Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 238: No One Else Could Ever Replicate It.

No One Else Could Ever Replicate It.

Hmm…

I had expected Yuji to confess—but I hadn’t imagined I’d be there witnessing the confession itself, hiding in the shadows like this.

Watching that kind of moment unfold between friends for the first time, I realized just how embarrassing it can be to see it from the outside.

I finally understood how it must have felt for everyone who had been watching us all this time.

“…Heh… That turned out well… Natsumi.”

Sitting beside me, Sara watched the scene with a gentle smile and quietly offered her thoughts.

The atmosphere seemed calm and positive, so we stayed back and watched. Though, I did feel slightly guilty for observing all the way through. Still, Sara brushed it off with a reassuring, “It’s only fair, after all,” and that was that.

“…Natsumi did so much for me back when I was dealing with Mr. Ichise. She listened, gave me advice… I was worried this time might not go well, but it all wrapped up nicely.”

“Yeah. Honestly, I’m happy for Yuji too—if this makes him happy, then that’s more than enough.”

“…Thank you. For supporting them.”

“…?”

Wait—who just said that?

We turned toward the voice—and there stood Natsumi-senpai, stiff as a statue, her expression twitching.

Apparently, we’d been discovered.

Yuji, it seemed, had turned away, too embarrassed to meet our eyes.

“Oh my, how did you notice us?” Sara responded as casually as ever, unfazed by the situation.

I quietly stepped back. Natsumi-senpai scared me a little, so I left this to Sara.

“…We heard you talking. Just how long have you been there?”

So she had known. Then again, if we could hear them, it made sense they could hear us too. It wasn’t exactly a well-thought-out hiding spot.

“Let’s see… Probably around the part where Natsumi started making that pointless comparison between herself and me?”

“Ugh… That was my bad, okay!?”

Flustered and defensive, Natsumi-senpai reacted with a bit more force than necessary. Sara, however, remained calm and composed, which only seemed to rile Natsumi-senpai further.

“Didn’t Tachibana say he liked you just as you are? There was no need to compare yourself to me… But I suppose that was just you hiding your embarrassment again. That inability to be honest is so you, Natsumi.”

“Stoooop! Don’t psychoanalyze me so calmly!!”

It appeared the dynamic between them had completely reversed. Natsumi-senpai, who once gave love advice and teased us, was now the one being teased—and she had no defense against Sara.

“You should just admit you’re happy. It’s been obvious for a while now that you liked Tachibana. I mean, that love charm you bought—”

“WAAAHHH!!!”

!?

Natsumi-senpai suddenly shouted and closed the distance between her and Sara with startling speed, clamping her hand over Sara’s mouth.

…What was that speed?

Even I had to admit, it was a move worthy of the tennis team’s ace.

But it was too late. We’d already heard the words “love charm.” So… that’s what she’d bought.

“Mmmph!”

“S-Saraaaaa… Y-You…”

Holding Sara’s mouth shut, Natsumi-senpai glared at her in a panic.

“Natsumi… Did you really get a love charm… for me?”

Of course, Yuji had heard too. He looked at her with a smile, clearly happy, but asked the question outright—maybe just to tease her a little more?

“Th-That was… um, a moment of weakness! It’s not like I picked it out thinking about you or anything, okay!?”

It was the classic tsundere response—and honestly, kind of adorable. I couldn’t help but grin. Turns out, Natsumi-senpai had a soft side when it came to romance.

“If it wasn’t for me, then who was it for…? Or was there someone else…?”

Yuji was relentless. His smile was playful, but he wasn’t letting her off the hook.

Is it just me, or does Yuji have a bit of an S-side?

“You might as well just tell him the truth. You both know how you feel already.”

Sara had somehow slipped out of Natsumi-senpai’s grasp and was now chiming in again—though she wasn’t teasing. She genuinely meant what she said.

“What’s the verdict, Natsumi?”

Yuji leaned in closer. Yeah, he’s definitely an S.

Still… to think I’d one day be witnessing this kind of flirting between the two of them…

“Uuugh, fine!!! YES!!! I bought it because I was thinking about you!!! Happy now!?”

And with that, Natsumi-senpai finally exploded, half-pouting as her face turned bright red.

I’d never seen her so adorable.

Earlier, she was talking about how she lacked confidence—but anyone looking at her now would see nothing but a lovestruck girl.

