My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 118

Summer vacation has ended, and today marks the start of school life again.

I woke up earlier than usual compared to last semester, got ready, and left the house.

I waited for Yukina in front of the door.

I should have made plans with her yesterday, but I wanted to surprise her a little, so I kept quiet. I hope she hasn’t left the house yet.

“Huh? Yuu-kun? What’s up?”

After waiting for a while, I heard the door open, and Yukina came out.

She looked surprised when she saw me, so the surprise was a success.

“I thought we could go to school together…but what happened to your hair?”

Yukina’s hair had changed from her usual straight style to twin tails. It felt like I was the one being surprised now.

“For some reason, it just wouldn’t stay straight today, so I tied it up. How does it look?”

“Yeah, it suits you. I like your straight hair, but the twin tails are nice too.”

“Hehe, maybe I’ll do this more often. Anyway, let’s go.”

I hadn’t gotten a chance to ask her during our trip if she told anyone about us dating. When we got back to the apartment and spent time together, she mentioned that she had contacted someone on the day of the summer festival. Apparently, people knew about us much earlier than I had thought.

“I was so happy I couldn’t help myself…Was that bad?” she asked, but there was no way I could say it was. In fact, it wasn’t bad at all, so I hugged her.

I had walked home with Yukina several times before, but walking to school with her for the first time felt refreshingly new.

“Yo, long time no see.”

When I arrived in class, Haru, with a slight tan, greeted me with his usual bright smile.

“Long time no see. Seems like you really enjoyed yourself.”

“Oh, you noticed? It was the best final summer break of high school.”

From his happy tone, I could tell he had a good time with Mano-san.

“You had a good time too, right? You were showing off from the moment you walked in this morning.”

“It’s nothing…we just walked into the classroom together.”

“Really? I don’t think anyone else sees it that way.”

Haru smirked as he turned his gaze to Yukina. I followed his line of sight and saw that Yukina was surrounded by a group of girls. It wasn’t like she was being bullied or anything. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but the atmosphere wasn’t tense. In fact, it seemed like the girly pink aura was visible…or something like that.

Well, I could guess the reason behind it.

“Yukina’s changed too, huh? She’s pretty bold in the classroom.”

Right. As soon as I entered the classroom, Yukina hugged me. It only lasted a few seconds, but it caused an uproar. There were cheers, screams of horror, and some people even collapsed as if spitting blood…both boys and girls. Wait, why!?

Anyway, the classroom was in chaos for a while.

“Well, things worked out, so I’m glad. Congrats.”

Thanks to Yukina’s bold move, everyone probably knew by now. At least everyone here in the classroom knew about our relationship.

“…Thanks.”

Haru, who had been worried about how distant we’d become, nodded approvingly like a proud parent. That’s why I thanked him honestly.

Amid the strange, resentful glares from others, I noticed Yukina was looking at me. When our eyes met, she waved at me, so I waved back. The group of girls around her erupted in cheers again.

“Thanks for what you did on the night of the summer festival.”

“Don’t mention it. I just escorted a junior home, that’s all.”

Just before the start of the opening ceremony, I ran into Akiba while heading to the restroom. I made sure to properly thank him for what he did at the summer festival. He had taken care of Tadokoro, who I had to leave behind that night.

There was nothing I could’ve done. I didn’t have the right to. That’s why I couldn’t thank Akiba enough for his kindness.

“Whatever choice you make, Oyama, it’s your decision. It won’t change our relationship. We’ll always be fellow maids.”

“Akiba…”

His words made me genuinely happy.

We shook hands naturally. I’m glad to have such a good fellow maid.

“As always, the principal’s speech was long.”

“Yeah, it’s probably important, but it’s exhausting.”

After the opening ceremony, while Yukina and I were heading back to class,

“Senpai! Yukina-senpai! Long time no see!”

Tadokoro came over with a cheeky grin.

It had been a while since we last talked at the cafe.

“Long time no see. You’ve been well, I see…not that I need to ask.”

“Of course! Staying healthy is my thing!”

She puffed out her chest with a proud smile.

I feel like this easygoing relationship with Tadokoro is comfortable. It’s not about whether we’re dating or not, but just being like this is fun.

“How about you, Yukina-senpai? Have you been well?”

“Y-Yeah, I’ve been fine…”

Yukina lowered her head apologetically.

Naturally, Yukina feels guilty towards Tadokoro.

“Yukina-senpai, please raise your head. I like you too, so I don’t want us to have a bad relationship.”

“But I…I don’t know what to do.”

Yukina has never fought with a friend before. She doesn’t know how to make up.

“Yukina-senpai, you don’t have to do anything. Just stay the way you’ve always been.”

“Junior-chan…”

“We still have that promise to go buy animal hoodies together.”

