Stargazing

Later that night, we gathered in front of the inn.

"Are there still people inside?"

We all looked at each other. After making sure that no one was left behind, we set off.

Each male member is tasked with carrying an item. Some carry binoculars, mats, and so on. For me, I was assigned to carry a bag full of food. Most of it was snacks to accompany us later.

Since our destination was a hill where we could see the stars clearly, we had to pass through the jungle. There was no lighting along the way except from the flashlights.

Speaking of walking in the dark, my mind immediately went to Tsukinaga-san. When we entered the haunted house, she looked really scared. I'm worried that she might be pushing herself as well at the moment.

I turned my head left and right looking for Tsukinaga-san's whereabouts. But even though I kept looking for her, I never found her.

Just when I was afraid that she would be left behind, someone whispered in my ear.

"What's wrong?"

"Aah!"

I reflexively screamed. But I deftly covered my mouth.

"Please don't scare me like that, Tsukinaga-san."

Tsukinaga-san tilted her head. She was confused by my strange behavior since earlier.

Even her confused expression looks adorable.

So the reason I couldn't find her all this time was because she was walking behind me. Then when she saw me looking around anxiously, she came to ask me.

"Are you alright, Tsukinaga-san?"

"I'm fine(?) Why do you ask?"

"No. I just thought that you might be scared right now."

"W-Who's scared?!"

The fact that she answered immediately and with a stutter proved that my guess was correct. Perhaps that was also the reason for her walking behind me.

"It's okay. No need to be shy?"

"W-Wha?"

Tsukinaga-san was at a loss for words. But then she came up with a counterattack.

"You say that when in reality you're the one who's scared, right?"

Perhaps since she realized that her defenses had fallen apart, she decided to go out to attack rather than constantly defend.

Sigh... She is very easy to read.

"Yeah, you are right. I was so scared that I almost peed my pants. So please hold my hand."

Without asking for her approval, I grasped Tsukinaga-san's hand. This certainly took her by surprise. But she didn't say anything nor did she shake my hand to let go. She just silently accepted me holding her hand.

Even in a dark situation like this— No, even without looking back, I can tell that Tsukinaga-san's face right now is as red as a tomato. I know, because I'm the same.

After walking for almost thirty minutes, we arrived at our destination.

In contrast to the bush-filled forest behind us, what lay before us was a grass bed with nothing in the way. It was indeed the perfect place for stargazing.

"We are here. Please spread out mats so we can put our things down and rest."

We did as sensei said. Senpai, who was carrying a mattress, spread it out on the grass. Senpai who was carrying the binoculars set them down and arranged them in a position suitable for stargazing. And the rest immediately lay down on the mat that had been prepared. Some even didn't bother and just lay down on the grass. Our journey here was quite tiring so they wanted to take a quick break.

"As we can see, the sky above us is full of beautiful stars. Without looking through binoculars, can you name the constellations up there?"

Sensei throws out a quiz, and his students reply excitedly.

"Ursa Major!"

"Hercules!"

"Scorpius!"

"Corona Borealis!"

One by one, answers emerged. There are so many stars above that many constellations can be seen. But for me, who doesn't know the constellations very well, seeing so many stars only made me confused in identifying them.

For now, I just enjoyed the beautiful scenery above my head while listening to the energetic voices of the seniors.

While I was enjoying stargazing, Tsukinaga-san sat next to me.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

I don't know what words are suitable to describe this beauty. As a result, I can only give a short answer.

"I'm sorry Tsukinaga-san. I know you are the most beautiful person in the world, but I seem to have fallen in love with this beauty."

"Fufu. What are you saying? Comparing me to nature."

"I'm sorry, but I'm just saying it as it is."

"It's not that I'm offended or anything. In fact, I feel honored that you look up to me that highly. This view is simply amazing, and I can't deny that."

Side by side, we gazed at the stars together. If it was just us here, I would have put my hand on her shoulder and pulled her close to me.

But there are people here. So I just put up with crawling my hand to hers. Tsukinaga-san could read my mind and just smiled away.

We did various things while we were here. We had a discussion about celestial bodies. Sensei explained things that I mostly didn't understand. And then I tried using binoculars for the first time.

I learned and experienced many things in just this one day. It was a very valuable experience.

As dawn breaks and the night sky begins to fade, we clean up and prepare to head down.

We still have one more night of stargazing. Even though I felt like I knew a lot already, the seniors told me that they still had a lot to show.

"It's fun."

I turned to Tsukinaga-san whose face was full of smiles.

"Me too. I'm having so much fun."

I'm glad she's happy. Since it was me who invited her, it was the best outcome I could get.

"So, uhm..."

"Hm? What is it?"

Tsukinaga-san hesitated to speak her mind.

"I know it's too early to say it since we still have one more night, but will you go stargazing again with me? This time it's just the two of us."

My footsteps stopped. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Although Tsukinaga-san said a few other things, my senses were turned off since my brain was too busy thinking about other things.

ISN'T SHE TOO CUTE?! I usually take the initiative to invite her. But this time she was the one who invited me. Furthermore, what the heck was that choice of words? Wanting to be alone with me? Isn't saying that cheating?

"Hey, Minamoto-kun!"

"Ah!"

I was brought back to reality. The first thing I saw was Tsukinaga-san's red face from anger. Maybe she was irritated that I kept ignoring her.

"Is that a no?"

Tsukinaga-san asked me with teary eyes. It might take a lot of courage for her to ask me out. So seeing my lack of enthusiasm upset her.

"Let's go! Let's go stargazing, just the two of us."

I grasped Tsukinaga-san's hand without thinking and brought it together between our faces. Tsukinaga-san blushed when I did that.

"It's decided then."

"Hey, you two! Stop making out and let's go! Or you will be left behind."

I realized that we were the only ones left. Everyone else has gone already.

I, who felt embarrassed for what senpai said just now, frantically let go of Tsukinaga-san's hand. While half running, we chased after the others.