It’s Too Early to be Having Newlywed Syndrome! ~Childhood Friends Who Rekindled their Love for Each Other ~ - 5 - 14 - The Reason I Fell in Love

The Reason I Fell in Love

          This event happened a bit before Sakurako called Natsuki and cried over the phone. ……In short, it was during the time when Natsuki was still impatiently waiting for Sakurako’s call.

Sakurako was smiling, and so was Iida.

“Hirose-san, thank you for today, really. Aren’t you feeling tired?”

“I’m perfectly fine. Thanks.”

At that time, the two of them quickly settled their bills on the karaoke place, and for the meantime were sitting on a bench that they happened to get their eyes on.

“It’s the first time that I felt I haven’t sung enough. When we went into the karaoke, I never thought well continue singing like that until its almost time.”

“Me too, me too!”

Sakurako agreed.

“I want to sing, and I wanted you to sing! That wasn’t really enough time.”

“Right? Really, it sucks.

……Was I able to get at least a bit closer to Hirose-san today?”

“We’ve become a lot closer—. I was surprised when you told me that you wanted to hang out from now on as well if possible.”

Sakurako was genuinely overcome with joy.

“I really wanted to tell you that no matter what, so I’m glad that I did. Somehow, I really like talking to Hirose-san. It’s really fun.”

“Nn…… me too, I really love it as well.”

Sakurako clearly replied while averting her eyes in embarrassment.

Iida smiled like he’s being troubled. He was shaken when Sakurako said the word love that he wasn’t able to reply.

You idiot, calm down. She said it’s just talking with you that she loves. While thinking such Iida was able to act composed by taking a deep breath, then restlessly looked around.

“……After This, all that’s left is to go home, huh.”

“Yeah, but…… can we stay a little bit more?”

Sakurako ambiguously replied.

Naturally, Iida wanted to talk to Sakurako for as long as possible.

“Of course. We can rest here for a while, yeah?”

Sakurako, feeling relieved with Iida’s smile, looked up at the sky.

It’s already dark, given it is winter. No, no, it’s not time to think about such things, I have to confess my feelings. But, what should I say?

Iida-kun’s someone who’s fallen in love at first sight, sso instead of just telling him that I like him, I should also tell him the reason why, shouldn’t I?

If I go with ‘I like you because you’re kind’, does that sound like I’m lying?

As I thought, instead of saying ‘I won’t be confessing yet anyway’, I should have practiced how to confess. Even though Natsuki was kind enough to offer her hand in helping me practice.

I never thought of Iida-kun to be the type to clearly tell me things like ‘I’m happy whenever we’re together’, or ‘talking with you is fun’ like this after all.

Nnn—-, I wonder why Iida came to like me. I get how he’s very affectionate though.

“——What are you thinking about?”

Iida spoke to her.

“Of course, Iida-kun——”

Before finishing her sentence, Sakurako shut her mouth.

“About me? If you find something dissatisfying in me, you just tell me without any reservations. I’ll try to fix it as much as I can. We want to stay close to each other from here on as well, right?”

Iida said while smiling.

However, being told that right now just made Sakurako troubled instead. It was because there was nothing about Iida that she was dissatisfied about.

Oh crap, what should I do?

“It’s different from that, though……”

As Sakurako was being worried on what to reply with, she remembered the one thing that she wanted to ask no matter what.

“Does Iida-kun…… remember the reason why you fell in love with Haruka-san?”

“The reason?”

“Was it that rather than having a reason, you fell in love with her straight away? Or rather, do you have an idea that it must’ve been this time back then or such?”

If it is something close to love at first sight, then my feelings should go through to him. With that idea in mind, Sakurako was waiting for the answer that she’s hoping for.

“Is it okay even if it’s just a hunch?”

“Yeah.”

“……I think I talked about card games a bit before, do you remember?”

“Yup. You played it together with Morita-kun, right?”

“Yeah, that. Well, what I’m going to talk about has nothing to do with Morita though.

You know, even before Morita and I became friends, I’ve been playing card games. With card games, there are card cases where you can put a bunch of cards, do you get what I’m pertaining to?”

“I do, I do. I’ve seen boys having such. Those trump cases that seems to increase over time, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, that.

So one day, when I went to the store, there was a promo where you’ll get a free card case when you purchase a related goods. There were only six card cases left.

I was hesitant, but in the end, I bought the related goods so that I would get all six cases. It’s not like I really needed those, but I would be buying cards sometime in the future anyway, and my thinking was like, I’m going to hold back from buying after a few months.

Nah, I’m not someone who would splurge by nature, I’ll have ya know.”

In order not to keep up a bad image of himself, Iida gloss things over with an awkward explanation.

For Sakurako, Iida’s feelings were properly conveyed.

“Yup, yeah, if it’s a bargain, you’ll end up buying it. Me too, whenever there’s a 50% off sale, I end up buying multiple games.”

“Those things really od happen sometimes, right?”

“That’s right. I think those things are normal.”

