Chapter 16 | Same Location

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“Why?”

When I heard that voice, the train behind me had already departed.

The people who got off the train with us were already going up the stairs.

Why I want to ask myself.

If I had just stayed on the train, I could have gone home right away, but I don’t know why I didn’t. I know, but I can’t put it into words.

No, I know, but I can’t put it into words.

“I’m sorry… I was thinking about something.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing, nothing. I have to wait here for the train. I’ll see you later.”

I let go of Ikki’s hand, but I was immediately grabbed by a large, warm hand.

“Wait a minute. That’s not all you’ve got to say. Tell me what’s going on.”

“…I’m fine, okay?”

“Of course, you’re not fine…Look, you’re crying.”

Then a hand reaches out to my eyes. With a gentle touch, he wiped away my tears. I didn’t realize I was crying.

“I’ll ask you about the details at my place.”

“But…”

“I couldn’t just leave you crying and go home. You should just be quiet and follow me.”

“Okay.”

When I returned home with Rinka, there was no one at home.

It occurred to me that this was unusual, but then I remembered that she had said she was going out in the morning, and my doubts were put to rest.

Now, the problem was Rinka, who was curled up next to me as small as a kitten.

I thought she was angry, and then I realized she was crying.

Rinka was my first girlfriend, and since I am not a skilled handler of girls, I had no idea what to do.

“Sorry, all I had was coffee, is that okay?”

This was the only time we had instant coffee in our house.

I guess it’s because we don’t have the habit of making and drinking something at home.

“Yeah…yeah.”

Rinka has been like this since a while ago.

I’m not sure if I should wait for her to talk to me or ask her myself. Which would be better?

“Did I do something to make Rinka sad?”

“Tsu~. You didn't… I did it on my own…”

“But I caused it, didn’t I?”

“No…”

“Then it's correct.”

“Why? Why are you so determined?”

“I wonder why… But I can definitely say that.”

“That’s not… true.”

“I’m Rinka’s boyfriend. I can almost always tell when Rinka is lying.”

It may have been only a year and a bit since I met Rinka. But I’ve been watching her for a long time. I can tell the slightest change. When she lies, she never tries to make eye contact.

“…Yeah, Ikki’s involved.”

“Did I do something to make Rinka sad?”

“Un. Ikki didn't do anything. I’m just selfish…”

“I’m sorry, please tell me more about it. I don’t want to see Rinka sad. Besides, I decided at that time to talk to Rinka face to face.”

I face Rinka head-on and look her in the eye.

“I was just jealous when I saw that… Ikki was talking to a junior girl in a friendly way… Ikki is kind and he’s the kind of person that everyone likes, so it can’t be helped. Besides, I don’t want to be a heavy girlfriend by constraining you for something like this…”

“…Did Rinka get jealous?”

I asked as she told me one by one.

Normally, the air would be heavy and comforting.

But that wasn’t the case with me.

“I, is it bad? Hey, what’s wrong?”

The corners of my mouth turned up a little as I looked at Rinka, who was talking in a serious and depressed tone. Rinka seemed to have noticed this as well.

“No, I just thought Rinka had finally caught up with me.”

I guess she thought I was making fun of her. But I wasn’t. I was just happy to find out that Rinka was the same way.

“What do you mean?”

“When we first started going out, I was jealous all the time. Rinka is very popular and many guys confessed their feelings for her. I was jealous of even the smallest things.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, I was really jealous.”

“So that’s what happened to Ikki too.”

“Well, yes. That’s why I want you to tell me when you are jealous without hiding it. Here, like this.”

“What?”

Then I hugged her slender, soft body in front of me with all my might.

“You can go ahead and spoil me.”

She seemed surprised by the suddenness of the hug, but she hugged me back with both hands behind her body.

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TLN: I'm back, kinda. 1 more day and I should be back to my normal schedule.

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