“I’m really happy. Thank you.”

Yuji replied with calm assurance, his usual composed demeanor in full display. The tables had clearly turned. The one who used to be pushed around was now in control.

“Ughhh… This is all your fault, Sara!!!”

“Fufu… If you had just been honest, you wouldn’t be in this mess. Like me…”

“Oh please! Speaking of charms—hey, Takanashi-kun! Did you know Sara also has a charm? And it’s a—mmph!!”

SMACK!!

Sara moved just as swiftly—if not faster—than Natsumi-senpai had earlier. She silenced Natsumi with a hand over her mouth and a presence so intense it looked like she might lift her clean off the ground.

“T-That was Natsumi’s doing!! I was tricked into it!! I didn’t choose it myself, I swear!!”

To see Sara flustered like this was… rare. The charm couldn’t have been anything bad—so why was she panicking?

“S-Sara?”

When I addressed her, she turned toward me—and her face flushed a deep crimson.

Was it that embarrassing?

“If you wouldn’t mind… please forget about this for now. I promise I’ll explain it someday.”

With that heartfelt request, I couldn’t press her further. As curious as I was, I would just have to wait.

“…Alright. If you’re not ready, I won’t push.”

Relieved by my response, she finally relaxed.

“It’s not that I don’t want you to know… I just think… maybe it’s too soon. It’s about… our future.”

She fidgeted, occasionally sneaking shy glances my way.

It was endearing—enough to make me blush myself…

“Pwah! Are you trying to kill me!?”

Oh—right. Natsumi-senpai had been silenced this whole time.

“Ugh… I thought I was going to die…”

“You brought this on yourself. You picked that charm. I was tricked. Isn’t that… correct?”

Faced with Sara’s terrifyingly calm smile, Natsumi-senpai reluctantly nodded.

That smile… was dangerous.

“Well, as long as we’re clear. Now then…”

Suddenly, Sara’s demeanor softened. She pulled Natsumi-senpai into a warm embrace and smiled, radiating genuine joy.

“Congratulations, Natsumi. It’s a truly wonderful feeling—to see your best friend find happiness.”

“…Ugh. You saying that so sincerely is even more embarrassing…”

But Sara’s voice was filled with such kindness that it left no doubt—her feelings were real.

Her best friend, who had always supported her, had now found love. Of course she’d be happy.

And I felt exactly the same.

“Yuji, congrats. Things weren’t moving along, so I was actually planning to set up a double date to push things forward.”

“Hearing it face-to-face like this is kinda embarrassing. But thank you. I owe it all to you guys—for bringing us together in the first place.”

Yuji looked away slightly, clearly embarrassed. But he meant every word.

“Love isn’t something to be embarrassed about, Natsumi. Just be proud—like us.”

“Yeah, no thanks. Unlike you two, I don’t enjoy flirting anywhere and everywhere.”

Natsumi-senpai had regained her usual sharp tongue, which made Sara chuckle. Hearing that, Natsumi finally laughed as well.

“Thank you, Sara.”

“Congratulations, Natsumi.”

Their happiness was so genuine, so contagious, that it seemed to wrap the whole area in a gentle warmth. Yuji and I watched them, feeling equally content, quietly basking in the joy of the moment.

After leaving the rooftop, we headed straight into town to begin our shopping. We already knew what we needed: a few dishes, a dresser—which we ultimately decided against—and, at Sara’s request, an oven instead. Now all that remained was to pick out a W-size futon.

“It’s such a shame… This one is so cute.”

“Yeah… but they only have it in single size.”

As we browsed the display futons one by one, Sara found one she particularly liked—but unfortunately, it wasn’t available in the size we needed.

“Well, why not just go with singles? We don’t have to get a double.”

“No, that won’t do. What if you catch a cold, Kazunari?”

Of course, her priorities revolved around me. According to Sara, we needed the larger size purely to prevent me from getting sick.

“I mean… we could just sleep separately…”

“That’s not an option either. We agreed, remember? Once we start living together, we’ll always cuddle before going to sleep.”

“…Wow. That’s a… lovely promise.”

Natsumi-senpai gifted me a perfectly flat stare and a comment so dry it could have withered a plant.

Yeah… she’s definitely judging us.

We had made several promises, it’s true. And sleeping together—literally—was one of them. Sara seemed fully committed to holding me in her arms every single night from now on.

