The Love of My Childhood Friend, Who Has Overcome a Terminally Ill Diagnosis, Is Overwhelming
“Hello, Kanade?”
“Oh, A-kun. Good evening.”
When I answered Kanade’s call, she replied in a cheerful, carefree tone.
“Good evening. I’m sorry I couldn’t answer even though you called so many times.”
“No, no. I’m the one who’s sorry for calling so many times. Did I bother you?”
“Hahaha. It wasn’t a bother at all—not even close.”
“Oh, okay. I’m glad to hear that.”
We both laughed, “Ahaha.”
And then…
“So, A-kun. Did you work things out with Ayaka-chan on the phone?”
Kanade asked me over the phone.
…Her voice sounded cheerful as usual, but I felt like her tone was somehow a little lower than usual.
I felt something off about the words Kanade spoke in that voice.
……Wait, did I even tell Kanade that I’d been on the phone with Takagaki-san?
“Yeah. We worked things out.”
Well, Kanade and I have been getting along pretty well lately, so I must have mentioned it without realizing it.
“Oh, I see. Hehehe. I see, I see. Hehehehe.”
Kanade was laughing happily.
When Kanade laughs like that, it makes me happy too!
“By the way, Kanade, what was the reason for the call?”
“Oh. That.”
Kanade replied as if she’d just remembered.
“A-kun, are you free tomorrow?”
“If you’re asking if I’m free or not, I’m actually busy with studying.”
“I see. Well, I’m asking about the time when you’re not studying.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you free then?”
“Yeah.”
“I see. Hehehe.”
Kanade’s voice on the phone sounded even happier than usual.
“So, Akkun. Let’s go shopping together tomorrow, okay?”
“Shopping?”
Shopping with Kanade, huh.
I wouldn’t mind that.
……But.
“What exactly are we going to buy?”
“Um, first we’ll watch a movie, right?”
“Aren’t we going shopping?”
“And then—we’ll go to karaoke, right?”
“……Shopping.”
“And then, and then—we’ll hang out at a café for a while and talk about the movie and your singing, Akkun.”
“Shopping…?”
“And then, let’s go buy a swimsuit to wear on Wednesday.”
“Ah. That kind of shopping.”
I see. That makes sense.
“It’s been since kindergarten since I’ve been to the beach. I don’t have any swimsuits that still fit me.”
“That’s a bummer.”
“So, won’t you come with me to buy a swimsuit?”
“No way.”
“……”
“I mean, I think you’d pick something with better taste if you went with Takagaki-san or Kadokura-san instead of me, don’t you?”
“Nope. Out of all of them, you’ve got the best sense of style, Akkun.”
“That’s not true.”
I’m not really into fashion.
“It’s true. Everyone says so.”
“Says what?”
“That you’ve got really great taste in clothes, Akkun.”
“……Really?”
“Yeah. It’s true, it’s true.”
Judging by Kanade’s tone, she didn’t sound like she was lying.
“Akkun. Akkun.”
“What?”
“I want you to think about this calmly, though…”
Kanade continued.
“Have I ever lied to you, even once?”
“……”
“……”
“…………”
“…………”
“No.”
“See?”
“Oh, I see. So I really do have good taste, huh?”
I felt a little happy.
“So, please—consider this a once-in-a-lifetime favor—will you help me pick out a swimsuit?”
“Ahaha. I guess I have no choice.”
If that’s the case, I guess I’ll go out of my way for Kanade.
“Hehe. Hehehehe. Well then, A-kun, it’s settled, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll let you know the time and place later.”
“Huh? Why don’t you just come over to my place like you always do?”
“……!”
Wait, did I just say something weird?
“O-oh, come on. A-kun, you’re so bold!”
…Bold, huh?
“Bye for now! I’ll come over to your place tomorrow at the usual time! I’ll make breakfast! Make sure you’re hungry when I get there!”
“Yeah. Thanks, as always.”
“Hehe. Well then, I’m going to bed soon. You should go to bed early too, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Good night, then.”
“Good night, Kanade.”
Maiasa