Chapter 24 My Friends Knew

My Friends Knew

Ever since Okazaki-san, my senior at work pointed it out to me, I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and before I knew it, November was almost over.

What I was thinking about was, “Does Iroha-san really like me?”.

If that’s true, then maybe she was taking care of me both personally and professionally as a way of expressing her feelings.

Still, I naively took advantage of her, thinking, “Since we’re friends, there’s no need to be formal.”

Of course, even though we were friends, I always thanked her and tried to return her favors when I could.

If we were really just friends, I think that would have been okay.

If we both agreed on that.

But if in her heart she saw me as a romantic interest and was taking care of me out of affection, then I should’ve responded accordingly.

Like going on a date to thank her, being physically affectionate, or maybe even defining our relationship properly and becoming lovers.

Yet, since the beginning of college, I’ve been taking advantage of her without any hint of it, acting oblivious.

I think it was really rude.

What a mistake! I’ve always said that Iroha-san is an important friend.

You might say, “Well, just confess your feelings and start dating!” but I can’t quite bring myself to believe it.

I thought about asking her directly.

But I just can’t bring myself to do that.

What if I’m wrong and she says, “I didn’t know you saw me like that, Taichi-kun? I’m disappointed. I don’t want to continue our friendship. It’s scary to think that you might have ulterior motives when we eat together or spend time alone.” That would be scary, wouldn’t it?

Because my current relationship with Iroha-san is really comfortable.

I often say, “I feel so bad because I’m always being treated by you, and there’s nothing I can do for you.” And yet Iroha-san always replies, “I don’t expect that from you, Taichi-kun. Just being able to talk to you helps me a lot.”

How could I do something so terrible as to ruin such a wonderful friendship?

Basically, I’m scared.

I’m not completely inexperienced with love, but my only experience is with Chika.

Chika always said what was on her mind, so I didn’t have to be nervous and try to read between the lines.

And since she ended up cheating on me, that perception was also wrong, so my romantic experience is basically negative and not something I can use as a positive example.

I’m so confused.

I’m so troubled.

While I was agonizing over this, November was almost over.

December is coming.

It’s the season for lovers.

Oh, by the way, regarding Iroha-san as a lover, of course, my answer is, “Wouldn’t it be great if Iroha-san were my lover?”

In fact, I might even think about marriage in the future if we became a couple.

She’s serious and polite, hard-working and studious, and good at cooking. We have a lot in common and we respect each other. What more could I ask for?

But I’m still scared.

Maybe I’m still subconsciously holding on to the fact that Chika cheated on me.

I don’t think so, but I’m still scared.

And after thinking about it so much, I got heartburn, so I decided to ask my other friends.

I asked Matsusaka-kun (松坂) and Shirakawa-san (白川), who are both in the same class.

I thought that since these two were currently in a relationship, they could listen to my problems and give me some helpful advice.

So after class, I forcibly invited them by saying, “I’ll buy you guys coffee, so please listen to me.” and took them to a cafe on campus.

Then I told them my problems.

And they got angry with me.

They were really angry.

They both spat out their words quickly at the same time.

A 19-year-old adult male was scolded by a 19-year-old student couple.

In a university cafe.

They said,

“What are you thinking? Everyone knows that Mizunami-san likes Sakamoto-san! Seriously, did you really think she was just a friend?”

“Sakamoto, this is unacceptable no matter how you look at it. Are you scared of ruining your current relationship? What are you thinking? Are you stupid?”

Yes, I am stupid.

It’s a miracle I got into this university at all.

“Sakamoto, if you don’t know, let me tell you. Whenever someone says, ‘Let’s all go out for dinner,’ Mizunami-san always says, ‘If Taichi-kun goes.’ Mizunami-san won’t come if you’re not there. That’s why everyone knows that Mizunami-san likes you. She doesn’t try to hide it, so everyone just looks at you two warmly. You’re the only one who took advantage of Mizunami-san’s kindness with a naive expression.”

“And let me tell you, everyone thinks that you and Mizunami-san will end up together, so no one tries to hit on her. But if you keep acting like that, other guys might start hitting on her. She has a great personality; she’s serious and polite, and even though she usually dresses plainly, she’s actually quite attractive. People who pay attention notice these things, you know? There might be guys who are interested in her right now.”

“Eh? That would be terrible! What if Iroha-san starts seeing someone else? What will I do then? Be alone again?”

“So just confess your feelings and start dating!”

“Yes! Mizunami-san is definitely waiting for you!”

“But umm, it’s really embarrassing to be told to do something so passionate in a university cafe.”

However, after being told this by two friends who know Iroha-san better than anyone else, I realized that I couldn’t just sit back and be scared.

What a mess.

It seems the time has finally come for me to show my manly side.

With my arms crossed, I looked up at the ceiling, closed my eyes, and silently lit the “flame of love”.

“What are you zoning out for? Go talk to Mizunami-san quickly!”

I think those two are being too hard on me.