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

19 Picking Up the Pieces

“…What should I do?”

I stood frozen in front of the bathroom mirror, my hands stilled.

It was because of my conversation with Riri-chan after school yesterday.

“Why don’t you change your hairstyle sometimes?”

Those words were disrupting my usual routine.

“Well, it’s not like I’m particularly attached to pigtails…”

My original self, Yukitsuki Mashiro, wore her black hair straight.

Simply because it was easiest.

Braiding takes effort.

And since I don’t particularly like it, there’s no point…

I only did it to maintain the “Amatsuki Suzuna” character.

But that’s no longer necessary.

I’m not her, and I can’t replicate her way of being.

“…R-Right. I’m just tired of braiding my hair. It’s not like I care about my appearance or that I’m being influenced by Riri-chan’s words. I’m just… too lazy to braid it anymore.”

I muttered to myself, even though no one was listening.

Yes, this is just the process of the lazy me overwriting Amatsuki Suzuna.

That’s all.

Goodbye, Amatsuki Suzuna. Welcome back, Yukitsuki Mashiro.

“…Well, either way, I’m still a plain, gloomy introvert. Haha…”

A dry laugh escaped my lips.

I combed my hair instead of braiding it.

Doing so, I noticed the slight wave in my hair.

“…Should I use a straightener?”

I opened the cabinet under the sink.

I took out a hair straightener that looked barely used.

I set the temperature and waited a few minutes.

After confirming that the light was on and it had heated up, I ran the straightener through my hair.

My wavy hair straightened.

“That should do it.”

As I was about to put the straightener away, I noticed something.

“There are contacts here.”

I instinctively knew they belonged to Amatsuki Suzuna.

My eyesight was just as bad as Amatsuki Suzuna’s, but I usually wore contacts.

It was a natural habit, and I rarely wore glasses.

“Should I wear contacts today?”

…But something didn’t sit right.

She had a straightener and contacts.

Both of these belonged to Amatsuki Suzuna.

But in the original story, there was no scene where she changed her appearance.

Not even in her route.

So why does she have these things?

“…Did Amatsuki Suzuna… actually want to change?”

But she didn’t choose to.

I think she was afraid that changing herself would also change her relationship with Shindo Minato.

Because I am her, and yet not her, I can somehow understand.

It might seem like I’m overthinking it, but it seems like something she, who always prioritizes Shindo Minato, would do.

The self that desires change, and the self that fears it.

She wavered between the two and chose not to change.

She probably tried to play the role of the “unremarkable childhood friend” that was convenient for Shindo Minato.

“But she’s much more admirable than me.”

Still, she made a choice.

Choosing not to change is different from simply standing still.

It’s incredibly painful to want to move forward but remain stationary.

To others, it might look like you’re just standing still, but for the person involved, it’s a constant struggle to suppress the urge to move.

And all for the sake of the person she likes.

Knowing that, I found her admirable.

I could never do that, and I don’t want to, but…

“…Well. Then I’ll become the person you wanted to be.”

For me, Yukitsuki Mashiro, this is a return to my former self.

For her, Amatsuki Suzuna, it’s a change.

So, even though this act is meaningless to me, it might be meaningful for her.

It was also a way for me, Yukitsuki Mashiro, who can’t imagine a future with Shindo Minato, to atone for Amatsuki Suzuna.

◇◇◇

“…That being said, this still feels strange.”

Leaving the house, the wind rustling through my hair felt new.

The absence of the weight of my glasses felt… too light.

Even though this was close to how I looked as Yukitsuki Mashiro, this body is Amatsuki Suzuna’s.

It was unavoidable that I felt a sense of discomfort with this different appearance.

“S-Suzuna…?! Th-That…!!”

“Um…”

Just before entering the downtown area, Riri-chan covered her mouth with her hand.

“Your hair… and your… glasses…!!”

“And please stop ambushing me like this. It’s like we have a standing appointment now.”

“That doesn’t matter! Suzuna, what happened?!”

“What happened…?”

Riri-chan seemed to hear my words but not listen to them.

She was only interested in the change in my appearance.

“You hated it so much yesterday, what made you change your mind?”

“I-It’s fine. Braiding is a pain, and my glasses get in the way during P.E.”

“Hee… I see… Hmm.”

Riri-chan grinned and moved closer.

Her intense stare was a bit uncomfortable.

“Don’t stare so much, it’s not a big deal.”

I just stopped braiding my hair and wearing glasses.

That’s all.

“No, it makes a big difference. I like it, you look cute, Suzuna.”

“That’s enough. I don’t need your flattery.”

I didn’t do this to be complimented, and I didn’t want Riri-chan’s opinion.

“It’s not flattery. Really, you look cute, Suzuna.”

Riri-chan stared intently into my eyes, emphasizing her words.

I know she’s serious when she has that earnest look in her eyes.

Or rather, I know that Riri-chan wouldn’t lie to me.

“That’s enough. You don’t have to keep saying it.”

Still, her serious tone made me look away.

It’s not normal to say “cute” with such intensity.

“…Suzuna, are you blushing?”

“I’m not.”

“Your ears are red.”

“They’re not.”

I was aware that my face was getting hot.

But I couldn’t admit it.

Admitting it would mean acknowledging that her words had affected me.

“Then can I touch them to check?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re not meant to be touched.”

“Then your hair is fine, right?”

A compromise: my hair. I don’t understand the logic.

“Well… fine.”

But my body heat wouldn’t transfer through my hair.

If this would end the conversation, then so be it.

“Really? Yay!”

Riri-chan gently touched my hair with her fingers.

She ran her fingers through it, and strands of hair slipped through her fingers.

“So smooth.”

“…I haven’t done anything to damage it.”

“Just like you, Suzuna.”

“What do you mean?”

“Straight and beautiful.”

Why is she suddenly so poetic?

Did she forget her sense of shame somewhere?

“That’s enough, let’s go to school.”

“Ah, wait. Tell me why you changed your mind.”

“…The reason?”

“You wanted to change things up too, didn’t you, Suzuna?”

“…Half of it.”

“Half?”

The other half was the lingering feelings of Amatsuki Suzuna.

I think I picked up those feelings.

That’s probably why my heart feels a little lighter.

18 Appearance and Heart

“Hey, Suzuna. Um… those pigtails… do you have any particular reason for wearing them?”

After school.

I was walking home alone, stiffening against the chilly evening wind, when Riri-chan caught up to me.

Resigned, I walked with her, and she suddenly said those words.

“No, not really…”

“Hmm… I thought there was some reason.”

Hair is an important element for girls.

It shapes their appearance, and they take care in how they style it.

That’s true for both the individual and for others.

So, Riri-chan bringing it up means she has something to say.

Especially since I haven’t changed my hair color or style.

“Is it… strange…?”

“It’s not strange, but… I was just wondering if you ever change it up.”

Well… it’s something a fashionable girl like Riri-chan would be curious about.

Amatsuki Suzuna’s hairstyle isn’t trendy or anything.

Her black bangs are heavy, completely covering her forehead.

Her tightly braided pigtails fall onto her shoulders.

She looks like an old Japanese doll.

“But I’ve always worn it like this.”

That’s the kind of character Amatsuki Suzuna is.

She doesn’t care about her appearance or what others think.

A pure-hearted, somewhat twisted girl who only wants to be by Shindo Minato’s side.

I can’t agree with everything about her, but I can relate to her indifference towards her appearance.

That’s why I haven’t felt any discomfort continuing with this look, and the pigtails have become a habit, not something I find bothersome.

“But you said you don’t have any particular attachment to it, right?”

“Well… yeah.”

“Then why don’t you change your hairstyle sometimes? Pigtails are fine, but I think changing things up would be cute.”

Riri-chan is kind.

She’s trying to offer helpful advice without criticizing my unremarkable appearance.

I understand that.

But…

“It’s fine. There’s no point in me becoming cuter.”

I don’t think I can become cuter anyway.

But even if I believed Riri-chan’s words…

There’s no point in me improving my appearance.

I’m a character no one is interested in, and the only one who pays attention to me is my childhood friend, Shindo Minato.

What would happen if I improved my appearance and made a good impression on him?

The risk of increasing his affection value would only go up.

See, there’s no point in me trying to look better.

So it’s fine the way it is.

“Eh? That’s not true. You can become much cuter, Suzuna.”

“…I’m saying there’s no point even if I do.”

“Do you need a reason to become cuter?”

Riri-chan looked surprised, as if I’d said something revolutionary.

Well, a girl who genuinely pursues fashion wouldn’t even consider such a question…

“I need a reason. There’s no one to show it off to.”

Change is stressful in itself.

Doing something different requires a certain level of resolve.

Since I don’t see the point, I can’t bring myself to do it.

“So you’re saying it would be fine if there was someone to show it off to?”

“…If there was… such a person.”

And since that person is Shindo Minato, it’s no good.

It’s definitely better not to do it.

“There is, right here.”

“…Huh?”

Riri-chan pointed at herself, grinning.

“I’ll look at you.”

