89 When Feelings Run High
“Honestly, what is with that girl?”
In the end, since Riri-chan and Kanaori-san would fight whenever they were together, I had them work separately.
Once we made some progress, we decided that the rest of the cleanup could be handled by the class, and I saw Kanaori-san off.
Everyone was intimidated by Kanaori-san, so I naturally ended up escorting her to the hallway.
“Suzuna, you’re supposed to be over here!”
Just as I thought that, Riri-chan’s angry voice called out from behind me, but…
“Come on, the cleanup went really well thanks to Kanaori, so just be quiet.”
“That’s different from Suzuna!”
“Fine, fine, if you don’t be quiet, I’ll post pictures of you in your maid outfit all over social media.”
“What?! When did you even…?”
Tachibana-san was placating Riri-chan.
I overheard something I couldn’t ignore, but I’ll leave it to Riri-chan, who was vehemently protesting.
“Thank you for your help, Kanaori-san.”
I bowed my head in the hallway.
Thanks to her, it seems like we’ll finish within the allotted time.
“No, I just did what was necessary. Don’t worry about it, Amatsuki-san.”
As expected of Kanaori-san, she’s so magnanimous.
“By the way, did things work out with… the matter you consulted me about during the cultural festival?”
“Ah, um, well…”
That’s right.
I confided in Kanaori-san during the cultural festival, and she told me it was romantic love I felt for Riri-chan.
“Yes… thanks to you, it… somehow worked out.”
I’m not sure if it’s okay to tell Kanaori-san this.
But I can’t just not answer after she listened to my worries.
“I see. That’s good.”
Contrary to my anxiety, Kanaori-san smiled.
Maybe she’s genuinely happy for me.
“It’s thanks to you, Kanaori-san. Thank you.”
“No, I didn’t do anything. And I won’t pry, but please… conduct yourselves appropriately at school. I don’t want to have to reprimand you, Amatsuki-san.”
“Ah, yes, we’ll be careful.”
She’s so understanding and mature…
“If you have any other concerns, please feel free to consult me.”
Kanaori-san turned to leave, but—
“Um, can I ask you one more thing?”
“Yes, certainly. But that was… quicker than I expected.”
She turned around in surprise, as if caught off guard.
“Um… I want to give that person a birthday present, but what do you think I should get her?”
“A present…? Honestly, I don’t have any experience with that, so I can’t offer any specific advice…”
Kanaori-san pondered, even as she said that.
“Of course, everyone has their preferences, but if it’s something you choose with genuine care, Amatsuki-san, I’m sure she’ll be happy with anything.”
“Anything…?”
“Yes. If someone can only be happy receiving something they specifically asked for, then they’re probably narrow-minded. If they truly care about you, they should appreciate your feelings, Amatsuki-san, and the effort you put into choosing the present.”
“I see…”
I might be being presumptuous, but I think Riri-chan would accept anything I give her with a smile.
So it’s not about the gift itself, but the thought behind it.
“But I can’t compare to your experience in that area, Amatsuki-san, so please disregard what I said.”
“N-No! Not at all! Thank you very much!”
“I’m glad I could be of help. Well then…”
This time, Kanaori-san really left.
“Suzuna! Forget about her and come back here!”
“Ah, yes! I’m back!”
Urged by Riri-chan’s irritated voice, I returned to the classroom.
◇◇◇
“Ah, finally, it’s over.”
Riri-chan stretched widely.
The cleanup after the cultural festival was finished, and we were walking home together, as usual.
“Y-Yeah.”
“There was more heavy lifting than I expected. The boys went overboard with the decorations.”
“That’s true.”
“Well, thanks to that, we apparently had the highest sales, so I guess it was worth it…”
“I see.”
“Suzuna?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“…Hello?”
“I know, it happens.”
“…Hey, are you even listening to me?!”
“Ouch!”
Riri-chan flicked my forehead.
And it was pretty hard.
