After a Heartbreak, My Bitter Childhood Friend is now Sweet Like Sugar - Chapter 4.7
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Chapter 4.7- What comes after childhood friendship
As I stepped into the park, I heard the creaking sound of worn-out chains. It was coming from the swing. When I approached closer, I saw Kokoa was swinging on it.
She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice my presence. Well, I couldn’t tell if she was in a daze or thinking about something else. Anyway, she was so absorbed in her world that she didn’t see me coming.
… Hmm.
If that’s the case, I’d better get rid of my presence. I approached quietly, trying not to let out a sound with my footsteps, and moved behind her.
“Woo!”
I shouted.
“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
She jumped away from the swing while screaming.
Then, she quickly turned around and glared at me.
“What are you doing to me? I thought I was going to die! And why are you here…?”
But soon, the agitation disappeared from her face. Her thoughts flowed like a waterfall as if her brain couldn’t keep up with the situation. If I compared her to a computer, I could say she had frozen.
Then all of a sudden, she turned fiery red. From the look on her face, I could assume that she was embarrassed, ashamed, impatient, and upset.
“W-w-w… why are you here?”
“Why? Because Tenten told me that you’re here.”
“Just because you heard. Hmm… That’s it…? Nothing more…?”
She turned away and tried to run again. But this time, I hurriedly grabbed her right arm to prevent her from escaping.
“W-what are you doing? Please let go of me.”
“Please calm down. I don’t understand why you’re running away.”
“You don’t understand! Even after seeing my, uh, diary!”
“No, I didn’t look in your diary, though the girls told me what was in it.”
“But now you know everything!”
“Oh God, where are you going to run anyway? If you go back home, did you forget I’m the one who lives next door to you? And also we’ll see each other at school.”
“Well, that’s true, but… ”
“Hmm, if you want me to leave you alone until you get settled, I’ll do that.”
When I said that, she seemed to have given up trying to escape as if her strength drained from her body.
“Yū…”
“Hmm?”
“How can you act like it’s nothing?”
Well, that is…
“You mean, why am I being so casual after knowing your feelings?”
“What else could it be?”
“I’m not really casual. You know, I’m still nervous inside and a little embarrassed.”
“You liar. You looked normal to me.”
“I’m not lying.”
“… I know, but…”
What’s the matter with you? You were just telling me that I was lying.
“…”
“…”
A moment of silence…
We kept our mouths shut and looked away.
As we both peeked at each other, our eyes eventually met.
“… Well, I already kind of knew that.”
“What?”
Yeah, I had a feeling.
I had a hunch that Kokoa might like me.
“Kokoa, you’re easy to understand.”
“If that’s the case, then why didn’t you notice my feelings sooner? Are you a slow learner?”
“I don’t deny that I’m a slow learner, and, indeed, I hadn’t noticed it for so long. It’s… I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it until now.”
Looking back, there were so many hints. There were so many times when I felt apologetic to Kokoa when she was angry when she was sulking.
“It’s… unfair. I can’t believe you’re honestly apologizing again.”
“It’s just that if I do something wrong, I’ve to apologize sincerely.”
“Who do you think you are, a good boy? You’re the bad boy who stole my heart.”
No, I didn’t mean to steal it. Or rather, you call me ‘bad’, but you’re the same as me.
…
“You know, I’m still trying to sort out my feelings, and I still, well, I still have feelings for Senpai…”
“I know.”
“It’s that I don’t know how I am supposed to respond to your feelings? But I do want to move one step closer at a time…”
I don’t know what to say in this situation.
“So, for now, if you want to start with a relationship that is more than just childhood friendship…”
“More than childhood friends?”
Once again, she froze.
She continued to stare at me with a dumbfounded expression on her face.
And then…
“Pfft. What’s that?”
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because you don’t know what it means. There’s nothing more or less to a childhood friend.”
“There is, you know. I’ve just decided.”
“What’s that?”
She continued to giggle.
What’s so funny? I thought I was being serious. Well, I’ve kind of lost the awkward atmosphere.
“So, once again. I’ll be looking forward to it, Yū.”
“Yes, it’s my pleasure. Kokoa.”