───● The Energetic JD Girl Prepares ●○●

A few days into summer vacation. Finally, starting tomorrow, I’m going to the beach with Masato and Koumi.

An event where men and women go to play at the beach together—considering my high school days, it’s the very campus life I yearned for. Normally, I should be going with higher tension.

“Haa…”

Organizing my luggage, a sigh escaped involuntarily.

In my nearly twenty years of life, I’ve never worried this much about a single thing.

The source of my worry is, of course, Masato.

Ever since learning the fact that Masato works at a Boys’ Bar, I’ve started breaking out in a weird sweat every time I face Koumi. …A sensation like the fact that I’m betraying my best friend is thrusting something cold into my back.

You might think a secret like that is nothing, but the person in question is Koumi’s crush.

Surely, if I were truly Koumi’s best friend, I think I should tell her.

But… I didn’t say anything. I know the reason clearly.

If I place my hand on my chest, I can recall it anytime.

“Mizuho-chan is cute.”

“Because I always get energy from your brightness and smile, Mizuho.”

Every single word he gave me soaked into my heart. I knew my heart was racing.

Yes. I, too, have been captivated by Masato.

Because of his natural kindness, my heart has been moved helplessly.

Right now, I’m managing to keep a balance between my guilt toward Koumi and the existence of my “destined person”… but honestly, my heart is pretty heavy.

“Really… what a sinful man…”

Even if I grumble like that, the situation doesn’t change. The reason Koumi stubbornly didn’t want to introduce him to other girls—I understand it now. Asking someone not to fall in love with something like that is the impossible part.

Looking at my smartphone, a message had come to the group of three.

Koumi:“Looks like the weather will be good! Yay!”

Masato:“That’s good. But it seems it’ll be quite hot so let’s be careful.”

Koumi:“Right~ Let’s meet at the station at 10:00 tomorrow!”

Finishing reading, my hand, about to type a reply, stops.

“…Maybe it would be better if I didn’t go.”

If I were to fake being sick or something, what would happen? Masato was a bit hesitant about just the two of them… but if it’s a sudden absence on the day of, surely he’d go stay overnight with just Koumi, right?

If I’m truly cheering for Koumi, isn’t that the best option?

“Y-Yeah, that’s right. As expected, I’ll have a fever tomorrow…”

Just as I said that, the swimsuit I went to buy with Koumi caught my eye.

Picking it up, I remember the exchange with Koumi.

“Eh, Mizuho, you’re choosing a pretty daring one!”

“N-No no no! That’s not my intention!? I was just looking thinking it’s cute~. B-But maybe I really should go with that one-piece type over there!”

“Ehh~ isn’t it fine? It’s cute and I think it suits you, Mizuho.”

“Nyahaha… I don’t really have a good figure, so lots of exposure is a bit…”

“If it’s the frilly type, it’s not sleazy, and since it’s cute and Mizuho-like, it’s definitely good. I think Masato will praise you too, you know?”

“…T-Then, maybe I’ll go with this one.”

“Yup yup, that’s good! Ah, but I’m the first one to be praised, okay!”

Koumi’s smile at that time… I could tell she was speaking from her heart.

If I say I’m resting tomorrow now, will Koumi really be happy?

But, surely that would be better for Koumi’s sake…

While I was thinking about things in circles.

“…Hyowa?!”

My smartphone suddenly started ringing, startling me. Incoming call. Looking at the screen, Koumi was displayed.

“Hello?”

“Ah, hello, Mizuho? Did you see the message? There was no reply so I got worried.”

“Ah, a~h… sorry, I dozed off a bit! I didn’t see it.”

“Geez~ Mizuho, you get times wrong sometimes so I got worried. Meeting at the station at 10:00 AM tomorrow, okay?”

“Y-Yeah! Understood!”

There was a slight pause. I was a little bad at calls where I couldn’t see the other person’s face.

“…Mizuho, it’s kind of weird for me to be saying this, but.”

“?”

Koumi’s tone of voice drops slightly.

“You don’t have to hold back for my sake, okay? How do I put it… because I want to have fun as a trio.”

“…!”

I was surprised by Koumi’s words, as if she had seen right through what I was thinking just now.

“Of course I like Masato, and I totally want to date him, you know? But just as much, I have the feeling of wanting to make fun memories with Mizuho.”

…Involuntarily, I swallowed my breath. For the first time, I might have thought, thank god this is a voice call.

“Hahaa! Good grief, Koumi is such a cute guy~! Of course I want to make fun memories too! I mean, just hurry up and date him already~! Then it’ll be easier for me to do various things too!”

“Ahaha, sorry sorry, I’ll do my best!”

“Then, that’s that! Shoot through Masato’s heart this summer!”

“Feeling nervous when you say it like that… Ooh, I might not be able to sleep.”

“Haha! If you don’t sleep soon it’ll affect tomorrow~! Good night then!”

Yup, good night, she said. Checking that Koumi hung up, I remove the smartphone from my ear.

On the screen, Call Ended was displayed inorganically.

“…You’re a little too good of a girl, Koumi.”

In the rhythm of a big stretch, I tossed the smartphone onto the bed.

If Koumi were just a slightly nastier girl.

I could have acted according to my emotions without feeling guilty.

I hate myself from the bottom of my heart for thinking such things.

Header: [ In the Case of Tonosaki Mizuho ]

>mizuho

Masato (22:11): Looking forward to tomorrow! I’m really excited. (Read)

Mizuho (22:23): Oh! Of course! Me too!

Mizuho (22:23): Why so formal all of a sudden?

Masato (22:55): No, it’s just that there wasn’t any activity in the group chat, so I got a bit worried! (Read)

Mizuho (23:01): …As I thought, you two really are in perfect sync.

Masato (23:10): Oh, did Koumi message you too? (Read)

Mizuho (23:17): Exactly! Honestly, you two just love Mizuho-chan way too much~

Masato (23:20): I was just thinking about how much Koumi really does care about you! (Read)

Mizuho (23:35): And what about you, Masato?

Masato (23:45): ? You mean if I like you? Of course! I wouldn’t be going on a trip with you if I didn’t! (Read)

Mizuho (0:18): Nyahaha! Thanks!

Mizuho (0:18): I’m definitely looking forward to tomorrow too. Let’s have a blast!

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(T/N: I had some more time than usual so two parts have been updated today!)