Category: I’m a Childhood Friend, and I Want to Remain a Supporting Character, but for Some Reason I Became the Heroine’s Love Interest

31 Maintaining Order in the School

“Th-This is… I don’t understand. I didn’t know you were going to do it too, Riri-chan!”

I kissed her cheek, and she kissed mine.

I never imagined this would happen, and I couldn’t hide my confusion.

“It would be unfair to only let Suzuna do it.”

I didn’t ask for anything in return.

I wonder if this is really a platonic relationship.

“I’m not doing it again! This is a one-time thing!”

“Eh? Why? It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine! I’ve never heard of friends who do this all the time.”

“We’re… that kind of relationship.”

“That’s… suggestive. Just say we’re normal friends.”

Riri-chan giggled, watching me flustered.

I think she’s teasing me, enjoying my reaction.

She’s a bad person.

◇◇◇

“—Ah, you two…”

A cold voice came from the top of the stairs.

“Ugh, it’s Kanaori.”

The student council president, Kanaori Reika, looked down at us, her golden hair swaying.

Her gaze was much sharper than during lunch break.

…I have a bad feeling about this.

“I came looking for you because Amatsuki-san wasn’t coming, and…”

“K-Kanaori-san! Th-This is…”

I tried to explain—

“Both of you, come to the student council room immediately.”

—But Kanaori-san cut me off with her cold voice.

“Why do I have to go too? Only Suzuna was called by the student council.”

Riri-chan, still unaware of the situation, complained.

While I admire her spirit, that probably won’t work with Kanaori-san right now.

“Just be quiet and come.”

She replied sharply, not allowing any backtalk.

Kanaori-san turned and walked away, her shoulders squared.

“Huh? What’s with her? So annoying.”

“W-Well… I think we’re also at fault…”

Riri-chan, pouting, looked cute, but this wasn’t the time for that.

If we don’t hurry to the student council room, I’ll be the target of her attention.

That’s supposed to be Shindo Minato’s role in the original story.

“Ugh, that’s so annoying. I was finally feeling happy, and then she shows up. This is the worst.”

Riri-chan grumbled as she went up the stairs.

“? Riri-chan, you’re surprisingly obedient about going to the student council room.”

Knowing her, I thought she’d say something like,

“There’s no rule against students having free time, is there?”

And completely ignore her.

Riri-chan turned and looked at me.

“Hmm? Well, it’s okay since Suzuna’s with me.”

“Oh, I see…”

As expected of Riri-chan.

She was about to leave me behind just now, but now that we’ve made up, she’s back to her usual self.

A gal who lives by her feelings and a student council president who lives by the rules.

I can’t imagine them getting along…

◇◇◇

The student council room.

Crimson carpet, heavy wooden furniture, and a high-quality sofa in the center.

And a blonde girl sitting at a majestic desk with a large window behind her.

—Why is only the student council room so extravagant?

Well, I shouldn’t say such trivial things.

It’s a common trope in these kinds of worlds for the student council room to be unusually lavish, even if the rest of the school is ordinary.

“You finally arrived.”

Kanaori-san sighed and greeted us.

“You’re the one who called us. Get on with it.”

Riri-chan, seemingly displeased with Kanaori-san’s attitude, was being prickly.

Please don’t make things worse.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? It’s about the indecent act you two were just engaged in.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Riri-chan tilted her head, feigning ignorance.

“It’s no use playing dumb! I saw it with my own eyes!”

“So, what did you see?”

“W-Well… on the stair landing, y-you… k-k-k…”

“Huh?”

…Um.

Does Riri-chan know what she’s doing?

And Kanaori-san’s hesitant attitude…

It’s innocent.

I understand. It’s embarrassing to say it out loud.

“I saw you… kissing… with my own eyes!”

Kanaori-san stood up, slamming her hand on the desk.

Her face was bright red.

I understand. It’s embarrassing.

And this student council president is a pure, innocent character.

“…So?”

“I can’t overlook such disruptive behavior on school grounds! What were you thinking?!”

“…Kanaori, how old are you?”

“We’re the same age! You know that, so don’t ask!”

“That’s why I’m asking. Even if we were actually kissing, which we weren’t, it’s not something you should be reprimanding us for. It doesn’t make sense.”

No, it makes sense, Riri-chan.

“And on the stair landing, a place where anyone could see… are you exhibitionists?!”

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…

We really did something inappropriate.

I was desperate.

We won’t do it again, so please forgive us.

“Hey, it was just a peck on the cheek.”

“That’s not the point!”

“Then what is the point?”

“The point is that engaging in such sexual activity on school grounds is inappropriate!”

“That’s an exaggeration…”

Riri-chan sighed at Kanaori-san’s outburst.

Neither of them seemed willing to back down.

“Are you denying it?”

“If we were a boy and a girl, it might be seen that way, but we’re both girls.”

Riri-chan is saying that it wasn’t sexual, just a lighthearted gesture of affection.

“That’s an outdated way of thinking. In this modern age of diversity, there’s nothing wrong with same-sex relationships.”

But Kanaori-san denied it with a straight face.

I understand what she’s trying to say, but…

“Same-sex relationships… you’re the one being suggestive.”

“?! Why would you say that?!”

“You thought we were doing something indecent, even though it was just a kiss between girls. That kind of thinking is suggestive.”

“D-Don’t be ridiculous! You two were kissing in such a sentimental atmosphere, and now you’re trying to make excuses?!”

“Don’t explain it! You’re crazy!”

The more they talked, the more suggestive the topic became, and both of their faces were flushed with embarrassment.

Neither of them seemed willing to back down, but every time they repeated their arguments, it came back to the kiss, creating a vicious cycle.

Even I’m embarrassed listening to them, so I wish they’d just stop.

“Please have some consideration for me, the one who has to reprimand you!”

“I didn’t ask you to!”

“Then you should refrain from such behavior in public!”

“We didn’t do anything weird!”

The conversation was going in circles.

And I haven’t even said a word since we entered the student council room.

“Um… Kanaori-san. I’m reflecting on what happened on the stairs. We won’t do it again, so please forgive us.”

“Suzuna! What do you mean, ‘we won’t do it again’?!”

Please, Riri-chan, just be quiet…

“Very well. Then I won’t pursue this matter any further. Hinase-san, you may leave.”

“That was quick.”

I think even Kanaori-san was embarrassed and wanted to end the conversation.

I wish Riri-chan would just take the hint.

“I have something to discuss with Amatsuki-san. Hinase-san, you are dismissed.”

Riri-chan seemed dissatisfied, but I made eye contact with her, assuring her that it was okay.

“…Fine, fine, I understand. Suzuna, I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance.”

“Ah, okay.”

Riri-chan reluctantly left the student council room.

Now it was just Kanaori-san and me.

---

32 Where the Heart Lies: Hinase Riri’s Side

I left the dreadful student council room and headed for the entrance.

I went down the deserted stairs and stopped on the landing.

This is where Suzuna kissed me just now.

“Suzuna…”

I called her name, even though I knew she wasn’t there.

Suzuna never showed any interest in me and was always dismissive.

But lately, she’s been changing.

For some reason, she’s starting to show interest in me.

I clearly felt it when I invited her to my house.

Suzuna blushed and panicked just from seeing my underwear.

She tried to leave, which is typical of her, but when I tried to stop her—

“I’m telling you, I don’t know! Something strange happens when I look at you, Riri-chan. My thoughts and actions become jumbled, and I can’t breathe properly. That’s all!”

—She said that.

I believe those words came from a place of affection, however small.

So, in that sense, I’m happy.

But are those feelings really just as a friend?

Lately, Suzuna has been acting strangely suspicious.

“…No, I’m just getting my hopes up.”

If anything, I’m the strange one, not Suzuna.

Lately, I can’t even control myself.

Suddenly inviting her to my house was one thing, but…

More than anything, I get incredibly irritated when someone gets close to Suzuna.

◇◇◇

It started when Shindo Kokona started making bentos.

The thought of Suzuna eating food made by another girl made my stomach churn.

I couldn’t stand the thought of Suzuna being… tainted by another girl.

So I’ve been feeding Suzuna my bento to prevent her from being taken away.

Even in class, Suzuna tried to distance herself, but I forcefully closed the gap.

But are these the feelings you have for a friend?

If I had to name these feelings, they would be “jealousy” and “possessiveness.”

…Well, it’s not like I don’t feel these emotions towards others.

I sometimes feel jealous of Kaede, who manages to get away with wearing flashy clothes without getting reprimanded. She’s good at navigating the world.

But the amount I feel towards Suzuna is incomparable.

I feel like I’m going crazy, consumed by these emotions.

That’s why I was so anxious when Shindo Minato spoke to Suzuna after school.

“Alright, let’s go home, Suzuna.”

The boy Suzuna used to like.

Knowing that, it shouldn’t feel good to even hear him casually invite her to go home with him.

Even seeing them casually talking to each other makes me uneasy, considering how much Suzuna likes being alone.

“No, before that, let’s go to the student council room.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

Suzuna didn’t refuse; she even invited him to go to the student council room with her.

Why?

She should know that the Kanaori situation is troublesome. And inviting him means she relies on him, trusts him.

“No way, I’m not going. Why would I go to the student council president when I wasn’t even called?”

“It’s fine because I called you.”

“Sorry, but there’s a huge power difference between you, Suzuna, and Kanaori-san. She’ll just ignore your invitation.”

“No, this is fate.”

“That’s a bit dramatic.”

I’ve never seen Suzuna so insistent.

I’m always the one inviting her; I’ve never seen her invite someone so persistently.

And she even said “fate.”

Would she use the word “fate” with a boy she used to like?

I started to suspect that Suzuna still liked Shindo, even if she didn’t say it.

Anyone would think so.

“Anyway, I’m passing this time. Good luck, Suzuna.”

“H-Hey…”

Suzuna sounded clearly disappointed when Shindo refused.

Why?

Was she that eager to go with him?

She ignores me, but that guy is better?

Not a friend, not a boyfriend, just a childhood friend.

Does she think I’m beneath him?

If so, I’m shocked.

My “jealousy” escalated into “anger.”

“Why did you invite Shindo?”

“…Uh, th-that’s…”

“You said you and Shindo were over, Suzuna.”

“Ah, of course we are.”

“Then why did you invite him?”

“Well, it was… just the flow of the conversation…”

Suzuna only gave vague answers.

It was obvious she was hiding something.

So I thought she was still hiding her feelings for Shindo.

Thinking that, I almost lashed out at Suzuna.

But that’s strange.

Even if Suzuna still likes Shindo, what’s wrong with that?

It’s Suzuna’s choice who she likes.

It’s crazy to be angry about that.

I know that. I know it logically.

But my emotions aren’t catching up.

“…Sorry, it’s nothing. I’m going home.”

So I had to leave.

If I stayed any longer, I would definitely say something hurtful to Suzuna.

I don’t want to do that.

I don’t want Suzuna to hate me, and I don’t want to do anything that would make her hate me.

