My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 56

“I need to start behaving from tomorrow.”

Yusuke-kun said this as he gently pulled my hand while we walked.

I know that. In my head, I’m thinking that I shouldn’t trouble Yusuke-kun.

But it’s impossible. I can’t seem to do it.

Because even now, my feelings for Yusuke-kun keep growing stronger. I want to stay by his side, even at school from tomorrow.

I didn’t expect someone to confess to me today. Usually, I get called out by a letter and they will confess to me quietly in a place where no one else is around. But today, I was called out directly in front of people after school and confessed to.

I don’t date anyone other than Yusuke-kun. That’s why I’ve always turned down all confessions.

And today was no different.

I tried to refuse the confession quickly and go home.

But unlike before, today’s guy was really persistent. Maybe because of the crowd watching for fun, he wouldn’t let me go easily.

He kept asking over and over… I hate it.

I started getting irritated, but I couldn’t let my expression change. So, I had no choice but to politely refuse.

Then suddenly, he grabbed my arm.

I tried to shake him off, but I couldn’t win against his strength. I hated it.

That’s when I heard a voice say, “Stop.” I wondered who it was and saw it was the boy who sat next to me.

I was grateful enough that he helped me. I thought I should at least respond if he talked to me in class.

But that boy grabbed my other arm too.

A shiver ran down my spine. I felt like throwing up.

The only one who can touch my body is Yusuke-kun. Yet now, I’m being touched by people other than Yusuke-kun.

I hate it. It feels dirty. I’m scared. It hurts. It’s disgusting.

The people around me were murmuring, but no one helped. It couldn’t be helped since I didn’t have friends, but I wanted someone to help me.

I almost started crying, which isn’t like me.

At that moment, hands were placed on both my shoulders. They were strong, but they weren’t trying to hurt me. It felt strangely reassuring.

Then, before I realized it, I was being pulled backward. Surprised, I looked up and saw Yusuke-kun. Yusuke-kun had come to save me.

Yusuke-kun is always like that. Whenever I’m truly sad, in trouble, or need help, he always comes. And he protects me.

A long time ago, I was bullied for having pale, cold skin and long black hair that people found scary. They called me a ghost or a snow woman, and I cried. Looking back now, it seems like nothing, but as a child, it hurt so much.

But every time, Yusuke-kun protected me. He drove away the bullies. All I could do was cry and cling to Yusuke-kun. I relied on him as my childhood friend.

I’ve loved Yusuke-kun since then. But it was because we were always together as childhood friends, not because I saw him as a boy.

That feeling completely changed one day.

In the fifth grade, we had a school play. I was chosen to play the princess. I’d never acted before, and there were other girls who wanted to play the princess. But I was chosen just because people said I was cute and the costume would suit me.

I didn’t want to stand out, so I hated it. But the atmosphere around me made it impossible to refuse.

In the middle of all that, Yusuke-kun was different.

Yusuke-kun told me to make sure I decided for myself without being influenced by others. As a result, I ended up giving up the role of the princess, and the girl who wanted to be the princess got to play the part.

From that moment on, I started seeing Yusuke-kun as the opposite sex—not just as a childhood friend, but as a boy.

“Hey, Yusuke.”

“What?”

“Remember the school play in fifth grade?”

“Yeah.”

“At that time, you told me I should decide for myself about playing the princess. Why did you do that?”

Was it just because he was fair-minded? Or was it because he liked the girl who wanted to be the princess? Which one is it, Yusuke-kun?

“Well, you hate standing out, don’t you? And you looked like you were in trouble.”

…This is exactly why Yusuke-kun is cool and unfair. I never told anyone that I hate standing out. Yet, Yusuke-kun noticed without me saying anything. He’s usually oblivious, but he picks up on things I want him to notice. Don’t make my heart race more than it already does.

I resented Yusuke-kun just a little for answering without hesitation. I care about him so much, yet he doesn’t know and acts like it’s nothing. It’s so unfair.

“Hey, Yusuke.”

“Hm?”

“Thanks.”

“You already said that earlier…”

“I just wanted to say it again!”

Yusuke-kun doesn’t need to notice. One day, I’ll make him notice. After all, I’m his precious childhood friend, right?

Yusuke-kun probably doesn’t realize what a big deal it was when he said it.

When the guy who confessed to me said he wouldn’t give up, Yusuke-kun said something. He said it would be a problem if someone got close to his precious childhood friend.

He probably just got heated up and said it unconsciously. But if it was unconscious, that means deep down, he really thinks that, right?

Yeah, that’s how I’ll take it. Besides, it made me happy, so that’s what it means!

And one day, I’ll tell him that I think of him as a precious childhood friend too. And that I feel even more for him than that.

So for now, I’ll just push a little. Just to keep my feelings from overflowing.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

Yusuke-kun stopped walking and looked at me. His cheeks were a little red… So cute.

“No, it’s just… aren’t you gripping my hand harder?”

“No, I’m not.”

That’s a lie. I tightened my grip from a light squeeze to a firmer one because I wanted him to notice. But I’ll just say it’s his imagination. He’s always making my heart race, so this is payback.

“Yusuke, are you really that conscious of me?”

“You idiot. Of course not.”

He’s flustered. Hehe, this is fun.

“If you want, we can walk arm-in-arm on the way back?”

“Stop saying weird stuff! Let’s just go home!”

Ah, he turned forward again. Oh well. I’m embarrassed too, and I’m getting hot.

Yusuke-kun started walking again.

But he still matches my pace.

Even though I teased him, Yusuke-kun is walking slowly to match my steps. Even those little acts of kindness make my heart tighten.

Yusuke-kun… I love you.

With a mix of embarrassment and happiness, we walked home just like we did when we were little.