“Why are you spacing out?”
“Ah, I wasn’t spacing out…”
“You were. We weren’t even having a conversation.”
Ah, was I…?
I was a little nervous, so my mind was elsewhere.
“What’s wrong? Do you have something on your mind?”
“Well, not really a problem, but…”
I’m just trying to work up the courage to tell you.
I’m so nervous about preparing myself mentally.
“What is it? Come on, tell me. Your girlfriend will listen to anything.”
“O-Okay, just don’t say it like that.”
Emphasizing “girlfriend” makes it even harder to say.
“Ah, there’s a park over there. Let’s talk there.”
“Uh, y-yeah…”
A park, a splash of green, a sudden break from the concrete jungle of the residential area.
It wasn’t large, but the feeling of being separated from the surrounding space was somewhat calming.
We sat down on a bench under the trees.
“So, what’s wrong?”
Riri-chan asked, crossing her legs.
“Um, well, Riri-chan, your birthday is… coming up soon, right…?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“That day… I want to celebrate with you.”
“Okay, and?”
Riri-chan immediately uncrossed her legs and moved closer.
This might be an acceptable distance for lovers, but I don’t think it’s appropriate in public.
“I was wondering if you’re… free…”
“Suzuna, did you forget?”
“Eh, what…?”
“I told you I’d clear my schedule for you, Suzuna.”
“Ah, yeah… but I was wondering if it was really okay…”
I’ve never celebrated anyone’s birthday before, so I’m nervous about asking.
I think it’ll be fine, but I’d be worried if she refused.
“Of course it’s okay! I’ll be with you, of course. I’m looking forward to it!”
“H-Hey, Riri-chan!”
Riri-chan snuggled up to me and even rubbed her cheek against mine.
Riri-chan’s skin is so smooth, it feels nice, but…
I’m more flustered by the closeness than the sensation.
“What if someone sees us?”
“It’s okay, no one’s around.”
It’s true that no one was around, but we’re still in a park.
Someone could come by at any time.
“Besides, you want to be seen, don’t you, Suzuna?”
“No, that’s…”
I can’t deny it…
But that doesn’t mean I should just admit it…
“What should we do? Kiss?”
“Huh? …Wh-Why so suddenly?”
“Because I’m happy you invited me, Suzuna.”
“Well, that’s only natural…”
“Then it’s also natural for lovers to kiss.”
“Ugh…”
That’s not fair.
“So, is it okay?”
“…It’s neither good nor bad.”
Riri-chan’s hands cupped my cheeks.
Her hands held my face in place, forcing me to meet her gaze.
“If you want to refuse, just push my hands away.”
That’s unnecessary.
She knows I won’t do that.
Riri-chan is making sure I’m consenting.
Riri-chan’s fingers tightened slightly.
Her warmth reached me, and then our lips met.
The third kiss felt much more… real than the first time.
Riri-chan’s lips moved against mine, as if to envelop them.
Then I felt something touch my tongue.
“Mmn…!”
A wet, slippery sensation.
Riri-chan’s tongue touched mine.
It traced my tongue, as if licking it.
Wh-What is this…?
As if sensing my surprise, Riri-chan pulled away.
“Riri-chan, what are you doing?”
“Eh…? A lover’s kiss…?”
“I-I didn’t know you were going to do that!”
“Well, it’s not something you’d say out loud, is it? And your face is bright red, Suzuna.”
Her cheeks were also red, even as she said that.
I wasn’t prepared for that, so I was surprised.
“If you’re going to do something new, tell me beforehand!”
“That’s too much to ask…”
“Tell me!”
“Well… it depends on the mood, doesn’t it?”
Apparently, my invitation made Riri-chan very excited.
I’m already flustered just from inviting her, so it’s unfair of her to make me even more flustered.
90 Just the Two of Us: Hinase Riri’s Side
Today is a school holiday, making up for the cultural festival.
And it’s Riri-chan’s birthday.
