My Sex Friend Is My Childhood Friend? - 26

Chapter 26: Campus Festival

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It was the day of the campus festival. I met up with Senpai at the station nearest the university and headed to Mahiru’s campus. Due to recent terrorist threats, security was reportedly tight, and only authorized personnel were allowed in. But Mahiru had registered us in advance and prepared name tags we could wear around our necks.

Senpai spun the holder around as he spoke.

“Man, you need one of these even for a school festival now? universitys these days are dangerous. Back in my day—”

“Wait, Senpai, you graduated from university?”

“What the hell? Can’t I have gone to university too?”

At our company’s level, being a university grad tended to be the topic of conversation (usually because the person bragged about it), but I’d never once heard Senpai mention it. He probably went to some unnecessarily good school. He was that kind of guy after all. So I deliberately chose not to ask.

Senpai, meanwhile, was sticking out his lower jaw and raising his eyebrows into a pitiful arch, obviously dying for me to ask—but I ignored him. The university gate was large and gave off a sense of history. It had that classic academic vibe.

Then I saw Mahiru waiting for us by the gate. She noticed us and waved.

Today, Mahiru was helping run a booth for her seminar group, so she was in costume—a little devil outfit with small black-and-purple wings. Her hair was dyed black and her makeup was dark-toned too. She looked way too good in it.

To someone like me, who knew the nighttime Mahiru, she looked exactly like a real succubus.

Man, she is irresistible. I wonder if I can get her to wear that outfit when she comes over to my place. Also, she is wearing glasses! Wait. Does that mean she has bad eyesight? But, wow. Mahiru in glasses is really something. My after-school fantasies are going strong right now.

Then Senpai poked me in the ribs. He was leaning in like a predator. Kind of scary.

“That cute little devil girl—is that Mahiru-chan? No way! That’s a jackpot if I’ve ever seen one. Hey, can we swap her with that girl I met on the app the other day? Change, please.”

“No.”

Absolutely not. Even if the most beautiful woman in the world showed up, I still didn’t want to trade Mahiru away. 

Senpai ran ahead of me and struck up a conversation with Mahiru.

This guy… There’s being friendly, and then there’s being too friendly.

“Sorry to keep you waiting! You must be Mahiru-chan? Thanks for always looking after my dumb little brother here…”

Mahiru glanced at me with a half-smile. And standing next to her was another girl—probably Mahiru’s friend.

“Nagi-kun! This is Honoka, the best friend I told you about. She’s my second favorite person after you~!”

Saying that, Mahiru clung to Honoka. Honoka clearly wasn’t the touchy-feely type. Her face stiffened, and she tried to push Mahiru off. After Mahiru finally let go, Honoka gave me a polite little bow.

She was a bit smaller than Mahiru. A little on the plump side, but definitely in the “pretty” category. Now Honoka was looking at us—at the Scum Brothers—with a bit of a side-eye. I really hoped that was just drowsiness and not the look of disdain.

Senpai, of course, didn’t care one bit. He went right up to Honoka and started chatting with her.

Seriously, the nerve on this guy…

Then he came back to me and said brightly,

“Yeah, Honoka-chan’s eyes? She says that was a side-eye. Hahaha!”

God, please. Can I just leave this guy here and go home?

Mahiru and Honoka gave us a tour of the campus. The school was lively, full-on festival vibes. Lining both sides of the main walkway to the auditorium were all kinds of booths and stalls.

As we walked, Mahiru introduced me to Honoka.

“Honoka, this is Nagi-kun—the one I’m always talking about. He’s my boyfriend. He’s so cool, right?”

Cool? Seriously?

Of course, I didn’t think she hated me, but… Hearing that from someone you like hit harder than expected.

Now that I thought about it, back when we first met, we didn’t even exchange photos through the app. We met not knowing what the other looked like and went straight to a hotel. I pretty much fell for her at first sight, but I never really thought about what she thought of my appearance.

For a relationship that started like that, being introduced to her best friend now felt deeply meaningful.

Oh, candy apples!

When I stopped in my tracks, Mahiru immediately noticed. She ran over to a booth and came back with two candy apples. With a proud puff of her chest, she handed them to me and Senpai.

“Here, Nagi-kun. You like these, right? The small red ones. My treat, since you’re always helping me out. One for Senpai too. Here you go.”

Senpai looked surprised to be included.

“Huh? I get one too? I haven’t done anything for you, though.”

Mahiru smiled and nodded.

“Yes, please. You might help me out in the future. Consider it an advance payment.”

I looked at the candy apple in my hand. It was a small red candy apple. Every time I saw one, it brought back memories. Back when I was a kid, it was the treat I always looked forward to at the local festival. My family was poor, so I was sure my parents gave something up just so I could have it.

Now that I thought about it, I think I also told Mahiru that story back in middle school. So she remembered. I was almost certain of it… I didn’t know exactly when, but at some point… Mahiru had realized who I was.

The way she called my name. The strange things she said now and then. But somehow, I felt like I wasn’t supposed to bring it up. There must have been a reason Mahiru hadn’t said anything.

If I were to just stomp right in, clueless and insensitive as I was, I had a feeling I might never see her again. So for now… Until Mahiru turned to face me on her own accord… I was content staying in this conveniently comfortable relationship, where we both looked away from the painful parts.

As long as I could spend time with Mahiru, this was enough.

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