“…No, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll be happy if you become cuter, Suzuna.”

She flapped her arms as if saying “Yay!”

She was strangely excited, I don’t know what she finds so amusing.

“That doesn’t make sense. I’m… trash compared to you, Riri-chan.”

Hinase Riri, the beautiful girl with a great figure who always takes care of herself.

And she’s always surrounded by other glamorous girls.

What would Riri-chan find enjoyable about watching an introvert like me change?

“Don’t say that. You have good qualities, Suzuna.”

Riri-chan scolded me gently.

I wonder what motivates her so much.

“I’m not interested in fashion or anything.”

“Eh, then I’ll do it for you! Should I teach you some things?”

Riri-chan’s fingers started moving restlessly.

It somehow seemed like a suggestive gesture, and I instinctively tensed up.

“I-It’s… unnecessary.”

“Why? You’ve just never tried it before. It might be fun if you do.”

“That’s because you’re cute, Riri-chan.”

A cute girl puts in effort to become more beautiful and cute.

And then she gets showered with attention, so of course it’s fun.

But that’s because she already has the potential.

Anything multiplied by zero is still zero.

“Ehehe… don’t flatter me so suddenly, Suzuna. I’m getting embarrassed.”

“You’re used to it.”

I didn’t understand why Riri-chan was happily touching her cheek.

She must have heard this kind of thing from countless people.

“Hmm? Well… some people say that, but it doesn’t make me happy no matter who says it.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah, well, some of my friends say it too, but we compliment each other, so I feel like some of it is flattery. Not that it’s a bad thing.”

“But boys must say it to you too, Riri-chan.”

“Well… sometimes. But… how should I put it? I think I come across as… frivolous, so I don’t think many people mean it sincerely…”

Ah… well, Hinase Riri looks like a gal, and her cheerful demeanor could be seen as frivolous, to put it negatively.

There are probably a lot of men who are only interested in her physically.

Come to think of it, my encounter with her also started with something like that.

“Is it tough being a popular girl?”

“I know it might sound like I’m bragging and be annoying, but… I’m not particularly happy about it. I dress like this because I like it, not because I want to be seen that way.”

That felt like a glimpse into a side of Riri-chan I’d never seen before.

I felt like she was showing me a part of herself that was empty and vulnerable.

“…Even you have things you don’t like, Riri-chan.”

“Of course. What do you take me for?”

“…A super positive girl.”

“What’s that?”

Well, I thought social butterflies didn’t have any worries.

I thought, “Sorry for the prejudice,” but I couldn’t say it out loud.

“Anyway, I’m really happy when you compliment me, Suzuna.”

Riri-chan hugged my arm, as if cheering.

“Ah, wait, don’t cling to me…”

“I can’t help but express my feelings!”

Why is her way of expressing herself physical contact…? It’s too direct.

“And that doesn’t explain why you’re happy when I say it…”

I understand why other people’s words don’t reach her.

But that doesn’t explain why my words do.

“Silly. I’m happy just because you said it, Suzuna.”

“…What? Just because it’s me?”

“That’s enough.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

It’s a reason, but it’s not.

And yet, Riri-chan says that’s enough.

“…What if I’m just flattering you?”

“No, I know. You’re telling the truth, Suzuna.”

She seemed absolutely confident for some reason.

“…Are you a psychic?”

“Only for you, Suzuna.”

Only for me, again…

But if she’s happy with my words, then that’s a good thing.

Riri-chan, beaming, rested her head on my shoulder.

Well… we’re not at school.

I’ll just… enjoy Riri-chan’s warmth.

17 Feelings as Seasoning

“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to eat it, Riri-chan.”

I smoothly dodged Riri-chan’s hand as she tried to take the bento box.

“No way, it’s unacceptable for Suzuna to eat another girl’s cooking.”

“…Girlfriend, much?”

What’s with that line?

I thought she didn’t get along with Kokona-chan, but there’s no need to be so dramatic.

This assertive pushiness, forcing her opinion on others, is typical Hinase Riri.

This aggressiveness should be directed at Shindo-kun…

What went wrong to cause this?

…Ah, it was my fault.

“Girlfriend? Me?”

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Riri-chan blinked.

Yeah, I know it’s absurd, but…

It’s Riri-chan’s fault for making such a suggestive remark.

“I’m kidding, but getting so worked up about someone else’s bento is like a girlfriend’s reaction.”

It’s like a maiden consumed by jealousy.

I know Riri-chan didn’t mean it that way, but that’s how it sounded.

“Eh, so you’re saying Suzuna is the “boyfriend”?”

“I said I was kidding.”

“I’m talking about the joke.”

This conversation is ridiculous, but if we had to choose who’s the boyfriend and who’s the girlfriend…

“…Well, it feels the other way around.”

“Why?”

“Because you take the lead, Riri-chan.”

“Ehehe… do you think so?”

Riri-chan seemed happy for some reason.

“So, Suzuna is the girlfriend, huh…”

“…Well, I’m more of a pet than a girlfriend, aren’t I?”

And I proceeded to dismantle the premise of our own conversation.

I’m not worthy of being a girlfriend, being treated like a pet suits me better.

Happily receiving food and then going to sleep.

That kind of life isn’t bad.

“Suzuna is a pet…?!”

And for some reason, Riri-chan’s breathing grew ragged.

“That sounds nice, I’m envious. The pet life.”

“What?! Do you have some kind of kink?!”

“…No, it’s much simpler than that.”

Apparently, she thought I had some warped fetish.

“S-So you want to be kept by someone…?”

Well… if I had to answer that question directly…

“Yeah, that might be nice. So don’t take my food.”

I hugged the bento box protectively, hiding it with my body.

“G-Gladly…”

Riri-chan gave a strange reply.

◇◇◇

“Ah, welcome back, Amatsuki Suzuna.”

Back in the classroom, Kokona-chan was waiting for me.

…In my seat.

I’m not even going to ask why anymore.

“I-I’m back…”

“So, how was it? How did the bento taste?”

Kokona-chan looked at me expectantly.

I think she was fairly confident.

The taste had certainly improved a lot.

“It was… so-so.”

Riri-chan, next to me, immediately replied.

(I begged her not to follow me, but she insisted on being there for this.)

“Hinase Riri…, I wasn’t asking you.”

“I ate some too.”

“Huh…? I didn’t make it for you.”

“The goal was to get feedback on the taste, right? Then it’s better to have more opinions. Or is there some reason why only Suzuna is allowed to eat it?”

What’s with these two…?

Why are they being so combative?

“Are you delusional…? That doesn’t give you the right to eat it.”

“Can’t you appreciate my generosity in allowing Suzuna to eat it? I could have taken it all away…”

She said that, but Riri-chan barely touched the bento.

She only ate the heart-shaped tamagoyaki, saying, “I just can’t forgive this.”

I didn’t understand why she was so fixated on it.

“Hey, Amatsuki Suzuna, why did you let her eat it?”

“S-Sorry…”

The spear of her anger turned towards me.

I bowed my head to the displeased Kokona-chan.

“…And, um, I’ve been meaning to ask… why are you talking so informally?”

…And next to me was a gal radiating even more displeasure.

“Are you telling me to use honorifics?”

“That’s common courtesy.”

W-Well… Kokona-chan’s attitude towards her upperclassmen isn’t exactly polite.

I understand that she doesn’t feel the age difference because she has an older brother, and I understand that she’s friendly with Amatsuki Suzuna, whom she’s known since childhood.

But it’s not appropriate with Hinase Riri, who’s at the top of the social hierarchy.

“Heh… Hinase Riri, with your rule-breaking makeup and uniform, is lecturing me about courtesy? You can’t even follow the school rules, and you’re talking about courtesy? That’s a new one.”

“…Gah.”

Ah, Riri-chan was so stunned by that perfect counterattack that she was speechless…

“There are people like that, you know, who impose their narrow-minded views of common sense and courtesy on others. You should try to see the bigger picture.”

“I just care a little about my appearance. And what about you? Barging into an upperclassman’s classroom and bringing your brother lunch… Couldn’t you just give it to him at home?!”

No, don’t say that, Riri-chan.

If you do that, you’ll completely miss the Kokona-chan events.

It’s due to circumstances beyond our control. Please understand… well, that’s probably impossible.

“Th-That’s true…”

Kokona-chan seemed surprised, as if she’d just realized something.

Y-Yeah… well, there are things like that.

Things you do without thinking that don’t actually make sense.

“So, you don’t have to give Suzuna a bento anymore. Suzuna said she doesn’t need one!”

I had no idea what that “so” was supposed to mean, but Riri-chan was resorting to brute force.

“What’s that supposed to mean…? I don’t need Hinase Riri’s permission.”

“B-But, Kokona-chan, I also feel bad about receiving a bento. It tasted good, so I think you’ll be fine from now on.”

Or rather, since the Shindo-kun bento event is gone, it doesn’t matter anymore.

Anyway, all the gears are starting to turn in the wrong direction, so I don’t want any more complicated settings added.