“Really, I’m glad. And then, this is where the main meat of the story starts.

While I was lining up those card cases on the table, my dad asked what it was, so I said they’re something to put cards into. He laughed because he thought they were cigarettes cases, so I told him since they’re surplus he can use them, then I went to sleep.

Then on the next day, by mistake I brought the case with the cigarettes and lighter inside to middle school.”

“Oh my.”

“When I opened the case during break time and saw what was inside, I thought this is bad. It’s because the guys borrow my deck on their own to play cards whenever I go to the washroom.

The possibility of another guy looking inside my bag is low, but it would be bad if the school suddenly announced a surprise bag inspection, so I brought the case with me to the washroom in order to hide it, but I was in so much hurry that I lightly bumped Tachibana-san on the way. Maybe it’s because it was cheaply made but the case opened up, scattering the cigarettes and the lighter.”

“Uwa, that’s terrible.”

“Since there were no other people around, for the time being I put the cigarettes and the lighter back inside the case.

While I was frantically explaining that I got my dad’s case by mistake, the chime rang so the two of us returned to the classroom.”

“Yeah”

“She stopped me in front of the classroom, then whispered to my ear ‘I have with me a thing where I put my sanitary napkins to keep them hidden, If you’re worried, then should I put that case of yours in there until the end of classes?’ It night sound pathetic me being saved from a pinch by a girl, but I thought how I was saved, and passed the case to her without a word.

When I did, she wrapped the case in a handkerchief with a smile, then full of confidence, she entered the classroom. For me, she looks like a messiah.”

“You’re right. She is a messiah.”

“I thought, this person’s crazy awesome!

For starters, she instantly connected the dots that us boys rummage through each other’s bags willi-nilly so I must be on the way to hide the case.

Even her immediately coming up with the idea of hiding the case to the place where she put her sanitary napkins in since it’ll be hard to find there was also rad.

Even though it will end up with me finding out it was a day when she brings sanitary napkins with her, the kindness and courage that she had to tell me about it were awesome too.

Also, it made me happy when she believed me when I said that I mistakenly took my dad’s tobacco case. Even though it will not be out of question for her to think that I might just be looking out for a place hidden enough to take a smoke whenever I want to.

And then, there’s the fact that it was my fault in the first place for bringing card games to school. But despite that, I didn’t receive any scolding from her.

Somehow, shockingly because of a lot of things, I was thoughtlessly moved by it.”

“Yeah, I think she was really awesome. Id it was me I wouldn’t be able to do all that.”

“Even in the middle of class, I thought about a lot of things.

Things like, when I deeply think about it, she might’ve just lied about bringing something to put her sanitary napkins in, to give me a sense of relief so to give the cards to her. I thought that if that was the case then what a very kind person she is.”

“Yeah—, that would be the obvious conclusion……”

“To make doubly sure it I safe, even after classes were over, she held on to the case until after we made it out of school premises. She then told me ‘It’s good that we didn’t get found out, right?’

When I received back the card case, I cried because I was frustrated with my own stupidity, you see. Because I mistook which card case to bring, I caused trouble for another person. I apologized to her, saying that I’ll never bring anything unnecessary to school ever again, then went home.

One I got home, I brought out things like the condom I received from a friend of a senpai in the arcade saying he doesn’t need it anymore after being dumped by her girlfriend, guitar picks and other unnecessary things in my wallet. Even on the next day I took home all the manga I brought to school. At once, I stopped bringing things like games to school.

When I think about it right now, by taking things that far, I might’ve already had feelings for her since that day.”

“That would indeed make you develop feelings for her—, she’s really awesome, Haruka-san is……”

While saying such a thing, it looked like tears will come out of Sakurako’s eyes.

Compared to Haruka-san, I have nothing. I’m beat by Haruka-san in intelligence, kindness and beauty.

Somehow, this made it hard to confess by saying I fell in love with him because he’s kind. Those were Sakurako’s thoughts

“You know, I really respect Tachibana-san and Morita. Those two are wicked awesome. I might be blessed for them to want to be friends with me.”

Iida laughed innocently.

“Isn’t Iida-kun awesome too for thinking that of them?

You properly reflected about it, and resolved yourself not to bring any unnecessary things to school after that.”

“Nah, I am a lost cause. Morita’s the earnest one for going through with everything until he’s rejected. In the end, I just acted like a brat.

That Morita, he’s different. Once he was taught how to properly fold his clothes by Tachibana-san, he continued doing it even after she rejected him. Surely, even in the future, he’ll still fold his clothes the way he learned it from Tachibana-san.

Morita’s the kind of person who will treat both success and failure as something to learn from for the rest of his life. He can value every experience he encounters.

In comparison, whenever I reflect on something, it only lasts for that moment. If something happens that I do not like even just a little, I would pretend not to see it. I even skipped doing that newspaper project because I’ll be doing it with Tachibana-san. Pouting and acting rebellious was really lame, you know. You’ll really get fed up with it.”

