I'll Take Nanase-san, Who Is Small And Adorable, Away From Her Cheating And Clueless Ex And Make Her Happy. - Chapter 7: I'm Going To Take Hiyori-san To The Station.

I’m Going To Take Hiyori-san To The Station.

“I’m sorry for the trouble! Not only did you treat us to dinner, but you also saw us off. I was supposed to thank you, and instead, I ended up taking advantage of your kindness again,” She said with a smile.

“No, it’s fine! I’m sorry if my family was too noisy or troublesome,” I replied.

“Not at all! Your mom and your brothers were really fun and nice!”

After finishing dinner and chatting a bit with my cheerful family, I noticed it had become completely dark outside. It seemed my mom had realized it was getting late and decided it was best to call it a night, leaving the clean-up to me while she and my brothers wrapped things up in the kitchen.

I had initially planned to walk her home, but Hiyori suggested that since it felt too much like imposing, she’d be okay with me walking her to the busy area near the station instead. She was going to take a taxi from there, which made sense to me.

“It feels kind of surreal. Even though it was just a few hours, it feels like we spent so much longer together,” she mused.

“Did you find it tough, then? I guess difficult times seem to stretch out longer,” I replied, trying to gauge her feelings.

“No, that’s not what I meant! I thought it was strange that even though I was with people I just met in a place I’ve never been before… it didn’t feel like that at all. It was like I was with friends I’ve known forever. I had so much fun that the time just flew by.”

I felt a twinge of anxiety about how Hiyori perceived my family’s rather bold and slightly rude behavior—especially my mom’s antics—but she didn’t seem bothered by it. As I felt relieved, Hiyori turned to me and continued.

“Don’t you think so, Yuusuke-kun? Even though it’s only been a day since we started talking, we’re already calling each other by our first names.”

“Y-yeah, I guess so. It is kind of strange,” I admitted, feeling a bit shy.

To be honest, I had an inkling of what she meant; I felt a certain connection forming between us.

As she said, it had only been about a day since we really got to know each other, yet we were already calling each other by our first names. What felt strange was that it seemed as if we had been doing this forever. Despite the embarrassment I still felt about calling her by her first name, I found myself accepting it.

It was an odd feeling, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Judging by the atmosphere, Hiyori likely felt the same way.

In this puzzling state of wanting to feel relieved yet feeling a sense of restlessness, Hiyori suddenly stopped and wore a serious expression as she spoke.

“Yuusuke-kun, I have a favor to ask. Would you listen?”

“A favor? What is it?” I asked, curious.

“Um… starting tomorrow, can we call each other by our first names at school too?”

“Eh…?”

I was taken aback by her request, my eyes widening in surprise.

I wondered what had prompted this sudden change. But then, memories of yesterday’s events and what she had told me that morning flashed back into my mind, helping me understand the true intention behind her request.

Hiyori had hidden her relationship with Kouma for a year since they started dating. She had spent that time pretending to be just childhood friends, keeping their relationship a secret. But yesterday, she discovered that Kouma had been cheating on her all along.

Now that she had grown closer to me, the more she tried to hide it, the more those memories resurfaced. It was as if she were doing the same things she did while dating Kouma, and that realization haunted her.

So, rather than hiding her friendship with me, she wanted to show her true self.

To be honest, I felt a twinge of embarrassment. I worried that my friends at school might tease me in the same way my family had.

But if it meant Hiyori could avoid suffering, such concerns didn’t matter. If I could make her smile after all the pain she had endured, I would gladly accept the teasing and the embarrassment that came with it.

“Okay, that sounds good! But in return, can I call you Hiyori-san too?”

“Uh, yeah! Of course!”

As I smiled and nodded with determination, Hiyori’s anxious expression transformed into a bright smile, and her joy was evident.

I knew I would likely face some teasing from my classmates soon enough, but at this moment, making Hiyori smile felt like enough.

“I have one more request. Can I come over to your house again? I mentioned it a little, but my parents both work, and they’re often not home, so eating alone can get lonely.”

“Of course! My mom, Masato, Taiga, and I will all be happy to have you! Don’t hesitate—come over whenever you feel lonely!”

“…Thank you. Yuusuke-kun, you’re really kind…!”

I didn’t miss the slightly teary voice in Hiyori’s happy laughter. If she was this pleased, inviting her for dinner would be a small price to pay. I’d gladly have her over as often as she wanted to enjoy some cheerful moments together.

It was a simple thing—calling each other by our first names, gathering around the dinner table.

If that little gesture could bring a smile to the hurt Hiyori, I would be more than happy to do it.

Lost in these thoughts, I walked slowly alongside her, adjusting my pace to match hers, and before I knew it, we had arrived at the station.

There were several taxis lined up, waiting for passengers, so it wouldn’t take long for Hiyori to get home.

Yet, I felt a twinge of disappointment. I wanted to talk with her a little longer, but I kept those feelings to myself as I watched her get into the taxi. Just before the door closed, I called out to her.

“Hiyori-san! I had a great time today. See you at school tomorrow!”

“…Yeah! See you tomorrow at school!”

— Did it just look like Hiyori’s expression sank a little, or was that just my imagination?

I couldn’t help but wonder if she felt the same reluctance to part ways with me… scolding myself for such self-centered thoughts, I continued to watch her leave.

Even after the taxi door closed and it drove away, disappearing from view, I found myself staring after it for a long time.