“…Fine. If it tasted good, then it’s fine.”

Kokona-chan agreed more readily than I expected.

“So, how about Kokona-chan goes back to her class, and Riri-chan goes back to her seat?”

It’s strange for these two to be gathered around me.

Originally, the heroines were supposed to gather around Shindo Minato, who sits in front of me.

If that’s not possible, then let’s at least separate.

Let’s separate and rethink our strategies.

“No, I’m not going back until I hear specifically what Amatsuki Suzuna liked about the bento.”

“Huh? You don’t need to hear that.”

…Please.

Please go back, both of you.

A plain girl with glasses surrounded by her childhood friend’s younger sister and a high-ranking gal.

This composition is just wrong!

16 A Bento Box Filled with Feelings

“Well, well, Suzuna-san. What’s the meaning of this?”

“Ah, yes…”

I was sitting on a bench in the courtyard… or rather, I was made to sit.

On my lap was a bento box Kokona-chan made for me.

And Riri-chan was standing over me, glaring.

Her brow was furrowed, and her expression was severe.

To understand how this happened, we need to go back about ten minutes.

◇◇◇

“Here, you can eat it. And don’t forget to tell me what you think.”

Kokona-chan placed the bento box on my desk and wouldn’t leave my side.

This was what she used to do to Shindo-kun until yesterday.

I couldn’t understand why I had become the target of her attention.

“Um… I just wanted you to improve your cooking for Shindo-kun’s sake…”

I certainly didn’t encourage her to improve her cooking skills for me.

“Kokona realized something.”

“Yes…?”

“Ever since we were little, Onii-chan has been Kokona’s ideal. I wanted him to acknowledge me. That’s why I was jealous of you, always being so close to him.”

“I see…”

What is this conversation?

“So, all this time, I’ve been desperately trying to keep Amatsuki Suzuna from taking Onii-chan away. It became an obsession from a young age.”

Well, obsession or whatever…

Why does she sound so philosophical?

“But you know, you made me realize something. That kind of thinking only holds me back… no, it even limits Onii-chan’s possibilities.”

“Huh…?”

I don’t remember talking about Shindo-kun’s possibilities.

“I’ve woken up. I was in love with the idea of being in love. I was using that as an excuse to push you away.”

Kokona-chan gave a self-deprecating smile.

Her expression seemed much more mature than her age, as if she had taken a step from girlhood to womanhood…

“K-Kokona-chan…? Let’s calm down, okay? You’re not making any sense.”

“Heh… I suppose the Kokona from yesterday would have thought the same.”

Ah, this is bad…

She’s entered some higher dimension.

She’s hearing my words, but not listening.

Her eyes are looking far away.

“Come on, just eat it. I worked hard on it.”

Kokona-chan urged me to eat.

But I was breaking out in a cold sweat.

I felt a sense of crisis, like I was deviating from the Kokona route.

But a more frightening problem emerged.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Riri-chan in the center of the classroom, smiling at me.

“(Should I go over there?)”

Even though she was mouthing the words silently, I could understand what she meant. And despite the smile, I could tell she was angry.

Perhaps my interpersonal skills have improved, or perhaps my understanding of Riri-chan has deepened.

Either way, it should be a good thing, but the timing was terrible, and I couldn’t be happy about it.

—Screech

I quickly stood up.

“Amatsuki Suzuna…?”

“I have something urgent to do…”

“Eh, what about my bento?”

“I-I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you later, I’m sorry, but I have to go!”

“H-Hey…!”

I brushed off Kokona-chan’s attempt to stop me and ran out into the hallway.

◇◇◇

And now.

I had fled to the courtyard when Riri-chan appeared.

…In smiley-angry mode.

“Hey, what’s going on? Didn’t you work so hard to get Kokona to make a bento for Shindo?”

“I did…”

“Then what’s that on your lap?”

“Kokona-chan’s bento.”

“What’s the meaning of this?!”

That’s what I want to know.

Which cog in the wheel went haywire and caused this to happen?

This was giving me a major headache.

“I… I can’t forgive this…”

Riri-chan gritted her teeth.

“Um…”

“What?”

“Why are you angry, Riri-chan?”

Kokona-chan giving me her bento is an incident.

But it should be a trivial matter for Riri-chan.

So why is she making such a fuss?

“That’s because…!”

“Because…?”

Riri-chan started to say something, then turned away.

“…You’re so dense, Suzuna.”

“Eh…?”

“It’s frustrating when things don’t go as planned, especially after hearing about it from a friend.”

Riri-chan always wants to hear everything from me.

And she gets upset if there’s something I don’t tell her or something she doesn’t know.

I feel like that’s been happening more and more lately.

“I’m sorry. But I’m also troubled by this bento.”

“…You didn’t do this on purpose?”

“There’s no reason for me to do this on purpose, is there?”

I answered her question with a question, but I didn’t understand why Riri-chan was suspicious.

There’s no merit to me receiving Kokona-chan’s bento.

Unless I’m desperately hungry, maybe.

“…Shindo.”

Riri-chan muttered the name, as if she was hesitant to say it.

“Kokona-chan?”

“The older brother!”

It was Shindo Minato, the protagonist.

“What do you mean…?”

“You liked Shindo, didn’t you, Suzuna? You thought that if Kokona stopped giving him lunch, you’d have a chance to give him lunch again, didn’t you?”

That’s… well…

“You’re overthinking it, Riri-chan.”

“What?! You can’t deny it. It’s a fact that you liked him.”

Riri-chan often brings up the topic of Amatsuki Suzuna liking Shindo.

I’ve explained many times that it’s a thing of the past, a mistake typical of childhood friends.

But she always seems unconvinced.

“I can deny it. I don’t have any feelings for him whatsoever.”

I answered from the bottom of my heart, a place of pure nothingness, without a single ripple.

I don’t feel any romantic attraction towards him.

I just want him and the heroines around him to be happy.

…Ignoring the fact that for some reason, I’ve only managed to trigger the collapse routes so far.

“…Can I believe you?”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

Those were my true feelings.

“You’re not lying?”

“I’m not.”

We stared at each other for a while.

Riri-chan muttered, “Okay, I believe you,” and sat down next to me.

“What are you going to do with that?”

She pointed at the bento box on my lap.

“…Well, I guess I have no choice but to eat it. I promised to tell her what I thought.”

“There’s nothing wrong with the food itself, so I guess it can’t be helped.”

She seemed to have given me permission to eat.

Lunch break was limited.

I opened the bento box, ready to eat.

“Ah, that’s annoying.”

Riri-chan’s voice, looking at the contents next to me, was ice-cold.

“Eh, w-what…?”

I understood at a glance.

Kokona-chan’s cooking had improved.

The tamagoyaki was properly yellow, the hamburger was solid.

And she even managed to make asparagus wrapped in bacon.

It was a remarkable improvement overnight, no matter how you looked at it.

“No, this is unacceptable.”

However, Riri-chan was pointing at a piece of tamagoyaki nestled in the corner of the bento box.

“Eh… do you hate eggs, Riri-chan?”

“That’s not it, it’s the shape.”

The shape…?

It was a little lopsided, but it was shaped like a heart.

“What’s this supposed to be?”

“…Showing off her skills?”

“This is definitely strange. She was going to give this to you, Suzuna, right? So why go through all this trouble to make it cute…?”

Riri-chan’s mood continued to worsen.

What should I do? No matter what I do, the situation doesn’t improve.

“Well, I’ll just try it…”

“No.”

She closed the lid of the bento box.

“Um, Riri-chan…?”

“You can’t eat this.”

“But I can’t tell what it tastes like if I don’t eat it.”

“You just have to tell her what you think, right? Then I’ll eat it.”

“Eh…”

What kind of thought process led her to that conclusion?

“You can’t eat this, Suzuna. You’ll be tainted.”

“It’s not poisoned or anything…”

“You’ll be tainted by Kokona!”

“Eh…”

Riri-chan was in a particularly bad mood today.

15 What It Means to Fall in Love

“Now then, I’d like an explanation for this, if you please.”

Riri-chan wore a forced smile I’d never seen before.

Scary, scary, scary…

It was clear that her outward appearance and inner feelings were at odds.

That’s what made it so terrifying.

I froze, bewildered.

“H-Hinase Riri?! What are you doing here all of a sudden?!”

However, Kokona-chan didn’t notice the subtle change in Riri-chan’s demeanor. She simply raised her voice in surprise.

Ah, I don’t think it’s a good idea to provoke her…

“Well, I saw two people leaving the classroom with bento boxes, and I got curious, and then I saw you two in the courtyard at this time of day? Sitting on a bench as if you were hiding, so I thought something was up, and… here I am.”

Her voice was unusually high-pitched, but the last part was strangely menacing.

Riri-chan, who was standing behind us, moved around to stand in front of us.

In contrast to the smile on her lips, her eyes, looking down at us, were devoid of emotion.

