CH 33

“Could it be that… just maybe… Nanami , you have started to… like Toma-kun?”

“Wha–!?”

This morning, Nanami gasped at my words… she probably didn’t intend to bring up this topic. But if my hunch is right, there are things she needs to say.

So I had to say it…

“T-That’s not true! I mean, I’ve only met Toma-kun once! Th-There’s no way I could like him!”

“There’s a thing called love at first sight. The number of times you meet someone isn’t the only factor in falling for them. Didn’t Toma-kun comfort you when you were feeling down? I hate to put it this way, but if someone uses your weakness to their advantage, there’s a high chance you could start liking them.”

“W-Well, I mean… um…”

Nanami looks away, her words becoming awkward and hesitant. Her cheeks are slightly red…

This is the first time I’ve seen Nanami react like this.

“Toma-kun is really perceptive. Although when it comes to noticing someone’s affection, he can be really clueless… But when a customer is feeling down, he’ll sympathize with them and do his best to cheer them up. And when a customer is happy, he’ll be happy with them too… It’s amazing how he can change his approach to satisfy each and every customer. And thanks to Toma-kun, Nanami, you are able to come to school without being weighed down by her ex-boyfriend’s memories, right?”

“I’m not blaming you for falling in love with him…! Thanks to Toma-kun, You are still herself. This is undoubtedly a happy thing.

“Ah, ahaha… Y-yeah, I guess so.”

“To think that even my best friend fell for him…I might have to hit Toma-kun once to feel better…ugh.”

“A-Ah, wait… it’s not like I like Toma-kun or anything…”

Of course, there are mixed feelings, but I’m also happy that Nanami has noticed the charm of Toma-kun. I can’t put this feeling into words.

“I used to say that you shouldn’t meet Toma-kun, but it’s okay even if you fall for him.”

“Huh… W-Why? Why would you say that!?”

Nanami bites at my words in agitation.

Until now, I’ve always said, “You can’t meet Toma-kun,” and “What if Nanami falls for Toma-kun?”…

This reaction is probably a question about that statement.

“…Because I think it’s a lifelong regret to give up on someone you fell in love with just for the sake of giving them up to your best friend. Isn’t that right?”

“A lifelong regret…”

“That was the advice you gave me, Nanami . I thought it was time to give back that advice… And besides, there’s no guarantee that Toma-kun and I will definitely end up together. I’d be happier if Nanami took Toma-kun instead of him being taken by another woman.”

These are my true feelings. You might find it strange, but if someone were to take Toma-kun away, I’d want my best friend Nanami to have him instead. And I’d want her to be happy.

But…

“I don’t intend to lose, whether it’s you, Nanami or any other woman. I have no experience in love, but I’ll do my best in my own way. So Nanami, you don’t have to hold back.”

This is what I wanted to convey. And because I was able to convey it successfully, I could smile.

“Thank you, Mio-chan.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Kinko–n.”

At that moment, the chime signaling the start of the first period rang, as if to announce the end of our conversation.

There was no tension between us. On the contrary, we both felt relieved.

Nanami, having heard my true feelings, wouldn’t hold back… this was a crisis for me. But this fact only fueled my fighting spirit.

(Toma-kun is the one I love the most… I don’t want to lose… absolutely not.)

Driven by these feelings, I decided to send a text message to Toma-kun.

***

“That’s what happened, huh? I think Mi-chan you showed some real courage, but are you okay?”

“I’m full of anxiety, honestly… because I don’t want to lose him.”

Mio sat at the counter of the bar Shine, telling the story of this morning to the master, Miki, while wearing a worried expression and sipping her second Rouge Cassis Orange.

“Because of that anxiety, you made a promise with Toma-kun to come to Shine together, right? I’m rooting for you, but you can’t just be wishy-washy now.”

“Yes…”

“This might be a difficult question, but does your best friend really like Toma-kun?”

“I think she’s starting to like him…”

“Starting to like him, huh? Well, if Toma-kun committed a crime or something, her feelings might change completely, but I don’t think he’s that type of person.”

Miki glanced over from the counter. Currently, there were three customers in Shine, including Mio. The other two were regulars, creating a cheerful atmosphere while drinking with Toma.

“If I were to give advice, I’d say to be more aggressive! And if I had to give you a mission for today, it would be to walk Toma-kun home. Of course, just to the front door.”

“Eh, to the front door…? That’s so sudden…”

“If there’s a reason to see someone off at the entrance, it’s for a good reason,” said Miki, pointing her glossy, unblemished nails at her glass. When her eyes met with Mio’s, they both smiled.

“Now, the name of the drink that Toma-chan is drinking with the customer is called Long Island Iced Tea. It’s a strange cocktail that tastes like tea but doesn’t actually have any tea in it.”

“Long Island Iced Tea…?” Mio repeated.

“Yes, and here’s the thing: it’s made with four famous types of alcohol – vodka, rum, tequila, and gin – all of which have a high alcohol content. Toma-chan isn’t the strongest drinker, so if he has one more, he’ll definitely get drunk.”

“Miki-san, can we have three more of number 38, please?”

“Number 38, got it,” Miki replied before Toma had even finished his order. She quickly made the requested Long Island Iced Teas and returned to Mio.

“Well, now Toma-chan needs someone to go home with him. That drink is easy to drink but has a high alcohol content, so he’ll get drunk quickly. Look at his face,” she said, urging Mio to turn her head. Even from a distance, it was clear that Toma’s face was flushed from the effects of the drink.

“In any case, I intend to order you, Mi-chan, to send you to Toma-chan’s house today, so there’s no escape, okay? Prepare yourself now. This is also a chance to get closer to Touma-chan.”

“Yes, you’re right… Thank you.”

“Don’t forget to thank me properly, okay?”

“Uh, yes…”

Although they were at a distance from Toma, they were spending time in the same space. If Miki raised her voice even a little, Touma would surely hear it.

“Oh, and one more thing about sending him off. Don’t get too clingy with Toma-chan. Even though it’s Toma-chan we’re talking about, we don’t know what he might do after drinking.”

“What he might do…?”

“Mi-chan, that’s not good.”

“Wha-!?”

She had just entered her imaginary world. Mio snapped back to reality at Miki’s stern voice.

“You were thinking something naughty just now, weren’t you? I understand that you’re eager, but that’s not like you, Mi-chan.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Don’t do that kind of thing until you’re officially a couple, okay? The outcome is usually intense when alcohol is involved and you’re not a couple. You’ll regret it.”

“…Intense?”

Her cheeks turned red and she murmured.

“Mi-chan!?”

“N-nothing, it’s nothing!”

“It’s no good, it’s no good! I’m confiscating this alcohol. I’ll give you the money back, so eat some snacks. It’s difficult to deal with drunk Toma-chan if you’re not in a stable state. Especially if you’re going to make a move.”

“U-understood…”

Realizing that she was completely seen through, Mio blushed and lowered her head while holding a cocktail.

“Alright then.”

Satisfied with herself, Miki took the glass with the cocktail and replaced it with orange juice, then started to cook.

And so, Mio was left with nothing to do.

(Toma-kun…)

Sipping on her orange juice with a straw, Mio couldn’t help but look at Toma’s profile as he served other customers with a smile.

(If Toma-kun gets embarrassed…I wonder if he’ll blush like that…)

Lost in her thoughts like a typical love novice.