The Childhood Friend I Had Grown Distant From Started Acting a Little Strange - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Yesterday, many things happened.

Maya got pretty upset, we made up, she didn’t let me go until evening, Haruna-san said a not-so-funny joke about staying over, Maya took it seriously and fought hard to keep me from leaving… many things happened.

But, overall, I think it was a good day. I achieved reconciliation with Maya, which I dreamed of for years, so other things seem minor.

I need to tell Shige on Monday… but I’ll blur the stalker stuff. Shige, being a good friend, would definitely try to pull us apart, and if we separated again, Maya would surely be sad.

Yesterday, I didn’t think much about it, but unless I’m conceited, Maya likes me… probably. Unless someone’s really dense, they’d notice after such blatant affection (though it feels a bit dark).

But to me, Maya is my important childhood friend, nothing more. Spending time together might change things, but since we were apart so long, I still see her as the elementary school kid.

Someday, I’ll have to face that part properly. But… if I couldn’t return Maya’s feelings, what would happen to her?

She’d definitely be shocked and probably cry. But… given her behavior, something crazy might happen…?

“…Well, thinking about it now won’t help.”

My relationship with Maya just restarted. So, I shouldn’t overthink now. We’ll spend time together, and our relationship will surely change. I can decide later.

I conclude this and change into sneakers. It’s time for my daily run. Yesterday, I wasn’t in the mood because of Maya, so I need to do it properly today.

I open the door. Morning air flows in, and I feel the day begin…

“Good morning, Yuu-chan!”

Maya greets me with a big smile, and my body freezes.

“…Huh?”

Why is she here…? How long has she been here?

“M-Maya? When did you get here?”

“Hm? I know you run at this time, so I didn’t wait long. Don’t worry.”

Right, Maya was my stalker. She knows my routine. No way she’d come at a time to wait long…

“Just an hour or so.”

“You waited a lot!”

I take it back, she waited a ton.

“I wanted to see you soon, Yuu-chan… Look at this.”

She holds out her hand. I don’t get it at first, but it’s trembling slightly.

“I couldn’t see you, and since last night, I’ve been like this.”

“Withdrawal symptoms…?”

Is she on some dangerous drug…? Or am I the drug?

“Anyway, here I go!”

“W-Wait!”

She slips into my arms with a light move. I catch her, and she wraps her arms tightly around my back.

“Suuuuuuuuuuuuuu…”

She starts breathing deeply… Is she sniffing me?

“Hey, Maya. That’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Suuuuuuuuuuuuuu…”

“Wait, are you exhaling?”

“Suuuuuuuuuuuuuu…”

“How long are you gonna inhale!? You’ll die if you don’t exhale!”

Cause of death: my body odor? That’s awful!

“…Phew. I calmed down a bit.”

“A-Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I got my Yuu-chan dose, so I’m good for a while.”

“That’s… not what I meant…”

I want to say that’s not okay and “dose” sounds like a dangerous drug, but I stop. I probably won’t understand.

She keeps rubbing her cheek against me and hugging tightly, clearly happy. That’s great. I want Maya to keep smiling.

But… this situation continuing is a bit of a problem.

“…So, how long are you gonna stay like this?”

Honestly, Maya’s got a great figure compared to others our age. Having her press against me is tough for a healthy high school boy.

Also, my back hurts from her arms. It feels like she’s crushing me.

“…Am I bothering you? Do you hate me?”

Oh, crap.

“S-Sorry. I’ll fix everything bad, so don’t hate…”

“No, no! I’m just a bit embarrassed!”

I pat Maya’s trembling head to calm her. Her voice sounded dangerously desperate, like she might die.

“…Really?”

“Really! Look, I’m a guy, so… you know?”

“…! S-Sorry! I didn’t realize!”

She gets it and quickly pulls away. Her red cheeks are honestly cute.

“…But I’m glad. If you hated me, I couldn’t live.”

If only she didn’t say that. Can she stop making things so intense…?

“…I want to start running. Is that okay?”

“Oh, sorry. You need to greet Grandpa Mimura too, right?”

She knows my routine so naturally… She keeps reminding me she was a stalker…

“Let’s go then.”

“…? You’re coming too, Maya?”

Won’t casual clothes be hard to move in or get sweaty? Also, I remember Maya wasn’t good at sports. Did she overcome that?

“Yeah. I absolutely don’t want to be apart from you, Yuu-chan… Oh, it’s okay! I’m bad at sports, but I’ll try to keep up!”

She’s the same as before. But she’s determined to come along.

…Well, can’t be helped.

“Let’s walk then.”

“Huh… Is that okay?”

“Walking’s exercise too, and chilling sometimes is nice.”

I don’t want to see Maya struggle running. I’m soft on her, but we just got back to normal, so it’s fine.

As I think this, Maya slowly reaches out her hand. I get it and hold it, and she beams with a melting smile… My heart skips a bit, probably not my imagination.

“…Yuu-chan.”

“Hm?”

I don’t know how my relationship with Maya will turn out. It might stay like this or change. I don’t know if it’ll be good, but…

“I love you!”

For now, as long as Maya’s smiling, that’s enough. Seeing her smile, I think that.

“Even if I die, let’s stay together!”

…I’m starting to think this is bad.