With no one else around, there's nothing stopping me anymore from just leaving and going home. And yet, I find myself somehow glued in place. I look at the spot where Takamoto was standing, and then turn to the area where I was previously watching over her. Without all the tension and awkwardness, the gymnasium is actually a really picturesque place during late afternoon. It kinda gives the vibe of an anime ending theme. All that's missing is some somber music talking about how life is too short and friendship and other crap.
"Time to go home, I guess."
I mumble to myself. But before I could even take a step towards the door, I saw the shadow of a person on the entryway coupled with the distinct sound of outdoor shoes rhythmically hitting the pavement. A cold sweat streaks down the side of my head as the sound grows closer and closer. My eyes are firmly fixed on the door, waiting for whoever or whatever is making those footsteps to show themselves. And then… It happens.
"Pardon my intrusion~! Is anyone still here… Oh! Sugiyama-san."
Kurebayashi peaked her head in from the side, making me squeal just a tiny bit. Well, I scared myself for no reason. I somehow thought it was a ghost or something that's looking for a soul to feast on.
"Kurebayashi… What are you doing here?"
She enters through the door and begins to steadily walk towards me.
"What do you mean, Sugiyama-san? You told me earlier to come to the gym. I apologize for not coming sooner. I still had some obligations in the classroom that I needed to complete before coming here."
"Oh right, my bad. Things got so hectic that I forgot all about you."
"Goodness, Sugiyama-san! That's a cruel thing to say."
She puffs her cheeks in an attempt to look angry, but she instead looks like she's just pouting.
"S-sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud."
Seemingly satisfied with my half-assed apology, she tilts her head slightly and gives me the warmest, most earnest smile I've seen from her.
"Apology accepted~ Now then, was there any particular reason that you wanted to meet here?"
"Oh uhh… About that. It's kind of a long story. And I honestly don't think I can explain it well enough right now."
Upon hearing this, Kurebayashi's smile slowly fades away. But she quickly recovers it and puts her index finger up to her cheek in a matter-of-fact pose.
"It's no matter, Sugiyama-san. By the way, I have a request from the music club that I need some assistance with. Would you be interested in helping me with it?"
A thin streak of the sunset's golden light peaks through from a window in the gym, illuminating the entirety of her slender frame. This coupled with her already captivating smile makes her look like an angel. Honestly, how could I say no to that?
"Well… If it won't take too long. Sure."
"Wonderful! Come, we should get to their club room first."
We walk together out of the gymnasium and onto the pathway that leads to the secondary school building. After such a strange and tiring series of events, I'm wiped out. Maybe it would have been better to call it a day and go home. But with this new request, it's looking like the day is far from over. And I get the feeling that this will be a pattern that I can expect to happen for the remainder of the school year.