Chapter 4: [Side: Yuuki]

It was created by typing mindlessly.

Difficult to find a different perspective. Why did I even write this? T_T

[Side: Yuuki]

I met Haruka when I was in first grade of elementary school.

It was a time when it was easier to make friends because there were no barriers between boys and girls.

Even then, she called me her friend, even though I had no friends.

She was my first friend, and I was so happy that night I couldn't sleep.

I said I didn't have any friends, but it wasn't that I couldn't talk to people. If anything, I just didn't have any trustworthy companions.

Haruka had a somewhat mature aura about her. The way she watched over me was like that of a parent or guardian.

She was good at sports, good at studying, and above all, cute. Unlike me, Haruka was popular with everyone.

After school, we'd go home and play at one of our houses. That was our normal, fun daily routine.

As I spent those days, I began to see many different sides of her.

She usually acted like a refined young lady at school, but when we hung out, she'd have strangely boyish catchphrases and a surprisingly sharp tongue.

I wondered if it was okay for someone so popular to be like this. I thought it would be fine as long as no one found out.

My parents treated Haruka like their own daughter. I sometimes wanted to expose Haruka's true nature in front of my parents, despite how much they praised her as a good girl.

And so, I continued living those days, and it was around the time I became a second-year middle schooler.

That's when the distinction between boys and girls becomes clear, and bodies change significantly. I was small in my first year of middle school, but by my second year, I had grown considerably.

These days, with the spread of the internet, such 'knowledge' is easily accessible. I naturally became able to join in on the boys' conversations.

I had made some trustworthy friends (male) besides Haruka, and I couldn't believe what one of them said.

"Are you and Kirihara-san dating?"

Kirihara is Haruka's last name.

When a friend said that, there was no way I wouldn't become conscious of Haruka.

Her body wasn't like it was in elementary school; it was rounder overall. It didn't take long for me to become aware of her as a woman.

Our everyday conversations became strange, and Haruka would approach me, making my heart race. I thought she was like a devil. I wanted her to understand my feelings.

I consciously watched every little gesture she made, letting my heart pound.

To put it simply, I had fallen in love with Haruka. I had liked her before this, but this time in a romantic sense, not the kind of like I usually feel.

I desperately wanted Haruka to notice me, to see me as a guy.

But I hated the warm gaze she gave me, like she was watching over a growing child.

I'm not entirely sure of the definition of a childhood friend, but Haruka and I are childhood friends. Just knowing that made me happy to be so close to her.

I never got a chance to tell her how I felt, and I kept dragging things out, and now we're both in our second year of high school.

I was surprised, because I thought Haruka, with her intelligence, would go to a much higher-level high school. When I asked her why, she said it was because she enjoyed being with me. That was the day I decided I wouldn't tolerate her naivety anymore.

Oh, I'm not bragging, but there's something I want to say.

Since I became a second-year high school student, I've been getting a lot more attention from women. I seem to understand that they have feelings for me.

As a man, it's nice to be seen that way by women, but frankly, I found it annoying.

Even so, I've been a gentleman who's remained faithful until now. There was no way I could fall in love with any woman other than Haruka at this point.

There are five women who like me.

My junior, Matsumae Akari, my classmate, Hayase Sakura; the typical tsundere, Uzuki Ayano; and the student council president, Hakaze Izumi.

.....And a yandere, Hanasa Nae.

They're all pretty. The guys are jealous of how popular I am.

But it's all a hassle.

It's not like I'm popular because I want to.

How many times have I regretted that Kirihara Haruka isn't on this list?

"Haa..."

A sigh escapes my lips. Haruka and Izumi-senpai are probably talking in the student council room right now.

I wondered where Haruka was leading me when she covered my eyes with her hand, only to be subjected to an unpleasant recruitment attempt in the Student Council room.

I managed to escape by saying I needed to go to the restroom, but I've had enough of that.

Honestly, I want to go home, but I can't until Haruka arrives. Because I want to go home with her.