“It’s so hot…”
We decided to celebrate at Riri-chan’s house, so I walked there wearing denim pants, a T-shirt, and a backpack.
The end of July is the peak of summer heat.
“I see, that’s why Riri-chan is always so energetic, because she was born in this season. It must be.”
I entertained that illogical thought.
Is this heat really just from the temperature, or is it because I’m nervous about Riri-chan’s birthday?
I couldn’t tell.
Anyway, I somehow endured the heat and arrived in front of Riri-chan’s apartment building.
I rang the intercom.
“Coming!”
A cheerful voice came through the speaker, and the automatic door lock disengaged.
It was much cooler inside the entrance than outside.
I took the elevator to Riri-chan’s floor.
I rang the intercom at her door.
—Click
The door opened.
“Suzuna, you made it!”
“Eh?”
Riri-chan jumped at me as soon as the door opened.
Or rather, she hugged me.
I quickly stepped inside and closed the door.
“What if the neighbors saw us?”
“You’re always so worried about what other people think, Suzuna.”
Riri-chan was wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
Being so close to her, with so much skin exposed, made me flustered.
“It would be troublesome if they looked at us strangely.”
“Strangely how?”
“Well… if they thought we were… that kind of couple…”
“We are that kind of couple, so it’s fine, isn’t it?”
Please don’t say that while your arms are around my neck.
This closeness fuels unwanted imaginations.
“And won’t people find out eventually?”
“I… wonder…”
“They will. Because you’ll be with me forever, Suzuna.”
“Ugh…”
Riri-chan casually says things that make me embarrassed.
“Well, I don’t intend to hide it anyway.”
She says the most outrageous things so nonchalantly.
“You don’t?”
“No. It would be impossible to keep it a secret forever, wouldn’t it?”
Is that so…? Maybe…
“Well, I won’t be open about it as long as you want to keep it a secret, Suzuna. But that day will come eventually.”
“That’s true…”
I’m a little scared of people finding out that we’re dating.
Partly because we’re both girls.
But more than that, I don’t think I’m good enough for Riri-chan.
I feel embarrassed.
“Well, that doesn’t matter now. Come on in.”
Riri-chan took my hand.
“Ah, okay.”
I entered her apartment.
“Aren’t you hot wearing denim pants?”
Riri-chan looked me up and down and said that as soon as I entered.
She seems to have an issue with my outfit.
“I am, but… this is all I have.”
“Of course you’re hot. Why don’t you wear a skirt or shorts, Suzuna?”
“No way, I don’t want to show my legs.”
“That’s a waste. You have nice legs, Suzuna.”
I’m happy to hear that, but…
“You’re the only one who says that, Riri-chan.”
“Well, no one else has seen them. You change so quickly at school, Suzuna.”
“Because I don’t want to be seen.”
And I also change when there are fewer people around, so the chances of being seen are quite low.
“Well, that’s fine. It makes you feel like… you’re only mine, Suzuna.”
Seemingly satisfied, Riri-chan brought over a tray with glasses.
“This is iced tea.”
“Ah, sorry. I’m making you do everything on your birthday…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s nothing.”
She placed the glasses on the low table.
Riri-chan sat down in front of the bed, and I thought, “Now’s the time,” and steeled my resolve.
I rummaged through my backpack and took out what I bought.
“Here, it’s cake and some other sweets.”
I handed her the box with the shop’s name written in cursive.
“Oh! I was wondering why your backpack was so big.”
Riri-chan’s eyes widened as she accepted the box.
“And this is from that new shop that opened near the station, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I heard it’s good.”
It’s based on online reviews.
Sorry if they were fake.
“Wow, thanks, Suzuna. It must have been hard to buy all this.”
“Well… it was a bit crowded.”
It was a painful crowd of fashionable people, a nightmare for someone with social anxiety.
I would never go there if it wasn’t for Riri-chan’s birthday.
“I bought a variety, so choose whichever one you like.”