W-What is this…? I don’t think we did anything wrong…

“It doesn’t make sense for you to follow us and then act like this. In the first place, Amatsuki Suzuna is the one who brought me here. If you have something to say, say it to her.”

“…You’re right. You can explain this, can’t you, Suzuna?”

“Uh, um…”

Riri-chan should be the one who understands the situation best…

So why is she putting so much pressure on me?

I’ve never felt such unspoken pressure before.

“I was rejected when I asked you to eat lunch with me, Suzuna. But it’s fine with her…?”

“Huh…?”

I couldn’t quite keep up.

I understand what she’s saying, but her words and her attitude don’t match.

“And you’re even sharing your bentos… what’s that about? I wasn’t told anything about this.”

“W-Wait, Riri-chan. I told you I wanted to teach Kokona-chan how to cook…”

It was Riri-chan who listened to my worries after school and patted my head.

So why is she acting like this?

“I heard you. You said you wanted to teach her how to cook.”

“Th-Then…”

“But I didn’t hear a single word about making bentos and eating together.”

Eh… wait. Is that what this is about?

Well, wanting to teach someone how to cook and sharing bentos aren’t exactly the same thing.

But she should understand that it’s a related activity.

Especially Riri-chan, who knows the whole story.

“I thought it would be easier to start by having her try my cooking, rather than suddenly teaching her. It’s more persuasive…”

“I didn’t hear anything about that. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not like I didn’t tell…”

“You’re keeping secrets from me, Suzuna.”

Eh…?

Is this… a secret…?

Even if I was hiding it, why is Riri-chan being so confrontational?

Did I do something that bad?

“…Kokona, what are we even watching here?”

Kokona-chan sighed, looking fed up.

Even I don’t fully understand what’s going on, so it must be even more confusing for her as a third party.

“Actually, you’re the cause of this.”

Riri-chan shifted her target to Kokona-chan.

“…What are you talking about?”

But Kokona-chan didn’t flinch.

“If you could cook properly from the start, Suzuna wouldn’t have needed to go to all this trouble.”

“…I didn’t ask her to. And it has nothing to do with Hinase Riri anyway.”

Kokona-chan turned away, snorting.

But Riri-chan wasn’t fazed by her rejection.

“Suzuna doesn’t even want to cook, but she made this bento for you because she wants you to improve.”

“…I understand that. I intend to learn.”

Oh…

Kokona-chan’s attitude towards cooking has changed.

Good, there’s hope for the Kokona route.

“Think about how much effort Suzuna put in to make you a homemade meal… how envia— no, I mean, appreciate her feelings.”

“…Did you just say something weird?”

“I didn’t.”

Kokona-chan took a breath.

“I still don’t understand why Amatsuki Suzuna would do this for Kokona—”

Kokona-chan looked at me, sitting next to her.

“—You liked Onii-chan, didn’t you? Why did you give up so easily?”

She asked for an answer.

“W-Wait a minute! Seriously, what’s that about?!”

…The one who cut in with a loud voice was Riri-chan.

“…Hinase Riri, you’ve been noisy this whole time.”

“No, no, this is the first time I’ve heard that Suzuna has someone she likes!”

Past tense, you know.

But I guess I have no choice but to answer honestly now.

“…I, Amatsuki Suzuna, was enabling Shindo-kun. But I decided to stop.”

“…Why?”

That answer was equivalent to denying the existence of the former Amatsuki Suzuna.

Kokona-chan, understanding this, questioned the meaning.

“I think by doing that, I, Amatsuki Suzuna, was also being enabled. Being relied on makes me feel like I have a reason to exist.”

“…And you threw that away?”

“Yes. Because I, Yukitsuki Mashiro, don’t think that’s the same as standing on my own two feet. I don’t want a one-sided relationship where one person relies on the other. I want to find someone who will support me, and who I can support in return.”

“…I see. So that’s your answer.”

Kokona-chan looked away from me.

“W-Wait a minute! I’m still processing this. Suzuna, you liked Shindo and made him lunch every day?”

“Apparently, that’s in the past. Good for you, Hinase Riri.”

Kokona-chan stood up from the bench, brushed past the bewildered Riri-chan, and returned to the school building.

…Well, her problem should be resolved now.

The one who’s troubled now is the heroine in front of me.

“Hey. Suzuna, the bento thing, and having someone you like… this is the first time I’m hearing about this.”

…She was starting to sound angry.

I wonder why.

“Uh, um… I came up with the bento idea last night, and Shindo-kun is… in the past…”

“That’s not good enough! Explain properly!”

“But… there’s nothing more to explain…”

Lunch break was too short to explain things in a way that would satisfy Riri-chan.

◇◇◇

The next day, during lunch break.

I felt lighthearted today.

Because Kokona-chan will now improve her cooking skills and progress down the Shindo-kun route.

This practically guarantees my life as a mob character.

I can finally enjoy a peaceful life without any worries.

—Clatter

The door opened, and Kokona-chan appeared.

She was holding a lunch bag.

“K-Kokona… you made one again today?”

“Yeah, here.”

Don’t worry, Shindo-kun.

Kokona-chan’s cooking skills will improve dramatically from now on.

You can finally say goodbye to depressing lunch breaks.

“Kokona, this…”

Fufu, is it already working?

I heard Shindo-kun’s surprised voice.

Pretending not to notice, I opened my sandwich wrapper, as usual.

“Here, Amatsuki Suzuna.”

—Thud

A slightly heavy sound echoed on my desk.

For a moment, I doubted my own eyes.

“…Excuse me?”

Kokona-chan placed a lunch bag on my desk.

Confused, I looked up at her.

“It’s lunch. You’re not cooking anymore, right?”

“Eh… why… me…?”

“You’re helping me improve my cooking, aren’t you? Then take responsibility until the end.”

…Eh, what is this?

Kokona-chan is giving Amatsuki Suzuna a bento…?

Ah, I don’t understand.

I don’t know this. I don’t know this route.

“But I have a sandwich…”

“You’ll be malnourished if you only eat that.”

W-Why is she worried about me…?

Aren’t Shindo Kokona and Amatsuki Suzuna supposed to be rivals…?

“H-Hey, Kokona… then how do you explain this?”

Shindo-kun’s strained voice reached my ears.

What was placed on his desk wasn’t a bento box, but a sandwich.

“Kokona’s not making lunch for Onii-chan anymore. Prepare your own from now on.”

“W-What?!”

“Kokona thought about it too. Until now, I’ve been desperate for Onii-chan to acknowledge me, but I think it’s okay now. Both Onii-chan and Kokona should become more independent—”

Wait a minute.

I-It might be my imagination, but…

That sounds similar to what I said yesterday…

“—You think so too, don’t you, Amatsuki Suzuna?”

And then, Kokona-chan winked at me, making sure only I could see it.

“Y-Yes, I do…”

…Oh no.

Another heroine has turned her back on the protagonist.

What’s going on with this game?

Someone, please announce the title.

※My Girlfriend Next Door is Super Sweet

…Where?!

14 A Homemade Meal for Onii-chan

“Sigh…”

I couldn’t help but let out a weak sigh.

Even though Riri-chan’s encouragement temporarily lifted my spirits, morning still came.

As long as Kokona-chan’s bento problem remained unsolved, my future as a mob character was uncertain.

I needed to take swift action.

I stood in the kitchen, holding a knife, for the first time in what felt like forever.

◇◇◇

Lunch break.

A time for everyone to relax and unwind.

But my tension mounted.

Because she was coming.

“Onii-chan! I brought your lunch!”

“O-Oh…”

Shindo-kun’s face stiffened at Kokona-chan’s appearance.

I couldn’t let this tragedy continue.

I stood up from my seat.

Before Kokona-chan could approach Shindo-kun, I walked towards her.

“Kokona-chan.”

“…What do you want, Amatsuki Suzuna?”

She made no attempt to hide her “Why are you talking to me?” attitude.

I wanted to run from her sharp gaze, but I stood my ground.

I held up the lunch bag I had made this morning.

“Let’s eat lunch together.”

“…Huh?”

This time, her voice was filled with genuine surprise.

She probably never imagined I’d invite her.

“Let’s go to the courtyard.”

“No, wait, I have to give Onii-chan his lunch…”

“No, we’re eating that lunch together.”

“Huh? Why all of a sudden—”

This conversation was going nowhere.

I took Kokona-chan’s arm and started walking.

“H-Hey, let go of me. Amatsuki Suzuna…!”

“I won’t. We’re eating lunch together.”

“I-I don’t understand…!”

“Yeah, Suzuna, what about my lunch?”

Shindo-kun, who had been watching from the sidelines, chimed in.

Seriously, why are you still trying to eat Kokona-chan’s lunch at this point…?

Can’t you tell I’m trying to help you?

“See! Onii-chan’s saying it too!”

“Fine, here, Shindo-kun.”

I placed a sandwich on Shindo-kun’s desk.

I had forgotten that I made my own lunch and bought a sandwich out of habit.

It was a coincidence, but the timing was perfect.

“…Is this all?”

I couldn’t believe Shindo-kun’s look, as if to say, “This isn’t enough.”

