Volume 3 - CH 14

“K-Kouki kun…… Hello~……”

It was the second and final day of the festival. The high school Shinobu san came, when I was making yakisoba for my class program in the schoolyard. Her face was already bright red and she was waving her hands with trembling arms while looking away from my face.

It’s not like I don’t know how she feels. When I went on my first date with Saki, I wore the coolest clothes I could find, but I couldn’t even have a proper conversation with her. Come to think of it, Saki didn’t look nervous at all. Well, she’s already gone as far as dating Daiki, so there’s no reason for her to be nervous on a date.

What I’m talking about doesn’t matter. It is just a thing of the past that has gone away. From now on, I am talking about the future of Shinobu san and me.

“I’m sorry, you’ll have to wait a little longer. My shift will be over in a little while.”

As I said this while putting together the fried noodles, the girls from the other school who were taking my video from afar let out a high pitched scream. I have a feeling there are some real screams mixed in.

“Don’t tell me Kouki kun is aiming at another girl besides Hikari chan !?”

“Does Hikari chan know about this !?”

“I guess she knows, that’s why she put a video out last time saying she had a one-sided love !”

“No way ! Then it’s a love triangle !”

Gossip reaches my ears that is as loud as a burning iron plate, but I didn’t respond to them. This must be the development that Hikari was aiming for. If that’s the case, I’ll just keep playing the role as an actor.

“Shinobu san, this is my treat. If you like it, you can have it anytime, just let me know.”

“T-thanks……”

“Kyaaaa—!”

……I thought so, but it was indeed annoying when they shouted so loud that I couldn’t even hear anything. Why do girls at this age sound like idiots?

“It’s delicious ! Kouki kun, you’re a good cook !”

“I’ve been in the kitchen for seven years and living alone for eight.”

“Kouki-kun,…… it’s rare for you to make jokes like that. A-are you perhaps……nervous ……?”

“Tha……that’s right……”

I’ve been talking to a lot of people from the future lately, so I just started to think like me from ten years later. No…….I might actually be nervous. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that I’m not used to this kind of thing even as an adult.

“Okay, it’s about time to go up. Okay, guys, sorry, but it’s private from here.”

“Kyaaaa– !”

“I’m really sorry ! I’m going to shoot a video with Hikari this afternoon, so come see me again then !”

“Kyaaaa—!”

And getting used to this kind of thing, well, it’s probably not a good thing. The feelings I have for the majority are blurred by the number of people. But if you think about it, it’s only natural. I don’t know what kind of feelings I should have for even one important person in front of me.

“Then let’s have fun. The last cultural festival of high school.”

“O…okey !”

My fingers are intertwined with Shinobu san’s left hand. Shinobu san and I. The festival that will decide the future of the two of us has begun.