My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 53

Homeroom ended, and the time for Yukina to be confessed to was approaching. But, knowing she was going to reject him, I felt somewhat relieved. So, without giving it much thought, I grabbed my bag to head home.

“You’re leaving?”

Haru asked.

“I have work today, and I want to go home early and relax.”

When I answered, Haru sighed in exasperation. Then, he grabbed my arm and started dragging me somewhere.

“Wh-Where are we going?”

“Just come with me.”

He brought me to the back of the school building. There were already a lot of students there, and the atmosphere felt like something was about to start.

I quickly realized what was going on. In the center of the group stood a tall, handsome guy with neatly groomed chestnut hair.

Oh, so he’s the one who’s going to confess to Yukina…

He seemed like a good guy. If he and Yukina walked side by side, people would probably say they made a perfect couple… Wait, whose perspective am I looking from?

“H-Hey, why don’t we leave? This isn’t some spectacle to watch.”

Honestly, I felt uncomfortable being here. The atmosphere of enjoying someone’s confession like it was a movie was unsettling.

“I know… But you’re curious, aren’t you?”

“W-Well, yeah…”

Even though I knew she was going to reject him, I couldn’t help but be curious. In the end, I was just another person blending into the crowd.

As we were talking, Yukina arrived, and a mysterious cheer went up. Knowing how much Yukina hated standing out, I quietly shut my mouth, thinking how much she must despise this.

“Thanks for coming.”

“No problem.”

“So, I’ll get straight to the point. I like you, Yukina. Please go out with me!”

Wow… Watching someone confess is kind of amazing. He’s so composed, even with all these students watching… I guess that’s what it means to have nerves of steel.

“I’m sorry. I can’t go out with you.”

Yukina also rejected him with composure… Not a single bit of hesitation. It shows just how strong her feelings are for the person she likes.

…Huh? That pain again…?

As I was thinking about that, I suddenly felt a slight prick in my chest.

“Can’t you at least think about it? Come watch my game this weekend. You can give me your answer after that!”

Wait, isn’t he being a bit persistent? She already turned him down, didn’t she? Or is it strange to give up so quickly?

“No, thank you. I’m sorry.”

“Please. Just come watch. That alone will give me the strength to do my best.”

“No matter how many times you ask, it’s impossible. Besides, I won’t ever fall in love with you.”

Yukina was taking a step back as she firmly rejected him.

“H-Hey, Haru. I don’t really get it… Is this situation okay?”

“It might be getting a bit dangerous. But with this many students around, he probably won’t resort to violence…”

Violence…? If he were to lay a hand on Yukina, what would I do? Would I hit him back?

No, I don’t have that kind of courage. I’d just stand there, regretting that I couldn’t help her. So to avoid that, Yukina should at least go to his game. If needed, I’d go with her.

“Why did you fall in love with me in the first place? We’ve never even spoken a word to each other, have we?”

“I don’t know. I just found myself watching you. So please.”

“Ah—”

Yoshino desperately grabbed onto Yukina’s arm.

Yukina’s bag, which was slung over her shoulder, fell to the ground with a thud.

Yukina tried to shake his hand off, but it seemed like she couldn’t break free from his grip.

‘There’s only one person allowed to touch my body.’

Yukina’s words suddenly echoed in my mind.

I felt a simmering anger rising within me.

And then, another voice rang out.

“Let go of her! Can’t you see that Himemiya-san doesn’t like this?”

The voice belonged to Tsutsumura. I don’t know if he came after hearing the rumor about the confession, but he appeared like a hero from somewhere.

He grabbed Yukina’s other arm, trying to help her.

“Who the hell are you? Stay out of this!”

“It’s not about staying out of it. If a classmate is in trouble, of course, I’ll help!”

The two of them were arguing over Yukina, voicing their opinions miserably. The students around them began murmuring noisily.

“H-Hey, Yusuke. Shouldn’t we do something? This is getting bad.”

Haru said in a heavy tone.

I knew that. Even without Haru telling me, I wanted to do something about it.

…But my legs wouldn’t move. If I stepped in, people might start whispering about me or doing something to me again tomorrow. I don’t want that. I’m not a hero like Tsutsumura.

“You go, Haru. You can handle those guys, right?”

“…No, you go.”

“I can’t. I’m not a hero. I’m not—”

“Enough already! Even if you think that way, Yukina-chan might feel differently!”

In all the time I’d spent with Haru, this was the first time he’d ever raised his voice like this.

“I know you’ve had a hard time because of Yukina-chan. But right now, you’re the only one who can help her!”

“…!”

That’s right. Yukina is popular, but it’s a kind of popularity like an idol’s, where she’s always alone. People stick around her to boost their own status or value… She’s more like a decoration. That’s why no one ever seriously gets close to Yukina. Even now, no one is stepping in to stop this.

When I looked at Yukina, she had a tearful expression. Seeing that, my legs started moving on their own.

I pushed through the crowd and reached Yukina, pulling her by the shoulder toward me.

“Stop it, both of you. Yukina doesn’t want this.”