After Distancing Myself From the Childhood Friend Couple Who Looked Down on Me, I Started Interacting With a Small Animal-Like Beautiful Girl - Chapter 32

Saitou-san… The day after, we were able to call each other by our first names.

The shock that ran through the classroom when I exchanged greetings with her was nothing compared to the first time Ino-san spoke to me.

The only ones who spoke to me normally were Kouki and Shirou, and the curious gazes from other classmates and students from different classes who had heard the rumors continued to be felt even as the days changed.

Even though I shouldn’t have done anything wrong, being seen like this makes me feel like a suspect being taken away in front of everyone.

“Being a popular guy is tough, huh?”

“Aren’t you becoming somewhat of a celebrity in a way?”

“Both of you are enjoying this, aren’t you…?”

I glared at Shirou and Kouki, who were grinning smugly, and wiped the sweat trickling down my forehead with the collar of my gym uniform.

It’s now the second period of PE. In preparation for the upcoming sports festival, physical education classes are being used for practicing the dance to be performed in the afternoon session and for practicing the competitions. Then, the dance is divided into red and white teams and is performed by each grade.

Since the main event is approaching, today’s main focus is on the outdoor group practice, which includes the first group of students. Right now, it’s a five-minute break, and we’re taking shelter in the shade of the school building.

“When Saitou called Yuki ‘Yuki-chan,’ I was surprised, but then I thought, ‘Wow, they’ve come this far,’ and it made me smile.”

“Moreover, Yukito also calls her ‘Ino-san’ …If you think about it, isn’t it kind of amazing that they’re not dating?”

“Do you think so too? It would be great if they just started dating already.”

“We won’t have to feel like our lives are in danger anymore…”

From a certain point, Shirou and Kouki whisper to each other with serious expressions.

They have become so close in such a short time that it’s a bit surprising. Especially Kouki, who is supposed to dislike outgoing people, might have been the reason his relationship suddenly became so close.

But for me, the two of them are in a relationship that feels quite close, even beyond childhood friends. When I hang out and chat like this with them, or see the two of them getting along well, it makes me happy.

I casually scan the surroundings with my gaze, searching for a certain person.

That person was sitting in the shade a little distance away from where we were. Ino-san is sitting cutely with her knees hugged, with her long hair tied back.

Since she always has that hairstyle during gym class, I have been used to it even before we started interacting. The way her tufts of hair that stick out here and there sway whenever she moves is like the tail of a long-haired cat. Also, she’s just really cute.

…I guess I’m a bit creepy right now, huh?

When viewed from a distance like this, it becomes clear once again that she is a presence that stands apart from those around her.

Such a person wanted to call me by my first name. She allowed us to be close to each other.

Since that day when I was first spoken to, the miracles have continued, and I feel so happy every day that I wonder if I might be punished for receiving so much.

“Five minutes have passed, so we will resume the full practice!”

“Please gather and split into red and white teams!”

The dance leaders of the red and white teams call out, and the students return to the field.

To me and Shirou from the White Team, only Kouki from the Red Team said something as we parted ways.

“When I don’t have a part during the performance and during breaks, I will definitely come to your place…”

While giving a wry smile at Kouki’s lonely expression, Shirou and I nodded and headed towards the place where the White Team was gathering.

While taking my position, I look around at the faces of my classmates in the White Team. I know it won’t change no matter how many times I look, but I can’t help but check.

The figure of Serika was not present today either, as she is in the same white team.

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

As the sports festival approached, Serika had been frequently absent from school.

Even when she came to school, her face was always downcast, and she hardly even wore the makeup she usually never forgot. The image of my childhood friend, who used to spread bright and innocent smiles, seemed to have vanished in such a short time.

“Hey, Seri, isn’t this super funny?”

“…Ahaha. Yeah, that’s true.”

Today, Kimura, a long-time acquaintance of Serika who came today, is talking to her while pointing her smartphone at her. Serika seemed to be somehow moving her cheek muscles to force a smile. The other member, Ueno, had a similar reaction.

I haven’t seen them together much lately either.

On the contrary, Daiki was more lively than before. Should I say that he now exudes a more confident aura?

It’s usual for Daiki to be surrounded by people, but recently, a certain person has joined them.

“What were you talking about? Daiki-kun.”

“We were talking about going out to celebrate the sports festival with this group. How about you, Yuika?”

“Wait, is it okay? Am I not being a bother?”

“There’s no way that’s true. Right?”

Voices of agreement rose one after another to Daiki’s words, and the invited girl smiled lightly, saying, “Well then, please take care of me.”

Already discussing plans for after the sports festival, Daiki and the lively group, including Higashi, were joined by a girl with a serene demeanor–––Takagi Yuika.

As if to take the place of Serika, who had been frequently absent, Takagi started attending this class. The destination was always by Daiki’s side. To her, Daiki naturally wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered sweet words.

It was clear to everyone that Daiki and Serika, the couple who were the center of the class, had broken up and that Daiki had a new girlfriend.

Almost no one knows what he did behind that refreshing smile. That only amplifies the indescribable feelings I have for Daiki.

“…Sounds fun.”

Shirou lets out a murmur that sounds like both mockery and mere emptiness.

His mouth formed a curve, but his eyes caught the slight wrinkle that appeared between his eyebrows. But I can’t say anything.

If I shift my gaze, Serika comes into view, and the more Daiki and the others get into their conversation, the more her expression darkens. If it were just a rejection, it wouldn’t be strange to be this downcast.

Imagining what might have happened among my childhood friends, the unease I felt when talking to Daiki crawled up my spine. I had no choice but to desperately try not to show it on the surface.

I wonder how it ended up like this.

I wonder when Daiki’s heart became so twisted.

If I were a person who could speak more clearly. If we are childhood friends and also friends, shouldn’t I have been able to do more?

On the one hand, I lead peaceful days, but on the other hand, such thoughts keep crossing my mind.

To Daiki, who has become so twisted that he can laugh even after hurting others, will my words reach him now? He probably won’t listen to the opinion of someone who has always been a coward.

One part of me is desperately trying to stop another part from leaning towards giving up. I keep repeating such things.

“Yuki-chan.”

The sensation of the shirt sleeve being lightly tugged brings my awareness back to reality.

When I turned in the direction I was called, I saw Ino-san standing next to me with a blank expression, staring at me.

“I want to see Maru again. Is it okay if I go today?”

She is obedient to her own will and doesn’t even try to come up with a plausible reason.

The thoughts covered in deep gray clear up in an instant. I let my guard down and couldn’t help but smile.

Unlike me, who is always haunted by cowardice in everything I do, she simply expresses her feelings and thoughts through words and actions.

I admire and respect those aspects.

“If it’s you, Ino-san, anytime.”

“Yay!”

Ino-san makes a small fist pump.

Her expression doesn’t change. However, Ino-san’s round eyes were sparkling faintly. The way the particles of light dance within her black eyes is like stars spreading across the night sky.

A warm and pure spring wells up from deep within my chest. Every time I spend time with her, it overflows endlessly, washing away my heart whenever it seems like it might be corroded black.

If I am allowed, I want to be by this light.

I want to share special moments together forever.

The feelings that had grown unknowingly were so immense that it felt presumptuous to give them a name I was aware of.