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Memory 3: Senpai and Iku-chan and I
The first time I—Ikunohara Mimika—ran into Nano was at an standing live concert inside a small public building. There was me getting excited about the live concert of an indie band that got popular recently, as well as the half-joy, half-sadness that I was turning into a fan of them. But, the biggest reason was probably me getting pissed at some bastards trying to pick up a girl.
“—Hey, cut it off.”
Before I realized it, I called out to them. It was a group of two men, clearly older than me. Though it’d be a lie if I said I wasn’t scared, the girl being hit on was younger than me, so the feeling of anger and annoyance was far greater than that of fear.
“If you’re not gonna listen, get the hell out of here, trash.”
Following my words, one of them was perplexed, the other went full rage.
“What’d you say?!”
Right as the man wanted to grab me, the girl that had been hit on a second ago suddenly clung to me.
“…?! Huh…What??”
Completely lost because of this sudden turn of events, both the two men and I were looking at the girl in confusion, when the next song of the band started playing. Though we managed to get away from these two by dancing along with the other people, that slender, fragile girl was still clinging to me as before.
“Hey…Hey!”
Right as I wanted to pull away, feeling annoyed, the girl burst out in laughter.
“Ahahahaha! This is great! My stomach, it hurts!”
“……Huh?”
“Your reaction was so funny just now, spacing out like that.”
“…Funny…?”
“Ah, sorry. For starters, thanks for helping me!” She once again came clinging to me.
After the concert ended, she got hit on one more time, and eventually clung to me again. The second time around, I got used to it, and the puzzled reaction of the men was actually pretty fun to watch, so when I said ‘That was actually funny’, the girl gave back an energetic ‘Right?!’ as she smiled. Seeing her burst out in laughter for no apparent reason had me start laughing myself.
After that, we decided to head to a karaoke bar as a sort-of afterparty for ourselves, and after talking a bit about our interests in bands, we found out that they were fairly similar.
I’m pretty sure I talked the same amount I had in my entire life so far in that one night. Thinking back to it, I must have talked about a lot of things, jumbling into a big mess. It might sound weird coming from me, but I really suck at talking. I barely talk to my friends…that I don’t have in the first place, haha.
Yet, she would always smile, always showing interest in whatever I was talking about. And that had me come to like her—Nano, or as her full name, Koori Nano. She was my very first friend.
Being an insane communicative monster, cute to boot…and actually a pretty weird fellow, she was hard to grasp at times. Although she went to the school of another prefecture, we weren’t that far away, so we could meet easily after classes.
Since guys would often call out to us, or rather her, whenever we walked through town, we resorted to just renting a room at a nearby karaoke box, go to live concerts together, eating at nearby family restaurants, or sleeping over at the other person’s home…and every time, I had a blast. Of course, I think it was the same for Nano.
That’s why, when we met up again after a month of Nano being busy, and I heard the information she gave me flat-out, I doubted my ears.
“…Huh?”
“Now, let’s go for some karaoke~ I’m feeling Small Echo more than KaraYashiki1 today~”
“No, hold on a second, Nano.”
“Ehhh? Don’t wanna~ A JK in prime can’t waste her precious time~”
“I said wait!” I grabbed her shoulders, surprised and reminded how slender they were.
“Iku-chan…”
“Ah…”
Was I a bit too forceful? But, before I could say something, Nano started laughing.
“You were crazy loud just now. What is this, some lovers’ quarrel?”
Thank god, it’s the same Nano as usua—Wait, that’s not the point here!
“Don’t joke around like that! What did you say just now?!”
“Eh? That you were crazy loud?”
“Not that! I mean, I know that I’m being loud…”
“Right? Look, everyone’s watching.”
“Eh, n-no way…”
“Pfft! Iku-chan being scared is adorablez! You’re such a handsome-type whenever you have to fend off someone hitting on me, but you’d get captured immediately if someone was serious about you…Can’t get enough of that gap, indeed!”
“…S-Stop teasing me!”
This is…what I think it is, right? She’s trying to cover it up, right…? If so, then I know just how to handle this.
I stood in front of Nano, taking a deep breath.
“I’m being serious here, Nano. What did you say the reason was that you got so busy for the past month?”
