Chapter No:- 08

  Feeling the gazes of others on us, we finally reached the classroom, and although we were a little reluctant to leave, we let go of each other's hands and took our seats.

  When I saw Aoi's lonely look on his face at that moment, it gave me goosebumps.

  But I don't show it on my face. If I did, I might put off people and it would ruin my character, so I did my best to hold it in.

  "Takanishi-san seems to be in a good mood today."

  "See? The atmosphere is different."

  "That's right. Your face is the same as usual, but it's like you have an aura of happiness about you."

  ... Correction, it seems that I was giving off a happy aura. Well, if my expression didn't change, it's still okay. It will probably just be interpreted as a day when I happened to be in a good mood.

  "Hey, Shi-chan."

  "what happened?"

  "Let's have lunch together today!"

  "Yeah, sure."

  "Yay, hehe, I'm looking forward to it."

  Oh angel, there is an angel. I can't wait for lunch.

  "Takanishi-san, are you having dinner with someone?"

  "That's impossible."

  "But how come he can have a normal conversation with Takanishi-san?"

  "What the hell is that, Shi-chan?!"

  I feel like someone outside is saying something, but I'm busy thinking about what to talk about at lunch, so I'm not going to worry about it.

  "Takanishi-san, can I talk to you for a moment?"

  "What is it?"

  While I was making a list in my head of things to talk about with Aoi during lunch break, a girl from my class came up to talk to me.

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  "Um, what is your relationship with Nishimiya-kun?"

  What kind of relationship is that? Well, when you put it like that, I don't know what kind of relationship it is.

  I could dismiss him as just a childhood friend, but that doesn't feel right. Also, I need to make some kind of appeal so that the others don't take Aoi away from me.

  "If I had to say, I'd say it's a special relationship, I guess?"

  Yes, Aoi and I are special. So, I'm sorry but I won't let you have him.

  "And what do you mean, special? Are you two dating?"

  "No, we're not dating yet."

  Yes, not yet. Well, I don't need to be in a relationship with Aoi as a lover, but I want to be the one closest to him and protect him.

  "I, I see, yeah. Thank you."

  With that, the female student left.

  Ha, what a complete victory. I won't let you sit next to Aoi.

  As I was thinking about that, Aoi spoke to me with a slight blush on her cheeks.

  "Am I special to you, Shi-chan?"

  "Yeah, it's special."

  "I see, hehe, I'm glad. Well, I also think that you're special."

  "I know."

  Especially, hehe, that sounds nice. Anyway, time flies when I'm talking with Aoi. I'll leave it at that and get ready for class.

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  I was so happy when Shi-chan told me I was special.

  But is it really okay for someone like me to be so special? Maybe she was just being considerate...the thought makes me really uneasy.

  But even though Shi-chan has always told lies to play pranks, she has never told a lie that would really hurt me.

  So I think I'll try to believe it.

  "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?"

  The next class was physical education, so as I was changing into my gym clothes, a classmate called out to me.

  "Uh, yeah, what?"

  "I'll ask you straight out: what is your relationship with Takanishi-san?"

  "To me, Takanishi-san is just a childhood friend."

  "Really? You're not dating or anything?"

  "Uh, yeah."

  "I see, that's good then."

  With that he headed towards the ground.

  (Shi-chan and I are lovers?)

  Honestly, I can't even imagine it.

  I think Shi-chan is definitely cute and very beautiful.

  But Shi-chan is someone I admire.

  I feel it would be presumptuous for someone like me to stand beside her as her lover.

  I'm really happy and relieved that Shi-chan and I are still friends.

  Ever since the day she helped me out, Shi-chan has always been by my side. I have a lot of fun spending time with Shi-chan, and more than anything, it helps me forget about the things I don't like.

  So I don't want to ruin our relationship.

  To be honest, I still don't really understand what it means to fall in love with someone.

  If asked if I like Shi-chan or my parents, I can definitely say that I do. However, just as I don't have romantic feelings for my parents, I don't know if my feelings for Shi-chan come from love, friendship, or respect.

  One day, when I've sorted out these feelings properly, will I be able to stand next to her?

  I think the reason she described me as "special" was because we are childhood friends.

  Shi-chan probably only thinks of me as a troublesome person to bring down. I often end up relying on Shi-chan.

  That probably hasn't changed even in high school; there's almost no way I'm better than her in either studies or sports.

  I'm sure one day people will get fed up with me.

  I don't like that.

  I want to respond to her when she told me I was "special," even though that feeling comes from us being childhood friends.

  I don't want to give her to anyone.

  "…oo…picture?"

  What was I thinking right now?

  Don't you want to give Shi-chan to anyone?

  Shi-chan doesn't belong to anyone. I felt disgusted with myself for thinking of her as if she were mine.

  The emotion I feel, which can be described as possessiveness, is nothing more than selfish ego.

  I don't want my only friend, my precious person, to be stolen by someone else. If I were to show something like this in front of Shi-chan, she might despise me and distance us from each other.

  I don't like it.

  No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,

  Because Shi-chan is the only special person to me

  But I can't let these feelings out.

  So I gently put the lid on and lock it in.

  Make sure it never comes out into the open.

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  There will be no updates for now as there is testing.

  The next update will be next Wednesday.