“You should probably head back soon, you know… it’s getting late.”
Yuzuru gave a wry smile at his younger sister Ayumi, who had been lounging around in his room for far too long.
The Takasegawa family had booked three hotel rooms.
One for Kazuya and Sayuri, and the other two assigned separately to Yuzuru and Ayumi.
And yet, despite having her own room, Ayumi had been camped out in Yuzuru’s the whole time.
“I’m bored, but I don’t want to waste time on mobile games when we’re on a trip,” was her reasoning.
Yuzuru couldn’t entirely disagree, so they’d been passing the time together playing chess, shogi, poker, and mahjong.
Meanwhile, their parents had left the two of them behind and were off enjoying the casino.
Yuzuru and Ayumi had wanted to join—but the law had other ideas.
“Ehh—”
“No ‘ehh.’ …Don’t come crying to me when you can’t wake up tomorrow morning.”
Lazing around at home was one thing.
But wasting precious time on a trip felt like a bit of a shame.
“Besides, I’m getting sleepy too.”
“Then one more round! Just one more!!”
Clutching mahjong tiles, Ayumi protested.
So far, Yuzuru was ahead—but since they weren’t playing for money, it didn’t really matter.
“You said that last time too…”
Sighing, Yuzuru was just about to give in and play one more round—
when his phone rang.
“Ah… sorry, Ayumi.”
Glancing at the screen, Yuzuru said that, and Ayumi pouted slightly.
“Hmm… fine. I shouldn’t interrupt. Good night!”
“Yeah, good night.”
Apparently assuming the call was from Arisa, Ayumi finally left the room.
Once he confirmed she was gone, Yuzuru answered the call.
Алло!! Russian for “Hello!!” over the phone.
Let’s stick to Japanese, please.
You’re no fun, Yuzurun.
The caller wasn’t Arisa—
but his childhood friend, Tachibana Ayaka.
Did I wake you?
No, I was just about to go to sleep. If anything, thanks to you, my sister finally left my room. What about you?
I just finished dinner.
There was about an eight-hour time difference between Yuzuru and Ayaka.
I saw the photos. Looks… cold over there.
He was referring to the pictures she’d sent from Lake Baikal.
Honestly, he couldn’t believe she’d go to Russia at this time of year.
Oh, it is! It’s minus five degrees right now!
That sounds… wonderful. It’s twenty-eight degrees here—way too hot.
If you’re jealous, why not come next year?
No… photos are enough. They’ve already cooled me down.
He might consider it in summer—but going to Russia while it was still freezing didn’t appeal to him.
Spring break was better spent somewhere tropical.
Glad to hear it. Though your photos just made me feel colder.
The tropical pictures he’d sent to warm her up had apparently had the opposite effect.
Maybe you should go somewhere warm next year.
Haha! But Russia’s actually pretty fun. …Though it might’ve been even better in summer.
After chatting a bit longer, they exchanged goodnights and ended the call.
…Alright, I should call Arisa before bed.
Yuzuru sent her a message—
Is it okay if I call now?
It was marked as read almost immediately.
“…That was fast.”
(She wasn’t seriously just staring at her phone waiting, was she?—)
He wondered, before calling her.
Hello.
Yes, hello!
Arisa’s cheerful voice came through.
Yuzuru could practically picture her wagging an invisible tail on the other end.
How are things over there?
I’ve just gotten out of the bath. What about you, Yuzuru-san?
I was just about to sleep… and thought I’d like to hear your voice.
I see… that makes sense, considering the time difference.
Time zones weren’t something you normally thought about in everyday life.
In that sense, calling from abroad felt a little novel.
I saw your photos. It looks warm… I’m a bit jealous.
Japan in March was starting to warm up, but it was still chilly.
Compared to that, where Yuzuru was felt quite hot.
That said, her “jealous” sounded less about the temperature—and more about the overseas trip itself.
She’d once mentioned that while she used to travel abroad fairly often as a child, she hadn’t since coming to the Amagi family.
Then next time, if we get the chance, let’s go together. Somewhere tropical.
Really? We can?
Well… it might be difficult while we’re still in high school.
If he asked his parents, it might be possible to bring Arisa along next year…
But if they wanted a family-only trip, he couldn’t exactly push the issue.
Either way, we’ll go somewhere for our honeymoon someday, won’t we?
H-honeymoon…?! Th-that’s a bit… too soon…
Arisa’s voice rose in flustered panic.
Well, it was a long way off—
though certainly a future that awaited them.
True. Before that, there’s summer—maybe we can go to the beach.
That sounds lovely. I’d like to go with you… though a pool like last year would be nice too.
That reminded Yuzuru of when they’d gone to the pool together last year.
Back then, they’d been close—but not like they were now.
…Now, they might be able to have even more fun together.
Um, Yuzuru-san…
What is it?
I’m… not very good at swimming.
Ah… I think you mentioned that.
She couldn’t swim twenty-five metres—
he remembered her saying that.
Yes. Playing around in a pool is fine, but… during lessons…
Then, would you like me to teach you?
Sensing what she was getting at, Yuzuru offered.
Would you really?
Of course. I don’t mind.
In fact, the idea had crossed his mind last summer as well.
So he had no objections whatsoever.
Naturally—
(W-well… if I end up touching her while teaching… that can’t be helped.)
He wasn’t thinking anything improper at all. Not in the slightest.
Th-thank you… Um…
…What is it?
Please… go easy on me.
Her voice carried an unexpectedly sultry tone.
Yuzuru felt his body grow slightly warm.
A brief silence followed.
…Well, before that, there’s the flower viewing.
Y-yes, that’s right.
As if to cover up their embarrassment, they ended the call.
