"To the convenience store."

I like popsicles on sticks.
It comes with a stick so you don't need a spoon or anything like that.
The fabric doesn't fall off or crumble.

However, I like to eat ice-based foods,
The only drawback is that in the middle of summer, the melted ice cream drips and spills.

And even though I eat this all year round,
I've never encountered a hit.
Love is something that is never returned.

My ex-girlfriend, whom I broke up with last year, ended up cheating on me with another man.
As soon as this was discovered, communication ceased.
She's probably getting along well with that man by now.

"Let's break up."

Because that's not what I was told,
Maybe it's a judgment that they're still together.

That's impossible.
It's an unlikely scenario, but if it is, I'd like to make the necessary "farewell" arrangements as soon as possible.

because,
Because I already have someone I like.

Mr. Sasaki attends the same university.

I met her through a friend about six months ago.
He is a second-year university student and one year younger than me.
He's not that active, but he's the type who always finds himself at the center of the group.
That's what I think.
We're not that close, so when we see each other at university we just have casual conversations.
Hey friends,
Less than friends.
That's about it.

"Hmm. I wonder if we'll meet by chance."

I don't have the courage to contact you,
I want to meet you.
What a convenient story.

While I was thinking about this, I arrived at a convenience store.
The closest convenience store to my house.
This is my favorite ice cream stick.
It's my daily routine to buy ice cream here while I'm out for a walk.

Following my usual route, I head to the freezer, which is packed with ice cream.

Peek in.

do not have.
My usual favorite ice cream is out.

It's been a year and a half since I moved here.
That ice cream never ran out.

"Seriously?"

I was wondering whether to buy another ice cream,
Humans tend to want to eat even more when they think they can't eat something.
I left the convenience store empty-handed.
I don't think anyone would doubt that,
I walked along waving my hands a little dramatically to make it clear that I was empty-handed and hadn't taken anything.

I check the convenience stores around here on my smartphone.

"Since we're here, let's go a little further away."

Recently, I was getting bored of walking the same route.

I point the pin at a convenience store a little ways away and start walking.
The weather is nice today, so it's a good day for a walk.
It would be great to go for a walk with an ice cream in hand.
That's right.
I'll buy two today.
I'll eat one on the way home and the other after my bath today.

As I was thinking about this, I saw someone a little way ahead with a timid, anxious look on their face.

"Sasaki-san?"

I couldn't help but call out to him.
That's true.
The person I like is obviously in trouble.

When Sasaki recognized me, he called my name with a bright smile on his face, like a lost child finding its parent.

"What are you doing here?"

I asked, tensing my facial muscles to keep my feelings of how adorable she was from showing on my face.

"Well, I just moved here the day before yesterday."

"Oh! Is that so?"

"Yes. So I left the house thinking I'd go for a walk, but it seems I forgot my smartphone at home..."

"And you ended up going further than you thought and didn't know how to get back?"

Sasaki blushed and nodded, "Yes."
So you were really lost, Sasaki-san.

"Then I'll take you home."

"Weren't you busy?"

"Not at all. I was just out for a walk."

After saying that, he regrets having portrayed himself as a man with nothing better to do.

"Then please..."


I never thought it would turn out like this.

I'm glad that convenience store didn't have my favorite ice cream!
I'm glad I didn't have to settle for other ice creams!
I'm so glad I headed for the convenience store that was a little far away!!!

but,
It seems that Mr. Sasaki's house was surprisingly close.
For better or worse, the dreamlike time came to an end in the blink of an eye.

"I'm glad you made it. Be careful next time."

"Yes. Thank you."

"See you later."

Feeling reluctant to leave like a professional wrestler, he tried to leave the scene looking as smart as possible.
Then,

"Um! Would you like to come upstairs?"

"Is that okay?"

Oh no.
I replied too quickly, it was a knee-jerk reaction.

"Of course! It's still a bit messy and there's nothing spectacular."

It's a series of unexpected events.
I'm sure tomorrow I'll be hit with some terrible misfortune.

Mr. Sasaki's room looks like he just moved in.
There are a few cardboard boxes piled up.
But it's not messy at all.

"I used to live with my parents, so I left a lot of stuff there."

Saying this, Sasaki-san brought me some tea.

"What should I do? I called you even though there was really nothing there."

"No, no. I really don't care."

There was a moment of silence.

"Oh, I have some ice cream. Would you like some?"

"Is that okay?"

I did it again.
My spinal cord is too strong.

"Please wait a moment."

Saying this, Mr. Sasaki brought me
It was my favorite ice cream stick.

"Oh! I love this."

"Really? I love it too, so much so that I stock up on it."

What a shame.
Hey, more than friends
Less than friends
But now that we share the same "likes,"
Hey, more than friends
I wonder if we've reached a level where we're just friends or something?

After that, we got excited talking about our favorite ice creams.
It was the first time I had talked so much with Mr. Sasaki, so I wasn't sure if I was speaking well.
If possible, I wonder if I can use today as an opportunity to become closer to Sasaki-san.

"Ah."

Sasaki-san exclaimed, his eyes wide open.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"That. Look at that."

Sasaki pointed at my hand.

I looked at the half-eaten ice cream.
There
The letter [a] was written on it.