“Isn’t it good that you realized that it’s lame?

Iida-kun, have you told Tachibana-san about the things you did that time?”

“Nah, I didn’t tell her.

On the day that I might’ve started having feelings for her, while we’re walking home, we just talked a bit long and I just gave her my thanks. After that there were almost no time when were together alone.”

“You try to tell her about it at Health Land.

That you were happy back when she helped you out. And that you were sorry for the way you acted just before graduation.”

“Isn’t it too late for that?”

“I think it’ll be better if you tell her. It might cheer up Tachibana-san.”

“Then, maybe I’ll try telling her if the opportunity arises that I’m alone with her.”

“Yeah. You should tell her.”

“Hirose-san, thank you for giving me advice on lots of things.”

“Don’t mind it. Even I can only tell anyone things that I can say.”

“That’s not the case, I’m telling you. Even Morita-san has said it, but advice that didn’t come up during my talks with Morita for how many years, was given to me by Hirose-san in just a day.

That also the case today, and on lots of other times too. I’m really glad to be friends with you, Hirose-san. I’m really thankful.”

Sakurako desperately resisted the urge to jump into Iida’s chest.

“——I’m sorry. I still want to stroll around the store for a bit, so is it okay if we part ways here?”

“I’m willing to accompany you if you don’t consider me a nuisance, though.”

“I want to look at the underwear section too after all. You would get embarrassed there, won’t you Iida-kun?”

“Woahh, I’m sorry!”

Iida started moving with great haste.

“Then, I’m gonna go get the clothes I bought in the locker in front of the station, then go straight home. You go home early as well, Hirose-san.

Just in case, please send me a message that you safely made it once you arrived home.”

“Okay, got it! Thanks for today, it was so much fun!”

“I had fun as well! Would you hang out with me again?”

Sakurako nodded.

That’s right, I had enough happiness for today. In the first place, I had no plans of confessing to him today. I’ll carefully think on the reason I fell in love with Iida-kun, and do my best again starting tomorrow.

While trudging along, Sakurako, who just parted ways with Iida, was feeling troubled. That was because there were no underwear stores in the area.

It would be awkward if I return right now just to bump into him again. What should I do……?

While walking aimlessly, she found a park.

——That’s right, I can pass the time by sitting on a bench and having a long call with Natsuki. She must be worried about me after all. I’ll just boast to her how he was really kind to me and how we became close.

“Hello, Natsuki—?”

Alright, I properly spoke out.

“I was worried about you. Did everything went fine?”

When she heard Natsuki’s first words, tears flooded Sakurako’s eyes. Even the things that she wanted to talk about seemed to have disappeared.

“Natsuki. ……I, I wasn’t able to confess.”

“What’s wrong, Sakurako? Are you crying?”

“I asked Iida-kun how he’s in love with Haruka-san……”

Sakurako’s shoulders shook, not noticing the subtle mistake she made in the words she just said.

“It’s alright Sakurako, calm down.”

“I immediately lost confidence. I’m sorry, even though you went you way to support me.”

“Listen Sakurako, are you in a safe place?”

“Erm, I found a park.”

“A park?”

Sakurako looked around her surroundings.

“There’s a convenience store beside it, so I think I’m safe.”

“The park at the side of the convenience store, right?”

“Yeah”

Sakurako giggled.

Natsuki’s also such a worrywart.

“There’s a shrine nearby, something must be happening there since the lights are lit, and there are kids playing there too so I think it’s safe.”

“Will you be sitting there for a good while?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan.

I’m sorry for suddenly crying. I’ll explain everything once I calmed down a bit.”

“Sakurako, you see Iida-kun heading your way, right?”

When she heard that, as she moved her head to look, Iida’s form entered her sight. He was just standing all slouched, hands in his knees, catching his breath at the park’s entrance. She immediately understood that he must’ve ran all the way till there.

When he realized that Sakurako was looking at him, Iida waved at her with a smile. For a moment, Sakurako felt that that smile was pulling her into it no matter how far apart they were.

“He’s coming here. Why?”

Sakurako asked Natsuki while hurriedly pulling out her handkerchief and wiping her face with it.

“Yeah, then I’ll hang up now, okay? He came all the way for you, so it’s okay to pour all your tears to Iida-kun.”

“Iida-kun ran all the way here, you know.”

“Yeah”

“That’s amazing. I now understand what Morita-kun was talking about. Even though he’s far away. It looks to me like he’s shining.”

“Yeah.”

“The timing has never been so bad.”

“Hm?”

“Even though I stopped crying now…… my crying face is…”

“Your crying face is?”

“My crying face is ugly so I don’t want this, why does he have to look shining right now? He’ll see my crying face.”

“Hm? You’re crying face? You’re crying face is ugly so you don’t want to? It’s not ugly, it’s absolutely cute.”

“You mean it? Ah, it looks like Iida-kun had finally caught his breath, He’s walking up to here now.”

“Okay, I’ll hang up now. Good luck!”