Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 157: Together again, with everyone.

Together again, with everyone.

“Mm~ This is delicious!!”

As if to say that dessert is a separate stomach altogether, six different kinds of cake are lined up in front of Natsumi-senpai. I like sweets too, but eating that much would definitely make me feel sick halfway through…

“Haa… Natsumi has it so easy. Just eating one slice of cake is scary enough for me.”

“Well, I’m in the athletics club, so I’ll burn it off at practice tomorrow! No problem!”

Nishikawa-san let out a sigh, clearly envious as she glanced at Natsumi-senpai.

Maybe I only think it’s nothing to worry about because I’m a guy…

“Yuzuki-san, you really do look like you’re enjoying that.”

Yuuji’s comment echoed what everyone must be thinking. Natsumi-senpai blinked in surprise, glanced down at the cake on her fork—and for some reason, held it out toward Yuuji.

“Hmm? This one’s really good. Want to try it, Tachibana-kun? Here—say ‘ahh’.”

“Wha!? No, wait—!”

What a rare sight!

To think even someone like Yuuji could get flustered like that—it’s almost unbelievable!

“Hmm? What’s wrong? You’re saying you won’t eat my cake?”

Natsumi-senpai, clearly teasing Yuuji, looked absolutely delighted.

She gradually moved the fork closer to him, wearing a mischievous grin that just wouldn’t fade. On the other hand, Yuuji looked completely cornered, clearly unsure whether to open his mouth or not.

“Sara… this is the first time I’ve seen Natsumi act like that. Do those two have something going on?”

“Well… perhaps. Oh, but please don’t move, okay? …Honestly, I’ve been curious about them too.”

flick flick

“Shall we ask them next time? Now then—say ‘ahh’.”

chomp… munch munch

Wow, this cake really is good…

“Ugh… I can’t believe this is happening. We’re having a conversation and yet… Takanashi-san, how can you just casually let Sara feed you and wipe your mouth like it’s normal?”

“Eh!?”

Habit really is terrifying…

It only hit me when she pointed it out—just how naturally I’d accepted Sara’s actions.

“There’s nothing wrong with it, is there? I do it because I want to. And I’d hate it if you felt you had to hold back, Kazunari-san.”

“R-right.”

Sara’s soft but firm “I’d hate that!” wasn’t just a complaint—it was her way of saying, “When you’re happy, I’m happy too.” In other words, there’s absolutely no reason to stop.

Instead of answering, I smiled at her—and she smiled back with a radiant, joyful expression.

“Now, try this one next. Say ‘ahh’.”

chomp… munch munch

***

“What is this cake? I can’t taste any sweetness.”

“Huh? That can’t be right…”

“Even when I ignore things, I end up getting dragged in. That annoys me, so I’m intervening.”

“Oh, so that’s what this is…”

Just as I heard Hanako murmuring something with Youko, she suddenly stood up, carrying her plate of cake.

No doubt she’s heading over to mess with Takanashi-kun.

She might complain a lot, but she always finds a way to interact with him. I wonder—does she actually like him? But then again, she’s usually all over Satsukawa-senpai, and I remember her saying she just liked him as a person. So maybe it’s just friendship?

“Toudou-san.”

It was Yokokawa-kun who called out to me.

…Pretty sure that’s the first time he’s used my name?

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“Thank you. For earlier. I really appreciated it.”

As always, Yokokawa-kun wore his signature charming smile. I can see why so many girls fall for that.

“Oh, it was nothing. Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, thanks to you. Actually… would you mind if we talked for a bit?”

Talk?

I’ve never really had a long conversation with a guy before. I hope I can keep up…

“Sure. But I might not be very interesting to talk to.”

“Don’t worry. Well then, excuse me.”

***

Tap tap…

?

Someone tapped my shoulder. When I turned around, Hanako was standing there, holding a fork with a piece of cake pointed right at me.

…What?

“Say ‘ahh’.”

chomp

Caught off guard, I instinctively opened my mouth slightly—and she shoved the cake in before I could react.

munch munch… gulp

“I couldn’t taste any sweetness. What about you, Takanashi-kun?”

“Huh? No, I thought it tasted fine.”

A cake that doesn’t taste sweet? Is that even possible?

…Maybe if she had something even sweeter right before?

I stared at Hanako, trying to figure out why she’d ask such an odd question, when suddenly—she gave a sly grin.

“…Kazunari-san?”

!?

Don’t tell me—not again…!

Feeling a now-familiar sense of panic, I quickly turned around—but to my surprise, Sara looked completely calm.

