When Two Wounded Hearts Find Solace In Each Other, Snow White (The School's Beauty) And I Were Mistakenly Labeled As A Silly Couple. - Chapter 20: The Snow White Who Doesn't Want To Be Apart.

The Snow White Who Doesn’t Want To Be Apart.

“Um… I don’t want to be apart.

As the daylight fades, and the evening shadows set in, Himeno gripped my hand tightly, halting my attempt to leave.

It felt like the tender moments after a date, where she leans on her boyfriend. For me, though, it sent my heart into a turmoil.

If a beauty like Himeno, often compared to Snow White, expressed the desire not to part, a typical guy would rejoice. Yet, for someone lacking immunity, it’s just plain embarrassing.

There’s a stark contrast between childhood friends and those who aren’t.

No, even if Marika whispered that she didn’t want to part in a sweet voice, it might still be embarrassing.

I’ve noticed Himeno seems to lack immunity when it comes to the opposite sex. Her face turns as red as a boiled octopus.

Yet, she doesn’t want to part. Maybe it’s because images of being bullied alone surface in her mind.

It would be great if she had close same-gender friends, but a girl with an appearance like a masterpiece seems to lack companions of the same sex for holiday outings.

“Don’t want to be apart…”

I can’t quite grasp what she means by not wanting to be apart.

Does she wish to stay together until the last moment before sleep, or perhaps she wants me to spend the night? I grapple with such thoughts, accompanied by a sense of embarrassment.

“It’s okay if you stay. You can use my bed. So, please stay by my side.”

It seems those scenes of being bullied alone linger in her mind.

Whether it’s a vivid memory or just the embarrassment from proposing a sleepover, I can’t tell. But Himeno’s body shivers slightly, and tears gather in her blue eyes.

What if she rejects my offer? Maybe she’s pondering that as well.

“I understand.”

There’s no way I could leave Himeno trembling in fear. If I contact her beforehand, she might allow me to stay over. She might even suggest that I stay to comfort her.

“Thank you very much. I’m happy to be with you, Taka-kun.”

Himeno’s shy face, though embarrassed, looked genuinely happy.

“I appreciate that, but I’m sorry. Taka-kun, you like Shikibe-san, and yet you’re here with me…”

“Well, I got rejected, so being with you is fine.”

Scratching his head, Takashi spoke.

Being together is a bit painful, but it’s not unwelcome. However, no matter how much I try to pursue Marika, it seems futile. If she was even slightly conscious of me as the opposite sex, she would have canceled today’s outing.

It really means she sees me only as a brother. There’s a sense of sadness, but it’s unavoidable. Some loves just won’t be reciprocated, no matter how much you try.

In the past, being a sister was fine, but as we entered middle school, I started to see Marika as a woman. The sibling relationship became uncomfortable.

Yet, if I confessed and got rejected, there was a possibility of growing distant. That fear kept me from confessing until recently.

Still, I couldn’t stand the thought of maintaining a sibling-like relationship forever. Summoning courage, I confessed, only to face rejection.

“Thank you very much.”

For some reason, Himeno, with a slightly saddened expression, tightened her grip on my hand, as if not wanting to let go. But being able to stay together made her happy, I suppose. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have suggested staying over.

“Just wait a moment.”

“Yes.”

Taking out my smartphone from my pocket, I messaged Marika about staying over at Himeno’s house.

Almost immediately, the message was marked read and a reply appeared.

“Shirayuki-san seems to be heartbroken, so don’t do anything strange. Big sister will have dinner alone again. Sigh…”

I replied, “No worries, we’ll eat together tomorrow,” and then put away my smartphone. I lack the courage to do anything inappropriate, and I don’t want to do anything strange to a girl who trusts me.

Even if someone calls me timid, it doesn’t matter. After all, Himeno probably didn’t suggest staying over because she wanted something more. She just wanted someone to be with her because she felt lonely.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, I just messaged Marika about staying over.”

Since there’s no point in hiding it, I honestly shared the details of the message. They had talked about Marika making something for me when we met at the convenience store before, so she would probably understand to some extent with a brief explanation.

“You two really seem like real siblings.”

Himeno’s face overflowed with a happy smile

Having a childhood friend who still cooked for me in high school was rare, and it wouldn’t be strange for people to think of us as siblings. However, I still disliked the idea of having a sibling-like relationship. Even though some time had passed since the rejection, I still had feelings for Marika.

“Just a moment, can I ask you for something?”

“What is it?”

“Can I borrow your chest?”

“My chest? Oh… I’m sorry. I brought up the topic of heartbreak, didn’t I?”

Himeno seemed momentarily surprised but quickly understood. With a slightly embarrassed expression, she spread her arms and said, “Go ahead.”

Feeling lonely as I recalled being rejected, I buried my face in Himeno’s chest, seeking comfort.