So I had no choice but to suppress these feelings and disappear.

My anger propelled me forward, and I headed for the entrance.

“Riri-chan, wait!”

But Suzuna came after me.

Suzuna took my hand.

I’m always the one chasing her, but Suzuna chased after me.

That alone shook me to my core.

But it’s not enough.

It’s not enough to make up for it.

I want proof that Suzuna needs me more.

“Then… what do I have to do to make you believe me?”

To Suzuna, seeking an answer, I demanded a kiss.

Because words aren’t enough anymore.

They can’t fill the void in my heart.

I wanted something more direct.

“I-I’m really… going to do it…?”

“Yeah.”

And Suzuna responded.

A kiss on the cheek is cute, but it felt much more real than words.

So I decided to respond to Suzuna and kissed her in the same way.

…No, that might be a lie.

I actually wanted to kiss Suzuna and make her mine.

I think those feelings were mixed in as well.

I had Suzuna do something she’s never done before, and I did it too.

That makes us special to each other.

Then Suzuna will be mine.

That’s how I felt.

◇◇◇

Lost in thought, I arrived at the entrance.

I leaned against the wall and waited for Suzuna.

Since I was waiting for Suzuna, my thoughts naturally turned to her.

—So why am I so jealous of Suzuna and trying to become “special” to her?

The question is where those feelings come from.

…No, I already know.

“That’s an outdated way of thinking. In this modern age of diversity, there’s nothing wrong with same-sex relationships.”

I never thought I’d get a hint from Kanaori, of all people.

So that must be it.

I think… I’ve fallen in love with Amatsuki Suzuna.

That’s why I’m so jealous, why I want to monopolize her, why I want to be special to her.

A simple answer that explains my feelings.

But I’m resistant to admitting it.

I somehow believed that I would fall in love with a boy someday.

But Kanaori shattered that belief, and it finally clicked.

It’s annoying that she was the one who made me realize it, but considering how much trouble she usually causes, I guess it’s fine if she’s useful for once.

“Ah, Riri-chan, I’m sorry for making you wait.”

Suzuna finally arrived.

Seeing her running towards me, as if she didn’t want to keep me waiting, made me happy.

Such a small thing makes my heart race.

Knowing that these feelings are love, my heart started to stir even more.

“I wasn’t waiting that long. But if you’re that sorry, you can make up for it with a kiss.”

“I told you, I’m not doing that anymore.”

“Stingy.”

“I’m not stingy.”

But I don’t have the courage to confess my feelings yet.

Just because Suzuna thinks I’m special doesn’t mean it’s love.

The thought of confessing my feelings unilaterally and ruining our relationship scares me.

So—

“Then how about holding hands?”

“That’s embarrassing, it’s weird.”

“It’s fine if no one’s around, right?”

“…Well, if no one’s around…”

—For now, I want to maintain this comfortable distance.

Because that alone makes me happy.

29 Proof of Suspicion

“Now then, Hinase-san. I’d like to hear your answer. Will you correct your uniform to comply with the school rules?”

Kanaori Reika is the student council president.

In other words, the student council president heroine.

Her appearance, as in the original story, began with a conflict with Hinase Riri.

“I keep telling you, even the teachers haven’t said anything, so why should I listen to another student? It doesn’t make sense.”

“It doesn’t matter who points it out, these are the rules. As long as you’re enrolled at Seiran Academy, you have an obligation to follow them.”

Kanaori-san is right about this.

She’s just pointing it out according to the rules.

Riri-chan’s argument doesn’t hold water.

“…Can’t you speak normally? It’s tiring talking to you, like you’re a robot.”

But, as expected of Riri-chan.

She completely ignored the question and changed the subject entirely.

The student council president and a gal have fundamentally different ways of thinking.

Just look. Kanaori-san’s face twitched at Riri-chan’s attitude.

“You should be the one listening to what others are saying! I don’t understand why you dress so indecently every single day.”

“You should be the one to stop making a fuss about rules no one cares about!”

Oh… they’re talking, but they’re not communicating at all.

Can they really be this incompatible?

“This conversation is going nowhere. I’ll deal with you later. I have other business to attend to.”

“Just get out.”

“I am attending to it in this classroom.”

…Wait.

Hold on a minute.

There’s another character in this scene in the original story.

Shindo Minato.

In the original story, Kanaori Reika appears while Hinase Riri is trying to get Shindo Minato to eat her bento.

A similar exchange occurs, and Kanaori-san’s attention shifts to Shindo Minato.

“Shindo-san, excessive contact with the opposite sex on school grounds is a violation of school rules. Since I’ll be providing you with direct guidance, please come to the student council room immediately after school.”

Shindo Minato, surrounded by his childhood friend, his little sister, and a gal, ends up attracting the attention of the student council president.

But what about now?

Shindo Minato, of all people, gave up his seat to Hinase Riri and left the classroom.

In other words, he skipped the event with Kanaori Reika.

“Th-This is bad…”

I felt a cold sweat running down my back.

He skipped the encounter entirely.

There’s no way to manage the routes.

What’s going to happen now?

With Shindo Minato gone, who will Kanaori Reika reprimand?

“You’re Amatsuki Suzuna-san, correct?”

“…Uh, y-yes.”

Kanaori-san looked at me with a forced smile.

What is this?

I’m wearing my uniform properly, and I’m not wearing any makeup.

I shouldn’t have broken any rules.

“I’ve noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time with Hinase-san after school recently.”

“Well, yeah…”

How does Kanaori-san know that?

…She was probably observing Riri-chan, her target, and I happened to be with her.

That must be it.

“Amatsuki Suzuna-san, loitering after school is a violation of school rules—”

Wait a minute.

This phrasing sounds incredibly familiar.

That’s… the line she’s supposed to say to the protagonist, isn’t it?

I must be imagining things.

“—Since I’ll be providing you with direct guidance, please come to the student council room immediately after school.”

It’s over.

That line is for Shindo Minato.

Why is she saying it to me?

What’s happening with this game?

“I didn’t hear a response, Amatsuki-san.”

“…Yes.”

My vision darkened.

“W-Wait, Suzuna?! Your face is pale! What’s wrong?!”

“I-It’s nothing…”

“Hey, Kanaori, what did you do to Suzuna?! She’s sensitive, so be more careful with your words!!”

“Eh?! I didn’t think I said anything that bad…”

This is no good.

It’s over before I even encountered the heroine.

This is the worst possible development.

And I’m going to be scolded by Kanaori-san.

One bad thing after another, my heart was completely clouded over.

◇◇◇

After school, I had to go to the student council room.

But that’s not supposed to be my role.

“Alright, let’s go home, Suzuna.”

…This carefree protagonist, Shindo Minato, who keeps inviting me even after being repeatedly rejected, was supposed to go.

I wondered what to do, and then it hit me.

“Yeah, okay.”

“Oh, it’s been a while. The loser of rock-paper-scissors carries the bags.”

…Is he serious?

“No, before that, let’s go to the student council room.”

“Eh, why?”

That’s right.

If he won’t go, then I’ll go.

I’ll bring Shindo Minato and Kanaori Reika together and advance their relationship.

That will solve everything!

“I was called by Kanaori-san.”

“Ugh. Kanaori-san is beautiful, but she’s also known for being strict… I think they call her ‘Ice Queen Kanaori’ or something.”

…I think I’ve heard that nickname before… or maybe not.

“That’s right. Come on, let’s go.”

“No way, I’m not going. Why would I go to the student council president when I wasn’t even called?”

“It’s fine because I called you.”

“Sorry, but there’s a huge power difference between you, Suzuna, and Kanaori-san. She’ll just ignore your invitation.”

“No, this is fate.”

“That’s a bit dramatic.”

Agh, seriously!

He won’t come quietly, and he won’t believe me even if I tell him the truth.

What am I supposed to do?

“Anyway, I’m passing this time. Good luck, Suzuna.”

“H-Hey…”

Shindo-kun bolted out of the classroom like a rabbit.

He’s so heartless, even though he’s my childhood friend.

“…Suzuna.”

Then, Riri-chan called out to me.

Is she… going with me?

Riri-chan is kind, so she must be worried about me.

“Riri-chan, I’m going to the student council room now…”

“What was that about just now?”

“Eh?”

Riri-chan’s voice was lower than I expected.

“Why did you invite Shindo?”

“…Uh, th-that’s…”

I can’t say it’s for the Kanaori route.

“You said you and Shindo were over, Suzuna.”

“Ah, of course we are.”

I’ve explained many times that Shindo-kun is in the past.

But Riri-chan was radiating a scary aura.

“Then why did you invite him?”

“Well, it was… just the flow of the conversation…”

“You invite a guy you used to like just because of the ‘flow of the conversation’? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Riri…-chan?”

Riri-chan was trying to suppress something, but it was overflowing.

Something like… dark emotions.

That scares me.

“…Sorry, it’s nothing. I’m going home.”

“Eh…”

Riri-chan, who always invites me, is going home first.

That alone was enough to make me feel a sense of loss.

“W-Wait…”

I chased after Riri-chan, who had already left.

She was fast, and by the time I caught up, she was already going down a deserted staircase.

“Riri-chan, wait!”

I grabbed Riri-chan’s hand from behind.

I finally caught her.

“…What’s wrong? You’re out of breath.”

“Why did you leave without me?”

“It’s fine for me to go home first sometimes. You’re going to the student council room, right, Suzuna?”

“…Yeah, but you’re being cold, Riri-chan.”

“Of course I am. You’re still relying on Shindo more than me, aren’t you, Suzuna?”

“Eh…?”

So that’s how Riri-chan interpreted our earlier exchange.

“That’s why I’m annoyed. If you like Shindo that much, then do whatever you want.”

“…I told you that’s not true.”

“That’s how it looked.”

I admit I wasn’t considerate enough.

But I don’t want Riri-chan to think that way about me.

I thought Riri-chan would understand me.

But I was being arrogant, and I realized that for the first time.

“That’s not true. You’re the only one I rely on, Riri-chan, so don’t say that.”

“You haven’t been acting like it.”

“Then… what do I have to do to make you believe me?”

I can’t tell her everything.

Even if I did, she wouldn’t believe me.

So I don’t know what else to do.

Riri-chan looked directly at me, as if answering my question.

“Then kiss me.”

“…Excuse me?”

Did I… mishear her?

“I’ll believe you if you kiss me.”

I know.

I know that Riri-chan would never say something like that to me, even as a joke.

---

30 A Kiss for the Heroine

“Riri-chan, what do you mean by that…?”

Riri-chan suddenly started saying strange things out of the blue.

Kissing isn’t something you’d hear in a normal conversation.

“You haven’t done that with Shindo, have you?”

“O-Of course not!”

Naturally, Amatsuki Suzuna, who isn’t on his route, is pure and innocent.

That being said, I, Yukitsuki Mashiro, also have no such experience, so even being asked so suddenly fills me with resistance.

“So we’ll kiss. Then I’ll believe that I’m more important to you than Shindo.”

“But why… k-kiss…?”

