Chapter 4: A Manual for Dating

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“Wait, a tomoe-nage!? That’s hilarious!”

Kinami laughed boisterously, “Gya-ha-ha!” His vulgar laugh clearly annoyed Hojo, who glared at him.

“Why, that’s just a cheeky move.”

“No, no, the fact that you can dismiss a tomoe-nage as cheeky is amazing! Sudo is so strong!”

Kinami was laughing so hard he was holding his stomach.

After Sudo and Nanase left, Kinami had pried the details out of Hojo. In short, during their trip, Hojo tried to make a move, but Sudo rejected him so forcefully that they hadn’t been able to face each other since, making things extremely awkward.

I felt genuine sympathy for Hojo. If I were in his shoes, I’d be so shocked I might bite my tongue and die. Turns out, he’s got his own struggles too…

Noticing my sympathetic gaze, Hojo crossed his arms and frowned.

“What’s with that pitying look?”

“No, I just think it’s tough for you…”

“Come to think of it, both Hojo and Sagara haven’t done it with their girlfriends yet.”

“Don’t lump me in with Sagara. Unlike him, I’m not a virgin.”

“What!? I-I’m not being rejected like Hojo…”

At that moment, I remembered when Nanase had pushed me down. I had turned her down then, but did she think I was rejecting her? No, that wasn’t my intention at all.

Seeing my face turn pale, Hojo muttered, “Let’s drop this topic.” Maybe he realized there was no benefit in digging deeper.

“But seriously, is Sudo a pain sometimes?”

“It’s not unexpected. Sudo has always been a pain.”

Sudo had kept dodging Hojo’s advances, claiming it was too much trouble to date a handsome guy, yet she didn’t want Hojo dating anyone else. In short, she’s the type of troublesome girl, similar to me. Pointing this out to her would probably make her furious.

Kinami nodded while patting Hojo on the shoulder.

“Man, even you’ve had your struggles! Knowing that even a perfect guy like you has weaknesses is reassuring!”

“I’m not struggling. It’s those troublesome aspects that make Saki cute.”

Seeing Hojo’s sulking face actually made me feel relieved. He wasn’t a flawless android; he was a human with feelings.

“Oh, Sudo and Nanase are back.”

Looking where Kinami pointed, I saw Sudo and Nanase walking back. Sudo was hiding behind Nanase (though Sudo was taller, so she wasn’t really hidden), looking embarrassed.

When they reached us, Nanase nudged Sudo, “Saki, go on.”

“…Hiroki, I’m sorry about earlier.”

Sudo, looking more worn out than I’d ever seen, bowed her head in apology. Seeing her so meek was astonishing.

Hojo, putting on a nonchalant smile, replied, “It’s fine.” Even though he had been sulking earlier, he showed no sign of it in front of Sudo. Nanase, standing between them, smiled cheerfully for some reason.

“Saki, why don’t you and Hojo-kun have a chat?”

“Eh… What!? H-Haruko!”

“Thanks, Nanase. I’m taking Saki with me.”

Hojo said, pulling Sudo along as they walked away. Sudo, though looking flustered, followed him obediently.

“Seems like he’s not as composed as he looks.”

“Well, they seem to balance each other out.”

“Yeah, they make a great couple!”

Just then, Kinami checked his smartwatch and exclaimed, “Oh!”

“Sorry, I gotta go.”

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“That girl I got the LINE from earlier wants to meet now! Summer romance is best when it’s spontaneous!”

Kinami, in high spirits, walked off, saying, “I’ll let you know how it goes! If it works out, don’t wait up for me!” Watching his frivolous retreating figure, I sighed, thinking how different people’s romantic lives can be.

With Kinami gone, it was just Nanase and me. Nanase shyly asked,

“…Can I sit here?”

When I nodded, she sat next to me, smiling, “Thank you.”

Lake Biwa at sunset was quieter than during the day, with some people beginning to pack up. Watching a couple walking hand-in-hand along the shore, I thought about how even seemingly perfect couples must have their own struggles.

Thinking about what a couple should be or should do is pointless. Even the seemingly perfect Hojo can get flustered by a troublesome partner. There’s no manual for being in a relationship.

…If that’s the case, it’s only natural that I’m struggling too.

The lake’s surface shimmered orange, reflecting the sunset. In this romantic setting, alone with my girlfriend, a “wonderful boyfriend” might pull her close and kiss her, but I simply placed my hand over Nanase’s.

“…Nanase, about the other day…”

“The other day?”

“…The day you got drunk.”

When I mumbled, Nanase’s cheeks turned red.

“F-Forget about that day!”

Covering her face with her hands, she shook her head, clearly wanting to forget.

“…I just want to say, I wasn’t rejecting you. I just didn’t want us to push ourselves or force things.”

“…Force?”

Choosing my words carefully, I continued.

“I feel like we’re both trying too hard and ending up getting nowhere.”

Nanase stopped covering her face and hugged her knees. Staring at her pretty painted toenails, she said,

“But… isn’t it normal to do those things? We’re dating, after all.”

…Nanase was likely looking for the “right” way couples should act and was trapped by that notion. And I was doing the same, trying too hard to be the “perfect boyfriend” and forgetting what’s important.

I could never be Hojo, nor did I need to be. Nanase loves me, not Hojo. And I love Haruko Nanase, not anyone else. We’ll find our own way, even if it means making mistakes along the way.

“What does ‘normal’ mean? It doesn’t matter.”

“…Huh?”

“There’s no correct way to be in a relationship. Even Hojo and Sudo are figuring it out… We don’t need to force anything.”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

Nanase leaned her head on my shoulder. Her slightly damp chestnut hair gave off a sweet scent. Her arm, touching mine, felt a bit cooler.

“You’re right, Sagara-kun… Maybe I was forcing things.”

“Yeah.”

“We should just go at our own pace.”

Nanase smiled softly. Her unguarded, natural smile was what I loved the most.