Spending A Lovey-Dovey College Life With A Spoiled Childhood Friend

“We’re going to the sea this weekend!”

One day in the middle of June, Shun-san suddenly said that. The other members of the club looked at him as if he had just said something strange again.

“The sea, huh? But it’s too early to swim, isn’t it?”

“I don’t have a swimsuit…”

We were all confused.

“Wait! wait! I didn’t say anything about swimming.”

“What do you mean?”

Is there something near the sea?

“We’re going to see the Oarai Sun Beach. It’s a nice place.”

“Oarai?”

“Yes, that’s right. You’ve seen Boys und Panzer*, haven’t you?” [TLN: Girls und Panzer I think? ._.]

“Yeah.”

“It became a hot topic a few years ago, didn’t it?”

Boys und Panzer is a story set in a world where battles between tanks have been turned into a competitive martial art called ‘Tank-do’. The battles between high school boys on tanks and their friendship have become a popular topic.

We’re open otakus, so we watch most of those popular works.l

“The town where Oarai Beach is located is also the setting of Boys und Panzer.”

“I see. So we’re visiting the real-life location?”

I guess the idea is to visit the real-life location of a famous anime and write an article about it. We were about to be convinced about what he said, but…

“No, I don’t care about that.”

“Then, why!?”

“It’s because I just want to go to Oarai Beach.”

“””Haa~…!”””

I’ve never been to Oarai Beach, but I wonder if it’s a place to go to see off-season.

“How do we get to the sea?”

Miyu asked Shun-san.

“By bicycle, of course!”

“On a… bicycle?”

I thought we were going by car. I wondered if it was far enough to ride a bicycle.

“By the way, how far is the beach?”

“It’s about 45 kilometers.”

“…”

“Sounds interesting…!”

I was silent, but Miyu was very interested in it. This girl is very active in the editorial department in some way. All we have was just a granny bike, but will it be okay?

“Ours is just a granny bike, is it okay?”

“We’ll be fine for this distance. I’ll bring some tools in case we get a flat tire.”

“…”

“Of course, you don’t have to force yourself to participate. The article has nothing to do with it either.”

Both of us looked at each other. As an indoor person, I’m a little worried about whether I’ll be able to keep up my strength.

“Nee~nee~ doesn’t a bike trip sound fun!?”

Miyu seemed to be enthusiastic.

“W-well, it does sound like fun…”

I’m a little worried about the distance, but Miyu seemed to be enjoying it, so I guess it’s okay.

“Then, we’re coming with you.

“It’s settled then! Let’s go to Oarai for the weekend!”

That’s how Shun-san, Miyu and I decided to go on a bicycle trip together.

——

Then the days went by, and now it was a beautiful sunny Saturday weekend. We were heading to the center of the university where we would meet. I was wearing jogging pants and a t-shirt on top, with water and a towel inside my backpack. Miyu was also dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. Though, she wore a hat to protect herself from the sun.

“Ryu, this is going to be fun~”

“Yeah!”

Miyu seemed to be looking forward to it, and I could clearly see that she was excited. I’m also looking forward to it, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to keep up with my strength. I’m sure Miyu will be fine, though.

“By the way, where’s your hat, Ryu?”

“Ah, I forgot…”

I was so focused on thinking about hydration that I totally forgot about the heat.

“But, I think I’ll be okay.”

“It’s not okay at all…”

I rummaged through my backpack and pulled out a towel, which I wrapped around my head. Then an improvised hat was made.

“Can’t help it since we’re here already, but I’m still a little bit worried, though.”

“I completely forgot about it but that helps.”

“Make sure you stay hydrated, okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

The sun is so strong that I’m a little nervous about my improvised hat.

“But I’m looking forward to it.”

It’s true that I’m not sure about my physical strength, but I’m also excited about this kind of bicycle trip.

“I’ve made you some bento.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s just an onigiri and a side dish, so it’s okay.”

It’s really nice of her to prepare a bento for me too. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve had someone make a bento for me.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a bento from Miyu.”

“Well, because we always have lunch in the cafeteria now.”

Miyu chuckled. In middle and high school, Miyu used to make lunch for me, but lately I’ve been eating lunch at the school cafeteria more often.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

I stroked Miyu’s head as I said that.

“Ehehe~ but, it’s just an onigiri.”

Miu looks a little embarrassed. She’s been pushing me a lot lately, but I like that she’s embarrassed by being petted.

As we were discussing this, we heard someone’s voice behind us.

“Sorry, sorry. I’m a little late… uhm, Takato-kun, what’s that?”

Shun-san, who had arrived late, said so.

“Actually, I forgot my hat. So, I improvised one…”

“I see, but be careful of heat stroke, okay?”

Shun-san said, looking unusually worried.

“Well then, it’s time to go. It’s going to be a long day, so be careful on how you distribute your energy, okay?”

“Yes… I’ll try not to overdo it.”

“Ryu, you really mustn’t overdo it, okay?”

After that, our bicycle trip to Oarai began.