First Day Of Ski Trip, With Meika.

The ski bus we were on arrived at the pension where we planned to stay at five in the morning. Even though it was called a pension, it was a large building capable of housing nearly fifty people. On the other hand, perhaps because it specialized in being a ski lodge, it wasn’t particularly luxurious.

We killed time in the pension lobby, and once it passed eight in the morning, we left the pension and headed for the slopes. It was when Ishida and I were lining up at the lift ticket counter that Meika-chan followed behind us.

“Meika-chan, aren’t you with Honoka?”

When I asked, Meika-chan answered looking a bit embarrassed.

“We promised to divide our chances fairly during this trip. We decided the order with rock-paper-scissors, and it turned out that I’m the one staying with Yu-san today.”

…They decided the order of staying with me through rock-paper-scissors?…

“I wonder if Toko-san knows about this?”

Perhaps my frustration at things moving forward without my knowledge leaked into my voice. Meika-chan took on a frightened expression.

“E-eh? Ye-yes. En-chan went to talk to Toko-san… and she said Toko-san told her, ‘That’s fine. Have fun.’”

Seeing her look like that, I regretted my comment. At the very least, Meika-chan had no ill intent, and it was misplaced of me to express my dissatisfaction toward her. I recalled the words Toko-san had said at the service area last night.

…I want them to have fun memories—to feel like they were glad they came…

That’s right. Both Meika-chan and Honoka had been invited by Nakazaki-san, the club representative. And the person who created the cause for that was none other than me.

“Ah, no, I’m not really angry. I just wondered if Toko-san knew. Ahaha.”

I quickly said that with a smile. Ishida, who had been observing my reaction, spoke up in a forced, bright voice.

“Alright, then shall we enjoy some skiing for the first time in a while? It’s been a few years for me, too. Meika, has your skill gotten rusty?”

Meika-chan replied, looking relieved.

“I’m fine. During the last family ski trip, I was better than you, Big Brother. Besides, I train every day in my club! I won’t lose to an out-of-shape big brother like you!”

However, the three of us only skied one run together. When we were getting on the second lift, Ayaka-san and Yuri-san—first-year central figures in the club—spotted us.

“Oh, Isshiki-kun and the Ishida siblings!”

Ayaka-san was the one who called out.

“You’re skiing together as a trio, huh? Interesting~”

Yuri-san, who was next to her, wore a mischievous smirk for some reason.

“Yeah. Meika-chan doesn’t know many people here. Plus, I thought she might be nervous around college students.”

Even if Meika-chan has a strong-willed side, she’s still a normal high school girl. She’s different from Honoka, who can stay unperturbed even when surrounded by college guys. When I answered that way, the two girls gave subtle smiles. Then, as we were about to board the lift, Ayaka-san spoke.

“Isshiki-kun and Ishida-kun, you two go ahead and board together. We’ll ride with Meika-chan.”

Yuri-san followed up.

“Right, right. We want to talk to Meika-chan for a bit, too. It’s fine for the guys and girls to ride separately once in a while, right?”

This lift was a four-seater. Both Ishida and I just replied “Got it” and boarded ahead of them. When we got off the lift, Ayaka-san and Yuri-san only spoke to Ishida.

“Hey, Ishida-kun, why don’t we try skiing the upper courses? It’s boring to stay on the same run, right?”

“Meika-chan said she wants to stay on this course for a bit longer to get her feel back.”

Wait, what? I looked at Ishida, and he glanced at me for a split second. But Ishida said:

“True, it’s more fun to ski a steeper slope. I’ll go that way too.”

Then:

“Well, Yu, sorry, but take care of Meika!”

Without waiting for my reply, he headed toward the lift for the upper course with the two girls.

W-what’s with everyone all of a sudden? Besides, if it’s just me and Meika-chan, the conversation will be…

Thinking that, I looked at Meika-chan, and she was looking up at me with a blushing face.

“U-um, um… would you mind staying with me for a bit longer?”

I could tell she was nervous. If I acted strange here, it would only make her shrink back even more.

“Sure. Let’s ski together just the two of us. Ishida and the others can join up with us later.”

Hearing that, Meika-chan looked away slightly. But she seemed happy.

At two in the afternoon, Meika-chan and I entered a restaurant on the slopes to have a late lunch. In the end, we still hadn’t met up with Ishida and the others. Despite the hour, the restaurant was quite crowded. When we finally sat down, we picked up the menus on the table.

“Meika-chan, what will you order?”

Since we’d had nothing but chocolate since morning, we were starving. After staring at the menu for a while, I asked Meika-chan, who was staring just as intensely.

“I’m torn. Between this ‘Sauce Katsu-don and Wild Vegetable Soba Set’ and the ‘Cheese-heavy Mountain Burger.’”

Meika-chan must have been very hungry too. Both were quite substantial choices for a girl.

“What a coincidence. I was just wondering which of those two exact things I should get. They both look delicious.”

At that, Meika-chan looked up from the menu with a brightened expression.

“Then, Yu-san. Why don’t we order different things and split them half-and-half?”

“Eh?”

“Because, look, that way we can enjoy both.”

I hesitated for a moment. If it were something that could be eaten piece by piece, like sandwiches or onigiri, it would be fine, but we’re talking about katsu-don, soba, and a hamburger. Meika-chan must have noticed my hesitation.

“Is that… no good?”

Her expression showed a mix of embarrassment and sadness. I regretted making her look like that.

“No, it’s not ‘no good’ at all. You’re right, I want to eat both too. Let’s order different things and exchange half with each other.”

Meika-chan’s expression brightened instantly once again.

Eventually, the food was brought over. The sauce katsu-don and wild vegetable soba set was placed in front of me, and the cheese-heavy mountain burger in front of Meika-chan. I asked the waitress for a small side plate and started dividing the katsu-don. I pushed the wild vegetable soba toward Meika-chan, saying “You can eat this first.” Meika-chan also started cutting the large burger in two with a knife. There were two large patties sandwiched inside, and it looked a bit difficult to cut.

“Where should I put the fried chicken and fries that come with it?” Meika-chan asked.

“Anywhere is fine. I mean, we don’t have enough plates, so I’ll just grab some whenever if there are leftovers.”

When I answered, Meika-chan stared at the fried chicken for a moment. Then, she suddenly stabbed a piece with her fork and thrust it toward me.

“A-aahn!”

Meika-chan said that with a face turning deep red.

“Eh?”

Then Meika-chan repeated the same thing with an expression that looked almost angry.

“A-aahn!”

Her face was scarlet. The fork stabbing the fried chicken was shaking slightly. Pushed back by her sheer intensity, I instinctively opened my mouth wide. Meika-chan hurriedly shoved the chicken in. Stuffed with a mouthful of fried chicken, I looked at Meika-chan with wide eyes.

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Meika-chan looked down with her red face. But when our eyes met, she laughed happily and said, “E-ehehe. I guess I attacked a bit too hard.”