— — — — — —
Final exams were getting closer by the day.
Right after that would come Oikawa's first summer vacation since crossing over into this world.
To be honest, he still had no idea what to do with it.
Working part-time again was out of the question. He'd started in mid-April and had already put in two and a half months.
His daily convenience store wage was a steady 3,280 yen, and Kawasaki had contributed another 2,000 yen every day.
After covering living expenses and school-related costs, he still had over 300,000 yen sitting in his bank account.
More than enough to last through July.
And the prize money from the "Grand Award" should be coming in sometime that month too.
When he really thought about it…
Was he… kind of rich now?
"…Maybe I should take a trip?"
Oikawa started imagining his ideal summer. A trip to Hokkaido, seafood, maybe a relaxing soak in a hot spring.
Didn't sound bad at all.
He might even have a few chance encounters while he was at it. Girls by the seaside were supposed to be pretty open, right?
Well.
That was just wishful thinking.
"Dengeki Bunko's promotion is really strong. A lot of people at my school already know about 'Your Lie in April. Seems like there's a lot of interest. Oikawa-kun, you probably don't have to worry about it flopping anymore!"
Utako Kasumi had sent him a message.
By now, Oikawa was used to her sudden appearances and equally sudden disappearances.
"Worry? Since when does a genius writer like me worry about flopping?"
"Five hundred thousand sales is just my starting point. One day, I'll be a world-famous literary master. Just watch, you shallow woman."
Oikawa replied with enthusiasm. If Your Lie in April really had this much buzz, then yeah, he probably didn't need to worry anymore.
"Funny. Wasn't someone loudly bragging in the writer's group and then worrying about what to do if it flopped? Oikawa-kun, you really are like a fish. Have you already lost your memories?"
Utako Kasumi was as sharp-tongued as ever.
"Memories… I think there's actually a song with that title."
"Trying to change the subject?"
"..."
"Maybe… but there really is a song like that. I even know a few lines. Any cute girls want to hear me sing?"
"I'd love to."
Heh.
Calling herself a "cute girl," huh?
Oikawa muttered a few sarcastic comments under his breath. Nothing nice, mostly along the lines of shameless and lacking self-awareness.
Still…
He actually sang a bit of the song for her.
"There's a time that I remember when I never felt so lost."
"Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not."
"Toast to the ones here today. Toast to the ones that we lost on the way.'
"Cause the drinks bring back all the memories. And the memories bring back, memories bring back you."
Translated into Japanese and sung like that, it felt a little off.
Kind of awkward, honestly.
But Utako Kasumi seemed to think otherwise.
"That sounded really nice. I hope someday you'll sing it for me in person."
...
..
"Finally, exams are over! I'm free! I'm going to live in the bookstore and read a hundred light novels!"
"Great Lord, in this brief truce, would you accompany me to the blissful summit of the festival sea—"
"NO!"
Oikawa didn't even want to waste the brainpower translating whatever Zaimokuza was saying.
He shut him down without hesitation.
"Kawasaki, what are you doing over summer break?"
"Working. And taking care of my siblings."
Oikawa smirked. "Wow, total siscon."
"—!"
Kawasaki's eyes sharpened instantly. She stepped right up to him, staring him down.
"From now on, you are not allowed to say weird things to my brother. And don't you dare send him any weird pictures either."
"…I have no idea what you're talking about."
Oikawa looked away, refusing to admit anything.
It had happened a few nights ago.
After quitting his convenience store job, Oikawa had sent the manager's wife a detailed email, complete with two and a half months' worth of evidence of her husband cheating. Feeling satisfied, he started playing games.
Then Taishi messaged him.
They started chatting casually.
Not on purpose, really. Oikawa just casually asked, "Hey, do you have a favorite female celebrity?"
Taishi listed a few names Oikawa had never even heard of.
So, naturally, Oikawa sent him a selection of… actresses and asked him to pick his favorite. He was even planning to gift him a corresponding "film" for his birthday.
Boys had to grow up sometime, right?
Unlike Oikawa, who preferred "Fukada," Taishi seemed to like "Mikami" more.
Not a bad choice.
Just as Oikawa was about to give him a deeper introduction to Mikami, Kawasaki made a heroic entrance, unleashing a roar that practically shattered the sound barrier.
"This is your last warning. Oikawa. If I ever catch you talking to Taishi about that kind of stuff again…"
"You're dead."
Judging by the icy look in her eyes, Oikawa had zero doubt she meant it.
She shot him one last glare, then slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out of the Literature Club room.
Oikawa had planned to linger a bit longer, but her voice suddenly rang out from outside. "You coming or not?"
"I'm coming, okay? Why so aggressive…"
"...But where are we going?"
"Tutoring."
"It's summer break. You still want that?"
"Did you eat yesterday? So you're not eating today?"
"…That's not the same," Oikawa muttered, but didn't dare to say it out loud.
.
.
.