Today is unexpectedly a sunny day. I squint my eyes and look at the blue sky after pulling open the curtain. The weather forecast yesterday said it would rain today and tomorrow, and I was quite worried, but now it's a beautiful clear sky without a single cloud.
It was also such good weather when we went out before. I suddenly remember this and can't help but smile at the corner of my mouth. After waking up in the morning, I've been feeling restless. I know the reason, but I feel too shy and don't really want to think deeply about it now.
"Well, the weather is really good."
I mumble with a yawn, stretch myself greatly, and then throw the T-shirt and shorts of my pajamas onto the bed. The clothes I change into are a long-sleeved T-shirt, jeans, and a zippered hoodie made of sweatshirt material. It's similar to what I wore when going out before, but I don't pay much attention to it. Moreover, I hardly have any fashionable clothes suitable for going out. For the place I'm going to today, this is about enough.
"Probably will walk quite a lot."
I adjusted my schedule according to Blake's arrangement before the consecutive holidays, and the plan of going out today with the two of us as agreed upon is proceeding smoothly. Although nominally it's going to a place Blake wants to go, to be honest, I'm a bit puzzled.
"I always feel something is a bit off."
As soon as I think about the place I'm about to go to, I can't help but mumble in a low voice. At that time, the place Blake chose, no matter how I think about it, doesn't seem like a place he would say without hesitation. Maybe he doesn't dislike it, but still feels a bit different.
Because that's a place I myself like. If he doesn't know this thing, it's impossible for words like "Let's go to the zoo" to come out of Blake's mouth.
"As a result, it's still a place I want to go."
Obviously saying it's going to a place Blake wants to go, but I mumble with a sigh mixed in. At this moment, my mobile phone rings just like it has calculated it well. I hurriedly open my mobile phone and receive a text message.
It's the good morning text message that Blake sends as usual. There's nothing special in the content, just a greeting of "Good morning", but this has its meaning.
"Have you boarded the tram already?"
Usually, this text message is only received in the morning on weekdays. It's sent when Blake boards the tram. So this is like a signal that he has boarded the tram now. The station nearest to him and mine are on the same line, with seven stops in between. So if I don't hurry up, he will arrive at my side soon.
I look at my watch, speed up my preparation a bit, and then hurriedly walk towards the station in front of me.
The morning of a rest day is really quiet indeed. The places that are usually crowded with people are now empty and there is no crowd at all. I pass through the unusually spacious station square where there are few people and pass through the ticket barrier five minutes before the agreed time. Just in time, I see Blake coming down the stairs.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
I wave my hand gently, and he replies with a refreshing smile. Seeing Blake's smile in the morning, I feel extremely dazzling. It feels like there is a shiny halo surrounding him.
"It's really refreshing."
I can't help but say this and I also smile myself. But Blake is just so dazzling. I can feel my mood rising high, and there's nothing I can do about it.
"What are you talking about?"
For me being so excited, Blake shows a puzzled expression and tilts his head. I give a wry smile. To cover up my embarrassment, I start walking leisurely. I can't say that I've been staring at Blake since the morning. It's too shy.
"Sure enough, it's quite empty."
The destination requires transferring to another line at this station and then transferring to a tram and a bus. Although it's a day trip, it takes nearly two hours for a single journey. It feels a bit like a small trip.
Arriving at the platform and just in time to catch the tram. After getting on the tram, I find that there are few people inside the tram just like in front of the station. Probably can see some families that seem to be going to the same destination and groups of middle school students or so.
"Now the place we are going to can't be said to be completely not crowded during the consecutive holidays either, but it might be a bit more spacious than other places and better."
I stare blankly inside the tram. After hearing Blake's voice, I turn my head. Blake sitting beside me narrows his eyes slightly and shows a gentle smile.
"Well, is that so."
While echoing him, for some reason, I keep staring at his appearance. After a while, Blake tilts his head slightly in confusion.
I'm still a bit at a loss about the private Blake. He is the same as usual and never shows off. Wearing a black shirt, jeans, and a simple-designed gray jacket. Not at all gorgeous and not wearing any accessories. It's very simple. The reason for my being at a loss is probably his hairstyle or glasses. His different atmosphere from usual makes him seem very mature, which makes me feel a bit flustered.
"Blake."
"What's wrong?"
