[You… What are you doing?]

    Saito, who should have left school earlier, stopped in front of an ice cream shop sign.

    How long has she been there?

    In order to let her get ahead of me, I left about 5 minutes after she left, but the fact that I caught up with her means she’s been stopping at the sign for quite some time.

    [I was waiting for you]

    [Eh?]

    [There’s a limited time offer for ice cream that ends today. Please come with me]

    [Why do I have to go…]

    [You said that you’d go with me if there was no one else to go with, right?]

    Thinking about it, I did say that. I said something like that the last time we went here together.

    At that time, it was just to put her at ease though…

    [I did say that… But why don’t you go alone?]

    [It’s because… I’m nervous if I’m alone…]

    Unlike her usual self, her slightly sullen look was very cute and amusing, causing me to laugh.

    [What are you laughing at?!]

    [No, it’s nothing. Let’s go then]

    It seems that she liked ice cream a lot that made her willing to eat in an unfamiliar place. Or maybe she’s interested in the limited time offer.

    Saito is still a girl after all.

    I was somehow convinced by her reason for going, and I had no choice but to go with her.

    [I feel like I’m treated as an idiot]

    Her cheeks puffed up, and she looked as if complaining about me laughing at her.

    [I’ll be the one ordering this time. What would you like?]

    [Oh, thanks. Then I’ll get a matcha flavored]

    [All right]

    When I told her what I wanted, she walked to the cashier, but I wondered if she’d be fine.

    There are other things to order besides the ice cream, though.

    [What?! Toppings as well…? What should I do….]

    Sure enough, I heard her say that.

    I managed to place my order, hesitantly.

    She seemed to finish her order, somehow. And looked as if she completed something great.

    [Number △△]

    They called our number and we went to get our ice cream.

    She held the ice cream awkwardly, probably because she wasn’t used to it.

    I burst out in spite of the appearance of her holding it with a tense face.

    [What is it?]

    [Don’t worry. It’s nothing]

    I just found it amusing that she’s still tense because she’s nervous.

    But I don’t want to laugh anymore, because I felt like she’ll glare at me with a serious look if I do.

    I sit down on the chair of the place, and she sits next to me.

    I almost laughed again based on her awkward movements, but I refrained myself cause she’s next to me.

    She sits down and looks at the ice cream in her hand, with eyes that seem like they are shining.

    [Well, let’s eat]

    [Yes, I’ll eat it]

    When she said “itadakimasu”, she brought the ice cream close to her mouth, and ate it carefully.

    Limited time offers usually have a different flavor, but is it good? I asked her.

    I looked at her, and she seemed to be enjoying it. She rolled her eyes as she described the taste, and her mouth relaxed slightly.

    Lately, I felt like the amount of her being expressionless has decreased drastically.

    Every time I take a bite of the ice cream, my face naturally relaxes as I enjoy the taste.

    […? What is it?]

    She realized I was staring at her intensely, and tilted her head curiously.

    [I just thought you’re enjoying the food]

    [Of course. Because it’s delicious]

    […. I see]

    She smiled softly and said “it’s delicious”. She had a face of a flower blooming, and was very eye-catching.

    It felt unbearable to look at it, so I looked away quickly.