Saying the word “kiss” out loud is incredibly embarrassing.

And what’s with Riri-chan saying it with a straight face?

“If we don’t have physical contact, I feel like you’ll just deceive me with convenient words.”

“But even so… isn’t that going too far?”

It feels like we’re getting too close, physically.

I don’t think that’s an appropriate level of intimacy for friends.

“Aren’t you overthinking it? It’s normal for girls to kiss each other.”

“I-Is that so…”

Is it normal? Really?

Am I overthinking it…?

Maybe some girls do casually kiss each other.

As a friendly gesture, without any special meaning.

Maybe Riri-chan is that type of person.

“…But I still don’t think that’s proof of anything.”

I thought about it, but it still felt strange.

I don’t think it explains anything.

“…So you can’t do it. That’s how much I mean to you.”

Riri-chan turned away.

She seemed to consider the conversation over and started down the stairs again.

That’s no good.

“Wait, don’t go.”

I grabbed Riri-chan’s arm tightly and stopped her on the landing.

“…Do you know that I would have already left if it wasn’t for you, Suzuna?”

“Either prove it or let go of my hand.”

That’s what Riri-chan wants to say, I think.

Her cold words made my heart freeze, but I know that letting her go now would hurt even more.

So even if it doesn’t make sense to me, I should do it if it will convince Riri-chan.

“Okay, if I do it… you’ll believe me…?”

“Yes, if you’re serious, Suzuna.”

She sounded like she was testing me.

Riri-chan usually takes the lead in everything, but this time, I have to make the first move.

It’s not something I’m used to, but I feel like I can endure it for Riri-chan’s sake.

“I-I’m really… going to do it…?”

My throat was dry.

I was so nervous that I felt like all the moisture in my body had evaporated.

My body felt numb, like it wasn’t mine, as I moved closer to Riri-chan.

“Yeah.”

Riri-chan closed her eyes.

Looking at her face up close like this, she was truly beautiful.

Her eyelashes were long, her nose was well-defined, and her lips were full and rosy.

Her slender neck had fair skin that made me want to… bite it.

I hesitated, wondering if I was even allowed to touch someone so beautiful.

“…Um.”

What am I supposed to do with my hands?

Should I just let them hang, or should I touch her face?

I felt like both were wrong, and in my hesitation, I touched Riri-chan’s shoulder.

“Nn…”

Riri-chan’s body flinched, surprised by my touch.

Her reaction was cuter than I expected, and my nervousness eased slightly.

Riri-chan’s cheeks seemed slightly flushed.

“Riri-chan, are you nervous…?”

“O-Of course I am. This is my first time.”

“…?!”

H-Hey…

Riri-chan, that’s not what you said.

Earlier, you said it was normal for girls to kiss each other.

But it’s different if it’s both of our first times.

It feels like we’ve stepped into forbidden territory.

That brought back my nervousness.

But Riri-chan wanted me to prove it to her this much.

So I want to respond to her feelings.

I moved my face closer.

Close enough that our noses touched, our bodies brushing against each other.

Her warmth seeped into me, making my head spin.

“…Riri-chan.”

“…Suzuna.”

Calling each other’s names was like a signal.

I steeled my resolve and kissed her.

A soft, moist, and supple sensation transmitted through my lips.

It was a new sensation, too stimulating for me to fully process.

I pulled away with a soft, wet sound.

“…Suzuna?”

“I-I did it. So… you believe me now, right?”

I let go of her shoulder and quickly distanced myself.

My gaze was fixed on the floor, unable to look directly at Riri-chan.

I wanted to be praised for staying here after doing something so embarrassing.

I actually wanted to run away right now.

But I want Riri-chan to trust me, so I’m enduring it.

“W-Well, you did it, but…”

“What? Do you have a complaint? You can’t, it’s a kiss, a kiss! The kiss you wanted!”

My racing mind sputtered nonsense.

A mix of nervousness and embarrassment made my body burn.

“That’s true, but… why… my cheek?”

I did kiss her.

On her cheek, though.

“I-It’s fine! A kiss is a kiss. I didn’t say it had to be mouth-to-mouth!”

That would be impossible.

Kissing on the lips is way too much.

If I did that, I’d be so embarrassed that I’d probably melt.

“…Well, whatever. You tried your best, Suzuna.”

Hearing those words, the tension drained from my body.

Good, the gentleness has returned to Riri-chan’s voice.

I think part of my nervousness was the fear of being rejected by Riri-chan.

I’m relieved that things are back to normal.

“Suzuna, aren’t you going to look up?”

“No, I don’t want to right now.”

I don’t know how to face Riri-chan right now.

If I look at her now, I’ll probably explode from embarrassment.

So I want to stay silent.

“I see. Then it’s my turn.”

—Tap

A light footstep, like she was dancing.

Riri-chan’s presence drew closer, and I felt a gentle breeze.

Then, a soft sensation lingered on my cheek.

Along with a faint, sweet fragrance.

“Eh, eh, ehh…?”

Even though it was my first time, I knew immediately what it was.

Because it was exactly what I had just done to Riri-chan.

I looked up reflexively, and Riri-chan, blushing slightly, grinned.

“I can’t let you be the only one to kiss, Suzuna. I have to return the favor.”

Riri-chan put her index finger to her lips and winked.

◇◇◇

Kissing between girls.

It’s just a light greeting, a touch of lips against each other’s cheeks.

But for me, it was the most heart-pounding experience.

27 Unspoken Words

What do I do, what do I do…?

My heart is pounding.

Riri-chan must have noticed.

She must think I’m weird.

“S-Suzuna…? What’s wrong? You seem strange.”

“I’m not strange, I’m just as usual.”

Ah, damn it.

We’re alone in Riri-chan’s room.

My flustered state is palpable.

I can’t hide it.

“I’m going home.”

This is no good.

I don’t know how to fix this awkward atmosphere.

The only solution I can think of is to run away.

I stood up.

“Eh, wait, Suzuna. That’s too sudden.”

“It’s not sudden. It’s enough.”

“No, you just got here. You haven’t finished your tea, and there are still cookies left.”

“I’m sorry for leaving them, but they were delicious.”

After saying that, I turned and reached for the doorknob.

“Hey, I’m not satisfied with that dismissive tone…!”

I tried to open the door, but I couldn’t.

Because Riri-chan grabbed my hand.

“Let go.”

Her tightly clasped fingers were hot.

Riri-chan’s fingertips, which I used to perceive as cold, were now quite warm.

“Then tell me why you’re leaving.”

“We’ve played enough, so I think it’s time to go.”

“That’s way too early. Tell me the truth.”

I can’t.

Who could say, “I got flustered after seeing your underwear, Riri-chan”?

Even I don’t understand why, and Riri-chan would be even more confused if I told her that.

“I’m telling the truth. It’s getting late, so I’m going home.”

“You weren’t talking about the time.”

“I am now.”

She wasn’t convinced at all.

Riri-chan is being forceful today.

I didn’t mind that, but that doesn’t mean I have to do everything she says.

I have the right to go home if I want to.

“That’s just an excuse. What happened?”

“You’re being persistent, Riri-chan. I’m going home.”

I pulled my arm, trying to escape Riri-chan’s grasp.

But sensing my resistance, Riri-chan’s grip tightened.

“Then at least look at me properly before you go—!”

She grabbed my shoulder.

I didn’t expect her to be so forceful, and I was easily pulled towards her.

Riri-chan was so close that I could almost hear her breathing.

“Ah… um…”

Our eyes met.

I couldn’t form any words.

I felt embarrassed and… confused.

I didn’t know what to do with these inexplicable feelings.

“Suzuna, you’ve been acting strange. Did I do something wrong?”

“You didn’t, it’s okay.”

“Then why are you saying you’re going home? Something happened, didn’t it?”

“Nothing happened, really. You’re overthinking it.”

Please, don’t try to pry into my feelings any further.

Even I don’t understand them, and if Riri-chan touches upon them, I’ll become even more confused.

“You always hide things, Suzuna. At least be honest with me.”

“I’m not hiding anything.”

“Lies, you always try to hide things like this, Suzuna. I know you.”

“You don’t know, you don’t understand me at all, Riri-chan.”

“—Ugh!”

Perhaps displeased by my words, Riri-chan closed the distance even further.

Since my hand was still in her grasp, I couldn’t run away, so I stepped back.

—Thud

My back hit the wall, and I had nowhere left to go.

There was no escape route, only Riri-chan in front of me.

The person who was currently disrupting my peace of mind the most was so close.

This is bad.

Just looking at her made it hard to breathe.

“…Stop… it. Being this close… is uncomfortable.”

“That’s because you won’t tell me the truth, Suzuna. I’ll let you go if you tell me.”

My eyes were drawn to the nape of Riri-chan’s neck, to the exposed skin above her open blouse.

The image from earlier flashed through my mind.

This is strange, this is so strange.

I want to look away, but I can’t because she’s right in front of me.

Well, then I can just close my eyes.

But I kept my eyes open, staring at Riri-chan’s chest.

It’s a contradiction.

My thoughts and actions are disjointed.

“Move away… Being this close… is uncomfortable.”

Even when I tried to escape, Riri-chan held me tighter, and I couldn’t move.

Her intertwined fingers were hot, yet soft.

I hated myself for even noticing such things.

“Why do you hate it so much? Tell me why.”

She keeps saying “Tell me,” “Tell me.”

I want to know! I want to know why it’s so hard to breathe.

“I don’t know, I don’t know!”

“Huh? What’s that? Do you think I’ll be satisfied with that?”

Riri-chan’s voice sharpened.

She thinks I’m trying to deceive her again.

But that’s not it.

“I’m telling you, I don’t know! Something strange happens when I look at you, Riri-chan. My thoughts and actions become jumbled, and I can’t breathe properly. That’s all!”

“—Eh?”

Her voice was filled with surprise.

The strength in her grip suddenly loosened.

I shook off her hand and finally grabbed the doorknob.

“So I’m going home. I’m going home because I feel like I’m going crazy if I stay here.”

“…Okay, I understand. I understand, Suzuna, so I won’t stop you anymore. But don’t run away like that, it makes me sad.”

Riri-chan’s voice suddenly softened.

Where did her forceful demeanor go? Now she looked dejected and troubled.

I don’t understand.

The person who kept demanding an explanation is now saying she’s sad.

Please stop, it’s messing with me.

“…I’m really going home.”

“I know. I’ll walk you out.”

“It’s unnecessary.”

“Just downstairs. You might get lost, Suzuna.”

Don’t underestimate me.

Even if it’s my first time here, an apartment building isn’t that complicated.

But Riri-chan seemed unwilling to compromise. She put on her blazer and started walking.

“Come on, you’re going home, right?”

“…Yeah.”

The person who was trying to stop me from leaving is now leading the way.

Riri-chan is truly incomprehensible.

◇◇◇

We walked down the hallway and got into the elevator.

The ride down felt strangely long, even though it was instantaneous on the way up.

It’s because of this silence.

That’s why I didn’t need her to walk me out.

