BHSAF 155: Date with Airi 2

　Yu and the others were being shaken around while listening to the rattle and rumble of the train.

"It's been a while since I've ridden the train. How about you, Airi? Do you ride it often?"

"No, I won't. Actually, today is the first time."

　Airi said as she sat next to Yu with her arm around his and her body close to his.

"Considering that, it went pretty smoothly."

　Airi seemed to know everything about it, from how to buy stamps to the directions to the platform, etc. That's why I thought maybe Yu was using it so often.

"Well, that's because... I did a lot of research."

"Huh?"

"How to get to our destination today, how to ride the train, the weather, and so on. I've been doing a lot of research to make sure I don't fail, because I'm going on a date with Yu-senpai and I want to make it the best memory I can."

　"I did my best," Airi said proudly, and I stroked her head with my free right hand.

"I see...Thanks. But wasn't that difficult?"

"Not at all, in fact it was fun. I met Yu-senpai while I was researching, bought a ticket, and while I was on the train I was thinking about what kind of conversation I would have with Yu-senpai."

　Perhaps remembering that time, Airi looked embarrassed.

"Hmm... Am I doing better in real life than this imagined version of myself?"

　We're going out alone, and I want to make sure Airi is as satisfied as possible.

"Hehe, the real Yu-senpai is many times cooler, many times more wonderful, and many times more attractive."

"I'm happy to hear that from a cute girl like Airi."

　His words convey that he genuinely thinks Airi is cute, and not just flattery.

　For Airi, these words were very happy and very painful at the same time.

　Yuu thinks I'm cute. But that's all there is to it.

　Even though people think you're cute and feel your charm as a woman, they don't seem to like you. If they're just calling you cute as a compliment, then all you need to do is work on becoming cuter.抱Ida

　However, Airi is not like that, and because she is not like that, she doesn't know what she is lacking.

　Airi has been confessed to several times by a classmate from the same junior high school who is considered a good-looking guy, a senior who is athletic and has been accepted into high school on a sports recommendation, a cute junior who is short and has a baby face that arouses her maternal instincts, and other male students.

　But her heart never wavered, and she continued to believe that no matter what boy she looked at, he was inferior to Yu. And every time those boys continued to like her, she became disgusted with the reality that even though she was so popular, the one person she wanted to be noticed by never liked her back.

"Hey, Yu-senpai. What's the difference between Airi and Onee-chan?"

"Huh... what's the difference between Airi and Yui-chan?"

"Yes... Ah, even Yu-senpai would get angry if I said Airi has smaller breasts."

"I wouldn't say that... Hmm, the difference between the two of us, huh... Wait a moment."

　It's true that there are many things that I feel are different, but when asked specifically what they are, I can't answer right away.

"...something adult-like and some child-like?"

"Why is it in question form?"

"Well, Yui-chan has quite a childish side to her, and on the other hand, Airi has some mature sides to her... I think that's a crucial difference."

"Oh, is there nothing there, Yu-senpai?"

"Well, the more I think about it, the more I realize they really do look alike. Of course they're not exactly the same, but they do look alike, as sisters should."

"...There isn't... really?"

　Airi's voice, which was half-joking at first, now darkens a little.

　I hope something happens.

　Airi clings to the idea that there must be some crucial difference between her and her sister.

　Otherwise...

"That doesn't mean there aren't any, but... sorry, I can't think of anything right away."

"is that so……"

　Then.

　Well then.

　If he likes Onee-chan, then it's fine for him to like Airi too... Is it okay for Onee-chan but not for Airi...?

　Such jealousy was swirling inside Airi. Not wanting Yu to notice it from her expression, Airi pressed her face into Yu's arms as he embraced her.

"Are you okay, Airi?"

"I was getting ready for today until late last night, so I ended up going to bed a little late... I'm sorry. Can I just sleep for a little while?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

　Of course, that was a lie. I wasn't sleepy at all. In fact, I wanted to stay awake and enjoy every moment of this date with Yuu.

　But just for now.

　I didn't want to show Yu this face, which I'm sure looked ugly.

　So I lie and say I'm sleepy, and pretend to be asleep. This will give me time to calm down and give me some space. I want to suppress this jealousy as much as possible so I can enjoy this date.

(I'm going to end this feeling today...)

　It's all here, from feeling excited by Yu's every move, to feeling jealous when he sees him getting along well with Yui, to feeling ugly when she doesn't pay any attention to him.

　Enjoy today's date to the fullest, make it the best memory, and put an end to this feeling.

　That was the reason why Airi was going on a date with Yu today.

　All of this was to end his first love.

　Ever since he saw Yu and Yui rendezvous in the park in the middle of the night and making love, he had been thinking about what he should do.

　I wondered if there was any way I could get in between two people who were so close.

　I've been thinking about this for a long, long, long time.

　And then Airi realized that such a gap did not exist.

　Airi told Yuu the name of the station they were going to, then leaned against him and closed her eyes.