A Childhood Friend Told Me โI Canโt Get a Boyfriend Because of You,โ So I Distanced Myself From Her and She Stopped Coming to School the Next Day
Is it my fault that you are absent from school?
ใ
The moment I asked that question, Natsuki’s eyes shook.
Her eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly put them down.
“If it was โฆโฆ, then what? Even though you distanced yourself from me.”
“–โ
Her trembling voice, as if she was suppressing her emotions, made my chest tighten.
(But then Natsukiโฆ well, that doesn’t matter right now.)
I hurriedly uttered words of denial.
“No. I didn’t want to leave Natsuki.”
โHaโฆ..?โ
Natsuki raised her eyebrows tightly.
“Then why did you suddenly say we should go our separate ways?”
“Well, Natsuki said she couldn’t get a boyfriend because of me–“
“โHaaa!!? I never said anything like that!”
Natsuki stares at me with tears in her eyes.
ใ
Cold sweat ran down my back. I asked timidly.
“โฆCould it be that when you say everyone gives up because of me, it means that I’m interfering with Natsuki’s love life?”
“–Not at all, you idiot!”
Natsuki shouted as if she couldn’t bear it.
โWhat I mean, since Rei and I are like a couple, it’s only natural that everyone would give up!โ
“Eh,โฆโฆ was that so?”
“It’s only natural! You think I’m going to go to school with a boy just because we’ve been friends since childhoodโ๏ธ or rather, in the first place, I invited you to go with me to high school too! You should have realized that at that point!โ
Natsuki started to talk as if she had just been weighed down.
“Na, Natsuki. after all, youโฆ”
When I held my breath, Natsuki suddenly changed her attitude and looked away awkwardly.
“Yes, that’s right,โฆโฆ. I like you.”
“โฆIs that so?”
ใ
I had a premonition somewhere in my heart, but when she actually told me like this, it didn’t seem real.
Natsuki sighed in exasperation.
โโฆโฆYou really didn’t notice this until now?โ
โY-yeahโฆ., not at all.โ
Feeling awkward, I looked away, and Natsuki snorted softly.
“You should study love before imaginary numbers, you bookworm.”
“If that wordplay is coming up in your first year of high school, then you’re a bookworm, aren’t you?”
“Shut up, you simpleton. So, I didn’t hear the answer โฆโฆ โฆโฆ.โ
Despite her cold tone, she looked somewhat frightened.
I let out a small sigh, looked straight into her shaking eyes, and told her
“I also like you.”
โโฆ.I hope you’re not feeling sorry for me.”
Natsuki narrowed her eyes.
I shook my head vigorously.
“No way. I said we should go our separate ways butโฆ I was scared of keeping our distance.โ
I revealed my pathetic true feelings.
Natsuki stared back at me and slowly opened her mouth.
“โฆโฆreally?โ
โYeah”
“โฆโฆ then, show me the proof.โ
Before Natsuki could finish, I was holding her in my arms.
โโฆโฆ”
I felt her hold her breath in my arms.
I turned my burning face away and continued as if making an excuse.
“I-Is this okay? I mean, Natsuki is really, right — !?”
This time, before I could finish, a soft touch pressed against my face
โฆโฆ kissed
โN-Natsuki,โฆโฆโ๏ธ”
โI-If you still can’t believe this, I’ll do it as many times as you want.”
Natsuki said this trying to act tough, her face red all the way up to her ears.
Then, say it again—
I didn’t have the time or the energy to make such a flippant remark.
“I’m about to die, so I’ll passโฆfor now.”
“Ughโฆ!”
ใ
When I added that word as a least resistance, Natsuki’s shoulders jumped and she turned away with a pout.
I somehow managed to calm my breath and gazed at her profile.
“โฆโฆ Natsuki.โ
“โฆโฆWhat?โ
Natsuki gives me a wistful look.
Maybe I don’t need to say it anymore. But this is a matter of resolution.
(I can’t let this go unresolved.)
I took another deep breath and held out my hand.
โ—Please go out with me.โ
ใ
Natsuki did not blink for a while.
Then, she relaxed her shoulders and shook off my hand,
and leaned against me.
“You’re late, you idiot!โฆโ
โโฆI’m sorry.โ
I put my arms around Natsuki’s trembling back and hugged her gently this time.
She must have been embarrassed about crying on my chest.
For a while Natsuki was as small as a borrowed cat, but gradually she regained her usual plumpness.
“I knew you were a totally โฆโฆ dull guy, but I didn’t think you’d go this far.”
Even now, she shrugged her shoulders in exasperation and mumbled a complaint.
“No, the problems were hard, too.”
“Don’t blame others.โ
Natsuki cut off my rebuttal with a stern look and gave me a dirty look.
“Why did you take the big hint that we still be walking to and from school together in high school and go in a negative direction?”
“Because I’m not good at that sort of thingโฆ”
When I hesitated trying to make an excuse, Natsuki quickly interjected.
“To use the love phrase, it’s foolish to substitute into an equation when the answer is already there.”
“No, it’s possible that it’s just a confirmationโฆโ
“Shut up.โ
Once again, my futile attempts to resist were cut short.
“You made a mistake in your calculations, and you didn’t even bother to check your math.”
โโฆโฆughโ
“Why do you think you’re in a position to make a sound?”
“I’m sorry.โ
โHmph, you should have apologized to me right from the start.โ
Even though she turned her face away, there was a gentle softness to her cheeks.
I couldn’t help but smile as well. I should have been fooled, but I was happy that we were even able to have this exchange.
However, I remembered that I had to confirm one thing.
โโฆโฆ Ah. Hey, Natsuki.”
“What?โ
“I’m going to pick you up again next week, right?โ
ใ
I asked a little nervously, and Natsuki again raised her eyebrows in a deliberate manner.
“Do you want to be lectured again?”
โNo, I’m sorry. I’m going to pick you up. Please let me.โ
“I won’t forgive you if you are late โฆโฆ .”
That insincere reply made my cheeks relax again.
“What is it, โฆโฆ?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I suddenly looked out the window. The sky was a little reddish at sunset.
It’s beautiful.
That’s all I thought.
Maiban