「As I thought, the sea in this season feels nice because it’s not too hot. It’s not like this after the sea opening.」
「Y-Yeah…」
「Ah, Yamanaga-kun, don’t space out and look carefully, okay? There are lots of treasures sleeping here!」
On the sandy beach before the sea opening, with the sea breeze blowing through.
Eri-san, crouching down and searching for seashells, seemed to have been looking forward to this day and was intensely focused on the sand.
I never thought this was her purpose…
She had never shown any sign of having a hobby of collecting seashells, so I was quite surprised by this transformation upon stepping onto the sandy beach.
「But I wouldn’t know what’s a treasure…」
I’ve never found value in seashells, so naturally, I can’t distinguish which ones are treasures and which are junk.
「Eh~, you can tell in an instant just by looking. Trust your intuition. You’ll definitely know.」
Following Eri-san’s confident assertion, I try picking up a seashell.
It was just an ordinary seashell, but somehow its shape was prettier than the others, so it caught my eye.
I see, is this what it means to trust your intuition??
Wondering if my sense of value was correct, I decided to show it to Eri-san to check.
「Unn… it’s not bad, but it’s quite ordinary…」
「I-Is that so…?」
「Yes, having said what I did, it’s hard for me to say, but personally, it’s junk…」
「I… see…」
Oi, wait a minute.
Isn’t seashell appraisal way too hard!?
I quite liked it, but apparently, to Eri-san, it was nothing more than trash.
That’s strange… I thought it was good…
「W-Well… for a first selection, I think you have potential!!」
Perhaps she realized I was more damaged than expected, and Eri-san quickly followed up, but I felt complicated in various ways.
Having potential in seashell appraisal… what does that even mean?
I’m sure if someone praised me for having the potential for a qualification I’d never use, I’d feel exactly like this.
I came all the way here for Eri-san, so personally, I wanted to do my best for her, but it seems I can’t be of much help in this area.
「Ah, umm… then, could you just collect some seashells for me? I’ll choose the ones I like based on my own judgment from among them.」
「Alright, got it. That sounds like something I can do.」
That’s right. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.
If you’re not good at something, just rely on someone who is, in fact, I’m leaving the seashell appraisal, which I’m not good at, to Eri-san, while I do the simple task of collecting seashells that catch my eye, and that’s contributing to Eri-san.
That’s right, if I can’t do it, then Eri-san will judge based on her… nnn?
「Wait a minute, did you just say based on your judgment…?」
「Uhh… I don’t remember what I said… Did I say something like that?」
「For a mishearing, I heard it pretty clearly… If it’s based on personal judgment, then it’s about personal preference, so it’s not about having or not having talent──」
「Ah─ah─!! I can’t hear anything! Look, it’s already afternoon and only a few hours until sunset, so could you hurry up and collect them!?」
「No, but before that…」
「I thought today was supposed to be an outing for me, was that wrong??」
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「No, that’s not wrong, but…」
「Then, go out. Go and collect them quickly.」
「Isn’t that a bit forceful, even harsh…?」
Pushed forcefully by Eri-san, I started collecting seashells.
Anyway, I spent hours picking up seashells that caught my eye for Eri-san and bringing them back to her.
「Iyaa… thank you for today. Thanks to you, it was the best outing!」
「I-If Eri-san is s-satisfied, then that’s good…」
To be honest, I didn’t expect it to be such hard labor.
I thought it would just be walking around the sandy beach while looking at the ground, but surprisingly, it was tough.
Come to think of it, we practiced on the sandy beach during the summer training camp for track and field…
The strain on the legs and back is incomparable between a regular road and a sandy beach.
I underestimated it, thinking it was just collecting seashells and wouldn’t be tiring, and I paid the price.
I’ll make sure to remember this next time.
「Did it refresh Yamanaga-kun too??」
「W-Well… if you mean as a change of pace, then maybe it did refresh me.」
「If so, I’m glad. I’ll invite you again next time, okay…?」
「I-If there’s a chance…」
「Really…? I got your word on it, okay?」
「Ahaha…」
When she says it with such a clear expression, I can’t help but give a wry smile.
I might need to make a habit of exercising regularly so I’m always ready for action.
「But really, thank you for accompanying me today.」
「No, it was a promise to begin with, so it’s only natural, right?」
「Even if it was a promise, I’m happy because I haven’t had many opportunities to go on outings like this with people from school.」
「I see.」
「And look. Look over there.」
Eri-san points to the coastline.
「It’s sunset…」
The sun was just about to set on the horizon.
「I love this scenery. Isn’t this moment the most beautiful in the day?」
「Yeah, I guess it might be.」
「I’m so happy to see such a view with Yamanaga-kun… no, with Takumi-kun.」
「Eri-san…」
「Since we’re here, shall we drop the honorifics…? I want to do so.」
「Got it… Then, I’ll call you Eri from now on, is that okay?」
「Yes, I’ll call you Takumi-kun too. Nice to meet you again. Takumi-kun.」
「Yeah, nice to meet you too, Eri.」
Our relationship in the Home Economics Club started off as what could be called unfriendly. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re definitely moving in a good direction.
As I watched Eri enjoying the sunset with a smile next to me, that’s what I thought.