With this, she won’t be able to avoid it, right? Nano must have caught on to my intentions as well, as she stopped in her tracks, thinking about something…only to speak up in a bashful fashion.
“Because…I got myself a boyfriend?”
“………”
“Hey, Iku-chan! Don’t just ignore me!”
Though she laughed it off as a joke, her face was clearly red. She was obviously flustered. I can’t believe it, that Nano…
“Got a boyfriend…?”
“Ahh, yes…I became a girlfriend…..ehehe~”
“……”
“Pffft, ahahahaha, what kind of face is that? Iku-chan, you look so funny!”
Seeing Nano react as she usually would, I was forced to accept this reality in front of me. Nano became the girlfriend of someone…
“………I see…so you fell in love…”
“Love?! Ahh, well…I guess that’s what it boils down to…”
“…? What kind of reaction was that?”
“Well, I did fall in love, but it’s a bit complicated…Phew, talking about this with Iku-chan sure feels fresh~”
Since Nano looked cute even to me, a member of the same sex, there was no doubt she could easily win over a boy. Not being hit on while we walk through town was a rare happening, and there’s always a lot of boys looking after her. It’s actually more confusing that she hasn’t gotten a boyfriend until now…Huh, confusing?
“That’s right. Didn’t you say that you don’t need a boyfriend, Nano? That you wanted to do other things instead.”
“…I might have said that, yes.”
“Did you change your mind?”
“Well…I thought it would never happen…something like that?”
“I don’t get it at all…”
“Well, the thing is…explaining it might prove rather difficult, Mimika-senpai.”
“Hey, don’t call me by my name like that.”
That’s an absolute no-no so I straight-up told her.
“Ehehehe, sorry sorry.” Nano giggled, but it was definitely on purpose.
More than that—she’s trying to cover up something?
“Nano, are you really okay?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“That boyfriend. You suddenly started dating this guy…how long did you know him for?”
“For two years now~ Well, he was asleep for two years though.”
“Asleep for two years?!”
“Yup. And, he just recently woke up, and confessed to me the second he opened his eyes. Was just too funny, so I decided to go out with him.
“Huh?!?!?!”
“Ahahaha, that reaction is great, Iku-chan! My stomach hurts!”
“We’re talking about you, right?!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine~ I properly gave it some thought…Well, maybe not that much, but it’s going great. Though my friends at school said the same thing as you just did, ehe~”
I can’t help but feel anxious now, you know?!
“………”
Nano might be rather relaxed about a lot of things, but she’s no idiot. She wouldn’t act rashly or do anything stupid. I’ve realized that about her during this year we spent together. I really do, but…Love does make blind, as they say.
“To be completely honest, explaining all of this, and about Senpai, is pretty tough. There’s a lot of things I straight-up can’t tell you either. I’m sure you’d be able to see for yourself what kind of guy he is once you met him, but…”
“—That’s it. Let me meet that guy, your boyfriend.”
“Huh?! Seriously?! But, Iku-chan, you—”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Yeah, it doesn’t matter at all. What’s important right now is that I have to see what kind of guy Nano’s boyfriend is.
“I’ll see if that guy is worthy of you!”
**
“—And because of that, my friend said she wanted to meet you, Senpai…”
Talking about Iku-chan on the way to school, Senpai grew quiet, seemingly thinking about something. Seeing him like that, I had already accepted the fact he wasn’t willing, but to my surprise—
“She’s…one year older than you, right?”
“Yup yup. One year younger than Senpai…But I guess a school year above you?”
“What an irregularly complicated situation…How should I address her…”
“…………Um…Senpai, you were taking so long to answer because you were wondering how to address Iku-chan?”
“Yeah.”
Watching Senpai nod along totally seriously had me reach my limit.
“Pfft…t-that’s…that’s why you were so lost in thought…?”
Senpai tilted his head in confusion at my sudden outburst.
“Normally I wouldn’t give it much thought, but this Ikunohara Mimika is slightly different from our classmates…and, isn’t she someone special to you, Koori?”
“Eh…well, I guess?”
Did I ever tell him that Iku-chan and I were pretty close? Don’t think I did…? But, Senpai just continued.
“Then, I have to give proper respects to her. I cannot embarrass you in any way.”
“—!”
