{The Juice That Satou-san Received}

On the first night, I was buying a bunch of juices in the hotel lobby.

In the deserted lobby at night, only the vending machines were operating. Every time I pressed a button, the sound of paper packs dropping echoed, making me feel quite empty inside.

To make things worse, the juices were more expensive than buying them outside. It was totally unbearable to buy so many. I gritted my teeth, thinking how vending machines sure have a good business going.

Carrying six paper packs, I received my change from the vending machine.

When I straightened up, I noticed a figure approaching alone.

In a familiar T-shirt and jersey, I recognized a student from our school. But it was strange how just the way they walked slowly made me know who it was. Maybe it was because their hair was damp and their cheeks were flushed, possibly from a bath.

Since I hadn’t seen any of the girls from my class since dinner, the sight of Satou-san in her bathrobe-like appearance made me a bit confused. Even though I shouldn’t have felt that way around Satou-san.

She walked down the hallway in her usual dazed manner.

When she stepped into the lobby, she finally noticed me and opened her mouth in surprise.

“Yamaguchi-kun.”

Then she stared at the paper packs I was holding with a look of astonishment.

“What’s up with all those?”

“I lost at poker.”

I spoke honestly.

There was no one else around, but it would be troublesome if a teacher overheard. I added in a slightly lower voice.

“I was playing with the guys in the same room, and I ended up losing badly. Because of that, I had to buy juice for everyone.”

Upon hearing this, Satou-san looked concerned.

“That sounds tough.”

“No, not really. It was just a competitive game, so I got caught up in it too.”

“You’re sharing a room with Sasaki-kun and the others, right?”

“Yeah. Outsuzaki and Shinjima were really into it. I got completely caught up.”

I shrugged, almost dropping the juice. So, I just gave a wry smile.

“And on top of that, they said they’re going to have a pillow fight after lights out. They’re way too enthusiastic.”

“That sounds like a typical course of events.”

Satou-san also chuckled a bit.

Her usually light and carefree ponytail looked heavier, possibly because it was wet. Her expression seemed somewhat subdued compared to her usual brightness.

“What about you, Satou-san? Why are you alone?”

I asked her.

Immediately, Satou-san’s gaze dropped, and she had a troubled look on her face.

“Well…”

It seemed like something was bothering her, making it difficult for her to speak.

It was quite different from the cheerful and childlike demeanor she had earlier, and it piqued my curiosity.

After a significant pause, she said.

“I made a phone call.”

“A phone call?”

I repeated, then remembered our conversation before the trip.

Come to think of it, Satou-san had planned to adhere to the rules. She probably didn’t bring her cell phone. The chaperone had explained that there were public phones in the hallway where we could contact our families.

“I see.”

I responded with a neutral remark.

I didn’t understand why Satou-san looked downcast about the phone call. What could have happened? Perhaps it was about her friends.

I wouldn’t mind listening, as long as it wasn’t too late.

“Um, well…”

Satou-san still seemed hesitant, so I asked.

“Did something happen?”

Immediately, Satou-san’s eyes shifted awkwardly.

“Well, not exactly…”

“If it’s just to talk, I can listen. I have time.”

When I said that, a look of determination flashed across her face.

She furrowed her brows and then moved her lips with concern.

“But, is it okay? Won’t the juice get warm?”

“I actually want it to warm up.”

I confessed with a mischievous tone.

“Even though I lost, I’d rather not give them cold juice like this. It would be a bit irritating.”

“I see.”

Finally, Satou-san smiled, and with that same expression, she said to me.

“Well then, um, could you listen to me for a bit?”

We sat side by side on a bench in the corner of the lobby.

The lobby before lights out was almost empty. It was rare to see someone using the hotel’s overpriced vending machines.

“Do you want a drink?”

I placed one of the paper packs on the bench and offered it to Satou-san. It was the most neutral orange juice that suited her.

Satou-san shook her flushed cheeks.

“No, it’s okay. Yamaguchi-kun, you’ve bought so many, and it seems like a lot of trouble…”

“It won’t make much difference if there’s one more.”

I continued to offer it.

I intended to drink it myself too, while it was still cold.

“I also received candy from you earlier. This is just a return gesture.”

“But it’s more expensive…”

“Don’t worry. Drinking something cold can change your mood.”

Finally, Satou-san accepted the juice from me.

“Thank you.”

She clearly expressed her gratitude and awkwardly started opening the straw’s wrapper.

After watching her, I also opened my straw.

I had chosen a sports drink. It wasn’t because I sweated from losing at poker, but it just felt right. Since the paper packs didn’t have carbonated drinks, and the coffee was too sweet, this was what I wanted.

Suddenly, a sigh escaped from next to me.

“You’re amazing, Yamaguchi-kun.”

“Huh?”

Confused, I looked at Satou-san.

Satou-san’s one-ponytail, looking freshly washed, was hanging heavily on her back.

Her pale neck peeking from the school’s T-shirt made me flinch. Above it was Satou-san’s face, flushed and unfamiliar, with a downcast expression.

“I think… you can do things effortlessly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everything. You have a lot of things I don’t, and you can do things I can’t. I envy that.”

Satou-san sighed with deep envy and dropped her shoulders.

I was confused and puzzled by the compliment.

“Do you really think so? I’ve never thought about it.”

Sure, I might be a bit more skilled compared to Satou-san. I know my grades aren’t too bad among the class.

But that’s only in a narrow comparison.

I don’t have anything particularly outstanding, nor am I an exceptionally excellent person. It’s been a while since I quit playing basketball, and I don’t have any specific goals or ambitions right now. I guess I’m just a normal high school student.

But Satou-san is the same.

She’s just a normal high school girl.

“I can’t do things as smoothly as you, so I always end up making mistakes…”

Satou-san, gazing at the straw inserted in her juice box, seemed like a plain and slow-witted girl, just an ordinary girl.

“I’ve always thought you were from a different world.”

Her voice was a low murmur.

It might have been a compliment, but it sounded self-deprecating. It didn’t feel good.

I tilted my head.

“I think I am quite ordinary.”

“Then am I not ordinary?”

Satou-san said with a sigh and continued without giving me a chance to interrupt.

“Yamaguchi-kun…”

“Hmm?”

“I want to ask you something. You don’t have to answer if it’s too difficult.”

I thought her preface was strange. Why ask something but say not to answer if it’s hard?

Could it be related to why Satou-san seemed off?

I looked sideways at Satou-san.

Satou-san took a sip of her orange juice and then placed the pack on her lap, lowering her gaze.

A silence fell over the two of us in the lobby.

It felt like a long time until the next moment her eyelashes fluttered.

But I kept silent and waited for Satou-san’s words.

Satou-san continued to stare at the floor, which was shiny and reflecting the fluorescent light. Besides the low hum of the vending machines, the lobby was utterly quiet.

Eventually, she blinked once and lifted her gaze.

With her flushed cheeks from the bath, Satou-san slowly asked me.

“Yamaguchi-kun, do you have someone you like?”