Hello everyone, let me go straight to the point. Do you feel like time goes faster whenever you enjoy your holiday?
Because this is how I feel right now.
Can you believe it? It's already been one week since then.
I barely talked with Ayame-san, and that grandma never approached me like the first time.
But to be fair, I was enjoying my time with my family visiting all kinds of places—like museums, temples, onsen resorts, and all kinds of different restaurants. And of course, we took a lot of photos at each place we went.
And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. Seriously, I feel like with every step we made, my sisters kept taking photos and selfies. Not to mention, if they felt the photo wasn't perfect, they tried again. If I think about it, this is the main reason I was too tired at the end of the day.
By the way, Aunt Serina was able to work on her project with Edomae's company.
When she returned after the first day she went to her workplace, she mentioned that Ayame-san's mother was there and somehow made a contract with her company to develop the project.
After that, she mentioned that the manager from the branch of Edomae's company assumed the duty to supervise the project together with her coworker, who she was kind of cursing for abandoning her... I wonder what must have happened.
Right now I'm just sitting on the veranda appreciating the view. Visiting all kinds of places is good, but having a moment of peace is important too.
"Tomoki-nii, I saw Ayame-san talking with another guy."
Breathe in and breathe out...
"Miyuna-chan, what's the problem? She must be attending some customer."
"Her grandmother and grandfather were happily introducing him."
"Hahaha! It could be her cousin or some kind of relative. Besides, it's not my place to talk about who she meets or not. Rather, I'm a friend who supports his own friend's happiness."
"There's a vacant room right beside where they're having a meeting... wanna go?"
"Show me the way!"
♦♦♦
And now Miyuna-chan and I were in the vacant room to "make sure" that everything was okay.
"Fu... fu... to think that young kid became this handsome. It's been a while." — said the grandma.
"It's been a while, Edomae baa-san, Edomae jii-san." — said the guy.
"A polite one, you really grew up since then." — said the grandpa.
"I don't know what to say with all this praise." — said the guy.
"Fufu~ that just shows how my grandparents like you." — Ayame-san complimented.
(He seems to be a nice boy.) — whispered Miyuna-chan.
(Who are you siding with?) — I whispered back.
"So... how is your school? You're going to an all-boys high school, right?" — asked the grandpa.
"Yes! I'm enjoying it, though I'm lacking in my studies. Edomae-san, I heard that you're going to Sakurazai Academy, you're amazing."
"Thank you, but I'm not that much though. Rather than me, you're the one who's incredible. It's rare for a boy to be able to talk with women without being nervous." — said Ayame-san.
"It just feels natural to me, haha."
"It seems we old folks don't need to be here. We still need to do some work, so feel free to enjoy your time together." — said the grandma.
"Feel free to call us whenever you want." — said the grandpa to the guy.
And now, only Ayame-san and he were there.
"Edomae-san, what do you usually like to do in your free time?"
"Most of the time I spend reading books."
"What a nice hobby. What kind of books do you read?"
"Light novels or sometimes manga. Especially the ones that involve romance."
"That's... unexpected."
"Fufu~ you think so? Then how about you?"
"Oh, me? I like watching movies, especially mysterious ones."
"No wonder you seem to be a clever man. You have a wonderful hobby."
(While you like playing video games.) — Miyuna-chan whispered.
(You don't need to rub it in my face.) — I answered.
"Then Edomae-san, how are your parents? Everything is fine?"
"They're fine, but why do you ask?"
"Oh, that's because Edomae baa-san was kind of worried about her daughter. It must be your mother, right?"
"It is, grandma always worries about my mother's well-being. But don't worry, my parents are doing great."
"I see, this is a relief!"
"Fufu~ you're really a kind boy. You must be popular with girls."
(It seems she's starting to like him.) — Miyuna-chan said.
(Well... I guess he's a good guy.)
(...) — Miyuna-chan was staring at me.
"Rather than me, you must be popular. I bet some guy has already confessed to you."
"No, nobody has confessed to me."
"How strange, you're a beautiful and kind girl. Not to mention you're well known. The guys in your school must be strange."
(Do you hear, Tomoki-nii?)
(Yeah, I agree with him.)
(...) — Miyuna-chan was staring at me, but this time with a disbelieving expression.
"Fufu~ thanks. And how about you? Such a wonderful man must have already received a lot of confessions, right?"
"Haha, it's kind of embarrassing to say this, but yes."
"So do you already have a girlfriend?"
"Actually no, I don't have one."
"Hm? Even though you've been confessed to a lot of times?"
"Yeah... they just suddenly ask me to date. So it's kind of hard to decide."
"Hard to decide? So you're still thinking about accepting?"
"Oh... well... I'm kind of an indecisive guy to be honest. I'm really messed up, right?"
(Now he's showing his weakness. Is that what you call gap moe?) — Miyuna-chan whispered.
(Do girls like this type of man? Miyuna-chan, don't date this kind of man, you'll have a headache later.) — I said.
(What do you mean?)
"It seems they are wonderful girls, but in this case, can't you just accept all of them?"
"I would, but it's not that simple. Besides, there's another reason now."
"What is it?"
"It's you... from the moment I saw you, I couldn't stop thinking how beautiful you are."
"..."
(Way to go! Even Edomae-san is speechless.)
(...)
(Tomoki-nii?)
"Fufu~ You think so? I don't even know what to say."
"Sorry, I said it without thinking. But when I heard no man had confessed to you, know that at least there's one who cherishes you."
"I see... then can I ask you something?"
"Of course! What is it?"
"Please, give your answer to the girls who love you."
"I will, but I just need time to think about it."
"Do you still need time to think?"
"Yes?... I really do."
"From where I can see, you already have the answer."
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you say that I'm beautiful? And that you would cherish me?"
"Yes, I said that... and all the girls I know have their own charm. I don't want any of you to be sad."
"I see... I can see why they fall in love with you. Thanks for the compliment. But you don't need to worry about me, rather I hope you just give them a proper answer."
"Edomae-san? Did I say something weird? Just so you know, I really mean it that you're beautiful, not only in appearance, but I can see how kind and hardworking you are."
"..."
(Whoa! Now she's definitely all into him. She's all frozen now.)
(...)
"That's why I wish that you become aware of how incredible you are and that I want to get along with you from today onwards." — he said with confidence.
"Are you that serious about me?"
"Yes! There's no doubt."
"Okay, then would you grant me a wish? A selfish wish?"
"Of course!"
"Then forget about all the girls you know. If you want to cherish me, then please, do this for me."
"Edomae-san, is something wrong? I promise to make all of you happy."
"That's why I said that you already had the answer the moment you accepted to meet me. Either you date them, or you will see only me. You need to choose."
"Please Edomae-san, give me more time. I really want to know you better."
"Thank you for accepting the invitation made by my grandparents. I can see you're a gentleman, but this is the kind of woman I am. That's why I hope you understand."
"I see... it seems I wasn't enough to open your heart. I hope you don't regret it later."
(What a waste. He's handsome, kind, and can talk with girls without problem. Being one of his girlfriends wouldn't be that bad. Right, Tomoki-nii?)
"Rather than her, you would be regretting later."
(Tomoki-nii!? What are you doing!?)
"Tomoki-kun!?"