The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: I Think I’d Be Happy If We Were Alike

The second semester started smoothly, and a few days had passed.

The heat remained unchanged, but perhaps it would settle down eventually.

And as for how Shirafuji and I spent our days, it was almost the same as before summer break.

However, there was one thing.

My thoughts were occupied by something that was steadily approaching.

“…Hey, Shirafuji.”

“What is it?”

“If I remember correctly, your birthday is in about a month, right?”

“You remembered.”

When I asked the question to Shirafuji, who was settled in her usual spot on my lap, she responded with a happy tone without even turning around.

Shirafuji’s birthday was in mid-September.

I had known about it for some time, but this would be the first time I would celebrate it.

“Why are you bringing up my birthday?”

“Well, I was wondering what I should get you as a birthday present.”

“If it’s from Hakuto, I’d be happy with anything.”

“That’s really nice of you to say, but… I don’t have much experience with this, so I figured I should ask you directly first.”

“I see. Surprises have their own charm, but choosing something together sounds nice too. I understand. I should have done that for your birthday.”

Shirafuji nodded to herself in agreement.

For my birthday, Shirafuji had prepared a surprise present.

It was a simple yet practical handkerchief, and I still used it gratefully.

However, I wasn’t confident in my ability to choose presents.

To be precise, I wasn’t sure if something I picked would truly make Shirafuji happy.

Shirafuji said she would be happy with anything I chose, and I believed she wasn’t lying.

But even so, I didn’t want to just pick something at random.

If I relied too much on her kindness, I might end up betraying her trust.

…Well, I know asking the recipient directly takes away some of the fun, but it’s better than picking something weird.

“Still… my birthday, huh.”

“You don’t feel it yet?”

“You figured that out quickly. I’ve only celebrated it once, and my birthday has never been celebrated before.”

“Then we have to make it a big celebration, to make up for all the past years.”

“Can I look forward to it?”

“All I can really give you is a present and a meal, though.”

“That sounds like a grand feast.”

Only Shirafuji would call that a grand feast.

Tansui would probably say something like, “Isn’t there anything more?”

“Since you said that, let’s go pick the present together. I’d like something that matches.”

“We won’t know until we go and see.”

“We have to be mindful of the price. There’s a budget, and expensive doesn’t always mean better. Besides, it’s a birthday present, so it should be something memorable rather than just costly.”

“Well, we can put it off for now. There’s still time before your birthday.”

Birthdays are special days, but they exist as an extension of everyday life.

At least, I hope that’s how it is.

“I hope Kyoichi will celebrate with us too.”

“…Yeah.”

“Are you still worried?”

“We haven’t talked since the visit to the grave.”

“Still, when I spoke with him, he seemed fine. Want to try reaching out?”

“…If I can find the courage, I will.”

She seemed hesitant, but in the past, she wouldn’t have even considered it.

Shirafuji must be thinking positively about it now.

It’s just not the right time yet.

I don’t think she needs to worry so much.

Kyoichi surely cares about Shirafuji.

“That’s enough about my birthday. Before that, there’s something else big coming up.”

Something else?

Was there anything else?

“The school festival.”

“…I completely forgot since I have no attachment to it.”

“I’m the same, but I wouldn’t say I forgot.”

Oh, right. The school festival.

It’s one of the big events in high school life.

It should be happening in September… so soon, our class will probably decide on what to do and start preparing.

Maybe we’ll hear about it next week.

I wonder what we’ll end up doing.

For a school festival, a café or a haunted house seems typical.

…Thinking about it, we don’t have much time to prepare.

“Since you brought it up, does that mean you’re looking forward to it?”

“Yes. Last year, not so much. But this year is different. I have someone to enjoy it with.”

“Maybe so. I hope this year makes for good memories. I don’t even remember last year. I think I helped with preparations, but on the actual day…”

“I think I spent it somewhere quiet, away from people. The atmosphere, the voices, the stares… none of it suited me.”

Our words overlapped.

Then, we both sighed at the same time.

I was avoided, so I had an excuse, but I didn’t expect Shirafuji to have spent it in a similar way.

Being avoided and choosing to avoid others are two completely different things, though.

“Do you think we’re similar?”

“Who knows.”

“You don’t sound interested.”

“Whether we’re similar or not, our relationship won’t change, right? Then it doesn’t really matter to me.”

“That’s true.”

As she spoke, Shirafuji placed her hand over my hand.

It was slightly cool and soft.

“Even so, I think I’d be happy if we were alike.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed at her words, I still replied, “Yeah, I guess so.”