Chapter 19: Intuition

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Translator: Soafp

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“F-Fukase…”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

I looked into Fukase's eyes, and my body froze.

“H-Hey, Asano? You okay?”

Shiraki's voice broke through my daze as he spoke to my motionless self.

“…Come here for a second.”

“Huh? W-What's going on?”

I grabbed Shiraki by the collar and dragged him over to the area near the restrooms in the restaurant.

“Hey, why are those girls here?”

Of course, what I wanted from him was an explanation of the situation.

“Well, Ishii-san invited me to lunch… and that's why we came here.”

“And why did you invite me to eat with Ishii-san and her friend?”

“Because… her message said, ‘If Asano-kun is free, I'd love for you to bring him along too.'”

So that's why he brought me to this family restaurant.

“Why didn't you tell me that ahead of time?”

“Because I figured you wouldn't come if I told you…”

Shiraki didn't know I was bad with girls, but he was aware that I generally avoided people. That's probably why he didn't mention we'd be eating with Ishii-san and Fukase.

“I'm leaving.”

“W-Wait, hold on!”

Panicked, Shiraki grabbed my shoulder to stop me from going home.

“Please, man. If it's just me and them, the conversation's gonna die instantly!”

“That's not my problem. Don't you want to date Ishii-san or something? If you can't even talk to her, what are you going to do?”

It's not like having me there is going to make the conversation lively.

In fact, I'm probably worse than Shiraki at communication, so my presence isn't likely to help at all.

“Seriously, man, I'm begging you. They're expecting you to be here too…”

Why would they invite me along with Shiraki in the first place?

The only thing that comes to mind is Fukase… but honestly, we're basically strangers now.

Still…

“Haaah… Fine. Just for today.”

I let out a big sigh and gave in.

“Thanks, Asano! You really are a true friend!”

“And lunch is on you.”

“Ugh… F-Fine.”

As Shiraki reluctantly nodded, I found myself thinking about Fukase—who was sitting at the table across the room, watching us.

---

[Shiho PoV]

“H-Hello.”

I wasn't sure he'd actually come… but seeing him walk through the door made my heart race.

“F-Fukase…”

Haruki stared at me, looking slightly surprised.

For a moment, I faltered from the tension of the situation, but I met his gaze and held it firmly.

The one who looked away next was Haruki. He grabbed Shiraki and walked away from us.

Did something go wrong?

“Looks like it worked out, Shiho. Asano-kun came after all.”

Azusa, standing next to me, smiled playfully as she spoke.

A moment ago, I'd been filled with anxiety—but seeing Haruki's face made me happy. I was glad I came.

A few dozen minutes earlier—

“So, you were able to talk with him?”

“Yeah. It was a coincidence, but I'm glad I went to the mixer.”

Just before lunchtime at university.

After my first and only class of the day, I was chatting with Azusa in the student commons about the group date a few days ago.

I told her how I had a chance to talk with Haruki one-on-one on the way home.

And how he accepted my apology.

“So that means the tension between you two is gone, right?”

The fact that Haruki forgave me for what I'd done… made me truly happy.

Of course, that doesn't mean I no longer feel guilty.

“W-Well… I don't know. Haruki is kind, so maybe he just chose his words carefully…”

He might not have truly forgiven me deep down.

But still…

[You don't… hate me…?]

[I don't hate you…]

The gentle smile on his face when he said that—I can't forget it.

It's not that I'm getting ahead of myself, but… even after years of not speaking, I still know Haruki well.

And that wasn't a lie. I could tell from Intuition.

Rather than hatred… he looked like he felt a little sorry.

As if something was weighing on him…

“So!? Then what happened!?”

Azusa leaned in, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Huh? W-What do you mean?”

“What do you mean ‘what'? Did anything happen between you and Asano-kun after that?”

“After that… nothing, really.”

“Why not!? You finally got close again, didn't you!?”

It’s true that he superficially forgave me for my past mistakes, but that didn't mean we returned to the same closeness we once had.

“It's not that easy to go back to how things used to be.”

“Even so, you still want to be with him, right?”

“I… I do. But…”

Haruki might already have someone special now.

Someone important… like a girlfriend.

“Does Asano-kun have a girlfriend?”

As if sensing my concern, Azusa asked me that question.

“I don't know… I couldn't ask something that personal.”

“I see. But if you don't make a move yourself… Why not try messaging him, just be brave?”

“I don't even have his contact info.”

“What!? Why didn't you ask when you two were alone on the way home from the mixer!?”

“Th-that wasn't really the right moment…”

At the time, I was just overjoyed to be able to talk to Haruki like we used to.

And when I was apologizing, asking for his contact info never even crossed my mind…

(I wish I had asked… for his contact info)

But it's too late to be thinking about that now.

The only things I know about Haruki at this point are that he lives alone and that he goes to Koo University, which is near my own university…

I couldn't possibly do something so bold as to go to his campus just to see him…

“Shiho, what are you doing for lunch?”

“Eh, ah… I think I'll head home soon and eat there.”

Azusa asked me while fiddling with her phone.

Just moments ago, she'd been so serious, talking with me about Haruki, and now her sudden change in mood felt a little jarring.

