Shiriku glanced back at the bush where Aoi was crouched. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and subtly pulled it out, keeping it low to avoid Ayaka's notice. The text was from Aoi: "Change the mood, dude! It's too gloomy! Make her smile!" Shiriku couldn't help but chuckle at Aoi's antics. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and sighed. It seemed he had a task to accomplish—turning this conversation around.
He returned his focus to Ayaka, who was still walking beside him, her eyes cast downward. He could sense the weight of her words, the pressure she felt from her family. "You know," he said, his voice lighter, trying to shift the mood, "families have all these expectations, but sometimes it's okay to do something different. It takes courage to change things for yourself, not just for your family."
Ayaka looked up at him, her eyes a little brighter, as she chuckled softly. "But Shiriku-sama, my father always says that I should keep my expectations high, especially since I'm his daughter."
Shiriku raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "Well, maybe it's better not to have expectations at all," he said, his tone playful yet with an edge of seriousness.
Ayaka tilted her head, curious. "And why is that, Shiriku-sama?"
Shiriku stopped walking, turning to face her. His expression grew thoughtful, and he spoke with a seriousness that belied his usual relaxed demeanor. "If you go into something with high expectations and it goes well, you'll be happy. But if you lose, you end up feeling annoyed, disappointed, especially in yourself." He paused, letting his words sink in, then added with a small smile, "It's a lot less stressful when you just take things as they come."
Ayaka considered his words, nodding slowly. His perspective seemed to offer her a sense of relief. "You might have a point," she said, her voice softer. "It's just hard, you know? With everyone expecting so much from me, it's like I'm never enough."
Shiriku shook his head gently. "You are enough, Ayaka. Don't let anyone make you think otherwise." He glanced back at the bush, wondering if Aoi had anything else to say. Luckily, it seemed she was just observing now, satisfied that the mood had lightened a bit.
As Ayaka and Shiriku resumed their walk, the air between them felt a little lighter. Ayaka's expression had softened, and there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Thank you, Shiriku-sama," she said, her voice warm. "It's good to have a friend who understands."
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Shiriku and Ayaka continued walking along the shaded pathway, the breeze gently rustling the leaves in the trees above them. The earlier gloom that had settled over their conversation seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm and quiet companionship. Shiriku glanced at Ayaka, a faint smile on his lips, and said, "How strange it is to be anything at all."
Ayaka chuckled, the sound light and airy, as she quickened her pace, moving a step ahead of him. She looked back at him over her shoulder, her eyes reflecting the soft sunlight filtering through the branches. "Yes, it is," she replied, her voice tinged with playful amusement.
Before they could continue the conversation, the sharp sound of a school bell echoed across the campus, signaling the end of recess. The pathways, once bustling with students, now became streams of hurried movement as everyone made their way back to their respective classrooms.
Shiriku exhaled deeply, the bell interrupting his thoughts. "Guess that's our cue," he said with a shrug. He gave Ayaka a quick nod, a gesture that conveyed both farewell and a hint of encouragement. "See you later, Ayaka. Don't let the expectations get you down," he added, trying to keep his tone light.
Ayaka smiled back, her usual composed demeanor returning. "You too, Shiriku-sama. And thanks for the advice," she said, her voice carrying a genuine sense of gratitude. With a small wave, she turned and walked toward her classroom, 1-B.
Shiriku watched her go for a moment, then turned toward his classroom, 1-A. As he walked, he slipped his hands into his pockets, his mind drifting back to their conversation. The campus was filled with the noise of students hurrying back to class, the rustling of leaves, and the distant sounds of teachers calling for order.
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Next Week:
Shiriku and Ayaka stood in a large open field at the edge of town, the morning sun just beginning to cast its warm glow over the landscape. A crowd had gathered to watch the hot air balloon launch, a spectacle that drew onlookers from miles around. The massive, colorful balloon lay deflated on the ground, while the crew worked to prepare it for takeoff.
Shiriku had his hands in his pockets, a casual stance, but his eyes flicked nervously from the balloon to Ayaka. She was looking out over the field, her expression a mix of excitement and apprehension. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and she bit her lower lip, a telltale sign of her nervousness.
"Have you ever been in one of these before?" Shiriku asked, trying to sound calm despite his own apprehension.
Ayaka shook her head, her grip tightening. "No, never," she replied, her voice soft but steady. "It looks a little... intimidating, doesn't it?"
