The S**ttiest Gyaru in the Class Confessed to Me
I was thinking about what I heard from Ichika.
Ichika’s father and Ai said that Ichika is timid and sensitive when it comes to love. I think that must have something to do with what she said earlier.
I understand that Ichika’s experiences have hurt her deeply. But only she can understand the pain of those wounds. I can’t ask her about it myself.
But if I were in Ichika’s position…
If I had gone through such an experience, I think I would either come to despise love and sexuality, or the opposite. I might feel that love and sex are worthless and use them as a means to gauge the other person’s mood.
Maybe Ichika is the same.
Perhaps she offered herself as a sacrifice to survive, because she was afraid of the affection directed at her…
If that’s the case, then the true nature of the girl who was called a slut or a bitch would be completely different…
“Kun. ……Sou Kun?”
Before I knew it, Ichika was peering into my face.
“Sorry, I was spacing out.”
There’s no point in thinking about it.
Right now, I need to focus on the Ikka in front of me.
“You looked worried? Was it because of what I said?”
I hugged Ichika.
“No, it’s not like that.”
“It hurts, Sou kun.”
“Sorry.”
“You know, I’m not that pitiful, am I? That person is, but the others…maybe I had some sexual desires too…?”
I take it back.
This girl…
(She’s saying something like a succubus…)
Even as I thought that, I felt the corners of my mouth curling up.
Maybe she’s trying to be considerate of me. It’s a mystery, but I don’t dislike this side of Ichika.
Before I knew it, it was past 4:00 p.m.
The fireworks display was supposed to start at 6:00 p.m., right?
I should get ready soon.
There are supposed to be various food stalls at the fireworks display venue. I plan to buy something to eat for dinner tonight.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
When I opened the door, the owner was standing there and handed me a box about the width of my shoulders.
“This was sent to me by your mother.”
Ichika took the bag and opened it.
Inside were a yukata and a card.
Ichika read the card aloud.
“‘Happy birthday. Of course, you should wear a yukata to the fireworks display.’ …..Sou kun. It seems to be a gift from my mom and dad.”
Saying that, Ichika held the yukata in both hands and spun around in place.
As expected of Yotsuba san.
Nice present.
Still, Ichika’s father and mother.
Did they pick it out together?
Inside was a simple manual on how to put it on, so Ikka should be able to do it alone.
“If you’re going to change, I’ll wait outside the room.”
“No, stay in here with me.”
I was allowed to stay in the same room.
Even though I was facing away, knowing that Ikka was changing clothes right there made me feel incredibly guilty.
The rustling sound was distracting.
“…Ichika, what are you doing right now?”
“…I’m taking off my bra…”
“I want to see.”
“…Next year on your birthday, then…”
Ichika was being kind today.
Is it okay to push a little further?
I mustered up the courage and asked the next question.
“Are your nipples hard?”
Gaa.
I felt a dull pain in my back.
“You pervert ! ! Die ! !”
She seemed angry, kicked me in the back, and kicked me out of the room.
As I waited in the hallway, several couples in swimsuits passed by. They were all tanned.
Shimoda is close to Shirahama Beach.
The white sand reflects the light, making the sea look emerald green. It’s a popular spot.
“The sea will be the next thing to look forward to.”
Then the door opened.
She was wearing a pure white yukata.
It had a blue rose pattern on a white background. The obi was also blue, a fluffy heko obi like the kind small children wear. However, the pearl-adorned decorative ribbon and voluminous wrapping gave it a certain allure.
“W-what do you think?”
Ichika looked nervous.
“The world… I think you’re the cutest in the world.”
I was so surprised that I blurted out my true feelings without realizing it.
“Ehehe. That’s nice.”
Ichika raised her hands like butterflies and spun around.
“Oh, okay.”
“Let’s go.”
I was led outside by Ichika.
(I’m glad she’s back to her usual energetic self.)
Along Perry Road leading to Shimoda Port, lanterns swayed on both sides. The July sky was still crimson, but soon it would cast a dreamlike glow over the town.
I walked hand in hand with Ichika.
The hands connecting the two of us were intertwined like lovers.
Along the way, several young men in couples and fathers with their families turned to look at Ichika.
