My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 42

On the final day of midterms, which started on Wednesday, today’s test was the hardest one—math.

Thanks to studying thoroughly with Yukina on Sunday, I managed to write more on the answer sheet than usual. Though I couldn’t fill in everything, it was my best attempt ever.

I don’t know how the scores will turn out, but I was satisfied with solving more problems than I expected.

“Good job. How’d it go?”

As I was basking in a small victory, Haru asked me with that usual expression, clearly expecting me to have failed.

“Haha, you’ll be surprised! I did my best ever.”

It wasn’t just math. Thanks to Yukina’s help, I managed to memorize a lot and fill out most of the other tests too.

“Don’t get too carried away, okay?”

Ugh, he doesn’t believe me. Haru patted my shoulder with a pitying expression.

Fine, just wait until the results come back…!

“How about you, Haru?”

“Me? I did the same as always.”

Haru is smart. When he says “the same as always,” it probably means he got a high score.

The way he says it so casually is annoying…

“Well, it’s our first test since we got into this class, so I don’t know my rank yet. I’m probably about even with Yukina.”

Hearing that made me realize something.

“Why didn’t I ask Haru to tutor me?”

Yeah, if I’d studied with Haru, I wouldn’t have to treat Yukina to ramen later.

I muttered to myself, but Haru quickly shook his head seriously.

“No way, I wouldn’t want to teach Yusuke.”

“What? Why not!?”

I couldn’t understand why he was so against it.

“Because, Yusuke, you’re an idiot. No matter how much I teach you, you’d never get it.”

“…Hey, that’s a bit harsh.”

That really stings…

“I’m serious. Teaching someone with zero knowledge from scratch is super hard. You probably don’t get how tough it is because you’re an idiot, but it’s really difficult for the person teaching.”

“Is… is that so?”

“Yeah, it is. You wouldn’t want to make your friend go through something so hard, right?”

“If you’re really my friend, you should help me out even if I’m dumb!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll still be your friend, even if you stay dumb!”

What’s he even worried about? What does it mean to be friends, anyway? I was seriously pondering this while looking at Haru.

“Well, I’ve got a date now, so I’m heading out. Aren’t you going home yet, Yusuke?”

Haru said cheerfully, clearly excited about his date. He was already packed up and ready to leave the classroom.

I answered while still sitting at my desk.

“No, not yet.”

The time had finally come. The moment to treat Yukina to ramen.

“Okay, see you Monday.”

Haru left the classroom with a casual wave, not giving it much thought. He probably assumed I’d just head to a maid café or something, but that’s not the case.

I glanced over at Yukina, who was sitting diagonally in front of me. A few classmates, including the boy next to her, were around her.

“Himemiya-san, we’re going out to celebrate the end of exams. Want to join us?”

The boy next to Yukina invited her to hang out, trying to sound casual.

I couldn’t help but overhear his loud invitation, though I wasn’t really interested.

So they’re going out…?

Well, if that happens, I’d be left with extra money I brought, but I guess that’s fine…

And if Yukina ends up making friends through this, that’s good for both her and me.

“Sorry, I already have plans for today.”

Yukina declined without changing her expression.

“Oh, I see. That’s too bad. Well, maybe next time.”

“Yeah, goodbye.”

The group left the classroom, disappointed.

Yukina went back to staring at the blackboard alone.

Watching her, I wondered why she chose me.

Hanging out with that group would be way more fun than just eating ramen with me.

But Yukina chose me. For some reason, that made me feel warm inside.

Once everyone else had left the classroom, it was just me and Yukina. She stood up and walked over to me.

“Finally, everyone’s gone. The exams are over, so they should just go home already.”

“That’s a bit selfish, don’t you think? We’re still here too, after all.”

“Well, I can’t help it. You don’t want any weird rumors about us leaving together, right?”

“Y-Yeah, I don’t.”

“See? That’s why I waited for everyone to leave for your sake.”

Yukina said, acting like she was so kind and considerate.

Honestly, it wasn’t planned for us to leave last, but she probably stayed because she was being thoughtful.

“Yeah, yeah, thanks.”

“Alright, let’s go. I’m starving.”

Yukina rubbed her stomach, clearly unable to wait any longer.

“How about the school cafeteria? We can eat right away.”

“No way. We’re going to that place by the station, remember? Come on, get up.”

Yukina urged me, so I stood up.

Still, even if it’s Yukina, my childhood friend, she’s still a girl. Walking home together with a girl feels like a da—

“J-Just so you know, this isn’t a date or anything!”

My heart skipped a beat.

It was like she read my mind. The timing was so perfect it made my heart race.

“Y-Yeah, I know. This isn’t a date. You’d better not get the wrong idea either.”

“H-Huh!? Like I’d ever mistake it for a date! This is just a detour. A detour! You better understand that!”

“Yes, yes, I understand. It’s a detour, just a detour.”

“Exactly! It’s not a date. Besides, if you wanted to go on a date with me, you’d have to ask properly.”

“I don’t need that, so I’m definitely not asking. Now let’s go.”

I started walking, and Yukina called out, “Wait up!” I stopped and waited for her to catch up, and then we walked side by side.