March Towards Tomorrow (1)

The next morning.

Sunlight wound its way down the carved windows, quietly illuminating the pristine white bed curtains.

Sakayanagi woke up in a daze.

She looked at Oreki beside her.

"Time to get up."

"Hmm, sleeping that soundly?"

"...You're actually quite cute at times like this."

Sakayanagi climbed out of bed.

She went to Oreki's bedside and began to toy with his cheeks.

Poke... poke...

The way they bounced back was truly amusing.

"...How much longer do I have to pretend to be asleep?"

"Eh... so you mean you were letting me poke you of your own volition?"

"That's only because you're wearing nothing but your pajamas..."

Oreki's face flushed slightly.

He tried his best to look away, but somehow.

The more he tried not to look, the more he wanted to.

This was definitely the best way.

Partially hidden, partially revealed.

Being completely bare would actually be boring.

"Let's go, it's already past seven-thirty."

"True."

Oreki glanced at Sakayanagi.

Determining that she had no intention of looking away, he nimbly threw off the covers.

It was a good thing he was a pajama-wearer.

If he were one of those who slept in the buff, he would be doomed.

Sakayanagi would surely have used it as leverage against him.

Then again, no normal guy would do that sort of thing in a girl's room.

At least, Oreki wouldn't.

"Did you clear things with the dorm manager yesterday?"

"Rest assured. They indicated that you are free to manage your own time and need not concern yourself with those tedious rules."

"...They just didn't want to upset you, didn't they? Besides, living together is something only couples do."

"Oh, so you do know."

"It would be strange if I didn't, wouldn't it?"

"Is that so?"

"Of course it—"

Oreki shook his head helplessly.

He really couldn't tell if Sakayanagi was just playing dumb or if she truly didn't know.

Oh well.

He hadn't done anything wrong, anyway.

Why overthink it?

The appointment with Hiyori... what time was it again?

It seems to be the day after tomorrow at six in the evening...

I should find a time to ask. But would that make me seem rude?

Forgetting it entirely after only half a day.

Sigh...

As expected, once you have a close friend of the opposite sex, you stop caring about everything else, don't you?

What happened to the pact of being lifelong bachelors?

"What are you thinking about?"

"No!.. Nothing at all."

"Such a strong reaction; could it be you're thinking about another girl?"

"H-how could that be? Ha... haha..."

Oreki gave an awkward laugh.

He guiltily averted his gaze.

"The sun is really nice today."

"It's been cloudy all day, Oreki-kun."

"...I surrender."

"That's more like it."

Sakayanagi pulled down her beret in high spirits.

She said with a smile:

"Thinking about Shiina Hiyori, aren't you?"

"Indeed..."

"Well, I don't blame you. After all, she's quiet and cute. Plus, just like you, she's also fond of mystery-related things."

"That's true."

"I wasn't asking you to respond so proudly."

"Oh, right!"

"Sigh, idiot."

Sakayanagi really wanted to punch Oreki.

But she decided against it.

She looked at the shared bicycle nearby, a plan forming in her mind.

"Hmm..."

"What's wrong?"

"My foot seems to hurt a little."

"Should we ask for leave and go to the infirmary to get it checked?"

Oreki's expression was very serious.

Business is business.

Joking is joking.

He would never joke about serious matters.

"It's not that serious."

"Is that so?"

"If I rest for a while, it should get better."

"Then... I'll carry you."

As he said this, Oreki half-crouched down.

This move left Sakayanagi stunned.

No.

She only wanted Oreki to give her a ride on the bicycle.

Carry her?

She wasn't a child anymore.

If someone saw them, she would surely be too embarrassed to ever look up again.

"What's wrong, can you still not move?"

"No, it's not that..."

"Then hurry up and get on. Don't look at me like that; I'm actually quite embarrassed myself."

"Idiot..."

Sakayanagi whispered.

In the end, she chose to let Oreki carry her.

"Surprisingly light."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Ah... oh, no. I didn't mean you were heavy or anything... cough."

"Idiot, hurry up and walk."

"That's mean, I'm the one carrying you."

"Idiot, idiot, idiot..."

"Yes, yes, stop squirming, or it'll be hard to walk."

"Hmph..."

Sakayanagi turned her head away, blushing.

In all her years, no one had ever carried her on their back except for her father.

Not to mention that Oreki was the same age as her.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't embarrassed.

When she wore a yukata to see Oreki yesterday, it was nothing more than a paper tiger bumping into a lamb.

Just putting on an act.

Simply trying to scare Oreki.

Because Sakayanagi understood.

Oreki only dared to think about it; he wouldn't dare harbor any crooked intentions.

But now...

Her thighs were being held up by Oreki's hands.

And just a little bit more... just a little bit more and he would reach her bottom.

How could she possibly stay calm?

If she had known, she wouldn't have pretended her foot hurt.

It would have been better to just let Oreki take her on his bicycle.

Meanwhile.

Below, Oreki was deep in thought.

--Energy insufficient. Haven't eaten breakfast yet...

Although Sakayanagi wasn't very heavy.

Carrying her felt like carrying a small kitten.

Maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration.

But it was close enough.

According to Oreki's own memory.

The cafeteria was very close to them, but there was basically nothing good to eat there.

Because the target audience was different.

A high-end restaurant could serve a single person exclusively.

A cafeteria could not.

Everything was stir-fried in a giant pot, boiled in a giant pot.

Unless you were someone's son or daughter.

But with that kind of status, who would still eat at the cafeteria?

Now, there were two options laid out before Oreki.

Either expend less effort and just go to the cafeteria to make do.

Or persevere a little longer.

Not far away, there was a Chinese restaurant with a good reputation.

Right.

Which one would he choose?

The cafeteria?

Or the Chinese restaurant on the other side?

--Energy conservation above all else...

Oreki made his decision internally.

He headed toward the cafeteria.

Sakayanagi frowned.

Didn't Oreki usually go to the Western restaurant?

What was wrong with him today?

He was actually planning to go to the cafeteria?

Wait!

Where are you going?!

"Hey!"

Sakayanagi grabbed Oreki by the collar.

She hurriedly whispered a reminder:

"Idiot, how are you going to go like this?"

"By walking."

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what is it?"

Sakayanagi pointed at herself.

She heaved a sigh.

The ladies in the cafeteria were notorious gossips.

"You don't want bad rumors spreading, do you? So, put me down quickly, and then... eh—wh-what are you doing..."

"It'll be fine if we just don't go to the cafeteria."

"...I suppose that's true."

Having just been set down, Sakayanagi was scooped back up into Oreki's arms.

This caused her to completely lose the ability to think.

Her entire face turned beet red.

As expected, it's better to just carry her.

Oreki thought.

He quickly headed toward the Chinese restaurant.

--To be continue