Chapter 10: We're Best Friends, so We're Going to the Pool (After)

I really want to become a TS Girl (terminal stage)

We're Best Friends, so We're Going to the Pool (After)

Recently, I've had a change of heart about my best friend.

I used to think he was just having fun building a harem at school, but it seems he's grown up a bit.

He saved me from a pick-up attempt... or rather, something close to kidnapping.

If it had been a normal pick-up attempt, a simple reply might have sufficed, but that guy didn't back down at all; he forcefully grabbed my hand.

I consider myself fairly strong as a woman, but my resistance was completely meaningless there.

... And that's when he came to my rescue.

I was saved by Yuuki, who used to be so small.

I was surprised at how big he'd been.

His expression when he came to save me was so determined.

It made me realize that everyone grows and matures.

"Can you still eat lunch?"

"... We shouldn't waste food."

"That's true, but..."

"Yuuki, let's eat together, come on."

"...Yeah. Let's do that."

""Itadakimasu.""

After saying "Thank you for the meal," I reached for the hot dog Yuuki had bought.

It was a little cold, probably because of everything that had happened, but that was fine.

I took a bite and swallowed, feeling my stomach fill up. I realized I was hungrier than I thought.

"...Um, thanks for earlier..."

"...?"

"...You saved me from being hit on."

"...Is Haruka finally going through her lovey-dovey phase?!"

"Hah?!"

"Mogugu?!"

He was saying something strange, so I, by reflex, covered his mouth.

I used the hot dog I had been eating to cover his mouth. It was in just the right place, so it was easy to use.

I snatched his hot dog away, glancing at Yuuki, who was still savoring the full meal in his mouth.

His cheeks are huge, like a hamster's.

Cute.

He seemed to be desperately trying to swallow it, so as a small act of mercy, I put down some tea.

"Haa~ Haa~... This is very difficult to say, but... Haruka..."

Yuuki pointed to the hot dog I was now eating, trying to tell me something.

... It's just an ordinary hot dog. Was there some kind of problem?

The person who seemed to know something was just blushing.

Then Yuuki spoke.

"You realize that is mine, right?"

"Huh?"

"...."

"What do you mean?"

"Simply put, I ate Haruka's portion and Haruka ate mine, so it's an indirect ki—"

"Don't say it!"

"Yes, sorry."

This is like sharing food, something we've done several times when we were little.

Well, it's just food, after all.

Yes, we've done it many times before.

Or rather, you're just making me feel weird now because you're saying it like that.

We're best friends, so it's not a big deal... it's normal.

"...Haruka, I have one more thing to say."

"What?!"

"Could you let go of my hand?"

I only realized it when he said it.

Tracing the hand opposite to the one eating the hot dog from the base, I found it was tied to another hand at a certain point.

"Sorry, I'll let go..."

"...Yeah."

"Just a little longer."

There was no way he could hear me muttering that.

★

The summers lately have been so hot that my body gets hot very quickly.

That's why I'm glad we came to the pool today.

We're currently in the lazy river pool, as I mentioned earlier. It's incredibly relaxing; you just float along and your body drifts with the current.

However, because it's filled with people of all ages, it's quite crowded.

I need to be careful, or I might get separated from the person I came with.

"Yuu—....we've been separated...."

Just as I thought that, this happened. It was me who should have been more careful.

Should I have said something like, "Let's hold hands so we don't get separated..."?

But that would feel like admitting defeat, and I don't like that.

While I was thinking that, the current was carrying me further and further away.

There are still a lot of people around, so if I stay here, we'll get separated even further.

So I decided to get out of the pool for a while.

If I just stay inside, I won't find him.

Just a quick look at the whole picture is enough. I have a Yuuki-sensor in my head, so I can find him right away.

Look, I can see Yuuki's back from here.

He's a little far away, but not too far. It's a short walk.

Well then...

—Wait a minute!

This plot feels familiar.

"Oh, Yuuki-kun was here?"

".... Yeah, I guess... Hanasa-san was here too."

I was going to approach Yuuki, but someone was already there. And it was one of the girls from his harem.

He met Ayano-san a little while ago too, so I wonder if he has some kind of ability to attract people.

The person he met this time was Nae-chan.

Nae-chan, the yandere girl who stands out even among the harem.

Look, she's totally giving off the vibe of "I'm Yuuki's girlfriend."

"Wow... what a coincidence, isn't it? I never imagined I'd meet Yuuki-kun at the pool on the first day of summer vacation. ... Is it fate?"

"I don't think so—"

"It's just a coincidence, right?"

"... What an amazing coincidence."

Listening to their conversation, one question came to mind.

Nae-chan is suspected of being a stalker. Surely she wouldn't do anything that infringes on his privacy, right? 

But then again, Nae-chan, who loves Yuuki so much, might just do it.

She met the person she loves by chance at the pool on the first day of summer vacation and they started talking. It's almost too perfect.

... I want to believe she didn't do it.

