The Girl Everyone Admires Loves Me… and I Don’t Remember Why. - Chapter 18: Stepping on a Landmine.

Stepping on a Landmine.

“Thank you for the meal. It was really delicious.”

Having finished eating, we all pitched in to clean up.

We’d played games together, shared a meal, and now the enjoyable birthday party was drawing to a close.

Still… one important event remained.

“Alright then, everyone—let’s give Ichinose her birthday presents.”

At Sakurai’s prompting, we nodded and each took out the gifts we had prepared.

“Thank you, everyone… really.”

One by one, we handed our presents to Ichinose.

And then it was my turn.

“Ichinose, this… I’d be happy if you’d use it.”

What I bought was a ballpoint pen.

I had zero knowledge about cosmetics and the like; there was a real chance I’d pick something that didn’t suit her skin.

“Huh—this is one of those popular models everyone’s talking about right now, isn’t it? And the color… it’s my favorite pink.”

I had purchased this pen back when I went shopping for presents together with Mitsuki.

At that time, she told me which color Ichinose liked best.

Since the gift was for Ichinose, naturally I wanted to choose something in the shade she loved.

“I’m so happy. Miyase-kun… thank you, truly. I’ll treasure this pen and use it with care.”

True to her words, a bright, wholehearted smile bloomed across Ichinose’s face.

“Then, Yuki—this one too. I’d like you to use it together with the pen.”

Mitsuki stepped forward and handed Ichinose her gift.

Along with the ballpoint pen I’d bought earlier, Mitsuki had picked out a notebook and other stationery items.

“Thank you, Mitsuki. Though… somehow this feels like a message from you saying ‘Study harder,’ doesn’t it?”

“Yep, exactly. The exams are creeping closer, so I put my feelings into this—let’s do our best together.”

By the way, Ichinose’s grades were outstanding, right on par with Mitsuki’s.

“And… this one too.”

Apparently Mitsuki had prepared a second gift; she passed it over.

“Ah—this is the cosmetic I said I wanted before! You remembered?”

“Of course. Actually, the moment you mentioned it back then, I decided this would be your present.”

“I had no idea… Mitsuki, thank you so much. I’ll take good care of this one too.”

“Mm. I’d be happy if you do.”

Once everyone had given their presents, the birthday party gradually wound down.

When we stepped outside, the sky had already turned completely dark.

We planned to walk part of the way home together.

“Miyase-kun.”

At the front door, Ichinose’s mother—who had come to see us off—called my name, so I turned around.

“Thank you so much for today, for Yuki’s sake.”

“No, thank you for the wonderful food.”

“Fufu, you’re very welcome. Miyase-kun, feel free to come play anytime. You’re always welcome here.”

After exchanging greetings with Ichinose’s mother, Ichinose herself came over.

“It looks like Mom has completely taken a liking to you, Miyase-kun.”

“Really?”

“Yep.”

I didn’t recall doing anything particularly special to earn that favor, though.

“Miyase-kun, like Mom said—come over anytime. And if you do… just let me know first, okay?”

“R-Right. Got it.”

But that would mean coming here alone next time.

The thought made my heart beat a little faster.

“Miyase-kun, shall we head back? Everyone’s waiting.”

Mitsuki’s voice pulled me back; I nodded.

“Then… Ichinose, today was really fun. Thank you.”

“Yuki, happy birthday again. See you tomorrow.”

“Mm. Thank you both so much. See you tomorrow.”

After saying our goodbyes to Ichinose, we rejoined the group and started home.

We walked together for a while before my path diverged from theirs, so I parted ways and headed back alone.

***

Chitose Yuuki POV.

“……”

The birthday party had ended, and I was on my way home.

“What’s up, Yuuki? You seem off. Did you not enjoy the party that much?”

“No, it’s not that. I had fun, seriously.”

But if someone asked whether I enjoyed it from the bottom of my heart… the answer would be no.

The reason was…

“……”

I stole a sidelong glance at Mitsuki, who was chatting happily with the other girls walking beside us.

The instant I did, the scene from earlier replayed in my mind—Mitsuki and Miyase during the party.

(Miyase had already split off partway, so he wasn’t here anymore.)

The distance between those two had felt too close. There wasn’t the slightest hint of reservation; it was almost… intimate.

In that moment, the same murky, uncomfortable feeling welled up inside me again.

Mitsuki interacting with guys was nothing unusual. I’d seen it plenty of times before and never felt anything like this.

…Having this emotion linger was unpleasant. I should just think about something else and shove the feeling aside quickly.

Right after I resolved that—

I overheard one of the girls talking to Mitsuki.

“But Mitsuki-chan, your present actually surprised me a little. I was totally convinced you’d give her a stuffed animal.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Well, lately you’ve been saying how much you love that bear plushie, right? So I figured you’d get Yuki-chan some kind of stuffed toy too.”

The moment those words reached me, I muttered without thinking:

“No way… Giving a high-school girl… a stuffed… animal… as a present… that’s just… taste… way too questionable…”

In fact, no one had actually given Ichinose a plushie.

“Eh? That’s not true at all. I’d be happy to receive one, you know?”

“Hey hey, Yuuki. Keep saying stuff like that and you’ll never be popular—or get a girlfriend.”

“Mind your own business.”

The conversation quickly shifted to something else.

And in that moment, I was so caught up talking that I completely failed to notice.

“……”

After my comment, Mitsuki had gone completely silent.