…Senpai really is…ahh, for crying out loud…
“Or so I’d like to say, but I don’t have much confidence to be honest. Sorry.”
Just when I was getting emotional, the sight of a saddened Senpai was too cute, making me almost break out in a grin.
“You can just stay the same as always, Senpai. Having you call her ‘Ikunohara-senpai’ while I call her Iku-chan would be too funny, but weird.”
“You…think so?”
“Yes. Just be yourself. That’s just fine for me. That’s how I like it.”
Though I don’t know why I said that last part, I doubt Senpai heard it, seeing that I started muttering towards the end.
“—Anyway, I’ll give Iku-chan the okay then! That we could meet soon~” As I said it in a loud voice, Senpai nodded.
“Yeah, let’s meet her today after school.”
“So fast?!”
I retorted while laughing, but still decided to send Iku-chan a link with ‘Today after school then~’, only to get a ‘Alright’ back from her. I retorted ‘So fast?!’ one more time.
…Maybe Senpai and Iku-chan are actually a pretty good fit?
**
‘Today after school then~’
‘Alright’
Things went well then and there. But, having gotten to the place at the train station a bit faster than we agreed on, I found myself regretting a lot of things, as I waited for Nano.
—I’ll see if that guy is worthy of you!
“That was definitely too much…”
It’s a bad habit of mine. Whenever I get too agitated in any way, I tend to say too much in the heat of the moment. Best example for that was back when I met Nano for the first time, as she was being hit on. The normal me would never say anything like that, nor would I be able to.
Most of the guys hitting on Nano in town you could just ignore, and with just a bit, they’d leave you alone anyway. If not, I wouldn’t be able to shake them away myself. It’s just, being together with Nano, I have this desire to protect her. That’s why I have to see this guy for myself—So I thought, but my feelings are getting shaken this late into the game. After all—
“I really am bad with men…”
“Is that so?”
“—Woaheh?!”
The boy who appeared in front of me had me scared to death almost, only for Nano to appear right behind him.
“Ah.”
“Ohhh? Iku-chan, what am I seeing here? You hitting on my boyfriend? Just kidding~!” Nano’s relaxed tone.
I was unable to say anything back. After all—
“D-Did you…hear me just now…?”
“If you are referring to your ‘Bad with men’ statement, then yes, I did.”
“…! …!”
“If your statement is true, that would make this situation particularly awkward.” The boy—Nano’s boyfriend said, as he took a step away from me.
…His face is leaning a bit towards the better end of the stick. He seems to be trained quite a bit, but being told that this was Nano’s girlfriend, I can’t help but feel that something was off. I mean, he’s properly wearing his school uniform after all.
“…Senpai, Senpai. That’s exactly what I meant~”
“…Referring to?”
“Hmpf, it’s fine. It’s Iku-chan anyway…Wait, Iku-chan just froze up?! Ahahaha!”
Nano’s laughter finally called me back to my senses…Shit, I have to make him realize that I’m the one judging here.
“C-Cough…It’s true that I’m a bit bad at handling men, but that’s because I’ve been attending a girls-only school all the way from middle school up to now…I can properly protect Nano when she’s being hit on, so don’t look down on me, alright?!”
“Hit…on…”
Eh? Why’s he taking out his smartphone? Is he looking up the word ‘being hit on’ or something?
“Senpai, it means that a girl is being invited to play with boys she doesn’t know.”
“Ahhh…so it’s something like Fishgal…back at the festival…”
“Fish…? Ahh, but it does happen a lot at festivals so it might be similar.”
“A lot? I think that the ceremony only happens once though…”
“Ceremony?! Pfft, okay yeah, we’re definitely talking about something else…”
“Either way, let me thank you for protecting Koori like that. I appreciate it.”
“Eh? A-Ah…well…”
What is with this guy…? Pulling back after hearing about my fear of men, and now thanking me, he clearly isn’t a bad guy, but…No, I can’t say for sure just yet. Nano’s decision might have been influenced by something, so now that it’s come to this, I have to test him myself.
“Hey, Iku-chan, Senpai. There’s lots of people around, so how about we enter some nearby shop?”
“Yeah…you’re right…”
“Alright, I’m for Starpa2! —Nobody against it? Perfect!”
