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

Chapter 31: Meeting Up with My Childhood Friend

There were only a few minutes left until the agreed time. I walked toward the meeting spot, gently clutching the gift bag to my chest.

I could hear the voices of people walking through the stores, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. No wonder—the next thing I had to do was hand this present to Mii-chan.

(It’s fine, it’s fine… I didn’t pick anything weird.)

I gripped the bag tighter in front of my chest as if to convince myself. But the more I tried to focus, the louder my heartbeat seemed to echo in my ears.

“Hina.”

My name being called made me snap my head up. There stood Mii-chan, smiling at me as she spotted me.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mii-chan!”
“No, I just got here too.”

Mii-chan stepped lightly to my side, looking somehow cheerful. Meanwhile, my heart wouldn’t stop racing.

“So, did you find anything good?”
“Huh?”

For a second, my heart nearly stopped. No way, did she figure it out—?

“You had such a serious look on your face. I thought maybe you were picking something out.”
“N-No, that’s not it! Um, well… maybe a little?”

I hurriedly tried to cover it up, and Mii-chan let out a soft “Hehe.”

“I see. If Hina likes it, it’s definitely something nice.”

(Ugh… that just makes me even more aware of everything…)

Her casual words stabbed straight into my chest. It was our usual kind of exchange, yet inside me it felt completely different.

But I still hadn’t decided when to give it to her. What should I do—maybe it’d be better to wait until we get home…?

While I was worrying about that, Mii-chan suddenly took my hand.

“Hey, since we’re here, want to stop somewhere for tea?”
“Uh… yeah, sure!”

I nodded in surprise, and Mii-chan happily pulled me along by the hand. For some reason, her warmth felt a little stronger than usual.

(…Maybe it’d be good to give it to her after this.)

Deciding that, I started walking side by side with Mii-chan.

Every time our steps matched, the warmth from her hand slowly spread through my hand. Even though my heart had been pounding moments ago, I strangely felt a bit calmer.

“Hina, you’ve been tense this whole time, haven’t you?”
“Eh!? N-No I haven’t!”
“Really? But your movements seem kind of stiff.”

Mii-chan giggled softly.

I wanted to deny it, but then I realized my shoulders had been tense without me noticing.

“…Maybe just a little.”
When I admitted it honestly, Mii-chan gave me a soft, gentle smile.

“Then let’s have something sweet and relax.”
“Yeah… that sounds good.”

Walking side by side like this felt incredibly nice.

—

Chapter 32: Giving My Childhood Friend a Present

We headed to a café inside the shopping mall.
The interior had a calm wooden look, and the sweet scent of desserts floated gently in the air.

“This place has a nice atmosphere.”
“Yeah. It’s a little quiet and relaxing, so I thought it’d be good.”

While looking at the menu together at the counter, my eyes suddenly dropped to the bag in my hand.
If I’m going to give her the present, this might be the perfect moment.

(But… how should I do it…?)

While I was worrying, it became our turn, so for now I ordered a sweet café au lait.
Mii-chan chose a shortcake and black tea, and we headed to a window seat.

“Hina, you really like sweet stuff, don’t you?”
“Ehehe, yeah, when I’m tired, something sweet is the best.”

When I said that and laughed, Mii-chan smiled gently at me.
That expression made the inside of my chest feel even more ticklish.

(Okay… I think I can give it to her now.)

I quietly placed the bag on my lap and looked at Mii-chan.
But when the moment actually came, I got so nervous that the words wouldn’t come out.

“Hina?”

“Um, actually—”

I made up my mind and held the bag out to Mii-chan.

“I… want you to have this.”

My voice might have been shaking a little.
Mii-chan blinked in surprise, then quietly accepted the bag.

“A present?”
“Y-Yeah… I mean, you’ve done so much for me all this time, so… kind of as thanks…”

I couldn’t quite say “because I like you,” so I fumbled my words a bit.

“…You picked this out for me, Hina?”
“Yeah…!”