The Lie and What Follows

It was a relief to successfully avoid the shopping event for the school trip, and I was walking along the road leading to the station with Ninomiya-san.

“Those two are really lovey-dovey, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, they are.”

I’m referring to the pink devils, Imamura-san and Tamura-kun. They’re probably sending out waves of love that are highly effective on all the single people around them right now. I’m really glad I didn’t have to go.

At school, Ninomiya-san is the type to talk if spoken to but generally prefers to sleep. I wonder what she’s doing at night since she sleeps so much during the day. If she wasn’t always asleep, she’d probably get picked on less by the teachers. This is totally a personal grudge on my part.

Ninomiya-san seems livelier after school. She walks with a spring in her step.

“Do you go shopping often, Endo-kun?”

“Not really, I usually stay at home.”

“Hmm.”

I recently realized that Ninomiya-san’s “Hmm” varies depending on the situation: to end the conversation, to imply that the conversation could continue, or when she’s really interested, like now.

It’s amazing how the same word can express so many different feelings. If I used it, people would probably stop talking to me altogether. It’s effective because a cute girl like Ninomiya-san is using it.

“What is it?”

She was staring at me, which made me feel uncomfortable.

“I thought you were with a girl last week.”

What? Can girls sense that kind of thing? That’s almost like having ESP.

“No, I was just with my sister.”

I decide to go with the story that I was with my sister Haruka to avoid getting into my time with Adachi-san.

“Ah, Haruka-san, right? The vice president. She’s so tall and pretty. I actually look up to her even though she’s younger.”

Even Ninomiya-san, who’s quite cute herself, looks up to Haruka. Wow, my sister is amazing.

“Yeah, I was just carrying her shopping bags.”

I am the bag-carrying brother. Although you’re probably stronger than me, Haruka.

“You’re a kind brother,” Ninomiya-san says with a shy smile. Her expression reminds me of the one she showed her boyfriend that I saw in town, making my heart skip a beat.

“You’re also very thoughtful towards your grandmother.”

“Yes, she’s family.”

We were already close to the station. Ninomiya-san takes the train, and I walk, so this is where we part ways. However, she starts slowing down.

I had to stop walking because it was hard to adjust my pace to hers. She hesitated for a few seconds before cautiously asking,

“Do you want to talk a bit more?”

Café

The café we entered turned out to be the same one where I had lunch with Adachi-san. Ninomiya-san ordered the pancake set.

“Wow!”

The pancakes here are amazing, and I can see why girls love them so much. But even for a guy like me, they’re a bit too much. Adachi-san couldn’t finish hers and had to share with me.

Ninomiya-san, who is even more petite than Adachi-san, probably won’t be able to finish it. That’s why I just ordered a coffee.

“Phew, that was delicious.”

Ninomiya-san finished her pancakes effortlessly.

What just happened?

“These pancakes are so good! I’ll definitely come back!”

How did she fit all that in her small body? She’s becoming more and more of an enigma.

“So, what I wanted to talk about is…”

“Yes, what is it?”

“I was wondering if you have a girlfriend.”

…What?

“What?”

“Ah, no, it’s not like that! I have a favor to ask. Do you?”

There’s no way this could be another confession, right? Am I the target of some kind of hidden camera prank?

“No, I don’t.”

“Great. My grandma was saying she’d like to thank you and invite you over. So, if it’s not a bother, would you come? I thought it might be awkward if you had a girlfriend.”

Ninomiya-san, who’d been shaking, suddenly stops.

“Alright, I’ll come over sometime.”

“Great. I was really surprised when you started talking about boyfriends. I really don’t have one, okay? Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“I understand.”

…Is she a tsundere?