“I can’t even say anything…” Not that I mind, though…
Nano started walking, so I followed her. Nano’s boyfriend and I coincidentally lined up next to the other, so I was practically forced to break through the awkward silence.
“So…um…Watase, was it?”
“I’m more used to being called Kairi, but call me however you want, Ikunohara Mimika.”
Full name, huh…
“…No need for the full name.”
“I see. Then—Mimika.”
“Huh?!” I doubted my ears…Can you blame me?
“…What’s wrong?”
“Eh, what happened~”
“N-Nothing!”
“Well, Mimika just suddenly screamed like that.”
““Huh?!?!””
This time, my reaction overlapped with Nano’s. T-This guy, calling me by my given name…on our first meeting…in front of his girlfriend…!
“Senpai!!”
“…? Sorry, but why are you panicking like that, Koori?”
“Eh…I-I mean, I’m not panicking at all?! It’s just…”
“D-Don’t call me like that!!”
Though I felt bad for interrupting them mid-talk, I couldn’t let that one slide.
“I don’t…like my name all too much.”
“Really? I think it’s a great name though.”
“…!”
T-This guy…in front of Nano, just like that…!
“On [Mektray], Mimika means—”
“Huh? Mektray?”
“…No, it’s nothing. Please forget about that.”
“A-Anyway, don’t call me like that again, okay?!”
“T-That’s right! Why would you suddenly call her by her given name? You don’t even do that for me…”
“I thought it’d make things complicated since Koori called you with your family name…”
“Nano calls me Iku-chan though!”
“Right right!”
“I see…I got it. I’ll call you ‘Iku-chan’ as well, then.”
“Why does it end up like that?!”
“Why would it end up that way?!”
Nano and I screamed at the same time, to which she burst out in laughter…Is this really the time for that?!
“Sorry, this isn’t the time to start laughing…I think just addressing her with her family name is fine!”
“I see. Then I’ll go with Ikunohara.”
“…Y-Yeah.”
He immediately accepted it after Nano gave the idea…? Though that in itself made him look like a good boyfriend, everything else that happened so far didn’t. I guess I’ll have to watch him a bit closer…
Arriving at the nearest Starpa, we luckily found a place with three seats open, and ordered. Nano decided on the newest special they had, whereas Watase and I ordered normal coffee.
“Ahhh, Starpa really is the best…Their new stuff is always so delish~”
“I’m yet again shocked how you can drink something sweet like that…”
“No no, you just have to take a sip, and you’ll understand, Iku-chan~ Here.”
“Don’t wanna.”
“Don’t be like that~”
“…You wanna see the sour look on my face that much?”
“Ah, you knew?”
“I’ll kill you…”
“Ahahaha! I mean, your face is really cute, Iku-chan~”
“Zip iz…Weren’t you complaining about taking in too many calories recently?”
“Ahh, that. Well, I can’t help it, Starpa is just too great…But I wanna keep them down as much as possible.”
“I really don’t appreciate that.”
“Huh? Ahh, you got problems gaining weight, right. What does that even mean? You picking a fight with me, Iku-chan?”
“Huh? I don’t wanna hear that from you. It’s true that my body doesn’t allow me to, but that’s because I don’t drink this sort of stuff, and I’m pretty sure all that fat is just going towards your ti—” There, I remembered.
That’s right. It’s not just Nano and me right now. In a panic, I looked over at Nano’s boyfriend, who sat next to her. Watase caught on to my gaze, and spoke up.
“I doubt you have to worry about gaining any excessive weight. From how I can see it, both you and Koori are more slim than the standard.”
“Ehehehe~ That’s Senpai for you! Praise me some more, come on!”
“I don’t know if this will turn into praise, but…As long as there is no health problem, no matter how your outer appearance may change, it doesn’t matter. I like you for who you are, Koori.”
“Mmm—Cough, cough!”
In the middle of taking a sip from her frappuccino, Nano started coughing wildly…Well, I can’t blame her for that…
“Are you okay, Koori?”
“…I’m clearly…not…cough…”
“…!” Then, we have to hurry and—”
“Ah, wait, I’m doing fine, just fine! That’s why, don’t do anything!”
“Don’t do anything…?”
Isn’t that going a bit too far? Seeing my reaction, Nano opened her eyes wide, and muttered.
