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
After lunch, we strolled through the park again, and when we grew tired, we sat on a bench and engaged in casual chit-chat.
We didn’t do anything special, but before we knew it, the sun was starting to set.
…… I should get out of here, soon.
“Natsuki.”
I turned to face Natsuki, who was sitting next to me, and began in a formal tone.
“Thanks for joining me today. It was fun.”
“Well, of course, I am your girlfriend after all… And besides, aren’t we going to eat dinner after this?”
“Yeah, but I just wanted to say something.”
“You’re a weird person ……. But I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
“Eh?”
When I blinked, Natsuki averted her gaze and continued playing with her hair.
“Not only with today’s plan, but you were also very considerate of many things, and you even took care of the water bottle without a single complaint…and I was happy with the omelet, too. So, um…thanks.”
Natsuki glanced my way for a moment, her eyes softening.
“That’s what you’d expect from a boyfriend, after all. But I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Yeah. But I can’t give you a perfect score as it is.”
“Eh?”
As it is now, that means there’s something I haven’t done yet.
……No way she noticed that thing, did she?
Sweat is pouring from the forehead.
“There’s no need to be in such a hurry. ……here”
Natsuki smiled and took out her cell phone.
“….. Ah.”
A photo, huh? I remember that they always took pictures when on a date.
I was so preoccupied with what was to come afterwards that I completely forgot about it.
“I’m sorry. I was careless. How about …… under that tree?”
“Yes, that’s a good idea. I think it would be nice.”
We both huddled together and clicked the shutter of the camera.
Of course, it’s a lot of fun and embarrassing to capture memories like this.
But when I saw us just cuddling together, I felt like I was missing a little something.
“What’s wrong? Blurred?”
Natsuki peeks at her cell phone.
“What, you got it all right–!?”
Natsuki gasped in surprise.
The reason is because I put my hand on her shoulder.
“R-Rei?”
“I want to take a picture like this….no?”
“Nah,…..!?”
Natsuki turned red instantly and then swept her gaze.
Soon after—
“You were the one who forgot… so don’t get too cocky,”
She muttered as she gently placed her hand on my waist.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Thank you.”
“T-Take the picture!”
“Oh, yeah. Then, yes, cheese…”
The moment I was about to release the shutter, I got a tickle on my side.
“Hya….!”
The sudden stimulation made me make a strange noise. Curious stares from those around me pierced my eyes.
Needless to say, the culprit is not to be mentioned.
“Oh, hey, Natsuki!”
“Could you please not speak so loudly? It’s embarrassing.”
I protested as I felt my cheeks burning, but Natsuki tried to feign a clear expression.
But upon closer inspection, the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.
(You look like you’re having fun.)
I naturally smile, even though I should have been pranked.
I guess this is what I call the weakness of being in love.
“…… Well, it’s my fault for forgetting. Next time, don’t do that, okay?”
“Pretending?”
“No, I’m not.”
I set up the camera again.
As if the previous prank was a lie, Natsuki stood next to me with a nervous look on her face.
“Natsuki, smile.”
“I-I know, I know.”
I pressed the shutter button just as Natsuki turned away from me, her cheeks flushing.
“Oh, hey, what are you doing taking pictures without permission? Turn it off!”
“Eh? Why?”
“J-just!”
Natsuki quickly picked up my phone and quickly deleted the photo.
Without fail, she deleted it from the ‘Recently Deleted Items’ list and sent it back to me.
“Good grief… Stop messing around”
“Yeah, I know.”
I’m not kidding.
It’s a shame I couldn’t save Natsuki’s embarrassed face, but it can’t be helped.
“Then let’s take a shot.”
Natsuki’s expression softened as if the tension had been relaxed a little by the current exchange.
We put our hands on each other’s shoulders and waist, and the way we huddle together so snugly…,
(Idiot couple, right? ……)
Looking at the photo, I instantly felt an itch.
Natsuki seemed to feel the same way, averting her gaze and saying, “W-well, it’s not so bad.”
Fortunately, there were a few couples here and there who were taking pictures as well, so I didn’t stand out in a bad way.
However, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, we quickly left the park.
