The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black - Volume 3 Chapter 3.3

Shimizu-san and a Not-So-Coincidental Encounter 3

 

“Wow! It’s bigger than I thought!”

 

The yukata section was more spacious than I imagined, with various types of yukatas on display. There was also a fitting area where you could try them on.

 

“Alright, now that we’re here, we should split up into pairs to look around.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought you were going to say we should all stick together.”

“I would like to, but it would slow us down. Well, even though I say that, it would be pointless for the four of us to come here and then split up completely. So splitting into pairs seems just right. What do you three think?”

 

After thinking it over, it didn’t seem like there would be any problem with Teruno pairing up with Shimizu-san or Ai-san.

Therefore, there was no reason to oppose Ai-san’s suggestion.

 

“I’m fine with it.”

“I’m okay with anything.”

“I’m fine too.”

“It’s decided then! How should we pair up? I’d like to try combinations we don’t usually have.”

 

So, any pair but me and Teruno, and Shimizu-san with Ai-san, right?

“Then, I want to go shopping with Kei Onee-chan! Is that okay with you, Kei Onee-chan?”

“Well, if Teruno insists that much, I guess it’s fine.”

“Yay!”

 

Teruno seems happt. Shimizu-san doesn’t seem to mind either.

 

“Then, how about me and Daiki-kun and Kei with Teruno-chan pair up? After some time, we can switch partners!”

 

***

 

“Should we choose my yukata first?”

“Yes, I haven’t decided at all what kind of yukata to buy.”

“Really? If Daiki-kun says so, then I’ll go ahead and choose first!”

 

Ai-san and I move to the corner where the women’s yukatas are displayed.

The yukata area is quite spacious. Shimizu-san and Teruno, who should be in the same area, are nowhere to be seen nearby.

 

“So, Daiki-kun, which yukata do you think suits me?”

“Yes?”

 

When I turn towards Ai-san, she has her arms folded for some reason.

 

“I mean Daiki-kun, in your opinion, which yukata do you think suits me better?”

 

I look over the yukatas on display.

There’s a wide variety of colors and patterns just in the vicinity.

As I’m considering which one would suit Ai-san, I feel her gaze.

 

“Ai-san?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Maybe it’s just my imagination, but were you staring at me just now?”

“Yes, I was.”

 

I didn’t expect her to admit it so straightforwardly. I thought I was just being paranoid.

 

“Why were you looking at me?”

 

Ai-san pauses as if thinking, then slowly begins to speak.

 

“At first, I was just waiting for you to casually choose a yukata, but you were taking it more seriously than I thought, so I ended up staring at you.”

“I see?”

“Did you get that? Anyway, Daiki-kun, have you found a good yukata?”

“Not yet.”

“Is that so? Then, let’s talk about something else while we look together!”

“Okay.”

 

I return my gaze to the yukatas.

What color yukata would suit Ai-san? As I’m thinking, a question comes to mind.

 

“By the way, didn’t you invite Yousuke-san today?”

“I didn’t invite him, but why do you ask?”

“You knew Shimizu-san wanted a yukata, right? Ai-san, I seem to recall hearing that you usually bring Yousuke-san when choosing clothes, or did I get it wrong?”

 

To be precise, I think she said a childhood friend, but the only male childhood friend I remember Ai-san mentioning is Yousuke-san.

 

“You have a good memory. That’s true, I usually call Yousuke, but this time it’s different.”

“Different how?”

“It’s a surprise!”

“A surprise?”

“Yes! If we choose a yukata together, Yousuke might not be excited to see me in it at the summer festival. So, I deliberately didn’t invite Yousuke this time!”

 

I understand the reasoning, but something else caught my attention.

 

“I understand why you didn’t invite Yousuke-san, but was it okay to say all that?”

“Eh, did I say something wrong?”

“It sounds like you’re saying that you like Yousuke-san…”

“Oh, that’s what you mean.”

 

Ai-san’s expression doesn’t change much as she speaks.

