When I Rescued A Lost Girl, What Was Waiting For Me Was The Girl Who Was Ranked Number One In The List Of Girls I Wanted To Have As My Girlfriend - Chapter 125
Chapter 125: Enjoy SUMMER (Part 11)
“By the way, it seems like you’ve been working hard lately!”
“Tell me more about it, Kurumi.”
Haruka Ayukawa and Sakihime Mitobe, who were in the same class in their first year, pressed Kurumi Mizuki with questions.
Kurumi, in response, gave a wry smile, unsure of how to handle the situation.
It’s not like she has anything to hide, but that doesn’t mean she wants to broadcast it either. At least not in the midst of a conversation on the beach like this.
“Well, it’s not a big deal.”
Haruka Ayukawa, with peach-colored highlights in her semi-long hair, is often called Paru by everyone. Next to her is Saki Mitobe, a girl with long black hair and a distinctive tear-shaped mole near her left eye. I call her Saki, but some people call her “Mito-chan.”
Although they haven’t had many opportunities to talk since becoming second-year students with separate classes, they were close during their first year.
They heard that their old classmates were at the beach, so they came to see them.
By the way, Yusaku, who came with them, is chatting casually with friends on the other side.
As they all plan to return together, it’s free time for a while.
“So, what’s up? I remember you mentioned meeting someone last Christmas.”
“Yeah, it’s about Takayuki-kun.”
Paru seems quite intrigued; her voice is lively.
Last Christmas, I met Takayuki-kun. At that time, I didn’t even know we were attending the same school, and I thought we would never meet again. That’s why I ended up telling my friends about it.
I never expected to encounter him again within the school afterward…
“Knowing Kurumi, you must be making some moves, right?”
Saki, in contrast to the excited Paru, remains composed. It’s always Saki’s role to cool down Paru’s high energy.
“Well, I guess. I’m trying my best.”
I’ve been trying to make an impression in my own way, but I haven’t felt much response.
Before meeting me, Takayuki-kun was close to Harano-chan, and I thought maybe he had special feelings for her… but it doesn’t seem that way.
“There’s a guy who doesn’t fall for Kurumi’s approach. I’d like to see this Takayuki-kun.”
“Stop it. It’s embarrassing.”
I understand it’s a joke, so I respond with a joking tone as well. Well, Paru’s “Aww, I want to meet him” next to me seems genuine, though.
“But then it makes you wonder about his orientation. Maybe he’s not interested in girls?”
“Eh, what’s that, pulling back?”
“…I don’t think it’s like that.”
While I get along well with Yusaku, it shouldn’t be like that. Part of it might be what I observe from them, but I also don’t want it to be that way. If I were to lose to Harano-chan, I could reluctantly accept it, but losing to Yusaku would be unacceptable.”
“If that’s the case, is there someone else you like?”
Saki is sharp. As expected, she’s dealt with many guys before. I’ve never seen Saki without a boyfriend.
“Well, there might be.”
“Who, who!?”
Paru reacts eagerly to my affirmation.
But…
“I can’t say because it’s private.”
Some people in the class might have an inkling. Still, it’s not something I want to spread from my own mouth.
“Is she cute? Better than Kurumi?”
“Yeah. It’s frustrating, but…”
That’s the truth. Harano-chan is genuinely cute. Objectively speaking, I don’t think I’m lacking in looks, but she’s on a different level.
Not just in looks…
She possesses friendliness, kindness, modesty, humor, and various other qualities.
I always feel anxious about whether I can compete with a girl like her.
“That’s tough. But you’re not dating yet, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. If it happens, she should tell me.”
“Do you already like that girl?”
“That’s… I don’t know.”
When I say that, Saki furrows her brows, asking what I mean. It’s difficult to explain when asked for details.
While pondering how to phrase it, I groan.
“His reaction when I made a move doesn’t seem like that kind of response. It feels like he’s concerned about something else.”
It’s not like he’s absent-minded. Takayuki-kun’s heart is definitely leaning towards me. However, for some reason, it’s like that connection isn’t reaching me, or, rather, my feelings aren’t reaching him.
Yeah. Explaining it is really difficult.
“…Is it small?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, the boy’s thing.”
“Oh, you mean… down there?”
“It’s broad daylight, and there are little kids around, don’t forget!?”
She said something that seemed serious, but it turned out to be a regular, dirty joke.
Saki doesn’t hesitate to go in that direction, so I sometimes struggle with her reactions. Paru is also easygoing, leaving me alone in these moments.
“But if you’re going to date, it’s important. That aspect too.”
“Right?” Saki looks at me. While size doesn’t matter much, I understand the importance of mutual understanding.
“Well…”
Thinking about those things before even dating feels different, I think.
“But those are things you consider after you start dating.”
If it’s someone you like, you’ll surely think that way. I tell myself that I should be able to think that way.
“After dating, you want to do it as much as you want, right?”
“Are we talking about an all-night course here?”
“Come on! Don’t tease me!”
* * *
After finishing our conversation with our friends, we decided to return to where everyone else was with souvenirs in hand.
Speaking of souvenirs, it’s not something we bought; it’s jelly that our friends gave us, enough for five people.
“It was quite lively, Kurumi.”
“Well, it’s been a while since we talked.”
The content of our conversation was a bit vulgar, so I unintentionally frowned. Sensing that, Yusaku didn’t bring it up any further.
“Ayukawa and Mitobe, right?”
“Yeah. Who were you talking to, Yusaku?”
“I was with Kato and… Hirano.”
“Yu-kun and Shintaro-kun?”
Yusaku hesitated for a moment before exhaling. I understand what that means, but I think he shouldn’t worry about it.
“You guys seem close, huh?”
“Well, yeah. Since becoming second years, we haven’t had as many chances to talk.”
“I feel the same way. It’s fun to talk after a long time.”
“Yeah, definitely.”
While reminiscing about the past is good, our current friends are also precious to us.
“Oh, everyone’s gathered.”
Yusaku notices first.
I also follow his lead and see that Takayuki-kun, Harano-chan, and Azusa are talking on the blue sheet.
“Let’s go back quickly.”
“Yeah.”
Maybe I have quite a few friends. Whether they’re from the same class or not, if there’s a connection, we become friends.
But it seems like Paru and Saki are particularly close.
For me now, these four are precious and special friends.
I want to stay close like this forever, but maybe…
With one choice I make, things might never go back to how they were.
Moving forward is about that, and I understand it well.
Even so, I’m sure…
I won’t be able to stop the steps moving forward.
to be continued…