Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818622176998585028
After finishing practice with the classical guitar club, Sena invited me to go eat sweets.
I immediately agreed, and the two of us headed to a nearby family restaurant.
Akito…he seriously went home first.
What’s wrong with him? Akito, you stupid.
“Haa…”
As I reached for my strawberry parfait with a spoon, I couldn’t help but sigh.
…I shouldn’t be doing this, I thought. Sena and I are alone right now, so this kind of attitude isn’t good.
“I’m sorry, Sena. That was…”
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it. I kinda understand what you’re thinking.”
Sena, who was eating a parfait three times the size of mine, smiled happily at me.
Sena is my childhood friend and best friend. Spending time with her, who has a bright and positive personality, is very enjoyable and, above all, healing.
“Hey, Renka. Did something happen with you and Akito kun?”
Sena asks casually.
And…a sharp pain pierces my heart.
I recall his—Akito’s—attitude and words.
Today, he was clearly acting odd. He suddenly said we’d walk to and from school separately from now on, and that he didn’t need lunch anymore.
But I have no idea why Akito said those things.
“…I don’t think there’s anything.”
“I see. But you can tell that Akito was acting strange, right?”
“Yeah. But…I-I don’t really care. He’s a boy of that age, so maybe he just got embarrassed about being with me all the time?”
“Haha. Well, maybe so.”
A carefree smile. Sena seemed to be enjoying her parfait.
“Renka. Perhaps, Akito kun doesn’t like you anymore?”
She said it casually, without any malice, while taking a bite of her parfait.
“Because. Renka, you’re always harsh on Akito kun, aren’t you? Maybe Akito kun has been disliking that for a while.”
“…………….Maybe.”
“Ah…I-I’m sorry, Renka ! I was just wondering !”
Sena laughed and hurriedly corrected herself.
But…I’m sorry, Sena. I wasn’t able to concentrate on her story just now.
Hey, Akito.
Akito—-do you hate me now?
As I started to think that…I don’t know why, but my chest started to feel tight and painful.
(…Well, I don’t like Akito either. Even if he hates me, I don’t care…)
Akito and I…yes, we’re stuck with each other.
He’s always sloppy, irresponsible, and self-indulgent. As his childhood friend, I can’t just leave him alone—so I’ve always taken care of him.
He can’t do anything without me. Thinking that, I reluctantly took care of him. Akito and I were just that kind of relationship.
“—-Hey, Renka? Are you listening? Hey, hey !”
“…Eh !? I-I’m sorry. What’s wrong, Sena…?”
“Ugh, this is bad. Akito kun is such a sinful man.”
“W-why are we even talking about Akito?”
Frowning, I shoveled the parfait into my mouth all at once.
…As expected, my head started to ache. Seeing my teary-eyed expression, Sena smiled cheerfully and said,
“Hey, Renka. As your best friend, I’ll give you some advice.”
“…S-sure.”
“Renka, you need to be more honest. You’re already in second-year, so if you keep acting like a child, you might end up being hated by Akito someday.”
“Well…but even if that stupid Akito hates me, I don’t care…”
“That’s exactly what I mean. You’re such a fool, Renka.”
Sena spoke harshly, which was unusual for her. She sighed and said,
“Well, I understand how you feel. You want to be mean to the person you like, right?”
“What…n-no, that’s not it ! I don’t like Akito…”
“Fufu. Then I’ll just take Akito kun for myself.”
“…….Eh?”
“Oh, come on, don’t take it seriously ! You really don’t get jokes, do you, Renka?”
Sena finished the last bite of her parfait happily and said,
“Well, if anything happens, talk to me. I’ll always be on your side, Renka.”
“…Yeah. Thanks, Sena.”
“Ugh, you’re so cute…if only you could be that honest in front of Akito…”
Sena ruffled her black hair.
I wondered why she mentioned Akito’s name there, but I didn’t say anything.
(Honest, huh…)
Of course, I understand.
Someone like him…Akito is an important childhood friend to me. The reason I always say harsh things to him is just because I haven’t gotten rid of the habits and routines from when we were little. I don’t really hate him from the bottom of my heart.
On the contrary, the truth is…
(—No, no. What am I thinking…!)
I force myself to stop thinking about it.
I gently place my hand on my left chest—for some reason, my heart is beating wildly.
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My god I hate the tsundere trope. It’s like reading about some fantastical mythic being. I just constantly question “how can idiocy like this exist?”