I arrived in the classroom and slumped over my desk.

As I did that, I gradually closed my eyes, and my consciousness became hazy...

—Clatter!

I woke up to the sound of the door being forced open. Then I heard footsteps approaching me.

This meant I'd been caught sneaking out of the Student Council room.

While I was wondering what to do, the other person acted first.

"Are you awake...?"

"...Zzzzzzz~~"

"He's sleeping...?"

Even if I woke up now, I'd only be punished for sneaking out.

So, I'll at least pretend to be asleep and surprise her by suddenly waking up.

Snap!

A picture was taken. Immediately afterward, my phone in my pocket vibrated. Knowing Haruka, she must be enjoying taking pictures of me sleeping.

"Oh, Kirihara-senpai, aren't you going home?"

"...Akari-chan."

Akari is our junior. She's popular with the boys because of her sweet and innocent demeanor, but Haruka is enough for me now. 

Why she's still in the school after school is a mystery.

"Kirihara-senpai and Fujii-senpai..."

"Hm?"

"Are you two dating?"

"Hah?!"

"What?!"

Damn, I almost shouted.

To them, I'm a sleeping person. There's no turning back now.

... I focus my attention on their conversation, to hear how Haruka answers the question.

"No, no! We're not dating yet, we're not dating yet!"

"...Not yet?"

"Not yet?!!"

If I'm not mistaken, Haruka clearly said we're not dating yet.

Yes, she said not dating, "YET"!

From that, I can infer that Haruka has feelings for me and wants to be in that kind of relationship with me someday, which means she's aware of me.

.... Eh, then....?

I can feel my face turning red. I'm so glad I pretended to be asleep. I think it'll be a disaster if we face each other.

"Oh, yeah, bye-bye."

I was half happy, half unsure of what to do, when it seemed Akari had left.

I was shaken awake. It was so sudden that I immediately looked up.

I felt embarrassed when she saw my face clearly, but Haruka looked at me with a worried expression.

That was convenient. She probably mistook me for having a fever.

She moved closer, touching our forehead together, and I think my face turned even redder when I realized it.

She's so defenseless.

What's going on?!!

She doesn't seem to think anything of it, though.

"Are you okay? Your face is red."

"N-no, I'm fine. Come on, let's go home quickly."

"...Yeah."

This is why, this girl, being so naturally oblivious is a problem.

★

"Looks like you're okay now."

Haruka said that and pushed me away forcefully. I was a little shocked.

On the way home, I managed to calm myself down and return to my usual self. I want to give myself a pat on the back for that.

Good job, me!

Unusually, no one was waiting in front of the school gate today. Not that I was expecting anything or anyone, though.

"Yuuki, who do you think is good? Akari-chan? Sakura-chan? Or some other girl?"

Lately, Haruka has been asking me questions like this a lot.

But she seems to dislike that I'm so popular. That's just... no, never mind.

"I'm not interested in anyone."

"Hmm."

Her reply sounded uninterested.

What the heck?!

If that's the case, why ask in the first place? 

"Oh, you dropped something."

"Oh, thanks—?! Ah, don't look at that!!"

"Heh. If you say so, it must be something suspicious. Let's see, the contents are... huh...?"

... It's over!

When we were in our first year of high school, Haruka invited me over to her house, saying things along the line; "My parents aren't home today, want to come over?"

That got me overthinking, and I bought that thing at the convenience store.

In the end, we just played games all night and nothing happened.

I kept it in my bag, still hoping something would happen.

I knew I was crazy.

"0.02 millimeters..."

"This is not what you think! ... Ano~... Haruka...?"

She lowered her head and was trembling.

The usual Haruka would point at me and laugh.

Today, it's destined to be the same.

Laugh as much as you want!

Why did I leave it in my bag?!

"Ah, wait, Haruka!"

...

...

...

"...Baka."

The words she uttered as she left left a lasting impression.

AN:

I messed up... I dropped a bomb.

I want to move on to romance next time. It's lacking in substance.