The Story of Waking up With My Beautiful Childhood Friend and Realizing We Had Spent the Night Together - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Future We Look Toward Will Surely Be Different

“…Mmm…”

Morning. I woke up feeling a bit uncomfortable.

As my blurry vision cleared, all I saw was a field of white. And on both cheeks, a soft, fluffy sensation.

This blissful feeling could only mean one thing…

“…Awake?”

…In the embrace of my childhood friend and girlfriend.

Once again, I woke up cradled in her arms. I know how luxurious this is. I fully understand.

But… well, how should I put it?

She’s holding me a bit too tightly.

It’s like a spider clinging to its prey to make sure it doesn’t escape. Would that be rude to say?

(…Well, it’s definitely not unpleasant or anything.)

Her chest is soft. And this is probably her way of showing affection. Also, her chest is soft.

Yeah, it’s not unpleasant at all.

Still nestled against her chest, my head was gently patted by Mizuki.

“Iori? It’s morning, you know?”

“Mm… I’m awake.”

Reluctantly, I pulled my face away from her chest.

What greeted me was the sight of a perfect beauty smiling gently down at me.

Damn it. Her face is unfairly gorgeous this early in the morning.

“Good morning, Iori.”

“…Morning.”

And so, another day begins. An unusual relationship. An unusual morning.

But this is our normal now.

“I’ll make breakfast.”

“Mm…”

“Hey, let go already. I can’t cook like this, you know?”

“…You’re the one holding me so tight that I can’t move!”

She laughed softly and unwrapped her arms and legs.

Honestly, this girl.

Since we started dating, she’s been teasing me more often.

…But I think that’s a good thing.

Since graduating from elementary school, she had been through a lot and had become expressionless, like a doll.

But now, she smiles more.

Only in front of me, but that’s enough to make me happy.

After all, you want the person you love to smile.

“Iori?”

“Nothing. Also, could you please put on some clothes?”

I get it, okay? Your figure is amazing.

But don’t strike poses or shake your chest. It’s morning!

Desperately averting my gaze from my tempting childhood friend, I began my morning routine with great determination.

“Hey, Iori?”

“…What is it?”

The moment we arrived at school, Renji slid up next to me.

“So, when are you finally going to introduce me to this girlfriend of yours?”

“I told you, I’m not doing that.”

“But I said I want you to!”

“Too bad!” Renji whined, flailing his arms and legs like a child.

Annoying.

So damn annoying.

Since people found out I have a girlfriend, it hasn’t just been him—it’s been everyone buzzing around me.

“But seriously, I want to meet her. What kind of person is she? Maybe a caring older-sister type?”

“Yeah, I can see that. I bet she gives off that vibe where you’d want to spoil her.”

“Totally! I mean, Amano’s just so… cute, you know?”

Classmates gathered around, chatting noisily.

I tried to fend them off, but it was useless. Like trying to put out a fire with a single cup of water.

Before I knew it, the entire class was buzzing with talk about my girlfriend.

“Amano’s probably the sweet, younger-looking type!”

“Or maybe someone who matches him unexpectedly, like a younger girl?”

“Plot twist—what if he shows up with a flashy gyaru? That’d be hilarious!”

And on and on.

They’re saying whatever they want.

Meanwhile, two particular people were casting subtle glances my way.

One was, of course, my childhood friend and girlfriend, Mizuki Yukimura.

She kept sneaking glances at me, as if trying to say something, though I couldn’t decipher what.

And the other was…

“…”

Koto Kashiwagi, who I’ve had a strained relationship with since that day.

Every time I saw her somewhat sorrowful gaze, my chest ached.

But every time, Mizuki’s gaze would dart toward me, and my stomach would churn.

(Seriously, what am I supposed to do?)

I buried my head in my arms on the desk.

Renji patted my shoulder.

“So, like, Kashiwagi’s really pretty. If you turned her down, your girlfriend must be amazing, right? Come on, at least show me a picture…”

“No.”

I shut him down firmly and pretended to nap.

Eventually, our homeroom teacher, Gotou-sensei, arrived, and the class quieted down.

“Before we begin today’s lesson, I’ll return the results of the last term exams.”

Groans erupted across the room.

“Oh no! I forgot! That’s today!”

“Ugh, I don’t even want to see it. As long as I don’t need remedial classes…”

“I’m pretty sure I messed up the alignment of my English answers. I’m doomed.”

Some students looked despondent, while others were completely relaxed. One even started meditating.

And my childhood friend?

“…”

She sat quietly, her back straight, looking utterly indifferent.

(Yeah, that figures.)

I sighed. Her composure was enviable.

“Come get your results in roll call order.”

When I saw my test papers and rankings…

“Oh?”

Ninth place. I’d gone up one spot from last time.

Feeling slightly cheerful, I heard a voice from nearby.

“Wha—!? Tenth place!?”

The guy in the seat diagonally in front of me let out a wail.

He was sixth last time. Now he was devastated.

(So Renji’s tenth, huh?)

Despite his laid-back appearance, Renji was annoyingly good at studying.

Apparently, just paying attention in class and skimming textbooks was enough for him.

I’d wanted to punch him when he told me that.

“Hey, Iori! What’s your rank? Ninth?! You beat me!”

“…Yes!”

I gave a small fist pump.

After losing to him repeatedly, it felt good to finally get a win.

As Renji pestered me, I brushed him off and turned my attention to Koto, who looked disheartened.

“…Fifth place, huh.”

Fifth. That’s more than good enough, but she seemed dissatisfied.

“I worked really hard, though…” she muttered softly.

Even gifted students have their struggles, it seems.

As the classroom buzzed with reactions to their results, Gotou-sensei grinned.

“By the way, the top scorer is, once again, Yukimura. Guys, if you want to impress her, at least try to beat her in the tests!”

That kind of comment feels like harassment these days, you know?

But the boys took it as a challenge.

“Yukimura-san! I’m third!”

“I’m fourth! I’ll beat you next time!”

Mizuki glanced briefly at them before looking away.

(Still as frosty as ever…)

Mizuki barely acknowledged other boys. She ignored them 90% of the time, and when she did respond, it was usually to shut them down with a single word.

Apparently, some guys even liked her cold attitude. Freaks.

Anyway, Mizuki, who’d topped the rankings since starting high school, tucked her papers away without even looking at them.

“Half of our second year is over. Think about your future plans and don’t slack off,” Gotou-sensei said as he started the lesson.

(Future plans, huh…)

The word made me lower my gaze.

I don’t have a dream or anything I want to do. No special talents. I figure I’ll just get a normal job someday.

But her…

I looked at the seat two rows in front of me.

Her glossy black hair, her perfectly straight posture.

She was undeniably special, a girl overflowing with talent.

—What kind of future is she looking toward?

That thought pricked at my chest ever so slightly.