My Childhood Friend Who Takes Care of Me Seems to Be a Yandere... No, That Must Be a Misunderstanding - Chapter 14-15

Chapter 14: Feelings Toward My Childhood Friend

“Hm… Hina…”

Aoi-chan made a thoughtful sound before slowly starting to speak.

“If I say it’s wrong, it’s obviously wrong, but… honestly, do you regret it?”

“Eh…?”

Do I regret it? When she asked that, I couldn’t answer right away.

I feel guilty. I feel sorry for Mii-chan. But if I’m asked if I regret it…

“…I don’t know.”

“I see.”

Aoi-chan answered briefly to my vague reply. Her voice had a calm warmth, and it felt like she wasn’t blaming me but was quietly accepting it.

“But, if you’re thinking about it so much, maybe you should think it over carefully.”

“…Think it over?”

“Yeah. Like, why you kissed her.”

“About that…”

Why did I…? I really want to know myself.

Was it because I like her? No, but Mii-chan and I have been childhood friends, always together…

But that’s…

“…I don’t know.”

The same words slipped out of my mouth again.

“Well, there’s no need to rush, right?”

Aoi-chan said in a bright voice.

“You always try to answer your feelings right away, but it’s okay to take things slow.”

“…Yeah.”

“And even if you can’t answer right now, I’ll listen to you properly.”

“…Aoi-chan…”

I instinctively gripped my phone tighter. My chest felt warm, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“…I’m really glad you’re here, Aoi-chan.”

“Oh? Did I suddenly get complimented?”

“Well, it’s true. I’m really grateful to have you, Aoi-chan.”

“I see, I see! You can praise me more, you know?”

Aoi-chan’s usual playful tone made me feel lighter.

“But really, thank you, Aoi-chan. I love you.”

“Woah, you’re coming at me directly?!”

I chuckled at Aoi-chan’s surprised voice.

“Well, it’s the truth… Aoi-chan is an important friend to me.”

“…Hmm, I see.”

There was a slight awkward pause, and Aoi-chan’s voice seemed a little quieter. But I didn’t think too much about it and continued.

“I’ll keep asking for your advice, okay?”

“…Well, I guess that’s fine?”

“Yeah, thanks!”

I ended the call with a lighter heart, took a deep breath, and set my phone down.

Talking to Aoi-chan made me feel a little clearer. But I still hadn’t sorted everything out.

“(…Why did I kiss her?)”

I thought to myself alone in the room.

Was it just because? No, I don’t think so… Then why?

The same thoughts kept looping in my mind.

Just then…

“…Hm?”

I heard a sound from the door. Was Mii-chan back?

I looked toward the door.

At that moment, I heard the door open, and Mii-chan peeked in.

“Ah, welcome back, Mii-chan.”

I waved lightly and spoke normally, but I felt Mii-chan’s gaze sharpen just a bit.

“Who were you talking to on the phone just now?”

Mii-chan asked, sounding a bit like she was pressing me.

—

Chapter 15: Childhood Friend Presses for Answers

Side: Mizuki

I walk with a light step, holding a bag in one hand.

“Hehe… Hina, you’re so cute.”

What comes to mind is this morning.

I honestly didn’t expect Hina to be so aware of me. She cares about me, worries about me, and thinks about me. The fact that she does all of that makes me so unbelievably happy.

“Really, so cute.”

I walk happily and stand in front of the door. I take out my key, ready to open it, when I suddenly hear a voice from inside.

“…I’m really glad Aoi-chan’s here.”

“Oh? Did I suddenly get praised?”

“Well, it’s the truth. I’m really thankful to have Aoi-chan here with me.”

My feet stop.

“I see, I see! You can praise me more, you know?”

“But really, thank you, Aoi-chan. I love you.”

…Huh? Huh? Love? She said love? Right now, Hina’s saying she loves someone other than me?

“Oh, you’re coming at me directly?!”

“Well, it’s true. I’m really grateful to have Aoi-chan here with me.”

Huh? Huh? What’s that? Why? How come?

“I’ll keep asking for advice from you, okay?”

“…Well, I guess that’s fine?”

“Yeah, thanks!”

Even though there’s a door between us, I can clearly tell what Hina’s face looks like right now.

She’s probably smiling happily right now.

…But I can’t smile.

Hearing Hina say “I love you” to someone other than me, I can’t smile.

I take a deep breath and open the door.

“Ah, welcome back, Mii-chan.”

Hina turns around and waves her hand as usual.

Normally, I would reply with a smile. But right now, I’m not in the mood for that.

“Who were you talking to on the phone?”

Before I knew it, I had asked her that in a pressing tone.

Hina’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Eh?”

“Who with?”

“Um, Aoi-chan. She’s my best friend in class.”

“I see, Aoi-chan.”

Aoi… I’ve heard that name a few times. Hina’s friend, someone who doesn’t seem to have a deeper relationship with her than me, nor seems to be closer to her than I am… Well, I don’t have anyone else in that kind of relationship with Hina.

“So, what were you talking about?”

I continue, trying to sound calm. But inside, my anger towards this Aoi girl is boiling up.

Hina squints her eyes slightly, looking a bit uncertain, and opens her mouth.

“Um, nothing much. It was just something I’ve been worrying about, and we were talking about it.”

Worrying about something… It’s probably about the kiss from last night. She’s been bothered by it for a while. Thinking about it that way, I feel a little lighter.

Hina’s thinking about me. She cares about me. I feel a slight relief from my irritation.

But I can’t just leave what happened like this. She used the words “I love you” with someone other than me.

“I see, then I guess there’s nothing for me to say.”

I deliberately speak in a light tone. Hina seems confused by the sudden change in my tone.

“Eh, yeah…?”

Hina tilts her head as she answers. Watching her like this, I feel a little satisfied inside. It’s strangely amusing to see her looking so worried.

“By the way, there’s school tomorrow, right? During lunch, I’ll go to your classroom.”

“Eh, oh, yeah… why?”

I smile brightly and calmly say:

“I’m a bit curious about this friend of yours, Aoi. I need to talk to her directly.”