Riri-chan came even though she knew it would create this awkward atmosphere.

Then she should at least say something.

“…Suzuna.”

As if answering my prayers, Riri-chan finally spoke.

“Yeah?”

“You… don’t hate me, do you?”

“…What’s with that question?”

I did want her to talk, but not about something that creates such an awkward atmosphere.

What is she going to do if I say I hate her?

“Well, you said you couldn’t breathe.”

“…I wouldn’t come to the house of someone I hate.”

“Right, of course.”

“Yeah, don’t say such weird things, we’re friends.”

“You’re right. We’re friends.”

Riri-chan nodded repeatedly.

The elevator finally reached the first floor.

We walked through the entrance and stepped outside.

“See you later.”

I tried to act normal and spoke curtly.

It felt too late, but I wanted to act like nothing happened, at least while leaving.

“Take care, Suzuna. Come over again.”

“Take care” would have been enough.

Why does Riri-chan always say things that suggest a continuation?

If I refuse, it’ll ruin the mood.

“…Yeah, see you later.”

But I responded to her words, accepting the connection.

I don’t want to ruin my relationship with Riri-chan, so I accept her invitation.

Being around Riri-chan makes me feel strange, but so does being away from her.

I think I’m falling apart somewhere.

---

28 The Student Council President Heroine Speaks Her Mind

In the morning, I opened the window, and the sunlight and gentle breeze caressed my cheeks.

I, Amatsuki Suzuna, started the day feeling refreshed—

“Not a chance…”

I quickly closed the window.

After checking the weather outside, it was blindingly bright and freezing cold. The worst.

I dove back into bed.

My mood was completely gloomy.

I knew the reason.

“I’m telling you, I don’t know! Something strange happens when I look at you, Riri-chan. My thoughts and actions become jumbled, and I can’t breathe properly. That’s all!”

Those were the words I blurted out at Riri-chan’s house.

“Forget it, forget it, forget it, forget it…”

Looking back on it calmly after returning home, I could only cringe.

Why did I make such an abstract, clingy-sounding remark?

I was filled with doubt and self-loathing.

There were plenty of other scenes that made me want to bury my head in the sand.

Blushing just from seeing her underwear, becoming unable to speak properly, unable to make eye contact.

I knew I was socially inept, but I didn’t think I was that bad.

The more I replayed it in my mind, the more embarrassed I became.

My body started to heat up in a bad way, and I felt like I was going crazy, unable to process the embarrassment.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

I buried my face in my pillow and screamed.

The pillow should muffle the sound, so I shouldn’t be disturbing the neighbors.

Anyway, this morning was the worst.

This is how dark history is made.

I couldn’t bring myself to go to school.

“Yeah, I’ll skip. It can’t be helped today. My mental state will collapse if I go.”

This is the world of a dating sim, after all.

I don’t care about Amatsuki Suzuna’s grades.

She might be a good student character, but I, who have already deviated from the route, don’t need to maintain that.

I’ll sleep. I’ll sleep and forget everything.

Hopefully, my memories will be erased, and I’ll be reborn somewhere new.

I pulled the covers over my head and closed my eyes, trying to suppress the unpleasant memories.

—Ping

…And yet, the dreaded notification sound from my messaging app rang out.

“I’m trying to sleep. I can’t sleep if there’s something bothering me.”

Cursing my timid self, I looked at my phone screen.

“Good morning. Sorry for the sudden invitation yesterday. But I had fun being with you, Suzuna. See you at school.”

It was a message from Riri-chan.

It was as if she knew I was planning to skip school.

And the last part, “See you at school,” bound me.

“…I guess I have no choice but to go.”

Skipping school already fills me with guilt, and I’m not strong enough to sleep soundly while ignoring a friend’s message.

Sighing at my own weakness, I got out of bed.

◇◇◇

“Good morning, Suzuna.”

“…”

“Hey, ignoring me is not allowed.”

“…Good morning.”

After leaving the house and passing through the downtown area, Riri-chan was waiting for me, as usual.

It’s becoming a regular occurrence, even though we’ve never made plans to meet.

“You’re late today. What were you doing?”

“…I was sleepy.”

“Oversleeping? Even you do that sometimes, Suzuna?”

…It’s mostly your fault, Riri-chan.

But she seemed cheerful and carefree, flashing a bright smile.

Her voice was also high-pitched, even for this early in the morning.

It was as if nothing had happened yesterday.

“Hey, you don’t have to wait for me.”

“Why? Let’s go to school together.”

“…No.”

I was about to say, “Because of appearances,” but then I remembered that excuse no longer applies.

Riri-chan taught me that I shouldn’t worry about walking next to her.

“Come on, let’s go.”

“Ah, okay…”

Riri-chan took my hand and led me to school.

It felt so… normal that even I reverted to my usual self.

◇◇◇

Arriving at school.

“Yo, Suzuna. Coming to school late again while hiding from me? Do you want my attention that much?”

The protagonist, looking smug, said something incredibly off the mark.

Lately, I’ve been preoccupied with the Riri-chan situation, but the main issue is this guy.

Shindo Minato.

The protagonist of this game has to end up with someone.

But for some reason, three of the heroines have currently achieved the impossible feat of avoiding his route.

I’m trying to figure out how to resolve this situation.

Otherwise, there’s a risk of being forced into the route where Shindo-kun and Amatsuki Suzuna get closer.

So I think.

How can I make the heroines fall for Shindo-kun?

“…But he’s a hopeless good-for-nothing, and they all fall for him anyway. I shouldn’t need to interfere…”

I sighed, not knowing what to do.

“Hey, did you just call me a good-for-nothing?”

“It’s okay, you’re popular even though you are one.”

“That’s not how it works! And retract the good-for-nothing comment!”

“…What should I do?”

“Hey, don’t ignore me!”

◇◇◇

The answer remained elusive as lunch break arrived.

“Suzuna, let’s eat.”

Riri-chan’s advance knows no bounds.

She came to my desk with a bento box.

“Th-Then… let’s go to the courtyard.”

“We can eat here, right?”

—Thud

She placed the bento box on my desk.

I felt an incredible amount of pressure.

“It’s cold today, and I don’t want to go outside every time. We can eat here, right?”

“A… okay.”

Defeated, I sat down obediently.

I heard the sound of the chair in front of me moving.

“Hinase-san, want to sit here? I’ll eat somewhere else.”

“Oh, really? Thanks.”

Shindo-kun gave up his seat, and Riri-chan sat down opposite me, using his chair.

…Such a bland conversation for a protagonist and a heroine.

There’s no romantic atmosphere at all.

Oh well. I’ve given up on the Riri-chan route.

“Riri-chan, are you sure you don’t want to eat with Tachibana-san and the others?”

“Yeah, I said I’d eat with Suzuna.”

“…Are you sure it’s okay?”

I thought she’d be excluded from the group if she acted like this.

“It’s fine. …But if you’re that worried, you can join us too, Suzuna.”

…No, there’s no way I can join that group.

“I’ll pass.”

“Cold. And the reason?”

“I don’t think I can become friends with anyone other than you, Riri-chan, and I don’t want to.”

That’s the truth.

Riri-chan is an exception. I’m not a sociable person.

“I-I see…”

“? Yeah.”

Riri-chan’s voice suddenly became faint.

The change in her tone was strange.

“So, look, I made extra for you, Suzuna.”

“Eh, I told you you didn’t have to…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.”

As Riri-chan opened the bento box she brought—

“Excuse me, is Hinase Riri-san here?”

A dignified voice echoed through the noisy classroom.

The classroom fell silent instantly.

“Ah, she’s over there.”

One of my classmates pointed to where Riri-chan was sitting, which also meant pointing at me.

“Thank you.”

The girl entered the classroom briskly and stood in front of Riri-chan without hesitation.

A beautiful girl with long golden hair and slightly upturned eyes that gave her a cool impression.

I knew her well.

“Excuse me for interrupting your meal. Hinase-san, I believe you understand what I want to discuss.”

The girl stated matter-of-factly, her tone businesslike.

“Huh? I haven’t said anything, so how would I know?”

Riri-chan replied in a bored tone and with an equally bored expression, clearly annoyed.

“Is that so? Then allow me to be blunt, so even someone with a poor memory like you can understand. I’ve warned you repeatedly that the way you wear your uniform violates the school rules. Do you have any explanation?”

“Your way of speaking is annoying. And that wasn’t blunt at all.”

“Oh, I apologize. I didn’t realize you couldn’t even comprehend such simple Japanese.”

“…Are you picking a fight?”

I know this scenario too.

“You’re the one picking a fight. I’ve told you repeatedly that you’ll face severe consequences if you don’t change your attire.”

“Huh? Why should I listen to you?”

“You seem to be mistaken. This is simply one of the student council’s activities.”

“So the student council is a group of people with too much free time who nitpick about the length of a single student’s skirt?”

A heated exchange of words, the animosity between them was genuine.

“Watch your words. I, Kanaori Reika, will not tolerate such disparaging remarks about the student council.”

Yes, she’s Kanaori Reika, a second-year and the student council president.

One of the heroines.

26 A Space for Two: Hinase Riri’s Side

O-Oh…

Suzuna… Suzuna is at my house.

It’s only natural since I invited her, but I’m overwhelmed with excitement and nervousness at the same time.

“Wow.”

Suzuna gasped as soon as she entered the entrance.

This apartment building is quite impressive, even in this area, so I guess it seems new to her.

“Ahh… ahaha. Yeah, it’s all thanks to my parents.”

But this isn’t my achievement; it’s thanks to my dad, who provides for us.

Dad provided a house that’s too grand for a high school girl living alone.

But this is the first time I’ve had a friend over, so I didn’t expect this reaction.

Suzuna looked around curiously.

Her gestures were somehow like a small animal, and it was cute.

“This way.”

Suzuna kept stopping to look around, so I called out to her and led the way.

And Suzuna obediently followed behind me, which was also cute.

“As expected, your environment shapes you…”

Suzuna muttered softly.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Beautiful people are born in beautiful places.”

“You’re saying weird things again, Suzuna.”

Suzuna usually doesn’t talk much, and then suddenly she says something unexpected.

And she says it with a straight face, so I know she’s not joking, which makes it even more embarrassing.

Suzuna tilted her head repeatedly, as if she didn’t understand what I said.

Airheads are so troublesome.

I took a breath and unlocked the door.

“Go ahead.”

“Excuse me.”

Suzuna entered the living room.

She continued to look around.

Suzuna usually doesn’t show much interest in anything.

So seeing her like this makes me happy, like she’s interested in me.

“There’s nothing here, but have a seat.”

I had Suzuna sit on the sofa and went to the kitchen to get the electric kettle.

“Where’s your room, Riri-chan?”

Just as I was thinking that, Suzuna suddenly expressed interest in my room.

Wait a minute.

“Eh, you want to go in already?”

“Hmm? Is that not okay?”

I’m already nervous enough having Suzuna in my apartment, let alone in my room.

“Riri-chan, don’t tell me your room is messy?”

