Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093076684326416/episodes/16818093076712639047
A chilly wind blows through my thin, long-sleeved shirt.
It is a little after 7:30 in the morning, the time when Takeru would normally be eating breakfast. Takeru regrets that he should have dressed more heavily, as he never goes outside this early in the morning.
The gate was open, but it seemed that he could not yet enter the university building, so Takeru sat down on a suitable bench and read a book to pass the time until class.
There was a reason he left home early.
[Akari, I….you don’t have to come to my house anymore.]
Yesterday, Takeru made up his mind and took a step to change his relationship with Akari.
However, judging from Akari’s reaction, she didn’t seem to take Takeru’s words seriously. It seemed as if she would probably come home again today at that rate.
This is why he got up an hour earlier than usual and came to school before she came. Now she would realize that Takeru was serious.
It was too early in the morning and the building was not open, so under this cold weather, he was killing time until class by reading a book recommended by Chisato.
Takeru does not usually read books, but the book recommended by Chisato, [Our Differences] was surprisingly interesting, and before he knew it, he was absorbed in reading it, forgetting about the cold and the time.
The main character and the main heroine are childhood friends, and the fact that he could somehow project himself onto them was probably the reason he was so absorbed in the book.
Well, there is also a setting where they actually have feelings for each other, which is far from Takeru.
Halfway through the book, I suddenly heard a man’s voice from nearby.
“Ken kun, right?”
Ken, who was concentrating on his book, did not even notice that someone was approaching, and when he looked up in surprise, he saw Yasaka standing there, wearing a windbreaker over his jersey. He was carrying a case of tennis rackets, and it seems like he was heading ofr a club activities.
After a few seconds, I realized that [Ken] was referring to me and hurriedly greeted him.
“…..Ah, Ken was a nickname I was given, my name is Takeru. Shiota Takeru.”
[Ah, I see, sorry, Takeru kun.] Yasaka laughed lightly and sat down next to Takeru. [Is this a book by Miura Koki?]
Miura Koki is the author of the novel [Our Differences] which I’m reading right now.
“Do you know him?”
“Yeah, I’ve never read that book, but Miura Koki’s book was recommended to me by a friend a long time ago. But I gave up halfway through. Ahaha.”
Yasaka’s dazzling smile made my spine straighten involuntarily.
Takeru has never had an athletic type friend like Yasaka, and to be honest, he is not very good at talking to people like him. For some reason, he gets nervous.
Perhaps such feelings were evident on Takeru’s face, but Yasaka gives him an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry for interrupting. But I have something I wanna talk to you about. It won’t take long.”
The only thing Takeru and Yasaka had in common was that they were talking about Akari. Perhaps it is about the fact that Takeru and Akari are too close to each other, including the other day when he and Akari went to school together.
After all, from a boyfriend’s point of view, it must not be amusing for his girlfriend to be with another man even if he is a childhood friend.
Takeru braces himself.
“Akari’s not doing so well lately. Do you know anything about it?”
“…..Is she….?”
“Yeah, to be precise, it started a week or two ago, but she’s been in a daze more often,……or her expression has been darker,……you see, Takeru kun, you’ve known her longer than me, right? If you know the cause, I might be able to help her in some way, and if you know anything, please let me know……”
Takeru was surprised, as he had been expecting to get punched in the face depending on his response.
Two weeks ago was the exact same day that Takeru and Akari had their fight.
Akari herself had said yesterday that she had been lonely during the time she and Takeru had been fighting, so the fight with Takeru was most likely the cause of her depression.
However, Takeru wonders if it is okay for him to tell this to Yasaka. Let’s imagine for a moment.
I think Akari was depressed because she had a fight with me, but we’ve made up now, so she’s fine.
…..No, no, no, no ! There is no way I can say that
!
I can’t complain even if he really hits me if I say such a thing.
“…….Why don’t you ask her directly?”
After thinking about it for a bit, Takeru decided to ask.
Akari is the type of person who will not hesitate to speak up when she doesn’t like something.
He thought that if he asked her directly, she would give him an answer. When Takeru asked this, Yasaka smiled sadly.
“Akari keeps to herself at times like this, doesn’t she? I’m sure she won’t say anything to me……..”
Takeru’s impression of Akari was nothing like that.
She says exactly what she wants to say, and if there’s something she doesn’t like, she’ll complain about it and tell him everything.
That’s probably something she doesn’t show to Takeru…it’s a side she shows only because she really likes someone. I’m sure she doesn’t want Yasaka senpai to worry about her.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have any idea…….”
Takeru replied, trying not to let his sinking feeling show on his face.
Yasaka looked down at Takeru’s words with a disappointed look on his face.
From his expression, Yasaka seemed to be seriously worried about Akari.
Takeru turned his head fully and thought about what he could do to answer her, even though he could not say.
Not only this time, but also how he should respond to If it were Akari. If I were Akari’s boyfriend, what would I do if I were in Yasaka senpai’s shoes—-
“……After all, I think it’s better to ask those questions directly…..I think Yasaka senpai is trying to be considerate of her and not get too deep into it, but I think she might not like that kind of consideration. I think she would want a relationship in which she can clash with each other without holding back……if it were her…….”
At Takeru’s words, Yasaka looked up and his eyes widened.
Then he nodded slowly and approvingly.
[I see…..I guess so. Yeah, surely Akari would think that way.] Yasaka stands up and holds out his hand. [Thanks. I’m glad I talked to you about it.]
Takeru hesitated but took his hand, and Yasaka smiled at him.
[Ah, that’s right] Yasaka said as if she had just realized something, took out his smartphone from his pocket, and showed Takeru the two-dimensional code. [Would you like to exchange contact information? As a thank you for giving me advice I’ll do something next time. If you have any troubles, please let me know.]
No one could refuse such a request from Yasaka, who boasts of his absolute hierarchy.
Takeru hurriedly took out his smartphone and exchanged contact information with Yasaka.
Yasaka nodded in satisfaction, got up from the bench, took off his own windbreaker, and draped it over Takeru’s shoulders. The nice scent of fabric softener wafted through the air.
“You must be cold this time of year in that outfit, huh?”
“No, no, I feel bad.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just as well, since it’s going to get hot from all the exercise I’m getting now. You can give it to Akari when you want to return it.”
When Yasaka said that, before Takeru could retort, he ran off in perfect form.
Yasaka senpai, he was an unbelievably nice person. His face, personality, and everything else is incomparable to Takeru.
He really is a perfect match for Akari.
When Takeru put his arms through the sleeves of his windbreaker, Yasaka’s warmth was still there, and it felt good against his cold body.
It was almost as if Takeru was falling in love with him.
He continued to read and before he knew it, it was just before twelve o’clock. I was so engrossed in the book that the start time of the second period had passed before I knew it. It was almost the end of the class.
“Ah, now I skipped two times from this class……”
In college, if you miss more than five classes, you lose credits. Although it is still safe, there are no make-up classes, so if you’re late for class, you’ll miss it.
I checked my phone in self-loathing and found that I had received four messages.
One was from Sako, who said, [Are you skipping class?] and there was also one from Miyano, who said, [Are you okay? I’m always available for advice, so call me if you need anything].
I hope Sako will learn from Miyano’s kindness. Miyano is truly a kind girl to be so concerned about me after just one absence.
Takeru returned one appropriate stamp to Sako and politely thanked Miyano and told her not to worry.
The other two messages were from Akari, early in the morning, asking, [Why aren’t you here? I knew it. Are you still mad at me?]
It seemed that Akari had dropped by my house this morning after all. It was a good thing I left early this morning.
Takeru thought about it for a moment, and then replied to Akari.
[I’m not mad at you, but for Yasaka senpai’s sake, you shouldn’t come anymore.]
As soon as he sent the message, it was immediately read. Perhaps the message app was just open.
Takeru put his phone away before he received a reply and ran to the old school building where Chisato was waiting for him.
“Fufufufu.”
Takeru’s cheeks naturally relaxed when he saw Chisato eating her lunch with a smile on her face.
Unlike her usual frown, she puts her hand on her cheek and looks happy. If she were deformed, she would probably have flowers flying above her head.
Recently, I have been researching Chisato san’s favorite flavors and adjusting the overall recipe.
Chisato doesn’t say much about what she thinks of her bento, but it’s obvious from her reaction after eating it: if she doesn’t like it much, the furrow between her brows deepens, and if she likes it, the flowers fly above her head, as they are now. Her expression is more honest than her mouth.
She seems to like sweet flavoring and responds well to more sweeteners such as sugar and honey, and I adjust the taste while watching her reactions.
