My Childhood Friend Who is My Girlfriend was Stolen by My Best Friend. From Now on, I'll Flirt with My Ex-Best Friend's Little Sister! - Chapter 28

Flirting With My Former Best Friend’s Little Sister While Teasing My Childhood Friend

“Senpai, Senpai. Let’s go on a date.”

The day after Rinka stays over at my place, Saturday.

After finishing breakfast and having a moment to relax, Rinka suggested going on a date.

Normally, I would have agreed without hesitation.

However…

“…I’m sorry. I have to help out at the wagashi shop today.”

I was supposed to help my parents at the wagashi shop the other day.

But I had to cancel my part-time job to investigate my childhood friend’s affair.

So, I told my mother that I’m going to help out at the wagashi shop today.

“I see. Then how about tomorrow—”

“I also have work scheduled for tomorrow…I’m sorry. But I’ll be free next week.”

I bow my head and put my hands together.

“No, please don’t apologize. It’s already been decided, so there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Then, can I help out at the wagashi shop with you?”

“Eh?”

“I don’t need salary or anything like that. I just want to be with you, senpai.”

She places her right hand over my left hand.

She gazes intently into my eyes.

“But I think it’s probably better for you to take a break today…”

“If you’re concerned about my body, I’m totally fine. Because, Senpai is so gentle to me.”

“Ahem, ahem!”

“That’s why, please let me help out at the wagashi shop with you.”

“…okay. Then I’ll ask my mom about it.”

“Yes. Ah, but really, I don’t need salary or anything like that!”

Rinka waves her hand as she says so.

It seems that she really wants to work just so she can be with me.

For now, I’ll ask my mom about it.

‘Is it okay to add one more part-timer today?’

I get a penguin mascot sticker with its thumb up and the word ‘OK!’ as a reply. It looks like I’ll be working together with Rinka today.

…wait, doesn’t this mean I’m introducing my girlfriend to my parents?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s a little past ten in the morning.

The nearest station to the wagashi shop is also the closest station to my parent’s house. That means, that station is also the nearest station to my childhood friend’s house.

Rinka clings tightly to my arm.

We both continue walking like this.

As we weave through the crowded station, I suddenly notice a familiar long black-haired girl. In front of her is a tall man.

He looks to be about the same age as me. There is something vaguely familiar about him.

Ah, I think we were in the same middle school.

I don’t think I ever talked to him, though.

“…what’s wrong, Senpai—”

Rinka stops her words the moment she sees the same scene in front of us.

She clings to my arm more tightly.

“Let’s go, Senpai.”

“…yeah.”

Rinka pulls my arm and walks forward.

However, as we pass by each other, I overhear their conversation.

“…don’t touch me. You’re so persistent!”

“Hah? What’s with the sudden change in attitude? Hey, why don’t you just go out with me? I don’t mind, you know.”

“As if I’d ever date you. Just stop it already. Don’t bother me anymore.”

“Tch…I don’t get you at all. Oh well, whatever, let me know if you change your mind.”

The guy sighs in annoyance, scratch his head and turns around.

Relieved, my childhood friend lets out a sigh.

As she looks up, our eyes meet.

“……”

“……”

Neither of us said a word, but our eyes meet.

“Senpai. You’ve got some guts, even though you have me as your girlfriend.”

“N-No, that’s not what I meant! I’m sorry!”

It’s not that I have lingering feelings for my childhood friend or anything like that.

But it’s true that I’m somewhat intrigued.

No, that’s not right, I shouldn’t do that…

“Maybe I should put a collar on you, Senpai.”

“Ugh…I promise to be careful.”

“I’m quite a jealous person, you know? I might turn into a yandere thinking, ‘Hehe…it’s your fault, Senpai…with this, you and I will be together forever…’”

“I-I’ll keep that in mind.”

I have to be even more careful from now on.

If I get stabbed, it’s all over.

Rinka pulls on my arm, trying to get us out of there quickly.

Suddenly—

Bam!

We hear the painful sound of someone falling.

Both Rinka and I are caught off guard by the sudden noise and can’t help but look over.

What we see is my childhood friend.

She has fallen headfirst, just like in a manga.

“W-What are you doing, Tsukimiya-senpai…?”

Rinka is the one who speaks up first.

Her tone of voice sounds more like disbelief than concern.

Even an elementary school student wouldn’t fall that clumsily.

My childhood friend slowly raises her head and gets back up.

Thankfully, there are no injuries that causes bleeding.

“Ah, haha…I tripped.”

“I see.”

“R-Rin-chan and Toshi—Naegi-kun…what brings you here?”

Could it be that she fell on purpose to talk to me?

I sigh softly and turn around.

“Let’s go, Rinka.”

“Yes, Toshiya-kun! Then, be careful not to trip again, Tsukimiya-senpai.”

I don’t say anything more. This is the best course of action in this situation.

It’s best not to get involved with my childhood friend.

I take Rinka’s hand and start walking, but then I feel someone tugging on my sleeve from behind.

I think about shaking her off, but if I do and she gets hurt, it will complicate things further.

“…let go.”

“I’ll change. So please…at least can we go back to being childhood friends?”

With teary eyes, she pleads weakly.

Rinka is the first to respond.

“Huh? What makes you think you have the right to say that—”

“Rinka, it’s fine.”

I interrupt Rinka’s words. It’s pathetic to rely on her so much.

There is no need for Rinka to take on the role of the villain.

I look down at my childhood friend coldly and says,

“There’s no way we can go back to being childhood friends. I don’t care how much you change. Just stop clinging to me.”

I said so in a dismissive tone.

I thought I have successfully pushed her away the other day, but she is still clinging onto me.

I’m getting sick of her persistence.

“…I see. Ah…haha…it’s all that’s girl’s fault.”

My childhood friend forces a cheerful laugh and mutters something under her breath.

She keeps her head down for a while.

Without looking back, me and Rinka leave the scene.