“Ugh…W-Well, Senpai tends to go too far a lot of times…Like getting me to the hospital right away.”
“Hospital? I can’t really trust the hospitals in this world.”
“Ahh, Senpai! Shhh!”
“……”
Suspicious…Way too suspicious…Knowing Nano, she wouldn’t get involved with some crazy guy…unless…?
“Uuu…maybe it was still too early after all…”
“What do you mean?”
“…W-Well, you know…”
Suspicious, very suspicious, oh so suspicious.
“Ikunohara.”
Being called out by a boy would always have me surprised for a second…Yet, I don’t feel that way now. Is it—because it’s Watase? No no no, it’s because he called me with my family name in a soft voice like that!
“W-What is it?”
Oh shoot, my voice went up because I was thinking about some weird things! Damn it, so embarrassing…! Just as I was thinking that, Watase turned towards me.
“I’ve said it before, but I want to thank you again. In the time I haven’t been there, you’ve protected Koori—Thank you.” He lowered his head.
“Wh…”
Why are you doing this—I couldn’t even finish my sentence before he continued.
“Of course, I am well aware that I don’t have the right to say that. But, to me, Koori is…an irreplaceable existence. I would bet my life to protect her, no matter what. You’ve taken over my duty while I wasn’t there, so my gratitude is endless.”
With these words, he once again lowered his head, about to hit his head on the desk even, completely taking me by surprise. What is going on with this guy…He’s weird, super serious…and actually feels reliable for some reason. Do men like this really exist? I mean, they must, but…He’s right in front of me…Ah, my head is starting to hurt…Also, how does Koori feel, hearing thi—
“……!”
Her face turned into a tomato?! She’s blushing at full force!! She’s so embarrassed she can’t even get a voice out!! Hey, what should we do about this…
“Koori? Why’d you get quiet all of a sudden?”
He’s…asking her that?! It’s clearly because of all the things you just said!! Seriously, what is this guy thinking! Is he even thinking anything?!
As I was busy retorting inside my heart, Nano apparently couldn’t take it anymore, and spoke up.
“…Um…I mean…I’m happy…b-but, in front of Iku-chan is a bit…”
“—! S-Sorry, I did it again…”
“Ah, well, it’s just me getting flustered about this…not something you should apologize for.”
“No, I made you feel uncomfortable, because…I really was…blurting out some embarrassing things…”
“No no—”
“No—”
Like this, they kept apologizing to each other…Seriously, what is going on with this idiotic couple…What am I being forced to watch here?
“What am I being forced to watch here?”
Ah, I accidentally said that out loud.
“Ugh…S-Sorry, Iku-chan…”
“…I mean, it’s fine, really.”
…I feel a bit jealous actually. I wonder if I one day will be able to experience something like this…
“No no no no!”
Calm down, me! This isn’t the time to fantasize! I have to find out if this guy—Watase Kairi, is worthy of being Nano’s boyfriend!!
And there, I realized. I had already found the answer to this question. Though he might be a bit messed up in the head, it’s obvious that Nano is more important to him than anybody else. With just his words, it’s obvious that he’d do everything to protect her. In the end, it was all just…
“Iku-chan?”
“……”
That’s right. Testing him had nothing to do with it. I just didn’t want him to take Nano away from me. That’s why I felt jealous towards him.
“Ah…Ahh, Senpai, I’ve gotten a bit hungry…”
“Understood.”
“Here, have a bit of mo—Wah, so fast?!”
Watase moved to the cash register with no hesitation, to which Nano let out a faint laughter. Of course, I knew very well that Nano wasn’t hungry or anything.
“…Sorry about that.”
“Ahaha, found a rare Iku-chan!”
“…Zip it.”
Even though she’s being considerate of me, I don’t feel apologetic or angry. That’s just like Nano. And that’s why I felt even more plagued at my own selfishness—
“Thanks a lot, Iku-chan.”
Hence, I didn’t expect that gratitude in the slightest.
“…Huh?”
“I mean, Senpai can be a bit weird at times, so I’d feel anxious about leaving him around with other people.”
“…Figures.”
I can see that.
“But, I thought that, if it’s Iku-chan, you might be fine with him like this. That you would look at Senpai as a whole…And I bet on that.”
