Summer Vacation Arc: 65 The Garden House and the Bracelet

Summer Vacation Arc
65 The Garden House and the Bracelet

“Ya were here, huh? I was lookin’ for ya.”

As soon as Shin left, Seiya came up to Meru and greeted her perfunctorily.
His timing really was just as Shin had said. Meru, impressed, muttered, “What a keen awareness,” as she looked where he had disappeared.

“Yer alone?”
“Minohara-san was with me until just a bit ago.”

Thinking about it again, Meru was a little surprised. Generally, when she was alone with Shin, he didn’t act decently. But earlier, while it couldn’t be called normal, he didn’t do anything weird. It wasn’t something that would normally be praiseworthy, but him being who he was, Meru found it as such.

“That Shin…he’s serious.”
“What did you say?”

Seiya shook his head. Then, he took hold of Meru’s hand.

“I finished greetin’ everyone.”
“We can finally go home, then.”
“No way, idiot.”

Seiya looked a little grumpy as he refuted Meru who looked happy.

“We went ta all tha trouble of dressin’ ya up like that. Keep me company fer a while.”
“Ehh.”
“What’s with that reaction? It’s fine, innit? We don’ have many opportunities ta meet ‘r anythin’.”

Seiya said, seeming a little lonely. Meru was weak against Seiya when he was like this. Without saying anything more, she went with Seiya as he pulled her along.

Led by Seiya, Meru arrived at a garden house.
It was a beautiful place boasting blooming flowers. Looking up, there wasn’t a ceiling, but instead the beautiful starry sky and the bright moon.
The moonlight shining upon the inside of the room created a very mystical atmosphere.

“Wow…”
“It’s my favorite place.”

Seiya said, looking up at the sky.

“Are ya okay in dark places?”

Meru’s eyes widened at Seiya’s question.

“Why do you ask?”
“I thought ya might have flashbacks ‘r somethin’.”

Seiya spoke with just a little bit of worry in his voice. Meru smiled faintly while gazing at the sky.

“But this isn’t a hidden room or anything, and it’s beautiful, so…I’m okay.”

Seiya’s brow furrowed in response to Meru’s answer. She was fine now, but if this were a secret room hidden by a ceiling, Meru would be scared.

“Yer really okay?”
“Yes. Or should I say, ten years have passed, so I’m better than before.”
“That happens ‘cause memories fade. In yer case, that doesn’t happen.”

Seiya said worriedly in response to Meru who had spoken with a slightly wry smile.
She felt that Seiya was probably being kinder than usual because it had been a while since they last met.

Meru told him once more that she was fine, and Seiya muttered, “Then that’s good,” in a quiet, relieved voice.

“Meru.”
“Eh, ah…yes?”

Meru replied seemingly a little confused. She still felt uncomfortable when Seiya called her name.
Seeing her reaction, Seiya laughed.

“Hold out yer hand.”

Meru held out her left hand as Seiya had directed.
When she did, Seiya took out a box overflowing with high class vibes from his pocket, then placed the item inside around Meru’s wrist.

“A bracelet…?”
“Does it look like anythin’ else?”

An expensive-looking bracelet inlaid with beautiful jewels was clasped around Meru’s left wrist. It had an exquisite design that was neither too showy nor too subdued and matched the navy dress.
Meru’s eyes widened and she tilted her head. Seiya sighed in exasperation at Meru who looked like she wanted to ask why he gave that kind of thing to her.

“Yer birthday… It’s late, but this is tha present from me.”
“Eh!?”
“What’s with that reaction?”

Of course she would be surprised. She was trying to figure out if he had an ulterior motive, but judging from Seiya’s earnest expression, that didn’t seem to be the case at all.

“Since it was so sudden, I couldn’ really prepare anythin’ great.”
“No…it’s more than enough, I think, but… Is this okay?”
“Even if ya return it ta me, do ya think I’d wear some elegant decoration like that?”

It wouldn’t be weird even if Seiya wore it, and if she had to say, she thought that it would suit him. However, since Seiya had said that, he probably wouldn’t wear it.

“Thank you.”

Meru gladly accepted it, and for a while, she admired the bracelet.
Seiya looked content as he watched Meru who was faintly smiling.

After Meru had sufficiently looked at the bracelet, she took a deep breath and smiled.

“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“…I like it.”
“… Ya mean this place?”
“…? Yes. Is there something other than that?”

Meru spoke with a blank look on her face. She mimicked what Seiya had said to her a short while ago.
Exercising great self-control, Seiya heaved a heavy sigh.

“There is…”
“Eh?”
“It’s nothin’.”

It wouldn’t be strange with the current course of events if Meru told Seiya she liked him. Or so Seiya thought, but Meru didn’t have any thoughts like that at all. It was a very Meru-like response.
Seiya laughed quietly.

“What are you laughing about?”
“…When can I see you again?”

Seiya spoke while gazing at the sky.

“Ya probably don’ wanna see me though, huh.”
“You’re really negative today, aren’t you?”

The moonlight illuminated them perfectly from above. With the flowers around them, the atmosphere felt somehow magical.

It felt like even if one said they were in a dream, they would agree.

Meru touched Seiya’s cheek.

“Wh…”
“What’s the point of thinking about our next meeting when I’m here right now?”

Meru slowly took her hand back. A faint warmth remained on Seiya’s cheek.
Seiya muttered, “Yer impossible,” with a smile.

“Could ya stay with me for a little longer?”

Seiya delivered unusually frank words. Meru smiled gently and nodded.

Elegant music from the dance hall floated over pleasantly.

Meru and Seiya, surrounded by flowers bathed in moonlight, spent some time gazing at the beautiful night sky while they spoke about trifling things.

In the darkness of night as the time grew later, the laughter of the two sounded out.

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<TLN>
I..kinda wonder if Seiya would have at least tried the bracelet on if Meru said it would suit him… Probably not but still, LOL.

This was a really cute chapter tho!? My heart ;~;

Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it!

20 chapters left in the summer vacation arc!