"Even so, Yuuki-kun is amazing."

"Hm?"

"You were being so lovey-dovey with Haruka-san. Even though I'm also here..."

"....What....?"

"You went down that 'couple-slide' thing together, you saved her from a dangerous pick-up attempt, and even shared indirect kiss."

"....."

I didn't hear anything.

I didn't hear anything!!

But one thing I do know is that my suspicion of Nae-chan being a stalker has turned from suspicion into certainty.

I was completely caught off guard.

Yuuki has a magical power to attract the girls of his harem. It was the same with Ayano-chan.

I can't believe they saw the part of me I least wanted them to see.

This is bad.

This is really bad!

If this continues, I'll just keep feeling more and more embarrassed!

"Changing the subject... my parents aren't home today."

"Huh?"

"... Want to do it, Yuuki-kun?"

"!?!?"

Blushing, she looked up at him.

Nae-chan used her killer 'invitation' technique.

A privilege of being a beautiful girl.

..... What if he agrees?　

I don't think that'll happen, though.

Even Yuuki, who's enjoying his harem, should have some sense of restraint.

First of all, don't leave me behind and go to another girl's house!

Even I, your kind and beautiful childhood friend, would get angry, you know!

"No, he can't!"　

That's right, it's a problem that could be solved if I didn't let it happen.　

I stepped between them and said the refusal on Yuuki's behalf.

I mean, Yuuki, you should have refused sooner!

There was no other word to use in this scene other than an immediate refusal.

"Oh, Haruka. Sorry we got separated—wait, are you in a bad mood?"

"Tch, it was going so well."

"Hanasa-san? ... Don't you think that 'invitation' of yours a bit too much?"

"Is there something wrong with that? I was just asking, after all. Not that I want to hear anything from someone who barged in and refused on someone else's behalf."

"Both of you, take a deep breath."

""Yuuki/Yuuki-kun be quiet.""

Yes, keep quiet.

This is not the place for you to get involved.

This is, in a sense, my war. 

Let's see this through to the end.

This lewd, yandere slut who tries to drag you home just because she loves you needs to be straightened out.

"What are you thinking, trying to drag him home?"

"I haven't dragged him home yet. I was just trying to get his consent. You're jumping to conclusions."

"Maybe so, but even so, isn't it wrong to try to drag him home?"

"I mean, what are you to Yuuki-kun? This has nothing to do with Haruka-san, right?"

"That is..."

Certainly, Nae-chan might be right.

The invitation was directed at Yuuki, not me.

But, that's... I refused for him...

"...Because I didn't want him to..."

Then why did I stop Yuuki?

..... Because I don't want him to go to her home.

Why don't I want him to go to her home?

..... Because I don't want him to go to another woman's house.

Why is that?

..... Because I don't like it, and for some reason it makes me uneasy.

What is that uneasy feeling?

..... When Yuuki talks to other women, my chest aches, and something deep inside smolders.

Why is that?

..... Now that I think about it, until recently I could interact with him normally, but lately my feelings are floating and I don't understand them myself.

It's not that I can't interact with him.

It's just that when I do, my feelings go somewhere else, and a sense of relief arises.

Isn't there one emotion that comes to mind?

........

If I even think about it once, I feel like something inside me will change.

Not necessarily for the worse, but something important will change.

Just being near this person gives me a sense of security.

Just being near this person gives me a sense of happiness.

I want to be with this particular person forever.

The answer was right there all along, isn't it?

I'm just like everyone else in the harem, aren't I?

There were so many clues, but I pretended not to notice.

I..... toward Yuuki...

... I like Yuuki.

I love him.

I'll be just as good as Nae-chan, Ayano-chan, Sakura-chan, Akari-chan, and Hakaze-san.

I'll definitely be just as good as them.

"I.... Yuuki..."

Love

All that was left was to say that one word and put in the middle of that sentence.

I only need to say one more word—

"Haruka and I are childhood friends who've been together since we were little. So basically, I follow Haruka's lead. Haruka is like my best friend or guardian. So sorry, I'll have to decline your offer."

"Best friend or guardian... I see.... If that's what Yuuki-kun says, then I guess it can't be helped. Okay, then I'll be going now. ...Oh, but you can come over anytime, okay ♡?"

"Uhh..."

...

"... Phew, she's finally gone. I'm not really good with Hanasa-san. Ano... Haruka...?"

"...Sorry, I just remembered I have an urgent errand."

"Huh? But you said you checked everything the day before."

"I'm really sorry. I really forgot about this. I'm going in for a bit this afternoon. Have fun! I'm heading home first."

"...Hey Haru—"

"See you tomorrow!"

Saying that, I headed to the changing room alone to get ready to go home.

... I can't let him see me like this.

I'm supposed to be Yuuki's best friend.

That's all there is to it.

I was the one who set expectations on my own.

And I was the one who fell in love on my own.

It's all... on my own...

AN:

It might seem a bit early, but TS Girls can be tricky despite looking tough.