Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 5: Makabe Shizuru Is Not Cut Out For Romance

Act 4(1)

And then the week ended.

The school event of watching a movie ended. And Monday came the same as usual.

I had decided that today was the day I would talk to Naoi. I couldn’t put it off any longer.

At lunchtime, after the fourth-period class, I put my textbooks and notebooks away in my bag and took out my lunch box. While I was doing so, I made up my mind―I was ready to go to Naoi, and when I turned around, he was right in front of me.

“ “Ah…” “

Both of us voiced a small sound.

The slightly awkward atmosphere fell.

“Makabe.”

Eventually, looking determined, Naoi opened his mouth first.

“What? I have a lunch box today.”

“No, that’s not it.”

Of course, I knew that’s not what he had in mind.

Then, as if he had noticed something, his well-shaped eyebrows twitched.

“That lunchbox, um…”

Naoi’s eyes were on the lunch box I took out of my bag.

“Yeah, my older sister made it for me, not some relative auntie.”

“You should piss off for once.”

Naoi awkwardly laughs.

Looking at him, I thought that Naoi was somewhat over the situation.

“I’m jealous.”

He uttered this and then nodded once, as if he was convinced of something.

“That’s right. I was jealous of you. So I took it out to you. Uh… you’d understand why, right?”

Naoi asks me, seemingly reluctant to utter it.

“I’m not that slow either.”

“Thanks. That’s why… I’m sorry.”

Naoi bowed lightly. I also didn’t expect him to bow deeply, so this is enough.

Even he knew that what he was doing was taking out his anger onto me. In fact, it must have been painful for him because he had the perspective to understand it that way. Human beings have many impulses that they cannot control.

Then, it’s my turn next.

“I’m sorry, too.”

I bow to him, just as Naoi did.

“What’s this, all of the sudden? There’s nothing for you to apologize about.”

Naoi widened his eyes at this sudden action of mine.

“No, I shouldn’t have lied to you, Naoi. I was wrong at the first step.”

“It’s normal to hide the mess in your house.”

Naoi smiled briskly, but I shook my head.

“You’re pretty generous. If I had explained it properly, you might have accepted it. But I escaped using a lie.”

“You’re overestimating me. Look what happened”

Naoi chuckles to himself, perhaps in reflection of his own conduct.

“But then again, it’s even harder to win when you think of me that way.”

“Harder to win?”

“Yeah.”

When I asked back, Naoi nodded.

“After listening to Hasumi-senpai, I knew I couldn’t beat you, Makabe. I wondered if I could do the same thing, but the answer never came. You’re strong. To be able to do that to protect someone.”

Naoi’s face was fresh as he said this. I see. So that’s the reason why he became like this.

“You don’t know if you can do it or not until you stand there. I think you can also do it to protect someone. No, you would do it better than I would.”

“I wonder.”

Naoi gave a vague answer.

“But then again, the two of us look pathetic.”

“Un?”

“In the end, Hasumi-senpai had to set us up for us to get this far.”

“That’s true.”

It was as if Hasumi-senpai had told us both not to fight. In addition, I realized my mistake from her words.

“Hasumi-senpai told me that she doesn’t want to lie to you since you two are great friends. At the very least, you’re in that place. From there, it’s up to you.”

“Thank you. I’ll try my best. Then… how are things on your side going?”

“Me? What about me?”

“Don’t fool around. Of course it’s about Takinami-senpai. You were eating together in the cafeteria the other day. She doesn’t do that with other guys. Don’t say that she’s just your senior.”

He pokes me in the chest with his fist.

“Takinami-senpai and I are not a match for each other.”

“Not that again.”

Naoi scratches his head in dismay.

“…Say, Makabe. All of that talk that you two are not a match, don’t you think that’s just noise? Because in the end, it wouldn’t matter. If that’s the case, why don’t you just ignore that from the very beginning? Then, the rest is up to you.”

The rest is up to me―that’s what I said to Naoi just a few moments ago.

He has a serious look on his face.

“Be true to your feelings―”

I thought I was not going to be able to fool those words, so I uttered it.

“What’s that?”

“Words from someone I respect and admire.”

“That’s nice. And the answer is already there.”

“Maybe.”

That’s right. The answer is already here.

My new answer.

The rest is up to me.

“Kyouhei-kun, let’s get going.”

What I heard there was Izumikawa’s voice. It was obvious that he was tense. He was waiting for Naoi at the entrance of the classroom with Murodo and Tateno.

“He sounds angry? Maybe hunger is getting to him.”

“You know what you’re talking about.”

Naoi looked surprised.

“I’ll tell Izumikawa myself.”

“Do it in moderation. I don’t hate him that much.”

“I really don’t think I can beat you, Makabe… Alright, then.”

Then Naoi leaves. They would probably be in the school cafeteria with the usual members.

“Alright一”

I deliberately let out a sound.

I’ll have lunch too. As usual, I took my lunch to Karube and Heshikiri-san’s place.

On a whim, I looked out the window and saw a rainy sky that had yet to end even though we’re in July. Since I had made peace with Naoi, it would have been nice to have a clear blue sky. The sky really can’t take a hint.