My Beautiful Childhood Friend who I've Loved Since I was Little was Stolen from Me, Then a Pure Gal Comforted Me - Chapter 17

I Want to Protect You

Lunch break, on the rooftop.

“So Jiro, yesterday’s drama…”

While eating lunch together, Arisa-chan talks to me happily again today.

However, I can’t focus on Arisa-chan.

It’s been on my mind for quite some time now…

“…Jiro?”

Arisa-chan calls me.

“S-Sorry. I was thinking about something.”

“What’s wrong? Is there something on your mind?”

Arisa-chan looks into my face and asked so.

“Yeah, well…it seems that Shiori-chan is still absent from school.”

“Ah, I see…”

Arisa-chan has a complicated look on her face.

I love Shiori-chan until a while ago.

It’s only natural if Arisa-chan gets a little jealous when I talk about Shiori-chan.

“…I’m thinking of going to Shiori’s house after school today to visit her.”

“Yeah, I see.”

“Is it okay with you?”

I ask hesitantly.

“Of course, because she is Jiro’s precious childhood friend…”

It seems that Arisa-chan can’t bring herself to say anything more than that.

I gently hold her hand.

“…you are my girlfriend, Arisa-chan.”

I look straight into her eyes and said so.

“Jiro…”

But soon after, I got embarrassed and look away.

Then, Arisa-chan kisses me on the cheek.

“…I love you, Jiro.”

“I love you too…”

“Ufufufu ♡”

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After school.

I go home, drop my bag and immediately go to Shiori-chan’s house next door.

Nervously, I ring the intercom.

After a short wait,

‘…yes.’

Shiori-chan talks to me through the intercom.

Is it just my imagination or does she sound frightened?

“Shiori-chan? It’s me, Jiro…”

‘Ah…Jiro-kun.”

Shiori-chan’s voice softened a little.

I feel relieved…

A few moments later, she opens the door.

Shiori-chan peeks out from the door.

“I’m sorry to come so suddenly. I should’ve at least called.”

Even now, I feel ashamed of my impoliteness.

“No, not at all. Thank you…I’m glad you came.”

Shiori-chan smiles.

“Come on in.”

“Ojamashimasu.”

Then, we go to Shiori-chan’s room.

“But I’m glad you seem fine. I was worried if you were resting.”

When I said so,

“Yeah, sorry for making you worry…”

Shiori-chan turns her head down.

“Is there something wrong? I asked Kajino-kun…”

When I mentioned his name, for some reason, Shiori-chan starts to tremble.

“…Shiori-chan?”

She is trembling while hugging own body.

I look down and see something half hidden at the sleeves and hem of her clothes…don’t tell me.

“…is that, a bruise?”

I gathered all my courage and asked her.

Shiori-chan bites her lip.

“Did Kajino-kun…hurt you?”

When I asked her about it, Shiori-chan slowly burst into tears.

“I…see.”

I bite my lip and clench my fists too.

But when I look at the vulnerable Shiori-chan trembling like that, I can’t help but to let go of my fists and hug her.

I never thought that my timid self can do this.

But this is different.

This is not a hug between a boy and a girl.

I’m doing this to comfort my precious childhood friend.

“…I know that I’m a weak and unreliable man…but still, I want to protect you.”

When I tell her how I really feel, Shiori-chan finally cries out loud.

I waited a while for her to calm down.

“…I’m such an idiot.”

Finally, Shiori-chan spoke up.

“All my life, I always love Jiro-kun…since I was a little girl.”

With tears in her eyes, she said so.