“Wanna go to a family restaurant? It's a bit of a walk from here though.”

“A family restaurant, huh… I think I'll pass. I want to get home early and study.”

“Actually, I just messaged Shiraki-kun. We're meeting up at that family restaurant.”

“Oh, really?”

Apparently, Azusa had exchanged contact info with Shiraki-kun, the guy who coordinated the male side at the mixer.

Unlike someone shy like me, she really had initiative—something I genuinely admired.

(Wait, she invited me to a meal where she and Shiraki-kun will be alone…)

Just as I was wondering what she was thinking, Azusa added with a smug grin:

“Oh, by the way… Asano-kun is coming too.”

“…Eh?”

My thoughts froze at her words, and a moment later… my heart began pounding loudly.

Haruki's coming…?

I'll get to see him again…?

“So, what'll it be? You coming with us?”

Azusa asked, grinning widely.

She knew how I felt about him—was she enjoying this, watching me squirm?

No, I knew she was trying to give me a push… But still, it felt complicated.

I knew my chances of this love working out were practically zero.

After all, there's no reason for Haruki to have feelings for me…

Even so—

“I-I'll go.”

I answered Azusa's question without hesitation.

---

At the family restaurant during lunchtime, Azusa and I waited while Haruki and Shiraki-kun finished their conversation.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

A few minutes later, their discussion was over, and they took seats across from us.

Just like at the mixer, Haruki sat directly in front of me.

I looked down nervously, but I couldn't help sneaking a glance to see his expression.

Noticing my gaze, Haruki smiled at me gently.

(I'm glad I came…)

That alone was enough to fill my heart with joy.

“Alright, let's go ahead and order.”

Azusa opened the menu on the table, and the four of us decided what we wanted and called a waiter to place our orders.

Until the food arrived, silence settled over our group.

Shiraki-kun looked restless, staring at Azusa across the table.

Maybe he had a thing for her?

As for Haruki… he quietly took a book out of his bag and started reading.

“Thanks for waiting!”

Soon enough, warm meals were brought to our table, and we began eating.

“Wow, Asano-kun, you eat a lot, huh?”

Haruki had ordered a hamburger set with extra rice and was eating steadily.

“I was hungry. Plus, Shiraki's treating today.”

“Wait, really? Shiraki-kun?” Azusa asked, surprised.

“Ah, yeah. I'll cover it.”

Four people's meals couldn't be cheap.

I thought Shiraki-kun's face looked a bit stiff.

We offered to pay for our own meals, but Shiraki-kun insisted, “I've got it.”

“Well then, if you insist…”

And so, we accepted his offer.

“Hey, Asano-kun. Give me your contact info.”

“Huh?”

Azusa paused mid-meal and suddenly said that, making my heart race.

She probably brought it up so I could exchange contact info with Haruki.

But the one who reacted wasn't Haruki—it was Shiraki-kun.

“U-um… Ishii-san, do you want to get closer to Asano-kun…?”

“Yeah, I'd like to be friends.”

Shiraki-kun lowered his head in disappointment—it was clear he misunderstood Azusa's intent and thought she liked Haruki.

“I don't think I'd have any reason to contact Ishii-san.”

“Wow, Asano-kun, that's kind of harsh.”

“Well, it's just the truth.”

“Are you the type who likes to keep a lot of personal space?”

“Can't really deny that.”

Azusa and Haruki exchanged blunt words, but the mood wasn't tense.

“Still, we're having a meal together like this. It wouldn't hurt to exchange contact info and be friends, right?”

“Well… I guess so.”

Haruki started to say something but swallowed his words, eventually giving in.

Probably tired of dealing with Azusa, he gave up arguing.

Azusa scanned Haruki's messaging app QR code with her phone.

“Alright, got Asano-kun's contact info.”

(Lucky her… I want to, too…)

But I couldn't just say, “Let's exchange contact info too.”

Even though Haruki had forgiven me for what happened in middle school, I figured he wouldn't care about having my contact info.

In fact, that line he said earlier—“I wouldn't have any reason to contact Ishii-san”—felt like it applied more to me.

Azusa nudged my thigh with her finger.

“Shiho, hurry up and exchange info too.”

I knew she was signaling me, but… I didn't have the courage.

I couldn't bring myself to invade his personal space.

I'll ask next time. I'll get his contact info then…

Even though I know—if I let this chance pass, there might never be a “next time.”

Still…

“Fukase, want to exchange?”

“…Eh… huh?”

“Your contact info.”

For a moment, I didn't understand what he meant.

“Ah… y-yeah.”

Flustered, I pulled my phone from my pocket, launched the messaging app, and exchanged contact info with him.

Seeing Haruki's account appear on my phone made me feel like I'd taken one small step closer to him, and joy welled up inside me.

Sitting beside me, Azusa smiled as if to say, “Good for you.”

I was happy… But there was a lingering question.

Why did Haruki exchange contact info with someone like me?

And not only that—why did he offer it himself?

I'd just felt like I was getting closer to him, but now, as I watched him quietly eat in front of me…

He felt like a distant, unreachable presence all over again.