{A Casual Conversation Between Two 2}

“Oh… yeah, that makes sense.”

Miyu’s face brightened as if she’d found a solution.

She draped the towel around her neck, ran her fingers through her damp hair, and said, “It’s a bit embarrassing, but… I’d like some earrings.”

“Earrings?”

“Yeah, it might not seem like me.”

As she said that, Miyu looked a bit embarrassed, fiddling with her hair shyly.

It might be strange to say it’s not like her, but it’s true I’ve never seen her wear earrings before.

She owns a few accessories, mostly ones she made herself through her beading hobby—sparkly necklaces, densely woven rings, or hair ties adorned with cotton pearls. She often wore those, but I’d never seen her making earrings, and she didn’t seem to own any. I had assumed she just wasn’t interested.

“I thought you weren’t into wearing things on your ears.”

When I voiced my thoughts, Miyu nodded.

“I used to think that, but recently, I kind of wanted some. I thought about making them myself, but I also thought it’d be nice if you picked them out for me.”

So it seems that this desire for earrings is a recent development. I wonder what sparked it.

Of course, since she entrusted me with this, I intend to fulfill the role well.

“Do you have anything specific in mind? Like something big or more unique?”

“Uh, I’d prefer something small. Not something that dangles, but something that just sits on the ear.”

“Got it. I’ll pick out something good.”

When I agreed, Miyu looked relieved.

“Thank you! I trust your taste, so I’m sure whatever you choose will be wonderful.”

As she dried her long hair with the towel, her small ears peeked out from the still-heavy strands. Her earlobes were thin and narrow, and I thought a small, delicate design would definitely suit her. Something too big might fall off easily.

As I pictured the earrings, I reached out to touch her small ear.

But just before my fingers brushed against her, Miyu flinched and her shoulders jerked up.

“Eek!”

She also let out a little squeal and quickly covered her mouth with her hand, glancing at me nervously with slightly teary eyes.

“Sorry, did I scare you?”

When I apologized, Miyu awkwardly nodded.

“It… it was just so sudden.”

“I see… sorry about that. I’ll be more careful.”

“No, no, it’s not your fault, Atsushi… it’s just…”

“Just?”

“It tickled a little…”

She hugged her knees, her cheeks turning even redder than after her bath. Even her small ears, peeking out from her damp black hair, were bright red like ripe fruit.

Seeing that made me want to touch them again.

“Miyu.”

“Wah! No, no, it’s not that I don’t want you to, but… no!”

Miyu quickly stood up, more agile than usual, dodging my fingers, and started walking out of the living room at a fast pace.

As I watched her retreat, thinking she’d escaped, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She awkwardly turned back, glancing at me nervously.

“Um… I’m going to dry my hair.”

“Uh, okay.”

“So… wait for me.”

Her last words sounded like she was fleeing, and then she left the living room.

The room fell quiet, and the sound of the air conditioner suddenly became louder. Soon, the hum of the hairdryer joined in, making me feel oddly restless.

It was a July evening.

Before I knew it, I had broken into a slight sweat myself, and I thought, It’s kind of hot. But, of course, it’s summer. Still, that wasn’t the only reason.

I turned down the air conditioner a little more and waited for the sound of the hairdryer to stop.