Three Days of Happiness

122
So it was a lucky thing that I was the closest one to her out of all
these people at the station. I was deeply happy about that.
“Bus was late because of the rain,” Himeno explained. “Sorry to
make you wait. I’ll treat you to something.”
“No, allow me. I invited you this time, so forget about it for today.”
I realized that not only my appearance, but my voice had changed.
It sounded about half an octave higher, and it had a surprisingly
good sound to it, as if that were its inherent sound.
“Hmm. So you’re expecting a “next time”?”, she asked with an
unconcerned yet scrutinizing look.
“Yeah. And next time, I’ll probably be expecting one after that.”
“Glad you’re being honest,” she giggled.
That’s definitely something Himeno would say, I whispered to
myself. She hadn’t changed in ten years. She was still sarcastic, but
still spoke with a hint of warmth.
We went through the tunnel, and when we reached the end and I
opened my umbrella, Himeno swiftly snatched it from me and held
it between us.
“You were always the one who forgot his umbrella, Kusunoki, so I
reluctantly had to let you share mine.”
“That’s right,” I said, taking the umbrella back and holding it near
Himeno. “So then wouldn’t it be good to reverse it from now on?”
“Aha.”
We walked together under one umbrella.
By the way, what were you doing there the other day?, Himeno