After My First Love Who is My Classmate Became My Family, My Childhood Friend Became Really Sweet to Me - Chapter 16

Lap Pillow/Can I Go Out with You?/Hinata’s Conflict

Even after we finish our dinner, Tsukino spends her free time in my apartment. Tsukino often comes over to my apartment to spend her free time and relax, so it’s not a strange sight.

I am spending my free time talking with them and helping Hinata with the housework, but before I knew it, Tsukino is napping on the sofa with Hinata’s lap as her pillow.

Come to think of it, I was dozing off myself right after we had dinner. That’s how hard we worked on the preparation for the Holy Night Festival.

“Did Tsukino fell asleep? Sorry about that Hinata.”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind at all. I’m the one who told her she can lie down at my lap. If you want, I can give you a lap pillow too Yuto.”

“Can I take that seriously?”

“…e-ehh, if you say so it might be a bit… But if Yuto wants to, it’s totally fine by me…”

“…no, I’ll pass that offer. I’ll be strangely conscious of Hinata if you give me a lap pillow.”

I carefully sit down next to Hinata.

“But aren’t you spoiling Tsukino too much by giving her a lap pillow? …well, I can’t say much about it either.”

“Yuto, you take care of Tsukino more than anyone else in this world. You and Tsukino are like a princess and a knight.”

“I don’t think that’s really cool.”

“I think Tsukino trusts Yuto more than anyone else. I’m sure that Tsukino-chan wouldn’t be able to live without Yuto.”

Hinata looks down at Tsukino who is sleeping peacefully.

“But I can say the same thing for Yuto. Tsukino-chan is someone Yuto absolutely needs by his side.”

“…me, Tsukino?”

Those words are really unexpected to me. I’m the one who have been spoiling Tsukino since she was a little girl.

“Yuto wants to be the kindest person in the world just like his mother. That’s why he tries to be kind to everyone. But I think you need someone like Tsukino, someone you can entrust everything to. For example, there will be people who takes advantage and disrespects Yuto’s kindness. Every time Yuto meets those people, I think your dream will be slightly diminished.”

Gently, Hinata pats Tsukino’s head.

“On top of it, Tsukino always relies to Yuto with all her heart. With a girl like that by Yuto’s side, you will be able to be your true self.”

“…me, being my true self.”

“I think Tsukino-chan probably realized it too. I think Tsukino-chan realizes that you need her. Well, I don’t have any proof, but I have a feeling.”

Somewhere deep within my heart, I feel like I have an obligation to help Tsukino.

But, isn’t that different?

I’ve always been supported by Tsukino as well.

“I think the princess can live peacefully because she has a knight by her side, and the knight can live like a knight because he has a princess to protect. It’s perfect just like Tsukino-chan and Yuto. …I’m so grateful to you Tsukino, because I like the Yuto he is right now.”

“…is that so.”

“Yuto, you confessed to Tsukino that you want to be her boyfriend, right? …it’s okay, go out with her, don’t worry about me.”

The unexpected words made me look straight into Hinata’s eyes.

“Hinata, are you really okay with that? You were so relieved when you found out Tsukino isn’t going to participate in the ‘Confession of The Holy Night’ event.”

“I’m fine—I’m just being stubborn I guess.”

Hinata is smiling shyly at me.

“I like my life now. Yuto says good morning to me, eats his meals with such relish, and even helps me with housework sometimes. I feel that these ordinary days are really special to me. But if Tsukino-chan goes out with Yuto, and these ordinary days would end… it’s very scary just to think about it.”

At that moment, I can’t take my eyes off Hinata.

“But I can really feel how much Tsukino-chan loves Yuto. I don’t want the two of you remain childhood friends forever just because of me. So you don’t have to worry about me, okay?”

“………”

I’m sure Hinata said those words not whole heartedly.

However, I can’t nod my head in agreement with Hinata’s words.

“As expected, you’re still worried about me, aren’t you? Yuto is that kind of person.”

As if in penitence, Hinata turns her head down.

“I’m sorry. I’ve always been spoiled by you, Yuto. That’s why I’m causing trouble for Tsukino-chan. I have to get over this so that my little brother can have a girlfriend.”

“No, I don’t think it’s right to apologize. It’s not anyone’s fault. I kind of understand how Hinata feels. I was also really worried that Hinata might be confessed by someone at the ‘Confession of the Holy Night’ event.”

“Eh…? R-Really?”

“I was so restless when thinking what if Hinata really is dating someone secretly. That’s why Tsukino was angry at me earlier.”

Though I want Hinata to laugh at my words, her expression remains gloomy.

“I don’t want our family relationship to be broken, so please stop blaming yourself.”

“…thanks Yuto.”

But Hinata looks down at Tsukino who is sleeping tightly with a regretful expression on her face.

“But still, I’m bothered by this, if I don’t change… Tsukino-chan’s love will remain unrequited.”

“…Hinata.”

“I’m sorry, I’m going back to my room now. Please take care of Tsukino-chan for me.”

Gently putting Tsukino’s head down onto the sofa, Hinata leaves for her room.

In the silence, I can’t stop thinking about Hinata’s face who was looking down at Tsukino sadly.