“Is something wrong? Ah, really, Kazunari-san—you mustn’t move, okay?”

flick flick

Apparently that sudden fork of cake had left quite the mess. As Sara began gently wiping my mouth again, she glanced over at Hanako.

“Hanako-san, you’re his friend, so I don’t mind—but please don’t be so forceful. If Kazunari-san chokes, that would be quite a problem… All right, that should do it.”

After finishing, Sara gave Hanako a light but firm warning—and then smiled. Her expression was composed, even serene.

“!? S-so this is the composure of the rightful girlfriend… I’ve lost…”

Hanako wore a stunned expression, like she’d just been dealt a critical blow, and slowly made her way back to her seat.

…Wait, “rightful girlfriend”?

“Um… Sara-san?”

“It’s okay. Hanako-san is a friend. If I made a big deal of everything, it would only trouble you, Kazunari-san.”

I see… So she’s just putting on a brave face. Deep down, she’s still enduring it to some extent.

Well, if our roles were reversed, I’d definitely be jealous too.

“…But I wouldn’t like it if you got too friendly with other girls.”

Sara’s fingers gently pinched my sleeve, tugging ever so slightly. She looked so cute doing it that I had to fight to keep from grinning.

***

“Well then—thank you all for your hard work today.”

Once everyone had taken their seats again, Nishikawa-san began the final closing remarks, as if to officially mark the end of our long and eventful day.

The only thing left now was the drive home.

Unlike on the way here, we’d be dropping Yuuji and the others at the station first, then returning to our original meeting point.

“Now then, Takanashi-san—would you please give the closing remarks?”

…Wait, me?

I’d assumed Nishikawa-san would just wrap it up, but she suddenly turned the spotlight on me.

When I looked at her, she gave me a look that clearly said, “Obviously.”

“This whole group gathered around you, Takanashi-san. That’s why it’s only fitting you give the final words.”

…True. This all started because of what happened between me and those two.

I’m nervous with everyone watching, but I do want to express my thanks—so I’ll do my best.

“Um… first of all, thank you. Thanks to all of you, we were able to put an end to the situation with Yamazaki. As for Yuzuha… it didn’t go the way we hoped, but even so, I think we reached a conclusion. I couldn’t have made it this far without you all. Really—thank you.”

As I bowed my head, for some reason, everyone else did too.

I fought back the urge to laugh, but when I glanced around, I saw everyone smiling in return.

Nishikawa-san. Hanako-san. Tachikawa-san. Toudou-san. Hayato. Yuuji. Natsumi-senpai… and Sara-san.

I never imagined that someone like me, who had always felt alone, would be blessed with such wonderful companions.

“Even when I hesitated, you all showed me that we’d be okay as long as we shared the burden together. That meant the world to me. The old me would never have believed this was possible. That’s why I want to cherish this bond. I don’t want this to be the end. Let’s make sure we gather again—next time, just for fun. Of course, if anyone’s in trouble, that’s a good reason too. So instead of saying goodbye… let’s say, ‘See you next time!’”

I said everything I could, from the heart.

Everyone listened with serious expressions—and when I finished…

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

As if my words had truly touched them, everyone stood up at once, welcoming me with brilliant smiles and loud applause.

“I’m truly grateful, Takanashi-san. Not just for resolving things with Yamazaki—but for giving us this amazing opportunity to come together. I really hope this bond lasts.”

“Next time, let’s go on a trip together!!”

Spurred by Nishikawa-san’s words, Natsumi-senpai’s suggestion immediately piqued everyone’s interest.

“That sounds great!”

“Yes, now that we’ve built this connection, we should definitely do something fun together.”

“I want to go somewhere!”

Tachikawa-san, Toudou-san, and Hanako-san eagerly chimed in, their voices full of excitement.

“Anywhere would be fun with this group.”

“Let’s definitely plan something.”

Even Hayato and Yuuji voiced their agreement with Natsumi-senpai.

“I’m in as well. Let’s try to plan it as soon as we can!”

“I’ll be following along with Kazunari-san, of course.”

I’m in too. And as always, Sara-san stays true to form.

“Well then, if everyone’s okay with using a Nishikawa Group resort, I can make the arrangements. Shall we start planning?”

“I’m in!!!!!!!”

Even though nothing had been decided yet, everyone’s expressions already showed how excited they were for what’s to come. And of course—I’m looking forward to it too.

And with everyone’s cheerful agreement, our long day finally came to a close.