The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 51

“Shirafuji and Hanaba are fast asleep, huh?”

“After all that playing, it’s no surprise. You’re still full of energy, though, Hakuto.”

“I train a little, you know. Same goes for you, Rin, right?”

“More or less.”

Shirafuji was leaning against my right shoulder, while Hanaba rested against Rin’s left. Both of them, completely unguarded, had their peaceful sleeping faces on display.

After spending the day playing at the pool, we were on our way home, gently rocked by the train. I’d helped Shirafuji practice swimming, and afterward, Hanaba joined us, and we played together until we finally decided to head back.

When we reunited outside the changing rooms, Shirafuji and Hanaba were still lively and chatty. But as soon as we got on the train, they dozed off into dreamland.

“Good thing the train isn’t crowded. They wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly otherwise.”

“Even now, we’re drawing attention. It’s not impossible that someone might have inappropriate thoughts.”

“Seriously. I’m really glad you’re here, Rin.”

“I didn’t do anything. Actually, I was wondering if it was really okay. Hanging out with two cute girls at the pool already seemed like something people might envy, and I even went on the water slide with Hanaba.”

Even as he said that, Rin didn’t try to move Hanaba, who was sleeping against his shoulder. That showed how kind he was.

Besides, no matter how tired Hanaba was, she wouldn’t have fallen asleep next to someone she didn’t trust.

Still, I understood the issue Rin was grappling with.

“From Hanaba’s reaction, I think you’re worrying too much. But I get it. It’s because you and Hanaba are just friends, right?”

“Exactly. Honestly, it was a bit awkward. But I knew Hanaba didn’t mean anything by it, and I didn’t want to ruin the fun. Oh, just to be clear, it’s not like I dislike her or anything.”

“I get it. If you didn’t like her, you wouldn’t have come to the pool in the first place. You’d have made up any excuse not to.”

Rin was busy with club activities, but his summer break couldn’t be only about that. Surely, he had plans with other friends or his family.

If Rin had wanted to, he could’ve used those as a reason to decline.

“Still, I never imagined I’d end up going to the pool with friends.”

“Why the sudden realization?”

“Well, looking back, it feels surreal. I didn’t have any friends other than these two, and before I met Shirafuji, I was completely alone. I never thought I’d experience something like this. Honestly, I’m just surprised by how much has changed.”

“That’s… probably not an exaggeration.”

Rin didn’t try to refute my words but gently accepted them. He probably knew I wasn’t joking. Even if we hadn’t known each other back then, he might’ve at least heard the rumors during our first year.

“But you don’t hate it now, right?”

“Of course not. I’m really grateful to everyone.”

“Then that’s all that matters. No matter what the past was like, the future can always change. If meeting Shirafuji changed you, then you deserve to enjoy the present you’ve earned.”

“Shirafuji would probably say something similar. Something about how she feels the same way.”

“True. As for Hanaba… who knows? She probably wouldn’t overthink it. She’d just say, ‘We’re friends, so who cares?'”

“That’s what’s great about Hanaba—her bright and cheerful nature.”

Unlike Shirafuji and me, Rin and Hanaba had plenty of other friends. Still, they chose to spend time with us. I had to appreciate what that meant. Dwelling on my lonely past would only disrespect their feelings.

“By the way, isn’t our stop coming up soon?”

“Looks like it. Fun times really do fly by. Hanaba and I should get off here.”

“But first, we need to wake them up… It feels bad to disturb them when they’re sleeping so soundly.”

“Still, we can’t just let them miss their stop. Sorry, Hanaba, but it’s time to wake up.”

Rin chuckled as he gently shook Hanaba’s shoulder and called out to her. With a faint groan, she slowly opened her eyes.

“…Huh? Was I sleeping on your shoulder, Shinochi? That’s so embarrassing… My sleeping face wasn’t weird, was it?”

“It wasn’t. Don’t worry about it. I woke you up because we’re about to arrive.”

“No problem at all. Thanks. Missing our stop would’ve been worse.”

Blushing slightly, Hanaba spoke as the train began to slow down.

“Alright, Hanaba and I will get off here. See you later, Hakuto. Say hi to Shirafuji for me.”

“Looks like Shirafuji was asleep too. See you, Kuwacchi!”

“Later. Take care getting home!”

I watched the two leave from the train window as the train started moving again. Soon, our stop would come, too.

Like Rin had done with Hanaba, I gently woke Shirafuji. Her eyelids fluttered open.

“…Hakuto? Where are we?”

“Still on the train. We’re almost there, so I thought I’d wake you up. Can you manage, or should I carry you?”

“…That would be a little embarrassing. Thank you for lending me your shoulder. Thanks to you, I slept well.”

Shirafuji straightened up and stretched lightly, careful not to get in the way. She still looked a bit tired but seemed refreshed from her nap.

“The others have already left, haven’t they?”

“Yeah, a little while ago. I thought about waking you up then but didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Let’s make sure to thank them later, along with letting them know we’re home safe.”

“I hope we can keep having days like this.”

“I hope so too.”

Smiling, Shirafuji and I exchanged glances, sharing a small laugh.

As long as we can keep smiling, that’s enough.

“What should we do about dinner? Cooking feels like too much effort, so I was thinking maybe we could order something.”

“That sounds good. When you say delivery… pizza?”

“Perfect. We can watch a movie while eating it.”

“Then we’ll need cola, too.”

“Just don’t overdo it, or you’ll gain weight.”

“I’ll start exercising properly. Wake me up in the mornings, okay?”

“Deal. I’ll drag you out of bed if I have to.”

“That’s fine by me.”

Shoulder pillows sure come in handy, don’t they?