(Fufu. They can’t help but look because she’s so cute, huh? I understand that feeling.)
I was in a good mood.
There were many street stalls on the cobblestone road.
There was a wide variety of food, such as yakisoba, oden, takoyaki, and sauce senbei.
After walking a little, Ichika stopped.
“Look, it’s cookie cutting ! ! If you do it well, you get something.”
It brought back memories.
I used to do it a lot when I was a child.
With a thumbtack in one hand, you cut thin cookies into specific shapes. If you did it well, the shopkeeper would give you a point card, and you could exchange the points for prizes.
However, by the time you accumulated enough points, the old man would disappear along with his stall.
Still, Ichika has been acting like a child visiting the festival for the first time. Maybe she hasn’t been to many festivals before.
“Ichika, have you been to many festivals before?”
“No, not really. I haven’t been on many trips or to many festivals ! ! So I’m really happy ! !”
Ichika stopped again.
“Sou kun, look. If you pull the string, you can get a game console ! !”
Ah, it’s a string-pulling lottery.
Ichika.
All children are trained by that and grow up to know reality.
(Is that string really connected to the prize? And it’s 1,000 yen per pull. That’s too expensive.)
“Ichika, stop it. You won’t win…”
However, Ichika had already handed the man 1,000 yen.
“Sir, when I was a child, I was sick. I couldn’t go on trips or to festivals very often. I’ve always wanted to try this, so I’m really happy.”
Then, the old man scratched the back of his neck a few times. He grabbed the bundle of strings with the hand towel hanging on it and handed it to Ichika.
“Young lady, I’m happy too. Are you from Tokyo? Enjoy Shimoda.”
Ichika chose one string from the bundle the old man handed her and pulled it hard.
Then, amazingly,
the largest box was pulled up.
(No way…)
The old man looked at her with the gaze of a father looking at his child. He smiled and handed the box to Ichika, then said in a voice loud enough for everyone around to hear.
“Oh no. Someone took the first prize game console ! ! Hahaha. We’re doing everything by the book, so we’re losing big time.”
(Losing to gain, I guess.)
Ichika was overjoyed.
“Sou kun. Let’s play games together at my place next time, okay?”
“Sure. I’ll bring some game software and come over to play.”
After that, we sat on the stone steps overlooking the sea and ate squid and takoyaki.
Ichika rested her cheek on my shoulder and said,
“You know, I’ve hardly ever been on a trip or to a festival before, so I’m really happy. Thank you.”
I recalled the story I had heard earlier about Ichika’s middle school days.
Ichika is afraid of the word “like.” It’s because she has experienced someone changing because of her “liking” them.
So, I have to say it before Ichika’s “liking” does. I want to convey my feelings to her before she becomes anxious about changing.
Unlike before, I have to be serious.
I have to tell her.
But I’m nervous.
Is this how someone feels when they propose? Even though I know logically that she won’t reject me, my heart is pounding with anxiety.
Soon, fireworks began to explode one after another.
The fireworks rising into the night sky briefly illuminated the pitch-black sea surface.
Ichika’s eyes sparkled as she watched the sparks fall.
I have to say it.
I have to muster the courage and be serious.
Ichika looked over at me.
“What’s wrong? Sou kun. Does your stomach hurt?”
“Ichika, I know it’s weird to say this now that we’re already dating, but…”
“Hm?”
“When you confessed your feelings to me, I was half-skeptical. I couldn’t believe that a cute girl like you would approach a plain guy like me.”
Well, it was probably just a punishment game.
But you chose me.
So I want to make it clear.
The reason I’m dating Ikka now is because it’s my choice.
“That’s why I want to make it clear.”
I continued speaking.
Ichika stared intently into my eyes.
“I like you, Ichika. I love you. …Will you go out with me?”
Is my love selfish and self-centered? Does it look distorted to Ichika?
I’m anxious too.
My words might hurt you again.
Ichika.
You know, when I first saw the character for “love” as a child, it looked like a woman…my mother, holding a child. Holding the child carefully and preciously.
Will this child grow up healthy?
Will this child be happy?
Will they be bullied?
Are they feeling happy right now?
That’s what I think the character means.
So I told her.
…I hope this feeling reaches Ichika.
Maigetsu