Things that Sprout

"Things that Sprout" (萌芽えるもの) is a short story from 's store privilege for the third volume of You-Zitsu light novel series, together with two more short stories.

Summary
While they were walking together to find a suitable place to camp in the uninhabited island test, Airi felt that something had changed recently and it was because of the boy, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, who walking before her at a distance that she could touch him by just extending her hand. While she tried to extend her arm slightly, Ayanokouji turned back and asked if they should rest for a bit as if he had realised that she was starting to feel exhausted.

Looking for a place to sit, Ayanokouji went to a huge tree and tidied up the ground near it to sit. Even though he cleaned the place for two persons, Airi felt that he might want to sit comfortably alone and feeling that she sat on an unlevelled ground far away from him. Even though sitting there hurt her, she didn't say anything to him. Ayanokouji as if seeing through her, asked her to sit beside him. Accepting his invitation, Airi sat beside him.

Airi then began to talk about nature and trees with Ayanokouji to alleviate her nervousness as she felt without talking he would see her face turning red. While Ayanokouji was gazing in the front with a thoughtful expression, Airi stared at him and without intending to began to say that she was happy that he was with her then as till now she had no friends with whom she could have fun. Continuing she added that it was probably a good chance that she had come there as she was able to talk with Ayanokouji then. Hearing her, Ayanokouji without turning towards her, agreed.

Airi then felt that it would have been good if she had a camera then, as she could have taken the best picture with Ayanokouji. She then flustered added in a loud voice that she meant that as she had no friends to take photos with, it would have been great to take one with Ayanokouji.

Airi embarrassed for raising her voice, was unable to look at his face but even then wished to have more of those gentle and warm moments.