{Making Summer Plans Together 2}

“What do you mean ?”

“Hmm…”

Miyu hesitated. She kept her eyes on the night sky for a few seconds before answering, as if the words were difficult to say.

“Dark things… Things you probably shouldn’t say to other people.”

Her answer was unexpected.

Things you shouldn’t say to others. Does that include me? I couldn’t even imagine Miyu thinking about such dark things, so I silently watched her.

Miyu stopped walking. Still holding my hand, she looked down as if lost in thought.

I knew very well that she wasn’t just a bright and cheerful person.

In the past, I thought of “Sato-san, who sat next to me,” as someone who always smiled and seemed carefree, with no worries. Honestly, I looked down on her. I used to think, “Instead of worrying about others, she should focus on taking care of herself,” in a rather condescending way.

But I was wrong. Miyu wasn’t just a happy girl. She knew her limits, faced them, and still tried to work hard. Even when things didn’t go well, she struggled and worried, just like everyone else. It was precisely because she understood her own weaknesses that she always smiled and was kind to others—and that’s why I fell in love with her.

We’ve been together since high school. I thought I knew almost everything about her, even if not every detail. Now we’re living together, and yet, I still don’t know everything.

What does Miyu think about during the summer?

“I wonder…”

I couldn’t stay silent, so I asked, “Is it something I can hear?”

She looked at me and nodded firmly.

Then, she began speaking.

“Atsushi…”

“W-What?”

“Do you have any plans for summer vacation?”

It felt like she was changing the subject.

For a moment, I thought that, but I was probably wrong. She still had that serious, somewhat sad look on her face, so this topic must be related. I shouldn’t brush it off or give a vague answer.

“This summer, I’m planning to participate in internships to prepare for job hunting. I’ve only applied to about five companies, so it’s not a packed schedule. Other than that, I’ll probably be working part-time and attending club practice.”

Unlike me, a university student, Miyu doesn’t get a summer vacation. She does get time off for Obon, though, so I was thinking of inviting her on a trip if she didn’t have any plans. I was also planning to increase my work shifts to save up money in July.

She might say she’s going back home for Obon, though… Just as that thought crossed my mind, Miyu hesitated and spoke.

“If it’s okay… during Obon, there’s a place I’d like you to go with me.”

“Sure, where?”

“To visit a grave.”

She said it in a small voice, glancing at me.

“My father’s… grave.”

Miyu’s father passed away.

I had heard about it when we were in high school, but I never asked for more details. My curiosity about that part of her life was always held back by something—perhaps out of respect. But I knew her house had a family altar, and the faint scent of incense always lingered in the air.

Tonight, for the first time, she shared something she hadn’t told me before, and something I hadn’t been able to ask.

“Um, well…”

Miyu continued, speaking a little faster now.

“I know this isn’t the kind of thing you should ask after drinking, but it was hard to bring up… Still, I really want you to come. I want you to meet my father… well, not him exactly, but his grave.”

Now I understood what she meant by “dark things.”

Of course, I answered immediately.

“I’d be happy to. Let’s go pay our respects.”

There was no hesitation. In fact, I had been waiting for her to ask. That’s why her request made me so happy, and I squeezed her hand tightly after I responded.

Miyu looked a little surprised, but then her expression softened with relief.

“Thank you, Atsushi. Even though it’s such a strange request.”

“It’s not strange. It’s something I should do.”

I had wanted to go with her, too. I’d already met her mother, grandfather, and grandmother, but I hadn’t met her father yet.

Maybe it was the alcohol giving me courage, but I decided this was the right time to say it clearly.

“I’ll properly introduce myself. I’ll tell him that I’m going to make his daughter happy.”

Miyu’s eyes widened, and then she smiled shyly.

“Y-Yeah… that makes me really happy.”

Blushing a little, she squeezed my hand back tightly.

“This has really turned into a great birthday for me…”

It was the first night we drank together.

And it felt like we both finally said what we needed to say.

After that, we walked back to our apartment, making summer plans along the way.