I Was Supposed to Be Giving Love Advice on the School Radio, but Before I Knew It, the Beautiful Girls at School Were Hitting on Me
“Senpai, I have something I want to talk to you about. It’s about love.”
Kinami’s expression was serious as she told me this directly. I felt a chill run through my body. I slowly removed my hand from her shoulder.
“…Go ahead.”
When I said that, Kinami nodded slightly, looking satisfied. I could hear her breathing slowly.
“There’s someone I’ve always admired.”
That’s how it started.
“Since middle school, I’ve been chasing after that person, and I’ve worked hard to be by his side.”
“I see…”
“Yes, I kind of knew that I wasn’t a romantic interest for him, but I couldn’t give up, so I kept struggling.”
It was the first time I had heard such a story from Kinami, and it made my chest feel a little tight.
“But there are lots of other people who like that person, and they’re all much more attractive than me. They have a more mature aura, and they look great standing next to that person. So I realized I’m inferior to them, and that’s why I panicked.”
“That’s why you fainted today…”
“Yes, it’s such a pathetic story…”
Kinami laughed awkwardly. But I couldn’t respond. Kinami looked at me and tapped her knee. Then she slowly looked up at the sky.
“…Senpai, what should I do?”
Kinami murmured softly, as if giving up. Her voice sounded resigned, but her eyes were slightly moist.
“Let’s see…”
I knew that an ambiguous answer wouldn’t do, even for someone as slow as me. But the answer came surprisingly easily. I looked straight at my junior, who was squinting her eyes and looking nostalgic.
“Kinami, can you name 10 things you like about yourself?”
“Huh?”
Kinami looked puzzled, but I kept a straight face.
“Come on, things you like about yourself. Say them.”
“Um, I work hard at my part-time job, and I have a lot of friends…”
Kinan looked down, embarrassed, and folded her fingers. After folding a few fingers, she couldn’t take it anymore and looked up.
“Wait, what kind of punishment game is this !?”
“If you can’t say it, I’ll say it for you. First of all, you’re cute, you know that?”
“Cute !?”
Kinami stiffened in surprise. But I didn’t stop.
‘Plus, you’re charming, energetic, always smiling, work fast, and are very thoughtful.”
“W-what’s gotten into you? I’m seriously consulting with you, so please take it seriously !”
“Just listen. Well, you’re aware of your surroundings, you eat cake deliciously, you can switch between work and break time…”
“What are you talking about ! You’re just making stuff up to avoid the question !”
Kinami grabs my shoulder with force, but I gently push her away.
“Stop interrupting me. Now I’ve lost track of how many there are…”
“Eight !”
Oh, Kinami, who was getting angry, gave a nice follow-up.
“Um, other than that, you don’t know how to play mahjong, so you’re not out of touch with the world, and, well, you’re surprisingly calculating, which is something I can’t ignore.”
After I finished speaking, I slowly raised my head and saw Kinami hugging herself and glaring at me like I was her enemy.
“…Pervert.”
“Say whatever you want.”
“Pervert ! Lecherous ! How can you suddenly start listing your favorite things about your junior when she is seriously consulting you? It’s just weird !”
Overcome with emotion, Kinami clenched her fists and started hitting me.
“A-and calculating ! Not knowing mahjong ! You’re not complimenting me at all ! Don’t pretend to compliment me and then mock me !”
“You think so? I can see all your good points clearly.”
“……”
When she spoke her honest feelings, Kinami blushed again, stumbled over her words, and continued to punch me silently. Ignoring her, I continued with my response to her question.
“Even just off the top of my head, I can think of so many things that make you attractive. So, Kinami, don’t ever say you’re inferior.”
“……..!”
Kinami’s fist stopped for a moment. I slowly reached out and patted Kinami’s head. I thought she might reject it, but Kinami surprisingly accepted it without resistance.
“Comparing yourself to others and thinking you’re inferior or superior is just a matter of self-judgment. Other people might have their own charms, but that doesn’t mean you’re less than them.”
“B-but ! I’m the kind of person who tries hard like today, but ends up causing trouble instead !”
Kinami spoke while keeping her fist pressed against my body and looking down.
“True, you do tend to try too hard sometimes, I know.”
“Then !”
“But that’s not a reason to deny yourself. Don’t use such arbitrary self-judgment to deny your past self.”
These aren’t just comforting words. Having seen how hard Kinami Makino has been trying, I couldn’t bear to see her efforts denied.
For a while, the beach house was filled with silence. Amidst the sound of the waves surrounding us, Kinami slowly opened her mouth.
“Senpai…do you understand what you just said?”
Kinami spoke softly, still looking down.
“Even if there’s no chance of winning, you’re saying not to give up, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Do you realize how cruel that is?”
“Yeah, I do.”
I patted her head again and lowered my gaze slightly.
“But a girl like Kinami Makino can do that, right?”
At my words, Kinami shuddered slightly and slowly raised her face. She raised the corners of her mouth slightly, wearing a defiant expression.
“Well, I guess I have no choice. If you say so, I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Alright, that’s the spirit.”
Kinami slowly moved away from me, stood up, and stretched her arms wide. Watching her stretch her arms toward the sky, I exhaled in relief.
“Good luck, Kinami.”
When I called out to her, she turned around and looked back at me.
“Ah, talking like this has made me hungry.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Before I knew it, the sun was setting outside. I checked the clock and realized it was already quite late.
“Want to go eat something?”
“Eh ! Are you treating me, Senpai? I’m in the mood for ramen !”
“Don’t say it like that.”
“It’s a chance to treat your cute junior, isn’t it? It’s more like a reward !”
“Don’t be so spoiled.”
I slowly stood up and stretched my arms wide. My joints cracked with each movement.
“I’m in the mood for some hearty tonkotsu ramen right now. Do you know any good places?”
“Hmm…how about Tamashii-tei?”
“That place is soy sauce-based, isn’t it ! ….Right, how about Masaki-ya? I love their special dish !”
“You don’t know the meaning of modesty, do you?”
While teasing her, Kinami daydreams about various ramen shops, and I feel a sense of reassurance seeing her like that, letting out a sigh of relief.
As I speak with a sigh, Kinami turns toward me with a big smile.
“Yes ! That’s part of my charm !”
Maitoshi