Arc 1 – Episode 10: “I Thought We Were Friends… – Part 1”

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The next weekend, it was the three of us again—Ichigo, Aria-san, and me—heading out together.

Our destination? A newly released romance movie.

Yeah, it was an obvious choice, but Aria-san, this time, you're gonna be considerate, right?

So why is it five minutes before we're supposed to meet, and I haven't gotten a cancellation text from her yet?

I headed to the meeting spot, a bit worried, and found Aria-san in an argument with some guy I didn't know.

“Stop it! I'll call someone!”

“Come on, it's just a quick cup of tea.”

Really? This kind of cliché?

The guy grabbed Aria-san's arm, and she grimaced, trying to pull away, shouting for help.

“Somebody! Help me!!!”

“You called?”

I couldn't just ignore it, so I rushed over and yanked the guy's arm off her.

“Huh? Who the hell are you? I'm in the middle of something—ow, ow, ow!”

I twisted his wrist as hard as I could.

“She's my friend, so could you back off with the pick-up lines?”

“Okay, okay! Let go already!”

“Are you sure? If you turn on me after I let go, I'll twist your neck next time.”

To make my point, I twisted his wrist even harder and brushed my other hand against his neck.

“Ahh! No, I won't! Just let me go!”

“…Alright, that's enough.”

I let go of his wrist, nice and slow, after a long pause.

“Damn it, you'll regret this!”

The guy spat out a lame threat before running away.

Seriously, that's straight out of a bad script.

“Um… thank you,” came a soft voice from behind me. I turned to see Aria-san, her face visibly red.

Oh boy. This could be a problem.

“Don't get the wrong idea. I only helped you because we're friends.”

Ugh, that sounded way too tsundere. I was being completely honest, so why did it come out like that?

“Yeah, I get it.”

No, you don't! That smile says you absolutely don't!

Come on, Ichigo, get here soon!

“Sorry to keep you waiting! I got a little carried away getting ready and lost track of time!”

Right on cue, Ichigo appeared.

I turned to look at her, and yeah, she'd definitely put in the effort today.

Her usual casual clothes were cute, but this time, she let her hair down from its usual braids, switched out her round glasses for contacts, and even put on some makeup. She looked stunning.

I'd seen this version of Ichigo a few times before, and every time, she took my breath away.

People might call her plain normally, but Ichigo could really shine when she tried.

I'd once asked her why she didn't dress up like this more often, so people would take her seriously, and we could be open about dating.

“I don't feel like wearing makeup or contacts every day. Besides, it's enough for me if you look at me, Kyo-kun.”

In other words, this dressed-up version of her was rare.

Maybe today's the day she'll confess?

“You look beautiful. It really suits you.”

“Really? Hehe, thanks.”

Her blush made her even cuter.

Lately, we'd both gotten so comfortable with each other that we rarely gave compliments anymore. This felt kinda refreshing.

I glanced over at Aria-san, expecting her to say something too, but her face had gone pale, and she was staring at Ichigo, completely dazed.

“Huh? What's wrong, Aria-chan? Is something off about my outfit?”

“N-no, it's just… I think you look beautiful.”

Right after she forced out those words, a ringtone came from Aria-san's pocket. She quickly pulled out her phone, turned off the sound, and glanced at the screen, her expression darkening.

“What's up? That was an alarm, right? Do you have plans or something?” Ichigo asked, sounding curious.

“Well, um…”

Aria-san hesitated but then made up her mind.

“I'm really sorry. I just remembered I have a dinner with my grandfather tonight. I'll have to sit this one out. You two go ahead and enjoy the movie without me.”

“That's too bad, but I guess it can't be helped.”

“Yeah. Maybe we can catch another movie together some other time.”

Even though it felt like this was her plan all along, I found myself saying something annoyingly insincere.

With Aria-san gone, Ichigo and I ended up enjoying a date, just the two of us.

It was fun, but something kept bugging me.

“…I hate to bring it up, but when are you planning to confess?”

We were on our way home, and since Ichigo still hadn't said anything, I finally had to ask.

“Just a little longer. I've got a few more things to prepare, but by next week at the latest, I'll do it. Promise.”

“Alright. I'll be waiting.”

Before things get out of hand.

The following Monday, I was getting ready to head home after school when Aria-san approached me again.

“Kyoichi-san, the student council president wants to see you. Could you come with me?”

“…Alright.”

If it had been just a personal request from Aria-san, I would've turned her down, but since the president was involved, I didn't have much choice.

Ichigo had warned me not to do anything unnecessary, but maybe it was time I made some moves of my own.

“Hey, Aria-san.”

“Yes?”

“The truth is, I really like Ichigo. I don't want her or anyone else to get the wrong idea, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't ask me for help as much from now on.”

I hadn't outright asked Aria-san how she felt about me, but I was careful to choose my words, hoping to prevent any misunderstandings.

“…I see.”

Her answer wasn't a yes or a no.

But I'd said what I needed to say. From now on, I could turn her down more confidently.

I was halfway up the stairs when Aria-san suddenly slipped.

“Ah!”

“Damn it!”

I instinctively grabbed her arm and pulled her close, but in doing so, I lost my balance and ended up falling, holding her.

We both tumbled down the stairs, with me taking the brunt of the fall.

“Ow. You okay, Aria-san?”

“Yes, thanks to you. Thank you for protecting me.”

“Don't worry about it. I'd be in trouble if you got hurt.”

I was more concerned about her family retaliating against me.

But still… in this position…

I was lying beneath Aria-san, and unless she moved, I wasn't going anywhere.

She showed no signs of getting off me.

“Uh, Aria-san? Could you maybe—”

Before I could finish, Aria-san leaned down, pressing her lips against mine.

A mouth-to-mouth kiss, clear as day.

She got me.