Rin and the end of summer vacation ①

--I feel embarrassed when people ask me how I really feel.

Isn't that something that we all have experienced?

To give you a simple example, a working person might get in a good mood at a drinking party and talk about his or her "life philosophy," only to regret it later.

It is often said that the momentum of alcohol and the atmosphere of the party make people talk too much.

The same thing happens to high school students like us.

It's called "storytelling", and it's a place for each of us to express our thoughts and talk.

Gathering in the classroom after school and talking about love instead of complaining is probably the most common thing to do.

It's something I've never been a part of, but I've at least witnessed it.

The awkwardness I felt when I walked into a classroom with a man and a woman who were talking about their love lives was unbelievable. ......

The eyes were really telling me, "Don't come in here."

But this "storytelling" has a drawback.

It's easy to get excited and talk about this and that, which makes it easy for secrets to leak out, such as "this is between us" or "I don't want you to tell anyone else".......

It is also easy to say the name of a girl you like and feel awkward about it.......

It's easy to get into a situation where you want to scream, "Why did I tell him that time!?"

That's why it's always better to hide your true feelings and the truth as much as possible.

Yes, it's better to hide .......

"Oh ......, why did I talk?"

I slumped down on my desk and threw the pen I was holding onto the desk.

--It's been a few days since the summer festival.

I wasn't feeling well at the time, and if I do say so myself, I think I was weak.

Or maybe I was naïve after hearing about the happy family and their stories.

However, it was a mistake for me to speak out in a moment of excitement....

"It's easy to imagine that if I told you even a little bit, it would make you feel even more uncomfortable......"

Rin is very perceptive.

It is so much so that I can already perceive you as an esper.

So even if I hadn't told her everything, she would have noticed the connection between the current state of the household and my story......

The evidence is ...... somewhat uncomfortable to deal with.

Normally, she was always rushing into anything and everything.

She had the kind of power that would forcefully twist my situation and state of mind around.

But for the past few days, ......it has been absent.

It's possible that it's just my imagination, but ...... it seems like she's somewhat concerned about the distance.

I honestly appreciate that she's looking out for me.......

But I don't want to bother Rin with it.

"I can't stop thinking about it. I'll just keep them fed......."

I sighed and looked at the growing number of housemates in my home.

Watching them move around so effortlessly, I couldn't help but smile.

"......It's is soothing, isn't it?"

Two goldfish I got at the summer festival.

Their names are Suzu and Honey.

This is the name Rin gave them, and until my parents come home, they will be in my care.

I take the food for the goldfish and start dropping it into the water.

The goldfish seemed to be wandering aimlessly until a moment ago, but as soon as they realized it was food, they went straight for it.

"It's not so bad to have a pet animal......"

It helps to distract me from my mood.

If you say it's an escape from reality, it's just that, but it's also a relief.

But I can't keep running away from reality forever.

Rin will come home from shopping sooner or later.

And then the house will be in an indescribable atmosphere again.

"My head hurts just thinking about it."

Just as I was about to say that, I heard the front door of the apartment open, and for some reason, she rushed over to me in a panic.

And even though she had gone shopping, she was ...... empty-handed.

"Towa-kun. Let's go to the beach now!!"

Rin shouted as soon as she came back.

I was stunned to see her more vigorous than usual, my mouth hanging open like an idiot.

Then I glanced at my watch.

"Um, ...... now?"

"Of course!"

Her eyes were staring straight at me, and I could feel her strong will not to back down.

I flinched and smiled bitterly at the sight.

Well, ...... pushing it, really.

But there was something that bothered me more than that right now.

Because—

"It's already evening.......?"

Yes, the sun is already starting to set.

It's too late ...... to go to the beach now, no matter what we think.

By the time we get there, it will be night.

"The evening is beautiful. It's a perfect day to go out."

"It's too much to ask. At least tomorrow, ...... or three days from now, ...... or even a week from now would be fine."

"...... That would mean school would start."

"I didn't know that."

"Oh! No! We're going."

Rin grabbed my hand and forcefully pulled me towards the door.

When she succeeded in getting me out, she sniffed and smiled at me with an expression of pride.

"You're as pushy as ever."

"Fufu. That's who I am."

Pushy is not always a compliment, but ...... now that pushy is helpful.

I felt my expression naturally relax.

Rin saw this and smiled at me.

Her dazzling smile is accentuated by the setting sun.

It's so attractive that I can't help but stare at it.

Nowadays, this kind of thing would be called " Emotional ", I guess.

That's what I thought to myself.