Weekend, a Girl, and a Massage.

When they arrived at Jiyugaoka, Yagi Miyou waved goodbye to the boy and skipped off toward the bookstore. Glancing down at the Dr Pepper in his hand, Tsukimi Jinguuji felt a bit conflicted—it was the first time a younger girl had ever treated him. Although, truthfully, it was his own money she’d spent.

“Tsuki.”

A familiar voice called from behind. Tsukimi Jinguuji turned to see his childhood friend leaning against the wall, as if she had been waiting for quite some time. He walked over to her, and Sakura Sazakura tilted her head, peering in the direction Yagi Miyou had gone.

“That girl…”

“Yagi—you know her, right?”

Sakura Sazakura nodded. “She lives nearby too?”

“She probably works at the bookstore.”

“Hm… how diligent.”

“Well, she’s Miss Nagumo’s niece. You know how it is—family is always easier to put to work.”

“I see.” His childhood friend nodded, accepting his explanation.

“But more importantly, did you see my performance today?”

The moment the topic shifted to the sports festival, Sakura Sazakura’s eyes lit up. She made a sweet, expectant face, obviously waiting for praise.

“Yeah, you were amazing.”

“Eh? That’s it?”

“What else do you want?”

“Where’s my reward kiss?”

“There’s no such thing.” Tsukimi Jinguuji cut her off immediately.

“Aw…”

…

…

When he got home, Tsukimi Jinguuji first went to the other room to offer incense, then fed the cat, and only after all that did he go upstairs to his own room. He pulled out a book from under his pillow and leaned against the wall to read in silence. The pages settled on Naoko’s monologue. He glanced at the windowsill he despised, snapped the book shut, tossed it aside, and closed his eyes to sleep.

Later, his mother returned home, came upstairs, and woke him for dinner. After the meal, they video called his father, who was far away in Europe. It was already deep into the night over there. His mother launched into a string of reminders—once she started lecturing, there was no end in sight—so Tsukimi Jinguuji could only sit quietly on the sofa, endlessly fiddling with Kokoro’s plump little body.

Around nine in the evening, Tsukimi Jinguuji took his shower. Since he had a shift the next morning, he headed to bed early.

Back in his room, he turned off the lights, and as soon as he closed his eyes, his mind was flooded by the day’s events. Perhaps, during one of those moments, a switch inside him had been flipped. What kind of effect this would have on his future life was still unknown to him. All he could do was face each day with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation, treading carefully into whatever tomorrow might bring.

With such thoughts fading, his breathing gradually slowed. The quiet glow of night outside his window was eventually replaced by the first blush of dawn.

…

September 26, Saturday.

Tsukimi Jinguuji spent a peaceful, leisurely day at the bookstore. Until his shift ended at three in the afternoon, only a handful of customers came in, and nothing disturbed his tranquility. It was, by far, the most enjoyable weekend he’d had all month.

But this peace didn’t last long. Not long after he got home, he received a message from his childhood friend.

Sighing, he left the house again, made a trip to the convenience store, and then rang the doorbell at the Sakura residence.

When he saw Sakura Sazakura looking like a piece of jelly that had been run over by a truck, Tsukimi Jinguuji was completely taken aback.

The moment the door opened, Sakura Sazakura tumbled forward with a miserable face, falling straight into his arms.

No, to call it “falling” was more accurate than “jumping”—she simply collapsed.

“What happened to you?” Tsukimi Jinguuji couldn’t help but ask.

Sakura Sazakura whimpered, forcing out a pitiful, almost tearful voice. “My muscles hurt so much—I’m dying here.”

…

Well, Tsukimi Jinguuji accepted that answer. Remembering how hard she’d pushed herself at the sports festival yesterday, this outcome was hardly unexpected.

“Can you walk?”

“I’m not bragging, but the fact that I even crawled to the entrance to open the door for you took everything I had,” Sakura Sazakura said with a proud look.

“Alright then.”

He took off his shoes. With a surprised squeal from his childhood friend, Tsukimi Jinguuji hoisted the girl up onto his shoulder and headed for the living room.

“Wait—Tsuki!”

He flung open the living room door, still carrying Sakura Sazakura. But there, seated comfortably on the sofa with a cup of tea in hand, was his own mother, staring at them in shock.

Meanwhile, Sakura Sazakura’s mother stood frozen in the open kitchen, equally stunned.

Wait, what…?

Tsukimi Jinguuji’s mind went blank.

“Put me down! Tsuki—ow…!”

With her stomach pressed on his shoulder, Sakura Sazakura squirmed and managed to slide off, her socked feet thudding against the wooden floor. Tsukimi Jinguuji still seemed a bit dazed.

Blushing furiously and unable to meet their eyes, Sakura Sazakura hurriedly said, “Um, Mom, Aunt Yuko, I’m taking Tsuki upstairs!”

With that, aching all over, she pushed Tsukimi Jinguuji up to her bedroom, leaving the two mothers to share a look before bursting into laughter.

In her room, Tsukimi Jinguuji set down the comfort items he’d bought at the convenience store on the coffee table. His childhood friend immediately pounced on him from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Do you realize what you just did? That was so embarrassing!”

“You never mentioned that your mom and mine would both be here.”

“Well, you didn’t have to be so rough! I never told you to carry me like that!”

“Fine, fine, it’s my fault, alright?”

She ruffled his hair playfully before hopping off his back—with a little cry of pain.

“What now?”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him. “My thighs… I can’t move them. It hurts so much…”

With a sigh, Tsukimi Jinguuji scooped her up and laid her gently on the bed.

Sakura Sazakura lay there, blinking her bright amber eyes. She tried to lift her arm, but it flopped back down to the mattress with a groan.

“What’s wrong? Do you need something?” he asked.

“I wanted to fix your hair. It’s a mess, it looks awful.”

“And whose fault is that?”

Sakura Sazakura wrinkled her nose and gave a little huff.

Sitting on the floor, Tsukimi Jinguuji took out the items she’d asked for and said, “Do you want the jelly now?”

“Just leave it there. I’m not in the mood to eat. Even chewing feels like it would make me ache all over.”

“That’s what you get for showing off yesterday.”

Sakura Sazakura struggled to roll over. Her hoodie rode up, exposing a slender, pale waist. Tsukimi Jinguuji looked away and quietly pulled her shirt back down.

“Hey, Tsuki, give me a massage.”

“Huh?”

She lifted her legs and patted the bed. “My legs are killing me.”

“Then stop moving around so much.”

“It’s a sympathy ploy.”

He gave her thigh a firm pat, prompting a shriek.

“Are you trying to kill me?!”

“Just keep quiet and behave.”

He sat on the bed, poked her calf—it was a little stiff—and began to gently knead and massage the muscles.

“Yes, right there… ah, it hurts… mmm, that’s good…”

“Don’t make weird noises.”

“Hehe… you’re actually embarrassed! Tsuki, you’re so cute.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

With a grin, Sakura Sazakura rested her chin on the pillow, letting him work on her sore legs.

Meanwhile, she scrolled through her phone, deleting the photo from the class group in which the student council president and Tsukimi Jinguuji had crossed the finish line together.

(End of chapter)