09 To Friends
“Oh…”
The waiter placed our order on the table.
I couldn’t help but let out a gasp at the sight.
Fluffy pancakes topped with whipped cream, strawberries, and strawberry sauce.
I’d seen pictures and videos, but seeing it in person was completely different.
“These are really good here.”
Saying that, Hinase-san picked up a knife and fork and began cutting the pancakes.
She cut a bite-sized piece, stabbed it with her fork, and lifted it.
“Here, say ‘ahh.’”
Hinase-san held out the pancake with a grin.
I had no idea what she found so amusing.
“What are you doing? I can eat it myself.”
“Come on, let me feed you.”
I really wanted to stab the pancake with my own fork.
But unfortunately, there was only one serving of pancakes and one set of cutlery.
In other words, I had no way to eat the pancakes other than through Hinase-san.
…I couldn’t just grab it with my hands.
“Come on, come on, it’s the pancake you were looking forward to, Amatsuki-san.”
Hinase-san temptingly wiggled the pancake.
It was like feeding a pet.
“It’s not good to play with your food.”
“Then eat it quickly. Here you go.”
Hinase-san extended her arm.
Before my eyes was a pancake covered in whipped cream stained pink with strawberry sauce.
This was torture…
—Nibble
Unable to resist any longer, I took a bite.
The soft texture and subtle sweetness filled my mouth, combined with the sweetness of the whipped cream and the tartness of the strawberries.
“How is it?”
“…It’s good.”
“That’s the first time I’ve seen someone say something’s delicious while sounding so grumpy.”
Hinase-san continued to look at me with amusement.
“I was just thinking it would taste even better if I could eat it myself.”
“Eh, it’s fine, it’s just this much.”
Saying that, Hinase-san continued cutting the pancakes.
She glanced at me.
“Want another bite?”
“I’ll eat it myself. You should eat too, Hinase-san.”
“You’re right.”
Hinase-san was about to bring the pancake to her mouth when she stopped abruptly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Amatsuki-san, will you feed me?”
Hinase-san’s eyes sparkled.
Did she really want me to do that?
“No, eat it yourself.”
“Aww, too bad.”
As Hinase-san brought the pancake to her mouth, a strand of hair fell loose.
Tucking it behind her ear, she exposed the skin of her neck.
Her bare skin was fair and smooth.
Even the simple act of eating looked picturesque. As expected of a beautiful girl.
She finally brought the pancake to her mouth, her shapely lips moving as she chewed.
“…It’s kind of hard to eat when you’re staring at me like that.”
“Now you know how I feel.”
“Not really. You’re still going to eat more, right, Amatsuki-san?”
Hinase-san placed her knife and fork on the plate.
She slid the plate closer to me.
“…I will.”
This time, I used the knife and fork myself and brought a piece of pancake to my mouth.
The sweetness spread through my mouth.
But being watched by Hinase-san while I ate still bothered me.
“Hey, didn’t you say you didn’t like sweets, Amatsuki-san?”
“…Did I say that?”
“You did. Yesterday, right after you helped me, I tried to thank you and asked if you liked sweets, and you said you didn’t.”
I actually remember. I said that so I wouldn’t have to accept her offer.
Besides, I’m not sociable enough to readily share my preferences with others.
If asked about my preferences, I’d just brush it off with “normal” or “I don’t like it.”
I’m aware that I’m a difficult person.
“I like sweets.”
“Then why did you lie?”
Hinase-san’s gaze pierced me.
She’s always smiling, but at times like this, her expression becomes serious.
I didn’t like that atmosphere.
“…It’s nothing. I’m just embarrassed to tell people what I like.”
That’s the truth.
Keeping my distance from others is a habit of mine.
It won’t change, and I don’t really want it to.
It’s best to keep a healthy distance from others.
That way, I won’t get hurt, and I won’t hurt anyone else.
I think it’s best for everyone, nothing but good can come of it.
“So, that means we’re close now.”
“…Eh?”
That caught me off guard.
“Because you don’t tell other people your preferences, right? I know now, so that means we’re close.”
…Hinase-san relentlessly closed the distance I tried to maintain.
It bothered me somewhere deep inside.
It was a place within me, normally unstimulated, that I couldn’t quite pinpoint.
But it made me feel restless, like I couldn’t stay still.
“You only found out because of the conversation.”
“But I still found out.”
“That’s true, but…”
“We’re friends now.”
Hinase-san smiled.
It’s unfair how she can soften the atmosphere at a time like this after being so serious just a moment ago.
Her expression made me feel relieved.
“We even exchanged contact information, so we can’t just be classmates anymore, can we?”
“…Well, I guess not.”
“Say it.”
Hinase-san leaned closer across the table, listening intently.
Since her hair was still tucked behind her ears, even her soft-looking ears were exposed.
“…Say what?”
“That we’re friends.”
“…”
I didn’t want to.
“Come on, don’t be silent, I won’t know if you don’t say it.”
But she wouldn’t be satisfied if I didn’t say it.
“…‘We’re friends.’”
“You’re totally doing that on purpose, aren’t you?”
Hinase-san puffed out her cheeks.
She looked cute like that, but it might not be good to provoke her any further.
I decided to obediently comply.
“…Hinase-san and I are friends.”
“Yes, that’s right!”
This time, Hinase-san’s voice was filled with genuine joy.
I felt restless and couldn’t look her in the eye.
To avoid the awkward silence and appear normal, I took a bite of the pancake.
…However.
“The pancake… has lost its flavor…”
“Eh, why?”
I think it’s because of the emotions welling up inside me.
Hinase-san was invading the space within me that was supposed to be empty.
I can remain calm because there’s nothing there, but she’s disrupting that.
But for some reason, I didn’t feel annoyed.
It was strange, but I knew it was because it was Hinase-san.
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