Chapter 45 – Let’s Talk About the Date Tonight

Satisfied with how embarrassed Yuna had gotten, I entered my classroom and headed straight for my seat, then called out to Yui, who was already sitting in the seat next to mine.

“Good morning, Yui.”

“…Y-yeah. Good morning, Yuuto-kun.”

Hm? Is it just me, or does Yui seem kind of down?

Did something happen? …If that’s the case, should I ask about it, or is it better not to?

“Yui, let’s talk about the date tonight.”

Unable to come up with an answer, I decided to bring up a topic that would—if I do say so myself—lift her mood.

“Y-yeah!”

And just like that, whether I should call her simple or not, Yui perked right up at my words and nodded.

I’ve thought this a few times with Mana too, but are the girls in this world all easy to please? …Well, it’s a world with few guys, and they probably don’t get much interaction with them, so maybe it can’t be helped.

It makes me happy either way, so I’m not complaining.

“Also, sorry about yesterday. I couldn’t call.”

While thinking that, I apologized for not being able to call yesterday.

We hadn’t made a promise or anything, and it’s not like I did anything wrong, but still.

“Y-Yuuto-kun, you don’t need to apologize. Besides, I was totally fine, so don’t worry about it.”

Looking embarrassed but smiling at me, Yui said that.

“Really? Well, that’s good then.”

“Y-yeah. …Oh, but of course I wanted to talk to Yuuto-kun if I could.”

“Then let’s talk a lot today.”

“Yeah!”

As I continued this exchange with Yui, time seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, the bell rang.

Then first period ended, and break time began.

【Sorry, Yuuto. Teacher asked me to do something, so I can’t come over.】

I was waiting by the classroom entrance thinking Mana would come like usual, but before that, I got a message from her.

【Got it.】

【Sorry. I’ll definitely come next break.】

【Don’t worry about it at all.】

If Mana’s not coming, what should I do?

Should I go look for Yuna? No, I’ll just talk to Yui normally.

“Yu…”

Yui is talking to someone other than me.

…I’d just assumed she didn’t have any friends, but she does have people to talk to.

It’d be rude to interrupt, so maybe I’ll go look for Yuna after all.

They’re talking happily.

…Not that I’m competing or anything, but she seems happier—or rather, more blissful—when she’s talking to me.

…Well, if I do say so myself, I’m probably more of a romantic interest than a friend to her, so that’s why.

Chapter 46 – From My Perspective, She’s Just…

I’d started looking for Yuna but couldn’t find her anywhere, so I decided to ask one of the girls who kept watching me from a distance but hadn’t approached me.

“Ah, hey, do you have a minute?”

“Eh? Y-yeah, wh-what is it?”

When I called out to her, she seemed shocked—clearly not expecting to be spoken to—and responded with obvious surprise.

“Do you happen to know where the blonde girl with a ponytail and pierced ears is right now?”

“Eh… Um, I saw her earlier, but wh-why?”

For some reason, she asked that with a worried look.

…Oh, right.

From my perspective, Yuna’s just a cute girl trying to act like a delinquent, but if you’ve never talked to her, she really is just a delinquent girl.

Even in my previous life, if a cute girl suddenly asked me where a delinquent was, I probably would’ve been concerned too, even if it was none of my business.

“Because I want to see her. Just so you know, she might look like that, but she’s a good person, okay?”

“…Okay. …She was heading toward the rooftop.”

“Really? Thanks.”

I thanked her for the information and started heading to the rooftop like she’d said.

“Y-yeah. …U-um, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m willing to listen!”

Then I heard that voice from behind me.

“Yeah. Thank you.”

She’d said it out of concern for me, so I honestly thanked her and headed to the rooftop for real this time.

If Yuna had brought her phone to school, I could’ve just asked her directly instead of asking people. But she doesn’t bring it. Even though she’s supposed to be a delinquent girl.

That’s what I was thinking—somewhat unreasonably—as I made my way there.

When I reached the rooftop, just like the girl had said, Yuna was there.

“Yuna!”

After confirming that, I hesitated for a moment but then just called out to her normally.

“Fueah!? Y-you, wh-why are you here…”

Yuna was more startled than I’d imagined.

Could it be she’s still embarrassed about this morning? …I didn’t come here to tease her about that, but if she’s going to react like this, it makes me want to mess with her again.

…Well, if she’s really this embarrassed even after time has passed, I’ll hold back.

“I wanted to see you, Yuna, so I came here.”

“H-huh!? D-do you have some kind of business with me?”

“Mm, I just thought I wanted to talk to Yuna, so I came. Was that bad?”

“Wh-what’s with that… B-besides, I don’t have anything I want to talk to you—to Yuuto about, but if you have something you want to talk to me about, th-then do what you want.”

“Then we only have a little time left until break ends, but let’s talk for a bit.”

“…Just a little bit.”

“Yeah.”

After confirming that Yuna had nodded honestly despite looking embarrassed, I moved to sit next to her.