Episode 8 - A Beautiful Girl Who Sticks With Me, Gives Me Memories and Won't Let Go

"Do you want to play darts?"

　Ayaka points to a map of the amusement park while still wearing my jumper.

　Are you still cold? I asked in my mind but she sharply glared at me.

　I guess not. So if you genuinely want to do it, fine, I’d do it too.

　We got into an empty elevator and pressed the floor number for the darts reception desk. We were the only two people in the elevator.

　Amidst the silence, Ayaka muttered something to me.

“Yuzu, maybe I'm a little strange today.”

"Really? If so, it's because we're not in school.”

"Well, I haven't seen Yuzu recently, so maybe that’s why I feel like rushing."

　The angel looked up at me and smiled as she says this.

　Is it because you haven't seen me that you're in a hurry? Is that…?

“It’s true, it was hard being away from Yuzu."

“That makes me embarrassed, don't say it so straightforwardly.”

“So just for today, I want to make up for Yuzu.”

　What do you mean by make-up for it? As I nodded along, Ayaka leaned in closer to me. And then Ayaka raised her heels— at that moment, the elevator doors opened.

　Wow, the worst timing. Wait, was she going to kiss me!? I muttered in a silent tone to calm down my startled heart. While Ayaka was fussing and exited the elevator in a bit of an angry mood. I exit following her.

　Suddenly, Ayaka-san grabs me by the hand and takes me toward the stairs while I made straight eye contact with the receptionist.

　Ayaka made me follow her to the corner beside the staircase and stood in front of me.

"What’s wrong…?"

“Stay still."

　Saying that Ayaka puts her hand on my shoulder and tiptoes.

　Eh!? Is it a kiss after all!? Be prepared, me…!

　As Ayaka's face was coming closer to mine… I unconsciously closed my eyes.

　As I waited, imagining the feel of her lips on my lips, she gently brushed my bangs up. Then, with a thud, something touched my forehead.

　Ayaka's hair tickled my cheek.

　I could tell that it was Ayaka's forehead.

　What is this all of a sudden? It's not a kiss!

　Just as I thought of that, something flows into my head. My body almost wanted to run away for a moment, but Ayaka grabbed my shoulders tightly and did not allow it.

　What flowed into my head was something like a memory. I saw the beach, a night view, or…

　As I got used to the images pouring into my head, I slowly opened my eyes— I saw Ayaka's face up closed which made me fazed.

　Ayaka, with her eyes closed, was so beautiful that I even thought I should… kiss her.

　At the same time, I heard footsteps going downstairs. The footsteps are getting louder and louder— they are getting closer!

“Oh, Ayaka-san… people– people are coming…"

“It’s okay."

“No, it’s…”

“I don't care if people pass by or does Yuzu, not like it?"

　Ayaka opened her eyes as she said it. Her forehead moved away a little and my eyes met Ayaka's. I was mesmerized by her eyes.

　Ayaka's eyes were moist. Not tears, but rather her moisturized eyes looked quite erotic. Also, her cheeks were upturned and quite red.

　I could only whisper “I don't mind” in reply with my mind.

　Then Ayaka's face came close to me again and our… foreheads touched each other.

　Memories flowed into my head again. This time, the images were shown slowly.

"Wow, that couple over there is down bad."

“They're making out.”

“That’s a bit messed up, let's get out of here."

　Hearing those voices, it seems like three high schoolers passed right behind Ayaka. This fills me with embarrassment.

　What do you mean by "a little bit"? I am so embarrassed that I am unable to stop myself from being so self-conscious.

　After what felt like an hour, but was two minutes, Ayaka separated her forehead from mine.

　But she did not let go of her hands from my shoulder. Instead, Ayaka put more weight on my shoulder and dropped her head on my chest.

　My heart was pounding and it didn't seem to stop.

“Those were my memories. I've traveled to Hawaii, those memories were the places I saw. During vacation, I thought I wasn't going anywhere, but I was made to go… Yuzu, you wanted to travel to Hawaii, didn't you?"

　Ayaka said while fidgeting and stammering up her words. I nodded as I had no choice but to agree.

　Ayaka continued to make such excuses, not moving away from me.

“I am tired after showing you my memories, so… let me stay like this for a little while.”

“Want me to buy you some water?"

“No… just stay here.”

　Seeing her wet eyes looking up at me, I nod silently which in turn made her smile gleefully. She proceeded to lean against me again.

　I couldn't help myself… after worrying about it, I decided to replay the memories I had been shown.

　I tried to find out if there were any memories of a bath scene or a changing scene, but those were firmly cut out.

“Ecchi."

“I'm sorry.”

　Ayaka suddenly blurted out, perhaps reading my mind.

　At last, Ayaka pulled away from me. Hurriedly, she says,

“I'm fine now, so let's go.”

“Oh, okay…”

　I replied while my heart was pounding. Then Ayaka timidly went up the stairs. Right after, I threw a few words back at her.

“Thank you, Ayaka.”

　Instantly, Ayaka's ears turned bright red.

　*

　—ask Ayaka, who scored high in the first round.

“Ayaka-san, are you an experienced darts player?"

“Yes. Otherwise, I wouldn't have said I wanted to play.”

"What? I thought you were being cheeky when you started talking about darts. You're not using psychic powers, are you?　Like telekinesis.”

“I’m going to get mad, okay?"

　She glared at me, so I shrugged my shoulders and apologized properly.

　Ayaka nodded as if she had read my mind.

　So it seems that Ayaka is an experienced thrower, but I am a complete beginner.

　I grabbed a box of dart arrows, stood on the line, and threw a dart as I aim… but the dart hit the wall instead of the dartboard and fell off.

　Hmmm… it’s surprisingly difficult.

　I grabbed a second dart and adjusted my aim, when Ayaka who has been silently watching me, took my hand and spoke.

“Yuzu, throw differently."

　Ayaka's small hand wrapped around mine and my heart leaped. Surely, my heart skipped a beat. I wiped the sweat off my other hand with my trousers and put my hand back on the dart.

　Then, Ayaka touched my fingers one by one and let me pinch the dart.

　Ayaka-san is just teaching me, but it would be rude if I got nervous. But damn, it smells so good…

“Pervert."

“Ugh, come on, we’re this close…”

“Don't move.”

　I excuse myself, and Ayaka finally releases me, as if my place of standing has been raised.

　While sighing in relief, the next moment happened.

"Oh, umm….?"

“Don't move."

　I felt Ayaka's body against my back. Her arms were wrapped around my stomach and she hugged me as is.

　What is this? What is she doing to me?

　My heart started racing again. I felt Ayaka's breathing on my back.

“Phew. That was just to adjust the direction of Yuzu’s body.”

　Ayaka said so as she released my arms from her hold.

　"how can that be….” would have been my reply as I keep it to the back of my throat.

　This time, Ayaka's body and mine were in perfect contact.

　My hands, arms, elbows, back, legs, and feet were all attached to Ayaka. On top of my fingers, that pinched the dart, were pinched by Ayaka's fingers.

"Remember this feeling, the posture of your body, and the force with which I throw your arm in the count of 3."

“Ye- yes.…”

“3, 2, 1--“

　Ayaka released the dart as her finger was put in motion. As result, the dart had a gentle trajectory that pierced the outer 25-point ring.

“Understand?"

“... understood.”

　Nope, not at all. I was too nervous to understand anything...

　I blurted it out in my mind, and then, perhaps reading my mind, I was assisted by Ayaka on the third pitch as well.

　

<Ayaka POV>

　I miscalculated when I instinctively sought out Yuzu and hugged him during the process.

　But we were able to stick close together, so that was also good.