Hey, Best Friend. How About A Kiss Today Too? - Chapter 45: "No~thi~ng?"

“No~thi~ng?”

“Th-thank you all so much! Um, let’s continue to get along well…!”

In front of the school gate illuminated by the evening sun, Kusakabe bowed repeatedly to us.

The strangulation lecture held in the “Selfhood Research Club” room at school on this holiday ended without any incidents, and the club disbanded.

“Yeah yeah! Being yourself is not something that can be done in a day after all! Come again sometime!”

“As expected of you, Yuzuru-chan! Uuwww…! You say so sweet things~!”

Even here, Yuzuru and Hasegawa, the duo who received a lecture on safe strangulation, which might sound contradictory to those unfamiliar, were lively.

While Kusakabe’s ultimate goal hadn’t been achieved, having friends who understood her was a significant step forward.

Though she wouldn’t officially join the club, she said she would come by to hang out.

“L-Let’s all do our best together…!”

“Y-yeah…”

And from between her long bangs, she sent a sparkling gaze toward me, but Sagiri’s gaze in response to that felt painful on me.

Only Kusakabe knows about my feelings for Sagiri. Naturally, I couldn’t just confess them to her.

“W-Well then, see you tomorrow…! W-W-Wait…!?”

“Watch out in front of you!”

With numerous bows and waves, Kusakabe rode her bike home.

By the time Sagiri mentioned it, it was already too late. Kusakabe struggled to keep her balance, slowly fading into the distance as she wobbled away.

“B-Bye-bye, Sagirin and Renji!”

“See you tomorrow!”

“Take care, Yuzurun and Hasegawa-kun!”

“What bad thing could exactly happen to us as we ride on the bus home?”

“Hmm, like getting it hijacked?”

“That’s too ominous! W-well, see you later.”

Yuzuru and Hasegawa, who commuted by bus, parted ways at the bus stop just outside the school gate. Then, Sagiri and I walked side by side, heading back home.

We turned off from the main street leading to the station onto a residential road. Our prestigious school attracted students from afar, so locals like us were rare. It seemed like only Sagiri and I used this route.

“Hinachin, It seemed like she had fun.”

“Hmm? Oh yeah, I guess.”

My childhood friend muttered, and I responded lightly.

Throughout Kusakabe’s lecture on strangulation, Sagiri stuck close to me. The silent pressure, combined with my rekindled realization of my feelings for her, made my heart race even more.

“That’s all thanks to you, Renji?”

“I haven’t done anything…”

She’s peeking at me from the side like crazy.

I knew full well that she’s not the kind of best friend who would let me avoid talking about Kusakabe-related stuff.

“Hmm?”

“…What’s with that expression?”

While loosening her lips, her gentle eyes stare straight at me, making it difficult to discern her true intentions.

“No~thi~ng?”

Sagiri averted her gaze from me and took a big step forward.

“Renji, you’re weak for girls you want to protect, aren’t you?”

As she turned around to say that, her smiling figure was bathed in the sinking sun.

Her long white hair reflected the orange light, creating a fantastical scene on our usual commute route.

“…And who is the weak girl that you’re talking about?”

My heartbeats still couldn’t be suppressed by such a reflexive retort.

Girls you want to protect.

I know that applies to her, so having this childhood friend and best friend of mine say that to me, is nerve wracking..

“Haha, like you kn-  Uwaaaa!!!”

“…Sagiri!!”

It was a close call.

“You should be the one watching your step the most.”

“Ahh….Yeah…”

Sagiri, who had turned to walk away, stumbled right at the first step, losing her balance and almost falling backward.

Instinctively, I moved my body to grab her slender hand. It was an awkward position, but it prevented her from getting hurt by falling.

“T-thanks…”

“Y-yeah…”

I helped her up while still holding her hand, and we naturally started walking again, just like in the morning, without letting go.

“…You’re not going to say anything about that?”

“…It would be dangerous if you fell again.”

The grip of our connected hands changed, fingers intertwining.

“…………”

“…………”

Even in the evening, the cicadas were still chirping desperately. Summer had only just begun, and we continued walking hand in hand through the lingering heat.

“…Hey.”

Her steps slowed down, and we stopped in front of the park.

“…Best Fr-.”

“Hold on, want to take a little detour?”

Before she even finished saying it, I turned to look at Sagiri.

Her faint-colored eyes were wide open in surprise.

“…Until it gets dark, okay?”

“Yeah.”

Sagiri nodded slightly and lowered her gaze.

I secretly attributed the redness of her ears to the setting sun.

I tightly clasped our hands to prevent her from falling, and together, we entered the familiar park.