Actually, the Hungry Gyaru Who Eats a Lot Was Being Cheated On, so I Decided to Win Her Heart (And Stomach) From Her Jerk Boyfriend - 58

Chapter 58: The Awkward Moment and the Hungry Gyaru

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“Sawa, Rinoa! We’re baaack!”

We returned to the baggage area, and Sasamoto cheerfully called out to Miura and Suzuki. Suzuki had been overheated and down for the count at the hot springs when we parted earlier, but as expected, she had completely recovered by now.

“Ohh, welcome back, you three.”

“Welcome back. How was it?”

“No luck. And for today, I gave up on boyfriend hunting.”

“No, not that. What I want to hear is how it was when you went to have fun.”

Miura let out a small sigh. She didn’t seem to have even the slightest interest in Sasamoto’s boyfriend-making plans.

“Ohh, that. Yeah, it was super fun! The lazy river is seriously recommended!”

“That’s good, then. …By the way…”

She paused briefly and shifted her gaze to Shizuku and me. After staring at us intently, she asked Sasamoto suspiciously,

“…Don’t Shizuku and Suou seem kind of weird?”

So it looks that way to other people too.

I muttered inwardly, and Sasamoto raised both hands as if to calm things down.

“Let’s not worry about that. More importantly, Sawa and Rinoa, aren’t you two about ready to go have some fun somewhere? Shizuku and Suou said they’ll watch the bags.”

“Eh, wait, Natsuki!?”

It was only natural that Shizuku panicked. Originally, we had agreed that once we came back, we’d switch who was watching the bags but the plan had been for the three of us: me, Shizuku, and Sasamoto, to stay.

What the heck is Sasamoto thinking…!?

It wasn’t that I disliked being alone with Shizuku. Out of the four of us, she was the one I felt most at ease with, and after being allowed to do whatever we wanted until now, it was only natural for the two of us to stay behind. But still, now wasn’t exactly ideal. Being alone with Shizuku in the current situation was, frankly, extremely awkward.

Seeing the mismatch between Shizuku and Sasamoto’s reactions, Miura looked puzzled, but…

“…If that’s the case, I guess we’ll take you up on your offer.”

After a short while, she gave a small nod, as if something had clicked for her. Immediately after, Sasamoto clapped her hands.

“Okay, it’s decided! Then let’s go, go! C’mon, Rinoa, you’re coming too! Up you get!”

“Ugh… fine, whatever. Well then, Shizuku, Suou, looks like you’re on bag duty.”

“Sorry, but watch our stuff for us.”

“O-okay. Have fun…”

And with that, the two of them, bringing Suzuki along as well, quickly left the area. Once the three of them were out of sight, I slowly sat down on the sheet where the bags were placed. Shizuku was already sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest, positioned about two people’s worth of distance away from me.

From here, it was a bit hard to hold a conversation but right now, that distance almost felt just right.

What am I even supposed to talk about with Shizuku in this situation…?

What I had told Sasamoto earlier… My type in women. It was, without question… Shizuku. To be fair, it wasn’t like I had no awareness of it at all. Watching the way Shizuku ate was satisfying, and for some reason, it made me feel warm inside. And thinking back, I had told her something similar before. But at the time, I had only meant that I liked people like that. There hadn’t been any deeper intention behind it.

…But I never realized she matched my type exactly.

It was only by putting it into words that I clearly acknowledged it myself. Ever since then, I hadn’t been able to properly look at Shizuku’s face, and I could only talk to her through Sasamoto. Shizuku probably understood that too. That was likely why this subtle tension had been lingering between us.

Come to think of it, this might have been the first time in my life….

Even if only slightly, I felt suffocated by the absence of conversation. Normally, no matter how long the silence lasted, I wouldn’t feel anything. That said…

If you asked whether I wanted to date Shizuku… Honestly, I didn’t know. I certainly liked her, but I couldn’t tell whether that feeling came from romantic love. After all, Shizuku was the first person I could ever call a friend. I had no way to compare whether this emotion was affection born of friendship or something more. And if Shizuku still hadn’t changed her mind about not wanting to date anyone, then me directing feelings toward her would only trouble her.

I really shouldn’t have said something unnecessary.

I was lost in those aimless thoughts, reflecting on myself, when—

“Hey, Suou-kun.”

Shizuku timidly opened her mouth. Her face was buried in her knees, and only her eyes flicked toward me.

“…What is it?”

“What you said to Natsuki earlier… Was that true?”

She meant my preferences. I hesitated over how to answer, but after a brief moment of deliberation, I made up my mind.

“Yeah. It’s true.”

When I replied shortly, Shizuku said, “I see,” and buried her face fully into her knees. At that moment…

“…Jeez.”

She seemed to mutter something softly, but I couldn’t ask her about it. Then silence returned once more. It became unbearable to remain wordless, and I turned my gaze away from Shizuku.

It was right after that…. The slight distance between us… Both of us looking away from each other… And the complete silence… It was probably the combination of all of that.

“Hey, hey, wanna hang out with us for a bit?”

Out of nowhere, an unfamiliar, carefree voice called out to Shizuku.

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