Chapter 16 This Is All for Today

This Is All for Today

I sent a message to Hiiragi-kun and waited for him a little far from school.

I think even this time of waiting for him is nice and pleasant. I thought that maybe in the future I would meet Hiiragi-kun often, become friends with him, and develop these feelings for him.

While I was waiting for Hiiragi-kun with such a thought, I saw him coming towards me.

“Sorry, I kept you waiting.”

“It’s okay, I didn’t wait at all, and I had a good time again.”

“I see.”

Hiiragi-kun’s face was blank as he said this.

He was so expressionless that you could say he had no emotions.

I felt sorry for him, but after a little research, I found out that he had lived a much worse life than I had.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Understood.”

I slowly walked forward with Hiiragi-kun.

Although his expression didn’t change, if not my arrogance, I felt that his noh mask was slightly scratched compared to when we first met.

In short, I think his heart has been enriched, if only a little.

No, perhaps I would like to think so. Maybe it’s the favor I received and my desire to be useful to Hiiragi-kun that makes me think so. …

“Hiiragi-kun, why don’t we take a detour?”

“A detour?”

“There’s a café I’ve always wanted to visit with my friend.”

“It’s okay for me, but is Aoi-senpai okay even though you’re a student preparing for exams?”

“Oh, I’m fine. So far, my grades are pretty good for the university I’m applying to. Besides, if I continue to study, I will be overwhelmed again.”

“Understood. If it doesn’t get in the way of Aoi-senpai, I’ll go with you.”

I took his hand and we walked to the café I always wanted to go to. …

“Hiiragi-kun, have you ever been to a café? It’s my first time today.”

“Is that so? I’ve been here with Kanzaki-san.”

“Oh, I see.”

I felt a sting of pain in my chest, but I think I could’ve answered without showing it, especially on my face.

I know that this person, Kanzaki-san, is Hiiragi-kun’s ex-girlfriend. I told myself that this could happen, but first love is a tricky thing, and I still feel a twinge of pain, so I can’t help it.

I still think of my relationship with Hiiragi-kun as a friendship, and I want to heal his heart gradually.

Even if I confess to him now, it’ll not go in the right direction, and it’s obvious that it’ll get worse.

They say that haste makes waste, and there’s no need to rush.

With that in mind, the waitress brought us what we had ordered.

Hiiragi-kun had banana chocolate pancakes, and I had fruit pancakes.

“Hiiragi-kun, why don’t we switch a little?”

“Switch?”

“Your pancakes look good too.”

“Okay, that’s good.”

… I don’t know if it’s a good idea to be in a hurry, but I guess love is a hard thing to deal with, and if that’s all it is, we’ll just be friends.

“This, says aah…”

“…?”

“Hiiragi-kun. If you don’t eat it quickly, this posture will be a little painful.”

“But I don’t think you should do this to me.”

“I think friends would do that. But I don’t know, since Hiiragi-kun is my only friend.”

“I understand.”

Then he took the spoon I offered and put it in his mouth.

My cheeks relax as I watch him eat and chew.

“I don’t like that I’m the only one getting this, here …”

“Huh? Oh, ah, thank you.”

I take the spoon he offers and put it in my mouth. The sweetness fills my mouth and at the same time, my heart feels warm.

I’m sure he took what I said the way I said it and did it thinking that this is what friends do. I know there is no romantic meaning to this act. Nevertheless, I was happy.

After that, we ate what we both ordered, relaxed a bit, and left the café. …

“It was delicious, Hiiragi-kun.”

“Yes.”

Simple words from him and a voice without inflection.

This is all for today.

But I thought again that I would like to see the day when he could laugh heartily with me.