 

“It’s okay. I already heard from Kaho-san that she told you that I like Yousuke.”

 

I had heard that Kaho-san would apologize later, but I didn’t know she had told Ai-san that much.

 

“I see.”

“Yeah, so don’t worry about it. I thought it was okay for you to know, Daiki-kun.”

 

I wonder if she trusts me that I won’t tell anyone.

Well, I had no intention of telling anyone in the first place.

 

“Now that you know a girl’s secret love, you’ll have to help me!”

“If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do my best!”

“Then let’s start with the yukata. We need to find the one that will capture Yousuke’s heart!”

“Okay!”

 

***

 

“How about this one?”

 

The curtain of the fitting space opens, and there stands Ai-san in a kimono.

 

“The bright-colored yukata seems to suit you well, Ai-san.”

“I see…”

 

Twenty minutes after we started choosing Ai-san’s yukata, we still hadn’t decided on a candidate to purchase.

 

“Daiki-kun, aren’t you a little too good at giving compliments?”

“I don’t think so…”

“No, no, finding something nice to say about any yukata right away is quite difficult. You’ve got a real talent there.”

 

It’s the first time I’ve been praised like that.

I think Ai-san is the one who’s good at giving compliments though.

 

“Ai-san, haven’t you found any yukatas you liked so far?”

“There are a few.”

“Then, why not choose your favorite yukata from those?”

“Hmm, but my favorite yukata might not necessarily be Yousuke’s taste.”

 

It seems Ai-san’s goal is to find a yukata that Yousuke-san will like.

 

“That’s true, but… can I give you my opinion?”

“Sure! Come on!”

“To be honest, I don’t know what kind of yukata Yousuke-san prefers.”

“Well, it’s true that you and Yousuke don’t really talk about that kind of stuff.”

 

Certainly, I do talk to Yousuke-san, but we rarely discuss preferences about the opposite sex.

 

“Yeah. But I’ve thought of one thing that would surely make Yousuke-san happy.”

“Oh? What might that be?”

“It’s seeing you genuinely having fun, Ai-san.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

 

It seems Ai-san doesn’t quite get it.

 

“Yousuke-san has a kind look when he sees you enjoying yourself. Ai-san, I think Yousuke-san likes watching you be yourself and have fun.”

“…Daiki-kun, you’re quite observant of others.”

 

Ai-san’s voice is soft.

Looking closely, her face was slightly redder than usual.

 

“That’s why Ai-san, I was thinking, if you wear your own favorite yukata and genuinely enjoy the summer festival, naturally Yousuke-san will be captivated by you.”

“I see. If I wear my favorite yukata and enjoy the festival, Yousuke will be head over heels for me!”

“I don’t know about head over heels, but I’m sure Yousuke-san won’t be able to take his eyes off you, Ai-san.”

“Alright, then we’ve got a direction! Now we just need to choose from the candidates!”

“Then we don’t need this anymore.”

“Huh?”

 

I turn toward the source of the voice and see Shimizu-san and Teruno standing there.

 

“Hey, Kei, Teruno-chan. Have you finished choosing your yukatas?”

“We’ve picked out Teruno’s. It’s been quite some time, so let’s switch pairs.”

 

Ai-san checks the time.

 

“True, more time has passed than I thought. So the next pair will be…”

“By process of elimination, it’s me with Hondō and you with Teruno.”

“It’s fine if it’s me with Kei and Daiki-kun with Teruno-chan, you know?”

“That would be the usual, so the one I suggested is better.”

“Hmm? I see, I see, that makes sense?”

“Hey, what are you grinning about!”

“It’s nothing? I was just thinking that Kaho-san’s suggestion is being put to good use. Daiki-kun, is that pairing okay with you?”

 

I look towards Teruno. Teruno nods slightly.

It seems Ai-san has become friends with Teruno without me knowing, so there’s no need to worry.

 

“It’s fine with me.”

“…I’m okay with it too.”

“Okay! Then it’s Teruno-chan with me and Kei with Daiki-kun for shopping this time!”