The case where I was gradually getting buried in the heavy love of my childhood friend who had miraculously recovered from their illness was perfect!

Chapter 53 : Her Worries!

“…..”

“From the looks of it, it is obvious something clearly happened.”

After the closing ceremony, Rion asked me what had happened as soon as we left school.

She seems more concerned about me than I am about her. I can’t ask her that directly because it might lead to a painful counterattack, but… It’s not like I was seriously overthinking it.

“You heard it from Asumi-san, right?”

“Yes. I heard that you and Saijo-san disappeared into some dark corner together.”

It’s all in the way you say it! Even though she probably didn’t have any intention to belittle me, knowing Asumi-san, she must have told Rion in an amusing way. I can easily imagine Asumi-san laughing cheerfully, but I’m sure my imagination is not wrong.

“So, what did you talk about?”

“Why are you so persistent in asking?”

“I’m curious… because we’re childhood friends.”

“…..”

“Just because we’re childhood friends doesn’t mean we have to tell each other everything, right?”

“No, I just kept quiet because Rion looking away like that was really cute.”

“Argh…!”

Rion turned her face away again with a tsundere attitude.

While smiling wryly at Rion’s actions, I thought to myself – there isn’t really anything I can’t tell her. Well, aside from things like explicit websites and secrets with friends… but besides that, I usually answered Rion’s questions.

“Today, Nagi-kun seems a bit tough.”

“I don’t think anything has changed. Cute Rion-chan.”

“…..”

Needless to say, I got a silent kick in the leg.

Wincing, I worried that I might have angered her. However, it seems that’s not the case. She quickly turned to face me.

“Let’s go home quickly, Nagi-kun.”

“Yeah.”

Well, it’s not like Rion would get upset over such a minor thing.

I walked alongside Rion, and decided to talk about what happened with Saijo-san.

“Saijo-san… She was talking about the prince thing as usual, but she asked me what I thought about Rion.”

“Eh? Saijo-san asked such a thing…”

“Yeah.”

“…What did you answer?”

“I didn’t say anything, but it’s probably for the best.”

Yeah, I didn’t give a direct answer to that question. I got a bit nervous after that and the timing was tight. Well, except for my own desires, I can talk to Rion about anything else.

“I didn’t say anything… but I have thought about it.”

“Thought about it?”

“Yeah, I think that you, Rion, are a very important childhood friend.”

“Oh…”

“I always say that, don’t I? This is something that will never change within me. No matter how much time passes, it won’t fade. Even if we both get old with wrinkled faces.”

“…..!!”

Oh, I feel like I just said something embarrassing again.

But it’s a strange feeling, really. Saying things like this to Rion, it feels like it’s natural, like it’s my duty to keep doing so.

Unusually, Rion looks at me with her mouth slightly agape. I can see her blushing and flustered, but such expressions suit Rion well. I mean, what I want to say is, she’s cute.

“Let’s go home.”

“W-Wait!”

As I moved forward as if leaving Rion behind, she immediately followed me.

Even after running just a short distance, she’s panting beside me. Seeing her like this, I quickly apologized, which is a common sight between us.

“Phew… It doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, even though my body is weak, I find it more embarrassing that I get out of breath so easily.”

“It’s not embarrassing, I think.”

“No, it’s embarrassing… But more than that, your words really disturb my heart.”

Saying that, Rion turns away with a tsundere attitude again, but soon turns back and smiles.

“Thank you, Nagi-kun. Your words made me really happy.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Smiling with the sunset as a backdrop, Rion holds my hand tightly.

We continued walking hand in hand. No matter how much time passes, our interactions and relationships seem unchanging, and I think that’s why we can be like this.

“After all, without some kind of trigger, it seems impossible. I have to change the fundamental parts. Nagi-kun will remain the same otherwise.”

“You’re muttering something, but I can hear you.”

“I’m saying it so you can hear. You’re strangely stubborn, but occasionally sharp and kind.”

“…Can you say I’m kind so easily?”

“Are you saying that, Nagi-kun? What are you talking about, are you out of your mind?”

“You’re suddenly so harsh!”

Taking advantage of the fact that there’s no one around, we exchange these light words while heading home.

‘Rion in a romantic way…’

Of course, I can’t deny having such a wish.

But… no matter how much time we spend together, no matter how close we are, I can’t help but think.

Am I really a man who matches Rion?

Well, it’s probably just groundless worry in front of our feelings for each other, but it’s a premise that Rion likes me romantically.