The Story of Becoming a Drinking Friend When I Saved the Cutest Senpai in University - Vol 1 Chapter 24

I look at clothes, accessories, and miscellaneous goods.

I was looking for something that fits senpai’s standards and goes left and right.

We had lunch on the way and headed for a walk.

…But how can I not find it?

I knew this would happen.

When I checked before, I wondered if there was anything I wanted, but senpai is one of the richest in Japan, and she can buy whatever she wants without being given a present by a poor person like me.

“It’s really alright. Tell me as soon as you want anything.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

This conversation has been repeated several times.

I’m talking big, but if she asks me for a large diamond, I have no choice but to raise the white flag.

Senpai also seems to be looking for what she wants after understanding it, and I feel very sorry for her. If I had more financial power…

“It’s fun to shop together like this, but why don’t we take a break? I’m getting a little tired of walking.”

“Ah. I-I’m sorry, I didn’t notice! You’re right, you must be tired!”

In addition to being a girl, senpai wears heels.

Even if she walks the same distance as me, the fatigue that builds up in her feet will be far different.

“What shall we do? Do you want to go to a coffee shop?”

“That’s all right, but…”

Suddenly, senpai turned her eyes to the side.

Just there stood a movie theater.

“Is there any movie you want to watch?”

“That’s not the case. We watch movies together almost every day, but we’ve never seen a regular movie in a place like this. I wonder if it’ll be alright once in a while.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

Movies are a snack for us to drink.

Watching the cheap video, we drink and laugh even more. It’s a lot of fun, but I don’t think it’s a common way to enjoy movies.

So we went into the movie theater because we had no other idea.

We choose a movie that doesn’t have much time to wait until it’s shown, buy a drink, and go to the theater.

She chose a flat sheet about two tatami mats that she could lie down on because it was the perfect seat for a break, a so-called couple seat. There is nothing to block me and senpai, just because there is a cushion for pillows and a stand for drinks.

“It reminds me of the night in Okinawa.”

“…I was thinking exactly the same thing now.”

When I take off my shoes and lie down, I can only see the screen.

On the right is a wall, and on the left is senpai. When our eyes met, she drew a little smile into her expressionless face and leaned back towards me.

“What’s the matter…?”

“I don’t like dark places. I’d be relieved to be near Itomori-kun, so let me stay here.”

I thought she used to drink in my room without turning on the light.

I won’t say anything. I can’t believe it’s such a clumsy thing.

“Itomori-kun.”

“W-what is it?”

“If you’re scared, please stick with me.”

“Ah, yes. But it’s all right.”

When I was a kid, I was thrown into the mountains, and I had to survive for about a month.

Thanks to that, my eyes work even in the dark, and I rather like it because it calms me down. I’ve never felt scared.

“…”

“…That.”

“…”

“…What’s the matter?”

She is still staring at me.

When asked for no reason, she opens her mouth without moving her eyebrows at all.

“If Itomori-kun is scared, please stick with me.”

“That’s why I said it’s okay.”

“…”

“…Um.”

“…”

“T-thank you! Actually, I was so scared!”

I gave in to the pressure and leaned a little towards senpai.

There is no sign of hiding it, and the feeling of liking it. I’m really happy and grateful, but I can’t afford to take it all. The eyes around us made me embarrassed, and senpai’s smell and body temperature almost overwhelmed my head, and my back was soaked with sweat.

…Can I really make a confession by the end of the day at this rate?

◆◆◆

Tennouji’s POV

As for the present from Itomori-kun, my real intention is that anything is fine.

Whether it’s a high-brand bag, a hand-painted picture, or a little junkie.

If it’s what he chose for me, I’m really happy with anything.

It’s my fault that no matter how much I look for it, I can’t decide.

I want to walk around the city a little more with Itomori-kun. Like a lover, not a friend. That’s why I put off choosing gifts.

It was also planned from the beginning that the movie theater was chosen as a resting place.

