The Shaved Ice Is for You

The sea breeze carried a warm, salty humidity as it swept across the beach.

Leaning back against the beach chair, Imaizumi Keita had a perfect view from this angle of the two figures playing in the waves not far away.

They stood in knee-deep water, splashing at each other, their laughter bright and carefree.

Yanami’s hair, soaked by the seawater, clung closely to her fair cheeks and neck, appearing even more smooth and vibrant.

The sunlight poured over her, making her already dazzlingly pale skin seem as though it had been coated with a glowing sheen.

Shio Lemon’s tanned skin shimmered with vitality under the sun, the contrast in tones naturally drawing attention.

In the end, Imaizumi Keita’s gaze returned to Yanami Anna, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.

Seriously, this woman…

A personality like hers really does suit a bright, sunny place like this.

Just as he was thinking that, a hesitant voice suddenly spoke from beside him.

“Um… Imaizumi.”

He turned his head to see that Komari Chika had come to stand next to him at some point.

She wore a standard school-issued swimsuit, covered with a long-sleeved sun-protection jacket, wrapping herself up tightly.

Her long bangs covered most of her eyes, making her seem even gloomier, and her tone wasn’t exactly polite either.

“Your gaze… is kind of perverted.”

“Hm?”

Imaizumi Keita raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise.

“Your eyes have been fixed on Yanami and Shio this whole time.”

Adjusting his posture, Imaizumi Keita looked back toward Yanami and replied matter-of-factly.

“I’m just appreciating something beautiful. Don’t you think the way they look right now is quite pleasing to the eye?”

Without giving Komari a chance to argue back, he smoothly shifted the topic toward her.

“Anyway, aren’t you going to play in the water? The president and Tsukinoki-senpai seem to be having fun.”

He gestured with his chin toward the other side, where Tamaki Shintaro was being chased across the sand by Tsukinoki Koto, who was spraying him with a water gun while he shouted in surrender.

“I-I’ll pass…”

Komari Chika shook her head and moved a bit away before sitting down on the waterproof sheet, hugging her knees as she watched the others playing.

“I… don’t really like crowded places. Staying here… is fine.”

“I see.”

Imaizumi Keita nodded, offering no further comment.

For someone like Komari, forcing her to join would probably only make her more uncomfortable.

He withdrew his gaze from the bickering childhood friends and looked at the lemon-flavored shaved ice beside him, which had already begun to melt slightly.

This was the one Yanami Anna had bought earlier and practically forced into his hands.

As for her own strawberry one, she had only taken a few quick bites before being dragged away by Lemon.

Thinking of that, Imaizumi Keita casually picked up the strawberry shaved ice, scooped a spoonful, and put it into his mouth.

The icy sweet-and-sour taste instantly dispelled some of the summer heat.

Not bad.

He set the half-eaten strawberry shaved ice in front of himself, then pushed the nearly untouched lemon shaved ice toward Komari.

“Here, this is for you.”

“Huh?”

Komari Chika was startled by the sudden gesture and became instantly wary.

She looked at the brightly colored shaved ice in front of her, then at Imaizumi Keita’s unreadable expression, her eyes filled with suspicion.

What is this guy… trying to do now?

Is he trying to bribe me so I won’t talk about his inappropriate gaze?

Seeing her cautious expression, Imaizumi Keita sighed inwardly.

He nudged the shaved ice a bit closer to her and explained calmly.

“Yanami bought it earlier. She got dragged away by Shio before she could eat it. If no one eats it, it’ll just melt completely.”

“…Yanami bought it…?”

Komari Chika froze.

Her eyes shifted between Imaizumi Keita and the clearly half-eaten strawberry shaved ice in front of him.

A clear line of logic slowly formed in her mind.

Yanami bought two shaved ices—one lemon, one strawberry.

She didn’t get to eat the lemon one before being dragged away, while the strawberry one had already been eaten by Imaizumi.

So if no one ate the lemon one, it really would go to waste…

She looked at the shaved ice again, then at the two figures still playing in the distance.

In the end, she couldn’t resist the temptation.

“Th-then… I won’t hold back.”

She said softly, carefully scooping a small bite of the yellow ice and bringing it to her mouth.

The refreshing blend of lemon’s sweetness and sourness melted on her tongue, easing the restlessness in her body.

She took a few more bites, and the stiffness in her demeanor gradually softened.

After a while, Komari Chika set down her spoon and suddenly turned to Imaizumi Keita.

“I-Imaizumi…”

“Hm?”

He had just finished the last bite of strawberry shaved ice and looked up at her.

“…Do you like Yanami?”

The question was direct and abrupt.

Imaizumi Keita paused for a moment, then looked into Komari Chika’s curious eyes and nodded plainly.

“Yeah, I do.”

His voice was calm, without much fluctuation. “Why?”

“Cough—! Cough cough cough—!!”

Komari Chika clearly hadn’t expected such a straightforward answer to her probing question.

Caught off guard, she choked on the shaved ice she had just swallowed.

Her face turned bright red as she curled up, coughing violently, tears almost forming in her eyes.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Seeing her nearly suffocating, Imaizumi Keita didn’t hesitate.

He stood up immediately, stepped closer, and began patting her back gently.

“Slow down. Don’t rush—catch your breath.”

With his help, Komari quickly recovered, her coughing subsiding.

“I-Imaizumi…”

Looking at his concerned expression, she couldn’t help but recall how the club president usually looked after her, and her tone softened.

“Hm?”

“Th-thank you.”

“Yeah.”

Imaizumi Keita stood up and stretched, then noticed Yanami waving at him from the waves.

“Imaizumi! — Come over here!”

Yanami Anna waved her water gun at him while Shio cheered beside her.

Imaizumi Keita glanced at Komari and reminded her, “I’m going into the water. Take your time with the shaved ice. If you feel like joining, go ahead—but don’t push yourself.”

With that, he stood up, pressed down the edge of the waterproof sheet, and walked toward the sea.