Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330650892709768/episodes/16817330656481576878
“…. Hinami Senpai. What are you going to do with that?”
“Wait, I forgot myself. Sorry.”
A bag from the arcade filled with snacks and a big stuffed dog with fluffy hair in each hand. The picture was exactly like that of a primary school girl frolicking with her father, which you often see on Sundays.
She may have realised that she had indeed overdone it, but she was looking a little embarrassed and downcast.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,…… but you know what, it was fun to see you frolicking like a child, wasn’t it?”
“… I’m not a child. I’m sixteen years old.”
Shoulders swaying.
She puffed out her mouth and denied it like a child.
The cold-hearted princess’s shame was a little amusing, so I continued, making fun of her a little.
“You’re aware of it, aren’t you? Your face is red.”
“N-Not at all. It is not like that. It’s just that I had a bit of intellectual curiosity. I just found it surprisingly interesting and got hooked.”
“Why don’t you just admit it?”
“It’s not that I don’t admit it, I really do.”
“Again.”
As expected, the meanness was too much, and I backed off as she looked at me shaking like a cornered puppy.
“However, since you’ve come all this way, you have to have fun, don’t you? Shall we play sound games next?”
“Otoge (Sound game), is it?'”
‘Yes. It’s a sound game of sound. Would it be easier to call it a rhythm game?”
“Rhythm games…… I’m not a musician and I can’t play an instrument, you know?”
“…… Oh, that’s right. I forgot.”
Again, pure eyes on me, pure questions.
I’d forgotten a bit about it because she’d been so excited about the UFO catcher, but this person was out of the ordinary.
Not to mention, she had never been to an arcade before, and didn’t even know much about its existence.
Something like that, though, makes me wonder more and more about her family background. If she’s so smart and beautiful and can do anything, I don’t need to be told that she’s tough.
But if I worry about that now, she won’t be able to enjoy herself.
I shake my head and point to the sound game corner at the back of the room.
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so let’s go.”
“…. I haven’t heard it a thousand times?”
“Senpai, as expected, don’t they say you’re a pain in the ass?”
“Well, if you can’t do Japanese, you can’t do other subjects either, so isn’t it important?”
“…… perhaps you know that I’m not good at arts subjects?”
“What do you think?”
Her expression, which had been sullen until just now, crumbled and she gave a thoughtful smile.
“Please give me a break.”
As I turned away in surrender, I heard a chuckle from next to me, shaking my shoulders.
“-Fufufu. I’m often told I’m tough. Sorry.”
“I feel like I was the one picking on you just now. ……”
“I can’t have you saying you don’t know me either, can I?”
“Well, but still, you know what? I don’t want to be told by someone who didn’t know about the arcade.”
“……”
“I’m sorry, I’m afraid of your eyes.”
My heart suddenly tightened as I was glared at by those sharp eyes.
I thought maybe we could just get to know each other a little and try playing around with each other, but apparently that wasn’t the case.
Each time I tried it again and again, I realized how great Naoya’s communication skills are.
“Well, then. Shall we go?”
★★☆
And so the time passed quickly.
I dissipated all my slightly stiffened air in the sound game corner, and then enjoyed the arcade to the fullest by playing racing games and action games. The time was so enjoyable that we forgot about lunch, and before we knew it, it was around 14:30.
“Well, …… was a lot of fun, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was. I didn’t know it was such a fun place to be, although the noise was loud.”
“I don’t come here that often myself, so it’s nice to come here once in a while.”
“I want to go back.”
“Hahaha. You’re really into it, aren’t you?”
“It’s fine right. Or is it wrong if I’m into it?”
“No, it’s not like that. Besides, I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Besides?”
“?” pops into her head.
I was puzzled as to whether it was something I should say now, but my mouth was open first and I couldn’t stop myself from speaking out.
“…… No, I mean. I don’t know anything about senpai, so I don’t know what kind of distance I should be talking to you about. I thought I was being a bit rude.”
“I don’t mind, you know?”
Then, senpai immediately mumbled back without changing colour.
“Really?”
“Even I don’t understand that …… distance. But I’m glad that you approach me slowly like this, Fujimiya-kun. And please don’t mind if I do something.’
“……Y-Your very kind”
“I’m called the cold-hearted princess, though.”
“Hahaha. Well, then, you’re just a kind-hearted and pretty princess, aren’t you, Yasahime (Kind princess) ?”
“What, are you making fun me, Yasahime, ……?”
“I’m complimenting you, you know, like a vegetarian life.”
“…… sounds even more like you’re making fun of me?”
‘”No, no! I really complimenting you I mean you don’t look like a cold-hearted princess!””
“……I-it’s a bit off, don’t you think?”
A different tone of voice from earlier, “Are you making fun of me?” is echoed, and when I reply with relief, a silent voice returns.
I felt like there was something wrong with my reaction to that, so I pointed to the family restaurant next to me.
“I’m hungry, shall we go in?”
“A family restaurant? ……”
“Did you perhaps not like it?”
“No, no. I mean, I’ve never been in one before, so I’m just …… a bit nervous.”
“Seriously, ……?”
The moment when the cold-hearted princess who knew nothing turned into a kind-hearted, ignorant and cute princess in my mind.
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !