Chapter 61: A Man's Paradise
"Restaurant owners sure know how to treat their guests generously."
Nao gave a small, pleased smile. "It's because Kouichi-kun's music was just too moving. Even as a regular here, I've never once gotten a discount. I seriously thought the owner had a heart of stone."
"Haha, let's head to the school now. If it's not too far, how about we walk? Good for digesting after a meal."
"Sure thing, Kouichi."
Nao happily took Takumi's hand, then suddenly remembered something and turned back toward the two girls who had followed them out.
"Kuranaka, Maeda, are you two heading to school as well? Want to walk together?"
"Mm-hm. I'd love to, but the sun's way too brutal right now. I'm taking the bus. What about you, Ran-chan?"
"Me? Ran hates the heat too… bus it is. Nao-senpai, Kouichi-senpai, see you at school!"
Ran clutched the sheet music for Takumi's newly written 'Kaze o Matta Hi' tightly against her chest. For someone who loved music, receiving one deeply moving piece after another in just two days felt like an incredible stroke of luck.
"In that case… ja ne."
Takumi gave the girls a light nod and started walking forward slowly. Only after the two of them were out of sight did the girls head toward the bus stop.
Sana sighed enviously. "Nao-senpai and Kouichi look so lovey-dovey together."
"Mm… Ran's super jealous."
"Hehe, jealous of what? That Nao-senpai has a boyfriend? Ran-chan, I actually know your secret. You're the type who looks totally average without makeup, but once you put it on—bam, absolute beauty. If I hadn't accidentally caught you getting ready in the drama club room during photography club stuff, I'd never have realized one of my best friends is secretly a total stunner."
"No way… Airi-chan and Akizuki Marina-senpai are the real beauties. And Nao-senpai too. Even you, Sana-chan—Ran can't compare."
"Ran-chan, you're way too modest! Trust the discerning eye of this girl possessed by the soul of photography! How about we swing by 'Makeup Point' right now for a light touch-up? Then we can shock Kouichi at school."
"No thanks. It's so hot—makeup would just melt off from sweat anyway. And why would we want to surprise Kouichi-senpai? Ran remembers what Okaa-san said: men prefer women who don't wear makeup."
"You're seriously lacking confidence here, young lady. So… what do you think of Kouichi?"
"Even though we've only met twice, he seems like a really gentle guy. And super talented. His songs and melodies are simple, but they hit you right in the heart. Most importantly, there's this magic in his music—it sinks deep into you. Plus… he looks really strong and fit."
"Wow, you're observing him pretty closely, huh? How does he stack up against the boys in our class?"
"The boys in class? …He stands out like a crane among chickens, I guess. Ran thinks that's the right saying."
"So you do have a little crush on him?"
"Mm… Ran—ahh, Sana-chan, yameru desu!"
Ran reacted lightning-fast. Her face instantly flushed crimson. She stomped her foot and whipped her head away, desperately avoiding Sana's gaze in case she saw how thoroughly red she'd turned.
"Hehe. Airi-chan and I are besties, so she's my prime observation subject. I already noticed something yesterday during your little argument with her. And now I finally get it—she's probably got feelings for Kouichi too. Ran-chan, your rivals aren't just Nao-senpai, you know. Since you're both my precious friends, I'll play mediator and help both sides, okay?"
"You're teasing again… Ran's actually getting mad now."
Just then the bus arrived. Ran bolted on board. Sana hurried after her and plopped down beside her.
"Ran-chan, I was only kidding! Don't be mad."
"Hmph."
"You're really mad?"
"Of course."
"Why though?"
"You already know Kouichi-senpai is Nao-senpai's boyfriend. Saying stuff like that… isn't it being unfair to Nao-senpai?"
"You're overthinking it. Someone like Kouichi has this… magnetic pull. Wherever he goes, girls' eyes just naturally follow him. It's not weird at all to feel a little something after meeting him once or twice. It's the same as how practically every guy in school has at least some feelings for the Akizuki sisters or Nao-senpai. That's just how it is—attractive people draw the opposite sex. Guys and girls alike."
