My Childhood Friend Who Takes Care of Me Seems to Be a Yandere... No, That Must Be a Misunderstanding - Chapter 42-43

Chapter 42: Reporting My Relationship with My Childhood Friend

In the end, Mii-chan talked me into eating breakfast together.
It felt awkward at first, but she was her usual gentle self, and somehow I calmed down.

She’d lightly stroke my hair or smile at me.
Those little gestures felt the same as always, yet now they seemed somehow special.

Still, every time last night flashed through my mind, my face burned with embarrassment no matter what I did.

If I let my guard down even a little, the feeling of Mii-chan’s fingertips or her whispering voice came back so clearly—
and each time, my hand tightened hard around my utensils.

“Hina, if you grip that fork any harder it’s gonna snap.”

She giggled as she said it, which only made me more flustered.

“…Shut up.”

I muttered quietly. Mii-chan looked satisfied, smiled, and gently patted my head.
Even that felt like pampering, and I already knew I couldn’t win against her.

After breakfast, we didn’t have any plans, so we just hung out in Mii-chan’s room.
We sat side by side on the sofa, staring blankly at the TV or chatting about nothing in particular.
It was supposed to be the same as every other day, but sitting next to Mii-chan felt closer than ever.

“Hey, wanna just stay in and have a home date today?”

She asked happily. I thought for a second—then picked up my phone.

“I’m gonna step out for a bit.”

“Eh?”

“I’m going to tell Aoi-chan.”

“…Oh.”

Mii-chan nodded like she understood, but her expression was a little complicated.

“…You’ll be back soon?”

The quiet question caught me off guard.
Her voice was as gentle as always, yet it carried a faint lonely note.

“Uh, yeah. I’ll come right back after I tell her.”

“Okay.”

She nodded again, then pouted just a little and looked at me.

“…Be careful, okay? Come back soon.”

“Yeah, I know.”

I smiled as I answered. Mii-chan’s face softened a bit. The loneliness didn’t completely disappear, but she looked relieved and a little happy.

“Have a good one.”

I nodded firmly, then left the room feeling just a bit reluctant.

—

And that’s how I ended up at a café with Aoi-chan.

“…So, what’s this about?”

Aoi-chan stared at me curiously across the table.
I wrapped both hands around my hot cocoa and took a deep breath.

“…Um, Mii-chan and I… we’re dating now.”

I said it quietly but clearly.

Aoi-chan blinked once—

“…Oh, finally?”

—and answered super casually.

“Huh? Hey, you could at least act a little surprised…”

“No way, it was only a matter of time.”

She shrugged and smiled.

“It just took you forever to admit your own feelings, Hina.”

“Ugh…”

I couldn’t argue.

“But hey, good for you. Congrats.”

“…Yeah.”

Her honest blessing made warmth spread through my chest.
I knew she’d been worried about me, so seeing her smile like this meant a lot.

“Mizuki’s gonna spoil you rotten, and as long as you don’t cheat, nothing bad will happen.”

“I’m not gonna cheat!!”

“Then we’re good.”

Aoi-chan giggled and took a sip of her iced tea.

“Seriously though, I’m happy for you. Mizuki will probably go full doting mode, so make sure you accept it all, okay?”

“…Yeah.”

She’d already been spoiling me plenty, but from now on it’ll be even more…
Thinking about it made me a little shy, but it didn’t feel bad at all—it was a strange, nice feeling.

“Well, you look happy, and that’s what matters.”

“…Thanks.”

Her words made me break into a big smile without meaning to.

—

Chapter 43: My Childhood Friend’s Warmth

After finishing my report to Aoi-chan at the café, I headed straight home.
The moment I opened the front door, Mii-chan was right there.

“Welcome home, Hina.”

Her smiling arms naturally pulled me close.

“I’m back.”

She hugged me tight.

Mii-chan’s body heat slowly seeps into me.
It’s soft, comforting, and makes me want to stay like this forever.
Every time she breathes out, her scent tickles my nose—
a little sweet, yet calming.

“…Nnh.”

She lets out a small hum and squeezes me even harder.
I gently place my hands on her back and sink into that warmth.

After a while, Mii-chan lifts her face and peers straight into my eyes.

She looks… a little dissatisfied.

“…Hina, you took a bit long coming home.”

“Eh? No I didn’t.”

“To me, it felt long.”

As she says that, she traces my cheek with her finger.
Her fingertip feels burning hot—it’s not my imagination.

“Jeez, so spoiled…”

I puff out my cheeks a little. Mii-chan giggles and strokes my hair.

“I’m your girlfriend now, so I’m allowed to be spoiled, right?”

“…”

Girlfriend.

Right—we’re not just childhood friends anymore. We’re something more.

And yet, it still doesn’t feel completely real.

But being held like this, feeling her warmth against me—
little by little, it sinks in: I’m really dating Mii-chan now.

Thinking back, she was always close, but we never touched like this.

We said “I like you” before, but never with this much love behind it.

Yet now Mii-chan is hugging me, asking in a sweet, clingy voice, “Can I hold you even tighter?”

“…You’re already doing it.”

“Tighter.”

When she says it so cutely, I can’t refuse.

I give up and hug her back just as hard.
Mii-chan’s body trembles slightly.

“…Hehe.”

“W-what?”

“Hina, you’re so warm.”

“…Yeah?”

“Mhm. I want to feel it more.”

“…Okay.”

I gently tighten my arms.

“…Like this?”

“Yeah. It feels amazing.”

Mii-chan’s voice shakes with happiness.
She buries her face in my shoulder and lets out a soft breath.

“Hey… I’m really happy.”

“…Me too.”

Being able to say “I love you” from the bottom of my heart, hearing it back, and snuggling together like it’s the most natural thing in the world—
I never knew it could make me this happy.

“I’m so glad I get to be with you, Mii-chan.”

When I say it honestly, Mii-chan hugs me again and brings her lips to my ear.

“—I’m the one who’s glad I get to be with you, Hina.”

Her whispered words make my chest squeeze tight.
I feel exactly the same way she does.

So from now on, forever—

“Hina.”

“…What?”

“I love you.”

“…I already know that.”

“But I want to say it.”

“…I love you too.”

As I answer, I softly close my eyes.
Being in Mii-chan’s arms is warm and safe.

I want to keep feeling this warmth forever—

Thinking that, I lean completely into her.