A Childhood Friend Told Me “I Can’t Get a Boyfriend Because of You,” So I Distanced Myself From Her and She Stopped Coming to School the Next Day
“Shiraishi-kun–”
During lunch break, I was walking down the hallway to return to class when I heard my name called from behind me.
I turned around and saw Shina Yu senpai approaching me, waving his hand.
“Hello, Shiina-senpai.”
“Hi, just in time. Do you have a minute?”
“Eh? Yes, I’m fine.”
I nodded my head in confusion.
When we started walking side by side, Senpai said in a light tone,
“You and Natsuki seem to be doing well.”
“Can you tell?”
“Of course. The first month anniversary bracelet, right? You’re doing it.”
Shiina-senpai raised the corner of her mouth with a grin.
“How did you know?”
I smiled wryly. I don’t wear it at school, though I’m sure I don’t.
“Because I happened to see her wearing it when we were on holiday. She turned red instantly
She’s so cute and honest,” senpai laughed.
As usual, Natsuki is being played. I can easily imagine her face reddening in protest, and it makes me smile a little.
“But I’m relieved to see that she’s doing well.”
“Well, that’s true. There are things I can’t notice, so I’m currently studying.”
“Women’s hearts are delicate, after all. Even so, Natsuki is quite sensitive in some ways… I don’t need to say that.”
Shiina-senpai muttered to herself, then leaned in close and said,
“You held back well.”
“..!”
My cheeks heat up. I know what she’s talking about without her explaining it to me
(Girls talk about such things, after all,……. Don’t tell me it has spread to the rest of the world?)
Perhaps reading my uneasiness, Shiina-senpai smiled and waved her hand in the air.
“Don’t worry. I won’t spread the word, and I don’t think Natsuki has told anyone but me. She told me only after I disclosed a lot of information to her.”
“Isn’t that a loss for you, senpai?”
“I’m not so sure. The most enjoyable time is when you are making fun of your juniors.”
Shiina-senpai winks. She’s really a fun person.
“But–”
She suddenly turns serious.
“Seriously, it’s great that you persevered. I know I said the reason for our breakup was a lack of communication, but there was a big difference in the way we thought about things. I think you should tell her what you want to do, and don’t be shy about it. It’s a little difficult for a girl to initiate a conversation, so you should take the lead.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Mm, that’s good of you to be so straightforward.”
Shiina-senpai folded her arms and nodded with satisfaction.
“I’m sorry. I had to ask for your advice.”
“You don’t have to worry about it. I don’t want to see the sad face of my junior.”
Senpai smiled and showed her white teeth.
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. In fact, that’s part of the reason I approached Shiraishi-kun.”
“What do you mean?”
“Um, that …….”
Shiina-senpai was unusually hesitant.
I looked over and saw that her cheeks were completely flushed.
(Eh—)
When I was amused, she asked in a small voice
“I-I don’t mean to be weird, but ……. Do you know what Kanzaki-kun likes?”
“…… yes?”
◇ ◇ ◇
“Hey, Kanzaki. Is there anything you want right now?”
“Ha……? What is it, suddenly?”
Kanzaki raised his eyebrows at my question.
“You know your birthday is coming up, don’t you? I know this may sound ungrateful, but Kanzaki has helped me a lot, and I want to thank him.”
I plan to share what I hear with Shiina-senpai, but this is not an excuse to do so. It’s my real intention.
Kanzaki would never admit it, but he not only stepped aside but also pushed me back, even though he himself was in love with Natsuki.
I was wondering how I should repay him for that favor, when Shiina-senpai asked me for advice.
She had feelings for Kanzaki and wanted to give him a birthday present.
I didn’t hesitate to offer a joint front. She also told me that her birthday was coming up soon.
“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal,”
Kanzaki chuckled and put his hand on his neck.
“But I’m very grateful for your help. I’m counting on you.”
“….I understand.”
When I asked again, Kanzaki nodded, relaxing his lips just a little as if to say, “I guess there’s no other way.”
◇ ◇ ◇
The season had entered the rainy season, but the day was clear and cloudless.
（I’m glad)
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I was not because I was planning to go out with Natsuki. Today is the day that Shiina is going on a date with Kanzaki.
As a birthday present, she had bought him a water bottle with a straw-type drinking cup.
I was worried that she might suddenly give him a gift and not be taken back, but I’m sure Kanzaki would have guessed that when she asked him out on a date on his birthday in the first place.
