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 - 60

Chapter 60: Choosing a Yukata

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As final exams drew closer, the school after classes felt strangely restless, filled with a heat that seemed to be waiting impatiently for summer break. At least, that was how it felt. Even after I got home, the sound of cicadas rang louder than ever from outside the window, and heat shimmered up from the asphalt.

I, Kazuma Sato, sat in my room, letting the electric fan blow against me as I stared intently at my smartphone. On the screen was a single LINE notification.

【Saki: Kazucchi-kun! It’s finally next week! I’m properly keeping an eye on things with Rin-rin, you know!】

“…Yeah. I know.”

I muttered to no one in particular and let out a sigh. Ichinose-san didn’t know. She didn’t know that Shinonome-san and I had been online game partners for three years, nor did she know about the countless embarrassing black-history moments she unknowingly had leverage over.

To her, I was “the slightly unusual confidant who saw through the real Rin Shinonome,” and also the reckless yet sincere guy who had come to steal time away from her best friend. Well… I had a feeling she understood more than she let on.

Ichinose-san’s support was reassuring but even more than that, it gave me an intense pressure. After all, the other person was that Rin Shinonome. Ever since we had deliberately redefined our relationship as “best friends” and exchanged that heated promise on the rooftop, my awareness of her had accelerated into a completely uncontrollable realm.

Right then, the screen changed, and a message from the one who truly mattered arrived.

【Rin: Kazu. You awake?】

…

My heart thudded.

【Kazuma: I’m awake. What’s up, Haru?】

【Rin: So, about the summer festival… I can’t decide which yukata to wear. I want your opinion, Kazu. …Is that okay?】

…

………

There was no way it wasn’t okay. I immediately started typing.

【Kazuma: Sure. …I think anything would suit you. …Do you have pictures or something?】

【Rin: Then can I video call you right now? …It’ll be faster to show you directly. That’s fine, right, partner?】

…!!

A video call!?

I frantically looked around my room. I shoved the socks I’d left lying around and the stacked gaming magazines into the closet, straightened my bed, checked my hair in the mirror, and took a deep breath.

“…Alright. …Come at me anytime, Haru.”

My phone’s ringtone echoed through the room. When I pressed accept, Rin Shinonome’s face filled the screen.

『—Ah, it’s connected! Morning, Kazu!』

“At this hour, ‘morning’ is kind of weird.”

『Nihihi~』

On the screen Ha—no, Rin—was probably in her own room. Under slightly dim lighting, she tucked her smooth black hair behind her ear, wearing the playful yet faintly bashful smile of my partner Haru.

“…Morning, Haru. …You’re really wearing that?”

Rin was dressed in nothing but an oversized white T-shirt. It was far too defenseless. The line of her collarbone was clearly visible, and compared to the “perfect Shinonome-san” at school, she overflowed with the unfiltered presence of just a girl.

『Nihihi. It’s fine, it’s hot. …More importantly, look!』

She must have set her phone on a tripod or something, because she stepped back. Three different yukatas were laid out on her bed.

『These were at home. The first one is the classic navy with sunflowers. …The second is white with pink cherry blossoms. …And the third—Kazu, are you actually looking properly?』

“…I’m looking. …They’re all beautiful.”

『That’s not a proper advice! …Which one do you think suits me best? …Which one makes you think, ‘I want to see Haru wearing this’?』

Rin looked straight into my eyes through the screen. In her gaze was a fervent expectation meant only for me, something she would never show Ichinose-san or Kaito, mixed with just a trace of anxiety.

“…The third one. …The slightly calmer, purple one… with morning glories.”

『Huh…? …Purple?』

“…Yeah. …You’ve got a great figure and your black hair’s beautiful. …Rather than something flashy, something a little more mature like that… I think… I’d be captivated.”

The moment I let my honest thoughts slip out, Rin froze on the screen. And then, her face turned bright red in an instant, and she disappeared from view.

『..!! Idiot Kazuma!! …I should’ve recorded that line just now!!』

“Don’t record it!! You’re the one who asked for my opinion!”

『B-because! …Well, whatever… nihihi. …Thanks, Kazu. …Then I’ll go with this. …This is the strongest equipment Kazuma chose for me.』

When Rin came back into frame, her expression was… It was no longer something that could hide behind the word “partner.” It was the unmistakable face of a girl in love, glowing with happiness.

『…Hey, Kazu. …I’m really looking forward to next week.』

“…Yeah. …Ichinose-san gave it up for us. …We’ve gotta make it the best festival ever.”

『Mm. …I’ll try my absolute hardest to look cute. …And on the day, you’re not allowed to leave my side by even a millimeter, okay? …Got it?』

She held up her finger toward the screen. A promise. Just like three years ago over voice chat when we said, “Let’s definitely clear the next event.” But now, separated by only a pane of glass, her fingertip carried a tangible warmth that touched my heart.

“…Yeah. …Pinky promise.”

I raised my own pinky toward the screen. At school, we pretended to be strangers. But within these digital waves, we shared this preparation time meant only for the two of us. With Saki Ichinose, our greatest ally, pushing us forward… The excuse of being “just best friends” between me and Rin Shinonome….

After passing through the absurdly sweet ritual of choosing a single yukata, we were about to take a decisive step into the midsummer night.

『Nihihi. …Then let’s sleep for today. …Goodnight, my Knight-sama.』

“…Yeah. …Goodnight, Haru.”

The call ended. In my dark, silent room, I downed a glass of cold water in one go to calm my racing heartbeat.

(Purple morning glories, huh.)

In my mind, I pictured her in that yukata, a sight I had yet to see. Next Saturday, I would be ready to tell her she was beautiful and I would find the courage to finally burn down the safe cage called “best friends.”

I made that vow to the first star twinkling in the night sky, quietly, but with unwavering resolve.

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