Chapter 8: The Day Before

The Day Before

"This person likes me."

I sometimes have a thought like that.

Whether it's a blessing or a nuisance, I've been liked by many women, both juniors and seniors.

Well, I've become quite good at noticing someone's emotions toward me.

For example, I've become quite good at recognizing when someone dislikes me. (In most cases, it comes from the guys' jealousy.)

So, if my intuition isn't wrong, this girl, Haruka, likes me.

"...Sigh."

I hate myself for thinking this.

What am I thinking? Even after a week of abstinence of worldly desires, I shouldn't be having these thoughts.

It's the kind of thinking a virgin with no experience with women would have—

... Ah, that's me, isn't it?

Anyway, tomorrow, I'm heading to the battlefield. 

It's the kind of battlefield where I might make it back alive as a victor, or I might die in the process.

How long has it been since I went to this battlefield with her?

A little while ago, there weren't any barriers between men and women, and I feel like we used to go often in the summer. But somehow, we stopped going at some point.

I wonder if I can handle looking at her equipment now

You heard me right.

It's an equipment.

If my memory serves me correctly, her swimsuit from back then was so cute and—

—Hold it right there, me!

I'm not a lolicon!

...Well, anyway, even though I haven't actually seen her swimsuit, I'm already in this state.

I don't know what will happen when I actually see her wearing it.

I'll probably turn into a lustful monkey the moment I see her.

Even as a high school boy with weird fantasies, I don't want to be in that state.

I'd rather die!

"Is something wrong, Yuuki?"

"Hmm? Oh, I was just thinking about someone who unconsciously gives off hints of affection that eroded my mind little by little."

"Eh? You have someone like that, Yuuki?"

"....Well, yeah."

Oh God, this blockhead!

I'm in Haruka's room right now, and I'm desperately trying to survive today.

Argh! I've been in Haruka's room countless times! Why am I so scared now?! 

Today is the last day of school.

For some reason, Haruka invited me to her house.

For some reason we're in her room.

And for some reason we're so close our shoulders are touching.

Did I do something wrong?

God, I apologize if I did something wrong. Please get me out of here—

... On second thought, I take that back! Thank for the service!

My reason is desperately fighting to stay calm next to the person I love.

"Is the train station as our meeting place tomorrow okay?"

"Yeah, that's okay. Should I come pick you up if you want?"

"No, it's fine. I don't want to waste your time."

"I'm fine, really."

"I said It's okay already."

The problematic statement I dropped a little while ago. The plan to "go to the pool" was steadily progressing.

The date is tomorrow.

It's tomorrow!

"If we're going to have fun, it's better to do it on the first day when we can play without any worries!"

That's what we decided, and it's now tomorrow.

Today, the day before the actual event. We decided on the meeting place and so on.

I see, Haruka brought me to her house to discuss this.

She's my best friend, childhood friend, of the opposite sex, we call each other by our first names, she cares about me, we're close, and she brings me, the opposite sex, to her room.

It's the Perfect Hand!

I can win!

I'm not some clueless protagonist like you often see in light novels. This is a guaranteed win!

"Hey, you're too close. It's hot. What are you, a child?"

"Huh, it doesn't work...?"

"...What?"

"Nothing."

I tried to indirectly convey that my son was about to reach his limit and asked Haruka to do something, but unfortunately, it didn't get through to her.

No man could withstand that kind of upward gaze and pleading eyes.

Haruka was oblivious to my feelings, acting all innocent and naive, but that's the Haruka I had fallen for.

That's why I made a firm decision in my heart, a firm resolve.

To this oblivious girl, I swear I will—!!

.....

.... I'll just be her best friends and childhood friends..

.....

..... I chickened out!!

In the end, I'm afraid of being rejected too.

But I'll try my best to endure until that time comes.

I'll cry if Haruka gets a boyfriend other than me, though!

★★★

Yuuki started acting all fidgety after I brought him to my room.

He's acting like he's about to confess his feelings to someone.

Who is he going to confess to?

