After having lunch at a ramen shop, we set off into the town of Sapporo.

"...It really doesn't feel like Hokkaido, does it? More like a city vibe."

"I know, right. Well, that's how it is everywhere, though. Even if you go to other prefectures, the downtown areas are pretty much the same. My hometown in Nagano has a thriving city center too."

Then again, compared to the core of Tokyo—say, Shibuya—it's nothing.

Nanako walked along the sidewalk of Daimon Boulevard, her eyes darting around, scanning the surroundings.

She aimed her smartphone and clicked a shot.

"Huh? Nanako taking photos? That's new."

Come to think of it, she had also taken a photo of her ramen earlier while we were eating, which was unusual.

Akari often takes pictures of whatever she's eating.

She said it's to keep a record so she can remember what she ate later on.

Also, apparently, logging it helps with her diet.

While Akari frequently photographs scenery and food, Nanako didn't really do that kind of thing... or at least, that was supposed to be the case.

"…Should I send a photo to Akari-chan?" "To Akari?"

"Yes, ma'am. Since Akari-chan is stuck at home, I thought it might help her feel like she's on vacation."

So he wasn't just enjoying his own time; he took the pics thinking of his little sister.

Nanako really lives up to her big-sister image, doesn't she? "Want me to take a photo for you?" "Really?" "Sure. Come on, strike a pose."

I took the smartphone from Nanako and snapped a picture with a flash.

Nanako turned toward me with an incredibly cheerful smile.

It was enough to make my heart skip a beat. "There you go."

"…Thank you so much! Ehee, Sensei took a picture of me ♡"

"That makes you happy?"

"Yes, I'm really happy about little things like that ♡"

She finds joy in the smallest of things.

To know that I am treated as a special existence in her heart made me feel truly happy.

「……Sending it to Akari-chan then. Hey, quick reply already came in」 "Let's see"

Nanako turns her phone screen toward me. 【Looks like you're having fun (￣ー￣)】 ....... ............ 「Is she not angry about this?」 「......Oh, is that so?」

「Ah, I feel a bit of rage coming off it」

「Let me ask her. 'Are you mad,' and—」 Ping♪

【I'm not even a little bit, not one millimeter, angry at all though? (@^▽^@)】

......She's angry. Definitely.

Probably jealous because I took Nanako's photo.

He acts so grown-up sometimes, but he's just as childish in other ways, that guy...