I check the movie theater where the couple seats are located in advance, guide Itomori-kun, and ask for a break saying I am tired.

We can stay together for two hours here, and I’m very happy that it’s like a date.

Maybe it’s a bit sneaky, but he said he’d make up for a month, so it’s okay.

[Don’t go, Mommy! Mommy!]

The only miscalculation was that the movie was a touching one.

It’s an ordinary story about the love between mother and daughter.

However, this kind of straightforward work sticks in my mind the most, rather than twisting it around badly. Especially when I think of my mother, my sadness accelerates even more.

But I can’t cry.

When I’m sober, I don’t change my expression no matter what.

Just as Itomori-kun told me that he loved me, pain builds up inside my body.

I’m sick of myself not being able to shed a single tear.

Come to think of it, what about Itomori-kun?

I wonder if he can cry in a movie theater.

“Ugh… s-sniff… huh… s-sniffle… h-hick… s-sniff…!”

He cried a lot.

It was like a waterfall of tears.

…What a surprise.

I thought Itomori-kun had the idea that men should never cry because he has a muscular brain. He can cry when there are people around him.

“Ah!”

His eyes flashed upon me, and he was wide-eyed in surprise.

He wiped away the tears with the sleeves of his clothes, put his hand around my shoulder, and held me tightly.

What, what, what? Hold on, Itomori-kun. Do you mean you want to mess around here!?

I don’t mind, but I need to mentally prepare for this!

“If you do this, no one but me will know…”

He whispered in my ear.

With the volume of a bird’s solitude, with the utmost care not to disturb others.

“…So if you want to cry, cry. I’m sorry, I’m the only one.”

His eyes were red and he smiled, and his gaze returned to the screen.

Ah, I see.

I’m sorry, Itomori-kun. I can’t do that.

This bad habit is basically beyond my control. That’s how deeply rooted it is in my mind.

…But.

I’m happy.

That thoughtfulness. The fact that you wiped away your tears and gave priority to me.

My desire to cry has melted away.

Now I just want to tell Itomori-kun that I like him.

Instead of words, I leaned gently against his chest.

I could feel his heart beating fast. I can hear him right here.

…I’m glad to hear that.

I fell in love with this person.

◆◆◆

Itomori’s POV

After watching the movie, we went to a suitable coffee shop to share our thoughts and started choosing gifts again after recharging our energy.

We went around, took a break again, and looked for more.

“Are you sure about this? I don’t mind if it’s a little cheaper…”

“That’s all right, it’s your birthday. I wanted to try drinking because of these things.”

The current time is past eight o’clock in the afternoon.

I held up the paper bag I had in my hand and let out a sigh of accomplishment as I finally decided on a present.

I bought a set of high-quality glasses for drinking alcohol.

The price is about 60,000 yen each, and I also bought two of them for myself.

All the dishes we have now were bought at 100 yen.

It shouldn’t hurt if I use something as good as drinking with senpai.

“Shall we go home after eating? I still have money left, so I’ll treat you to anything.”

It was worth a month’s hard work, and even though I bought more than 100,000 yen, my wallet was still full.

We can even go to sushi restaurants that we don’t go around now.

“Then there’s a place I’d like to visit once. Jiroukei? Do you know that ramen shop?”

“Jiroukei? I know it, but…senpai, do you know what kind of ramen they serve?”

“Yes. I have seen the photos several times. It always looks very delicious―”

A red light.

Everyone stops and waits to turn green.

Senpai suddenly closed her mouth, released my arm, and stiffened while staring at something.

“What’s the matter?”

I followed her gaze and there was a white cat in the middle of the crosswalk.

The cat does not realize that the car is coming and starts walking toward the sidewalk.

“No!!”

Senpai started running like a broken rubber that stretched to the limit.

“…!”

I knew immediately what she wanted to do.

That’s why I grabbed her by the back and pulled her back.

With that momentum, I ran out into the roadway.