“I mean…I was the one who wanted to meet him in the first place, right?”
“Yup. I think that it wouldn’t have worked out if not for you, Iku-chan.” Nano was looking me straight in the eyes. “That’s why—thank you for playing along with my selfishness today. Thanks to you, I could brag about Senpai—about my boyfriend, so I’m terribly satisfied.” Nano said in a joking manner.
Really, this is why she’s…This is why she’s the best possible friend you could have.
“Ah, but—”
Having taken a quick look at Watase, still standing at the cash register, Nano brought her face closer to mine, and whispered.
“Y-You can’t fall in love…with Senpai, okay…?”
“Huh?”
Huh?
“—! N-Nothing at all! Forget about it!”
Nano must have realized it only after the fact. That she just blurted out something incredibly embarrassing. Seriously, what’s with her…is she that cute or something? Man, I wanna tease her some more.
“Well, it’s true that Watase seems like a good guy.”
“—Right?! More, praise him some more!”
“He might have a screw loose, but I can’t complain about his diligence, and him being serious about you. He definitely wouldn’t cheat on you.”
“Righ right right! That’s Iku-chan for you, you really get it!”
“He’s pretty handsome, with a great style as well, and him being a bit muscular is actually right up my alley.”
“…Right up your alley?”
“That reminds me, Nano, didn’t you say that people had the freedom to fall in love with whoever they wanted?”
“Eh? Huh? I-Iku-chan?!”
“So loud, heh.”
“N-No, wait, hold on! Iku-chan! Y-You can’t, okay…?!” Nano jumped up from her seat, looking like she was about to break out in tears.
I couldn’t hold back any longer than that, seriously.
“Pfft, ahahahaha! So desperate! I was just joking!”
“………J-Joking? Really? Really really?”
“…Who knows?”
“Iku-chaaaaan?!?!”
“What’s wrong?”
Watase came back with golden timing, forcing Nano to freeze up entirely.
“U-Um…well…Wait, what the heck is this?!”
Watase was carrying a big tray, with countless sandwiches and donuts on there, leaving even me surprised.
“I picked some things that should satiate your appetite.”
“I mean, I’m thankful for that, but this amount is just…?!”
“Is it not enough?”
“Why would you jump to that conclusion first?!”
This guy’s amazing, haha!
“I’m surprised the employee didn’t ask you twice about this amount…”
“I mean, he did.”
“He did?! Then think this through then and there!”
“I did ask why he would bring that up, but he eventually just said ‘Excuse me’, and kept going.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Pfft…”
“This ain’t the time to burst out laughing Nano!”
“But…your retorts were so fierce…that I just…”
…Ugh. Don’t you embarrass me now. Also, the two of them sure make a good match. It feels like they’re missing each other a lot in their conversation, and yet still end up on a perfect wavelength.
“Haa…Whatever, I’ll be taking these back, so pick the ones you want to eat.”
“Okayyy, I’ll take this one then~”
“I’m…fine.”
“‘Zat so. I’ll be going then.”
“Ikunohara.”
“Huh? You don’t have to help me, it’ll only make things more complicated.”
“I know…Thanks.”
“…Y-Yeah.”
Really, why can you be this upfront out of the blue like that…Was Nano done in because of this? —Ah, she’s looking over here.
“…Maybe you should help me after all, Watase.”
“You sure?”
“You should be fine if you’re with me.”
“Eh…Eh?!”
“Calm down, Nano. It’s all good.”
I just want to talk with him alone for a second. The normal Nano would most likely catch up on that, but she should be out of it today. The face she just had as she looked at Watase’s back…like she’s happy, embarrassed…Is this what it means to be in love?
…This ain’t even about me, and yet here I am, putting it into words…so embarrassing. But, that’s why I have to say it. I made up my mind, and spoke up to Watase as we stood in line.
“Yo, Watase.”
“Yeah.”
“Um…”
Eh…even though I decided to say it, now that it’s come to it…Ahh, I’m so pathetic! Take a deep breath, and try again…
“Y-You know…I was actually feeling a bit jealous because of you…”
Watase probably looked at me right now, but I couldn’t return that gaze.
