The Beautiful Girl With a Kind Personality and Good Looks, Who Happens to Be My Childhood Friend, Seems to Have Eyes Only for Me
As dusk stained the road, I walked side by side with Haru.
“Yuma-kun.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing. Just wanted to see if you’d answer.”
“…Oh.”
“Yes.”
…Let’s be honest.
—No, Haru’s been way too cute since we left the basketball court. This is bad.
Her arm was still linked through mine as if it were natural,
and she’d call my name for no reason, like just now, then smile happily.
After walking a while, I glanced over at her side—
“…Ah.”
Our eyes met naturally.
In that instant, we both looked away at the same time, and for some reason, my face grew hot.
Personally, I still find staring at each other for too long embarrassing.
But Haru seemed different. Far from looking away, she kept gazing at me happily.
“…Don’t you need to watch where you’re going?”
“It’s fine. Today is—a day for watching Yuma-kun.”
She said that and smiled mischievously.
That’s cheating.
I didn’t even feel like complaining, and we just kept walking.
…No, I was actually happy about this too.
I thought we’d make it home without incident, but then it happened.
A figure appeared before us.
“…Ah.”
panting, breathing heavily
Apparently, he run all the way here.
That person—Yamato—stared intently at the arms I and Haru had linked together, eyes wide with disbelief. Shock, sadness, and… clear anger directed at me.
Just as Yamato opened her mouth to speak…
“I’m going out with Yuma-kun now.”
It was Haru who spoke first.
“…Huh?”
Yamato’s expression froze completely.
I thought I should say something too, but Haru shook her head slightly.
—Leave it to me for now.
Where her gaze fell, I noticed. Haru’s eyes were cold now. As if looking at some disgusting insect.
“I’ve always liked Yuma-kun. Since junior high… Ever since we met, always.”
With each word, the color drained from Yamato’s face.
And then—as if I didn’t exist at all—Yamato fixed his gaze solely on Haru and shouted.
“Why…?! Haru and I have always been together! Much longer than you and Haru! Every single day… Even during the play, you told me you liked me… You smiled and stayed by my side…!”
—That’s why I misunderstood, I guess.
Wait, she said she liked him in the play? Just because she said it in a play, he thinks Haru likes him? Some kind of method acting? Yeah. That guy might be crazy.
So, I wasn’t surprised by what came next.
“…No, it was the play, right? Sure, we were together the whole time…”
“Then—”
“That’s exactly why.”
Haru stated it firmly.
“Yamato-kun. You’re not good enough for me. Find someone who truly cares about you, someone better than me. I… I stayed by your side, knowing how you felt, keeping things ambiguous. I can’t call that kindness.”
Haru’s smile was beautiful. But to Yamato, it was a cruel, unmistakable farewell.
“…You’re kidding… Haru…”
Tears welled in his eyes as Yamato reached out. But Haru didn’t move an inch. Eventually, as if he’d understood everything, he glared at me.
“…You—”
Haru cut him off again.
“Yamato-kun.”
Her voice was quiet, yet firm.
“Please, don’t become a selfish person. Don’t blame others or try to destroy them just because things don’t go your way… Don’t become someone who stays stuck like that.”
“…!”
“Yamato-kun, don’t let happiness slip away while you still have this ordinary life. You’ll fall into hell someday.”
Yamato gritted his teeth, said nothing, and turned his back. Then he just ran off.
After a moment, Haru let out a small breath and buried her face in my chest.
“…This means I’ve taken one step forward too.”
“…Yeah. I’ll talk properly about it someday too.”
“Oh, right. Back in first year, I heard Haru tell Yamato she liked him. Did you actually like him back then?”
“Huh!? When!? When did you hear that!? Words I’d rather die than say out loud!”
“Haru? You’re breaking character here.”
“Ah♪… Maybe it’s about that play Yamato-kun mentioned earlier. That was definitely in our first year.”
“Really? I gave up on Haru once back then.”
“R-Really!? But now! Now you like me, right?!”
“Ah—you’re breaking character again. Of course I like you, Haru. And I figured out that girl at the hospital seven years ago was you too.”
I gently stroked Haru’s head.
Then she looked up at me, seeming to want more strokes.
…She really is adorable.
“Hey, Yuma-kun.”
“Hm?”
“Today… I don’t want to go home.”
This is bad for my heart.
Today is Friday.
Tomorrow is Saturday—a day off.
“Mom would be thrilled. …Want to stay over?”
“Yes.”
“What about a change of clothes—”
“It’s fine. When I mentioned staying over before, Miyo-san said she’d lend me something she bought for herself.”
…Huh? Bought? For Haru? Mom’s way too into this.
“What about Haru’s mom?”
“It’s fine.”
Saying that, she operated her phone and turned it off.
“What did you send?”
“I’m staying at my crush’s place.”
“…You’re bold.”
“Hehe. This is my problem.”
Before I could ponder the meaning of those words, she tugged my arm.
Anxiety was definitely there.
But right now—I only wanted to think about the person beside me.
“Haru.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know how many times I’ve said it… but I like you.”
“Me too, Yuma-kun.”
Her face, smiling in the twilight, was breathtakingly beautiful no matter how many times I saw it—so much so it made my chest ache.
——-
“Ugh, that was annoying. And it’s awful that Yuma-kun misunderstood me like that. Let’s talk to Miyo-san tonight. She probably doesn’t know Yuma-kun remembered the culprit behind the accident. She’ll agree with our plan. Talking to Yamato today made me realize it—trash is trash.”
Maiasa