========== At the onsen’s garden ==========
The sky becomes darker as evening sets in, with the sun no longer in view as it sinks into the horizon, leaving a trail of crimson hue.
Inami relaxes on at the middle of a bench, letting out a sigh as he enjoys the cooling atmosphere of the night.
“Cooling environment in a hot spring… How ironic, yet soothing…
Fuuu~”
Just as he closes his eyes, Tsurugi and Cecilia peeks out from a nearby corner.
“I knew it…” Tsurugi whispers to herself.
“What?”
“Something’s bothering him again…”
“You can tell?” Cecilia asks, looking at her with a mildly surprised expression.
“He has a habit of excusing himself when he feels uncomfortable about something.”
“Is that so…?”
“Yeah. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be out here alone seeing as how much he enjoys gatherings.”
“I see…” She answers then looks back at Inami.
“Come on, he needs us.” Tsurugi then taps lightly on her shoulder.
“Eh? But won’t he…”
“It’ll be fine, trust me.”
“Okay then…”
The two slowly approaches him and stops behind the bench. Tsurugi gestures Cecilia to hold still while she leans forward to check.
“He’s sleeping…”
“…huh?”
“Hush… Come.”
She goes around the bench and slowly sits next to him as Cecilia does the same.
The girls look at him as he sleeps, with Cecilia slightly blushing as she gazes at his sleeping expression.
While then, Tsurugi rests her head on his shoulder and holds his hand, stunning Cecilia as she looks back at her.
“W-What are you—” She asks with a whisper as Tsurugi interrupts her by raising her index finger.
“Doing what he does, resting.”
Unable to comprehend the situation, Cecilia rests her head on his other shoulder.
Her eyes slightly widens as she feels the soothing aura, almost causing her to fall asleep.
‘T-This feeling… It’s… relaxing. Feels like a pillow…’
“Ina-kun…? Don’t leave me hanging…” Tsurugi whispers to him with her eyes closed while Cecilia listens.
“
Urnh…” He softly moans as he comes awake, promptly noticing the two girls resting on both his shoulders.
“What… are you two doing?”
“Uuh… well…” Cecilia attempts to reply while her mind is still in disarray.
“Something’s troubling you again, Ina-kun?”
“Yeah…”
“We’re all ears.”
“Just something I’ve been thinking… About the enrollment exam.”
“What about it?”
“I wonder… of all the instructors that they’ll pick for the final stage of the exam… What if they choose me?”
The girls raise their heads upon hearing his sudden question.
“Would that even be possible? I mean, surely they would pick an experienced person… Wouldn’t they, Cecilia?”
“Given that it’s during summer and that we don’t have that much instructors to begin with… I can’t really know for sure.”
“In that case, I guess we could duel as per normal.”
“Would that be okay? I mean, you’ll have some trouble trying to get used to piloting an IS for the first time.” Inami asks as he’s concerned about her being inexperienced.
“I don’t mind. In fact… If that were to be the case, I’ll be able to fight better.”
“Heh… Fighting spirit, right?”
“Exactly!”
“You guys do seem to plan ahead, don’t you?” Cecilia asks them with a soft smile.
“Usually it’ll be Ina-kun who does the planning. Seems I’m starting to pick up that habit from him…”
“Really now?”
“He has his influences, ones that I deeply admire.”
“Tsu-chan…”
Tsurugi giggles to herself as Cecilia is amused at her remark.
‘A man with admirable influences… That what I’ve always been yearning for my whole life…’
She then turns to Inami, smiling passionately at him.
‘…And that man is right here, in front of me…’
She places her hand onto his, slowly entwining her fingers with his.
Just as he turns his head towards her, she rests her head on his shoulder again.
“Cecilia-chan…”
“I feel so… sleepy…”
“Right, time to head back, yeah?”
Cecilia nods lightly and raises her head as the trio gets up from the bench, then walks back towards the guest room.