"You can't kiss me can you?" When I accepted my childhood friends challenge, she unexpectedly softened and is acting like a love-struck girl [Dropped] - Chapter 23 - I hate you!

While Ibuki was having a late dinner…

Airi was also sitting around the table with her parents at her own house.

“Airi, how have things been with Ibuki-kun lately?”

“That topic again?”

As the meal began, Airi frowned in annoyance at her mother’s customary question.

“Well, you see. Both of you… I haven’t heard any stories about the two of you going out together or anything like that recently.”

“It just happened that way. With studying and exams… things overlapped.”

Usually, during summer vacation, both Ibuki and Airi would go out together for activities like swimming in the pool or attending summer festivals. But this year, that didn’t happen because Ibuki was in Canada for a language study program.

‘But maybe, next summer vacation…?’

Even though it coincides with the exam period, it’s their last summer vacation as high school students. Considering that both Ibuki and Airi will likely go to different universities, this would be their only chance to spend the summer vacation together.

…Or not.

‘Maybe it’s not just about the summer vacation.’

Once they enter university, their current relationship will probably change. It might be a good idea to focus on making memories now.

“…Well, there aren’t any upcoming exams or anything. We might hang out together soon.”

When Airi answered this way, her mother nodded in understanding. It seemed that she still thought Airi and Ibuki were dating.

‘What would I do if I had a boyfriend other than Ibuki-kun in college?’ Airi pondered.

As for exams…

“How were the results of the previous regular exam?” Airi’s father spoke up.

“Huh? Oh… the last one… It wasn’t bad. My ranking went up a bit.”

Airi answered, and her father nodded in understanding.

“And what about Ibuki-kun?”

“…He was first overall. I don’t remember the specific subject rankings, though.”

‘Is he more interested in his grades than his own daughter’s?’

Airi felt a slight dissatisfaction, but she still answered that way.

“I see, I see… For Ibuki-kun, I really hope he passes and takes over the hospital.”

“…But I think Ibuki-kun could find a better job than taking over your hospital, Dad.”

Suppressing her mixed feelings, Airi made a sarcastic comment, to which her father gave a wry smile.

“Well, you know… If you try your best, Airi, you might be able to keep Ibuki-kun around…”

“…..”

Airi stood up silently and let out a deep sigh.

“Airi, what’s wrong? Could it be that you’re not feeling well?”

“If you really want Ibuki-kun to take over things so badly…”

Airi interrupted her mother’s words.

“Why not just make Ibuki-kun your adopted son?”

Saying this, Airi left the dining room without another word.

This surprised her parents, and they called out to stop her.

“…Airi?”

“What’s going on? All of a sudden…”

“You both are too noisy!”

Airi shouted loudly…

And then she ran from the spot, opened the front door, and left the house.

“What… What should we do…? Should we follow her? It might be better to follow…”

Airi’s father was flustered, and her mother responded with a calm expression.

“She’ll be back soon… That girl is really afraid of dark places.”

“…You might be right.”

☆☆☆☆☆☆

About ten minutes later…

When Airi’s parents noticed that she hadn’t returned yet… They were pale-faced and rushed out of the house to search for Airi.

At a certain park, about a five-minute walk from Airi’s house…

‘…I should have brought some money at least.’

Airi crouched inside a tunnel-shaped playground.

If she had her wallet or phone, maybe she could have bought something from a nearby convenience store.

Thinking about such trivial things, she let out a small sigh.

She hadn’t eaten much for dinner, so her stomach was growling.

And above all…

“It’s so cold…”

Because she had left home without an umbrella, her uniform was soaked.

Airi huddled herself up to keep her body warm.

Still, Airi had no intention to go back to her home.

“…It’s all Papa’s fault.”

Certainly, Airi’s childhood friend was exceptional and he excelled in studies and sports.

He was much smarter and hardworking than Airi.

Naturally, one might have high expectations for a childhood friend like that.

But, even so…

“…It doesn’t make sense.”

Shouldn’t one expect more from their own daughter than from the child next door?

Airi had thought that for a long time.

For a very long time… since she was a little kid.

“I’m trying my best to get into the same course as Ibuki-kun…”

Even though they might end up in different universities…

Airi let out a small sigh while pondering about various things…

“You were here after all.”

She heard a voice which looked like the person was out of breath and panting for air.

Looking outside, there stood her familiar childhood friend, Kazami Ibuki.

Despite having an umbrella, his shoulders were wet.

He must have run all the way through the rain in order to reach this place.

“If you’re running away from home, at least go somewhere farther.”

With a voice that seemed both exasperated and relieved, Ibuki said that.

Then, he extended his right hand and said.

“Come on, let’s go back.”

“…Stop it.”

Airi forcefully swatted his hand away and then she glared at Ibuki.

“I’m not going home tonight.”

“Don’t be stupid. Instead of being stubborn and unyielding…”

“Stupid?…. Unyielding?”

Airi’s expression contorted.

“Ah, I see. To you… it might seem that way.”

Stupid and unyielding, it must be a trivial story.

To him.

To her childhood friend who is smarter than her.

Surely, that’s how it is supposed to be.

“…Airi?”

“I hate you.”

Airi said in a low voice.

Ibuki’s expression twisted in confusion at Airi’s words.

Just what was she trying to say?

Airi became even more furious when she saw that he still didn’t understand her thoughts.

“I hate you. I really, really hate you.”

Airi repeated herself.

With clear and distinct words.

She was not joking at all.

“You always look down on me. Always, always, you’re above me. When you’re around me, I feel suffocated.”

Ibuki’s eyes were shaken by Airi’s words.

At Ibuki’s reaction, Airi felt a little bit satisfied.

In that mood, giving in to that pleasure…

Airi said.

“Disappear from my life.”

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : Zenon#4120