Ordinary I and Extraordinary Them

hink I will catch sight of one in the first place.
I did it just in case.

 

I would often think if summers in cities were hotter.

If you considered only the ease of living here compared to the cities in summer, it could be said that I have been born in a better place.

However, due to the population being low and there being no major attractions, the number of events held here were the bare minimum.

Only the fireworks display in the summer vacation attracted large crowds.

Advertisements about that event could already be seen to have been posted on the telegraph poles throughout the residential area.

Rather, that was all I could see.

 

“Fireworks huh……it’s the summer holidays soon after all.”

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I muttered while looking at the date and time of the event written in the advertisement.

Although I said ‘soon’, it was still a month away.

However, put the other way, it wasn’t even a month away.

As I walked while reaffirming the passage of more than half a year, I arrived at the intersection where I was meeting up with Kirasaka.

 

On weekdays, this place would enjoy quite the pedestrian traffic due to the school and office commuters, but today on this holiday, not many figures could be spotted.

It was a rather simple task to spot the conspicuous woman.
After all, the people in the vicinity were all looking over at her direction.

I could understand with only a glance.

She alone had a different air about her.

When I closed in on her, she noticed and walked up to me.

“Good morning Minato-kun.
It shows a good attitude to show up ahead of time.”

“How long have you been here?……Err, well, good morning.”

So embarrassing.

Even though it was a simple greeting, I ended up slurring over my words.

I didn’t think it would be this embarrassing to engage in unfamiliar conversation with someone of the opposite sex.

I looked away from her and performed a tactical reset of the mind.
I collected myself and, once more, turned to look at her.

She wore jeans and a red sweater of a somewhat darker shade.
She might have had noticed my gaze on her since she checked her dress before cocking her head.

“Is there anything strange?”

“No, how should I say this? It’s surprisingly ordinary.”

I, who was clad in jeans and a jacket, had no right to say so, but her apparel today being ordinary for her standards, was my honest impression.

“Since it’s you, it’s pointless to be in flashy wear.”

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“……”

I am sorry that you have to go out with me.

So, like what? You saying you would have put more thoughts into your clothes if your partner were somebody else?

Even if that were presumed to be the case, it would beg the question of what would be considered dressing nicely for the occasion and what would the effects be if one did not adhere to them.

In the worst-case scenario, the other party might feel offended and turn around to leave.

As if having perceived my thoughts, Kirasaka flashed a smile and proceeded to append further explanation.

“Clothes are merely a decoration.
When you are at my level, you don’t need to put in extra effort.”

“How overconfident is this woman?……It doesn’t sound like a line the person who came to my house on a holiday all dressed up would say.”

“That was for fun.
Rather than that, shall we get going? Time is limited you know.”

This young lady’s ‘fun’ was a luxurious affair.

I had this insatiable curiosity about the price of the dress, but when I got to know, I got a reality check.
The discrepancy between our economic backgrounds was huge.

Kirasaka walked up next to me and linked her arm with mine most naturally.
I shook her off with familiar movements.

The effect of having an outstanding sister was that I possessed refined evasive skills that put me in a different league from the real lifers around here.

We were too close, and the weather wasn’t as cool.
Above all, the stares hurt.

Shinra Minato wasn’t one who forgave such a thing.

I put some distance between us.
Kirasaka gave me a discontented look.

“Well, where are we going first for the date?…..I will have you know beforehand that my purse won’t allow for anything extravagant.”

I continued.

“What do you think a date is huh?…….Oh well, whatever, today I am going to experience the Shinra Minato course, so relax.”

What course is that?

Didn’t you just rile me up even more now?

While humming to herself, Kirasaka started walking, her steps light and exultation apparent.
Her words and actions didn’t bode well with me, and a chill ran down my spine.