A Story About a Girl Who Took Life for Granted and Fell in Love With a Kind and Introverted Boy - Chapter 10.2

No matter how many times I asked, Kenji didn’t answer and just looked down, his cheeks and ears turning bright red. I couldn’t understand what was happening.

“What’s wrong, Kenji? Are you feeling sick?”

“…Hahaha, no, it’s just…”

He forced a smile, then moved slightly away from me.

“I’m sorry, it’s just…I’m embarrassed.”

“Embarrassed? About what?”

“Well, because you…are too close.”

“…! Ah! I see! Kenji, you’re blushing!”

“Uh, well…”

“Kenji, you’re really not used to girls at all! Come here and sit next to me!”

“K-Kana…!”

When I snuggled up to Kenji again, he got even more embarrassed.

He was sweating and fidgeting, clearly the embodiment of a boy who was not used to girls.

I found Kenji’s reactions really cute, and I couldn’t help but smile. I thought about giving him a kiss on the cheek, but since we were in the library and there were other people around, I decided against it.

But if there’s a place where no one can see us, should I do it a little?…I thought to myself.

So, after many days of going to the library with Kenji, I finally finished my homework.

“Ah! I’m finally done! Yay! Happy!”

As the sun set, Kenji and I walked home side by side. I stretched my arms up and pulled my shoulder blades back, and Kenji watched me with a gentle smile.

“You did well, Kana-san.”

“Now I can play without worries! Ah, that took so long!”

“Yeah! We can finally have fun.”

“I want to go to so many places! Like the summer festival or the aquarium!”

“Hehe, that sounds nice.”

“Actually, this might be the first time I finished my homework so early!”

“Is that so?”

“Usually, I end up finishing everything around December.”

“December!? Is that really okay? The deadline must have passed by then…”

“Yeah, the teachers were all surprised and asked, ‘What month is it now?'”

“My heart hurts…I don’t think I could handle that kind of sarcasm…”

“You’re no good, Kenji! You need to toughen up your mentality like I do!”

Kenji chuckled while saying, “Geez…”

“Hey, hey, Kenji, how about we have dinner together today?”

“Huh? Is that okay? You’ll be home late.”

“It’s fine! Just today! As a reward for finishing my homework, let’s eat together!”

“Well…hmm…”

“Come on, Kenji! Is that a no?”

“…Okay, I get it. Let’s go together.”

“Really!? You’re the best, Kenji! You understand me!”

Just as I was getting excited, someone called out, “Huh? Is that you, big sister?”

When Kenji and I turned to look, there stood Miyuki, wearing her uniform and carrying her bag over her shoulder.

“Huh? Miyuki! What’s up?”

“Well, I had club activities today…Were you two on another date?”

“Not exactly a date, more like a study session.”

“A study session?”

“I finished my summer homework! My mom was really nagging me about it.”

“Eh!? You, big sister…?”

“What? You don’t believe me?”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you…”

Miyuki frowned, looking uncertain. She seemed to doubt me but also thought it might be rude to doubt her sister.

Kenji clearly stated to Miyuki, “Miyuki-san, Kana-san really worked hard. She finished everything properly today.”

“R-Really? Saito-san?”

“Yes.”

“…I see. If Kenji-san says so, it must be true, big sister.”

“What’s that!? Why don’t you trust me?”

“That’s because of your usual behavior. Summer homework is something you should do as a matter of course.”

“Hmph, Miyuki, you’re such a dummy.”

“Hey! Don’t call me a dummy! That’s the truth, isn’t it?”

As Miyuki and I began to get tense, Kenji quickly stepped in, saying, “Hey, hey, both of you.”

“It’s not good to argue, Kana-san.”

“But Miyuki is…”

“Still, fighting isn’t good. Okay?”

“…Fine.”

After calming me down, Kenji turned to Miyuki.

“And Miyuki-san, if you could trust Kana-san a little more…I would be happy. I don’t know her very well yet, but I don’t think she’s the type to lie.”

“──!”

At that moment, my heart really…hurt deeply.

I unconsciously sweated in my hands and clenched them to hide it.

“Well, it’s true that big sister isn’t the type to lie…or rather, she’s too honest in a way…”

“Yes, I think that’s a wonderful thing about Kana-san.”

“…I understand. I’m sorry for saying something rude.”

As Miyuki and Kenji were talking, I felt as if I was watching something distant, like a video on my smartphone, as if it were happening on the other side of the screen.

“Okay, Kana, as promised, let’s do the punishment game!”

(…I’m a liar. I really am a liar.)

Kenji believes in me so purely. If he ever heard that I lied…even Kenji would surely come to hate me.

That must be…absolutely…the one thing I cannot let happen.

“Kana-san?”

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Kenji looked at me with concern. Miyuki was also watching me closely.

“What’s wrong, big sister? You seemed lost in thought.”

“Ah…no, it’s nothing. I just thought I was hungry.”

“Ah, I see. So, Kana-san, should we go eat now?”

“Yeah.”

“Got it, then let’s go.”

Kenji turned to Miyuki and said, “I’m sorry,” and added a brief apology.

“We’re going to head out now.”

“Oh, okay. Please continue to take care of my sister.”

“No, no, the same goes for me.”

“Then big sister, you’ll be home later than usual today?”

“Um, yeah.”

“Okay, I’ll let mom know. That you finished your homework too.”

“Yeah.”

Miyuki smiled slightly and walked past me. As she was leaving, she came close and whispered softly so Kenji couldn’t hear.

“Big sister, you’re really being taken care of by Saito-san.”

“……………………”

“…I’m jealous.”

“……………………”

And with that, Miyuki went home. I turned my head slightly to watch her back.

“…Miyuki.”

“Kana-san? What’s wrong?”

“…Um, it’s nothing.”

“How about it? Is there something you want to eat?”

“Ah, I want to go eat pasta at the station.”

“Pasta?”

“Yeah, I saw that a new place opened up in Insata.”

“Sounds good, let’s check it out.”

“Yeah.”

So, Kenji and I walked side by side to the restaurant.

The sun had disappeared behind the buildings and was no longer visible.