Chapter 2: Friend

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Translator: Soafp

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[Miyuki PoV]

“I like you, Miyuki. Will you go out with me?”

My mind went blank at the sudden confession.

Like? From Kudou-kun? As in, romantically?

This confession from my best friend threw my heart into turmoil.

Even so, my answer was clear.

“I’m sorry.”

My voice was barely audible, even though I mustered all the courage I had.

Still, he heard it clearly.

“I see. Okay. I understand.”

For the first time, I found time spent with him, which should have been fun, to be painful.

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Since starting high school, I had been quite lucky.

“I’m Nagisa Hayashi. Nice to meet you.”

Nagisa-chan, who happened to be in the same class and seated in front of me, always helped me, someone who was shy and had trouble communicating.

“I-I’m Miyuki Hayakawa. Nice to meet you.”

On our first meeting, Nagisa-chan not only actively spoke to me but also included me in the group. According to Kudou-kun, Nagisa-chan is a natural extrovert. She can talk to anyone and become friends with anyone. I really envy her.

Thanks to her presence, I was able to adapt to school much quicker than I expected.

I even had time to observe my surroundings.

One afternoon, I turned down Nagisa-chan's invitation to check out club activities and headed to the library alone.

‘Creaaak’

The double doors, rare in our school, were said to be unique to our library. According to our Japanese teacher, “They have a certain charm.” The school building, constructed in the Showa era, has been renovated several times, but the library doors and shelves are said to be from the original construction.

As soon as I stepped in, I was greeted by the smell of wood and paper.

Hmm. It feels reassuring.

Walking aimlessly, looking at the bookshelves, I saw a figure at the farthest seat.

The sight of someone quietly reading a book with a large frame was more fitting than anyone else in the library.

Watching him for a while, he sometimes looked serious, sometimes happy. He must really love books. I was curious about what kind of stories made his large, somewhat stern-looking face soften with emotion.

I’m sure he doesn't know. This was our first encounter.

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“Miyuki, have you decided on a club?”

Two weeks of trial club activities had passed, and as everyone joined clubs, Nagisa-chan asked me, who hadn't made up her mind.

“…Yeah. I guess I won't join a club.”

I wasn't very good at sports since I was little. In middle school, I was in the choir club because it was mandatory, but I didn't feel like continuing it in high school.

“I see. That's a valid choice. You'll have more free time, and if you get a hobby or a boyfriend, you can spend time on that.”

“Wha? A b-boyfriend? There's no way I'll get one.”

Nagisa-chan watched me with a teasing smile, as if she had something in mind.

“Hmm. But you like someone, don't you? You're always looking out the window at the end of morning practice and when afternoon practice starts. Who are you looking at?”

Her comment made my face instantly heat up. Covering my cheeks with both hands, I unconsciously shifted my gaze to the window.

“Hmm?”

Nagisa-chan, following my gaze, likely saw the same person as I did.

“Heh~, could it be one of those guys in track suits—the handsome, refreshing one?”

Refreshing, handsome. These words are often used to describe him.

Embarrassment made me unable to speak, my mouth opening and closing silently.

“You’re so cute when you’re shy. So, who is he?”

Knowing I wouldn't be let off the hook until I confessed everything, I took a deep breath and sighed.

“Fine… it’s Shinobu Morimoto from class 1. We went to the same middle school.”

“Morimoto-kun from class 1, huh? So he's the famous handsome soccer club guy. Since you went to the same middle school, were you close?”

I shook my head and gave a wry smile.

“I've never talked to him. He probably doesn't even know who I am. So, it's embarrassing to say, but it's more of an admiration than a crush.”

“Hmm. But admiration is a kind of liking too, isn't it? If you've never talked to him, why not try? Become friends and see how it goes.”

Nagisa-chan's positive outlook was typical of her. For me, this feeling was something I thought would naturally fade over time. I never considered taking it any further.

“F-friends? No way. We've never talked, and there's no reason for us to start.”

Honestly, I just wanted to drop this topic and was looking for reasons to give up.

“A reason to talk? I think I can manage something. The guy you saw with me earlier is actually my childhood friend. We haven't been in touch lately, but this is a good opportunity. I'll introduce you!”

And then the fateful day arrived.

“I'm Miyuki Hayakawa.”

“I'm Takumi Kudou, nice to meet you.”

Ah, this person. The one from the library.

Seeing him up close, he had a stern expression but seemed somewhat nervous.

And from that day, we became friends.