“I hope …… things go well.”
“I do.”
As if thinking the same thing, Natsuki immediately responded.
“Senpai, she’s not planning on confessing?”
“Yeah. she was hesitant because it was her first date.”
Natsuki narrows her eyes with some amusement.
She’s usually the one getting teased, so she probably feels like she’s gotten a little revenge.
“Since it’s his birthday, I think it’s fine to just go ahead and do it. Kanzaki probably wouldn’t agree to it unless he had some feelings for her.”
“Oh, is that what you said last year or the year before?”
“Ugh,……, I said I was sorry.”
Thinking back, I spent each of our birthdays hanging out with Natsuki last year, the year before, and even the year before that.
Sometimes I wish I had confessed to her sooner.
(If I had done that, Natsuki and I would be……)
“Rei?”
“….!”
I turned my face away from her as soon as she looked at me.
So Natsuki seemed to be convinced.
“You were thinking about something strange just now, weren’t you?”
“…..Yeah, I’m sorry.”
I apologized sincerely. I could have brushed it off, but I felt that it would have been rude to Natsuki.
“Really… well, it might be a home date, but the purpose of today is to study, you know?”
“I-I know.”
Today is Sunday, and the day after tomorrow, on Tuesday, we start the two weeks before the test.
“Even so, you’ve been working hard lately, haven’t you? You’ve been getting a lot of perfect scores on your quizzes. …… what’s going on?”
It was a casual question, but Natsuki’s cheeks were tinted and she looked down.
“Natsuki?”
“…Rei said you wanted us to go to the same university.”
“……..”
I gasped.
(Is that why you’re working so hard for it? ……)
My heart warmed. I couldn’t help but feel love for Natsuki, who was so honest about me.
Before I knew it, I was putting an arm around her shoulders as she sat next to me.
“W-wait a second, Rei…”
Natsuki’s eyes widened in surprise, but she did not seem to refuse.
When I gently laid my lips on hers, she winced for a moment, then closed her eyes and accepted me.
The warmth of the soft, gradual warmth of the lips slowly relaxes the feelings.
“Mmm. ……”
I kissed her again and again, repeating. The feeling is further heightened by Natsuki’s breath.
……, suddenly, in the corner of my eye, I saw a reference book left on the desk.
[It may be a home date, but the purpose of today is to study, right?]
The words Natsuki had said earlier came to mind.
I was so surprised that my body stiffened and I hurriedly pulled my lips away from hers.
“S-sorry! I…….”
Why couldn’t I restrain myself even though I had been warned?
The regret grows. This is practically a violation of Natsuki’s feelings of seriousness in her studies.
(What am I doing? ……)
“Haa… Really?”
A small sigh escaped Natsuki’s lips.
Just when I thought she was going to get angry,
“There’s no need to be so scared.”
The voice was calm.
When I looked up, Natsuki was laughing in an exasperated manner
“N-Natsuki?”
“I think I’m to blame for what just happened, so I’ll make a special exception and forgive you. I’m not averse to this kind of thing either,…….”
Natsuki looked away embarrassed.
A sense of guilt welled up inside me as well as love.
“Thanks, Natsuki… And I’m really sorry.”
“That’s okay. As long as you can make up for it later… That’s what I’d like to say, though.”
Natsuki lowered her gaze and smirked.
“Rei, can you concentrate in such a state?”
“.. ……!”
My face lit up at once. The skinship just now had made me completely ready for it.
“Hehe, you’re so honest about all the weird things… So, what are you going to do?”
Natsuki looks up at me mischievously.
“…..”
I swallowed hard. My desire had grown so intense that I found myself looking at Natsuki’s chest and thighs.
To be honest, I didn’t feel like I could concentrate.
“But …… is it okay?”
“This time is special. I want you to concentrate on your studies… and it would be troublesome if you interfered in the middle of it.”
“No, I’m not going to do that.”
“I wonder? Rei seems to get a bit out of control sometimes.”
“Ugh… ……”
Since I had just exploded, there was no way I could argue.
Natsuki chuckled, then stood up, her face suddenly looking tense.
“Well, I’m pretty sure my parents won’t be coming home, but… I don’t feel comfortable here, so come to my room.”
“Y-yeah.”
Unable to make eye contact with her, we slowly climbed the stairs and stepped into Natsuki’s room.
Maiban