I Confessed My Sexual Preferences to My Online Game Best Friend, and the Person Who Showed Up at the Offline Meetup Was the Cute Girl from My Class - 52

Chapter 52: Only Me

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The long-awaited Saturday had arrived. In front of the mirror in my room, I—Kazuma Sato—finished the “final check” I had repeated over and over since yesterday. A lightweight light-gray shirt and dark indigo denim. An outfit that preserved cleanliness above all else, without looking like I had tried too hard.

…All right. With this, Haru won’t tease me for “trying too hard lol”… and she won’t look down on me for being lame either… probably.

My heart had been running at high RPMs since last night. Today, using the “excuse” of choosing a present for Ichinose-san, I had finally secured time alone with Shinonome-san. I picked up my bag and stepped out of my room to head down to the living room, when…

“Hmm. Onii, that shirt’s the new one you bought, right?”

At the stair landing, my younger sister Futaba stood waiting with her arms crossed. Her ponytail swayed as her cold, detective-like eyes scanned my entire body as if tracking prey.

“…Futaba. …I’m just heading out for a bit.”

“It’s with Rin Shinonome-san anyway, right? You’ve been all restless since yesterday. …I saw you messing with your hair in front of the mirror too. So gross.”

“…Shut up. Move. I’m gonna be late.”

The usual insults. The usual teenage rebellion. I knew she’d insult me like this, so I tried to walk past her, but—

“…Have a good day. …Have fun.”

What came from behind me wasn’t her usual sub-zero voice. It was blunt, awkward,  but warm.

“…………Huh?”

I stopped in my tracks and turned around. Futaba looked away, her earlobes slightly red, and snorted.

“…What’s with that dumb look on your face? You look like a pigeon that just got hit with a pellet. Gross.”

“…No. …Did you eat something weird today? …The Poison-tongued Futaba is actually sending me off honestly… Is tomorrow—no, is it raining spears today?”

“…………!!”

Her face turned bright red as she shoved her phone toward me.

“Honestly! Are you some pervert Onii who needs his little sister to insult him to feel normal!? …It’s fine, okay? …Rin Shinonome-san is someone I admire too. …If she was looking forward to today that much, then that’s that. If you ruin it, I’ll curse you for generations!”

“…You’re that worried about me and Shinonome-san?”

“Of course I am! But, well… you look maybe one millimeter more ‘decent’ than usual today. …So do your best in being Shinonome-san’s bodyguard today.”

After saying that, Futaba ran off into her room like she was fleeing. The loud slam of a door echoed. Left alone in the hallway, I smiled wryly.

…

Seriously, who did she take after? Hiding her true feelings behind strong words, yet caring about others more than anyone else. For some reason, that awkward little sister overlapped with the image of my irreplaceable “partner.”

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Under the clock tower in front of the station. With the slightly humid June breeze blowing through, I waited for her. It was ten minutes before our meeting time. But the “overwhelming aura” approaching from a distance instantly stole my awareness.

“—Kazu!”

She pushed through the crowd and ran toward me. A modest sax-blue blouse and a white flared skirt. Her smooth black hair was styled half-up today, the swaying ends reflecting sunlight. This wasn’t the perfect smile of “Shinonome-san” at school. It was softer. Younger. Innocent. She spotted only me and ran over with genuine joy. That person was my greatest “partner.”

“…Haru. …You’re early.”

“Nihehe! …I was so excited and fidgety that Mom said, ‘Just go already!’ and kicked me out.”

She stopped in front of me, shoulders rising and falling slightly, and looked up at me.

“…Nihehe, Kazu. What do you think? …About me today. …Do I get a passing grade from you~?”

She grinned, teasing me slightly. In response, I answered with complete sincerity.

“…It’s a perfect score. …You’re so dazzling I can’t even look at you directly.”

“―!!”

Her face turned bright red, and she hid her mouth behind her bag.

“…Idiot. …Don’t say things like that with a straight face. …Nihehe. …But thanks. …Your shirt looks good too. You look cool, my partner.”

She stepped closer and tugged lightly at my sleeve with her fingertips. There were shoppers and students all around us. If anyone from school saw us, it would become “news” instantly. But…

Here in this plaza in front of the station, with no Ichinose-san, no Kaito, no family, no classmates… we didn’t need to pretend to be strangers anymore.

“…Shall we go? …To look for Ichinose-san’s present.”

“…Yeah. …But before that. …Kazu-kun.”

She moved to stand snugly at my side. Close enough that our shoulders almost touched. In a small voice, she whispered by my ear:

“(…For today. …See me as just a girl. …From a distance closer than anyone else. …That’s Haru’s order. …Okay, partner?)”

“…………!!”

My heart pounded violently. At school, we pretended to be strangers. In the guild, we were the strongest pair. But…

Under this June sky, our story had begun overwriting the excuse of “just best friends” with a sweet, burning intensity.

“…I know. …I’ll grant every selfish wish of yours. …Let’s go, Haru.”

“Nihehe. …Yeah! Let’s go, Kazu!”

She smiled in satisfaction and, still holding my sleeve, started walking with light steps. A secret expedition just for the two of us. A hot and sweet time with not even the faintest hint of rain in the air had now begun at peak excitement.

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