“Takanashi-san, do you have any club that you’re interested in?”

“Hmm… to be honest, I haven’t really found something that I would like to do.”

“Aren’t there any club activities that match your interests?”

“Hm… if I find something that catches my interest, I might join a club by then.”

We walked while talking about nothing in particular.

*Raining*

Amidst the sound of rain as it struck our umbrellas, we both ended up in silence.

This kind of atmosphere is rare for us.

It’s not that things feel awkward, but… it seems Senpai is thinking about something…

I continue to walk with Senpai in silence.

And by the way, the other half of my body is already soaking wet.

It’s a bit chillier than I thought… I’ll have to change my clothes as soon as I get home.

“Takanashi-san… am I being overzealous?”

“Eh?”

Suddenly, Senpai asked me in a serious tone.

Overzealous…?

“What’s with the sudden question?”

“It’s just that… lately I feel like I’ve been behaving in a way that I never have before… like now, I feel like I was a little too forceful…”

I believe that she just really cares about me.

“And lately, when I read books, watched dramas, and such things, it occurred to me. What I’ve been doing for Takanashi-san, including lunch boxes, may be too much for someone who is only a friend… Rather…”

Ah… that’s…

Certainly, if you think of a friendship between a boy and a girl, usually, not many would go that far for friendship.

But I have no problem with it as long as it’s something Senpai wants to do, and I think it’s fine for us to take our own standpoints regardless of what others think.

“I’m happy as long as you’re happy, Takanashi-san. I put priority on that and acted without thinking whether it was normal or not. And as a result, I’m afraid I’ve become too pushy… as if I’m imposing on you…”

“Sara-senpai, I have never once thought or felt that I was being imposed upon or that you were being excessive.”

“……”

“Indeed, if you consider it in terms of friendships in general, it may be a little different. But I don’t think we need to worry about what the world thinks. Our standpoint is like this, and if we don’t think that it’s excessive, then there’s no problem at all. I have never had any trouble with anything Sara-senpai has done for me so far. I was happy with everything. So, just continue to do what you want, Sara-senpai.”

“… Are you really okay with that? To be honest, I feel like I want to do something more for Takanashi-san. And so, I’m sure I’ll continue to do things that Takanashi-san doesn’t even ask me to do. I may even prioritize my own pleasure and joy first.”

“It’s all right. You don’t have to worry about what is normal. It’s our own business, and we don’t need to be mindful of others.”

“Yes… Thank you. If that’s the case, I’ll continue to do things as I see fit.”

Then Senpai gave me her usual smile.

“Fufu… I feel relieved. I don’t want to cause you any trouble, Takanashi-san.”

To be excessive in comparison to what is normal for the rest of the world is something you can easily notice if you have the slightest inkling.

However, we are fine with how we are, and I am fine with what Senior wants.

——————————————

We arrived at… in front of my apartment.

I closed the umbrella when we got under the roof.

Senpai is… well, not completely soaked, but it looks like she got a bit wet.

“Thank you very much. I’m sorry you had to take me home…”

“No, it’s fine. Then, I’m going home, so Takanashi-san should…”

Senpai noticed the drenched half of my body… and then looked at her own half body… and then looked at me again… hii!

“Takanashi-san… what is the meaning of this? I’m not that soaked, but you clearly are, Takanashi-san. It’s like you sacrificed yourself…”

“Sara-senpai doesn’t want me to get wet, right? Me too, I don’t want Sara-senpai to get wet. Much less, since I’m the one who forgot my umbrella. It is natural for me to give priority to Sara-senpai, and if you were in this position, you would do the same thing, right?”

I bursted out the words to her all at once, as if I was trying to convince her.

Did it work…?

“… Since you have said that much, then I won’t say anything more… Certainly, if I were in the same position, I would have done the same thing…”

Sigh~… I managed to convince her.

“Please quickly bathe or change your clothes to stay warm. You should put on thick clothes that will warm you up, okay?”

“Yes. Thank you very much, Sara-senpai. Have a safe trip home.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Then Senpai left.

I had an unexpectedly serious conversation with her.

Perhaps the unusual atmosphere made me… spout those cheesy lines.

It’s cold, let’s change quickly…