#260

---

Everyone has their own intentions, feelings, and answers.

You hope for certain outcomes, but they are not guaranteed, and you must face reality.

What Miyashita told Shizuku is something that was hers. Whether it’s something that others need to know or something they don’t want to reveal, it’s up to each individual.

Exiting the Kuroshio Area, we moved through the aquarium with the crowd. Everything seems fresh, intriguing, and I realized that I won’t experience these feelings again.

While the guys chatted with Yuuto, the girls follow behind him. In the back, I, Shizuku, and Kirasaka leisurely advance.

As time progressed, we finished watching the entire Churaumi Aquarium.

Finally, at the area where souvenirs can be bought, I separate from the rest. The fresh air and the scent of the sea greeted me.

Naturally, I let out a sigh, feeling a bit drained.

Crowded enclosed spaces are never my favorite.

I stretched my body, taking in a deep breath.

“Minato, don’t you have anything you want to buy?”

Yuuto, who has come out from the aquarium, calls out to you from behind.

He’s holding a small paper bag.

It’s probably a key-chain or something.

As if noticing my gaze, he said as he lifted it up.

“I was thinking of giving a whale key-chain to Kaede-chan.”

“Hey, stop trying to be more considerate than her brother himself…”

Guys who can be this considerate are really problematic.

It might blur the image of a big brother’s experiences and thoughts.

Yuuto places the key-chain in his chest pocket and we looked at the sea side by side.

It might be what people call a touching scene – high school boys shoulder to shoulder, looking at the sea together. Is this what being youth is about?

…Right.

In any case, since we were alone, I was thinking of something to say, but Yuuto spoke first.

“Honestly, Minato, you’re good at hitting my weak points.”

“Well, what could you be talking about…”

I asked appropriately, being confused.

You let your gaze sweep over his black hair and the brown hair beside it.

Black and brown hair swayed in the sea breeze.

A gentle and quiet breeze flowed between the two of us.

This could be the quietest moment of the entire school trip.

We both just stood there and quietly admired the sea.

“If Minato acts on his own, it’s because he wants to avoid trouble for himself… So, I thought I should dump some of that trouble on you.”

Said with a hint of sadness, his tone carried a self-deprecating touch. It’s tough to relate to Yuuto’s principles, which are so different from mine, even when he’s trying to do something for the greater good.

No, that’s not something you should be telling me. I’ve known him for years, and I understand that he can’t change his nature, which loves interacting with people.

But just as I am distorted, Ogiwara Yuuto has his own set of distortedness too.

“If you’re worried about me, you should consider how the others feel about you…”

To have goodwill, friendship and regrets.

If you’re worried about someone, it shouldn’t be me.

You shouldn’t direct it towards me.

There are people around him who genuinely need him.

He’s so kind, but sometimes, because of that kindness, the people around him might end up being hostile.

“What’s the right way to approach this, I wonder…”

I smiled wryly and spoke. I don’t have a lot of words in my limited vocabulary to respond to Yuuto’s heartfelt thoughts.

Because words without experience lack the weight and persuasive power.

But there’s one thing I understood.

“Clearing up misunderstandings around you might make things a bit easier for you.”

His gaze was directed towards Shizuku, who was still looking at souvenirs in the building. Even if he regrets the past, it won’t change itself.

If you want to change something, you need to settle your past first. For Yuuto, that might mean correcting misunderstandings around him.

It’s a problem they’ve been dealing with on their own, and no one else knows about it. So, people praise and elevate the two of them.

If Yuuto wants to stay in this kind of relationship, I won’t stop him. But the relationship between him and Shizuku seems to have a deepening gap that might be beyond repair.

Neither she nor this guy wants that, I’m sure of that. Even if he wants to try opening up to her one more time, it’s necessary to maintain some distance for now.

I accepted this cooperation because I thought it might be the opportunity for Miyashita to help with that.

Yuuto, who had been quietly gazing at Shizuku, closed his eyes, as if he was in conversation with his inner thoughts.

“Well, it’s your choice… You don’t have to listen to me.”

“No, I won’t do that.”

I murmured with a sigh, and he shook his head in denial. Timing is everything, and opportunities will come even if not today, or right now.

It’s just that this school trip is an excellent opportunity, so I won’t rush it.

The second day of the school trip came to an end at this aquarium.

We would have dinner, and once the morning arrived, it would be the last day of our trip.

I couldn’t imagine the last day of our trip in Okinawa ending without something happening.

But as we chatted about somewhat embarrassing topics, two women approached us with smiles from behind.

---

---