“I was getting angry, worried that you were going to steal Nano away from me…I thought that she’d definitely have a better time with me…stuff like that. Meeting you today, I realized that. I’m an idiot, aren’t I.”
Yes, an idiot. Nano was already in love with him, giving me no right to say anything, and yet…
“Ikunohara, you’re wrong in that.”
“Yeah, I know I—Hm? Wrong?”
What is? I thought, when Watase quickly closed the distance between the two of us, looking straight into my eyes.
“Eh…W-What are you…”
“There are things only I can do, and things only you can do. We can never be a perfect replacement for the other.”
“……”
His eyes had me trapped inside. I felt a shiver run down my spine.
“…Sorry. I made you see something unnecessary.”
“Y-Yeah…”
He apologized, but I had no idea for what. Maybe something happened in his past? Though I felt interested, it’s not like I could just ask him. Also, it’s going to be our turn really quick, so I have to get it out now!
“A-Anyway, sorry for acting like I was testing you and all that! I know it might sound weird coming from me, but…I’m glad that you are her boyfriend.”
I feel like I’ve lost my voice in those last few words, but who cares…
“I’m also glad that you are Koori’s precious friend. Please treat me well from now on.”
“——”
“…? What’s wrong?”
I mean, that’s what I want to ask…After all…
“…What was up with that face, hey.”
That must have been it. The way Watase managed to win over Koori.
“Watase…Don’t do that in front of people besides Nano…And, don’t tell Nano about this either.”
She’ll definitely get the wrong idea.
“…I don’t really get it, but if it’s for Koori’s sake, then I’ll do that. I promise.”
“Y-Yeah…” I grew flustered at Watase’s honesty again.
…Shit, why do I have to be the one blushing like this…Also, he didn’t listen at all to what I said, right? Guess I have to repeat myself one last time. That is my blessing for these two—Or so I thought, but.
“Ahahahahaha, I-Iku-chan…T-That’s…Ahahahaha!”
Nano made fun of me as we came back, seeing that we weren’t allowed to return the sandwiches and donuts anymore. Not to mention that Watase was watching over us with that gleeful expression of his…! God, these two are so annoying…You really are a good fit, for crying out loud. Just explode already you idiot couple! And stay together for all eternity!
Extra
“Senpai, what did you talk about with Iku-chan?”
We were on the way home after separating with Iku-chan. I asked him countless times until now, but never got an answer…I mean, it’s totally fine though? Just…when they came back, they had such a good mood going for them…
Of course, it’s totally fine, okay?! I was hoping that they could end up on good terms as well!
—Well, it’s true that Watase seems like a good guy.
—He’s pretty handsome, with a great style as well
—Him being a bit muscular is actually right up my alley
Right up her alley she said…!
“No, she was just joking about that!”
“…? Koori?”
“Ah.”
I totally said that out loud, didn’t I?! Ahhh, what am I doing…!
“I’ve been wondering for a while…Is there something you want to know?”
He totally found out~~~! Gaaah, whatever! It’s do or die!
“Senpai! What were you talking about with Iku-chan when you brought back the food?!”
Ah, I basically screamed that at him…That made me sound like I was crazy suspicious…!
“Ah, that.” Senpai nodded, and opened his mouth. “I talked to Ikunohara about…”
He stopped…Huh? Why?
“About…?”
Senpai looked like he was thinking about something. And then, he said with no restraint whatsoever.
“It’s a secret.”
“—Eh. Eh?! A-A secret?!”
“It’s for your sake, Koori.”
“Ehhhhh?! What do you mean?!”
Seriously, what does he mean by that?!
“I don’t get it…but Ikunohara told me to say that.”
Iku-chan did…that doesn’t help me at all though?!
“U-Um…Nothing happened between the two of you, right…?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“That’s—Ahhh, I guess that’s what it would boil down to!”
That’s why I tried avoiding saying it out loud!! A question mark appeared on top of Senpai’s head, leaving me no other choice but to give up with a “Nevermind…!!”, averting my beet-red face.
…Ahh for crying out loud, I’ll just have to ask Iku-chan directly! The End.
1 Can only assume those are parodies of karaoke chains in Japan, because there exists a certain ‘Big Echo’, but no idea about KaraYashiki.
2 Parody of Starbucks
CClaw Translations 
— Thanks for the chapter~ ^^
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