Chapter 767 - Haru and Kaede
And so, time passed, and the sun began to set.
Time flies when you’re just messing around and chatting with good friends, whether you’re at home or on a trip. The sun seems to set with astonishing speed, which is surely proof of just how much fun you’re having.
I, too, despite my grumbling, was having a good time, even as I was frequently teased. I was truly enjoying myself from the bottom of my heart. That much was a fact, but—
“Man, this is tough…”
I muttered to myself in the hallway, where I had wandered out for a change of pace, pressing a button on a vending machine I was surprised to find even in a luxury inn like this.
Back in the men’s room, which had become our usual hangout spot, my friends were probably still gathered around my partner, making a ruckus precisely because they were trying not to be considerate of me. The maid, Itsuki’s older sister, had joined them now, and the place was already lively before I slipped out.
So. Why was I out here, brooding under the twilight sky?
“………This is really tough…”
I grabbed the can of soda that clattered down, the words spilling from my lips colored with a fitting sentiment.
What am I going to do? Ever since that incident this afternoon, I can’t stop being acutely aware of Sora.
It can’t be helped. I honestly think it really can’t be helped, but the various scenes are burned into my mind. They won’t fade, won’t disappear.
It’s not so much her swimsuit, but… the image of her, so utterly defenseless, yet never doubting her trust in me, her innocent warmth unconcealed, looking so earnest beside me.
I’m drawn to her. I already know that.
My feelings are growing stronger. I know that too. It’s nothing new. This was just a trigger that made me more deeply aware of it.
“…………”
I don’t have the confidence to go back to the room and face her just yet. I walked down the empty hallway without a destination, taking advantage of the lack of people to press the cold can against my forehead with a stupid expression.
This is bad. The can feels so cold it’s as if my skin might tear.
Then a thought occurs to me. Perhaps I’ve already reached a point of ‘understanding’ where I could put it into ‘words.’ If that’s the case, then I have no choice but to clutch my head over the fact that more than one face still comes to mind—…and then,
“Hm…?”
I sensed a presence approaching quietly, with muffled footsteps, and turned around.
And there stood,
“—Oh. You noticed…”
Someone who was surprising, yet not really. Someone who appeared demure, but was in fact filled with a mischievous spirit that rivaled any of our friends: the young lady of the Shijo family.
“Hah, you’re naive. You’re three years too early to sneak up on me.”
“Fufu, so you’re saying I could do it in three years?”
“If it’s you, Kaede, you could probably do it in six months if you tried.”
As we exchanged such playful banter, belying our actual ages,
“Where are we heading, I wonder?”
“I wonder where, indeed.”
I felt no surprise or awkwardness as my friend—and manager—naturally fell into step beside me. We walked down the hallway, tossing aside any questions that might fit the situation.
Of course, there were other guests at the inn besides us, but our timing must have been good, as we didn’t cross paths with anyone. It was quiet, so quiet.
And as we walked…
“—Hmm… How elegant.”
“You’re just saying things, aren’t you?”
We arrived at a rest area with a wonderful atmosphere. It was a relaxing spot with large windows offering a panoramic view of the natural scenery, a place that would look stunning day or night.
As she immediately pointed out, I was just saying things. I dropped onto one of the expensive-looking single-person sofas. Just as naturally, Kaede-san sat in the one next to me, and again, said nothing more.
It wasn't a particularly rare pairing.
Just two “friends” who had gradually gotten to know each other over time.
“Hey, Nozomi-kun.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for inviting me on this trip. I’m having so much fun.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Truly.
Her honest words, so characteristic of her straightforward nature, felt pleasant.
“You know,”
“What is it?”
Her words slipped through my chest so comfortably that I almost said something I shouldn’t have. So, I corrected my course internally before it was too late, and…
“I heard from Kunori-san the other day… that you once pretended to be my girlfriend to try and outsmart the chairman?”
“—…Wh-Huh? Ah, eh, Nya?!”
In the end, something I really shouldn’t have said in a different way came out, sending the young lady into a complete fluster. Forgive me, my friend. Let’s just call this a frank, no-holds-barred conversation, courtesy of being on a trip.
Therefore,
“I-I-I-I’m so, so, so sorr—”
“Thanks. I get it, so it’s okay.”
I cut off her unnecessary apology and gave her only what needed to be said.
