The sun is shining, the wind is beautiful.

Today is indeed a good day to go out.

Of course, the premise is that there is no such guy who looks unhappy and looks like he is owed money.

"Really, it really arrived on time."

Walking beside him with his hands folded, Xing smacked his lips.

"Didn't I arrive a few minutes early?"

"Isn't it half an hour to be embarrassed to take it out?"

"What kind of overlord rule is this?! And punctuality is a virtue. ”

"Would you like to be punctual on a date with a lady rather than in advance?"

"Who's the lady... Ah, no, no, no! I mean, it's not a date either. ”

Acutely noticing the cold light flashing in Apricot Eye, I hurriedly stopped talking.

"It's also true, if you date Izumi, it will definitely become a terrible piece of black history."

"Hey! Don't say anything vicious with a bright face! ”

"Isn't it? For example, "I suddenly find that the person next to me is no longer there in the middle of a date, and then I have to register the lost child at the service center, and when I find the person, it is almost time to go home." ”

"Beware of me suing you for slander, and when I'm a three-year-old!"

"Izumi, do you dare to say that you won't get lost?"

"Huh! When、Of course not..."

"Won't you be accidentally swept away by the crowd and then can't find your way to converge?"

"Hahaha, this, how..."

"Don't you want to find your way by instinct, but the more you go, the more you don't know where to go?"

"Hmm..."

It's so true, I really don't know how to refute it.

So I chose to keep my mouth shut.

However, the heart... It's a little painful.

Why should I abandon the heavenly life of staying in my room, blowing the air conditioner, drinking juice, and playing games, and come out to accept the poisonous tongue and scar uncovering attack of apricots?

"You two are walking too slowly, aren't you?"

Just as I felt sorry for being too kind, a male voice shouted at us in front of me.

"Yes, yes, here it is."

Scratching my head, I reluctantly followed.

"Quan-kun and my sister have a really good relationship."

Looking at me and Xing walking over, Starling smiled.

"Starling, you've misunderstood a very serious thing."

"That's right, Izumi's words are serious reputational damage."

"That's what I mean, right?"

"What, you kid have an opinion?"

"Uh... No, you please. ”

"Hehe, it's really a good relationship."

"You guys really don't get tired of watching cross talk in vain."

The people who were called out by Apricot today are the ones seen above———— me and Okazaki and Starling.

To be honest, when I waited in the shopping street until Okazaki appeared, I almost understood what was going on today.

This guy Xing obviously told her not to interfere too much, but it was not an easy task.

Looking at the side face of Apricot happily talking to Okazaki, I couldn't help but sigh.

"Ahh By the way," suddenly Xing clapped her hand, revealing an expression of remembering something, "I remember that today is the day when the dictionary is scheduled to be delivered." ”

It's so obvious, Xing, your acting skills are too bad.

"Then let's go with you and get it."

"No, no, Izumi just comes with me."

As she spoke, Apricot put her hand on my shoulder.

"I'm going too?"

"Oh~ let Izumi accompany me."

Compared to my doubts, Okazaki stared at the hand on my shoulder, touched his chin and nodded with a thoughtful expression.

This guy must be thinking something terrible.

With many months of experience dealing with him, I have this bad premonition.

"Anyway, Tomoya, you and Starling should wait for us at the café in front of us," and despite my objections, Xing grabbed my arm and ran in the direction of the bookstore, "We'll be back soon!" ”

"It's okay, it's okay if you're not in a hurry," Okazaki gave me a thumbs up with a hearty smile, "Izumi GoodLuck!" ”

Luck, you're big!

———————————— dividing line————————————

"How about this one?"

"Hmm... It's the latest version, but I prefer the previous version. ”

"What about this one?"

"No, it's too light, it doesn't feel good at all."

"Do you want to change this line?"

"Although the cover feels good, the quality of the pages is really disappointing."

……

If you ask what we're doing, the answer is simple.

That's ———— to help Xing choose the right dictionary!

Why now?

Isn't it already booked?

I think you have this kind of doubt.

The answer is, because it's a lie!

When I was dragged to the bookstore by Xing and watched her stare at the bookcase, I already understood.

In order to create a chance for Okazaki and Starling to be alone, this guy accidentally lied and dug a hole for himself and jumped in.

I don't know if I'm smart or clumsy.

"Apricot, anyway, it's all about not revealing the stuffing, any one is fine, right?"

"I refuse!"

"You answered so quickly!"

"I always feel underestimated by you, you must know that just touching the pages with different feelings can change your mood," crossed his hands, and Xing showed an expression like a teacher, "And the dictionary is like my own siblings to me, how can I be perfunctory." ”

"Hah..."

Siblings, when you think of the siblings you usually treat, it is better to say that they are weapons.

"And it costs money anyway, of course you have to buy a satisfactory one."

"The latter sentence is what you mean, right?"

"Comments?"

“… No. ”

Even if I had an opinion, I couldn't possibly say yes in this grenade-ridden environment, right? That's absolute death!

"By the way, how did you get Okazaki out?"

Thinking of Okazaki's character, he shouldn't be the type who will definitely come out if he is called.

"Friend, I've cheated a little."

"Cheating?"

"Didn't I help out a little bit about Sakagami, so... Well, that's it. ”

Avoiding my gaze, Apricot turned her head sideways with flushed cheeks.

"It's time to return the favor."