When Takeru, relieved that the reaction to today’s bento was positive, began to eat his own lunch, Chisato spoke to him, looking for an appropriate topic of conversation.
“Speaking of which, have you read the novel I lent you?”
Takeru swallowed what was in his mouth before answering.
“Yeah, I’m currently suffering psychological damage from the scene where the main character is about to get attached to the second heroine.”
Originally, the main character and the main heroine, who is a childhood friend, are in love with each other, but the main heroine is unaware of her feelings and is about to be taken by the second heroine
When Takeru says this, Chisato raises her eyebrows and looks surprised.
“Eh? You’ve already read that far? It’s the end of the story already.”
“I don’t usually read novels, but I found them interesting. Every time I checked my watch while I was reading, I was surprised at how much time had passed, as if I had gone back in time.”
“Oh, I know what you mean. It’s like before you know it, the scheduled time has passed and your schedule falls apart.'”
“Thanks to you, I also skipped my second period today…….”
The air that was drifting from Chisato changed to something disturbing when Takeru mentioned that much.
When I timidly looked at her complexion, I saw that she was smiling, but there was no smile behind her narrowed eyes.
“Takeru, you skipped class again, didn’t you?”
Scary. Her tone was not angry, but her sharp eyes pierced Takeru.
“I-I’m not doing it on purpose, you know…? It was more of an unintentional mistake…..”
The other day, when she was angry with me for skipping class, I thought that Chisato san is very strict about this kind of rules and regulations.
Chisato lowered her eyes in shock at Takeru’s non-excusable words and sighed.
“Don’t worry, this is my fault for lending you the book. Please bring out the book I lent you.”
Takeru wonders what she is going to do, but fearfully takes a book out of his bag as Chisato told him to do.
Chisato snatched the book from Takeru’s hand.
Chisato then smiled wickedly at Takeru, who was looking at her strangely.
“I’ll let you have it back for a while. When shall I lend it out next?”
“Eh, hey, wait a minute……! I’m on the verge of the climax.”
Right now, he’s about to end up with another heroine…and it’s the worst timing to be left behind.
Chisato ignored Takeru’s words and continued speaking.
“Ummm, let’s say a week from now….?”
Takeru frowned at Chisato’s merciless words.
Does that mean I have to stay in this mopey mood for a week……?
Chisato continued speaking while looking at Takeru’s expression, as if searching for a time period to punish him.
“No, I’d say a month.”
Takeru’s expression darkens further. Please, anything but a month.
No, wait, I can buy the book for less than a thousand yen, so why don’t I just buy it with my own money?
“By the way, this book is out of print, so even if you wanted to buy it, you won’t be able to get it so easily.”
Takeru’s expression turned despairing as he spoke as if she had read Takeru’s thoughts.
Then Chisato suddenly started laughing, clutching her stomach.
“Pfft….hahaha. Takeru, you look terrific, y’know?”
Takeru can’t help but be drawn to her unusually cheerful smile. After all, Chisato is very charming when she smiles.
Her eyes, which usually give a rather harsh impression, turn soft and cute when she smiles. The way she covers her wide open mouth with her hand shows that she is elegant.
Even though it was me who was being laughed at, I forgot about that and fell in love with it.
After a while, Takeru came back to himself and, as if remembering, he pulled his mouth into a tight knot and made a regretful expression on his face.
“…If you think so, could you please spare me…..?”
To be honest, he didn’t care about the novel anymore, but Takeru dared to bite down.
I want to see her smile for as long as possible. If possible, I would like to see her smile even more.
It’s a small price to pay to play the clown for that.
“Fufufu, I’ll see what I can do about the period of time.”
She said with a wink, unusually excited.
Takeru’s brain was pierced by that wonderful wink and his mind went blank for a moment.
Chisato, oblivious to Takeru’s state of mind, resumed eating as if the conversation was over.
Then, this time, flowers started flying over her head with a happy expression on her face as if she had changed in an instant.
When I first met her, she had an image of an iron mask, but now her expression is more expressive and honest.
I wonder if that is how well we have gotten to know each other.
As Takeru started to eat his own lunch, he suddenly heard a familiar voice from up ahead.
“Ken, I didn’t know you were here.”
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Oh yeah. Here comes the drama
Seriously Akari Just leave him alone already.