"What Were You Doing This Time Last Year?" (after the main story)

"Towa-kun, what did you do last GW?"

(TLN: GW- Golden Week)

The day before GW.

Rin, who was at my house as usual, asked me that.

I stopped studying and thought back to myself a year ago.

If I were a student enjoying my school life, I might have many events to remember.

I heard that happy events happen that make you smile...

But in my case,

“I used to smile at my part-time job. I had a part-time job for a short time, and it was a good way to make some money."

"... Come to think of it, that's the kind of life you were leading, wasn't it?"

“GW's G was the gold G for me. Thinking back on it now, I'm amazed I got that many bites."

I cowered my shoulders and Rin smiled bitterly and sat down next to me.

I think she is trying to comfort me.

She pats my head gently.

... I feel like I'm being treated like a child?

I'm strangely embarrassed...\

"Okay, please cheer up."

"I'm ticklish..."

"Fufu. I'm not going to stop if you don't mind! I'll work hard for Towa-kun, who had a tough time. You did a great job!"

"I was working hard, or ... that time was before I met Rin, and I was just trying to make some money and escape reality."

"Towa-kun..."

“That time was rough on my home, and the more I worked, the more I could forget about the things I didn't like... Well,... it's different now."

'Well, now you have me!"

"... Well."

When I said that in a brusque manner, Rin was nipping at me like a cat.

She leaned on my shoulder and made a sloppy "Ehehe~" sound.

The expression on her face was so cute that I couldn't help but smile.

“I wonder, what did Rin do during that GW?"

"Me?"

"Yeah. I had never heard of it, so I was curious. Did you study as usual or hang out with Fuji-san?"

"Well, ... it might not be a very pleasant story."

"Yes?"

I tilted my head at Rin's blunt attitude.

It's rare to see Rin behave this way.

Usually, "Ask me anything!" is the attitude.

If it's something that's hard to say, is it something she failed to do or something?

It's hard to imagine Rin failing or anything like that, but...

Well, if there is such a thing, maybe she was trying too hard.

But I don't know if she was trying too hard at GW.

As I was thinking about this, Rin sighed and began to talk reluctantly.

"Towa-kun, what do you think is the first long vacation of the first year?"

“What do you mean, the feeling of freedom from the stresses of school life?"

"No, not that! It's about socializing."

"Hmm? Maybe it's someone you met?? You know, asking for contact information wherever you go."

"It's a bit thorny to say, but ... it's pretty much like that..."

"Ah, I see. Then maybe Rin is like ... who was confessed all over the place and replied ritually?"

"Haha..., that's what it would be like."

I'm sure everyone would want to worship Rin at least once when they first saw her upon admission.

I'm sure there were more than a few people who thought... if they were so inclined.

I know a few of my classmates went to see Rin, too.

“Didn't you have the option of going through with it?"

"Because it takes more than a little courage to express your feelings. I was being sincere in what I said. I refused to exchange contact information, but the first month was really tough. There were times when people would contact me out of the blue via other girls..."

"It's hard when you're popular..."

"Ahaha... so I can't say I enjoyed GW last year."

It would have been a situation where one would have been tempted to ignore it, but Rin is so serious that she couldn't do it.

When I think about it, it must have been a different situation than mine, and it must have been very difficult.

There are probably people who are persistent, and if you have to deal with them, you might not be able to enjoy your vacation.

It would be hard to say no, and you would get tired of the phrasing.

If that kept happening, the memories of GW would be nothing but bittersweet...

All right. Then...

"Then, do you want to go somewhere for GW?"

Rin's face lights up at my suggestion.

And then, she pulled her face close to mine.

"Is that ok!?!?"

"Oh, yeah. I'll call the manager and reduce the number of part-time shifts."

"I'm so happy~ Yay~! Then, Towa-kun. Where would you like to travel to?"

"Yeah...? Is the trip confirmed? I think all places are expensive at this time of the year..."

“Leave it to me! I'll take care of that! Just get on the big ship and get ready to go."

How can you...

Well, her eyes are shining and she's confident, and I'm sure she has some kind of contacts.

I feel like I'd be in a lot of trouble if I left it to her, but I'd like to ... keep my reason in check.

Well, it looks like it will be fun, so I guess it's okay.

"It's GW, so let's have fun! I'm looking forward to a lovey-dovey date~"

Rin puts together travel magazines with an excited look on her face.

She is as innocent as a child,

Why does she have these with her!?

The question quickly vanished from my mind.