"Well, nothing."
Feeling that many passengers are looking back at Blake, a feeling of annoyance wells up in my heart. In such a public place, having such a handsome guy, it's impossible not to make people look back.
"I'm too narrow-minded."
Jealousy – this emotion that suddenly surges up makes me droop my shoulders. I've never felt this kind of feeling before, so I'm even more influenced by this emotion.
"Ben, what's wrong?"
Blake shows a puzzled expression to my faint muttering and casually touches the fingertip I put on the seat.
"No, nothing."
My shoulder involuntarily trembles because of that touch. Blake leaves with a somewhat meaningful smile. I've been thinking about how much of my inner thoughts Blake has seen through. My joy of being known by him and my uneasiness of being discovered by him about my strong possessiveness are mixed together, making me not know what to do.
"You seem to know everything. This scares me."
My feelings and words are always preempted by him. Even if I'm lacking in words, Blake can sensitively notice and understand me.
This makes me extremely happy. But on the other hand, if I get used to this, I'm worried that my usually insufficient communication and words will completely disappear. And I'm afraid of being discovered by him about the sticky feelings I unconsciously have towards the people around me.
"Ben unexpectedly shows his feelings on his face very easily. It's easy to understand by looking."
"Is that so... Many people said before that they have no idea at all what I'm thinking."
I've been told that I'm too cold, don't care enough, and hope that I can express my feelings more clearly. But I don't mean that. I've always been doing my best in what I can do, but it seems that it's seldom conveyed to others. But recently, I seem to have been told the same thing by people.
"Is it really that easy to understand?"
I can't help but touch my face with both hands and fall into thinking. Blake says with a soft laugh that it's cute.
"It's not cute."
I immediately refute his words. Blake is always like this, constantly saying that I'm cute. Every time I hear such words, I feel extremely shy.
"Come to think of it, did you investigate today?"
I gently bump the armpit of Blake who is still laughing with my elbow and ask about the destination that has been puzzling me since the morning. Hearing this sentence, Blake relaxes his cheeks and says with a smile.
"Well, I checked it a bit. I heard about it from Yasu before. I was thinking of going if there's an opportunity. But when we went out together last time, I noticed that you don't like crowded places, so I chose a place a bit farther away."
"...So that's it."
Going to a place that takes nearly two hours for a single journey on purpose. Sure enough, it's because he has noticed that I dislike crowded places. I didn't expect him to notice it in such a short time.
"You said it's a place you want to go."
"I'm happiest when Ben is happy."
"Well, as long as Blake thinks it's good, then it's good."
His expression of taking it for granted makes me deeply feel the feeling of being spoiled. In this way, it's not clear who is older. But I have to admit that I'm completely defeated by his thoughtfulness and gentleness.
"Don't you like it very much?"
Seeing my plain reaction, Blake's expression suddenly becomes gloomy.
"No, I like it very much."
Feeling Blake's disappointment, I hurriedly correct myself. He clearly shows a relieved expression. Of course, I'm really looking forward to it – but there is still a little bit of remaining emotion in my heart.
"What are the things or places that Blake likes?"
The most important purpose this time is to understand Blake. If it's centered around myself like usual, this purpose can't be achieved, and that would be troublesome.
"Me?"
I ask casually, but Blake shows a difficult expression and starts to worry seriously.
Come to think of it, Abel said before that Blake isn't very interested in many things. Maybe he is still like this now. If so, it might not be good to force him to answer now.
"If you can't think of it, it's okay. Just tell me when you think of it."
Seeing that he is really worrying, I kind of feel sorry for him. But being able to see such an awkward side of Blake that he doesn't usually show is also very interesting.
"Ben sometimes shows a rather bad expression."
"Really?"
I notice my cheek that has unconsciously relaxed and press my cheeks with both hands to tighten them. At this moment, Blake who is staring at my face pouts and narrows his eyes.
"Well, but it doesn't matter."
I give a forced laugh and shrug my shoulders. Blake lets out a gentle sigh.
"I'm sorry, but I think the somewhat awkward look of Blake is very cute and I like it very much. You are always so perfect."
"...I said before too. I'm not perfect at all."
"I know. This is just an impression. An impression."
I stroke the head of Blake who is covering his face with one hand and lowering his head. He lets out another gentle sigh.