It was past the middle of October.
　I had come to the Kukushi Outlet Mall for a specific purpose.　
　The weather was fine, the sun was shining and the blue sky was dazzling.
　I was looking out at the coffee shop near the gate alone amidst the crowd of young people and families who had come there for shopping.

　Don't get me wrong, I came here for a reason other than shopping.
　Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered to come to the mall alone on my day off.

　If all goes according to plan, that guy should be here by now....
　As soon as I said it, the person I wanted came to the gate.

　I leave the coffee shop and approach her to go to her.
　A beige tunic with a lace hem is a subdued shade, including dark green baker's pants and brown hooded sandals.
　Maybe it's the fact that the other person is me that's mindlessly casual... but I'm glad they're here anyway, including that.

''Yo. Mao.
Hello, Mr. Caz.

　That's how I greeted the person I was meeting with - Sakai Mao.
　It's a very short conversation, but I'm relieved to be able to talk with Mao.

　There is still some awkwardness, but the purpose remains the same.
　That's why I'm going out with her like this.

　====.

　To tell the story of how this happened, I first go back a week ago.

　The day after I consulted with Amari, I had finished my delivery and was heading to the changing room to change out of my work clothes.
　Of course, the delivery was hard that day as well... and when the number of absences started to exceed 30, I was even thinking of leaving the packages at the front door.
　I don't have the guts to do such a thing, though.

　In the past, when footage of a courier kicking a package that was supposed to be delivered appeared on social media or in the news, our company's top management called for a very serious warning.
　I very much understand the feelings of the person who caused the incident, but don't take it out on them in the wrong direction.

　Nevertheless, the last six months have been full of life, both physically and mentally, thanks to Amana's healing and Amanashi's lunches.
　The chances of me doing a similar imitation would be infinitesimally low.

　As I was walking around thinking about this........

''Ah........''
Oh....

　Accidentally.
　I ran into Marao in the hallway.

''........''
....

　They both roll their eyes and fall silent at the unexpected timing of their meeting.
　I manage to restart my thoughts that stopped for a moment due to the suddenness of the situation, but Marao moved about a tenth of a second earlier than that.

　─ ─ Oh no, we can escape again!

　In the instant that I realized that in the blink of an eye, my body moved before I could think.

''──Cack!
I...

　He quickly grabbed Mao's left hand as he tried to turn himself around and escape in the opposite direction.
　Perhaps because of the arm strength trained in delivery, the movement itself was easily stopped.
　But, as if in a great hurry, Marao, who was suddenly pulled by her arm, lost her balance.

　I hurriedly supported her right shoulder to prevent her from falling over.

''Ah ... thanks.''
Well, you're welcome...

　I patted my chest, glad that I didn't get hurt, and Marao returned my thanks.

''........''
....

　When they finally exchanged a few words, they were silent again.　
　It's frustrating that Sanya isn't on holiday at a time like this.　
　It's been a long time since we've spoken face to face in the first place.
　I thought back to that, but at the same time I chuckled at how strange it was.

　The reason is that before we fought, there was never a day that we didn't talk at work, except on one of our days off.
　We'd start off with a light greeting, then move on from complaining about each other's departments to making plans to go out for drinks on our free days.
　It was even more lively when Miya was also involved.　

　That's why I felt an indescribable sense of inadequacy while I kept crossing paths with Mao.
　Even without the romantic feelings, which are still unknown, her presence was certainly rooted in my heart.

　It's impossible for me to convince Marao to live a different life while still in conflict with her.

　I want to remain a casual colleague and friend.

　That's the only thing I seek first and foremost in my relationship with her.　
　For that reason, I can't pass up the chance to face her like this, and that inspires my weak self, who seems to be at ease with the situation.

"...Nna Mao.
What...?

　When her name is called, she comes with a quizzical look in her eyes, with some vermilion on her cheeks.
　That's all it is, but I can't help but feel that my heart is going to be buoyant.

　But you can't be satisfied here.
　I have to step forward and open my mouth.

'I'm sorry for yelling at you the other day,'
What...?

　First of all, I apologize.
　I thought about many things and asked for advice, but in the end I don't know what caused Marao to start avoiding me.
　However, it was clearly too much to yell at her for venting the frustration that had been secretly building up over her attitude.

　At least that's where my fault lies.
　So I bowed my head like this and apologized to her.

　I can't see her face, so I have no idea how she's reacting.
　Anyway, I want to go back to our previous, easygoing relationship.
　While I apologized while hoping so, Maou said.....



I'm sorry too. I didn't want to hit Kazu-kun, who was worried about me, and........

　I apologized back with a wry smile, even though I didn't look at him.
　It's easy to say that I'm the one to blame here, but it's a stubborn Maou, it's obvious that I'm probably going to be the one to bear the blame.

''........Then it's mutual.
Yes....

　So, if we stated a compromise early on, it wouldn't be like that.　　 　
　Since she also accepted that, I patted my heart that we were finally able to make up.

　Just as I was thinking that, Marao, who once again faced me, asked me a question.　

''Kazu-kun. You're off the day after tomorrow, Wednesday, right?
'Oh. Right.
Do you have any plans?
No, not really...
I see.

　He answers Mao's question without any hesitation.

　Oh, didn't we have an exchange like this before?
　Before she can nod her head at the sense of déjà vu that has suddenly flashed through her brain, she begins to reveal her true intentions.

'Then we'll go shopping that day.
Shopping?
That's right. You're going to run in your school's sports day, right?　You'd be embarrassed if you didn't have proper athletic shoes.
'Yeah, that's true but it's like an exhibition match and no one is that serious, right?
'What?　The fathers of the world try to live up to their children's expectations, and they really want to be number one. And that's what happened to my father.
Ummmmm...

　When you say that, including your experience, it makes sense.
　I'm the one who declared to Amana that I'm going to be number one... should I really challenge her, shoes and all?
　I hesitated for a moment, but immediately shook my head that I should do so.

　There is no need to hesitate in choosing the best that can be done in order to meet the expectations of that girl who went out of her way to ask me to run in a competition in which there is no obligation to participate.

''- In that case, I'd like to ask you to do this for me.
I hope you're right.

　I shook off my hesitation and took Mao's suggestion.
　Even though it was a suggestion I made myself, although her expression was somewhat unexpected, I missed the timing to ask her while deciding on a meeting place.

　And........it was as if this was the last time I would be going out alone with Mao.......