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 52 ~END

From Now On… (4)

After some time, Rinka and Airi finally finished arguing with each other.

“Well, it seems that we’ve finished talking. So, shall we go, Senpai?”

“Go? Where?”

“When a couple is going somewhere, there’s only one place to go, right?”

“…that’s…”

Airi’s face flushes.

She gulps as she swallows the saliva that had gathered in her mouth.

There seem to be some misunderstanding.

“She’s talking about the library. We promised to study after this.”

“Wha—why are you telling her!? Mohh!”

“Well, there’s no point in giving her the wrong idea.”

“Hmph…”

She puffs out her cheeks in dissatisfaction and tugs the sleeve of my shirt.

“I-I see, the library…I guess I’ll go too.”

“Hold on, please don’t, you will be just a nuisance. Tsukimiya-senpai is in the way of our date.”

“Don’t worry, Rin-chan. I’m not going to get in the way of your date. I’m just going to the same library, and I’ll happen to sit next to you.”

“That’s exactly what I mean by getting in the way! What are you kidding me about!? …well, I guess it’s fine if you’re okay with watching us being all lovey-dovey. Fine, you can come along.”

“Ugh…maybe I shouldn’t go after all…”

“Kukuku…serves you right, Tsukimiya-senpai♪”

For some reason, my girlfriend feels like a villain…

Well, honestly, I really like that she’s so straightforward about it.

Rinka grabs my hand again, stands up from her seat, and turns to leave.

“Well, let’s go, senpai.”

“Ah, see you later.”

“Yeah, see you later…ah, Toshi-kun.”

“Hmm?”

“Next week’s psychology class…w-would you go with me? I’ll save a seat for you.”

“Sure. It’s always hard to find an empty seat, so it’ll really help if you save a seat for me.”

Airi’s eyes light up and she smiles happily.

Seeing Airi like that, I also smile.

However, the next moment, I feel a sharp pinch on the back of my hand.

“…Senpai? I generally support everything about you and respect your decisions, but cheating is a big no. I won’t forgive that, understand?”

“I-I get it. I won’t do anything like that.”

I don’t need to be warned of that.

No matter what happens, I will never do that.

When it comes to love, I no longer have feelings for Airi.

Well, honestly, I think I still do, but…

I love Rinka. And more than anything, I don’t want to betray her.

In the future, my feelings might change over time.

But even so, I will never choose to cheat. I can say that with confidence.

I don’t want to make the same mistake again.

Airi’s expression looks relieved.

“Hey, Rin-chan. Next Valentine’s Day…is it okay if I give Toshi-kun some chocolate?”

“Where’s this coming from all of a sudden? Well, you can do whatever you want. I have no right to stop you.”

“I see…then, I’ll make some delicious homemade chocolate and win Toshi-kun’s heart through his stomach.”

“Isn’t it more like you’re going to destroy his stomach?”

“I’ve gotten better at it, you know.”

“Hmm.”

Rinka says so coldly towards Airi, but I notice that she has a smile on her face.

Rinka wraps her arm around mine again and turns around to leave.

However, she immediately stops in her tracks.

I turn my gaze towards to where Rinka is looking at.

“That’s why I wanted you to come along to the mixer, Nakajo-kun. I’m not interested in you. I may be dressed like this, but I’m still a boy. I love girls romantically.”

“I know. I’m not forcing you. But you’re the one who made that promise with me, didn’t you? If I go to the mixer, you said you would spend the whole day with me.”

“No, seriously, that’s so gross! I know I made that promise rashly, but I can’t go out with you without a girl. If you want to go out with me, bring a girl.”

“Tch…even if you say so…”

The two of them are having a rather loud conversation.

When our eyes meet, the beautiful girl…no, the guy who dressed up as a girl, suddenly brights up.

He comes running towards me at full speed.

“Ah, Naegi-kun! Perfect timing! Go hang out with Nakajo-kun!”

“Huh?”

“Then, I’ll leave it to you! See you!”

“Wait, Sasaki…!?”

Sasaki quickly says so and runs off, disappearing from the scene.

That guy…he’s not really a bad person, but…just what’s his problem?

The four of us gathers in the corner of the cafeteria.

This has turned into a strange situation.

Rinka whispers in my ear.

“W-What have you been entrusted with? We’re about to go on a date!”

“W-Well, I wasn’t exactly ‘entrusted with’ it. It’s more like it was forced to me.”

When Airi meets Shintaro’s eyes, there is a vaguely awkward atmosphere between them.

They probably haven’t had a proper conversation since that time.

I laugh bitterly and think for a moment, scratching my head with my fingers.

“Well, umm…I’m getting hungry. Want to go get something to eat? The cafeteria’s closing soon, so let’s go to a family restaurant or something.”

“If that’s what you want, then I’m fine with it, Senpai.”

Rinka is the first one to answer my question.

She glances at the two of them.

“Is Rinka okay with it…? If I’m there?”

“Well, it seems that you’ve completely given up on me, so it’s fine. It’s not good for siblings to be hostile with each other.”

“…then, if you don’t mind, would you call me ‘Onii-chan’ from now on?”

“Huh? Why are you getting all high and cocky? Gross.”

Shintaro collapses on the spot the moment he hears Rinka’s cold, emotionless tone.

Seriously, why did God make this guy so handsome? What a waste.

“I’m hungry too.”

“Alright, then it’s settled.”

After Airi’s response, we decide to have lunch at a family restaurant.

We all start walking together.

On the way there, Rinka asks me in a voice only I can hear.

“—Senpai. Have you managed to regain some of it back?”

I hold her hand tightly and give a faint smile, nodding slightly.

Most people wouldn’t probably understand why I would rekindle a friendship with someone who betrayed me. But even so, I’m honestly happy that I can talk to Airi again like this.

No matter how much time passes, it’s probably impossible for our relationship to go back to the way it was. But I believe we can rebuild what we have. No matter how broken it is, there is always the option to repair it.

I chose that option. That’s all there is to it.

~The End~