What more does he want?

The perpetually pampered protagonist is so demanding.

“If it’s not enough, go buy something at the school store. …Come on, Kokona-chan, let’s go.”

“H-Hey, Amatsuki Suzuna…!!”

I left the classroom with Kokona-chan.

◇◇◇

In the courtyard.

Spring can be chilly, but fortunately, the weather was nice today.

The sun was out, the temperature was warm, and the wind was gentle.

It was comfortable enough to be outside in our uniforms.

“Let’s sit over there.”

I pointed to a bench in the shade and led her there.

As I sat down, Kokona-chan looked down at me with a dissatisfied expression.

“What… are you playing at?”

“I told you, we’re eating lunch together.”

“I’m asking what your goal is.”

“It’s for Shindo-kun’s… no, for your benefit, Kokona-chan.”

I returned her gaze, not flinching from her suspicious eyes.

“If I’m lying, you can leave right away.”

Perhaps convinced by my sincerity, Kokona-chan sat down next to me with a sigh.

“Fine. Then open your lunch.”

“Okay…”

Kokona-chan opened her bento box.

Half of it was filled with onigiri, the other half with side dishes.

A pale, yellow-less tamagoyaki, unevenly colored broccoli, and a mushy hamburger.

The contents were quite chaotic.

It’s a character trait, but isn’t this a bit much…?

“This is mine.”

I opened my lunch box in the same way.

“Amatsuki Suzuna, that’s…”

“Yeah, I made the same thing.”

I had already researched Kokona-chan’s limited cooking repertoire through the game.

Using that knowledge, I deliberately prepared the exact same dishes.

“…Amatsuki Suzuna. These… are the same?”

“Eh?”

Kokona-chan stared at my bento box as if it were some strange object.

“Don’t they look… kind of… bad?”

“Ah, well… the shape is… charming.”

“Isn’t the hamburger too lumpy?”

“Kneading is difficult, isn’t it?”

I’m just clumsy.

“Why are the onigiri so perfectly round?”

“Shaping them is difficult, isn’t it?”

I actually wanted to ask her how she managed to shape them into such perfect triangles.

“Amatsuki Suzuna… when did you become such a bad cook?”

“Ehehe…”

“It’s not funny… I don’t know what to say.”

It’s true.

I’m sharing Amatsuki Suzuna’s memories. There’s no doubt about that.

But the miscalculation was that I didn’t inherit her skills.

So my hands can’t keep up with what I want to do.

In fact, because I have Amatsuki Suzuna’s cooking memories, the gap between ideal and reality is even more stark.

The result is a vicious cycle where the more I cook, the more frustrated I get.

I already dislike cooking, and in this state, there’s no way the food would look presentable.

“I guess it’s like the yips.”

“Is that a thing with cooking?!”

Ah, they really are siblings.

I remember Shindo-kun reacting the same way.

“Well, well, the most important thing about cooking is the taste. As long as it tastes good, it’s fine.”

“…I can’t imagine someone who can’t even shape onigiri properly can make something taste good.”

I know that.

Or rather, I’m the one who wants to complain.

Normally, I think you’d retain some level of skill after being reborn.

But this Amatsuki Suzuna is almost entirely the same as me, except for the memories.

I think she could have been a little more accommodating.

“Just… eat it.”

I offered her the bento box.

Kokona-chan looked at it suspiciously.

“Is it cooked properly…?”

“It’s fine, I tasted it.”

“If you say so…”

Kokona-chan hesitantly picked up a piece of my hamburger with her chopsticks and brought it to her mouth.

She chewed cautiously, her eyes wary.

“How is it?”

“It’s… delicious.”

Exactly.

Even if it looks bad, that’s just the appearance.

Even a clumsy person like me can manage the seasoning, heat control, and other cooking processes.

The taste itself replicates Amatsuki Suzuna’s cooking. Probably.

“Can I have some of yours?”

“You’re supposed to ask…”

Without waiting for her to finish, I picked up a piece of tamagoyaki from Kokona-chan’s bento and ate it.

“Hmm… it’s a little overcooked. And Shindo-kun likes mayonnaise better than dressing on broccoli.”

“Wh-What…? Onii-chan always eats his salad with dressing.”

“Salad, yes. But he likes mayonnaise on cooked broccoli. He told me that before.”

When I was playing the game, I thought, “Who are you to complain about the condiments when you’re just eating what’s given to you?”

I never thought this knowledge would be useful in a situation like this.

“What? Are you trying to show off? You said you weren’t making lunch anymore.”

Appearance aside, Kokona-chan’s breathing grew ragged, sensing the difference in taste and my understanding of Shindo-kun’s preferences.

She was my rival, so the difference must be frustrating.

“No, that’s not it. I just wanted to give you some advice, Kokona-chan.”

I placed my hand on Kokona-chan’s shoulder.

“Don’t touch me!”

But my hand was immediately swatted away.

“Ouch…”

A jolt of pain shot through my hand.

“Ah, Amatsuki Suzuna… your hand…”

My hand had several band-aids on it.

I cut myself with the knife.

“It’s… nothing. I’m not good at cooking.”

“Why… would you go that far…?”

Her expression said she didn’t understand my actions.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? I’m… rooting for you, Kokona-chan.”

“Seriously…?”

She was still half-doubtful, but my inexplicable actions lent some credibility to my words.

“Yeah, Shindo-kun needs you, Kokona-chan. I just want to help you.”

“…Why… all of a sudden? It’s like you’ve become a different person…”

The hostility in Kokona-chan’s tone softened slightly.

Her words were a bit unsettling, but she probably doesn’t suspect anything.

“Here, try another bite.”

“If you insist…”

Just as she was about to take a second bite—

“—Suzuna…? What’s going on here?”

““?!””

A sudden visitor.

Riri-chan stood behind us, smiling.

But her tone was completely different.

And judging by the tense atmosphere and her stiff smile, she wasn’t happy…

T/N:

I’ve decided to maintain honorifics like the following ones:

• Senpai : “Upperclassman” or “senior.”
• Kouhai : “Underclassman” or “junior.”
• Sensei : Used for teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers, artists, writers, and other professionals or figures of authority and expertise.
• Onii-san : “Older brother.” Can be used for one’s actual older brother or for a young man who is slightly older.
• Onii-chan : A more affectionate version of “Onii-san,” often used by young children for their older brothers or by girls/women to express closeness.
• Onee-san : “Older sister.” Can be used for one’s actual older sister or for a young woman who is slightly older.
• Onee-chan : A more affectionate version of “Onee-san,” used similarly to “Onii-chan.”
• ETC

Well, the common ones that appear in manga or anime, I already edited the previous chapters.

13 Under a Spell

“Teach Kokona how to cook? You, Amatsuki Suzuna?”

After school, I approached Kokona-chan, who had come to pick up Shindo-kun.

Fortunately, Shindo-kun had been called out by a teacher and had left the classroom, so he didn’t overhear our conversation.

“Y-Yeah. I was thinking…”

“It’s unnecessary.”

“…Eh?”

An immediate rejection.

And one laced with clear irritation.

Seeing such a disgusted expression almost broke my spirit.

“Frankly, it’s none of your business. There’s no reason for me to learn from you.”

“Well, I used to make lunch for Shindo-kun, so I thought I could teach you some of the things he likes…”

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I still have Amatsuki Suzuna’s memories, so I remember the dishes she used to make for Shindo-kun.

I know the seasonings and portions, so it shouldn’t be a bad deal for Kokona-chan.

“What’s that supposed to mean? You gave Onii-chan up to Kokona, and now you’re trying to interfere?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

I’m trying to be helpful…

“Or what? You were going to admit defeat, but you can’t really give up, so you’re trying to leave some trace of Amatsuki Suzuna with Onii-chan by teaching Kokona your cooking?”

“Uh, um…”

Isn’t her imagination a bit… overactive?

I don’t feel that way at all, but Kokona-chan seemed extremely displeased, piling on negative assumptions.

“That’s creepy. You’d go that far to leave your mark on Onii-chan? Just how underhanded are you?”

U-Underhanded… I’m aware of that side of me, but I’m not being like that now…

“Besides, Kokona’s cooking is definitely more delicious than yours. Why would I need to learn from you?”

“W-Well… maybe… depending on the dish, mine might be more to Shindo-kun’s liking…”

My voice trailed off as Kokona-chan’s expression turned demonic.

“Kokona’s cooking is definitely more to Onii-chan’s liking than yours! Don’t say such weird things!”

“S-Sorry!”

W-Wait a minute…

I’m her senpai, right…? Why am I being scolded like this?

Even if you’re trying to be helpful, there are times when it’s unwanted.

But this is a bit much…

“More than anything, I don’t want you interfering with Onii-chan’s matters anymore!”

“I’m not trying to interfere…”

“You’re interfering way too much! Just because you’re feeling a little confident, don’t act all high and mighty with me!”

C-Confident…?

I’m not confident at all.

But she didn’t give me a chance to argue.

