Bizarre Love Triangle - Chapter 3.9
Saying so far, Haruka averted her gaze to the outside of window,
[If that’s the case, my body also belongs to Akiha, and that’s all I can do…]
She turned her gaze to me once again. Then , with a clearer intention than before,
[That’s why….. let’s kiss]
Saying that, Haruka slowly closed her eyes and lifted her face slightly. Her face was dyed in a peachy color. Her slender body relaxed to receive all in.
———Haruka’s face was illuminated by the lights of the distant Tokyo nightscape.
Her face looked younger than Akiha’s, but still delicately formed.
Her thin lips, which were probably covered with lip balm, were moist and glossy, and glittered like a galaxy in the light beneath her feet. (T/N : I guess that’s where title of this chapter comes, the Galaxy in her lips)
———In front of this sight, my heart was beating like a horse running at full speed.
It was still cold at night, but I was sweating all over.
———-It was the first time a girl had ever said such a thing to me.
Until now, I had a person like everyone and I’ve wanted to confess my love as much as anyone else.
But I’ve never taken concrete action, and I’ve never had anyone take concrete action against me.
That’s why, this was the first time someone made such an offer to me and it was adorable.
If I look at the body of Haruka in front of me, she is exactly like Akiha whom I have a crush on.
Even if I ignore this, I simply think that Minase Haruka is a cute girl. Because she’s my friend, I don’t think much of it that way though. She has a modest personality, a kind heart, and is more than pretty enough to look at.
When she makes an unexpected proposal, I feel an irresistible pull and a temptation to go with the flow.
But,
[No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.]
I was somehow able to answer after suppressing my desire desperately.
Haruka opened her eyes, which had been closed.
[Uhm, well….. I’m really happy that you think that though….I really appreciate it. I mean I want to do this after having some serious development. I feel like this is a bit….unfair]
[Th-That’s right! I’m sorry!]
When she seemed to come to her senses, Haruka vigorously waved her hands as if to say “Earlier words didn’t count.” Her face turned bright red as if she was joking.
[I end up saying something strange, um, after all that is no good…..I feel bad for Akiha]
[Oh yeah…..Besides, it’s not good for Haruka herself to be with a guy she doesn’t like…You should take better care of such things…….]
[Yes, well…. you are right]
I don’t know why she suddenly lost her temper.
[I did thought it will turn out like that…..but]
[But?]
[I probably don’t think……it’s bad doing this]
I couldn’t reply back.
Inadvertently, I might have perceived the word in a strange way. I might have perceived the feeling of a non-existent girlfriend arbitrarily.
Haruka is an important friend. That’s why I didn’t want to misunderstand her feelings or interpret them in a selfish way.
[……. sorry, it’s nothing. Please forget about it]
Saying that, Haruka smiled and looked outside the window.
[Ah…… it’s already the end.]
[It’s true]
She noticed that the gondola had dropped in altitude and was almost at the boarding point.
Then, she squinted her eyes somewhat lonely,
[……it’s about time Akiha change place]
[Ah]
When she said it, I realised it’s already the time for it.
The day had gone by so quickly that it was strange to see the two of them switch places.
[It was fun. It was really fun]
Haruka mumbled as if saying to herself.
That was the end for today’s “Outing” for Haruka.
The special day she had been looking forward to, today’s day she had been waiting impatiently for, would end in a few minutes.
When I think about it, I feel strangely regretful,
[…….Let’s come back again]
In an embarrassed mood, I said so.
[Let’s come back next year, even after graduation or when we become adults with everyone again.]
At these words, Haruka narrowed her eyes.
[…. that’s right]
A slight smile appeared on her lips.
[It would be nice to come back]
I don’t why but her expression seemed a bit……sad, I wonder why. Maybe it was the sadness of knowing that the next time she noticed, she would be at home.
[See you later]
[….um]
After nodding, Haruka smiled and made a small bow.
And after a few minutes—–Akiha slowly raised her head and looked around.
[………Ferris wheel]
She said in a voice that sounded like a sigh.
