Chapter 34 Thank You for Meeting Me

Thank You for Meeting Me

“Sniff… haha, we ended up crying together on the rooftop of the building…”

“Yeah… but the only reason I cried was because you made me cry…”

“Ah… there you go blaming me again…”

“Ahaha… but it’s true, you know.”

Finally, as we calmed down, we joked back and forth like that.

Yet, neither of us made any move to let go, remaining tightly embraced the whole time.

“Naoe-kun… people around us are watching…”

“Yeah… but honestly, I don’t care.”

“Me neither… it doesn’t matter who’s watching; none of it matters.”

As she spoke, she nuzzled her cheek against my chest.

“…You’re not going to leave my side anymore, right?”

“Yeah. Or rather, there’s no way I could ever leave you again. I can’t live without you anymore.”

“Haha, I did it!”

I hugged her tightly, pulling her even closer… wait, what!?

“…Naoe-kun, how long are you planning to cling to Hatsune-senpai like that?”

“Ah…”

Before I knew it, Mushakoji-san was standing in front of us, glaring at me and Kakizaki-san with a sharp, piercing look.

But—

—Squeeze

“…No way. I absolutely won’t let go of Naoe-kun.”

“Hatsune-senpai!”

“Haha…”

Watching Mushakoji-san’s visible frustration, I gave a wry smile.

Yeah… I didn’t want to let go of Kakizaki-san, either.

“More importantly, Mushakoji-san, thank you so much. Thanks to you, I was able to find Kakizaki-san like this.”

“Hmph… if you’re really thankful, then let her go.”

“Ehh…”

Well, since it’s okay now, I reluctantly let go of Kakizaki-san.

“Okay, now you can’t complain—”

But then, without missing a beat, Kakizaki-san clung tightly to my right arm.

Um… well… her soft, ample chest pressing against my arm was… uh, distracting.

“Ugh… my dear Hatsune-senpai, taken by this guy…!”

“No, no, what are you even saying?”

Anyway, since this wasn’t leading anywhere, I decided to move things along.

“Oh, right. I actually had something to discuss with you, Kakizaki-san… or rather, a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Yeah. Hey, Mushakoji-san?”

“Ah, that’s right. With Hatsune-senpai’s disappearance, I completely forgot.”

“Ah!? S-Sorry…”

Flustered, Kakizaki-san immediately apologized.

Ah… even that flustered side of her was so precious, so endearing to me.

While I was lost in such thoughts—

“Oh! So you really found her!”

“That’s great!”

Sasaki-senpai and Kinoshita-senpai arrived on the rooftop, visibly relieved.

“Huh? But, Senpai, how did you know we were here…”

“Ah, I contacted them beforehand.”

“I see.”

I wasn’t sure when Mushakoji-san had exchanged contact information with the senpais, but if that’s the case, it made sense.

“More importantly… YOU B🬀🬀TARD! You did it!”

“Ow, Senpai, that hurts.”

With a loud bash, Sasaki-senpai smacked my back hard, and I gave him an exasperated look.

“Hey! Hey! Since we’re all here, why don’t we grab dinner together before heading home?”

Kinoshita-senpai proposed enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Ah… yeah, it’s true. Starting to cook dinner this late would be such a hassle…

“Alright! Tonight’s a celebration! I’ll treat you all—let’s go wild!”

“Haha, thanks.”

Looking at Kakizaki-san, I waited for her reaction.

“Hehe… as long as I’m with you, anything’s fine.”

Ah… hearing something like that made me so happy I didn’t know what to do with myself… wait.

““…”””

Before I realized it, the three of them were staring at us with judgmental looks.

“Ahaha, that was fun!”

“Yeah.”

After finishing dinner with Sasaki-senpai and the others, we arrived back at the apartment… but—

“Sigh… just how much free time do those idiots have…?”

The graffiti around the door had doubled since this morning.

Ah, the landlord must be having a hard time. Though, it’s not really my problem.

“Naoe-kun…”

“Haha, it’s okay. I think this will get resolved pretty soon.”

“Eh? W-What do you mean?”

“I’ll explain everything once we’re inside.”

Unlocking the door, I stepped inside, turned on the lights, and led the way.

“Ugh… since it’s been empty for a while, it’s freezing in here…”

I quickly turned on the heater, hung up my coat, and grabbed two mugs from the sink.

Pouring instant coffee powder into each, I added hot water, milk, and sugar.

“Here.”

“Thanks… ah, thank you.”

Kakizaki-san took the mug and sipped the coffee, rich with milk.

“So, back to what I was saying earlier…”

I started explaining the situation I’d mentioned before.

First, about the idiots responsible for the graffiti and letters—Mushakoji-san was investigating the culprits and said she’d know within two or three days.

Second, we’d been offered the chance to rent a room in the apartment owned by Kinoshita-senpai’s relatives.

“I’ve been to Kinoshita-senpai’s place before. It’s more spacious and comfortable than here. Plus, the sink area is much bigger.”

“T-That makes me happy, but… didn’t we trouble Kinoshita-san and the others?”

“Ah, well…”

I leaned in and whispered to Kakizaki-san.

When I told her that Sasaki-senpai and Kinoshita-senpai were moving in together, which is why the room became available—

“Haha… then, I guess it’s okay?”

“Exactly. So let’s just accept everyone’s kindness with gratitude.”

“Alright!”

Smiling, Kakizaki-san set her mug down on the table and straightened her posture.

“Um… what’s wrong?”

“Naoe-kun… thank you for loving me… for accepting me. I’m so glad I met you… so glad I fell in love with you…”

“Haha, that’s my line… I should be the one saying thank you. Thank you for meeting me. Thank you for falling in love with me…”

I moved closer to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

And then—

“Mmm… chu…”

I gently pressed my lips against her soft, pale pink lips in a tender kiss.