Chapter 19 | Airi’s boyfriend

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Monday morning…the beginning of a long week.

Since I no longer have to meet up with Youka, I started getting ready earlier today. That will be the case from now on.

I headed to the living room, but it was early and Nee-chan wasn’t there… which made me a little sad and super happy.

Goodbye, sloppy Nee-chan in the morning.

—

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Ah, oh.”

I answered quickly, but inwardly I was pretty scared.

It was because Karen Kaneshiro was waiting for me outside.

Of course, I didn’t make any prior appointment with her…why in the world is she…?

No, come to think of it…

Yesterday, on my way home, I remember…

“Can I come again?”

She asked me…

“As long as you keep your distance.”

I said yes, as long as you keep your distance.　

……

…No, well, I said that, but you know what?

I didn’t tell her to come to me in the morning for school…

She’s coming from a pretty far away place, and I can’t ask her to go home now… I guess I’ll just have to forgive her for today.

“…Today is fine, but would you please stop coming here before school from now on? Frankly, it’s annoying.”

I will not repeat the same mistake I made with Airi.

If I don’t, resentment will build up and eventually explode.

Once it explodes, the aftereffects can be extremely destructive, as I have experienced firsthand.

Hearing Yuuji’s words, Karen apologetically drooped her head. She seems to have realized her own insanity.

“I’m sorry…I really wanted to meet you as soon as possible…but if Yuuji-sama says so, I’ll be careful next time.”

“Thank you.”

Thank you for being so understanding.

I’m sure it would have taken Airi a long time to convince. I’m unsure how I could have fallen in love with such a troublesome woman.

“Well, there’s nothing to talk about, so let’s just go.”

“Yes, yes! Ufufu!”

When Yuuji called out to her, Karen started walking happily. Her cheeks were slightly red, indicating that she was happy with her current situation.

She was told not to come back tomorrow, so it was just for today, but Karen’s heart was filled with happiness.

However, she still can’t walk shoulder to shoulder with him.

Yuuji is always wary of her and doesn’t want her to do so. So, Karen Kinjo followed him from behind.

“Haa~…….your back is so dignified……”

“………”

“The same as when he rescued me, he is also deadly handsome…Hah~…with such a gentleman…I want to dream…”

“………”

“…that’s a man’s back…I can’t stand it…I love it so much…I love it so much…”

“Um…”

“Yes, Yuuji-sama… how can I help you?”

“…will you walk in front of me after all? I’m a little scared.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

When pointed out, Karen moved in front of Yuuji with an apologetic look on her face.

However, she doesn’t regret what she said…after all, for Karen Kinjo, it’s all true.

Unless she is told that her feelings are annoying, she has no intention of hiding them now. Even if people say they are scared of her, she is very satisfied just to be with him like this now.

“… Fufu~n, that’s it”

Karen walks in front of Yuuji, skipping along. Yuuji looked at her from behind with puzzled eyes.

She really is a strange young lady, isn’t she?

And she says she saved him that time…have I met her somewhere before?

Well…I’m sorry to say I don’t recall the young lady at all.

But even Yuuji is aware of her feelings.

Her attitude is obvious, and she’s been saying that she likes him a lot since a while ago…there’s no doubt about it.

But Yuuji can’t respond to her feelings…at least not now…he couldn’t bring himself to think about it.

—

They arrive at school and head to the shoe boxes assigned to their respective grades.

In other words, this is where they say goodbye.

The young lady is deeply sad to say goodbye.

Just before parting, Karen Kinjo asked Yuuji to do something that was out of the question.

“Excuse me…well…not every day…but…if it’s just once in a while, would it be all right if I join you?

Yuuji thinks for a moment as he is told this.

How did I feel about going to school with her today…?

Karen Kinjo just walked in front of me all the way until I arrived at the school. She did not talk to me, nor did she approach me carelessly. She would occasionally mumble to herself, but once I warned her, she stopped doing so.

To tell the truth, Yuuji Sakamoto had no trouble at all going to school with Karen Kinjo. In the first place, it doesn't look like they are even going to school together.

In that case, Yuuji decides to do her a favor.

“Yeah, whatever.”

“What? Yes, I did it! Well, if you’ll excuse me, Yuuji-sama, I’m in a good mood!”

The young lady must have been filled with joy…she struck several small gut-paws and strode away.

“That girl…she’s really nice…”

Being in front of the house in the morning was a pretty negative assessment, but the way she handled the rest of the day was perfect.

And for some reason, watching her made me feel nostalgic…a strange feeling.

I don’t know what it is…

But maybe I don’t distrust her that much because I subconsciously remember her…

“Otherwise, a request like that, I would have definitely refused it now.”

Yuuji changes into his shoes and walks down the hallway.

At that moment, Yuuji is approached by an unexpected person.

“You are Sakamoto-kun… is that correct?”

“Hmm…? Geh.”

I heard a voice and looked in that direction – there was Airi’s boyfriend, Kazuki Ishida.

The other side didn’t seem convinced that it was Yuuji, but Yuuji knew him.

He is not only the lover of his childhood friend but also a famous person in school and an all-around athlete… He is enjoying his school life shining brightly because of his well-dressed appearance.

He was the one who approached Yuuji… Of course, Yuuji had a very good idea of what he was being called out for. It was undoubtedly Airi Himeda.

There was no reason for him to be angry with her. Yuuji was a victim of the same thing. He didn’t want to be complained about Airi, even if it kills him.

“Ishida-kun, you have something to say to me about Airi Himeda, don’t you?”

“…mmm… well, yes, but about your relationship with her…”

“We’re just childhood friends.”

Hearing Yuuji’s casual remark, Ishida’s expression turns grim as he recalls that incident.

“Is that okay? You’ll get angry if I say something like that?”

“No, you won’t get angry at me for this much, will you?”

“I don’t want you to say that you are just a childhood friend…”

“What?”

Oh man… that woman… if I said that, Ishida would hate me!

Are you crazy…don’t make enemies of me in places I don’t know, seriously!

“I’d like to have a long talk about it after school…Yuuji Sakamoto. If you have time, why don’t we meet up at a coffee shop near the school? I hear you’re free on the homecoming club.”

The way he said it was a little harsh…but that’s just the way it is now. I guess he thinks I’m just an annoying guy who messes with her.

Well, he seems to be saying unnecessary things, so I guess it can’t be helped if he thinks so…

I’d like to talk to her about this, too. I don’t want to let it go, it’s going to make things difficult between me and Ishida, and I definitely don’t want to continue to be thought of that way. I definitely want to clear up such misunderstandings.

“Uh… yeah, that’s fine.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“Oh…by the way, I heard that Himeda-san is absent, have you heard anything? I’ve been trying to reach her, but she’s not answering… what’s going on?”

Oh, come to think of it… yesterday, Nee-chan told me a crazy story.

“I’ve heard that Airi Himeda is absent. I heard she caught a cold from going out in the middle of the night… Oh, my sister told me about it.”

I emphasize that I heard it from my sister. In fact, it was, but I nailed it so that there would be no misunderstanding.

“What? Did she catch a cold from going out at night? Why?”

“She must be crazy.”

“I don’t think so.”

If you think so, say so with more confidence.