“Forget it, Onii-chan’s at the staff room, right?! Kokona’s going to pick him up!!”

Snorting, Kokona-chan stormed out of the classroom.

Kokona-chan’s complete refusal to listen to me painted a clear picture of a bad ending.

◇◇◇

“—So, you’re like this because she rejected you?”

“…Yeah.”

Completely heartbroken, I couldn’t move from my seat.

Having lost the will to go home, I slumped over my desk, my vision sinking into darkness.

It was after the sounds of the crowd faded that Riri-chan spoke to me.

“But do you really have to be this depressed just because she rejected you?”

Riri-chan crouched down and peered at my face, turned sideways on the desk.

Her brown hair, illuminated by the setting sun, was dyed crimson, reflecting the light with a glossy sheen.

“I worked up the courage, you know… so being rejected with such a disgusted expression…”

“You’re so sensitive.”

Instead of comforting me, Riri-chan offered a harsh remark.

“Don’t say anything more, you’re kicking me while I’m down…”

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

I know she didn’t mean any harm, but it still hurt someone with a fragile mentality like mine.

Even if I know it, I can’t help it, because I am weak.

“What are you doing here, Riri-chan? Shouldn’t you be going home with your cheerful friends?”

“I’m waiting for you so we can go home together.”

“The friends I’m talking about are the sparkly girls just like you. I’m introverted and gloomy, so don’t lump me in with them.”

“Wow… Suzuna, you really get like this when you’re feeling down…”

Riri-chan chuckled, looking troubled, and stood up again.

Her skirt swirled in front of me.

Since her skirt is short, her bare thighs were exposed.

I thought her legs, not too thin, with just the right amount of flesh, were beautiful.

Being this close, I could see the texture of her skin, which made me think so even more.

“There, there.”

I felt a warm touch on the top of my head.

“Eh… what are you doing?”

“I’m patting your head. It’s sad that you tried so hard but weren’t rewarded.”

Riri-chan was stroking my head.

Her hand glided over my hair repeatedly.

“Pity…?”

Or was this, like Shindo-kun, some kind of self-serving reward…?

“I just want you to feel better, Suzuna, that’s all.”

“That’s all…?”

“Yeah, sometimes things don’t go your way in life. But doesn’t it make you feel a little better to have someone by your side like this?”

What happened, happened.

But Riri-chan’s hand certainly helped to distract me from it.

Her touch was gentle and comforting.

When Shindo-kun reached out to pat my head, I instinctively dodged.

Because I didn’t want to be touched by him.

But I don’t feel that aversion towards Riri-chan.

In fact, I realized that my heart was gradually feeling lighter.

“…Maybe it does.”

“See? You were so brave, Suzuna. It’s okay to be rewarded a little.”

Her voice was gentle, directed solely at me.

Only Riri-chan seemed to understand my pain.

It was just that, yet it soothed me so much.

“You’re amazing, Riri-chan. Can you use magic to heal emotional wounds?”

I know there’s no such thing, but Riri-chan’s presence made me wish there was.

“I can.”

“…Really?”

I didn’t expect her to agree, since I said it as a joke.

“Yeah, but only for you, Suzuna.”

“Only for me…”

“That’s right. I can’t use it on anyone else, and I don’t want to.”

“I see…”

Those words were probably her way of showing support.

And I appreciated it.

“So, forgive yourself, Suzuna. You did your best today, and that’s enough.”

“Even though it didn’t work out, it’s okay?”

“It’s fine.”

“I see…”

“Yeah.”

In the after-school classroom, Riri-chan stroked my head.

The warmth of her hand remained more vivid than the fading sunset outside the window.

The weight in my heart gradually lifted. That was the magic she cast on me.

12 Distance of the Heart

Exchanging contact information, spending time after school together.

Not only that, but calling each other by our first names.

That’s what Hinase-san calls “friend distance.”

That might be true, but…

“Calling each other by our first names…?”

“Yeah, that’s natural, right?”

Me calling Hinase-san “Riri…”

Just imagining it felt strange.

It seemed too familiar, too presumptuous.

“I don’t mind if you call me by my first name, Hinase-san…”

“You won’t call me Riri?”

Without missing a beat, Hinase-san called me by my first name.

It was just that, yet it felt like the distance between us suddenly changed.

But that distance felt uncomfortable.

Too close, like how Hinase-san was pressing close to me now.

“I… I feel like it’s a bit different…”

“What’s different?”

It’s one thing if she initiates it, but it’s different if I have to do it.

“I… feel resistant to calling you by your first name, Hinase-san. Like we’re not that close yet…”

“Making lunch for your childhood friend is way more intimate than that. Compared to that, calling each other by our first names as friends is normal.”

Hinase-san kept bringing up Shindo-kun.

That’s also when her demeanor changed.

I don’t understand.

Where’s the casual consultation she promised? This is different.

“Come on, say it. It’s one-sided if it’s just me.”

Hinase-san’s arm reached past my face and planted her hand on the wall.

It was as if I was trapped by her.

It felt suffocating, like my freedom was being taken away.

“Why are you so insistent? I think it’s fine to call each other whatever’s easiest.”

“If I leave you alone, Suzuna, you’ll stay like that forever, right? That’s why I’m trying to get closer.”

“I don’t understand… I don’t think you need to try so hard to get closer.”

“You know, distance doesn’t shrink unless you take a step forward yourself.”

Hinase-san said something that seemed obvious, yet slightly strange, with a serious expression.

“But you’re already close, Hinase-san. If I get any closer, we’ll be stuck together.”

“That’s fine.”

“That’s weird, that’s definitely weird.”

“What constitutes ‘close’ depends on the relationship.”

I really didn’t understand.

So she’s saying that this distance isn’t considered close for friends?

Is she saying this distance is normal?

If so, I really think making friends is difficult.

“Or are you saying you don’t feel anything for me, Suzuna?”

…That’s a low blow.

She was speaking so forcefully just now, and suddenly she’s using such a weak voice.

Being looked at with such an anxious expression makes me feel bad.

I don’t want to make her feel that way.

It’s as if I’m the one doing something wrong.

“…Fine.”

“Then call me by my name.”

Postponing it was not an option.

Hinase-san immediately demanded an answer.

That speed felt like she was rushing me.

I took a moment to compose myself, to steady my breath.

“…Riri…-san.”

“…You don’t need the ‘-san.’”

“I called you by your name.”

“But you don’t need the ‘-san.’”

“You didn’t say that.”

“Well, it’s in the way. It’s like we’re still strangers.”

Hinase-san is selfish.

I worked hard to do what she asked, and now she’s saying it’s not good enough.

“Then forget it. It’s fine if we’re strangers, Hinase-san.”

“Ah, come on, don’t get sulky.”

“I tried, I really tried.”

“Then try a little harder. You’re almost there.”

…It seemed like Hinase-san wouldn’t let me go unless I called her by her first name.

Is this what friendship is about, demanding more and more?

“Riri-chan.”

“…You don’t need the ‘-chan’—”

“Hinase-san, I’m leaving.”

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I put all my strength into pushing Hinase-san’s arm away.

“Ah! Okay, okay! ‘-chan’ is fine! Just call me by my name?!”

“…Fine.”

She finally relented… Riri-chan released me.

This is how she closes the distance between us.

It was within acceptable limits, but now she’s demanding the same from me.

I don’t feel like I have a good grasp of what “friend distance” is.

◇◇◇

“Ehehe…”

Leaving the music room, Riri-chan was in high spirits.

The tense atmosphere from just a moment ago seemed like a lie.

“Why are you so happy?”

“Because you called me by my name, Suzuna.”

“Is that all?”

“That’s all.”

…Well, the effort required to say the words is the same.

If she’s this happy about it, then maybe it was worth the effort.

“What about you, Suzuna? No, wait.”

“…I—”

I don’t dislike it.

I was resistant to being called “Suzuna” by Shindo-kun, but I don’t feel that resistance with Riri-chan.

I think that’s the answer.

“…It’s… okay, I guess.”

“Eh~ Be happy about it!”

What Riri-chan says is difficult.

Everyone feels differently, so I wish she’d forgive me for having slightly different reactions.

“And we didn’t even get to my problem. Somehow we ended up talking about calling each other by our first names.”

“A-Ahaha… that’s true.”

Riri-chan scratched her cheek, looking embarrassed.

She probably felt awkward since she was the one who brought it up.

“Ah, I have an idea. Why don’t you teach Kokona how to cook directly?”

Riri-chan’s voice brightened as if a lightbulb went off.

She definitely just thought of that. She must have completely forgotten about my problem until now.

…But I’ll let it slide since she’s thinking about it now.

“Teach her how to cook, huh…”

Certainly, if I do that, there’s no involvement from Shindo-kun, so my affection level with him won’t increase.

And if Kokona-chan’s cooking improves, her affection level will probably go up.

It seemed like a decent plan.

“…But there’s a problem with that.”

“What?”

“Who’s going to teach her?”

Riri-chan widened her eyes in surprise.