We had dinner at a family restaurant. It was a little difficult to convince Natsuki, who was hesitant, but I finally convinced her to let me show off.
I knew it was a bit extravagant to be at a family restaurant, but you just want to treat the girl you like.
Besides, instead of the surprise we were planning to give, a fancy dinner was also an option.
Considering Natsuki’s personality and my financial situation, I decided not to do it this time, but I wanted to at least buy her a drink.
However, now that I thought about it, I wondered if it would have been better to have dinner.
I am sure this would have happened no matter what choice I had made.
(In the end, it’s up to me, isn’t it?)
So far, I think I can call it a success.
I glanced at Natsuki’s profile as we passed through the ticket gates at the nearest station and saw a somewhat satisfied smile on her face.
(……Yeah, I should be able to manage.)
When I went outside, the world was completely purple.
We walked under the blue-white streetlights, intertwining our fingertips. A slightly chilly breeze cooled my head.
“It’s cold at night, as expected. Are you all right?”
“Yes, we’ve eaten. I’ll …… pay for it this time.”
Natsuki pouted her lips slightly.
I relaxed my cheeks.
“Yeah. Please”
“Hey, you’re not going to make me pay, are you?”
A sharp rebuke came from her. She still seems to be in good spirits.
…or so I thought, but as we got closer to home, I felt like Natsuki’s walking speed was gradually slowing down.
“Are you tired?”
“No, no, I’m fine.”
Natsuki shakes her head as if in a panic.
Although her behavior was somewhat suspicious, she certainly didn’t show any signs of fatigue.
(……I guess I have no choice but to tell you now, right?)
I licked my lips, dry with nervousness, and cut in with a hard voice.
“Well then, could you stop by my place for a bit after this?”
“Eh?—“
Natsuki’s eyes widened in surprise.
She turned forward and gave a small chin pull.
“It’s okay though…….”
“Thank you.”
I let out a relieved breath.
But the stage has only just been set. The real action is yet to come.
Natsuki is invited into the house, and I lead her straight to my room.
Dad and mom are out for dinner with their colleagues and friends, so they won’t be back anytime soon.
“Please sit down there.”
I let Natsuki sit on the chair and took a deep breath slowly.
“You look awfully serious, but what’s …… wrong with you?”
Natsuki frowned. She looked more nervous than annoyed.
–I can’t keep her waiting any longer.
I opened my mouth with determination.
“In fact, I have something for Natsuki.”
“Eh?”
I pulled out the bag I had been hiding and offered it to her, who was stunned.
“Here it is.”
“…… present?”
“Well, something like that.”
With a small shrug, she nodded vaguely. I could clearly feel my face heating up.
The fingers of Natsuki receiving the bag were trembling faintly. She looked up at me with her eyelashes down.
“Can I look inside?”
“Yeah. I don’t know if you’ll like it. ……”
Natsuki gently opened the mouth of the bag and took a small breath.
She slowly took out her hand and there was a small, shining ring on it.
“The bracelet ……. It’s cute …….”
“I’m glad …… you like it.”
Natsuki muttered, narrowing her eyes, and I patted my chest.
“I was thinking about getting a necklace, but I thought this would be more convenient so you could wear it anywhere. Of course, you don’t have to force yourself to wear it.”
“Of course I’ll wear it! …Ah”
After answering vigorously, Natsuki gasped and looked away awkwardly.
“Sorry for speaking so loudly. But, why?”
Natsuki’s eyes were slightly flushed as she looked up at me.
Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my head.
“The truth is, it’s the …… one-month anniversary.”
“.. Eh?”
Natsuki’s eyes rolled back in their sockets and her mouth hung open, unable to get a word out.
“Actually, it’s the day after tomorrow, but you have practice after school, right? So I thought today would be a good day to do it since I have the time, and I wanted to surprise you for the one week anniversary.”
Natsuki froze without blinking even as I explained.
(…… Oh bad, you didn’t like it?)
My heart beats faster in a different way than it did a moment ago.
I bowed my head hurriedly.
“I’m sorry for bringing it forward without permission. If you didn’t want to–eh?”
This time, it was my turn to freeze, my eyes wide open.
–A drop of water rose in Natsuki’s eyes and quietly trickled down her cheek.
Maiban