I Was Oblivious to the Subtle ‘Yandere’ Side of My Nonchalant Sex Friend Gyaru - Chapter 52-53

Chapter 52: 

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“Whoa, there’s a ridiculous number of people.”

“This is still better than usual. You can’t even walk during the fireworks.”

“For real?”

It was evening. When the two of us stepped outside, the street was overflowing with several times more people than in the morning. Most were couples in yukata or families with children, and I couldn’t help but widen my eyes, wondering where all these people had been hiding in this usually quiet town.

If we let our guard down, we’d definitely get separated.

“So, where are we going?”

“For now, I kinda want something to eat. I haven’t eaten anything since last night.”

“Now that you mention it… I’m hungry too.”

From a little ways ahead, a faint delicious smell drifted over. There were probably food stalls set up in that direction. Pushed along by the flow of the crowd, we naturally headed toward the source of the scent.

After walking for a while… Once we reached the area where the stalls were lined up, Kurenai came to a stop.

“What is it? Did you see something you want to eat?”

“Yeah, sort of. Um… I want takoyaki.”

“Huh. So you’re into that kind of stuff.”

“Isn’t it rarer not to like takoyaki? I mean, do you not want it?”

“Not really. I like it too.”

“Then don’t complain and just get in line.”

While we stood in line, I glanced around and noticed a few familiar-looking faces. I didn’t know their names, but they went to our school. I instinctively looked down.

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just… aren’t those guys our classmates?”

“Who knows. I don’t recognize them. So what? Are you embarrassed someone might see us together?”

“No, I’m fine with it.”

“I don’t care either. So we’re good?”

“…Yeah.”

They were sneaking glances over at us too. But since I said I didn’t mind, I decided not to act all awkward and lifted my head. If I let something like that bother me, my relationship with Kurenai would never change. Not that I really believed in the whole festival love-comes-true superstition or anything either. I just.. I didn’t want to waste this chance.

I wanted to walk around the festival together with her, and at the end of it all…. I wanted to tell her how I felt.

“…Looks like it’ll be our turn soon.”

“Yeah. Does it say how much one order is?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pay.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.”

“It’s not like I think that’s manly or anything, you know?”

“I know. Still, I’m paying.”

“…Fine. Then I’ll let you.”

Kurenai reluctantly put away her wallet, looking a little frustrated. That side of her—the one she didn’t usually show—made my heart beat a little faster.

Yeah. I can’t fool myself about this anymore. I like Kurenai.

It’d be nice if she felt the same, but honestly, that didn’t matter. What mattered was that I had to say it. I had to put these feelings into words.

Because to me, that’s what being a man means.

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Chapter 53: 

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“Whew, I’m beat. There are so many people here.”

“We’re lucky we could find a bench to sit on. Alright, let’s eat.”

After buying takoyaki and wandering around for a while, we finally found an empty bench and sat down. By then, the sky had already started to darken. Lanterns hanging everywhere began to light up, and the atmosphere gradually took on a more festive feel.

“It’s cold.”

“So what? I’ve got a sensitive tongue.”

“Really? That’s surprising.”

“Why? What do you think I am?”

“Nothing in particular. Just the image I had.”

Kurenai was usually sharp and prickly, and I had never once seen her laugh or get excited with joy. So I had assumed—on my own—that she was the tough, strong-girl type.

“Ow, hot! What the heck, it’s still hot!”

“How bad is your tongue, seriously?”

“I told you, I have a sensitive tongue.” 

She said, slightly irritated. Watching her blow on her takoyaki to cool it down made me realize that she was just a normal girl after all. I really didn’t know anything about Kurenai. I thought I did, but I didn’t understand her at all.

That was why I wanted to know more. There were times I thought it was fine to keep things as they were between us, but if I stayed like that, I’d never understand Kurenai any better. She wouldn’t open up to me and that just wasn’t okay.

“Hey, Kurenai.”

“What? I’m eating right now.”

“Ah, right. Sorry. Um, can you see the fireworks from here?”

“You can see them from anywhere in town. I think we’ll get a pretty good view from here though.”

“Okay, then let’s watch the fireworks from here.”

“Sounds good.”

We both looked up at the sky and when our gazes returned to the crowd, I spotted someone familiar among them.

“Huh… Is that Asou-san?”

“You’re right. Looks like she’s alone.”

“Yeah. Well, she did say she wanted to go to the festival.”

“Are you worried about her?”

“…Not really.”

There was no way I wasn’t. Asou-san seemed dependable, but she could actually be pretty vulnerable. If she wandered around a place like this, some sketchy guy might approach her, and she’d be in trouble.

As I struggled to stop myself from getting up, Kurenai spoke, sounding exasperated.

“If it’s bothering you, just go. I’ll wait here.”

“…No, it’s fine.”

“Why not?”

“I mean, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. But the fireworks are about to start, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

“They say if you watch the fireworks with someone, you’ll end up together. I can’t return Asou-san’s feelings.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? So it’s okay to watch them with me?”

“…Yeah.”

As I watched Asou-san disappear into the crowd, a loud sound echoed from above.

“Ah…”

When I looked up at the sky, a huge firework had just burst into the dark night and then another one. With a whooshing sound, it launched, followed by a booming explosion of light.

“They’ve started.”

“…Hey, is it really okay if it’s me?”

“What is?”

“Watching the fireworks. If you go now, you still might…”

“I’m glad I get to watch them with you, Kurenai. I want to see them through to the end.”

“…Me too. I’m happy I get to see them with you, Aoyama-kun.”

Kurenai’s small head gently leaned against my shoulder. Feeling that faint weight, I looked up at the sky once more.

There was something louder than the sound of the fireworks. It was the sound of my pounding heartbeat.

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