drama Club. My sincerest apologies, but I’ll excuse myself now.
Souma: A-ah, okay. I shall see you tomorrow.
(And now, quite unexpectedly, it is only Anzu-dono and I who remain. What on earth should I do…)
...My apologies, Anzu-dono. I have no knowledge of konpeito, and therefore I shan’t be able to serve as an adequate replacement for Hidaka-dono.
How vexing that I am too inadequate to do so much as hold one simple conversation.
...It is alright for me to discuss things other than konpeito? You simply carry them on you because it is a quick and easy way to have sugar, and you like that sweet things allow you some energy?
Hm, sweet things…
Anzu-dono, I would like for you to accompany me somewhere. If it is alright with you, would you be so kind as to follow me?
<A little while later>
Fufu. I am pleased to be able to have “tapioka” with you, Anzu-dono.
...Hm? Why is it that you appear to be so surprised?
Ah, you had thought we would be going to a Japanese style sweets shop, hm?
I had come to this “tapioka” shop with Hasumi-dono and Kiryuu-dono once before. To this very day, I am prone to stop by on occasion.
That day, we had stood in line for a full hour outside this very shop. Though, for reasons unbeknownst to me, the lines outside this shop have all but vanished as of late, and so it has become much easier to make your purchase.
Fufu, it is quite delicious, is it not? The squishy texture is rather fun ♪
Furthermore. It is also rather fun to be able to enjoy the same drink as you, Anzu-dono.
A short while ago, while you were in conversation with Hidaka-dono… over konpeito, I believe? I had thought that a sudden sense of loneliness had overcome me.
And now, I am overjoyed to be here with you, as we are now— Perhaps I had been lonesome after all.
You have since transferred to the “purodyuusu” course, and so… Be it classroom or school building, it matters not where I search— I cannot seem to catch even the slightest glimpse of you.
I am well aware that you are busy attempting to manage both your standard studies and those of the “purodyuusu” course, not to mention that I am in quite the similar situation.
But on the contrary, we shan’t be condemned for spending just one meager moment together, as we are now.
And thus… Anzu-dono. It is perfectly fine to do as such every so often. How would you like to enjoy “tapioka” together again in the future?
Just as normal students do— I would like to idle our time with meandering conversations, those devoid of all logical meaning, and share a laugh together.
Someday, we will have grown to reminisce on our lives as students— I would like to make memories that I am able to feel content with; that I am able to look back on with pride.
...Mmh. I am grateful for you, Anzu-dono.
Well. We’ve now finished our drinks, so let us carry on.
Fufu, I presume we will be going to buy konpeito? Worry not, I have not forgotten.
Well then, let us embark onward, Anzu-dono...♪
TL Notes:
1: The word for “rejoice” that Hokuto uses here is the same as the word for “rejoice” used in the title of Souma’s solo song.