I bought a lot since I don’t know her preferences.
This is another time when I’m reminded of how little I know about Riri-chan.
I’m sure she wouldn’t hesitate this much if she were choosing something for me.
“Okay, thanks.”
Riri-chan picked up a slice of cheesecake and put it on a plate.
“You like cheesecake?”
“Yeah, I think I like it.”
“I see. What else?”
“Anything is fine.”
No, I’m sure there are other things she likes.
“What do you like the most?”
“Eh, let me see…”
She glanced at the contents of the box.
She’s hesitating because it’s probably not in there.
I think she’s avoiding saying it because she doesn’t want to make me feel bad.
Riri-chan is always so subtly considerate of me.
“It’s okay even if it’s not in here.”
“Okay, hmm…”
Riri-chan made a troubled expression, then reluctantly spoke.
“Mont Blanc, I guess.”
“Hmm…”
As expected, it wasn’t among the things I bought.
And I also realized that she likes sweets that aren’t too sweet. That’s unexpected.
“Ah, but I like cheesecake just as much!”
Riri-chan added quickly, as if trying to reassure me.
She doesn’t have to worry about that.
But this is fine.
I want to know more about Riri-chan.
“That was delicious.”
“Yeah.”
Riri-chan and I ate the cake while chatting, as usual.
There were still other sweets left, but we took a break.
Now’s the time.
“Riri-chan.”
“O-Oh.”
Riri-chan’s voice was a bit tense, perhaps sensing my seriousness.
I reached into my backpack again and handed her what I had grabbed.
“Happy birthday!”
“Thank… you…?”
A black case rested in Riri-chan’s hands.
That’s my present.
“S-Suzuna-san…?”
“Ah, open it.”
She seemed like she wanted to say something, but I stopped her.
I want her to see the present first.
“O-Okay…”
She opened the case.
Inside was a silver chain with a small ring pendant.
“A necklace…?”
“Y-Yeah.”
I saw Riri-chan wearing a necklace with her casual clothes, so I thought it would be okay.
“N-No way… Suzuna, this is… too much.”
“Eh?”
I felt like I had been hit on the head.
Riri-chan’s sudden flustered reaction made me panic.
Eh, is it no good…?
Is a necklace a bad present…?
Ah, or does she not like the design?
I-I’m sorry, I have no taste…
“…I shouldn’t have chosen something like this…”
I got ahead of myself.
I’ll go back to the drawing board.
Or rather, please erase this from your memory.
“That’s not it, it’s just… it’s too much.”
“Ah, okay, I know. I’m not good enough for you, Riri-chan. I got ahead of myself…”
“That’s not what I mean! You gave me a stuffed animal, so I feel bad receiving something this… serious…”
“…Hmm?”
Apparently, she meant that our presents weren’t… equivalent.
“That’s not true.”
“The price is completely different.”
“It’s silver.”
It wasn’t that expensive.
“Even so…”
It’s rude to talk about prices, so Riri-chan didn’t press further.
But I also didn’t want to give her something cheap or tacky.
So I chose a brand I’ve heard of, even with my limited knowledge, so it should be a decent necklace.
“Do you… like it…?”
“Of course I do, since you chose it for me, Suzuna.”
Riri-chan looked at me with a slightly reproachful look.
A mixture of happiness and confusion… maybe?
“I’m glad. Then try it on.”
I moved behind Riri-chan.
“Eh, Suzuna…”
I took the necklace from her and clumsily fastened it around her neck.
It shimmered against her skin.
It suits her, and I think it’s cute.
I chose a small one, so it’s not too flashy.
“I’d be happy if you wore it…”
“Of course I will!”
“Whoa!”
Riri-chan turned around and jumped at me again.
My upper body sank into the bed.
“Thank you, Suzuna. I’ll treasure it.”
“Yeah, I’m glad.”
Riri-chan genuinely seemed happy with my present.
That makes me happier than anything.
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