My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 57

The next day, I was changing my shoes at the shoe lockers and heading towards the classroom when I heard someone call from behind.

“Y-Yusuke!”

When I turned around, Yukina was standing there with her bag.

It was unusual for Yukina to arrive at school later than me. Did something happen?

As I watched her, wondering if something was different, Yukina spoke.

“G-Good morning.”

“Oh, um, good morning.”

I thought she just wanted to greet me, but then she said—

“W-Well, I’ll go on ahead.”

With that, she hurried off to the classroom at a quick pace.

I figured she could have just walked with me since we met anyway, but I continued on to the classroom.

As usual, various glances were thrown my way.

Whether walking down the hallway or sitting in the classroom, it was the same.

Well, I don’t care anymore. It doesn’t matter that people know Yukina and I are childhood friends.

As I leaned my chin on my hand and gazed out the window, someone spoke to me.

It was Tsutsumura.

He looked uncomfortable.

“What is it?”

Thinking he was going to say something again, I asked with a bit of irritation, and he bowed his head apologetically.

“I was too selfish…”

At least he seemed to feel some regret.

“Ah, well, it’s fine now. I didn’t mention Yukina and I were childhood friends either, so I’m partly to blame.”

“No, it was entirely my fault. I got really mad seeing you getting along with Himemiya-san… and I ended up saying those things.”

Does that mean Tsutsumura likes Yukina? Is that why he invited her out and got angry seeing her getting along with me?

How would I feel if it were me? What if I saw Yukina walking beside another guy, looking close?

Jealous?

Sad?

Would I hate it?

I’d probably feel all of those things.

And then I’d hate myself for it. I’m just her childhood friend, yet I’d feel that way… like I’m being possessive. I’d despise that part of myself.

“So… are you listening?”

I had been lost in thought and wasn’t paying attention to Tsutsumura.

“Uh… what was that?”

“I want to apologize to Himemiya-san properly. Do you know what she likes?”

“Why?”

“I want to give her a present.”

“Oh… well, I think just apologizing would be enough. She’s not really the type to care about getting presents.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

That was a lie. Yukina actually loves getting presents. When we were kids, she was so happy when I gave her a pencil case for her birthday.

If I just said she liked sweets, Tsutsumura would probably get her some. If he apologized while giving her the sweets, Yukina, who isn’t heartless, would forgive him.

It’s not like I want her to stay mad at him forever. But I don’t want to see Tsutsumura getting even closer to her after she forgives him. That’s how I felt.

“I’m going to apologize now. Childhood friends really do know a lot, huh?”

“Well, yeah… we are childhood friends, after all.”

“Thanks.”

Tsutsumura went off to apologize to Yukina right away, bowing deeply. Yukina, without changing her expression, probably said something like, “It’s fine now.”

—

“Yukina-chan is quiet today,” Haru said during the break. He seemed unusually cheerful, grinning widely, unlike the Haru from yesterday.

“Well, it’s the day after yesterday.”

I also told her to be quiet on the way home yesterday.

“…Ah.”

“What is it?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Was it because of what I said? Was it because of me that Yukina only greeted me and didn’t walk with me to the classroom?

If that’s the case, then I did something bad. What I wanted to say was that she shouldn’t overdo it by always acting kind, but that she should just be herself.

“I’ll be back.”

Yukina was still alone, as usual. I stood up and walked over, but some girls from our class stopped me.

“Oyama-kun, you and Himemiya-san hadn’t been talking for a while, but are you two… in that kind of relationship?”

“What do you mean by ‘that kind of relationship’?”

Don’t they know we’re childhood friends?

“Oh, come on, don’t play dumb. You know what we mean.”

Aren’t you the ones playing dumb? And if you don’t have any business with me, could you not get in my way…?

“Yeah, Yukina and I are childhood friends. Sorry, but I need to talk to her.”

I quickly ended the conversation and went to Yukina. It only took a few seconds since it was in the classroom.

“Yukina.”

Did I imagine it, or did she smile slightly, her expression softening for a moment?

But that’s not the point. What should I say? I was the one who told her to be quiet. Now, if I tell her not to overdo it, she probably won’t understand what I mean.

“So, w-what were you doing just now?”

Who am I kidding! She was obviously just spacing out!

I mentally scolded myself, feeling frustrated with my inability to come up with something more thoughtful.

“Ah, no, I mean…”

I didn’t even know how to correct myself. My mind frantically searched for something to say. Yukina chuckled softly.

“Yusuke, what’s wrong? You’re acting strange.”

“No, I was just wondering what you were doing…”

“That’s the second time you’ve asked. You’re definitely acting strange.”

Yukina giggled. As she laughed, I couldn’t figure out what I really wanted to say to her.

“Actually, I was waiting.”

“W-Waiting for what?”

“I was waiting for you to come talk to me. I kept wondering when you would… and now that you did, I’m happy.”

She blushed slightly as she spoke, and for some reason, that made me feel embarrassed too.

“What’s wrong, Yusuke? Your face is red. Should I take you to the nurse’s office? Want me to go with you?”

“N-No, I’m fine. Um, Yukina…”

“Yes?”

I had no idea if Yukina wanted to be with me. I might be being ridiculously self-centered.

But if, by chance, Yukina wanted to be with me, even just a little—

“Today, Haru is going to eat lunch with his girlfriend, so I’ll be alone. So, um, if you’d like… would you eat with me?”

“Yes…!”

I had been afraid of what might happen if she refused, but that wasn’t necessary. Yukina nodded with a small smile.

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

I returned to my seat. As soon as I sat down, I felt completely drained. For some reason, my body was trembling. I was more nervous than when I helped Yukina yesterday.

Haru noticed and grinned mischievously at me.

“…What?”

“Oh, nothing~”

“Right.”

He didn’t say anything more. He was probably thinking about me. My awkwardness must have seemed pathetic to him.

Go ahead, laugh if you want. No one thinks I’m more pathetic than I do.

But even this pathetic version of me felt a little satisfied. I had managed to invite Yukina myself… and because of that, I felt like something inside me had changed, even if just a little.