My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 86

The day of the study session, decided by Tadokoro’s slightly unreasonable suggestion, has arrived. It’s taking place at my place, or rather, my room.

I waited in front of the school to guide Tadokoro.

“Senpa~i!”

While I was feeling sluggish from the heat, I heard a cheerful voice. When I looked in the direction of the voice, I saw Tadokoro running toward me, waving her hand energetically.

“Sorry for the wait!”

“I wasn’t waiting.”

“You should say, ‘I just got here too,’ you know?”

Tadokoro laughed mischievously, saying, “Wouldn’t that make it feel more like a date?” Although she seemed to be having fun, it was just too hot for me to care. I decided to brush it off casually.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“You’re so laid-back~.”

“More importantly, it’s hot, so let’s hurry.”

“Is Yukina-senpai here?”

“She’s already arrived.”

With that, I led Tadokoro to the apartment. Upon arriving, I positioned myself to Tadokoro’s left, against the wall, so she wouldn’t notice that Yukina lives next door.

“Here.”

When I opened the door, Yukina was waiting in the entrance.

“Welcome home. And, welcome to our guest.”

Yukina smiled at us, though I couldn’t help but think there was no need for her to say that.

—What if she gets the wrong idea?

“Uh…Senpai, are you sure we’re in the right place?”

“We’re in the right place.”

“Then why is Yukina-senpai acting like she’s at home? And she’s giving off this whole ‘newlywed wife’ vibe…”

“Just ignore it…”

I pushed Tadokoro inside and quickly shut the door. Phew, that should be enough for now. As long as I block the view when she leaves too, it should be fine.

“Wow~. It’s surprisingly clean. I totally expected your place to be a mess.”

“That’s someone else we know.”

Tadokoro looked puzzled, while Yukina averted her gaze, trying not to get noticed.

“By the way, why are both of you still in your school uniforms?”

Tadokoro was clearly curious. After all, it was a day off, so there was no reason for Yukina and me to be in our uniforms. The reason we were still wearing them was due to something that happened last night.

Yukina had called me, saying that she hadn’t bought any new clothes yet and only had her tracksuit, so she decided to just wear her school uniform. I, too, only had my tracksuit besides the new clothes I recently bought, and I didn’t want to wander around in a tracksuit to pick her up. So, I also decided to wear my uniform.

“For no particular reason.”

“Just felt like it.”

“Eh~. I don’t mind Senpai wearing it, but I was hoping to see Yukina-senpai in casual clothes. I bet anything would suit her.”

I already knew that for a fact. But, of course, I didn’t say it out loud. Yukina and I both just ignored the comment.

“Anyway, let’s start studying. You’re the one who suggested this study session, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it~. Yukina-senpai, please help me out!”

Tadokoro bowed politely to Yukina, and the study session began. The seating arrangement was me and Yukina next to each other, with Tadokoro sitting across from us. Time passed as we continued our study session.

Since making plans, I had been doing some memorization here and there. Today, I continued memorizing, and sometimes Yukina would help me with math problems.

Tadokoro also studied, getting help from Yukina when she didn’t understand something.

After a few hours, Tadokoro, seemingly at her limit, slumped over the desk.

“Hey.”

“I’m done. I need a break.”

“…Jeez. Yukina, do you want to take a break too?”

“Yeah.”

Yukina stretched her arms and nodded.

“Senpai, aren’t you being too nice to Yukina-senpai?”

“Of course. She’s helping us today. We should respect that. You should at least give her a shoulder massage as thanks.”

I stood up to get the drinks and snacks I had bought yesterday. While looking through the fridge, I called out to Tadokoro.

“What do you want to drink?”

“What do you have?”

“Coke, orange juice, and cider.”

“Then I’ll take orange juice.”

“Got it.”

I poured Coke for Yukina, orange juice for Tadokoro, and Coke for myself. I also placed some snacks on a plate and brought everything back.

“There’s not much left of the first semester, huh?”

The first semester…It brought back memories of the day I started talking to Yukina. She was working at the maid cafe I often visited.

At the time, I thought that would be the last time we interacted, that we wouldn’t get involved any further. Yet, here we are, studying together like this.

“It feels like it’s been such a long and eventful first semester.”

“It’s not over yet, but…yeah, it’s been a really good one.”

Yukina smiled softly at me as she said that. Her smile was so cute that I couldn’t help but be captivated by her.

“Uh…Can you two stop making the air so sweet? It’s hot enough already; I don’t need heartburn on top of it.”

“We’re not doing that.”

“Y-Yeah, we’re not.”

“Sure, sure. Whatever you say~.”

Tadokoro seemed fed up and brushed it off. But there’s no way Yukina and I were creating any kind of sweet atmosphere…right?

“When summer break starts, let’s all hang out together!”

“Huh?”

“Like going to the pool or the beach~! Or to a festival or camping!”

“You should hang out with your friends, not us.”

“I don’t have that many friends, though.”

…Did I just say something I shouldn’t have?

Tadokoro didn’t seem to mind and continued as usual. But who knows what she’s really feeling inside?

“S-Sorry…”

“Haha, you don’t have to apologize~. Even without friends, I’ve got people to talk to, so I manage just fine.”

“I get that. You don’t really need friends anyway.”

“Exactly. As long as you have at least one friend, you’re good. You two are more than enough for me.”

…Why are all the loners around me so emotionally strong? Even Akiba prefers to be alone. And I haven’t tried to make any friends other than Haru either.

But I do get what Tadokoro is saying. You only need one good friend. As long as you cherish that relationship, that’s all that matters.

“I don’t remember becoming your friend.”

“Neither do I.”

“Eh~. That’s so mean! Please be friends with your poor, friendless junior~.”

Seeing Tadokoro sulking made Yukina and me laugh a little. I guess, even if we don’t say it out loud, we all know that we’re close.

There are relationships you can’t understand without expressing them verbally. Like the one I have with Yukina now. But there are also relationships you understand without needing words. With that thought in mind, we resumed our study session.