Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 236: Realized Feelings.

Realized Feelings.

“Huh…”

Yuuji stood there stunned, unable to grasp what had just happened, staring in the direction Natsumi-senpai had walked off to.

“…What happened to that lady…?”

Kishiyama-san looked just as confused, her gaze following Natsumi-senpai with the same blank expression as Yuuji.

While I was still trying to figure out how to smooth things over, the first to react was Sara-san, who had been watching the situation unfold with a consistently displeased look.

“…Tachibana-san. I’m not interested in any man other than Kazunari-san. But because you’re his best friend, I’ve kept a reasonable eye on you. I didn’t think you were a bad person—but was I mistaken?”

It appeared her irritation had been directed at Yuuji all along. The pressure she gave off was even stronger than Natsumi-senpai’s, and Yuuji visibly recoiled.

“Sa-Satsukawa-san, w-wait a second! She’s my cousin—”

…Wait, did he just say cousin?

“…What? Cousin?”

Apparently, Sara-san was just as shocked, her eyes darting between the two of them in disbelief.

Cousin. If that’s true, then the difference in last names, their parents’ involvement, and their closeness—it all makes sense.

“K-Kishiyama-san… are you really Yuuji’s cousin?”

“Yep! Yuu-kun’s always been super kind to me and played with me a lot since we were little. That’s why I love him!”

So it was true.

Confusing, to say the least… It’s hard to tell whether this girl is genuinely innocent or just incredibly calculating.

“Hey, hey, Takanashi-kun. Since you’re Yuu-kun’s best friend, can I call you Asami too? Just for fun?”

“There’s no need to be so forward. Kazunari-san doesn’t go around calling people by their first names like that. Right, Kazunari-san?”

“Y-Yeah, that’s right…”

Sara-san’s smiling intimidation wasn’t even in the same league as Natsumi-senpai’s. Still, this wasn’t about jealousy—it was clear her displeasure stemmed from something entirely different.

“…W-Wow…”

Kishiyama-san let out a breathless sigh as she stared at Sara-san, utterly captivated. She didn’t stop gazing at her, but Sara-san, clearly unamused, ignored her completely and redirected her glare at Yuuji.

Even I understood what that meant: if Kishiyama-san truly was his cousin, Yuuji should be chasing after Natsumi-senpai right now.

“Asami, go back to the café and meet up with your mother.”

“Ehhh… you’re making me leave?”

So her mother was around too. That’s something he could’ve mentioned to clear up the misunderstanding. Oh well, I’ll take care of Kishiyama-san so Yuuji can go after Natsumi-senpai.

“Yuuji, just go. I’ll take her to the café.”

“…Thanks.”

He seemed to understand the situation. Without needing any further prompting, Yuuji turned and dashed off in the direction Natsumi-senpai had gone.

Not that I’m trying to sound superior, but… really, what a handful.

“Wow… that lady is so beautiful. Is she a celebrity? A model? I’ve never seen anyone so stunning before!”

Just moments ago she was sulking—and now this?

Kishiyama-san sparkled with admiration, moving around to get a better angle on Sara-san, who seemed at a complete loss for how to handle the sudden shift.

“Sigh… your hair is so pretty. I’m so jealous… I want to look like that when I grow up…”

She sighed dreamily, staring longingly at Sara-san’s silky black hair—my favorite feature of hers—and then slowly took in her entire figure. This girl really is something else.

“K-Kazunari-san…”

Clearly overwhelmed, Sara-san called out to me as if asking for help.

For now, I needed to get Kishiyama-san to give her some space.

“Kishiyama-san, how about you go meet up with your mom, just like Yuuji said?”

Maybe it was the mention of Yuuji’s name, but she reluctantly turned to me and said, “Okaaaay…” She seemed willing to listen—almost like dealing with a child… Wait, a child?

As we walked toward the café, with her quietly trailing behind, I decided to ask her something that had been bothering me—gently, not directly.

“Kishiyama-san, do you go to school around here?”

“Yup! I go to the elementary school right over there.”

“…Ah, I see.”

So that explains it.

For an elementary schooler, she acted oddly mature—and she even seemed to be wearing makeup. That’s why I assumed she might be a bit younger or maybe the same age as us. In fact, I’d wondered if her childish behavior was all an act.

But now I could see—she was genuinely still a child.

“E-ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!?”

Unlike me, who had already begun to suspect it, Sara-san couldn’t hide her shock at the sudden revelation.