[Yeah. If you were a little earlier, you might have been able to see the scenery……but that’s too bad]
[Yeah, but it can’t be helpe……]
Then Akiha suddenly stood up from the chair with a face as if she had realised something.
[What’s the matter?]
[……It’s nothing]
Replying brusquely, Akiha took a short breath and once again looked at the scenery outside the window.
*
[It’s night time!? Moreover, there is a girl as beautiful as Akiha! You can’t let her walk alone!]
Being told that by Sudo, I was walking home with Akiha. It was a narrow street in a residential area, off the main street.
From the houses along the street, I could occasionally hear the sound of the piano, the television, and the voices of families talking.
I wonder why…..even though I also led that kind of life myself in my home.
In this way, when I sense such things through the walls and windows of houses in the city at night, I feel an irresistible pain in my heart.
The lives of people who may never come in contact with each other.
The nights of people who may never come in contact with each other.
I wonder if the reason I’m strangely moved by such things is because Akiha is walking next to me. I wonder if it’s because the girl I love is here.
As I walked alongside the river, I stole a glance at her.
The lips that asked me “Shall we kiss?” Just an hour ago—.
I couldn’t help but think about it, and my heart fluttered.
I wonder what would have happened if I had kissed her at that time…..
And I wonder how it would have felt……
[Why is she asking for a kiss? I hope the truth will come to light.]
I couldn’t help but feel a little unsettled, partly because Sudo had told me so on the way home.
I’m also impressed with Sudo’s kind of sense to say this at this timing though.
[Thank you so much for today]
Akiha spilled these words.
[That girl was also happy, wasn’t she? I’m really glad that Yano-kun was there. I’m really sure you’ve become the first special person for her.]
[I hope you are right……]
[From here on will be quite easy. That girl will be able to play me better. People will be able to live without noticing that Haruka was there….] (T/N : there’s no direct reference saying who will be able to live without noticing, people/Yano or anyone. So since I think it will be quite weird if it’s yano, I decided to choose people)
[That’s right]
While I nodded, the uncomfortable feeling once again begin to rise inside me.
Something is off here.
Uneasiness from walking into the wrong road even though we should have been walking on the correct one.
The next thing I know, I and Akiha were in front of Minase house.
[…….hey]
[Hmm?]
She turned around with her back to the apartment building and looked up at me as if she had made up her mind.
[Did something happen…….with Haruka?]
[Huh?]
My reaction was delayed for a moment.
I couldn’t understand the reasoning behind the question.
[Yano-kun, did something happen with Haruka?]
What the hell does that mean? Why is she saying that suddenly….? I don’t know.
I couldn’t understand the aim of Akiha, however Haruka’s face flashed passed inside my head and my heart slowly accelerated.
And even more, Akiha keeps looking at my eyes,
[For example, in the Ferris wheel]
——-I’m sure my face must have looked agitated now.
[You were alone with her there, right?]
[That’s well……]
[Especially, was it the same as ever?]
[That’s right but….]
Incomprehensible feeling of guilt assailed me and I ended up speaking ambiguously.
But Akiha, with her jet black eye.
With eyes as if Galaxy was swirling in them, She looked at as if she could see through anything and said,
[Did You also Kissed?]
I couldn’t keep up here. Akiha must not have known what happened there.
Neither Haruka nor I have revealed the remark [let’s kiss] to anyone.
Even Sudo and Shuji must have been unaware that such an exchange had taken place. Neither of them showed the slightest hint of it.
But for some reason, everything seemed to have been seen through.
I felt like she sensed the insincere thumping in my chest that I remembered from that moment.
[I see]
I wondered what she had read from my expression.
Akiha’s face distorted as if she was gravely hurt. Tears pooled in her slit eyes, blotting out the galaxy in her pupils.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed and stiff.
Her hands gripped the hem of her dress as if she was holding on to something. And she was devastated by the sight of me.
To me who was standing in front of her emotional outbursts.
[I’m sorry]
As if confessing a mortal sin, she said one word.
[I’m sure it will make mess of everything]