My Childhood Friend Who Takes Care of Me Seems to Be a Yandere... No, That Must Be a Misunderstanding - Chapter 22-23

Chapter 22: Realizing My Feelings for My Childhood Friend

After that, Mii-chan didn’t say anything. She just held me in her arms.

The slow way her hand moved to stroke my back felt unusually gentle, and somehow, it made me feel cherished.

My heartbeat sped up.

I was so nervous that I felt like Mii-chan could hear it, and it made me uneasy.

(What should I do…? I feel really weird right now.)

I was only supposed to be hugging her because I wanted to feel safe.

But my chest felt hot, tight.

And now, I knew exactly what it was.

(…I like Mii-chan.)

The moment I admitted it, it felt like my whole world changed.

Everything about her—her gestures, her expressions, her voice—suddenly felt incredibly special.

“Hina…?”

Mii-chan’s voice came from above my head.

It was a little raspy, and I looked up without thinking.

Our eyes met.

Mii-chan’s eyes were trembling.

“…It’s nothing.”

I tried to cover it up in a hurry, but Mii-chan just kept staring at me.

Her gaze felt like it was pulling me in, and I tried to look away.

“Hina…”

Suddenly, Mii-chan’s arms tightened around me.

Our bodies pressed even closer, and it felt like we could hear each other’s heartbeat.

“…Are you trying to run away?”

“Huh?”

“It just kinda felt like that.”

Her voice had a slightly sulky tone.

Hearing her talk like that only made me more aware of everything.

Maybe I was trying to run.

Trying to escape this feeling I had just realized.

But I didn’t think I could run anymore.

“…I’m not running.”

When I said that, Mii-chan let out a soft smile.

But she looked a little sad.

“Then… I’m glad.”

As she gently stroked my hair, Mii-chan whispered.

I like Mii-chan.

I couldn’t lie to myself anymore.

But I still didn’t have the courage to say it out loud.

So, just a little longer—

Please, let me stay like this, in Mii-chan’s arms.

How long had we stayed like that?

Time felt blurry, and I was just wrapped in Mii-chan’s warmth.

“…Hey, Hina.”

“Mm?”

“Should we go to sleep soon?”

With her soft voice, I slowly opened my eyes.

At some point, my eyelids had gotten heavy.

“…Mmm, but…”

I tightened my arms around Mii-chan just a little and clung to her.

“…I want to stay like this a bit longer.”

Mii-chan’s body gave a little shiver.

But then, she gently hugged me back.

“…You’re such a handful.”

Her fingers gently combed through my hair.

It felt so nice that I just wanted to lean on her even more.

“Hey… will you hold me like this when we go to sleep too?”

I murmured, and Mii-chan’s arms wrapped even tighter around me.

“…Of course.”

Hearing that, I closed my eyes, feeling at ease.

Mii-chan’s heartbeat thumped softly in my ear, wrapping me in a quiet peace.

I wish we could always stay like this.

Thinking that, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

—

Chapter 23: Sleeping With My Childhood Friend

Side: Mizuki

As I felt Hina’s breathing slowly become calm and steady, I quietly looked into her face.

She was completely asleep, with a defenseless, somewhat innocent expression.

Her slightly parted lips, her shoulders rising and falling in rhythm—she looked just like a vulnerable child. Just looking at her made my chest tighten.

“…She really is cute.”

No one answered the words that slipped out of my mouth.

I gently touched Hina’s cheek. The smooth feeling spread across my fingertips.

Even though she’s this close, it’s not enough.

I want to touch her more. I want her to look only at me.

That possessive feeling swelled from deep in my chest.

But for now, I just wanted to treasure this peaceful moment.

“Good night, Hina.”

I softly kissed her forehead.

Hina’s breath seemed to tremble a little. But maybe that was just a reaction in her dream.

I quietly closed my eyes.

…Hehe, Hina finally realized how I feel.

I’m so happy. So incredibly happy.

The day I can have all of her is just around the corner.

I won’t say it’s just for tonight.

I’ll make Hina mine, forever and ever.

I won’t let you go, Hina.

I gently combed through Hina’s hair with my fingers.

This hair, this skin—everything about her is mine alone. I don’t want anyone else to touch her.

Not long ago, she didn’t look at me in a special way.

But now it’s different.

Hina is in love with me, even if she hasn’t realized it yet.

Maybe… maybe she already has.

Just thinking that made my heart race.

While breathing softly in her sleep, Hina shifted slightly.

I wrapped my arm around her in response and pulled her close.

She’s warm. It feels so nice.

Like our bodies just naturally fit together, as if this was how it was always meant to be.

When I buried my nose in her hair, I caught a faint sweet scent.

I want that scent, her warmth—everything about her—to be mine alone.

“…Hey, Hina. If you’re thinking about me in your dreams, I’d be really happy.”

Of course, there was no reply. But that’s okay.

Look only at me. Want only me.

I leaned in until my lips were just barely apart from hers.

…Ah, she’s so dear to me.

“I love you.”

As I whispered that, Hina’s fingers twitched just a little.

I squeezed her hand even tighter.

I want to stay like this, forever.

Hina’s warmth filled my heart.

She was right next to me, sleeping peacefully.

That simple fact made me happier than anything.

Thinking that, I held on to Hina’s warmth, and with a satisfied heart, I quietly drifted off to sleep.