Chapter 38: Shirasaki street stationary road (2)

“Rina.”

We arrived at the aisle filled with pens, colored pencils, and markers.

“Yes? What is it?” I hurried over, and Aya held out a black pen. “Try this and tell me what you think.”

I reached for the pen, and Aya’s fingers brushed against mine. It was a deliberate touch.

“…!” My heart skipped a beat, a jolt of electricity running through me at the brief contact.

‘Her fingers… ugh…’ My mind went blank. But Aya, seemingly unfazed, asked, “How does it feel?”

I coughed, trying to regain my composure, and scribbled on a test pad, desperately trying to hide my flustered state. “It’s good! It feels nice!”

“…?” Aya raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. But she didn’t press further, picking up another pen.

‘That’s… not fair, Aya…’ Her nonchalant act was infuriating. So… I decided to tease her back.

I grinned mischievously, picked up another pen, and held it out to Aya. As our hands brushed, she seemed slightly surprised. Now it was my turn to smile smugly. “Aya, did you mind our hands touching?”

“…Of course not.”

“Hmm~? Really~? You seem to be fidgeting with your fingers~?”

Aya’s fingers twitched slightly. So she was self-conscious about it. Seeing her quietly lower her hand, I felt a surge of satisfaction.

“…” I couldn’t suppress the small, triumphant smile that played on my lips. ‘I win…!’ I thought, then…

‘…Wait.’

Aya glanced at me, her expression seeming to say, “Do you really think you won?”

‘…Did I… just get played…?’ I felt a strange sense of defeat, pouting slightly. Just then, Aya leaned closer, and I instinctively stepped back, my face burning.

“What’s wrong, Rina? You were so confident just now.”

“I-It’s not like that!” My face flushed, and I shook my head.

But Aya, with a playful smile, gently took my wrist… and my hand…

“Try harder next time, Rina,” she whispered, releasing my wrist and grinning.

‘…Wait, Aya, are you… teasing me?’

I’d tried to tease her, but she’d turned the tables on me. I was annoyed, but I couldn’t think of a comeback. Aya, already walking away, said casually, “Let’s go pay. I think we have everything on the list.”

“Okay…” I followed, my head downcast. Her subtle smile seemed… smug.

****

‘Aya’s… become more assertive,’ I thought as we walked back to the academy.

‘It feels like she’s reading my mind with those deep blue eyes…’

I avoided her gaze, looking up at the sky, a clear, vibrant blue dotted with fluffy white clouds, like something out of an anime. The warm sunlight lifted my spirits.

“Rina.” Aya’s voice startled me.

“Yes?” I turned to look at her. Her expression was calm, as always, but she seemed lost in thought.

“You said you enjoyed cycling, right?”

“…Huh?” I racked my brain, trying to remember when I’d said that. Ah, right. During my self-introduction. I’d tried cycling after school, and it was more enjoyable than I’d expected. Not enough to call it a hobby, but perhaps a casual pastime.

“Oh, yeah…! I like it.”

Aya nodded. “And you were good at volleyball.”

I flinched, surprised by the sudden change of topic. “Ah, well, no! I was just carried by you and Mizuki.”

During the recent volleyball practical exam, we’d made it to the finals and won easily, thanks to Aya and Mizuki. The opposing team had three volleyball club members, but Aya and Mizuki had effortlessly covered the entire court. While I could have contributed more, Mizuki had practically benched me because of my recent leg injury.

“You and Mizuki were amazing. I was just… there.”

But Aya seemed unfazed by my modesty. “Rina.”

“Yes, Aya?”

“How about… changing the night market to a sports day?”

I stopped walking and stared at her. “A… sports day?”

Aya nodded quietly. I thought about it. A sports day would certainly be a popular event, with high student participation. But making it the main event of the Spring Festival… that was a complete departure from the novel’s plot.

“…Wouldn’t it be better to keep the night market?” I asked cautiously.

Aya’s expression flickered, a subtle shift I couldn’t ignore.

‘As I thought… for Aya, as the Yukikawa heir, reviving the night market means going against her family’s decision…’

This wasn’t just about the school festival. It was about the complex relationship between the Yukikawa family and Shirasaki Street, about Reina-senpai’s accident. It was understandable that Aya was hesitant.

‘Then… how about a different approach?’

“We don’t have to collaborate with Shirasaki Street, do we?”

“Huh…?” Aya tilted her head slightly, as if confused.

I took a deep breath and continued. “Our social media campaign has been incredibly successful. We can use that to promote the night market.”

Aya blinked, and I continued, “We can recruit businesses through social media. If reconnecting with Shirasaki Street is too difficult, we can find new partners. Then your family won’t have any reason to object.”

Aya’s eyes widened. “…Ah.” It seemed she’d finally understood.

Our Spring Festival social media account already had over two thousand followers. And if it had grown this much in just two days, it would likely continue to grow.

Which meant the academy no longer needed to rely solely on Shirasaki Street. They could attract external businesses as well.

“We don’t have to abandon the night market. We can just manage it differently.”

Aya was lost in thought, considering my suggestion.

“…Wouldn’t that… make things easier for you, Aya?” I added softly.

Her eyes flickered. While I couldn’t be sure what she was thinking… she’d at least understood that she didn’t have to give up on the night market.

After a long silence, she finally spoke. “…You really do come up with clever ideas, Rina.”

I scratched my head, slightly embarrassed by her praise. “It just… came to me.”

Aya looked at me intently, then smiled faintly. “Ten points for not being too proactive.”

“Out of… how many?”

“That’s a secret~”

Her playful teasing, a side of her she only showed me, made me smile.

We finished our shopping and returned to the academy. And as we opened the student council room door… click!

“Huh?” I turned around to see Mizuki standing there, holding her phone, a smug look on her face. She checked the picture, then nodded, satisfied. “Hee hee~ perfect candid shot~”

“M-Mizuki?!”

“What are you doing?” Aya asked, also surprised.

But Mizuki, unfazed, held up her phone. “It’s for our Spring Festival promotion account~! Rina, Aya, we have to show the Trinity working hard!”

My mind went blank. “…The Trinity again?!” I groaned, clutching my head. The image of the picture that had gone viral flashed through my mind. And now they were going to use it for official promotion…?!

“Wait, Mizuki, you can’t just take pictures without my permission!”

“It’s okay~ candid shots are the best~”

“Candid… ugh…” I sighed. It was too late now. Giving up was probably the best option.

Just then, Aya looked at Mizuki. “Where is everyone else?”

Mizuki shrugged. “They’re visiting clubs, checking on the sponsorship situation.”

“Sponsorships?” I asked, looking at Mizuki. That was my idea, securing corporate sponsors for the festival.

“Why are you here, then?”

“I snuck out to meet Kasumi-chan,” she replied casually, holding out her phone. “She actually DMed me. She’ll be at the academy soon.”

‘Kasumi…!’

Kasumi Reira, one of the Four Beauties from middle school. She was a relatively important character in the novel, so… I was curious to meet her.

“So, you’re on your way to meet her?”

“Nope! I was just about to leave. So, you guys want to come?”

“Huh? Now?”

“It’s related to student council promotion, so it’ll be good for you to meet her~”

I hesitated, but Aya, her voice calm, said, “…Okay. I’ll go.”

“Aya too?!” I exclaimed, my eyes widening. Now I had to go!

And so, thanks to Mizuki’s persuasive skills, another appointment was added to my schedule.