“Well, you, Suzuna.”

“…Seriously?”

“Obviously. Who else would do it?”

Well, she’s right, but…

Even though I share her memories, I’ve never actually cooked before, so I’m not sure I can.

“…How about… you teach her, Riri-chan?”

Hinase Riri has a domestic side.

Despite being a gal, she has the skills to handle all sorts of housework.

“No way. Why should I teach a classmate I barely know, especially his younger sister, how to cook? She wouldn’t want that either.”

She had a point.

I’d refuse too if I were in her shoes.

“Then how about I film myself cooking and show her the video?”

“No… that’s not going to work either.”

Riri-chan looked exasperated.

“Eh?”

“If that worked, she’d already be good at cooking. You have to teach her directly.”

“…How about a video call?”

“Why does it always have to be through a screen? I said directly.”

That means I have to communicate with Kokona-chan directly.

“…That’s a pain.”

Amatsuki Suzuna isn’t well-liked, so it seems tiring.

And teaching someone something means I have to talk a lot.

Doing that face-to-face is quite stressful.

“Do you want to do it, or do you not want to do it?”

“I don’t want to.”

“…You’re a strange one, Suzuna.”

“Am I?”

“You suddenly stopped making lunch for Shindo, you seem worried that Kokona started making it, but you don’t want to teach her? That’s pretty strange.”

Well, she’s right.

Is this the original Amatsuki Suzuna’s fault, or is it mine for being reborn as her?

It’s a shame I can’t explain it.

“It’s strange that you became friends with someone as incomprehensible as me, Riri-chan.”

I replied to Riri-chan sarcastically, venting my frustration.

“Uehehe… of course.”

…But she didn’t seem to mind.

Instead, every time I called her “Riri-chan,” her face softened into a smile.

11 The Childhood Friend’s Risk Hedge

…This isn’t good, is it?

It happened during lunch break.

Watching the tragedy unfolding before me, I started to feel anxious.

“What’s wrong, Onii-chan? You’ve stopped eating.”

“…N-No… It’s just… the taste…”

A seemingly harmonious lunchtime for the Shindo siblings.

The younger sister prepares lunch, and the older brother eats it.

It should be a heartwarming scene, but how did it end up with such an unsettling atmosphere?

“The taste, what?”

Kokona-chan’s tone sharpened at Shindo-kun’s vague response.

Her tone sounded angry, and Shindo-kun flinched and recoiled.

“…No, it’s so delicious that… it’s a waste to eat…”

“I see, that’s good then. Which part was the most delicious? Tell me so I can keep it in mind for the future.”

“Ah, well… this grilled squid is quite…”

“That’s tamagoyaki.”

“?! Wh-Why does this egg have such a springy texture…?!”

“Huh? Onii-chan, what was that?”

“Ah, no… It’s so delicious, I thought it was grilled squid!!”

“Onii-chan, were you always such a fan of squid…?”

Listening to them gave me a headache.

How can you mistake an egg for squid…?

Is there something wrong with Shindo-kun’s taste buds, or is Kokona-chan’s cooking from another dimension…?

Well, I think it’s the latter…

“S-Suzuna…”

Shindo-kun turned to me with puppy-dog eyes.

Unable to bear it, I stuffed my face with my sandwich and looked out the window to escape.

“Hey! Amatsuki Suzuna isn’t making lunch anymore, so stop looking away and eat Kokona’s bento!”

“A-Ah…”

“Do you have a problem with that?!”

“No, ma’am!!”

Initially, I thought this situation would be fine because Kokona-chan’s cooking skills would improve.

But I overlooked a crucial point.

In the original story, there’s a scene where Kokona-chan challenges Amatsuki Suzuna to a bento battle.

However, Shindo-kun always chooses Amatsuki Suzuna’s bento.

From that defeat, Kokona-chan studies Amatsuki Suzuna’s bento and her cooking skills improve.

In other words, Kokona-chan’s cooking skills improve because she has Amatsuki Suzuna as a rival.

But what about now?

“Ah, these asparagus are more crisp and delicious than usual.”

…Aren’t they just undercooked?

“That’s broccoli.”

W-Wrong again?!

“?! W-Why is it just the core…? Where’s the fluffy part…?!”

“Eh, was it bad…?”

“No, it’s like haute cuisine!! I’m in awe of your originality!!”

“Oh, good. I’m glad.”

Yes, she’s on her own now.

Since Shindo-kun can’t refuse Kokona-chan and continues to eat her cooking, she’s not getting any proper feedback.

…At this rate, I can’t imagine their relationship improving or her affection level increasing.

Two heroines have already dropped out, and I want to avoid any more casualties.

◇◇◇

There’s a reason why I need Shindo Minato, the protagonist of this game, to end up with one of the heroines.

An ending where he doesn’t end up with a heroine means a bad ending for a dating sim.

In that case, the story is forced into an ending where Amatsuki Suzuna watches over the lonely Shindo Minato.

Of course, since it’s basically a bad ending, there’s no depiction of them becoming lovers or anything.

However, Amatsuki Suzuna, who has feelings for him, is the only one left in the end.

Even though it’s not depicted in the story, it wouldn’t be strange if they ended up in a relationship afterwards.

Anyway, I don’t have any feelings for him, so I don’t want to be forced into that kind of situation.

“…That being said, this is troublesome.”

I finished my sandwich and stood up.

I needed to come up with a plan.

I went out into the hallway to think things over alone.

I headed towards the music room at the back of the school building, where there were fewer people.

The number of people gradually dwindled.

“Amatsuki-san!”

…A cheerful voice called out from behind me.

“Hinase-san… did you… follow me?”

I can’t imagine Hinase-san being here for any other reason.

“No, it’s a coincidence.”

Her eyes darted around.

She definitely followed me.

“I’m trying to think about something.”

“Then let’s talk!”

“Did you… hear me?”

“You hate it when we talk in the classroom. It’s fine here.”

Saying that, Hinase-san linked her arm with mine.

“H-Hey… Hinase-san, what if someone sees us?!”

“It’s fine, we’re just friends.”

No, it’s not that, it’s our social standing, how it looks…

As if sensing my impending objection, Hinase-san forcefully pulled me along.

“Okay, I get it. We just can’t be seen.”

She opened the music room door.

It was empty inside.

“See? This is fine, right?”

“…Not really.”

“It’s not bad either, right? So what were you thinking about?”

“…It’s nothing to do with you, Hinase-san, so there’s no point in telling you.”

“Then it’ll be easier for you to talk about it casually. Sometimes it’s better to talk things out than to think in silence.”

…She was forceful just a moment ago, and now she’s saying something sensible.

Hearing her say that, it sounded strangely convincing.

I’m weak against Hinase-san at times like these.

“…Do you know that Kokona-chan is making lunch for Shindo-kun?”

“Yeah, I saw you staring at them earlier, Amatsuki-san. So I kind of figured it out.”

…Huh?

That’s a strange sequence of events. Why does she know about it through me…?

Well, it’s not something worth questioning.

“Kokona-chan doesn’t seem very good at cooking, and Shindo-kun seems to be struggling eating it.”

“Is that so? Does that bother you?”

“Well, yeah… Kokona-chan is working so hard to make it, so he can’t say anything bad, but I feel bad for him having to eat it.”

Actually, I’m just worried about managing his affection level.

“Are you that close to the Shindo siblings, Amatsuki-san?”

“Well, yeah… I’m childhood friends with the older brother.”

“Hee… So you feel bad for him, huh?”

Hinase-san’s tone of voice seemed unusually low.

…C-Could it be?

Is she starting to develop feelings for Shindo-kun as a heroine?

“Hinase-san, are you interested in Shindo-kun?”

“Eh? No, he’s just a classmate. I haven’t really talked to him much.”

“…But are you a little interested?”

“? Not particularly.”

…It’s no use.

It’s probably my fault for making her skip the event.

It’s going to be extremely difficult to get her interested in him from here.

Then, I’ll just have to rely on Kokona-chan.

“Shindo, what did you do for lunch before? Couldn’t you just go back to how things were before Kokona started school?”

“…No, absolutely not.”

Going back to how things were means Amatsuki Suzuna making lunch.

Then the bento battle with Amatsuki Suzuna would begin, and Kokona-chan’s cooking level would rise.

But at the same time, there’s a risk of increasing my affection level with him. That’s not what I want.

“Why?”

“I used to make his lunch. I don’t want to do that anymore.”

“…Huh?”

“Eh?”

Suddenly, Hinase-san’s voice sharpened.

It was the first time I’d heard such a tone from her. It was scary.

“You… made lunch for Shindo, Amatsuki-san?”

“Uh, yeah… but…”

Hinase-san leaned closer.

But it wasn’t her usual playful manner. It was an unspoken pressure, a sharp intensity.

I instinctively recoiled.

“…Ah, sorry, sorry. I was just surprised. You did that much for him, Amatsuki-san.”

Hinase-san smiled apologetically, her voice returning to its usual brightness.

The stark contrast only highlighted how different she was just a moment ago.