Shiriku nodded, his eyes following the crew as they worked to inflate the balloon. The massive envelope began to rise, filling with hot air, its vibrant colors becoming more distinct. "Yeah, but it'll be fun," he said, attempting to sound reassuring. "Besides, this was Aoi's idea, so we can't back out now."
Ayaka chuckled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Of course it was. She always has these crazy plans," she said, her tone lightening. "But it's nice to be outside and do something different for a change."
Aoi stood off to the side, pretending to be a casual onlooker. She wore a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, but her usual energy was palpable even from a distance. She was watching them closely, a smirk on her lips, occasionally glancing at her phone to document the scene.
The balloon's crew signaled that the launch was ready, and Shiriku offered Ayaka his hand. "Shall we?" he asked, his voice friendly but with an edge of mischief.
Ayaka hesitated for a moment, then nodded, slipping her hand into his. As they walked toward the basket, her grip tightened, and she leaned in closer to him. "I'm trusting you, Shiriku-sama," she said, her voice low.
Shiriku squeezed her hand lightly, his smile gentle. "Don't worry. If we fall, at least we'll fall together," he joked, earning a playful shove from Ayaka.
As they climbed into the basket, the balloon began to rise, the ground slowly shrinking beneath them. Ayaka's eyes widened as she watched the world expand below, the town turning into a miniature landscape. The cool morning breeze ruffled her hair, and a smile crept across her lips.
Shiriku stood beside her, his eyes on the horizon. "See? Not so bad, right?" he said, his voice filled with wonder.
Ayaka nodded, her earlier nerves replaced with a sense of awe. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her gaze sweeping across the rolling hills and distant mountains.
Aoi, watching from the ground, snapped a few pictures with her phone, a satisfied grin on her face. She muttered to herself, "Operation Fake Boyfriend, step four complete."
Shiriku and Ayaka stood side by side, sharing the breathtaking view, their earlier worries fading with the rising balloon. As the landscape stretched out before them, they felt a sense of freedom that came with the open sky, a feeling that neither of them wanted to end.
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The hot air balloon began its descent, the colorful envelope deflating gradually as the ground rose to meet them. The ride had been mostly smooth, but as they neared the landing site, the wind picked up, causing the basket to sway gently from side to side.
Shiriku tightened his grip on the edge of the basket, his eyes scanning the landing area. The crew below signaled for them to hold on, as the descent might be a bit bumpy. Ayaka was standing beside him, her hands gripping the basket's edge, her knuckles turning white with the pressure.
The balloon touched down with a light thud, then bounced once, twice, before settling. The sudden motion caused Ayaka to lose her balance, her feet slipping on the uneven floor of the basket. She let out a small gasp, arms flailing to regain stability.
Shiriku reacted quickly, his hand darting out to grab her waist, stopping her from tumbling forward. "Whoa, careful!" he said, his voice calm but firm. He held her securely, his grip steadying her as the basket settled.
Ayaka, caught off guard by the sudden contact, froze for a moment. Her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink as she looked up at Shiriku, her eyes wide with surprise. She stammered, her words coming out in short bursts. "I-I-I'm okay, t-thanks," she managed to say, her voice a bit shaky.
Shiriku met her gaze, his expression softening as he asked, "You sure? That was a pretty rough landing." He slowly let go of her waist, making sure she was steady on her feet before he stepped back.
Ayaka nodded quickly, her embarrassment slowly fading. "Y-yeah, I'm fine," she said, her voice growing more composed. "Thanks for catching me. I guess I'm not very good with sudden movements," she added with a nervous laugh.
Shiriku chuckled, shaking his head. "No worries. I got your back," he replied, giving her a reassuring smile.
The crew on the ground began to secure the balloon, and passengers climbed out of the basket one by one. Shiriku helped Ayaka step over the edge, his hand lightly resting on her back as she climbed out. The field was bustling with people, and the sound of the hot air balloon's deflation filled the air with a soft whoosh.
As they walked away from the landing site, Aoi appeared, still pretending to be an innocent bystander. She had a wide grin on her face, her eyes darting between Shiriku and Ayaka. "So, how was the ride? Any exciting moments?" she asked, her tone dripping with playful curiosity.
Ayaka shot her a look, her cheeks still slightly pink. "Nothing too exciting," she replied, trying to downplay the incident. "Just a little turbulence during the landing, that's all."
Shiriku shrugged, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, just a regular ride. No big deal," he said, giving Aoi a pointed look.