The S**ttiest Gyaru in the Class Confessed to Me
Riku kun’s grave is located a few train stations away.
I looked up at the sky as the train swayed along.
Today, the sky was dark with thick, heavy clouds.
I hope it doesn’t rain.
A brief journey.
I spent my time listening to Sayaka’s memories.
It’s been ten years since Riku kun passed away.
“You know, back then, I was really into this anime called Yuri Yuri Academy…”
Sayaka was talking excitedly, like a child who had just returned from a trip. Perhaps she doesn’t usually have anyone to talk to about her childhood.
Sayaka herself said that she wasn’t really a cheerful person. But looking at her face, I thought that perhaps the real Sayaka was cheerful after all.
“Huh. Maybe I’ll check it out too.”
Ichika is curious about Yuri Yuri Academy. She’s so cute and naive. But I know. Yuri Yuri Academy is a legendary anime in the yuri genre…
Ichika, who’s a bit into yuri, shouldn’t watch it because it might hurt her feelings. I don’t want her to get too into it and wake up for real.
“Ichika, I think you should stop watching it. Anyway, Sayaka, it’s pretty intense for an elementary school student to be watching that.”
Well, she’s just a kid.
She probably watched it without thinking too deeply, just because the character designs were cute.
Then Sayaka started explaining again.
Somehow, Sayaka was talking fast today.　
“Well, you know. The love and friendship between girls. Lust and sexual desire. The blatantly cute character designs that neutralize those feelings. It’s considered the pinnacle of GL.”
It seems she understood it more deeply than expected and really liked it.
Sayaka looked at Ichika and said,
“Hey, Icchan. Did you become friends with Sou kyun and stop being afraid of boys? I’m sorry. I couldn’t do it.”
“Yeah. Sou kun is kind and makes me feel really safe. He’s really important to me.”
“I see. Have you been able to express your feelings properly?”
Knowing about that conversation means she also knows about the trauma.
“I’m still practicing, but my feelings are overflowing. So I’m sure it’ll be okay.”
“I see. That’s really good.”
Sayaka’s eyes were teary.
She seemed genuinely happy.
Between the two of them, there was definitely more than just GL; there was friendship too. That’s how I felt.
Sayaka continued.
“So, did you go all the way?”
“Um. Not yet…”
“Hmm. Get it done soon, okay? Then you’ll be able to overcome your trauma. After that, I’ll be able to go for Sou kyun without hesitation.”
“No way ! I’m not giving him to you !”
Sayaka grinned.
“How about renting it?”
“It’s a rental-prohibited work.”
Watching the two of them get along is fun, but I talk too much. It’s a little embarrassing to listen to.
Before I knew it, the train had arrived at its destination. As we exited the ticket gate, the clouds parted, revealing a clear blue sky.
“Sayaka, what about the offerings?”
When I asked that, Sayaka showed me the paper bag she was holding.
“This is Riku’s favorite thing.”
After walking for about ten minutes along a path with stairs, we arrived at Riku’s grave.
His parents must visit often. The plants next to the gravestone were well-maintained.
We poured water on the grave and lit incense.
“Riku, I’m sorry I couldn’t come on your anniversary.”
Sayaka said, then took a box out of the paper bag and placed it on the grave. When she opened the box, it was a soccer ball-shaped cake.
Sayaka spoke to the grave.
“Riku, you loved soccer, didn’t you? Are you playing soccer in heaven? You know, I brought my dear friends with me today.”
Sayaka looked at me and Ichika.
“My best friends. There are two of them. Isn’t that amazing?”
Sayaka clasped her hands together.
Ichika and I closed our eyes and clasped our hands together in front of the grave.
The faint, nostalgic scent of incense filled the air, and cicadas chirped loudly.　　　
(I’ve never lost someone close to me. How must Sayaka feel?)
The expression on Sayaka’s face at the railroad crossing flashed through my mind.
“…Well, then…”
Sayaka’s voice made me open my eyes.
Sayaka in front of me was smiling.
According to the rules of the cemetery, you can’t leave offerings at the grave. After visiting the graves, the three of us ate a soccer ball-shaped cake and decided to go home.
While cleaning up the paper plates, I thought to myself.
Sayaka is a little quirky, but she’s a good person. I want to be friends with her normally. Playing with the three of us was really comfortable.
But this is just a selfish and convenient story, isn’t it?
Ichika is also looking at Sayaka.
I’m sure she feels the same way I do.
Sayaka looked at me and Ikka and said,
“Thank you for coming today. This is the first time I’ve introduced my friends to Riku.”
Sayaka looked me in the eye.
“It may be too late, but I really like Sou kyun You see, this is the first time I’ve ever liked a boy. So I’m sure this is my first love. I want to cherish this feeling.”
It’s an honor to be your first love.
“But I also love Icchan, and I don’t want to make her sad. So I wanted to draw a line and introduce the two of you to Riku as best friends.”
This time, she looked at Ichika.
“So thank you for coming. You know, I want to get along well with the two of you. Please take care of me from now on.”
Sayaka bowed her head.
Ichika and I held Sayaka’s hands.
The three of us can be good friends.
Then, Sayaka smiled.
“So, let’s call a truce. If Icchan goes all the way withSou kyun, I’ll give it my all too.”
Huh?
A truce?
“Well, I won’t lose !”
Ichika retorted.
“Well, even if I win, I don’t plan on monopolizing Sou kyun, so don’t worry. Then, the three of us can cuddle every night, right?♡”
Ichika pouted.
“I wanna monopolize him. So no ! !”
Our friendship is too irregular.
But watching the two of them get along made me feel strangely happy.
You have such a wonderful big sister.
Right, Riku kun?
Maigetsu