“N-No way! I cleaned it! It might not be tidy, but…”

I only decided to invite Suzuna over a little while ago.

Once I decided to get closer to her, I’ve become surprisingly bold.

If I had planned this in advance, I would have tidied up a bit more, but since it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, it’s not perfect.

That made me even more nervous.

“Hmm. Then there’s no problem, right? Let’s go to your room.”

“Fine. But wait a minute, can you drink tea, Suzuna?”

“Yeah, I can.”

“Okay. Then to my room.”

I filled the electric kettle with water and turned it on.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

I led her to my room.

“Oh!”

Suzuna gasped as soon as she saw the room.

Her reaction was clearly different from when she saw the entrance and the living room.

It sounded like a more… visceral surprise.

I wonder what it is. Is my room strange?

Does it not suit Suzuna’s taste?

…I’m a little scared to ask.

“Hey, don’t stare so much. It’s embarrassing.”

“Really?”

“No one stares that much.”

It feels like she’s seeing a part of me I don’t usually show, and it’s making me blush.

“Anyway, have a seat. Although there aren’t any chairs, so it’s either the bed or the floor.”

“Ah…”

Suzuna hesitated for a moment with a troubled expression.

But then she sat on the floor.

“The bed is fine too, you know?”

“I’m good here.”

I thought she might at least use the bed as a backrest, but…

Suzuna seemed to like that spot and didn’t move.

I took off my blazer and ribbon and hung them on a hanger to relax.

“I wonder if the water’s boiled. I’ll go check.”

“Okay.”

I left the room.

When I returned to the kitchen, the water had boiled.

I put tea leaves in the teapot and poured in the hot water.

After letting it steep, I poured the tea into teacups through a strainer.

“And this too.”

The cookies I baked today.

I actually thought about giving them to Suzuna at lunch, but I held back because giving her both a bento and cookies seemed like too much.

“I never thought things would turn out like this. I’m glad I made them.”

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but things are going well.

Suzuna is in my room, drinking tea I made, and eating cookies I baked.

It’s exciting.

It feels good, like a part of Suzuna is becoming a part of me.

Having Suzuna in my territory makes me feel nervous, but also safe.

I want to keep her here forever.

Suzuna is like a small animal, so I guess that’s how I feel.

I put the tea and cookies on a tray and carried it to my room.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

When I returned to the room, Suzuna looked at me.

“Sorry, let me do everything.”

Suzuna apologized apologetically.

It made me happy. It was cute.

I felt a surge of protectiveness, wanting to hug her tightly.

“It’s fine. You’re the guest, so relax.”

But I hid my feelings and acted mature.

If I’m too aggressive, Suzuna will pull away, so I have to be careful.

“Here you go.”

I bent down and placed the tea and cookies on the low table.

“Th-Thanks.”

“…? You’re welcome.”

Suzuna’s voice sounded a little flustered.

I tried to look at her face, but she was looking down, so I couldn’t read her expression.

Oh well.

“You can eat that.”

“Okay.”

As soon as I said that, Suzuna quickly grabbed a cookie and put it in her mouth.

Is she unusually hungry…?

But I’m glad she ate it right away.

I’m curious about her opinion. I wonder if it suits her taste.

“…So? Is it good?”

“Yeah.”

I sat on the bed and watched Suzuna.

Suzuna was munching on the cookies, but her replies seemed absentminded.

“Really?”

“Uh, yeah.”

…Suspicious.

“Suzuna, you’ve only been saying ‘yeah.’ Did you not like it?”

“N-No, that’s not true.”

Even as she said that, her voice sounded like she was hiding something.

And Suzuna was still looking down.

I can’t tell what she’s thinking if she won’t show me her face.

“Then why are you looking down?”

When I asked that, Suzuna timidly looked up.

“It’s really delici—ah.”

Just as Suzuna looked up at me, she froze.

She wasn’t looking at my face, her gaze was fixed somewhere lower.

“Hmm?”

Suzuna blushed and quickly looked down again.

What happened…? I followed Suzuna’s gaze and realized that I had my legs spread a little too wide.

“Eh… ah. A-Ahaha, sorry, sorry. I got a little too relaxed at home.”

I quickly closed my legs.

Sh-She must have seen… right?

“No, I’m the one who should apologize.”

Suzuna nodded repeatedly, still looking down.

Suzuna definitely saw my underwear and panicked.

“No, no, I’m the one who showed you something strange. Of course you’d be flustered.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Oh, o-okay…”

But wait a minute.

No girl would react like that just from seeing another girl’s underwear.

They’d usually laugh it off or not even care.

But Suzuna is looking down shyly, avoiding eye contact with me.

What does that mean?

Could it be… something more than just friends…?

N-No way, right? I can’t imagine Suzuna, with her cold demeanor, having those kinds of feelings for me.

But it bothers me.

I’m dying to know what Suzuna thinks of me.

25 A Space for Two

“Wow.”

I stepped into a high-rise apartment building in a residential area of the downtown district.

Well, it’s Riri-chan’s home, but still.

After she let me in through the security entrance requiring a passcode, I couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

“Ahh… ahaha. Yeah, it’s all thanks to my parents.”

Perhaps used to this reaction, Riri-chan gave a wry smile and led me inside.

The interior featured gleaming stone floors (marble, or something like that?), large windows, and calming wood-paneled walls.

The high ceilings further emphasized the luxurious atmosphere of the apartment.

“This way.”

I followed Riri-chan to the elevator.

We went up.

Stepping out into the hallway, the floor was softly lit with indirect lighting. Stylish.

“As expected, your environment shapes you…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Beautiful people are born in beautiful places.”

“You’re saying weird things again, Suzuna.”

No, I’m being completely serious.

Riri-chan chuckled and stopped in front of a door.

Apparently, you need a key card to enter the apartment.

A beep sounded, and the lock disengaged.

“Go ahead.”

“Excuse me.”

I was led into the living room.

The view from the window overlooked almost all the surrounding buildings, and the sky felt close.

The predominantly white interior was simple and sophisticated.

“There’s nothing here, but have a seat.”

I sat down on the gray sofa in the center of the living room.

It was plush, with soft cushions.

But, as she said, the living room was simple.

Since there weren’t many things in the room, it might be more accurate to call it minimalist.

It was a stark contrast to Riri-chan’s flashy appearance.

“Where’s your room, Riri-chan?”

The living room wasn’t shown in the original game, so I didn’t know it was this minimalist.

But I know that Riri-chan’s room is as flashy as she is.

“Eh, you want to go in already?”

“Hmm? Is that not okay?”

Riri-chan’s voice was slightly high-pitched.

Was she not planning on letting me into her room?

The living room felt too sterile and impersonal, so I naturally wanted to see her room.

“I-It’s not that it’s not okay, but… I need to mentally prepare myself…”

“Mentally prepare…?”

What’s that supposed to mean?

She invited me to her house, and now she needs to mentally prepare to let me into her room?

“Riri-chan, don’t tell me your room is messy?”

Is it the “too messy to let anyone in” scenario?

“N-No way! I cleaned it! It might not be tidy, but…”

“Hmm. Then there’s no problem, right? Let’s go to your room.”

“Fine, but wait a minute. Can you drink tea, Suzuna?”

Apparently, Riri-chan was preparing tea.

“Yeah, I can.”

“Okay. Then I’ll go to my room first.”

I looked around the living room restlessly while listening to the sounds of Riri-chan pouring water.

No matter how many times I looked, it was a simple room.

It felt like she deliberately kept it bare.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

I was led to Riri-chan’s room.

“Oh!”

It was exactly like the room in the game.

A black and white patterned carpet, a white low table, pink furniture and accessories, and a bed with black sheets.

It screamed “gal.”

It was so different from the living room and the rest of the apartment that it felt like I had stepped into another world.

“Hey, don’t stare so much. It’s embarrassing.”

“Really?”

“No one stares that much.”

I see.

I thought she’d be used to it, but apparently not.

I’ve never invited a friend to my room, so I can’t understand how she feels.

“Anyway, have a seat. Although there aren’t any chairs, so it’s either the bed or the floor.”

“Ah…”

I couldn’t bring myself to sit on Riri-chan’s bed.

I decided to sit on the carpet.

Right by the entrance, facing the bed.

“The bed is fine too, you know?”

“I’m good here.”

Saying “Okay,” Riri-chan took off her blazer and hung it on a hanger along with her ribbon.

It’s natural to dress casually at home, but Riri-chan in just her blouse seemed even more relaxed.

“I wonder if the water’s boiled. I’ll go check.”

“Okay.”

I was left alone in her room.

The room was filled with Riri-chan’s scent.

I hadn’t been consciously aware of it before, but I noticed it because she often hugs me.

A faint, sweet fragrance.

“I’m such a creep!”

I felt strangely excited.

Come to think of it, this is the first time we’ve been truly alone together.

We’ve been alone before, but it was always outside, at a cafe, or at school.

There was always the presence of others, but not in this space.

It was a space completely for the two of us, where I could hear nothing but the sounds Riri-chan made.

It made me feel more… giddy than usual.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Riri-chan returned a few minutes later.

She was carrying a tray with a tea set.

The scent of tea filled the room.

It smelled nice, but I also thought it was a shame that it was masking Riri-chan’s scent.

“Sorry, let me do everything.”

“It’s fine. You’re the guest, so relax.”

Riri-chan placed the tray on the low table.

…And that’s when it happened.

“Here you go.”

Riri-chan usually has the top two buttons of her blouse undone.

So when she bent down, there was a lot of… exposure.

I caught a glimpse of her black underwear and the white skin beneath.

“Th-Thanks.”

“…? You’re welcome.”

I felt like I had seen something I shouldn’t have and quickly averted my gaze.

I replied to avoid looking suspicious, but my voice cracked, betraying my flustered state.

This is strange.

Why am I reacting like this just from seeing a girl’s underwear?

Maybe I’m just nervous being in this space.

Tea and cookies were placed on the table.

“You can eat that.”

“Okay.”

I picked up a cookie and put it in my mouth, afraid that speaking would reveal my strange excitement.

A pleasant crunching sound.

“…So? Is it good?”

“Yeah.”

A creaking sound from the bed.

Riri-chan must have sat down on the bed.

Since I was looking down, I could only judge the situation from the sound.

“Really?”

“Y-Yeah.”

Honestly, I couldn’t taste anything.

It’s not that the cookies tasted bad, but I wasn’t in a state to appreciate the flavor.

“Suzuna, you’ve only been saying ‘yeah.’ Did you not like it?”

“N-No, that’s not true.”

“Then why are you looking down?”

It’s so Riri-chan wouldn’t notice how flustered I am.

But if I keep doing this, she’ll get suspicious.

So I lifted my head, trying to appear calm.

It’s okay, I just need to speak in my usual flat tone.

“It’s really delici—ah.”

“Hmm?”

Riri-chan’s skirt is always short.

Sitting on the bed, she didn’t seem to care and had her legs spread.

That’s normal.