“Kazunari… well, uh… good luck with that.”

Yuji’s awkward, overly warm encouragement was more pitiful than reassuring… but he wasn’t wrong. I had no choice but to give it my best.

“Oh… This one looks promising. I could make a custom cover for it…”

The futon spread across one of the display beds was apparently a store favorite. It was from a well-known brand, a bit pricey, but the plush texture and comfort justified it. And it still fit our budget.

“What do you think?”

“Looks like it would be super cozy to sleep in.”

“Yes. Let’s snuggle up and stay warm together.”

“…Yeah, I physically cannot handle that level of sweetness.”

“Agreed… that’s beyond me too.”

Leaving the two of them with twisted grimaces, I flagged down a clerk and began the purchase process. Everything we’d picked out today would be delivered together at a later date.

With shopping wrapped up smoothly, we decided to take a break at a café Natsumi-senpai had been wanting to visit. After picking up our individual orders, we secured a four-person table and settled in.

“Haah… I still can’t believe I actually have a boyfriend now.”

“Hearing that right in front of me is kind of disheartening, you know?”

Even though these two were officially a couple now, their usual banter hadn’t changed all that much. If you paid attention to what they were saying, sure, you could tell something was different—but on the surface, it felt the same.

“Here, Kazunari-san—say ahh…”

Chomp… munch munch…

Oh well. No point in worrying about it. They’re them, and we’re us. So we kept on being ourselves, business as usual.

“Is it good?”

“Sara’s cakes are better.”

“Fufu… Even if you’re just flattering me, all you’ll get is a pat on the head, okay?”

“I’m not flattering you. I genuinely mean it.”

“…Kazunari-san. I’d like a kiss later, please.”

“………”

“………”

Yes, I was very aware of the warm stares directed our way. But this sort of attention wouldn’t last forever. They’re a couple now too. Sooner or later, they’ll be just as affectionate as us.

“Sara, is something bothering Natsumi?”

Naturally, Sara had picked up on Natsumi’s gaze and tilted her head in confusion.

“No, I just… can’t believe how comfortable you are with public displays of affection. I couldn’t even manage half that.”

“That’s just because you’re still new to this.”

“Yeah, but to be fair, you two were already way too much even before you started dating.”

Reflecting back on our early days… yeah, she had a point. But even so, the two of them felt almost too reserved. Wouldn’t you expect a bit more excitement and physical closeness after becoming a couple?

“Now that I’ve got a boyfriend, I can really see it—you’re kind of incredible.”

“What brought that on?”

“I mean, no matter how much you love someone, it’s not easy to give so much of yourself to them. And to express your feelings so openly… That’s something else.”

There was no doubt that Sara was special. Even I understood that much. And because she’s so special, I genuinely treasure her. That’s why I’ve made the choice to accept her love, even in public.

“Fufu… I think I’m special too. If anyone else could replicate how I love, I’d honestly be impressed.”

“So… you do realize you’re not exactly average?”

“That’s not quite it. I just believe that the strength of my love for Kazunari-san is something no one else could possibly imitate.”

With love this deep, who wouldn’t be happy? I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I was truly the luckiest man alive. No—the luckiest in the world.

“If there’s another woman out there who can do what you do, I’d like to meet her. So, Takanashi-kun—what’s your take after hearing all that?”

The conversation suddenly turned toward me. My thoughts? After everything Sara had just said… of course I wanted to respond with equal sincerity.

“What Sara does for me… how special, important, and meaningful it is—I know it better than anyone. That’s why I’ll always accept her love and cherish her with all my heart—”

Smack!

A soft, warm sensation suddenly pressed against my cheek.

Of course—it was a kiss from Sara.

“I couldn’t wait until we got home…”

“Sara…”

“No—call me Sara… my love.”

The longing in her voice held me in place. Her eyes sparkled with affection—just like mine probably did. We were both overflowing with love.

“O-Okay… I understand. Sara…”

It caught me off guard, but I managed to respond. Seeing the pure happiness on her face made me feel just as joyful.

“…‘My love’? Is there no limit to these two?”

“…Honestly, the fact that we just sat there and ignored them kissing in a café might be worse…”

Honestly, I didn’t care what anyone thought. If I could see Sara smiling like that, then let them gawk or roll their eyes. Her happiness was mine—and that was all that mattered.