And I understood. Though it might sound harsh, this girl was precociously mature.

Sara-san spent the rest of the walk clearly trying to digest the truth, casting glances at Kishiyama-san and sighing heavily.

***

Natsumi’s POV.

Sigh…

I messed up. Completely lost control of myself.

Part of me had considered whether that girl might be a relative—that it could all be a misunderstanding.

My head was trying to be rational… but even so, I couldn’t stop myself. Even though I knew it might not be what it looked like, my body acted on its own.

As much as I hate to admit it… this must mean something. Although I still don’t quite feel the full weight of it.

I do like Tachibana-kun more than other guys—that much I can say for sure.

From the moment we met, I could sense something different about him. I felt we were well-suited. The secret connection we shared through Sara and the others gave me a little thrill.

Then, at the pool, when we met again after a while…

It was so much fun teasing him—I got carried away. It was like I was a kid again. He made me laugh more than any guy ever has. I realized that day how special he was to me.

To me, Tachibana-kun is someone I can be completely at ease with. Being around him is just… fun.

He tries to act all serious, but when you tease him, his reactions are priceless. That contrast—between his usual stoicism and his flustered moments—is just adorable. I think I finally understand why Sara keeps calling him cute.

He really is the only guy I’ve ever felt this way about. There’s no denying he’s special to me.

Which is why… seeing him like that with her…

I’d never seen that side of Tachibana-kun before. That must’ve been his true self. Sure, he may treat younger girls differently, but still…

It felt awful seeing him act so close with someone else. It was frustrating—knowing there’s a part of him he shows to her but not to me.

That’s why I—

…Wait.

What is this?

After listing out all my feelings like this… isn’t the answer already obvious?

“I didn’t like seeing him act so close with her.”

Is that… jealousy?

“I think he’s special.”

Isn’t that already my answer?

Even if I keep telling myself I don’t quite feel it yet, deep down I already know the truth.

Sara once said she didn’t understand her feelings—but even then, it was clear to everyone she was in love. Anyone could see it. I thought when I fell in love, it would be just as obvious.

So I figured, until I felt something like that, I wasn’t really in love.

And now that I do know…

I’m panicking. I’ve never felt this way before.

W-What is this?

What’s happening to me…?

***

Yuuji’s POV.

When it comes to my own feelings… things never seem to go as smoothly.

I remember getting so impatient watching Kazunari, and now—if the me back then could see the me now—he’d probably laugh and say, “You’re no different.”

Still… I can’t help but be a little happy. I hate to say it, but Natsumi-san was clearly jealous.

If that’s true… then she must be starting to see me differently.

This could be my chance—my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make her notice me as a man.

Back then, I followed Kazunari and Satsukawa-san on their date because I was worried about him.

That’s when I met Natsumi-san. We hit it off immediately—probably because we shared the same goal. Even though it was our first time meeting, I felt a strong sense of camaraderie. I think she did too.

Thanks to her bold personality, we shook hands as partners-in-crime.

Since then, we’ve acted like guardians—watching over our best friends, exchanging reports, sharing their growth. We weren’t just friends—we were allies in secret.

The one who enjoyed it the most was probably Natsumi-san.

Of course, our main focus was always supporting Kazunari and Satsukawa-san.

Because we mostly communicated via text, and saw each other as comrades rather than the opposite sex, we never really thought of each other romantically. That might have been part of the problem.

But all of that changed for me when we went to the pool.

Seeing her again after so long… I realized how beautiful she was. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Spending time with her that day felt like a gift.

Even though she teased me nonstop, I loved every minute of it.

That’s when I realized—we really are compatible.

Now that Kazunari and Satsukawa-san are together, our mission’s over. But our “check-ins” didn’t stop. They simply shifted to us updating each other about our own lives. I started writing down things I wanted to tell her, as if preparing for a diary entry.

Before I knew it, she became special to me.

When I called her by her first name, hoping to shake things up, she accepted it so easily I was a bit disappointed. That’s when I realized—while I was trying to deepen our connection, she still saw our bond as something fun rather than romantic.

But since the whole Yamazaki incident, our group started meeting up more. I finally got more chances to see her face to face. I did everything I could to stand out—so she’d see me as more than just a friend.

And maybe it worked. She’s started to act a little differently around me.

It might take time… but if I keep trying, maybe someday…

Right now…

I wonder what Natsumi-san is thinking?

Did she start to see me in a new light?

If she did…

Then maybe—I really do have a chance.