Because this is Riri-chan’s room, and I’m the only one here.

But because of that, I could see her black underwear beneath her skirt.

From the top of her thighs inwards, a place I shouldn’t be able to see.

I didn’t know where to look and could only look down again.

“Eh… ah. A-Ahaha, sorry, sorry. I got a little too relaxed at home.”

She must have noticed my gaze and my reaction.

Riri-chan quickly closed her legs, and I heard a forced laugh.

But I know that I’m the strange one.

A normal person wouldn’t react like this.

“No, I’m the one who should apologize.”

“No, no, I’m the one who showed you something strange. Of course you’d be flustered.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Oh, o-okay…”

Because of me, the atmosphere in the room had become awkward.

24 I’m Always the One Who Cares

“Alright, Suzuna. Let’s go home together.”

“Eh…”

After school, Riri-chan spoke to me.

It seemed like a normal occurrence, yet it wasn’t.

Because we were in the classroom right after homeroom, and most of our classmates were still there.

Going home together in this situation would be like announcing our friendship to everyone.

“It’s normal for friends to go home together, right?”

“W-Well…”

She was serious.

Riri-chan seriously intended to go home from school with me.

“Hey, Riri, what are you doing?”

A girl’s voice called out from behind Riri-chan.

It was Tachibana Kaede-san.

She’s often with Riri-chan, and also high up in the school caste.

She’s beautiful, but her sharp demeanor gives her an unapproachable aura.

“Ah, sorry, Kaede. I’m going home with Suzuna today, so you guys go ahead without me.”

“Oh, okay. That’s fine, but… that’s unusual.”

Tachibana-san, standing next to Riri-chan, glanced at me.

She must be thinking, “What are you doing with such a plain girl?”

I can tell.

“Yeah, we recently became friends.”

“Hmm. I didn’t know that.”

“Right, Suzuna?”

Riri-chan brought me into the conversation, even though it would have been fine if they just talked amongst themselves.

She doesn’t know that introverts can’t handle these sudden conversational passes.

My lack of social skills, honed from years of avoidance, comes out at times like these.

In a bad way, of course.

“…Uh, w-well… yes.”

As expected, my eyes darted around, I stumbled over my words, and mumbled.

Someone kill me.

“Are you really that close?”

Tachibana-san smiled faintly, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

She might be holding back laughter at my blunder.

“We are. We hang out a lot.”

“I see. So, Amatsuki-san, did you change your hairstyle because of Riri’s influence?”

Surprisingly, even Tachibana-san noticed the change in my appearance.

It was probably because Riri-chan was nearby, but I was still surprised.

“I don’t know about that, but I did tell her she’d look cuter if she changed it up. It suits you, doesn’t it?”

Ah… Riri-chan.

Why are you putting me in the spotlight even more?

Please don’t bring up such strange topics with Tachibana-san.

Riri-chan is being nice to me, so she says I’m cute, but…

Basically, no one cares about Amatsuki Suzuna.

It’s awkward being asked about the change in someone like that’s appearance.

“Yeah, I think it’s nice. I always thought of Amatsuki-san as the serious type, but with your hair down and no glasses, you look younger and cuter.”

Tachibana-san said something bizarre.

“See? Kaede thinks so too, Suzuna.”

“A-Ah… yeah. Thanks.”

Well, it’s probably just flattery.

Even Riri-chan said that friends flatter each other.

With someone she barely knows as a classmate, of course she would choose a safe, non-committal response.

“But Riri has a habit of forcing her opinions on others if she thinks she’s right. You should be careful, Amatsuki-san.”

“Hey, that’s mean.”

“It’s true, isn’t it?”

Tachibana-san chuckled pleasantly and then turned on her heel, leaving the classroom with the other girls.

Just as she appeared, she was a smart person.

“So, Suzuna?”

“So, what?”

Riri-chan asked me in a formal tone.

“Kaede didn’t say anything even after I told her we were friends, right?”

“…She did ask if we were ‘really that close.’”

“That’s because your reaction was so weak. She was normal after that, wasn’t she?”

“Well… yeah.”

It’s true that Tachibana-san didn’t say anything more about our relationship after that.

“See, you worry too much, Suzuna. People don’t care about me as much as you think.”

“…I wonder.”

“It’s true. So let’s be closer at school too.”

I wonder if it’s okay.

Wouldn’t people be jealous if I tried to step out of my usual role?

That worries me.

“Come on. School’s over, let’s go.”

Riri-chan took my hand and started walking.

…Since when?

At first, I tried to shake her hand off.

But now, I don’t feel like doing that at all.

When Riri-chan holds my hand, I don’t even feel like resisting.

I think I’m allowing Riri-chan to lead me.

I realized that it’s a fact I have to accept.

◇◇◇

“Hey, Suzuna. Are you free today?”

Riri-chan asked as we left the school gates.

“…Well, I guess I am.”

I don’t usually have anything to do.

I’m not in any clubs, I don’t have a part-time job, and I’m not devoted to Shindo Minato anymore.

Even when I go home, I just read manga and novels or play games.

“Do you want to come over to my place?”

“…Excuse me?”

I was so surprised that my voice cracked.

“What’s with that reaction? I didn’t say anything weird.”

“No, it’s just… that’s an important event.”

“Is… it?”

I’ve heard that line from Riri-chan before.

It’s an event in the original story, in the Hinase Riri route, after becoming close with Shindo Minato.

I never thought I’d hear that line directed at me.

Riri-chan is probably inviting me casually because we’re friends.

But the invitation was exactly the same as in the original story, so it startled me.

“It’s not out of your way, Suzuna, so what do you say?”

I know.

Riri-chan’s house is in a high-rise apartment in the center of town, in the downtown area.

That’s why she’s often seen there.

“…Okay. What are we going to do at your house?”

“Eh, what do you mean—”

Riri-chan furrowed her brow, as if she hadn’t thought about it.

“—Come to think of it, what do you usually do at home, Suzuna?”

Apparently, she’ll decide what to do based on my interests.

“…”

But it was hard to say.

Reading manga and novels or playing games…

It’s the epitome of being an introvert.

I acknowledge that I’m an introvert, but I don’t want to flaunt it.

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that there’s no point in hiding my introverted personality, but showing my introverted hobbies is a high hurdle.

Riri-chan probably wouldn’t understand.

“Why are you silent?”

“…I… watch movies and anime.”

I wasn’t lying.

Just being vague.

“Hmm, Western films?”

“…Japanese films.”

“What genre?”

“…I watch everything from romance to war movies.”

“I see.”

I wanted to end this topic.

I feel like I’ll only reveal more flaws if she keeps digging.

“What about you, Riri-chan? What do you do at home?”

“Hmm? Lately, I watch anime and online videos. I’m an otaku, so I do that kind of stuff a lot at home. I also watch movies and dramas.”

“H-Hmm…”

That’s… unfair…

Popular people can call themselves otaku without shame and enjoy those kinds of hobbies.

Or rather, if she watches movies and dramas too, she’s just a person with diverse interests.

And I’m sure she has many other hobbies.

I’m envious. It’s wholesome and aspirational.

Meanwhile, I enjoy my hobbies in secret, hiding in the shadows…

“Then tell me your favorite movies, Suzuna. We could watch one of those.”

“…Ah, okay, leave it to me.”

I’ve completely dug my own grave.

It’s not a hobby I can readily share.

My footsteps grew heavy due to my own blunder.

23 Seeping In

I feel restless.

The monotonous tapping of chalk against the blackboard, the math teacher’s low, monotone voice.

The afternoon classes always make me drowsy, but today, there’s no sign of sleepiness.

It’s Riri-chan’s fault.

“I have a plan!”

She wouldn’t tell me what it was.

During lunch break, she just kept feeding me her bento.

Her eyes were sparkling, and I knew she was planning something.

I’m uneasy.

I can’t stop wondering what she’s going to do.

I couldn’t concentrate on class at all.

◇◇◇

Class ended, and it was break time.

“Suzuna?”

I flinched.

Riri-chan’s clear, high-pitched voice.

She called out to me from a distance.

Several people must have heard her. Riri-chan never does that in class.

“…”

I pretended not to hear and looked down at the grain of my desk.

“Suzuna~”

“…”

W-What is this?

What is she doing?

Why is she deliberately calling attention to me? What is she trying to do?

“Hey, Suzuna. Hinase is calling you.”

Shindo-kun informed me.

I know, I can hear her.

Please understand that I’m ignoring her.

“It’s not me.”

I replied, still staring at the wood grain.

“No, she’s clearly looking at you and calling ‘Suzuna.’”

“…It’s not me.”

“It is you. Ah, she’s coming this way.”

“Eh?”

W-What is this?

What does Riri-chan want from me?

“Suzuna, can’t you hear me?”

Riri-chan’s voice was right next to me.

I glanced sideways, and my eyes fell on her short skirt and thighs.

Those legs definitely belonged to Riri-chan.

“…I’m busy right now.”

“…You just look like you’re staring at your desk.”

“That’s what I’m doing.”

“Isn’t that the same as doing nothing?”

“It’s not.”

I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore, but I’m being stubborn.

I avoided eye contact with Riri-chan, trying to maintain an indifferent attitude so she would go away.

“Then look at this.”

A math formula appeared before my eyes.

Riri-chan slid a textbook between me and my desk.

“…I’d rather look at the wood grain.”

“What kind of hobby is that? Just teach me this.”

Riri-chan pointed to a problem we had been working on in the latter half of the class.

It was a problem that used a formula we had just learned today.

“…Teach you?”

“Yeah, I didn’t understand this problem, so I’m asking you to teach me.”

…No one has ever asked me that before.

I don’t know much about Hinase Riri’s grades, but she wasn’t the type of character to immediately ask about something she didn’t understand in class. She wasn’t that studious.

So why is she asking me this?

“Won’t you teach me? You’re good at math, right, Suzuna?”

I’m not particularly good at math, but I can answer the question Riri-chan asked.

However, I’m hesitant to do it in the classroom.

“You can ask your friends, Riri-chan.”

Why did she come all the way over here, away from her usual spot in the center of the classroom?

She can ask the other high-ranking students.

“That’s why I’m asking you, Suzuna.”

“…”

Riri-chan’s voice is always clear and easy to understand.

Unlike me, who mumbles.

But right now, it’s bothersome.

I can’t stop worrying about whether other people in the class can hear our conversation.

“Hey. Teach me.”

“Your voice is too loud, Riri-chan.”

“Will you teach me if I lower my voice?”

“…After school.”

“No, now.”

“Why?”

“I’ll forget if I wait.”

I’ve never talked about studying with Riri-chan before.

So she definitely isn’t that studious.

Is this the “plan” she was talking about during lunch break?

“I’ll stay here until you teach me.”

That’s a problem.

It’s strange for Hinase Riri, who attracts so much attention, to be standing next to Amatsuki Suzuna, who’s looking down at her desk.

Or rather, I can already imagine people wondering, “Why is Hinase Riri just standing there while Amatsuki Suzuna is ignoring her?”

