My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 83

When I think about it, what exactly is my relationship with Yukina Himemiya?

A childhood friend? A lover? Neither seems right.

We’ve expressed our feelings to each other, which makes calling us just childhood friends inaccurate. But we haven’t confirmed that we’re officially a couple, so calling us lovers isn’t right either.

We like each other, but we’re not lovers…This means we’re more than childhood friends, but less than lovers. That’s where we stand now.

Yeah, I really can’t quite grasp what our relationship is.

Honestly, this relationship is pretty comfortable for me right now. To handle Yukina’s overwhelming love, I need to be prepared for it. But since we’re not officially a couple yet, I can slowly build up that resolve. I probably won’t have the luxury of time once we start dating…Just a guess, though.

Quite some time has passed since Yukina and I had what could be called a fight. It’s already July, and the heat during the day is getting worse, making the sticky sweat feel even more unpleasant.

“Hey, Yuu-kun. Are you listening?”

As I flapped my shirt to cool myself, Yukina spoke in a dissatisfied tone. She wasn’t happy that I hadn’t been listening to her, and her eyes gave me a piercing look.

“Ah, sorry. I wasn’t paying attention because it’s so hot.”

“Come on. Pay attention, Yuu-kun. You’re so mean.”

“Mean…?”

What kind of expression is that? But as I thought about it, I couldn’t help but smile at Yukina, who was pouting and puffing out her cheeks.

“What are you laughing at? I’m being serious here!”

Yukina didn’t understand why I was laughing, so she was pouting even more. To calm her down, I reached out to pat her head, but quickly pulled my hand back.

No, no. We’re still at school.

That’s right, we’re still at school. No one would care if I did it alone, but Yukina sometimes gets admired like an idol, so I can’t just do something like that so easily.

The fact that Yukina and I are childhood friends is already well-known. Thankfully, no one knows about our deeper feelings…probably. If I patted her head in the classroom, it would spark new rumors.

Even if Yukina and I become lovers, I only want the people I know to know about it. I don’t want random people to find out. I want to keep that precious.

“Sorry, sorry. I’ll listen properly this time.”

“Yuu-kun, aren’t you treating me like a kid?”

“No, I’m not…”

“Really? I’d be happy if you did treat me like a kid, but…if that happens, you’ll have to make it up to me, okay?”

What is she saying? I don’t understand what my childhood friend is trying to imply.

“…Should we go to the candy shop next time?”

“That’s not what I mean!”

Yukina turned away from me.

“I’m really sorry. So, what were you talking about?”

When I apologized, Yukina turned back to face me. It didn’t seem like she was that serious about it.

“Um, you know, the final exams are coming up soon, right?”

“Final exams…”

Right, the final exams!

When Yukina mentioned it, I suddenly realized. I had forgotten because of everything that had been going on lately, but this is a real crisis. I managed to get some points during the midterm exams, but I’m still pretty worried.

If possible, I’m the kind of person who doesn’t want to study until the last minute. So, since the midterms, I haven’t studied at all outside of school. Now, I’m suddenly terrified.

“Wh-what should I do…?”

As I held my head in my hands, feeling stressed, Yukina poked my shoulder.

“Yuu-kun, Yuu-kun.”

When I looked up, Yukina was smiling brightly. What’s she so happy about…? I’m panicking here.

“I’ll help you study again!”

“A study session…?”

“Yep!”

A study session with Yukina might be something other guys would envy. But I know what it really means.

“So, what do you want this time?”

Last time, she made me treat her to ramen in exchange for helping me study. I didn’t mind, but I want to know beforehand whether her kindness is genuine or if she has some other motive.

“If I had to say, I want time with you, Yuu-kun. You see, if we have a study session, I get to spend more time with you, right?”

“Well, that’s true…”

“I want more time with you, so let’s have a study session.”

Honestly, if she wanted time with me, I’d give it to her even without a study session. But if that’s all she wants, then I’ll accept it.

“Alright, please help me.”

“Sure! Oh, but I can only help you with memorization and the parts you really don’t understand, so make sure to study the rest on your own, okay?”

“I know. I’m not going to rely on you for everything.”

“That’s good.”

Yukina is full of energy. She laughs a lot, even though it’s so hot…How does she do it?

“How can you be so energetic, Yukina? Doesn’t the heat make you feel sluggish?”

“Yeah, it’s hot. But, you know, being with you makes me so happy that I can’t help but feel energized. Don’t you feel that way when you’re with me, Yuu-kun?”

Ugh…There it is. There it is.

Yukina tilted her head and asked me. That cute attack, which she probably doesn’t even realize she’s using, is terrible for my heart.

What is this…saying that being with me gives her energy…

“…I suddenly feel extremely energized.”

“Really? I’m glad. Let’s do our best in the afternoon classes. Oh, the bell’s about to ring, so I’m going back to my seat.”

Suddenly speaking quickly, Yukina hurriedly grabbed the convenience store bag with only her finished lunch garbage and returned to her seat. I didn’t miss the fact that her cheeks were slightly flushed.

“What’s up, Yusuke? Your face is red.”

When Haru pointed it out after returning, I quickly turned away.

“It’s nothing. It’s just the heat.”

I answered bluntly, and Haru just said “Hmm,” then faced forward. The truth is, Yukina and I both had red cheeks not because of the heat.

But still, I played it off by blaming the heat.