My Sex Friend Is My Childhood Friend? - 4-5

Chapter 4: She’s So Normal in Person That I Can’t Bring Myself to Say It

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Today was the day of the meeting.

Thinking that getting into a car right away might be scary, we decided to meet at Shinjuku Station after work, somewhere in the middle for both of us. I arrived ten minutes early. I had specified the spot in front of the bank by the rotary, but I wondered if she’d be able to find it.

Then a message came from Mahiru.

『I just got to Shinjuku Station too. I’m heading your way now.』

I waited while watching the chaotic crowd. A couple holding hands. A salaryman yelling into his phone as he passed by. An old lady carrying heavy shopping bags.

I wonder what kind of lives they all lead.

As I thought about that, I waited. Eventually, the meeting time arrived. I could tell I was getting restless.

Is it that girl? Or maybe that one?

My eyes darted around.

But every girl I set my eyes on was meeting someone else. They’d smile, link arms with someone, and disappear from around me, one after another. Twenty minutes passed since the meeting time. Mahiru still hadn’t shown up.

She hadn’t even read my last message.

Was I being messed with? Or did she see me from afar and just leave?

The more I had been looking forward to this, the more pathetic I felt. It was like I had reverted to my middle school self—back when I was overweight and full of insecurities. The chatter that had been so distracting just moments ago gradually blended into the noise of the city and faded from my awareness.

When I looked at my watch, thirty minutes had already passed.

Ahhh… Well, of course. Maybe I should just go home.

I sighed and turned my body toward the station.

At that moment, an old lady carrying a large bag tripped and fell right in front of me. Oranges spilled dramatically from her bag, rolling everywhere.

I rushed over without thinking and held out my hand. Next to me, a woman quietly began gathering the scattered orange one by one. I spoke to the old lady.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Just then, the woman who had finished collecting the mikan froze as she heard my voice. When I looked up, I saw her staring back at me.

She wasn’t particularly tall or short, with long, light-colored hair. Her bust wasn’t especially prominent, but it was enough. Her waist curved smoothly into soft, well-shaped hips.

She wore a loose white lace shirt and a short, distressed denim skirt. Her youthful thighs peeked out from underneath. On her feet were black ankle boots with a slight heel. In both ears, stylish lapis lazuli earrings swayed. Her skin was fair, tinged just slightly with a rosy hue. Her lips parted slightly as her wide, round eyes looked at me.

“Um… Are you Unagi-san?”

It was Mahiru.

Wait a second. She’s way cuter than I ever imagined.

She had a gentle, pure vibe. The kind of girl who just looked like she should always be smiling—a picture of clean, refreshing charm.

…Can I really say something like, “Let’s go to a hotel,” to a girl like this…?

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Chapter 5: Scum Senpai, Grant Me Your Strength

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“Ah, yes, I’m Unagi.”

At that, Mahiru raised the corners of her mouth and smiled warmly. It was dazzling. I felt a warmth spread through my chest. It was the kind of smile that made people happy.

“Um, since everyone is around, it’s a little hard to call you ‘Unagi-san.’ Would it be okay if I called you ‘Nagi-san’ instead?”

Wait—hold on a second. That’s my real name!!

“Sorry, I’d rather you not use that name.”

Mahiru then placed a finger on her chin and tilted her upper body from side to side, pretending to think.

“Then… Now about Onii-chan? Would that be okay? You are one year older than me, after all.”

Did she watch the brocon anime I was raving about? Seriously, this is too precious.

Trying not to let on how pleased I was, I fidgeted with my hair and answered nonchalantly.

“Well, that works too.”

Still, now she even added a little sister vibe to her character. There was no way I could ask her to go to a hotel after this.

“Mahiru-chan, have you eaten yet?”

Since she hadn’t, we decided to grab a light meal. If I had a bit to drink, maybe the Scum Senpai inside me would lend me some strength.

On the way, I asked her about earlier. Mahiru walked around me like a friendly cat, weaving to the left and right.

“Sorry about that. I got lost after we messaged. I asked an old man for directions and ended up at the wrong bank. I was totally freaking out. But you know, I was actually at that spot about five minutes before the meeting time? I guess neither of us noticed each other.”

Seriously? Apparently, I couldn’t even recognize someone so cute. She looked like she came from another dimension. Which meant she probably saw me standing there, caught up in my own melodrama, acting like a tragic hero.

God, that’s embarrassing.

Mahiru chatted without a hint of malice. She really was such a bright girl. But when we passed a very affectionate couple, she tightly gripped the hem of my shirt and fell silent for just a moment. Once the couple disappeared from view, Mahiru spoke up again.

“Can I link arms with you?”

She gently linked her arm with mine. A sweet scent wafted over.

Hey now, if you keep acting like this, this old man might get the wrong idea, you know? (Even if we’re just a year apart.)

We walked for about five minutes and entered a restaurant I had picked out beforehand. It was stylish enough, had fruity cocktails on the menu, and the budget was manageable for a university student.

Of course, I intended to pay since I was a working adult. But I didn’t want her to feel pressured, so I chose this place. I ordered a beer, and Mahiru got a cassis soda. We toasted.

The place specialized in wood-fired pizzas, even though it was technically an izakaya. We ordered a Margherita. True to the description, the moment Mahiru picked it up, the delicious aroma drifted across to me—basil sauce and mozzarella cheese. Mahiru took a bite, stretching the cheese, and then held her cheek with her right hand, smiling brightly.

“It’s sooo good!!”

Then she started talking about her university. It was the kind of world I had admired but never experienced. Mahiru was in the law department and apparently doing well in her studies. She really had no sense of caution—she even casually mentioned the station near her school.

Since I worked in real estate, I could guess the general area from the station and the fact that it was a national university. There weren’t that many of those in Tokyo. Mahiru wasn’t the least bit annoying, and listening to her talk never made me uncomfortable.

We were having such a good time that I realized we’d stayed way too long. It was about time to bring it up. But honestly, she was such a good girl that I felt guilty.

“Mahiru-chan. The last train’s coming up. Are you okay on time?”

“Um, I’m okay. I told my friends I’m staying over at someone’s place tonight.”

When I tried to settle the bill, Mahiru pulled out her wallet. She opened it up, the coins rattling, and after hesitating with an “Hmm~,” she asked.

“Would it be okay if I used a cashless payment?”

Sorry. Maybe the place is a bit pricey, huh?

I stopped Mahiru, who insisted on paying.

“Let your Onii-chan look cool just a little, okay?”

After a moment of deliberation, Mahiru looked up at me with a soft gaze and smiled faintly.

“Thank you, Onii-chan.”

You… You really know how to play the game, huh?

Maybe she was more experienced with guys than I thought. After leaving the restaurant, I took Mahiru’s hand. We headed toward Kabukichō. Mahiru didn’t say anything, but her hand was sweaty.

Was she nervous?

“Mahiru-chan. Your hand is really sweaty.”

“Sorry. I sweat a lot. It’s kind of embarrassing.”

She tried to pull her hand away, but I didn’t let her. I held it tighter and kept walking. Eventually, we arrived in front of a love hotel. It didn’t have a flashy, sleazy design—more like a normal hotel.

Honestly, it felt a little wrong bringing a girl I’d just met to a place like this. But if I stopped now, I felt like I might never see her again. I turned to Mahiru and asked to confirm.

“Is this okay?”

Mahiru avoided meeting my eyes. Her gaze wandered briefly before she gave me a small nod.

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