“…Fine.”

I gave in.

I’ll quickly explain it and have her go back to her seat.

I looked up and faced the textbook.

“How much do you understand?”

“Hmm? I didn’t understand it from the beginning.”

…Seriously?

That means she wasn’t listening at all.

She really isn’t interested in studying.

“So, please explain it to me carefully, so even I can understand.”

So she wants me to teach her everything.

I feel like that’s going to take a while.

“…You can use this formula.”

I pointed to the next page, which had the explanation, and told her that all she had to do was use this formula.

The problem was solved instantly.

Now, please go away.

“Well, if it’s that easy, we don’t need schools or teachers.”

I couldn’t argue with that logic.

“So you don’t need them, Riri-chan.”

But I pressed on.

“Yes, I do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t understand.”

“Then pay attention in class. You would have understood if you listened.”

“Afternoon classes are sleepy.”

She was sleeping…?

Of course she wouldn’t understand.

“I understand how you feel, but you should try to stay awake and listen. You’ll get confused again.”

“It’s fine. I can ask Amatsuki-sensei to teach me.”

“…I’m not a teacher.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t fall asleep in Amatsuki-sensei’s class.”

I didn’t agree to this.

I never agreed to this.

Riri-chan is saying whatever she wants.

And I realized that this conversation wasn’t progressing at all, just wasting time.

“Fine, I’ll teach you, but listen carefully.”

“Okay. Thank you, Amatsuki-sensei.”

Riri-chan bent her knees and crouched down.

She brought her face level with the desk and gripped the edge with her fingertips.

Smiling brightly, she waited for my explanation.

Anyone could see that we were close.

I explained it to Riri-chan, half-heartedly.

◇◇◇

In the end, the time it took for her to understand and the end of break time coincided perfectly.

“Thanks, Suzuna. Teach me again if I don’t understand something.”

“…No.”

“Yes, you will. See you later.”

Riri-chan waved and returned to her seat.

Too embarrassed to turn around, I bowed my head slightly.

Then I stared at the wood grain of my desk.

In the end, wouldn’t Riri-chan have stayed by my side until the end of break time whether I taught her or not?

Or rather, explaining things probably made it look like we were talking even more.

It might have been better if she had just stood there silently.

“Suzuna, you were pretty close with Hinase, weren’t you?”

…See, Shindo-kun has already picked up on it.

Rumors spread quickly.

Once they start, they don’t stop.

So I have to stop them before they spread.

“We’re not close.”

“No, that’s the first time I’ve seen you talk to anyone that much besides me.”

“I was just explaining something. We’re not close.”

“Even though you called her ‘Riri-chan’?”

“…Well, I call Kokona-chan ‘-chan’ too.”

“Hinase was calling you ‘Suzuna.’ She was calling you ‘Amatsuki-san’ until recently, wasn’t she?”

“…”

I see.

So even the way we address each other reveals so much about our relationship.

Such a small thing easily invalidates my denial.

“You’re friends, right? Why are you hiding it? You can tell me.”

“…Sort of.”

I confessed.

I feel like I’m gradually falling into Riri-chan’s trap.

My shell is slowly being eroded by her.

There are no cracks yet, but…

Her presence is starting to fill the space around me.

I’m not confident I can resist Hinase Riri.

That was a bit of a shock.

Me, who is always so desperate to protect my boundaries, can’t deny her—

“…It’s as if I’m looking forward to being consumed by Riri-chan.”

—That’s what I thought.

22 A Child Who Isn’t Straightforward: Hinase Riri’s Side

Amatsuki Suzuna is a girl who always runs away.

Reserved, quiet, and dislikes standing out.

That’s fine.

Even I know that everyone has their own comfort zone.

But I want her to remember that she was the one who crossed the line first.

◇◇◇

It was spring, just after we became second-years. I still hadn’t fully settled into the new class. After school, I was killing time in town when a shady-looking man approached me.

“You’re cute, so… I think you could easily earn money, even if it’s just for 1 or 2 hours a day.”

I’d been approached by strangers before, but that was within the school, and they were teenagers like me.

Being approached by an adult man is scary.

My body stiffened instinctively.

“Huh? What’s that? Super sketchy, it’s creepy. I’m not struggling for money, anyway.”

My fear translated into a defiant tone.

“Lies, dressed like that, there’s no way you’re not interested. It’s not sketchy at all, so just listen to what I have to say, and you can refuse if you don’t like it.”

Was he used to this kind of response?

Or did he think dealing with a young girl was easy?

Anyway, the man didn’t miss a beat, continuing as if it were nothing.

“I’m already refusing. Seriously, you’re persistent.”

I raised my voice reflexively.

I’m sure my voice echoed even in the crowded street.

Yet, I didn’t make eye contact with anyone passing by.

The passersby avoided me with unnatural haste.

Seeing a high school girl arguing with a man in a suit, they probably didn’t think it was a lovers’ quarrel.

The people here just didn’t want to get involved in trouble.

I was in trouble, I wanted someone to help me.

But I had no one to rely on at that moment.

“Ah, ahhh. Sorry, sorry, were you waiting?”

A girl’s voice, strangely high-pitched, rang out.

She had black hair in pigtails and was wearing black-rimmed glasses.

I immediately recognized her as a classmate in the same uniform.

“Uh, um…?”

I was flustered and couldn’t speak properly.

I didn’t know her, and I certainly hadn’t arranged to meet her.

So why did she speak to me at this moment, when everyone else was just passing by?

“Shopping first? Come on, we don’t have time, let’s go.”

She took my arm.

I felt a strong, unwavering will in her grip.

“Hey, wait a minute!”

The man in the suit was still trying to talk to me.

The girl glared at the troublesome man.

“Sir, this girl and I have something to do. Besides, if you keep pestering her, I’ll call the police. You’re targeting a minor, and if rumors spread, it could affect your job, you know? Is that okay with you?”

“…Tch, whatever, fine.”

Defeated by her clear hostility and determination, the man backed down, looking annoyed.

“Let’s go, Hinase-san.”

The girl said my name clearly.

She easily drove the man away and helped me with her own hands.

It was the first time anything like that had ever happened to me.

“Ah, y-yeah!”

I followed her lead.

I thought her back, her glossy black hair swaying, was beautiful.

That was the moment I became truly aware of her—Amatsuki Suzuna.

◇◇◇

The problem was what happened afterward.

“Amatsuki-san, do you like sweets?”

I tried to thank Suzuna and asked about her preferences.

“I hate them.”

She replied instantly in a blunt, unfriendly tone.

After that, no matter what I asked, she denied everything.

“I’m going home.”

And then she just left.

I had no idea what her motive was.

◇◇◇

But I wouldn’t give up.

I woke up early and waited for Suzuna in the morning so I could talk to her.

“Good morning, Amatsuki-san!”

She clearly looked like she was about to run away, so I hugged her arm to stop her.

And when I tried to get closer—

“Um… when are you going to let go of my arm?”

—This.

Hey, you were the one who grabbed my arm and helped me!

Why do you hate it when I do it?

And that was the first and last time Suzuna ever touched me.

Unbelievable.

“Hinase-san, what do you think of me?”

Then, Suzuna suddenly asked a bold question.

“Hm? I like you?”

I pressed on.

I desperately tried to show my affection, to become closer to her.

“What about you, Amatsuki-san? What do you think of me?”

Surely this would bring us closer?!

“…N-Normal.”

Huh?!

I don’t understand, I don’t understand.

And then she just ran away. What’s with this girl?!

◇◇◇

Even so, I wouldn’t be discouraged.

I made plans with her after school and exchanged contact information.

Then Suzuna was glued to her phone, staring at it.

“Um, Amatsuki-san? What’s wrong? Why are you staring at my phone so much?”

“…No, it’s just, you’re cheating, Hinase-san.”

“Eh, what is?”

“Looking this cute in such normal clothes… Give me a break. If I wore that, it would just be pajamas.”

Why would she suddenly say something like that?!

This girl is a whiplash of sweet and harsh!!

“And is this picture edited? It’s not, is it?”

“Well, look. I did edit my legs to make them thinner.”

“Ehh…?”

Suzuna zoomed in on my profile picture and stared at it.

No, no, no!! Don’t look at it like that!!

And I should have changed it to a more flattering picture if I knew Suzuna was going to see it!!

“They’re the same.”

And then she complimented me in a casual tone.

The sudden shift is too much, it’s making me flustered.

◇◇◇

I continued my efforts.

—I fed her pancakes at the cafe and got her to acknowledge me as a friend.

—I got her to call me by my first name in the music room.

—I patted her head when she was feeling down in the classroom after school.

W-Well?

It would be a lie to say there wasn’t a rewarding aspect for me.

But I’ve tried my best to be there for Suzuna.

I know she’s the type of person who likes to keep her distance.

So I tried to approach her at her pace.

…And yet, lately, it’s been bad.

—She told me she actually liked Shindo Minato and used to make him lunch every day.

—She went out of her way to make lunch for his little sister and tried to teach her how to cook.

And more than anything!!

—She said she doesn’t want to be close to me at school.

No way!!

I thought I’d been respecting Suzuna’s feelings as much as possible.

I thought she was just trying to distance herself from me at school because it was too sudden and she wasn’t used to it.

But if she intends to keep doing that, it’s a different story.

It doesn’t make sense for her to be close to Shindo (the older brother) and Kokona, but not me.

School caste?

What’s that?

There’s no such thing at school, and even if there was, I don’t care.

I just want to be friends with Suzuna.

I don’t need any other reason.

But Suzuna keeps coming up with nonsensical excuses.

“If that’s how you feel, Suzuna, then I have a plan!”

So I decided to change Suzuna myself.

21 Each Other’s Positions

“Here, Suzuna. Say ‘ahh.’”

“…”

I was sitting on the courtyard bench, a spot that had become my regular haunt.

And the beautiful girl next to me was holding a piece of tamagoyaki, poised on her chopsticks, in front of my face.

…I don’t understand.

“Hey, why aren’t you opening your mouth?”

Her name is Hinase Riri.

At first glance, she’s a gal, but she’s a cute girl with a surprisingly serious and domestic side.

I know all that, but I don’t understand this situation.

“Well, I was just wondering…”

“Wondering what? I told you I’d share my bento with you, Suzuna.”

That’s right.

I had forgotten my lunch and was on my way to the school store.

I ran into Riri-chan in the hallway.

“Oh, Suzuna. What are you doing?”

“I forgot my lunch. I’m going to buy something.”

“Ah, perfect timing!”

“Perfect timing?”

“Come on, Suzuna.”

“W-Wait, Riri-chan. Don’t drag me…”

And the result of being forcibly dragged away was this.

Riri-chan opened a large bento box and was offering to share her lunch with me.

“…No, it’s okay. I’ll buy something myself.”

“No, I’m giving it to you. Eat it, here.”

She pushed the tamagoyaki closer, practically to the point of kissing it. She was being very forceful.

“B-But if I eat it, there won’t be any left for you, Riri-chan…”

“It’s okay, I made extra today.”

