After Distancing Myself From the Childhood Friend Couple Who Looked Down on Me, I Started Interacting With a Small Animal-Like Beautiful Girl - Chapter 13

[Daiki’s Side]

–––You don’t have to force yourself to go out with someone like me, Daiki. I’m sorry for everything up until now.

What the heck? What the hell is going on?

Even while studying for the test with the group members, I couldn’t stop shaking my leg under the desk.

He never spoke to me so firmly and clearly before, but now he even gave me a forced smile and pushed me away. That’s the place where he should give up and obey.

Is he getting cocky just because he got close to Saitou Ino? Then, why is Saitou going for the plain and unremarkable Yukito instead of me, the handsome and charming one?

Even though he’s Yukito, even though he’s Yukito, even though he’s Yukito!!

“–––Should we wrap it up soon? It’s a good time, after all.”

Pretending to just notice, I say while looking at the clock.

I couldn’t bring myself to continue studying any longer.

“Yeah, that’s right. I don’t feel like anything is going to stick in my head anymore…”

“Let’s go home, let’s go home~”

It seemed that the other members also wanted to wrap things up, so they immediately started cleaning up.

They didn’t even properly listen to my explanation, and before I knew it, they were fiddling with their phones and munching on snacks. Sometimes I wonder why I’m hanging out with these guys.

When we exited the entrance, the sky was shifting from a deep crimson to a light gray.

“Seri, see you tomorrow!”

“Bye-bye.”

“See you later, Daiki!”

I wave goodbye to the three people going in the opposite direction and start walking with Serika.

Serika entwined her arm with my left arm as usual.

The soft sensation against my arm calms the turmoil in my heart a little.

I want to touch her directly again soon. If I say it’s a reward after the test, Serika might forgive me.

“Hey, Daiki.”

“Hmm?”

In a sweet voice, Serika asks when we are alone together.

“Does Daiki really want to get close to that girl? If you want a female friend, you have others, so what’s the big deal?”

Is it when I stopped Yukito?

At that time, I didn’t realize it until Yukito told me, but Serika saw me inviting them to the study group.

Serika is jealous, so she’s probably worried that I might get interested in other girls.

When I returned to this person, she showed a slightly sulky demeanor but then acted as usual, so I didn’t think much of it. But it was still going on?

“I told you before, right? The more difficult a girl is to win over, like Saitou Ino, the more a guy won’t care about what happens after they get close. If I can win her over, my reputation as a man will go up, and it will prove that I’m a good man who can make Serika fall for me even more.”

If I include the meaning of wanting to be seen better by her, Serika will agree with a shy smile. Just that alone makes her so happy because she likes me that much.

However, Serika’s reaction this time was different from what I had expected.

“That, but I and everyone else think that Daiki is already cool just the way you are, right? Rather than proving that, I’d be happier if you just looked this way.”

Serika goes from a subtle expression to a bright smile in an instant.

If I say something like that, she should come over happily saying, “Oh, Daiki, come on~” and cling to me.

“Are you saying I’m looking elsewhere? Aren’t I always only looking at Serika?”

“Really~? Because lately, you’ve been looking at Saitou-san all the time. Did you… fall in love with her?”

“There’s no way! Really, it’s more like, it would be nice if we could get along a bit better. The only one I like is Serika in that sense.”

“Really?”

Serika’s nails dig into my arm.

Another usual jealousy time? I thought to myself, finding it bothersome, but softened my voice. As if gently unraveling Serika’s anxiety.

“Don’t be so jealous. Serika said you like me just the way I am now, right?”

“…That, I did say that.”

“Then trust me. Have I ever gotten close to a girl I was friendly with before? Have you ever seen me like that when I’m with Nanako or Ami?”

Serika suddenly opened and closed her distinctly double-lidded eyes and looked down.

I raised the corners of my lips and said even more gently to Serika as she immediately shook her head.

“I’m sorry too, I ended up relying on you. The only one I can show this side of myself to is you, Serika.”

“Daiki… I’m sorry, I–––”

“It’s fine. This evens things out, right?”

I leaned in and kissed Serika.

Serika’s expression, which had been slightly stiff, immediately softened.

Confident that Serika’s anxiety has been alleviated, I smirk inwardly.

This person is really easy and cute.

“It’s the last day of exams, let’s hang out together. You didn’t have any plans, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Serika nods with a smile.

I imagined the last day of the test and desperately tried to suppress the smile that was about to break out.

I will invite Serika to my house on the same day, and from there, I will create a natural flow to engage in the act. After what happened this time, she definitely won’t refuse the invitation.

If she was overwhelmed with anxiety to the point of doubting her boyfriend’s love, she must have a strong desire to confirm it directly.

Serika can reaffirm our bond, and I can release the pent-up desires and stress. This is truly killing two birds with one stone.

After I walked Serika home, I headed back to my place with a light step.

“…I believe in you, Daiki.”

Not knowing that Serika was softly murmuring her lingering anxiety while watching my back.