BHSAF 156: Date with Airi 3

"Airi, we've arrived."

　When Yuu arrives at the station he had heard about, he wakes up Airi and heads out the station.

"Umm... I think... Yu-senpai is this way."

　Then Airi pulled Yu's arm while still holding him tightly, leading him to the bus stop in front of the station.

　This action convinced Yu that his predictions had not been wrong.

(I had imagined it when I heard the name of the station, but I guessed it would be...)

　The largest amusement park in the area is about three bus stops away from this station. However, there are other date spots such as a movie theater near the station, and although it's a little further away, there is also a zoo.

　That's why Yuu had been considering other options besides the amusement park, but judging from the bus stop Airi was heading to, the destination was probably the amusement park. That is, unless it was a shopping date or something.

　A few minutes later.

"Mmhmm~~♪♪"

　As the bus swayed, Airi was humming in high spirits as she hugged Yu, who was sitting next to her, tightly rubbing her body against him, as if marking him with her scent as hers.

"That sounds fun."

"This is the most fun moment of my life. I'm on a date with Yu-senpai right now."

　Of course, he doesn't feel bad when she says that; in fact, he's actually happy. However, Yuu likes Yui, and he can't reciprocate her affection. And that's painful.報swelling

"Why do you look so gloomy, Yu-senpai? Please smile more... Or did you actually not want to go out with Airi?"

"It's nothing like that. Sorry, I just remembered something unpleasant from the past, so don't worry about it."

　While regretting that his expression had unconsciously shown this, he made up a suitable excuse to cover it up.

"That's good then..."

　Airi smiles brightly. That smile is so adorable and charming. But in the end, it is none other than Yu himself who taints that smile. And that is painful.

"Hey Airi. We're going to the amusement park, right?"

"Oh, so you noticed after all? Actually, I've been wanting to come to this amusement park with Yu-senpai for a long time."

　With that, Airi took out two admission tickets to the amusement park from her purse.

"What's wrong with that?"

"My mom got it from someone at work."

　He wondered if it was really that convenient for her to receive it, but even if Airi had bought it with her own money, it would be rude to question her about it. It would not be a cheap expense for a middle school student like Airi, but there was no point in pointing it out and interrupting Airi's good intentions.

　Just as there are times when men want to look cool, there are probably times when women feel the same way, Yu thought.

"I consulted with a friend who told me that it would be best to avoid going to an amusement park on a first date, but...I just really wanted to go here."

　If there had been a second or third date, I could have followed his advice this time, but I couldn't because this was the first and last time I'd be able to go on a date with Yu.

"Amusement parks seem like a classic date spot, but the problem seems to be that the time spent waiting in line is far longer than the time spent enjoying the rides. But with Airi and Yu-senpai... I think that would be okay."

　If you've just started dating, you probably don't know each other's preferences and it can be hard to keep the conversation going. However, Yu and Airi have known each other for several years, so there's no need to worry about that.

"I agree"

　They knew each other well, and no matter how long the wait, Yuu was sure he would be able to continue a fun conversation with Airi.

　On the way to the amusement park, Airi kept telling me how much she wanted to go there. Just listening to her talk with such joy was a fun enough time.

　and.

"We're here! We've arrived, Yu-senpai!"

　When the bus arrives at the bus stop and you get off, you'll find yourself right in front of the amusement park. You can see the entire park in its entirety, and even though it's still a little ways away, you can hear the cheers of people having fun from inside the park.

"There are a lot of people here."

　Being a Saturday, people of all ages and genders were coming and going. It was as you would expect from the biggest amusement park in the area.

"There are so many couples who seem to get along well..."

　There are people who are arm in arm like Yu and Airi, couples who are holding hands, and lovers who somehow seem to be intimate despite not having any physical contact...

　Until recently, I had truly hoped for that to happen with Yuu. However, I now realize that it is no longer possible for my future with Yuu.

　There are many people in front of me now who have achieved dreams that I was unable to achieve.

　I couldn't help but feel envious of it, and it made my heart ache.

　Why couldn't Airi have become like that?

"...I wonder if Airi and the others look like a couple to those people..."

　Airi hopes that it would be seen that way if possible. Today is her one and only date with Yu.

　but.

　For example, the close-looking couple that Airi is looking at now, who only met once today, will be etched in their memories as Airi, who is standing next to Yuu's girlfriend.

　When I thought about it that way, I felt a little bit relieved.

　There will never be a future where I can really be with Yu.

　However, if even just the people I met today thought we were a close couple, I would be able to feel that my feelings of love were not in vain.

　--No. If she hadn't convinced herself of this, a young girl who had only been alive for a dozen years wouldn't have been able to get by.

　People will say that even if you fail, you can learn from it next time. Even if you fail in one relationship, you can learn from it in the "next" relationship.

　But what Airi really wants to achieve is now. She wants to make her current relationship a success, not her next one.

　Of course, Airi doesn't regret falling in love with Yu. She even thinks it's good that she fell in love with him.

　But. But.

　If you look at it from the perspective that Yuu won't look at her, then it's all a complete waste. Her wish for love to come true won't come true.

　But that would be too painful.

　That's why Airi suppresses her true feelings and desperately convinces herself of this.