“Eh, why…?”

“So I could give some to you, Suzuna.”

“Why would you do that…?”

I’ve never heard of someone making extra lunch for a friend.

The Shindo siblings are family, so that makes sense.

…I’ll ignore the fact that Amatsuki Suzuna used to make lunch for her childhood friend. She was an anomaly.

“Just eat it.”

“You’re being too forceful, Riri-chan.”

I couldn’t accept such inexplicable kindness.

“Don’t tell me… you could eat Kokona’s bento, but you can’t eat mine…?”

Ah…

This is bad.

She’s smiling, but her eyes aren’t.

I could sense her unspoken message: “I’ll be angry if you refuse again.”

“You can eat your childhood friend’s little sister’s bento, but you can’t eat your friend’s? That’s unacceptable.”

“…Y-Yes.”

“Right? Here, eat.”

But…

Why is the tamagoyaki she’s offering heart-shaped?

Kokona-chan’s heart-shaped tamagoyaki was bad, but Riri-chan’s is okay?

What’s the criteria? I want to know.

“Come on, say ‘ahh.’”

“…Ahh.”

But right now, I need to deal with Riri-chan’s pressure.

The tamagoyaki entered my mouth.

A fluffy texture and a gentle sweetness spread through my mouth.

“How is it?”

Her serious expression showed she genuinely cared about my opinion.

“…It’s delicious.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you’re a good cook, Riri-chan.”

I knew she was supposed to be good at cooking, but those words came out naturally after actually tasting it.

“Ehehe…”

This time, Riri-chan’s smile was genuine.

I was relieved that she was no longer angry.

“There’s still plenty, so eat up.”

But she immediately switched gears and picked up a piece of salmon, offering it to me.

…However.

“Um… listen.”

“Hmm? What?”

“Can’t I just eat it myself?”

For some reason, Riri-chan wouldn’t give me the chopsticks and wouldn’t let go of the bento box.

She was determined to feed me.

“It’s fine, I’ll feed you.”

“No, it’s weird.”

“You’re so fussy, Suzuna.”

No, I’m definitely not.

I just want to feed myself.

“Besides, what if someone sees us?”

It’s already strange enough that we’re together.

If someone sees her feeding me, I don’t know what they’ll think.

“It’s fine even if someone sees us.”

“No, it’s not. It’s already weird that you and I are together, Riri-chan. And if people find out you’re feeding me, they’ll definitely think it’s strange.”

“…Then what do you want, Suzuna?”

“I’ll gratefully accept it this time… but from now on, I’ll eat by myself like usual.”

It’s only because it’s early spring that no one comes to the courtyard.

As it gets warmer, more people will come.

Then it will be difficult to use this place as a hiding spot.

“…Humph.”

“Eh?”

This is bad.

Riri-chan puffed out her cheeks.

She clearly wasn’t happy.

Is this really such a big deal for her?

“So, until when do we have to keep sneaking around like this, Suzuna?”

“Well… I think it’s better if we do, for now…”

“Even though we’re friends?”

“Well… everyone will think it’s weird that you and I are friends, Riri-chan.”

“Aren’t you the only one who thinks that, Suzuna?”

“…Because no one knows yet. If everyone knew, most people would find it strange.”

They’d wonder, “Why is that plain girl next to Hinase Riri?”

I can already imagine them saying we’re a mismatched pair.

“Isn’t that strange?”

“Uh, well…”

But Riri-chan didn’t seem convinced.

She glared at me, as if she had something to say.

“I’m only doing this because you told me not to interact with you in public. But I’m not going to keep hiding forever.”

“…No, this isn’t just for me. I’m also saying this for your sake, Riri-chan.”

Of course, I don’t want to be teased by my classmates for getting ahead of myself.

But I’m also worried about Riri-chan.

If the queen bee interacts with the bottom rung, it’ll damage Riri-chan’s brand.

She’s in a good position, so she should stay there.

“…How is that for my sake?”

“Uh, well…”

Ah, this is bad.

The atmosphere has changed.

I don’t think I said anything wrong.

But I’m making Riri-chan more and more upset.

“I just want to be friends with you, Suzuna, that’s all.”

“…Ah, okay.”

And why is Riri-chan so straightforward with her feelings?

Being told that directly makes me unsure of how to respond.

“But you won’t let me, Suzuna. Why?”

“…Because… we’re not a good match, Riri-chan.”

“That’s just your assumption, Suzuna. No one thinks that.”

…No, Riri-chan is being too optimistic.

Social life isn’t that simple.

Everyone is aware of their own position and acts accordingly.

There’s some leeway for moving up or down. That’s normal.

But someone from the bottom can’t suddenly jump to the top.

Because they don’t have the qualifications.

It’s common sense that someone acting above their station will be knocked back down.

“…You don’t understand, Riri-chan. You don’t understand what it’s like to be an introvert like me.”

I don’t expect her to understand, and I don’t think she needs to.

Just like someone at the bottom can’t understand someone at the top, someone at the top can’t understand someone at the bottom.

So this situation is natural.

It’s not Riri-chan’s fault.

It’s my fault for shamelessly being next to her when we’re not a good match.

“…That’s it.”

“…Eh?”

But for some reason, she wouldn’t accept it.

“If that’s how you feel, Suzuna, then I have a plan!”

Riri-chan’s eyes were burning with passion.

20 Somewhere, Someday

While I believe that a classroom in the morning should be quiet, that ideal rarely comes to fruition in a group setting.

Some students are quiet and well-behaved, but the majority are chatting and laughing with their friends.

So even in the morning, the classroom is filled with noise.

I slipped into my seat, trying to blend in with the background noise.

In front of me were the close-knit Shindo siblings, but I don’t understand why they’re together in the morning.

“I’m telling you, if you want lunch, you can just buy it at the school store.”

“Do you think I can handle those crowds? You could at least buy something for me!”

“No! Buy it yourself!”

“Every morning!?”

“Yes! Everyone else does it!”

“That’s them, this is us!”

“That’s why I’m saying this is how we’ll do it from now on!!”

…Ah.

Apparently, they’re arguing about lunch.

I think Shindo-kun should just buy it himself.

Still, it’s kind of Kokona-chan to even discuss it with him.

She could easily just ignore him.

Shindo-kun should be more grateful to Kokona-chan.

Thinking that, I silently sat down at my desk.

“Hey, listen to this, Suzuna! Kokona is telling me to prepare my own lunch every day…”

“Tell Amatsuki Suzuna too! That’s normal, and it’s strange for Onii-chan to even complain…”

Ah, they’re not going to leave me alone, are they?

I don’t think I can mediate between these two…

“Shindo-kun, it’s normal to prepare your own lunch. If you really can’t do it, why don’t you take turns with your sister? Preparing one portion or two portions isn’t that different, and the effort is literally halved.”

How about that?

I think it’s a pretty good compromise.

“…”

“…”

They both stared at me blankly, speechless.

“Um, being ignored after giving advice hurts, you know…”

I don’t remember saying anything strange.

“S-Suzuna… that…”

“A-Amatsuki Suzuna… that…”

The Shindo siblings spoke in similar voices.

They were both looking at my face…

And I somehow understood.

“…What? Do you have a problem with something?”

Unable to bear the silence, I spoke up.

If they’re not going to react, then don’t. If they are, then do. I want them to be clear.

Honestly, I’d prefer if they just pretended not to notice.

But that’s impossible with these two.

“You… you were always so stubbornly pigtails and glasses… why?!”

“Y-Yeah! You’ve had pigtails and glasses since we were little, like it was the only thing you knew!”

There was no way these two, who have known me for so long, would miss the change.

I didn’t expect such a big reaction, though…

“I-It’s fine, isn’t it…?”

“No way! There has to be a reason for Suzuna to do something so drastic! What is it? What happened?!”

I wonder if they’d believe me if I said I was reborn.

And Kokona-chan next to him gasped, as if she realized something.

“You idiot, Onii-chan! It’s obvious!!”

“Eh?! …Ah! I see. A broken heart! You had your heart broken, didn’t you, Suzuna?!”

“…No, I didn’t.”

I haven’t even been in love in the first place.

“Onii-chan, you’re so insensitive! She can’t just say that! Be more considerate!!”

“B-But there’s no way Suzuna would keep secrets from me…”

“There are some things she can’t tell you precisely because you’re her Onii-chan!!”

“Eh, she can’t tell me because it’s me? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You really don’t understand a girl’s heart! And you can’t even understand her feelings even though you’re her childhood friend… You’re such a jerk! So insensitive!!”

“That’s harsh!”

But even as she said that, Kokona-chan’s eyes were welling up with tears.

“Amatsuki Suzuna is trying so hard to act like she’s okay, but she’s actually hurting!”

…I feel like Kokona-chan is also misunderstanding something.

I could strongly sense the unspoken implication: “You needed a change like this to get over Onii-chan, right? It was your first heartbreak, after all.”

“Wh-Who is he?! Hey, Suzuna, who did this to you?!”

“It’s you, Onii-chan!!”

Kokona-chan slapped Shindo-kun on the head.

“It’s me?!”

Ah… they’re definitely misunderstanding…

But saying “I just wanted a change of pace” wouldn’t be convincing.

And I can’t tell them the truth.

More importantly…

“Kokona is so disappointed! I thought you understood Amatsuki Suzuna a little better, even if you are her Onii-chan!”

“Huh?! I thought I understood her! And why are you crying, Kokona?!”

I can’t keep up with their energy…

This was the first time in my life I’ve ever looked forward to homeroom so much.

◇◇◇

“Ah… I forgot to buy lunch.”

It’s because I did something unusual this morning.

When I do something new, I always forget something.

“This is a pain, but I guess I’ll go to the school store…”

I reluctantly stood up.

Shindo-kun turned around.

“You know, the more I look at you, the more you seem like a different person.”

Shindo-kun stared at my appearance again.

It felt uncomfortable, like I was being appraised, but it might be a welcome development for Amatsuki Suzuna, so I endured his gaze for her sake.

“…Is it bad?”

“No, I think it’s fine. You look more girly this way.”

“Hmm…”

“What’s with that reaction? Be a little more grateful.”

“I can’t when you’re talking down to me.”

“…Seriously?”

Shindo-kun should be more careful with his words.

He can’t get his message across when he talks like that.

The heroines in this world have an amazing ability to interpret his words, but…

There’s something I want to ask Shindo-kun.

“But, Shindo-kun, how do you feel about me changing like this? Don’t you dislike it, as my childhood friend?”

“Not really. If it’s what you want, Suzuna, then it’s fine. I like it too.”

It would be easier to listen to him if it weren’t for that last unnecessary line…

But apparently, Shindo-kun doesn’t think this change is bad.

“Then… she might be happy about it.”

“…Who?”

“The person who cares about you, Shindo-kun.”

“So, who?!”

Amatsuki Suzuna.

Your feelings won’t be reciprocated in this world line.

But if there’s another world somewhere… I hope you change.

Because you’ll probably be able to get closer to your ideal.