Living with the Arrogant Queen from High School is Surprisingly Not Uncomfortable

Thanks to Yamamoto, I was able to see the view of the high-rise buildings.

If I closed my eyes for a while, the scenery from that time would resurface in my mind, and I would feel happy.

I had a valuable experience. That’s obvious, without a doubt.

I wonder how much Yamamoto can give me.

Who would have thought that my relationship with him, whom I disliked in high school, would deepen this much? I’m grateful.

Having affection for him.

…To think that I’m feeling this.

If I had told my high school self that… she would have definitely made a disgusted face.

And she would have surely shaken her head at such an impossible future, plunging herself into her usual lazy everyday life.

But now, there’s a bit of regret.

I wish I had confronted Yamamoto more in high school.

If I had, I would have surely been attracted to him.

Now that I think about it, I’m sure that’s what would have happened.

…I really am a fool.

However, I can still reclaim that now.

Thanks to someone who taught me the importance of looking straight ahead, I now know that I can do that.

While I was eagerly awaiting the day to receive my first paycheck from multiple part-time jobs, I had already made up my mind about something.

I wanted to go out with Yamamoto as a way of saying thanks for everything.

I wonder what would make Yamamoto happy.

Planning a date while thinking about such things was very enjoyable.

…Looking back, when I went out on dates with my ex-boyfriend, I always felt like I was accommodating him. He was the type to care about his public image, so he let me have my way quite a bit when we were out.

…In other words.

In other words… what I want to say is…

The first time I thought about wanting to go on a date to please someone else was with Yamamoto.

When I invited him on a date, I felt guilty for mentioning the name of Akari.

But since Yamamoto monopolized the high school days when I couldn’t be with him… Akari should forgive me a little, right?

With such a self-justified excuse, I invited Yamamoto on a date.

I chose to call it “going out” instead of a date… because I was too shy to say that I wanted to go on a date.

There was a time when I tried to leave Yamamoto’s room. I asked Yamamoto on a date then, filled with feelings of longing.

…It’s a strange thing.

Back then, I could say that I wanted to go on a date, but now I can’t.

That’s how much I’m obsessed with Yamamoto in my heart.

If I were to say to Yamamoto now that I want to go on a date… I would imagine the scene and giggle. Or I would get flustered. Either way, I wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face.

So, I couldn’t even say that I wanted to go on a date.

…Even though I’m such a coward, I’m bothering Yamamoto, and even having him carry me piggyback… Am I allowed to be this fulfilled?

I was able to see a wonderful view with Yamamoto.

I was able to eat dinner at a fancy restaurant with Yamamoto.

And, I was able to watch a famous theater group’s performance with Yamamoto.

…Just with that, I became fulfilled.

“It was amazing, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it was amazing.”

At the venue.

Mixed in with the crowd of people who came to watch the stage, we were about to go home.

Honestly, the performance was amazing.

The impressiveness of it should come across, not only from me but also from Yamamoto, who lost his vocabulary, even though he’s always the type to quibble about everything.

“…Yamamoto”

“Hmm?”

“You shouldn’t get too obsessed, okay?”

“…Huh?”

Yamamoto replied with vague words.

He… is very obsessive. While watching the stage, I was glancing at Yamamoto sitting next to me… I had a feeling that I saw a glimpse of that trait, so I warned him.

But I didn’t think he would actually get hooked, and I chuckled wryly.

After being jostled in the crowded train for a while.

We continued to be excited about the events of the day in the train. From embarrassing stories, to touching stories, to silly stories. There was no end to the topics.

“Yamamoto, run. We’re going to miss the transfer!”

“We can wait for the next train, right?”

Changing trains.

In contrast to my hurry, Yamamoto was incredibly laid-back.

“Seriously”

I took Yamamoto’s hand and started running.

While it’s true that we can just wait for the next train… if we can barely make it, it’s better to go home sooner.

Yamamoto has school tomorrow, too.

　As the one who had taken him out for the day, I wanted to make sure he had as much rest time as possible.

“Come on, let’s run!”

“Ugh.”

We ran past the turnstiles of the interchange line.

Just in time, we managed to catch our transfer.

We started swaying on the train again.

“We made it, didn’t we?”

“Seems so.”

Yamamoto didn’t show any signs of irritation, even though I made him run unnecessarily.

If it were my previous boyfriend, he probably would have gotten angry, and he would never have allowed me to pull his hand and start running so forcefully.

But because it was Yamamoto, I did it.

… I’m really taking advantage of his kindness, aren’t I?

That thought crossed my mind.

Someday, divine punishment may befall me.

Even so, I surprisingly don’t care, I thought.

If I’m happy now, that’s all that matters.

That’s what I thought.

“Huh, Yamamoto-kun?”

It was then.

Inside the train taking us to the station nearest to our apartment, a woman called out to Yamamoto.

The woman was someone I didn’t know.

“… Inoue-san. Right?”

When Yamamoto called out a woman’s name, a dark emotion washed over me.

Who is this woman?

Yamamoto doesn’t have many friends. Especially not here, far from our hometown…

What came to mind was the matchmaking party Yamamoto attended recently.

She might be one of the attendees of that party.

“Eh, what a coincidence.”

She said in a feigned voice.

“What are you doing here at this hour? You have school tomorrow, don’t you?”

She looked up at him.

“…And who is she?”

Then, she directed a hostile gaze towards me.

Ah, I see.

This woman… she likes Yamamoto.

I knew it immediately.

Because she looked somewhat like me.

“Could she be your girlfriend? Oh, am I interrupting?”

Her gaze was eloquent.

She was guessing.

There’s no way Yamamoto would have a girlfriend like me, she thought.

All I could do was watch the situation unfold.

A fear swept over me.

…Because, as her eyes spoke, we aren’t actually dating.

How will Yamamoto answer?

Regardless of his answer… I don’t want to hear it.

If Yamamoto says we’re just friends… I’d probably get hurt.

And if Yamamoto says we’re dating… I’d probably get mad at Yamamoto for lying.

After all, Yamamoto doesn’t like to lie like that.

That’s so unlike you, doing something you dislike.

Even though I should be happy… I’d definitely scold him for it.

So, there’s no answer that would make me happy.

…So, what will Yamamoto answer?

“No, we’re not lovers.”

“Is that so?”

“We’re family.”

The girl’s eyes went wide. Then, she looked back and forth between us.

“…So, you’re siblings?”

“No, not that.”

Yamamoto grunted. He was probably struggling to find the right explanation.

“…A lot has happened.”

However, eventually, he just let out a bitter smile and threw out that comment.

“…I see.”

“Yeah.”

“See you then.”

“Eh? …Yeah. See you.”

With a hint of disappointment, the girl left our presence.