I’m a Loner, Gloomy Guy Who Accidentally Witnessed the Moment the Top Girl in the Class Got Dumped. I Didn’t Know What to Say to Comfort Her, So I Just Gave Her a Cola and Somehow We Started Having Lunch Together~ - 60-61

Chapter 60: The Person I Didn’t Want to Meet

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What Hina was wearing was a pure white bikini adorned with frills. It was the very swimsuit we had looked at together in the department store’s swimwear section when we went out into town the other day. However, it wasn’t baggy at all, it fit her perfectly.

That wasn’t because Hina’s chest had suddenly grown. The one that had gotten smaller was the swimsuit. She must have obtained a size that actually fit her chest by some means. Once I came to that conclusion, it was only natural for me to start wondering how she got it. But this definitely wasn’t the kind of atmosphere where I could bring that up.

“F-fufufu.”

Hina was laughing. But it wasn’t a happy laugh. Her eyes weren’t smiling, and what escaped her lips was an icy, chilling chuckle. That eerie sound stirred up my fear even more. It was terrifying beyond words.

Probably—or rather, this was already certain—she was in a bad mood. Hina must have decided that I was a lolicon. There was no other explanation for that bone-chilling smile on her face.

“Funny running into you in a place like this.”

“O-oh. Y-you’re, um… Are you here with friends or something?”

“Yes, I am. But still, you’ve brought along quite a cute girl with you. …Who is that child?”

Hina’s eyes narrowed sharply. Her piercing gaze fixed itself on Runa-chan.

“This is Runa-chan, and she’s Mai’s—”

“Hii!!”

Before I could finish the introduction, Runa-chan clung tightly to my arm. Her face had gone pale, and her back teeth were chattering audibly.

This is bad… She’s going to misunderstand things even more. But I can’t really blame her.

The pressure Hina was giving off was overwhelming. It was sheer intimidation, packed with raw force. Anyone would be frightened if they took something like that head-on. Considering Runa-chan’s personality, it was even more understandable.

“…You’re quite bold, doing something like that in public.”

Hina’s irritation gauge rose. The already intense pressure grew even stronger. Runa-chan’s action had apparently been like pouring oil on a fire. Naturally, Runa-chan’s fear doubled as well. Her grip on my arm tightened even more.

This is bad. We’re at our limit.

At this rate, Runa-chan would be crushed by fear and break down completely. I had to act before it was too late.

“We’re about to go get lunch now. It’s time we head out. See you.”

I couldn’t let the two of them stay in the same space any longer. With that judgment, I forced a strained smile and tried to make a retreat. But..

“Why don’t I come along too?”

“Huh!?”

At those shocking words, I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.

“You mean, come with us? But you came here with friends, didn’t you? Is it really okay to just leave them behind and go off on your own?”

“It’s no problem if I say a word to them. Or what? Do you not want to eat a meal with me?”

“It’s not like that… Exactly…”

“Then it’s decided. …You’re fine with that too, aren’t you?”

The narrow, sharp yellow eyes turned toward Runa-chan. Judging by the words alone, it sounded like Hina was asking for permission. But in reality, that wasn’t the case. Her tone carried a heavy, oppressive weight that left no room for refusal. Rather than a question, it was closer to a threat.

Runa-chan nodded repeatedly. For her, trembling with fear, there was effectively no other choice but to nod.

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Chapter 61: A Painfully Awkward Lunch

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We were in the corner inside the facility lined with concession stands. The three of us were seated at the tables set up there, In front of each of us lay the lunches we had purchased from the stands. Yet no one showed any sign of touching their food. What clung to this place was a prickly, tense atmosphere. An overwhelming sense of strain filled the air.

“……”

“……”

Neither Runa-chan nor I possessed nerves thick enough to eat in a situation like this. With stiff expressions, we occasionally exchanged glances, watching to see how Hina—the source of this atmosphere—would make her move. But Hina had chosen silence.

She simply kept staring intently at us from across the table. She was waiting for either me or Runa-chan to start talking. It would be difficult for Runa-chan to take on that role. Which meant there was only one option left.

I had to do it. I needed to explain how we ended up coming to the pool and clear up the lolicon suspicion. That was what I had to do. But before that..

First, I had to do something about this atmosphere. At this rate, the pressure alone might crush Runa-chan.

“That swimsuit of yours, it’s the same one as back then, right?”

“Yes. I found it through an online shop. A smaller size that actually fits my chest.”

Hina spoke with a hint of sarcasm, finishing with a sharp snort. Apparently, she still held a grudge over what I’d said back then at the store… To be precise, what I’d actually only thought and never said out loud.

“That swimsuit looks good on you. It really suits you.”

“Do you really think so? Or are you just saying whatever to get back on my good side?”

“That’s not it.”

I did want to change the mood, but what I said truly came from my heart. The pure white bikini gave off a sense of clarity and made Hina’s charm stand out even more. In short, she looked cuter than ever.

“S-so…You really mean it. I’ll believe you.”

Hina lowered her gaze, looking a little embarrassed. I could feel the tension in the air easing.

All right, all right. This is going well.

Having gotten off to a perfect start, I glanced at Runa-chan, who was still clinging tightly to my arm. It was finally time to get to the main point.

“I never got around to introducing her, did I? This is Runa Yuzuki-chan. She’s Mai’s classmate and her best friend. Originally, the plan was for the three of us—including Mai—to come here together today. But she had something urgent come up. That’s why it’s just the two of us here.”

“Hm, Mai-chan’s friend, huh. Even so, you two seem awfully close, don’t you?”

Hina’s eyelid twitched slightly. Her suspicious gaze turned toward Runa-chan, who was trembling faintly.

“Runa-chan is shy around people. Don’t bully her too much.”

“I’m not bullying her!”

“Then stop making that face. You’re scaring her.”

“…Fine.”

Resting her cheek on her hand, Hina jutted out her lips in a pout. She still seemed annoyed, but it was at least a little better than before.

“Come on, Hina. Why don’t you introduce yourself too?”

“…You’re right. I’m Hina Yuuki. I’ve known Masaki since elementary school. You could call us childhood friends.”

“Or a rotten bond,” I added.

“What kind of way is that to put it!? You always have to add something unnecessary!”

“And you don’t say enough. Come on, there’s still something you’re forgetting to mention, right? ‘I’m absolutely terrible at racing games.’”

“You jerk…!”

The unfiltered back-and-forth brought back memories of our elementary school days. It had been so long that I was starting to enjoy myself without thinking, but going too far would be dangerous. Any more than this, and Hina would seriously blow up. With things like this, you had to know where the line was. Moderation was key.

Runa-chan, watching the two of us trade banter, looked restless. Her unsettled gaze darted back and forth, lingering on Hina’s face.

“What is it? Is there something on my face?”

“No, that’s not it. Um… I was just thinking how incredibly beautiful you are. I’ve never seen anyone with such perfectly balanced features before.”

Runa-chan was pure and straightforward. Anyone could tell that her words were sincere, filled with every ounce of her honest feelings. Hina must have realized that too. Her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.

Even someone like Hina—who was surely praised constantly—seemed flustered when faced with such a direct, heartfelt compliment.

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