"…Does Sana-chan have feelings for Kouichi too?"
"Well, I won't deny it. After Airi-chan, he's the first person I actually feel like photographing and observing closely. He's so mysterious—it makes me really curious. But it hasn't turned into proper 'like' yet. I'll wait until we've spent more time together. If he really turns out to be the kind of guy you can't tear yourself away from… then yeah, I'll go for it too."
Sana's words left Ran feeling dazed and confused. Her emotions swirled chaotically. To distract herself, she focused on the simple sheet music for 'Kaze o Matta Hi' and started memorizing it.
Then Sana spoke up again. "This pure instrumental piece Kouichi wrote really lives up to its name. You have to wait for the wind to come before you can truly feel how wonderful and comforting it is. When you listen, it's like you're soaring through the breeze or drifting across the ocean. Ran-chan, play it once for me?"
Ran nodded, pulled out her harmonica, and began to play.
Sana immediately switched on her handheld camcorder and started recording.
After finishing one playthrough, Ran said somewhat dejectedly, "The piece is so simple… but when I play it, it feels like all the magic is gone. Just like yesterday with 'Chiisana Tenohira'."
"Don't feel down, Ran-chan. You sounded great! Sure, something's missing, but… you actually took a pretty bold step forward, you know?"
"Hm? Sana-chan, Ran doesn't get what you mean."
"Hehe. You forgot—this harmonica was used by Kouichi back at the family restaurant. His breath is still on it, right? Every time you blow and draw… you're breathing in his breath. Doesn't that count as a real indirect kiss?"
Ran froze.
Then her face exploded into scarlet—blood rushing up so fast it looked like someone had dumped chili sauce over her head. Even her pale neck flushed a vivid rose. Sana swore she could see steam rising from the poor girl's ears.
She hurriedly zoomed the camera in to capture every second of the ultimate maidenly embarrassment.
Yawn…
Takumi let out a big yawn. For some reason, ever since a little while ago it felt like someone was talking about him behind his back. Was he just being paranoid?
The school wasn't far from the family restaurant if you took the back roads—just a little over three stops. About fifteen minutes later, the two of them arrived at the school gates.
From a distance, Takumi peered through the iron fence. The campus was huge. Maple trees of all different varieties lined both sides of the paths. He could already imagine how breathtaking it would look in autumn—thousands of crimson and gold leaves everywhere. It wouldn't lose at all to the famous cherry-blossom slope in 'Clannad' during spring.
"Such a beautiful school."
"Right? It gets even prettier in autumn. We can take commemorative photos under the maple trees then."
"No security guards or anything?"
After walking straight in through the gate, Takumi couldn't help asking.
Nao explained, "There's a police substation on campus. During summer break, everything except the main school buildings is open to the public, so they don't bother with gatekeepers."
"I see."
'One-two, one-two, one-two… Strive for first place! Unite as one! Create brilliant results! Strengthen body and mind! Aspire to greatness…'
On the sports field, Takumi spotted a group doing running drills—clearly the track-and-field club. Boys and girls alike, all wearing gym shorts and white short-sleeve shirts, drenched in sweat. Plenty of 2D-tier beauties among them. Even though most were background characters, the girls' track team had quite a few eye-catchers. Takumi couldn't resist stealing a few extra glances.
Following Nao across the field and past several buildings, they reached a tennis court enclosed by green chain-link fencing. Inside, several girls dressed in tennis uniforms like Nao's were practicing—some warming up, others doing rally drills.
Takumi's eyes practically glazed over.
Compared to the track girls, the girls' tennis club was on another level. Zero uggos. Zero average. Every single one was legitimately pretty and refined.
"The girls' tennis club… this really is a man's paradise. I've decided. The moment I enroll in the school, I'm joining this club."
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