After My First Love Who is My Classmate Became My Family, My Childhood Friend Became Really Sweet to Me - Chapter 6

End of The Date/Yuto’s Determination/Little by Little

About five minutes later, Yarihara returned to us.

“Hey, where did Tsukino senpai go?”

“She’s feeding the cats. Look, over there.”

I pointed at Tsukino who was feeding the cat snacks which is sold in the store. Tsukino looked at the cat affectionately and fed it gently.

I actually wanted to feed the cats too, but all of them seemed to ignore me when I approached them, so I had no choice but to watch Tsukino feed them. Maybe the cats don’t like me?

“Anyway, you came back here with a nonchalant look on your face, you left the table without saying anything because you didn’t want to disturb us, right?”

“I don’t know what are you talking about, I only went there because the manager called me.”

It looks like she is playing dumb, but I’m sure what she said isn’t true.

In spite of how she acts, Yarihara is more considerate than anyone else.

“But I’m surprised, I never thought that Tsukino-senpai is in love with Paisen. I thought I know every romantic relationship in the student council, but I never realized it.”

No wonder Yarihara never realized it before, Tsukino didn’t want anyone, especially me to know about her feelings to me, so she kept it hidden for a very long time.

“But when you think about it, it absolutely makes sense. Yuto paisen and Tsukino senpai is really close after all, it’s not strange if they begin to date each other.”

“Eh, is that so? I thought all childhood friends are like that.”

“I wonder if that’s how childhood friends see each other… Well, I don’t know because I don’t have one.”

Yarihara chuckled and said.

“Did you notice? Tsukino-senpai always has a blank expression on her face when she’s talking with other people in the student council, but when Paisen comes over, she looks a little brighter, you know? Just like a happy kitten when its master comes home.”

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t notice it.

I don’t want to think about it too much because that’s just how Tsukino is, we’ve been together since we were little, and I feel most comfortable when I’m next to Tsukino.

“Until now, I was thinking if that’s what childhood friends all about. But at least Tsukino senpai seems different.”

“…at least, huh?”

I understand what Yarihara is trying to say, Tsukino may have feelings for me, but I only saw her as my childhood friend.

Because back then, I was in love with Hinata.

“Well, maybe it’s none of my business, but paisen, you’re not forcing it are you?

“What do you mean by forcing it?”

“Well, Paisen liked president Hinata right? But then Tsukino senpai confessed her feelings to you, I’m worried if you’re dating Tsukino senpai half-heartedly.”

Ah, I see, so that what she meant.

I’m still trying to forget my first love to Hinata while Tsukino confessed her feelings to me. So Yarihara is worried about that.

…thanks Yarihara. I’m glad you’re being so kind to me.

But don’t underestimate me too much.

“I don’t want to be unfair about it. I mean, dating Tsukino with such half-hearted feelings is just unacceptable.”

Maybe it was because I’m speaking more roughly than usual, Yarihara looked at me as if she was surprised at my words.

“Tsukino had confessed her feelings to me. If I don’t face Tsukino’s feelings seriously, I feel like I don’t deserve to stay beside her as a man, moreover a childhood friend.”

“Eh—so paisen, what about president Hinata?”

“I think I’ve made peace with it… Hinata is no longer my classmate, but she is my family, my older sister.”

What I said to Yarihara is not a lie or a presumption. It’s what I truly felt from my heart.

That’s why I had my first and last date with Hinata as classmates.

Hinata is Hinata, whether she is a classmate or a family member, she is still my first love and that is just the truth of it.

So I want to face the truth and cherish Hinata as my family. That is what I had decided.

“…paisen, that’s really great. You were madly in love with president Hinata.”

“Madly in love huh?”

“I’m not exaggerating it, you were so single minded about your love for president Hinata you know? I even thought that you’re going to confess your love for her even though you found out she is your half-sister.”

Yeah… Tsukino also told me something similar.

“Paisen is really admirable. It’s not like it’s someone’s fault or anything like that, but even though you’ve had your heart broken, you moved on forward instead of dwelling on it forever.”

“…I think this is the first time you’ve ever given me a proper compliment.”

“That’s not true! I always respect you, don’t I?”

“Well, if you say so. Thanks Yarihara.”

Yeah, I think I’ve come to a conclusion about my feelings to Hinata.

That’s why from now on—I need to face my feelings for Tsukino.

How do I actually feel about Tsukino, not as my childhood friend, but as a girl, as a potential partner. I think I need some time to figure that out.

“Hey Yuto, look, look.”

As I looked over to the Tsukino, she was tickling a cat’s neck.

“He looks really pleased, maybe now he will allow Yuto to touch him?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Come to think of it, I haven’t got a chance to pet the cats yet.”

After I gave Yarihara a small smile, I walked over to Tsukino.

I’ve spent a long time with Tsukino as childhood friends, but it would be nice if we could slowly get to know each other as classmates.

It is just the first date after all.