"It's pretty much that... Yes! I have this one. ”

"Oh~ I said you," I sighed as I put the dictionary back on the shelf, "Is this really good?" ”

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you say don't interfere too much?"

"What are you talking nonsense, Starling is not only my sister, but also a shy and introverted child, how can you let me go in such a situation?!"

"Yes, don't stare at me like that," I said helplessly, looking for a proper dictionary, "I just wanted to say that it's too obvious that you're doing this." ”

"Will it?"

"You don't think that way at all?!"

I was surprised.

Stopping to look for a book, I turned to look at Apricot with a long sigh.

"If you think about it, even if I can see it, will Okazaki's delicate glass-hearted boy not be able to see it?"

"Hmm..."Xing touched her chin silently and thought, and after a while, she raised her head and nodded in agreement, "If you feel like this even if you are so sluggish, it does make some sense." ”

"Hey, don't add too much to me."

"But if it's really noticed by a friend, maybe it's a good thing for him to realize the starling, but I'm afraid it's self-defeating."

"What about my protest? Ignored? ”

"But don't look at friends like that, in fact, the critical moment may be as dull as you, it should be fine."

"It's such a bland breath that hurt two people."

"That's it, No_problem!"

Xing smiled confidently and gave me a thumbs up.

Don't give me such a hearty smile and apologize to me first!

Who's sluggish!

You're sluggish!

"Why do you look unconvinced? … Ahh This is a very good one! Both the feel and the quality are great! ”

Xing held a dictionary and cheered happily.

"I'll go check out first!"

“……”

This guy... When it comes to starlings, she simply becomes a worried mother, and she can't listen to other people's advice at all.

Looking at Apricot running towards the cash register with a satisfied face, I set my eyes on the other bookshelves as if escaping reality.

The eye couldn't help but be drawn to the title of a book on the shelf.

Is there such a book?!

Isn't that forcing me to have to buy it?!

I don't have much money left this month except for food, so I have to hold back... But、But now is the time when this book is needed...

……

Damn it!

With a deep breath, I raised my head and held out my hand to the book with determination.

———————————— dividing line————————————

After buying the book, we walked towards the café where we had been waiting with Okazaki and Starling.

"Did you buy a book too?"

"Hmm."

"What books did you buy? Wait, let me guess! ”

It seems that because I bought a satisfactory dictionary, Apricot is in a good mood,

"Paleographic?"

"It's not."

"English-Chinese dictionary?"

"It's not."

"Japanese-Chinese dictionary?"

"Why are they all dictionaries?"

"Hey, hey~ sorry, get used to it."

Sticking out her tongue, Apricot smiled embarrassedly.

"Actually, it's for you."

Hand the paper bag in his hand to the apricot.

"Huh?!"

I didn't expect me to give her a gift, Xing was stunned with her mouth half open.

"I often cause you trouble, this can be regarded as my gratitude to you for taking care of me."

"Eh, eh?!"

"As a little bit of caution for me, I hope you enjoy this book."

"You, you've said so, begging, begging, hating... How could it be..."

With a blushing face, she took the paper bag, and Apricot's voice became smaller and quieter, so that at last it completely turned into an inaudible mutter.

It's really surprising, this guy has a big personality, and he thought he would pat me on the shoulder as usual, and say "Thank you, I'll use it well" or "It's the wind blowing today", and I didn't expect to be shy because of other people's thanks.

Oops, such a shy apricot unexpectedly... Calm down! This is that apricot, maybe she will become a tigress in the next second.

I don't think apricots are cute and cute!

"Izumi, why don't you turn your face away, it's suspicious."

"Not really! It's just that my neck is a little sore and I want to move! ”

"By the way, can I open it and take a look?"

"Absolutely."

"It's rare that you have this heart, I will cherish it," Xing opened the paper bag and took out the book, and when she looked at the title of the book, she showed a surprised expression, "Ah..."

"How? "How to Graduate from Sister Control", as soon as I saw this book, I derived a sense of responsibility that must be given to you! ”

“……”

"This book will definitely help you!"

“……”

"After reading it, you can come to me to talk about your feelings after reading, and I will definitely accompany you to the end!"

“……”

It seems that the apricots must have felt my intentions, and now they are still moved and have not returned to their senses.

“… Spring. ”

Half a sound, Apricot finally had a reaction.

"Yes!"

“… Want to hear how I feel now? ”

Trembling slightly, Apricot's voice seemed to be suppressing something.

Oh my God, is it necessary to be so excited? It seems that this gift is really the right one.

"Xing, don't say anything," I made a gesture of refusal when I stretched out my hand, and smiled with the smile I thought was the most handsome, "I am usually taken care of by you so much, this little thing is what I deserve, you don't need to thank you." ”

"Thanks... yes, thank you. ”

"Huh?"

What's going on with this chill?

I suddenly felt a pang of unease.

"Hehe... Hehehe..."

"Miss Xing, Miss Xing, are you okay?"

Even honorifics are used for those who are afraid.

"I can't think of one thing that I haven't done yet."

"W-What?"

"That's..."

Taking out the dictionary she had just bought from the paper bag, Apricot looked up and smiled at me with a wide smile.

"Can you bastard stand still and let me try my touch?"

"Huh... Huh?! ”

Feeling that something was wrong, I turned around and ran.

"Bastard, stop me, don't run!"

"Wow, a