NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
During lunch break, I was once again eating my lunch alone behind the gymnasium.
Ah… spending time alone like this really is the best.
Especially after yesterday’s encounter with Kuramiya.
For a socially awkward loner like me, having lunch one-on-one with a beautiful girl is too much to handle…
“Don’t sit right in the middle of the bench. There’s no space for me.”
Kuramiya appears with a displeased expression, holding her lunch.
“Ah, sorry.”
“Hmm.”
I make some space, and Kuramiya sits next to me and starts eating.
…Why did she come again today? Didn’t she say everything she wanted to say yesterday? Or is she worried that I might spill the beans?
“…”
“…”
Say something!!
When I sneak a glance at Kuramiya’s profile, she looks very irritable, nervously shaking her legs and touching her hair.
This is…!!
It’s a typical behavior of someone who’s agitated!
Did something happen? Should I ask?
“…Something wrong?”
“Some annoying stuff happened with Kaneda.”
“Like what?”
“I ran into him in the cafeteria during lunch break, and he was with a few girls. He said, ‘Hey, it’s you, Nene. We’re having lunch in that empty classroom. You’re coming, right?’ as if it was a given that I would join!”
That does sound like something Kaneda would say.
“Don’t lump me in with the ‘Kaneda Girls’! Drop dead!!”
Ah, the uncensored Kuramiya sure has a foul mouth… But I get it.
“That’s why… I wanted to take it easy and relax.”
Kuramiya looks away, her face turning a bit red.
“Ah, yeah. Places with no people are calming.”
“…”
For some reason, Kuramiya is looking at me like she can’t believe it.
What’s the matter?
“What?”
“Nothing… Anyway, I’ll be using this place as a refuge for a while.”
“What about Shirasaki and Kise, who you usually eat with?”
“I already told Hana and Yayoi. Well, I haven’t told them about you.”
…Well, those two probably understand that Kuramiya doesn’t like Kaneda.
…Wait? For a while?
“Having lunch alone with me, who has captivated all the boys in school, is a luxury for a socially awkward loner like you.”
“Ah, yes… Ow!! Why did you hit my shoulder?!”
“Because your ‘Ah, yes’ was completely devoid of emotion and your face looked incredibly bored.”
How domineering.
“…By the way, you don’t have plans after school today, do you?”
Was that question not really a question but more of a confirmation?
“Well… not today.”
“Not today? It’s always, isn’t it?”
You’re not wrong, but…!!
Let me save some face…!!
After that, I spent the rest of lunchtime wondering why Kuramiya had asked if I had plans, as she didn’t say anything else.
And then school ended, and it was after school.
Ah, I’m exhausted… somehow, the mental fatigue is unbearable. I want to go home alone and rest!
As I open my shoe locker to change my shoes, I find a torn piece of notebook paper.
…I have a bad feeling about this.
When I unfold the paper, it says:
“I’ll be waiting in the park. You must come.
If you don’t… ♡
Kuramiya Nene”
What’s with this heart!? It’s scary…!!
The moment was set: I was going to walk home with Kuramiya.
“Sato, tell me something interesting.”
“Uh…”
What does she expect from a socially awkward person?
“Well…”
“…You actually have something?”
“…Actually, maybe it’s not suitable to talk about this with a woman.”
“Just say it. If it’s borderline sexual harassment, I’ll punch you.”
“Scary… But are you sure?”
“I said it’s fine. Hurry up.”
“…Really, really?”
“…You don’t actually have an interesting story, do you?”
“You’re correct.”
I got jabbed in the ribs by Kuramiya in silence.
Ouch…
“…Wait, this isn’t the way to Shimokitazawa Station, Kuramiya?”
“I know. We’re not going to Shimokitazawa Station anyway.”
“Huh? Aren’t we going home?”
Where are we headed?
“We’re going to Starbucks. My favorite limited-time Frappuccino is back, so we’re going to have it.”
“…Huh? I didn’t hear about this.”
“What? You told me during lunch that you had no plans after school, right?”
“Ah, that question meant this?”
Was it like:
“Do you have plans after school? (If not, wanna go to Starbucks together?)”
That’s what she meant!? The phrasing… it’s too vague!!
“What is it?”
“Nothing… nothing at all.”
Maybe this is just normal in the world of popular people…
We arrived at Starbucks.
Wow… it looks so stylish! It has a stylish aura!
Both the staff and the customers look stylish too…
I could never enter a place like this as a loner.
“Welcome, what would you like to order?”
“Um, uh…”
“Two Peach Pink Fresh Fruit Frappuccinos, tall size!”
Wh-what kind of spell is that!? There’s no way that could—
“Understood!! Two Peach Pink Fresh Fruit Frappuccinos, tall size!”
Th-they got it—!?
As I stand there in shock, our peach drinks arrive.
Ah, this must be the Frappuccino that popular kids often post on social media.
“…Ah, it’s good…!! I might really like this drink…!!”
“See?”
Kuramiya smiles happily as she watches me enjoy the drink.
It’s incredibly delicious, and I want to have it again… but why did she bring me here today?
She could’ve come with Shirasaki or someone else…
“Wow, this peach Frappuccino is seriously good! I really like it!”
“Right!? Right!?”
A high school couple in front of us are drinking the same thing and getting excited.
“I really love this! I definitely wanted you to try it, because I want to share what I love with the person I love!”
“Me?”
“Yeah! When you love someone, you want to share your favorite things and enjoy them together!”
Wow, they’re so lovey-dovey…!!
But I kind of understand what she’s saying. It must be nice to share something you love with someone you love.
“…Huh? What’s wrong, Kuramiya?”
Kuramiya puts down her Frappuccino on the table and covers her face with both hands.
“…So noisy.”
“Isn’t your face getting really red?”
“…It’s not red.”