CH 36

The time was a little after twelve o’clock.

As I am not physically strong because I rarely work out, heck to be honest I rarely leave my house for a refreshing walk.

Shinozuka-san, who still seems to have not gotten over her post-anxiety of the roller coaster, was still holding hands with me.

Someone might mistake us for a couple on a weekend date, but… As our differences in appearances are like sky and earth, so that might not be the case.

“Shall we have lunch soon?”

Just as I was about to suggest that we should take a break and have lunch, Shinozuka-san said the words which were in my mind.

“Yeah, I was about to say the same thing but, where should we go? It’s crowded at the restaurant at this time of the day.”

I glanced around at the surrounding restaurants and found that they were all crowded upto the brim, if we were to eat fast food it wouldn’t take much time to order and eat it, but both of us were health conscious so we avoided eating fast food.

“Oh, well, actually… I already prepared lunch for us”

“Huh?”

As I was contemplating where we should go for lunch, Shinozuka-san embarrassedly showed me the bag she was holding. And when I looked closely at the things in it, there surely was a lunch box properly wrapped with a cloth.

“Thanks for going through the trouble of making it.”

I’m sorry, but did I bother you?”

I was trying to keep a calm demeanor, but instead it seemed to have caused a strange misunderstanding. I hurriedly shook my head to ease her worries.

“No, it’s not a nuisance… In fact, I am really happy.”

“Really? I’m glad. Then let’s eat on that bench over there.”

Shinozuka-san pulled me by the left hand and we moved to the bench. And when we reached there she let go of my hand.

When we comfortably sat on the bench, she took out a lunch box from her bag and settled on my right side.

However, surprisingly she held my hand again.

But unlike before, this time it was my right hand that she was holding.

“If you will still hold my hand then I won’t be able to eat properly.”

“Ah, sorry about that, but I still feel the aftermath of the roller coaster…”

“I wonder if we should have skipped that ride after all, you might get sick at this rate.”

“No, no! It’s not your fault, Segawa-kun.”

She hurriedly shook her head, denying the claims I made. I wonder if she was just saying it to reassure me.

“But if it stays like this…”

If she keeps holding my right hand like this, I will not be able to have lunch. I am not dexterous enough to eat with chopsticks with my left hand. As I was wondering what to do, Shinozuka-san opened her mouth hesitantly.

“Umm… Segawa-kun, can you hold the lunch box with your left hand for a while.”

“Hmm? Sure, why not.”

As I was asked, I supported the lunch box with my left hand. Meanwhile, Shinozuka-san grabbed the chopsticks with her right hand and scooped the fried chicken wings.

“Now open your mouth.”

“Wait, isn’t this a little too much?”

“But this is the only solution.”

“I don’t think it’s a solution at all.”

Shinozuka-san brings a piece of fried chicken near to my mouth.

Certainly I can easily eat lunch this way, but… Is it really okay to do something like this when we are not in a relationship?”

However, I can’t just leave Shinozuka-san with the fried food in her hands.

Making up my mind, I moved my head forward and ate it. The taste was absolutely delicious, the flavor was melting in my mouth and my face broke into a satisfied smile.

If someone were to notice me right now, they would think of me as a weird guy, because of the expression I was making.

_____________________________________

[Point of View] Kaede Ayase :

“—chan, onee-chan! Earth to onee-chan! Be strong and take care of yourself.”

I was in a state of complete surrender with my mouth wide open as I was in a dazed state. Shi-chan who was next to me was shaking me but I didn’t respond to her.

It’s no-good after all. Without a doubt, they both were a couple.

They had brought their own lunch boxes and were feeding each other while smiling. Anyone can easily guess that they were dating.

And it doesn’t look like Yumi-nee’s case where Mi-kun was pretending to be her fiancé. They were just acting so natural in it.

Mi-kun, you’re usually so lazy, and now you are acting so embarrassed and blushing hard. Ah… it looks like Mi-kun was taken away from me.

I’ve had a crush on him since I was eight years old. I’m too unfortunate, aren’t I?

“I’m leaving now…”

I turn on my heel to escape from the fact that Mi-kun has a girlfriend.

There is nothing left for me to do here.

If I interrupt them then maybe Mi-kun will come to hate me, and it’s relatively better to act normally than acting as an obstacle in their relationship… Really, what did I come here for?

When I arrived at the possibility that he has a girlfriend, my mind somehow stopped working and I couldn’t think straight.

While I was amazed at my antics, Shi-chan tugged on my hand sleeves.

“If what I think is correct, then they both aren’t dating each other. So don’t lose your hope yet.”

“Huh? No matter how you look at it, they are clearly dating each other.”

“Then, I will go and confirm it.”

“What, Shi-chan…⁉︎”

The girl clenched her fists and shoved it in hair as if showing her motivation.

Panicking, I tried to stop the little girl who was just going to make everything wrong by appearing in front of them.

“You can’t do that. Just think what will happen if he learns that we were following him.”

“I can’t stand still and watch both of you in despair. I will confirm from the person himself.”

“Where does that confidence come from… Yumi-nee you should say something too.”

I turned back to where Yumi-nee was and requested her to understand the little girl, but there she was with her head down and shoulders slumped as well. She looked dejected for some reason.

“… So you have a girlfriend after all. Even though you confessed to me at the cultural festival, you did everything for me… Well, I’m a teacher and I am already in my early thirties so maybe I am not that pretty. But even if that was the case, you promised me that you’ll be with me till the very end. Maybe all of that was a lie?”

“…Yu—Yumi-nee!?”

While facing the wall with her head down, she was mumbling those words again and again.

“Well in the first place, it’s all my fault. I forced you in all that mess, created trouble for you. And in the end I ended up falling in love with you… Ugh, I am a total idiot.”

“Yumi-nee, who are you talking to?”

“Oh Kaede, you can see it clearly, right there. ”

“No, you are hallucinating”

I carefully looked around as if someone were looking at us like we were some weirdos here, but thank god that was not the case.

“I’m going to get married…”

Yumi-nee after mumbling against the wall, turned on her heels with a depressing look on her face.

“Ehh??”

“I can’t bother him anymore. And if I follow him any longer, then I won’t be able to hold myself.

“Hey, Yumi-neei…”

It feels like I have done something wrong, I shouldn’t have brought her with me and let her witness the sight of Mi-kun dating a girl.

“If you are not going to do anything, then I’ll.”

As I looked away from Yumi-nee’s back, I heard Shi-chan’s voice brimming with confidence.

By the time I could have reacted, my little sister headed over to where Mi-kun was.

“Wait Shi-chan!”

I tried to stop her, but I couldn’t catch up with her as she was rushing forward at a fast pace.

I don’t want to be found out by Mi-kun that we were following him, but it was all futile in the end.

“What should I do…”

I could do nothing but watch from the shadows.