NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35
Whether it was good luck or bad, I never expected to run into Hana. Next to her, Kise-san seems to be asking, “Why are you here?”
Ah, so that’s why Kise-san was at Shibuya Station; she had plans with Hana…!!
“What a coincidence running into you here!”
“Ah, yeah, it is… So, you’re with Kise-san today?”
“Yep! Actually, we were planning to hang out with Ningyo too, but she said she had other plans.”
Could those “other plans” be… hanging out with me?
If that’s the case, this could be bad! Ningyo prioritized me over them, and now they might run into each other! That would surely make things awkward!
“Hanachi? Maybe we should go. Sato is probably busy with someone else, we shouldn’t disturb them.”
Yayoi, nice save! I love you! You’re the best!
“Hey, Juubei. You’re with a girl right now, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
“This is a ladies’ brand store, and the bag you’re holding is obviously for girls… Who are you hanging out with? And when did you get a female friend you’re this close with? I had no idea!”
“Um, well…”
Her usual angelic smile, her cheerful voice, and her childlike innocence were all there. But why did I feel a strange sense of intimidation from her?
“Hanachi…?”
Even Kise-san seems perplexed by this change in atmosphere.
“So? Is it someone I know? Or someone I don’t?”
“Um, well…”
“How about introducing her to me?”
I feel oddly threatened by her assertive manner. If I lie now, it could make things even worse!
I should just be honest…
“Ah!”
Both Hana and Kise-san seemed to understand from their expressions.
“Ningyo…?”
“…Hana-chan.”
Turning around, I saw Ningyo holding some clothes in her hands.
Oh no… Ningyo and Hana have run into each other.
This is it. It’s over.
“So you were hanging out with Ningyo! I was worried you were with some girl I didn’t know!”
The intimidating aura was gone, and Hana seemed genuinely relieved.
“So, the ‘errand’ Ningyo mentioned was a date with Juubei.”
“It’s not a date, but we did have plans. Sorry, Hana-chan.”
“No worries! Priorities, right?”
“I’m glad you understand.”
Huh? This ended much smoother than I expected. I thought for sure things would be awkward, but they’re not.
Man, I was overthinking it! How embarrassing!
“But I’m glad you and Ningyo seem close. Why didn’t you invite me? I felt a bit left out.”
“Ahaha…”
“So keep next week open, okay?”
“Eh, ah, sure… Eh?”
“Let’s go out, just the two of us.”
“Uh, okay…”
Refusing wasn’t an option. After all, Hana and I are close friends. It would be weird to say no.
This is how extroverts invite you out, huh…
“Let me think about where to go.”
“Okay.”
I felt Ningyo’s complicated gaze as I input the plan into my phone’s schedule.
“Oh! How about we all have dinner together since we’ve met like this?”
“I’m fine with that…”
Kise-san was looking at us, probably wondering if we had any plans. We were going to get ramen after this, but I didn’t mind eating with them instead.
“…Sure, I’m fine with that.”
Ningyo lied again.
She must have been reading the room.
“Reading the room equals death,” Ningyo had said at the batting cage.
Reading the room is an essential skill in social interactions.
But does it mean suppressing your own feelings?
“Sorry, we already decided on a place for dinner.”
“…What?”
Ningyo looked at me, surprised.
When I’m around, I want her to do what she wants. I know that’s arrogant.
But that’s okay. It’s something I want to do for her as a friend.
“No worries, I didn’t know. We’ll be going then.”
“Alright, bye Hana-chan, Juubei-kun.”
“Yeah…”
We left Hana and Kise-san, who waved us goodbye.
“Why did you turn down Hana’s invitation?”
“I didn’t mind going out for dinner with them.”
Ningyo lied again.
“…Probably because you were lying.”
Ningyo averted her eyes and stayed silent.
“…So you know I was lying. Do you know why I didn’t want to go out with them?”
“Because you wanted to eat ramen—ow! Why’d you kick me?”
“Why are you so clueless?”
“…?”
“Hey…”
“Hm?”
“…Thank you.”
Her shy, quiet voice reached my ears.
We’d later find ourselves overwhelmed by the ramen portions, but that’s another story.