..... Leaving me aside, is it one of the other girls in the harem?

These days we have cell phones, which are so convenient, but I think it's better to confess face-to-face.

After the closing ceremony, I brought Yuuki to my room to decide on our plans for going to the pool tomorrow, but as you can see, he's acting all fidgety.

Is he okay? Does he need to go to the bathroom?

I have a pretty good idea why Yuuki is acting so fidgety.

Well, he's probably nervous because, even though we're best friends, it's still a room belonging to someone of the opposite sex.

I'm very surprised that he saw me as a woman!

I've brought him to my room many times since high school, but he's never been this fidgety before.

Has something changed in his mind?

Huh...? Maybe...?

"Yuuki, did you get a girlfriend?"

"...Huh? No?"

I'm a little worried about how he's been holding it in, but judging by Yuuki's behavior, it seems that's not the case.

He can't lie to me anymore, hehe.

If he had a girlfriend, I might have gone crazy with jealousy—

—Oh, no no no, not as a woman, but as a best friend!!

"Aren't you going to get one?"

"I think I'm fine for now."

"Wow, you've made enemies of all the men in the world."

"It's fine, isn't it? It's my privilege of being popular."

"....."

For now, even though I'm a girl, I'm a man at heart, so I kicked him in the shin.

I must say, my footwork is quite elegant.

I'm mesmerized.

What I've realized from spending time with him is that he's an enemy to me and all the men in the world.

Luckily, he's not completely dense, but harem protagonists are generally guilty just for existing.

On top of that, he subtly brags, which makes him even worse.

As his best friend and guardian, I should help him choose the right path!

If he keeps juggling multiple women, a huge mess will be created when he gets caught.

I want him to quickly decide on one person he likes and have a healthy relationship.

I don't want it to turn into a "nice boat" situation either.

"Shouldn't you settle things with them soon?"

"Hmm, no, they're more of a nuisance, so it's better to ignore them..."

"Wow, that's awful. If you feel that way, do you have someone you like?"

"...I do....?"

"Why the question mark?"

I see, I get it now.

This guy isn't a man.

He's a different creature.

If this were me in my past life, it wouldn't end so easily; I'd half-killed him.

Even surrounded by such beautiful girls, he doesn't seem to feel anything; he must be emotionally lacking as a man.

I've never heard any frivolous stories about Yuuki, and I don't know anything about his first love.

My first love was Yamagishi-chan from kindergarten— Ah, that was a story from my past life.

To be honest, I haven't experienced a first love in this life. It might be due to the gender mismatch—I was a man in my past life and a woman in this one—but I can confidently say I don't have romantic feelings for just any guy.

Anyway, putting aside my non-existent first love story, the problem is Yuuki.

It's true I rarely felt any masculinity from him. He always laughed and played like a boy.

No, he was a boy.

However, his mental fortitude, even surrounded by beautiful girls, is quite impressive.

"Talking about romance doesn't really suit me, does it?"

"Ah, you ran away, didn't you? That's fine, I guess. Well, anyway, come pick me up tomorrow."

"Huh? You just said I didn't have to—"

"This is this, that is that. Don't you want to be together before we're having some fun?"

"....."

Those were undeniably my true feelings.

I want to have a fun conversation not only after we get to the pool, or after we get to the station, but even before that.

It's my selfishness.

It's selfish, but Yuuki has no right to refuse.

There's no way he'd refuse the words of a  self-proclaimed beautiful girl, right?

Oh, wait, he's not interested in woman, you say?

So, I guess, this is a request as a best friend?

"Ugh... I get it."

"Yeah. Thanks."

"You owe me a juice."

"Yes, yes, I'll treat you tomorrow since you'll be broke, Yuuki."

"That was unnecessary comment!"

Next summer, we'll already be students preparing for entrance exams.

I can only see a future where we're constantly studying.

That's right, this summer is the last time we can let loose and have fun.

Let's make some memories of this last summer.

AN:

They're being all lovey-dovey.

They look so happy. So envious T_T