“Y-Yeah… I’m not doing it anymore, though.”

“Is that so? Did something happen between you and Shindo?”

No, something happened with me, the new Amatsuki Suzuna, not with him.

“Well, Kokona-chan is making his lunch now… and I didn’t want to cook anymore…”

“But you still care about him, don’t you, Shindo?”

Hinase-san’s voice hardened again, though not as much as before.

“Well… yeah. He’s my childhood friend.”

Or rather, he’s the protagonist, so I’m just scared of when his clutches will reach me.

“I see, your childhood friend. …That makes sense.”

Hinase-san nodded several times.

But it seemed like she was forcing herself to accept something she didn’t quite understand.

“I thought you were trying to keep your distance from people, Amatsuki-san, but is it different with a childhood friend?”

“Uh… well, I guess so.”

Strictly speaking, it was the original Amatsuki Suzuna who maintained that childhood friend distance, not me, Yukitsuki Mashiro.

But I can’t erase the actions she took. That past remains.

“Then, it’s okay if I treat you like a friend too, right?”

Hinase-san moved closer again.

With the wall behind me, I had nowhere to go.

“What do you mean by… treating me like a friend…?”

“Names.”

“Names…?”

Hinase-san’s face was close.

Close enough to feel her breath.

“Let’s call each other by our first names. It’s too formal to always use last names and honorifics.”

“Eh…”

“It’s unfair that only Shindo gets that childhood friend level of closeness. Treat me like a friend too.”

Hinase-san’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes.

I’m still not used to them focusing solely on me.

10 The Imouto Heroine’s Indignation

The alarm on my phone blared in the morning.

I opened my eyes and forced myself to get out of bed, my body heavy as lead.

Rubbing my eyes, I checked my phone and saw a message from Hinase-san.

“I had fun today. Let’s go again sometime.”

The message was from last night.

It was followed by a sticker of a white bear walking happily.

“…I didn’t reply, did I? Come to think of it.”

Hinase-san’s message arrived after I’d gotten into bed.

I briefly wondered how to reply, but the timing was bad.

I still haven’t adjusted to this life, and I’m exhausted.

I fell asleep almost instantly.

“I need to reply.”

I sent a sticker of a penguin saluting with the word “Roger.”

It was simple, but if I tried to type a message, I’d probably spend a while agonizing over it, so I decided against it.

I don’t have time for that in the morning.

I finally managed to drag myself out of bed.

◇◇◇

Amatsuki Suzuna’s mornings start early.

That’s because she has the role of waking up her classmate and childhood friend, Shindo Minato.

“…Seriously, wake yourself up in the morning.”

Of course, I’m not doing that anymore.

His little sister, Kokona-chan, will wake him up even if I leave him alone, and if he oversleeps, it’s his own responsibility.

It’s certainly not my fault or my duty.

So I leave the house later than the original Amatsuki Suzuna.

Opening the front door, the morning sun streamed in—

“Good morning, Amatsuki Suzuna. You’re quite late this morning.”

—Kokona-chan was there to greet me.

◇◇◇

“…Um.”

How did this happen?

I’m now walking to school with Kokona-chan.

And Kokona-chan beside me is radiating an unsettling aura.

I’ve never seen her act like this before.

Normally, she’s a brocon who’s always attached to Shindo-kun.

So why is she here alone, and moreover, why did she come to Amatsuki Suzuna’s house?

I don’t understand.

“What’s with that sleepy face? Did you oversleep, is that why you’re late today?”

“Well, I am sleepy, but I didn’t oversleep. I intended to leave around this time.”

“You always come to wake up Onii-chan, but you didn’t come yesterday or today, did you? What are you playing at?”

“What am I playing at…?”

Should I just tell her that I’m rooting for the Kokona-chan route?

“Isn’t being devoted to Onii-chan Amatsuki Suzuna’s only redeeming quality? So what in the world happened to make you change like this?”

It seems Kokona-chan is suspicious of my sudden change in attitude.

I think she should be happy that a rival is out of the picture, but why is she so indignant?

I really don’t understand.

Anyway, should I just declare that I’m no longer a love rival?

“I’m not going to wake Shindo-kun up in the morning anymore, and I’m not making him lunch either. I’ll leave taking care of him to you, Kokona-chan.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious.”

Kokona-chan’s gaze pierced me.

“So you’re giving up on Onii-chan?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

“Aren’t you being a little too nonchalant about it?”

“…Am I?”

The intensity of Kokona-chan’s presence beside me continued to increase.

It’s amazing how she can exude so much energy in the morning. Youth is wonderful.

We’re only a year apart, but I couldn’t imitate her.

“I’m not stupid. I know you’ve liked Onii-chan since we were little. It’s annoying, but I thought your feelings were genuine…”

Kokona-chan’s shoulders trembled.

I don’t know what kind of emotions she’s experiencing.

“Were your feelings… just that much?!”

“Well, yeah.”

“That’s why I’m saying you’re being too nonchalant!!”

Kokona-chan bared her fangs at me.

Ah, what should I do?

I don’t want to make Kokona-chan angry.

In fact, I want to make her happy, but no matter what I say, she gets angry.

“Ah… how should I put it? I’ve come to realize my own limitations? I finally understood that Shindo-kun is out of my league.”

“It’s not like Onii-chan is that great of a catch, he’s actually a good-for-nothing!!”

Ah, so we agree on that.

Then, should I approach it from that angle?

“Yeah, he’s a bit… irresponsible. I’m not a fan of that.”

“Don’t badmouth Onii-chan! That’s what’s cute about him!!”

Eh…

I don’t get it anymore…

This conversation is impossible.

I can’t keep up with such a complicated conversation with my poor communication skills.

“So, what exactly don’t you like, Kokona-chan?”

“You, Amatsuki Suzuna, were the one who liked Onii-chan even with all his flaws! It’s annoying… extremely annoying, but I acknowledged that about you!!”

Ah…

Is this the “love rivals are also understanding confidantes” type of conversation?

I don’t understand that kind of thing at all…

Love rivals are definitely enemies.

Having the same crush just leads to jealousy, and I definitely don’t want to share my feelings.

…Ah, I’m sorry.

This is just the delusional ramblings of an introvert who’s never had a boyfriend.

It’s all manga and novel fantasies. I have no real-life experience.

“…How should I put it? I realized there’s a girl who’s better suited for him, someone more… encompassing, so I thought I should step aside.”

Whatever.

I just want her to understand so she’ll leave me alone.

I don’t want Kokona-chan to act out of character on top of Hinase-san and me already deviating wildly from the original story.

Just stick to the heroine route, please.

“…Hah?! Who are you talking about?!”

“…Well, that would be…”

I couldn’t say it was her.

Kokona-chan’s feelings for Shindo-kun are supposed to be her top secret.

Even though it’s obvious to everyone that she’s head over heels for him, the siblings themselves are oblivious.

Obliviousness must be genetic.

That’s why I hesitate to name her directly.

“Good morniiing! Amatsuki-san, you’re too slow to reply! Being left on read really hurts, you know?”

“Wah…”

Just as I smelled a sweet fragrance from behind me, Hinase-san hugged me.

“Hey, Hinase-san, don’t cling to me.”

Even though we’re friends now, I don’t remember allowing her to get this close.

I peeled off Hinase-san’s arms, which were clinging to me affectionately.

“No, you have to atone for ignoring me.”

“I’m sorry for the late reply, but I’ve never heard of clinging as a form of atonement.”

Even so, Hinase-san continued to cling to me.

Like an amoeba, she slipped through my grasp and pressed against me.

I don’t understand why she’s doing this.

“Hinase Riri! What are you doing to Amatsuki Suzuna?!”

Kokona-chan, who was watching from the side, stared wide-eyed.

Of course she would. Even I would react that way if I saw two people with such contrasting appearances interacting like this.

“Amatsuki-san, who is this?”

“She’s Shindo-kun’s younger sister, Shindo Kokona-chan.”

“Ahh, I see.”

Hinase-san nodded and smiled at Kokona-chan.

…That smile seemed somewhat forced, but it must be my imagination.

“Good morning, Kokona. As you can see, I’m greeting my friend, Amatsuki-san.”

“Friend…? You’re friends with Amatsuki Suzuna?”

“Yeah, we hang out together.”

“W-Wait… the eternally lonely Amatsuki Suzuna has a friend…? And it’s… Hinase Riri…?”

Even though Kokona-chan is new to the school, word of Hinase-san must have reached her. She seemed surprised by the stark contrast between the two of us.

“…!! ‘I realized there’s a girl who’s better suited for him, someone more encompassing…’ Amatsuki Suzuna, is that what you meant?!”

Hm…?

Why did Kokona-chan suddenly seem convinced?

The timing is strange.

“You two are going to become even closer from now on, right?”

“Hinase-san, your face is too close.”

“You two…!!”

Hinase-san is clinging to me, and Kokona-chan is angry.

This morning is too high-calorie.

A peaceful morning feels so far away. It’s painful.