I Was Oblivious to the Subtle ‘Yandere’ Side of My Nonchalant Sex Friend Gyaru - Chapter 40-41

Chapter 40: 

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“Hey, hey, did you have a fight with Yumekawa-san?”

When I finished a chunk of work, Asou-san asked me, sounding worried.

“We didn’t fight. I mean, it’s not like we’re a couple or anything.”

“But… She looked kind of lonely when she left. Was I in the way?”

“You’re overthinking it.”

Compared to before, Asou-san seemed somehow more reserved, and it was me who felt concerned about her. Even though she had told me that she liked me, I’d brought a female classmate here. Of course, I had nothing going on with Yumekawa, but still. I wondered if I had been too thoughtless. 

But then, as if she could see right through me, Asou-san said.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“It’s impossible not to worry when you say that.”

“Eh, why not~? Because I said I liked you?”

“…Don’t just say things like that so casually.”

I wasn’t used to having someone direct their feelings of affection at me. It wasn’t like I felt embarrassed, but more that I didn’t know how I was supposed to react.

“Hmmm. So you’re surprisingly weak when someone pushes you? Maybe I should come at you a bit more aggressively~.”

“Please don’t tease me. Look, I’ve got dishes to wash, so let’s go.”

“Hehe, seeing this side of you is refreshing too, Aoyama-kun. Let’s give our shift one more push and finish strong.”

With an exasperated sigh, I headed to the back to wash dishes and everything else; it ended up being a busy half day. After that, I didn’t speak with Asou-san again until the end of the shift, but as soon as our part-time work was over, she called out to me.

“Aoyama-kun, will you walk me home again today?”

“Huh? Today? Did something happen?”

“Mm-mm, not really. But, you know, the streets at night still scare me… Or do you have plans after this?”

“Plans… Well, nothing out of the ordinary.”

Kurenai was coming to my house. That wasn’t exactly unusual. Lying was tiring, but I also couldn’t bring myself to bluntly say I had plans, so that must be why I answered like that.

Well, knowing her, even if I was a bit late, she’d probably just wait for me.

With that light-hearted thought, I left the restaurant together with Asou-san.

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Chapter 41: 

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“Mmmh.. It’s so hot, even though it’s nighttime.”

“It really is. Summer is almost here after all.”

“Speaking of summer, of course it’s all about festivals. Have you been invited by Yumekawa-san to a festival or something?”

“No, I haven’t. And even if I were invited, I’d turn it down. I hate crowds.”

We were on our way home to Asou-san’s house. While we were talking idly, Asou-san hummed to herself before she suddenly came to a stop. 

“What’s wrong?”

“Aoyama-kun, if I said I wanted to go to a festival, would you come with me?”

“…I don’t really like crowds, so…”

“Ahaha~ I see, I see. Then, I guess it wouldn’t have worked even if I’d invited you to that event the other day.”

“Event?”

“You know, the one they had in the shopping district before. Back then, I was still technically dating my ex, so I never even thought about asking you. But now that I think about it, if I’d broken up with him and sorted out my feelings sooner, maybe I could’ve gone with you…”

“What’s with that ‘what if’ talk? There’s no point thinking about how things could’ve been.”

It’s because I’ve spent so much time thinking about it myself. I’ve spent everyday thinking, “If only I hadn’t done that back then.” I keep regretting it over and over, trying to forget, and then thinking about it again. In the end, I only realized just recently how pointless it all is. Thinking about ‘what if’ is pointless. 

“Fufu, you really are like someone living their second life. Well, I never pictured you going to events like that with anyone anyway, Aoyama-kun.”

“…Well, you’re probably right.”

“Sorry, sorry, that was a weird question. I feel better now that I asked, though. Ah, I can see my house now. You can let me off here. See you tomorrow.”

While waving her hand, Asou-san ran off toward her house. As I watched her go, a little exasperated by how restless she was, I felt a pang of guilt for lying.

It wasn’t true that I didn’t want to go to a festival because I hated crowds. Of course, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to go with Asou-san either. Actually… There was someone. I didn’t want her to see me at a place like that with her. Besides, even if I did go to a festival with Asou-san, I knew I’d probably end up thinking about that person.

The feelings Asou-san showed me made me really happy, and I wanted to stay as a friend with her from now on. And that was why… I had to talk to her properly.

And if she ended up disillusioned with me, then that would be the end of it. If I hurt her, it would be my fault. This was my own selfishness.

I’m sorry. I…

“…I guess I can say with confidence that I’m in love with her.”

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