My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 52

On Monday, while waiting for the end-of-day homeroom to start, I was staring out the window absentmindedly.

Yukina was so kind today too…

At school, Yukina has been as kind as she used to be. It’s almost like she’s become the Yukina I liked back then. But why am I thinking about this now? It’s just bothering me.

Today’s P.E. class was really uncomfortable. We were playing soccer. Soccer is a team sport, right? But for some reason, both my teammates and opponents were all treating me like an enemy. It felt terrible.

While running, someone tripped me. I don’t know if it was on purpose or by accident, but I fell and scraped my knee, which started bleeding. I thought I heard someone laughing.

The only one who worried about me was Haru. He told me to go to the nurse’s office, so I obediently followed. Luckily, it wasn’t a serious injury, but it still made me pretty angry. Jealousy from other guys is just pathetic.

As I was lost in these thoughts, Haru suddenly came rushing toward me, looking flustered. I turned to face him, wondering what was going on.

“Yukina-chan is getting confessed to!”

“…What?”

Yukina is getting confessed to…?

I automatically started looking around for Yukina. But she was nowhere to be found in the classroom.

“Hmm… So, who’s the guy? Not that I care…”

That’s a lie. I’m actually a bit shaken.

But I tried to act calm so he wouldn’t notice.

“Yoshino from Class 6!”

“…Who?”

I had no idea who that was.

I hardly talk to anyone, so I couldn’t even recall if he had been in the same class as me in first or second year.

“He’s the ace of the soccer club, super good-looking, and the number one guy all the girls admire!”

“Well, that’s quite an impressive status…”

“Is this really the time to be saying that?”

Haru was clearly excited, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me.

“Yeah, but what am I supposed to do about it?”

“I know, but… doesn’t it bother you?”

“Of course it bothers me…”

But what can I do about it? No one has the right to interfere with someone else’s confession.

Besides—

“She’ll probably turn him down.”

Yukina likes someone. Maybe the guy who’s about to confess is that person. But for some reason, I strongly feel she’ll turn him down again.

“You don’t know that. What if she starts dating him? Are you okay with that?”

Yukina dating someone, huh…?

I wonder how I’d feel about that.

I think I’d probably feel a little bad. What if the guy turns out to be a jerk and makes Yukina sad? But then again, it could be the opposite. He might actually be a great guy who makes Yukina happy.

And no matter what Yukina decides, I have no right to stop her or tell her to turn him down.

In the end, I have no choice but to wait and see what happens. After all, I was the one hoping she’d quit ‘Poplar’ if she started dating someone, so I’ll just have to stay quiet and see how it turns out.

“Well, it’s Yukina’s decision. I have no say in the matter.”

…Hmm? Ouch?

Something around my chest feels a bit painful…?

“Whatever…”

As I rubbed my chest, Haru gave me a slightly contemptuous look before leaving the classroom. And then, Yukina came back in, almost as if to take his place.

Yukina walked straight toward me.

“What happened to Haru-kun?”

“No idea.”

“Hmm. Oh, by the way, Yusuke, it looks like I’m going to be confessed to after this.”

I was stunned by how casually Yukina said it.

But why tell me!?

“Uh, good for you…?”

“Good for me? Yusuke, are you okay with me getting confessed to?”

“…Well, isn’t it a good thing to be popular? And it’s not like this is the first time, right?”

As her childhood friend, I should be happy that Yukina is popular. I should be happy… but right now, I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable about it. What is this feeling?

“True… So, what do you think I should do?”

“…That’s for you to decide. I don’t know. But whatever you choose, it’s up to you, and that’s okay.”

“What about you, Yusuke? What do you want me to do?”

Yukina’s question sounded a bit anxious, as if she wanted me to tell her to turn him down.

But even if I wanted her to turn him down, I couldn’t bring myself to say it, so I averted my eyes.

“…Honestly, I don’t really want you to date him… but that’s just my selfish feeling, and it’s got nothing to do with you…”

I’ve never confessed to anyone, so I don’t really know, but I imagine confessing takes a lot of courage. No matter the outcome, it’s wrong for someone else to get in the way.

That’s why the decision shouldn’t be made by anyone else. You have to judge it based on your own feelings.

“…Hehe, I see. So, you want me to turn him down, Yusuke.”

“I-I’m not saying I want you to—”

“It’s okay. I won’t date him. I’ll turn him down.”

“…”

Yukina’s smile seemed especially cute to me at that moment, and I felt embarrassed. I turned away and spoke gruffly.

“Do whatever you want…”

“Okay!”

With a light step, Yukina returned to her seat.

So, she’s going to turn him down…

Yukina’s words were clear. It has nothing to do with me, but for some reason, I’m really happy about it. I hate this selfishness that comes with being a childhood friend.