The Girl Everyone Admires Loves Me… and I Don’t Remember Why. - Chapter 4: Coincidence?

Coincidence?

After school.

I headed to the shopping mall to pick up some light novels.

The bookstore here has the best selection in the area, so if I’m going to buy anything, this is the place.

…I hope I find something interesting.

I stepped inside and made a beeline for the light-novel section.

As always, the selection was impressive.

“…All right.”

I started browsing for anything that caught my eye—when it happened.

“Hm? Miyase-kun?”

“Eh… Takanashi!?”

“What a coincidence.”

“Y-Yeah, it really is.”

The exact same exchange we’d had at lunch. It felt like déjà vu all over again.

“Wh-What brings you here, Takanashi?”

“I thought I’d buy a book or two, so I stopped by. I was just walking around the store when I spotted you and decided to say hello.”

“I see.”

Between lunch and now, today was turning into one unbelievable string of coincidences.

“Are you here to buy books too, Miyase-kun?”

“Uh, yeah. Light novels, specifically.”

Takanashi turned her gaze toward the shelves lined with light novels.

“Wow. Everything here is a light novel, isn’t it?”

“Pretty much. This bookstore has a huge selection, so they stock a ton.”

“Hey, Miyase-kun… if you don’t mind, could you recommend something? I’ve been thinking this might be a good chance to start reading light novels.”

“…Eh?”

…Seriously?

Another completely unexpected offer.

But I had no reason to refuse.

“Sure. First, is there any genre you’re interested in?”

“Um… rom-com, I think.”

“In that case…”

I searched the shelves for a title I’d enjoyed before.

…It should be around here somewhere.

Because the selection was so vast, it took a little while—and before I knew it, Takanashi was standing right beside me.

Close enough that our shoulders nearly brushed.

When I glanced sideways at her, she wore an expression that looked somehow… happy.

“You seem pretty cheerful, Takanashi.”

“Yeah. Because you’re putting so much effort into picking something out for me.”

She smiled brightly as she said it, and my heart skipped a beat.

A little while later, I finally found the book I was looking for and introduced it to her.

“It sounds really interesting.”

“It’s seriously good, trust me.”

“Then I’ll buy this one.”

Takanashi Mitsuki—decisive as ever.

“If you’d like, I could lend it to you? I have a copy at home.”

“Thank you, but I’m okay. Since it’s my first, I’d rather buy it myself and read it.”

“Got it.”

After that, I showed her a few more titles.

For today, she settled on just the one I’d recommended first.

She’s new to light novels, so one at a time is probably best.

We chatted a bit more while I looked for the books I’d originally come for, and somehow managed to find them.

“Wow, time really flew.”

“It did. But I had a lot of fun hearing about all those different stories.”

“I’m glad. Honestly, I had fun too.”

We paid for our books and left the store.

“Thanks again, Miyase-kun. I’m going to start reading this as soon as I get home.”

“If you feel like it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.”

Since the opportunity had presented itself, I figured we could share impressions.

Takanashi nodded happily.

“Okay. I’ll tell you what I think tomorrow.”

“No rush.”

“No, really—I’ve been excited to read it ever since you recommended it. I was planning to finish it tonight anyway. Oh, by the way… are you going to that spot for lunch tomorrow too?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan. I pretty much always go there.”

“I see. Then… starting tomorrow, maybe I’ll eat lunch there too.”

“…Eh?”

…Seriously?

I’d assumed today would be the first—and last—time we shared lunch.

But far from being the last, it sounded like today was only the beginning.

“Are you sure that’s okay? You usually eat with your friends… or Chitose.”

“…”

For a moment, the air seemed to shift.

Not just the air—something about Takanashi herself changed too.

“…Or do you not want to eat lunch with me, Miyase-kun? Would you rather I went back to Yuuki?”

Wh-Why are her eyes suddenly gleaming like that…?

“N-No, that’s not it at all! I’d actually be really happy to eat lunch with you. Today was a lot of fun.”

“I see… I’m glad. If you’d turned me down, I…”

“Uh…?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I broke out in a cold sweat for reasons I couldn’t quite place.

We agreed to talk about the book during tomorrow’s lunch.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too.”

After that, we headed toward the exit to go home.

…Man, today really was full of coincidences.

Running into Takanashi at my secret spot during lunch, then again at the bookstore after school.

And now we’re going to start eating lunch together regularly.

Up until yesterday, we’d barely ever spoken. Yet in a single day, my connection with her had grown by leaps and bounds.

But what bothered me most…

I glanced at Takanashi walking beside me.

She looked incredibly happy.

When our eyes met, she gave me an adorably sweet smile.

Once again, it really felt like her affection toward me was unusually high…

And somehow, she was standing awfully close too…

…Wait, seriously—why?

The answer to that question would come much later.