Tadokoro is really a good person. I’m sure she’s been hurt a lot, but she’s still considerate of both me and Yukina.

That’s why I want to stay friends with Tadokoro for a long time.

“Will you really go with me?”

“Of course! Let’s pick out something cute and surprise senpai together!”

“Okay…thank you.”

“Ah, I’d like it if you could start calling me by my name soon. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Um, S-Sakuya-chan…”

“Oof! T-This is a big one. Yukina-senpai, you’re too cute. Wait, senpai, have you been keeping this happiness of being called by name all to yourself? That’s unfair!”

“Right? Right? It feels special when Yukina calls your name.”

“This is one of those things that spoils people! Ah, I’d better get back to class. See you!”

Tadokoro started heading back to her classroom, then suddenly stopped and turned around.

“Yukina-senpai, if senpai ever does something bad to you, let me know. We’ll take him down together!”

“Hey!”

“Hehehe, see you next time!”

Tadokoro laughed happily and ran back to the classroom.

“Yuu-kun, let’s go home.”

Homeroom had just ended, and as I was getting ready to leave, Yukina came over.

“Yeah.”

Just as I finished packing up and stood up, Yukina linked her arm with mine.

“W-what, Yukina!?”

As the noise around us grew louder, I could feel my heart racing.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? This is embarrassing.”

If it were just the two of us, I wouldn’t mind at all. In fact, I’d welcome it.

But we weren’t alone. The classroom was still full of classmates.

“Geez, Yuu-kun, you’re so shy. We’ve done way more intense stuff, so why get embarrassed now?”

“Alright, Yukina, let’s go. Right now.”

“Sure. Oh, wait! Before we go home, let’s stop by the supermarket. We need to buy ingredients.”

“Got it. Just…stay quiet for a while.”

If this keeps up, the whole classroom will be filled with murderous intent!

As we left school and headed toward the supermarket, Yukina, who had been clinging to me until now, suddenly cooled off and stepped away.

“Haah…my heart was racing…”

She fanned her face with her hand, trying to cool down her flushed cheeks.

“If you were nervous, why did you do that?”

“Well, this morning no one was around, so I thought it was the perfect chance for everyone to understand.”

“Understand what?”

“That you belong to me, and I belong to you.”

“You didn’t have to do something like that.”

“No way! Yuu-kun, you might not realize it, but you’re starting to get popular. I don’t want anyone messing with you.”

“Me, popular…? That’s not happening. And even if it did, no one else matters to me but you, Yukina, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Even so, I can’t help but feel anxious. I am your girlfriend, after all…”

“I-I see…”

But really, she didn’t have to worry.

When we were distant, every time we ended up in the same class, I cursed our rotten luck. I hated the gods. I always wished I could cut off this bad connection.

And yet, through all of that, Yukina kept thinking of me. Her methods were reckless, clumsy, and far from ideal. But no matter where I look, there’s no other girl like her, no one who would stand beside me like this.

I love Yukina.

Now, I don’t want to sever this bond. On the contrary, I’m relieved it hasn’t broken, and I feel grateful for that.

“What are you spacing out about?”

“I was just thinking that I probably won’t ever like another girl besides you, Yukina.”

“D-don’t space out like that, let’s go!”

Yukina’s face turned red as she quickly sped up. I jogged to catch up to her and walked beside her. Then, I took her hand.

“Let’s stay like this.”

“O-okay…”

“By the way, Yukina, could you not talk about ‘intense stuff’ in the classroom?”

“Why? All the girls talk about kissing and stuff.”

“That’s fine in front of the girls, but not the guys. I don’t want them imagining you like that.”

…I’ve really changed a lot. I never would’ve thought like this back then.

“I-it’s not that you’re being controlling or anything, right? Was that weird?”

“No, it just shows how much you love me, Yuu-kun.”

Yukina grinned widely, looking pleased yet mischievous.

“Of course I love you.”

“Huh!?”

As I touched her lips, her eyes widened in surprise. She’s been shocking me all day, so I guess it’s okay to tease her a little. Fortunately, there was no one else around.

“Alright, let’s head to the supermarket.”

“You idiot! Idiot! Idiot, idiot!”

“I just want to get home and have dinner with you.”

Yukina, teary-eyed and fussing beside me, was ignored as I started walking.

At that moment, I tightened my grip on her hand a little. Holding on firmly, wishing our bond wouldn’t break.

Yukina squeezed back with equal strength. I felt the warmth of her hand, and that warmth alone convinced me that our connection wouldn’t break.

That thought made me happy.

Yukina probably felt the same way. We exchanged smiles as we looked at each other.

The bond between me and Yukina won’t end. It’ll go on, forever and ever.