Episode 7 - A Beautiful Girl Wants to Be Covered in My Smell

“Yuzu, long time no see.”

"Hiccup… long time no see."

　May 5, 10:30, Hachiko.

　Confused by the overly large Hachiko statue, I was about to look up the definition of Hachiko when I heard Ayaka's voice. I turned around and saw Ayaka in plain clothes.

　I was a little startled and choked up.

　It's not because I suddenly heard Ayaka's voice. It was because Ayaka-san was too glaring.

　The pure white one-piece dress, the slightly high-soled sandals worn that showed her bare feet, the pouch on her shoulder, and above all... the straw hat with a little red ribbon.

　Naturally, Ayaka stood out. All eyes around her were focused on Ayaka alone.

"Does this look good on me?"

　Ayaka-san lifted the brim of her straw hat a bit and looked up at me with a scrutinizing glare. Her eyes were shaking a little uneasily.

　It certainly didn't "look good". It was too neat for Shibuya, where many people come and go, at least for those who are not "neat".

"...I think it's not suitable in Shibuya, though? It does suit Ayaka, but..."

"I see, then that's fine."

　As Ayaka's cheeks were dyed red, she fidgeted and looked away. She was smiling as she looked away. It was the smile of an angel.

　*

"Phew...might be a little cold."

"Yeah, it's like the AC is on all season."

　In a café.

　We haven't decided where to go, so we decided to chat once at a cafe with a view of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

　Ayaka looked a little cold, holding her own two arms.

　I wonder if I should lend her my... jumper? But I don't think she would like a jumper basked in my scent...

　I'm not sure so I should ask her at least once.

"Can I lend you my jumper?"

"Won't Yuzu be cold?"

"I'd rather you not be cold in front of me."

"Then give it to me."

I am happy it went like this...

　Surprised at Ayaka's willingness to extend her hand, I handed her my jumper.

　She doesn't seem to mind my smell, this makes me relieved.

　While I was thinking this, Ayaka put on the jumper over her one-piece dress, then she stared at me.

"Pervert."

"Eh? Not fair, I lent it to you."

"I don't care what it smells like. Anyway, what do you want Yuzu?"

　Ayaka stands up as she says it.

　This café is the type where you go and grab your drinks. I suppose she meant, what would you like to drink?

"No, I'll go buy it myself."

"That won't do. Yuzu stays here."

"...then, I'll have a café au lait please."

　'I'll go get it!'　'No, I'll do it!'...　Arguing like that would be fruitless, so I just leave it to her once I give my say.

　It's not that I'm lazy.

"That frank side of Yuzu, I don't dislike it."

　Ayaka said so, perhaps reading my mind. With a tsk tsk sound, Ayaka walked quickly toward the cash register.

　'I don't dislike it' - does that mean you like that?　No... Is it a warning that such a lazy idea is usually frowned upon?

　While thinking about the meaning of Ayaka's words, I keep the money ready for the exact price of a café au lait and look out the window.

　Among the people passing by the crossing, there were office workers, college students, and couples... Each of them was different from the next. The way they walked, their facial expressions--

"Yuzu, where are you looking?"

"Hmm? Ah, you're back early. Thanks. Here's the money for the cafe au lait."

"The cashier line queue was empty. Where are you looking?"

　While handing out the money I had prepared for Ayaka, I asked her for the café au lait. After receiving the money, Ayaka asked the same thing again.

　Ayaka-san looked a little sulky.

"I'm not sulking."

"Sorry. Uh... people passing through the intersection? Did you see that?"

"Which one?"

"Nevermind, I was so spaced out that I don't remember much."

　Then Ayaka made a grumpy face. I don't know why she made that face. Is she angry about something?

　...ha, maybe it's because I was thinking about something other than Ayaka!　No, no, no, that can't be--

　Sucking through the straw in my café au lait, I looked at Ayaka. Ayaka was staring at the people passing by at the intersection with a pouty face.

　No way-- this seems very likely.

"Yuzu, I'm not too happy if you think about something else when you're with me. Yuzu has me."

"Yeah, sorry..."

"I know it's heavy, but all girls are like that."

"I'll be careful."

　I bow my head, apologize, and suck on the straw again.

　But you know, being jealous means that you...

　Just as I was about to think about it, Ayaka turned expressionless and said.

"Because that's the kind of thing that happens when you're hanging out."

　Ayaka, who had been sipping her black coffee for a long time, put down her cup and frowned.

　The way she scrunched up her face, it seemed that the coffee was too hot. Or maybe she was trying to look mature by drinking black coffee, but it was more bitter than she expected.

　Just as I had that thought, Ayaka's eyebrows jumped. Oh, it was the latter. I was right on target.

"I'm not."

"Just because you think black coffee is for mature people, you can't drink black coffee well, okay?"

"Shut up."

　She said so, then locked eyes with me and glared at me. My heart throbbed with pain. I haven't felt this pain in a long time, and it made me feel a little nostalgic, but by any means, I am not a masochist.

　Ayaka gets up and goes somewhere. A few dozen seconds later, Ayaka returns with a large amount of cream and milk in her hand.

　Ayaka poured them into the coffee one after another and stirred them.

　There was no trace of black coffee left.

"Hmm, just right."

　Ayaka sips her coffee and nods in agreement.

　That's not black coffee anymore... I almost muttered it in my mind and stopped.

　I'm not sure what to do with the rest of the day.

　Just as I turned away towards the crossing and sucked on the straw... Ayaka leaned forward, resting her cheekbones on the desk.

　Soothingly, Ayaka's sweet smell wafts through the air, which makes me self-conscious.

"Tell me about your trip."

"What? Uh, okay, so..."

　Afterward, Ayaka-san smiled and happily listened to my not-so-funny story about my souvenirs.

　Sometimes she would cover her mouth with the jumper's sleeves and giggle...

While Ayaka was waiting for the bill.

　”Sniff sniff... haah... The smell of Yuzu after a long time... sniff sniff... so blissful…”