“Kunori-san was praising you, too. He said, ‘It’s amazing how she managed to gather her thoughts and courage to make such a move in that split second.’ He was really impressed, saying you had a promising future.”
“Eh, eeh…”
I’ll keep it to myself that he seemed to be talking about her future in a support role for the ‘Acrobat,’ rather than as the heir to the Shijo family.
But anyway.
“…But really, you should take better care of yourself, okay? I’m moved to tears that you tried to protect me with such a quick-witted move, but don’t become a shield for me.”
What she did might have looked like a reckless, last-ditch effort that could have blown up in both our faces—but she is a daughter of the [Shijo] family.
There’s no way the chairman of a prestigious university wouldn’t know that name. And even if he didn’t, a person in his position wouldn’t carelessly spread a student’s personal affairs.
In conclusion, whether she was found out or not, all she did was ‘tell a lie.’ There was not a shred of risk in her actions at that time.
Which leaves only one fact.
The unwavering fact that the daughter of the esteemed [Shijo] family had, without a moment’s hesitation, told a lie that was akin to offering herself up to protect a single boy.
“…………Am I being scolded right now?”
“Not scolded. A little bit of gratitude, worry, and exasperation.”
“So I’m being exasperated at…”
Well, yeah. You’re not someone who can afford to be so careless, so please don’t go around offering yourself up for a friend you’ve just met.
“Only a little bit. I’m not trying to complain or lecture you, even though I already am. Just take it as genuine concern from a friend.”
“Uu… I-I’ll be careful.”
Kaede is a good person.
She’s bright, pure, occasionally mischievous, considerate… and so kind that it sometimes makes me worry—just like my precious partner.
They are relatives, after all. And that’s why.
“Thanks.”
“Honestly. I heard you the first time.”
“No, not for that. This is a good opportunity, so I’m saying it again for everything.”
This fun friend of mine, blinking and looking at me.
“I’m glad you found me, Kaede. You’ve helped me out a ton in so many ways, and I’m grateful. So much so that I can only say it this casually because of the trip high.”
Back when we hadn’t even spoken, let alone made eye contact. The fact that, on some whim, she had noticed me, the ultimate loner.
And by extension, the fact that I ended up at the same university as her and our other friends.
“So, thank you. And…”
For the unexpected good fortune I’ve been blessed with, not just in the virtual world, but in the real one as well,
I offer my gratitude, belated as it may be.
“I hope we can keep counting on each other from now on.”
All in all, my tone was far from the solemnity one would expect when conveying ‘heartfelt thanks.’ It was a casual tone, as if I were just saying something off the cuff… but well, this is fine.
For her, whom I've taken the liberty of considering my ‘best friend,’ this is fine.
“………Hey, Nozomi-kun.”
“What is it, Kaede-san?”
“I really think that’s one of your bad habits. If it wasn’t me, this would be a disaster, you know? You’re the one who’ll be in trouble when a fourth one shows up, right?”
“I’m being casual precisely because it’s you. It’s because you, Lady Kaede, seriously don’t see me as a ‘guy’ in that way that I can say anything so freely.”
“Is that even a way to be trusted…?”
“Looking back now, there were some suspicious moments before you knew who I was, though.”
“Th-That’s not…! There were not! I’m a child, so I’ve never been in love!”
“Is that really something a blooming university student should be saying?”
“It’s really not like that! I mean, sure, I thought you were a nice boy, but that’s it!”
“You’re saying some pretty incredible things there, Lady Shijo.”
“Anyone would think that much, right?! I was just happy we became friends! That’s all, I swear!”
“Kaede.”
“What is it?!”
“You can be deceptively cute in many ways, so I worry. Be careful around guys other than me and Toshiki, okay?”
“Don’t say the same thing Mizuki-chan does!”
And so it goes.
She’s reassuring, and a relief to be around. A precious and hard-to-find, naturally cute friend.
She must have seen how restless I was and came along to help me clear my head with some lighthearted banter… For that, too, I’ll offer my sincere thanks.
Since this is a novel without pictures, I can't provide definite supplements through facial expressions. So, for those who might not have understood from her sincere devotion so far, I will dare to state the current 'Probability of Lady Shijo Rising as a Heroine': it is a clean, resounding 0%. Friendship.
If you want her route, you'll have to retry from before the story's start (the prologue).