Was I harsh on Akisu? Maybe I was. Considering I was the only person who knew him so well in the classroom the situation looked crueller. However, I had a reason to behave like that just now.
In these past few days, I thought we had built enough connection that he would have some confidence in him. The way he complimented me, even while remaining shy, was a great change in him.
However, today, when he said all those mean words to himself, I felt bad. And annoyed too.
That's why, I just got up and...left. Maybe I made the wrong decision, and I might be the one who would contact him first, but for now, it was better for him to contemplate his mistake.
Every casual relationship I form all one side, those whom I actually like, I don't want to do anything half-assed with them. And just pursuing Akisu from my end, only to let his self-esteem remain at the bottom, wouldn't be a good thing. I want him to grow more confident and hold my hand boldly without fearing to declare me as his lover.
That's the man I want to make him.
Hearing the buzzing sound from the phone, from my primary one, I frowned before taking it out.
[Minoru-senpai, are you sleeping?]
Sitting down on the bed I replied, "No. What's up?"
The response took a bit of time, maybe she didn't expect me to respond so quickly. But before I could have minimised the app and looked at my IG, she texted again,
[Can I call you? I am not good with phone keyboards.]
Well, I can guess that with your typing speed—I muttered to myself before tapping on the call icon.
Fortunately, she didn't take time to pick up the call,
"Moshi-moshi, Minami-chan?"
[G-Good evening, Minoru-shenpai.]
It seems she bit her tongue while calling my name, urging me to ask, "Why are you so unnaturally nervous?"
[Ah, I...this is the first time I am talking to M-Minoru-senpai...so I am quite nervous.]
Okay, understandable.
"So? What did you want to tell me?" I asked as I lay down on the bed. It felt comfortable.
[Um...I was wondering if you are free tomorrow. I want your help with something.]
Without thinking much, I responded, "Ah, I am going on a trip with my family tomorrow, and will return the day after tomorrow. Sorry."
Was she about to ask me for a date or something?
I didn't know what was going through her mind these days, but based on her behaviour back then in the shopping mall, when she spotted me with Shiori-nee, I had a feeling that Minami-chan had started to like me romantically.
Why? I don't know. I still couldn't discern how a girl could fall for someone whom she had met only a couple of times. Is she the type to fall for someone's looks? Nah, she is a pure girl.
She asked, to which I responded with a smile lifting the edges of my lips, "Yup! We all are going."
[Oh, and your destination? Are you going to a hill station?]
Considering the heat of July, she guessed it right. But our family is a bit unorthodox, so we chose the onsen for our summer vacation trip.
"Ah, no. We are going to Hakone. Dad and Mom love onsen so yeah."
[Is that so, then you must be leaving early to avoid traffic, no?]
She curiously asked, to which I casually responded, "Yeah, around six in the morning."
[Hmm~around this time, many tourists visit Hakone. Have you already booked a hotel or are you going to look for one after reaching there?]
I flipped to lay on my stomach, and excitedly told her, "Ahah~You underestimate your senior, Minami-chan! I already advised my father to book a hotel and guess what? He got a discount coupon for rooms in a resort. Kowakien, no less."
[The Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu?!]
She exclaimed, making my smile grow wider as I said, "Yup, yup! Isn't my father the best?"
[Amazing, Senpai. You are all ready for the trip, huh? I envy you.]
I chuckled, "Don't worry, Minami-chan. Your family is wealthy, and they dote on you enough to take you to various places if you just ask them. Especially your grandfather."
The Principal of the school surely was a rich man, given he belongs to an ancient family, and Minami's mother was a succubus who surely had her ways of earning money.
[Those places wouldn't be fun...without you.]
"Huh?" I couldn't pretend not to listen to the last part, given my strong senses. I clearly heard her mentioning me just now.
[Don't worry about me, and have an enjoyable trip, Senpai. Good night~]
With those words, she disconnected the call, leaving me completely puzzled.
I stared at the mobile screen, which showed the call duration while thinking about the short, green-haired girl.
She...is quite strange. Not only did she grow attached to me in no time, but she was also the only person whose thoughts I could not read.
Not to talk about, she is the daughter of a succubus.
'What are you exactly, Minami?' With such thoughts, I turned off the lights and fell into slumber.
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The next morning, I woke up before the sun. Well, even if I hadn't slept, it wouldn't have caused me anything, but I decided to remain human as long as I could.
Stretching my limbs, and after freshening up, I went downstairs. Instantly, the flavorful fragrance of dishes assaulted my senses and I was dragged into the kitchen by that fragrance.
Mom was cooking in the kitchen, naturally, and when I looked at the tempura and karage, I exclaimed,
"Fried food?! How?" Mom is extremely health conscious, so seeing her making deep fried food was enough to exhaust my sleepiness in an instant.
Mom chuckled before picking one karage and bringing it near my lips as she said, "It's our long-awaited vacation. I didn't want to make it boring by packing oats pancakes." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel{f}ire.net
I bit the chicken and responded to her while chewing, "You are the best, Mom."
She giggled and continued cooking. Soon Shiori and Dad also woke and started preparing to leave.
Seeing them moving around, Mom cooking and packing the lunch for the trip, and those trolley bags gathered in the living room, I sighed in happiness.
This is the bliss of having a family.
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A/N:- It's been six years since I went on a trip...kinda felt emotional while writing this T~T