53 - A Hot Summer on the Horizon (Patreon)

RAW

By mid-June, the season had already turned perfect for wearing summer clothes.

It truly felt like the arrival of early summer.

"It's hot."

"Yeah. But… if you think so, could you move away a little?"

"Don't mind me."

"What do you mean? It's hot."

"Don't mind me."

"…It's hot."

"…Don't mind me."

The best spot for lunch, which had been incredibly comfortable in early spring, had now become a place where just sitting made one sweat—unsurprising since it was outdoors.

And yet, the real reason I felt even hotter was undoubtedly the lack of physical distance between me and Mikami.

Recently, Mikami’s favorite way to sit was to lean her body against me as if I were a backrest. Not only did she increase the contact surface by putting her weight on me, but she also demanded that I wrap my arms around her in an embrace.

Sitting this close, it was no wonder we both felt hot. I couldn't blame everything on the scorching sun overhead.

Yet, Mikami merely glared at the sun with a resentful hand raised toward it, refusing to acknowledge her own actions.

At least 80% of this heat was caused by our situation. She needed to realize that and move away. No matter how used to this I had become, eating lunch while holding a girl still made me nervous and flustered. Plus, doing this so openly on campus meant there was always a risk of getting caught, making my heart race in more ways than one.

It was too hot. Way too hot.

It's only June, and it's already this hot. By the time summer is in full swing, I might just melt.

Or rather, Mikami might be the one to melt me.

"Kirishima, it's hot."

"That's because you're clinging to me."

"Do you happen to have a cooling function installed?"

"…Unfortunately, no such feature exists."

"That's truly unfortunate."

Unfortunate or not, I had no plans to stop being human. She should abandon all hopes of me functioning as an air conditioner.

Just moving away, putting some physical distance between us—that alone would help. Instead of coming up with ridiculous ideas, she could try implementing an immediately effective solution.

Well, not that I expected Mikami to step back of her own accord. And honestly, I didn’t really want to push her away myself either.

In other words… I had no choice but to endure this heat from now on.

"By the way… swimming classes start in late June, right?"

"Yeah, we got the announcement."

"To prepare for it, I suppose."

Our high school included swimming in PE. The announcement was probably to remind us to prepare in advance.

We had to get our own swimsuits, caps, and goggles, though the school store had some for purchase in case of emergency. However, since the available options there were limited, most students preferred to buy their own.

"Kirishima, have you already gotten your swimsuit?"

"No, not yet."

"Me neither. Let's go buy them together this weekend."

"Uh, no thanks."

"Thank you. I'm looking forward to it."

Hey, don't just interpret my refusal as agreement. And stop casually adding "Shopping with Kirishima" to your phone's calendar… Sigh, whatever. Not like it matters.

I was planning to buy one this weekend anyway, so it's not a huge inconvenience.

Or maybe… it is.

"Is there even a point in going together?"

"Of course. I want you to pick out my swimsuit. Please choose something cute."

"…No way."

"I'm planning a trip to the beach with you during summer break, so I'll also have you help me pick out some swimsuits for that."

"…I’m going to die. Die of embarrassment."

"I'll be your dress-up doll. You can pick out different swimsuits, and I'll try them on so you can tell me which ones you like best."

Not only had our summer plans already been decided without my input, but now I was also doomed to go swimsuit shopping with Mikami.

What kind of embarrassment event is this?

Being dragged into the women's swimsuit section is an instant death sentence for a guy. The stares alone would be fatal.

"If we go into the fitting room together, you won’t have to worry about anyone staring."

"That’s… not the issue here?"

"It’s completely fine. I don’t mind."

"No, you should definitely mind."

"Don't mind me."

Mikami, that’s not how this works.

Fitting rooms exist for trying on clothes, not for dragging me inside.

Instead of worrying about stares, I’d have to deal with a whole new level of risk.

Seriously, swimsuit shopping with Mikami might actually be life-threatening.

"But still… It's a shame we're in different classes. We can't take swimming class together."

"Why would that be a problem?"

"…Because you won’t get to see me in my swimsuit."

Why does she say these things so shamelessly? This girl, seriously…

"It can't be helped. Since I can't show you during class, I'll just have to show you at your house instead."

"Stop that."

"I refuse."

There was a determined will behind those words.

Well… she never listens anyway, so she might as well do what she wants.

Mikami in a swimsuit… If I get to see that, it’s probably a blessing.

Though I have a bad feeling about all this… on the whole, it might actually be a good deal.

Hang in there, my rationality.

"Once finals are over, summer break is right around the corner."

"Just a little more, and the first semester will be over. Time really flies."

"Let's finish our summer homework quickly… and have tons of fun together!"

"…Go easy on me, please."

"I make no promises!"

"You won’t, huh?"

Even in our regular school life, Mikami already had me wrapped around her finger. Once summer break—one of the biggest events for students—arrived, who knew how much I’d be dragged around?

"Kirishima, isn’t it exciting? I can’t wait for summer!"

"…Yeah, I guess so."

Mikami turned to me with a beaming smile, one that shone as brightly as the midsummer sun.

As that dazzling smile almost burned itself into my vision, I looked up at the sky, squinting against the summer sunlight.

(It's so damn hot…!)

This summer was bound to be scorching—both in temperature and in intensity.