CH 45

Chapter 45: - June 28 (Sunday): On A Bench At The Shrine

Sunday morning.

I sat on a bench at a shrine near my hotel and sighed deeply.

“Ahhhh, … I don’t know why I asked him that. …”

Yesterday, when I was on the phone with Onii-San, I asked him what he would do if I confessed my feelings to him.

I had no intention of confessing to Onii-San.

I also supported him in his relationship with his junior.

In the first place, there was no way that him and I could be together.

However, I wanted to be with him a little longer.

That question was a selfish way of saying that I didn’t want him to leave me.

I mean, it was really embarrassing.

” I really messed up. …”

But I think I no longer have to worry about this.

Given his personality, if she had confessed her feelings to him, he would have accepted.

He was the kind of person who would rather not see his junior’s sad face than the appearances of the company.

From now on, it would be better to stop talking with him on the train.

It feels a little … lonely.

I was staring blankly at a stray cat nearby when I heard the voice of someone I knew well.

“Hey, Yuika.”

It was Onii-San, dressed in a rough polo shirt and chinos.

He looked refreshed, probably because he was happy to be together with his junior.

I pushed down the emotions I had felt earlier and replied in my usual tone.

“What’s up?”

“Same thing as yesterday, a walk.”

“I see. What a coincidence.”

Then he looked at me curiously, “Hmm?”.

“You look kind of down. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“… Okay.

Normal is .., right?

And I acted like I always do.

He sat down next to me and fiddled with his bangs.

This was a habit he had when he was nervous.

Don’t you think I know it?

“Oh. It’s a report on yesterday’s results….”

“Yes, yes.”

You don’t have to tell me. I know.

I’m pretty sure that she confessed her feelings to you and at first you tried to reject her because of the company.

But you soon said, “I’ll do my best to protect you,” and you ended up going out with her.

But his report was a complete betrayal of my expectations.　　

“In the end, she said she wanted to keep in touch with me even though we were on different teams.”

“Ehh, … That’s it?”

“Yeah. That’s it.”

“So, when you said you said she was going to confess, that was …”

“… I was so wrong.”

It was so unexpected that I was stunned.

What …? What’s going on…?

Because, you know, I consulted you so hard yesterday. How is it possible that it was just a hasty decision?

I was puzzled for a while, and then I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

""

“Hahahaha! You’re so silly!”

“Hey, don’t laugh. I was really scared just before.”

“Poor guy, it feels like you are so desperate here. Yup, yup. Endangered species should be”

“Damn it. You always look so happy when you do this.”

“It’s natural for people to enjoy being funny.”

“It’s not natural to enjoy other people’s problems.”

After all, it was the same as always.

I was stupid enough to think that we shouldn’t see each other anymore.

But now I could continue spending time with Onii-San for a while longer.

It was unfair of me to be so relieved at a time like this.

Huh?

Then why did he look so refreshed when he saw me earlier?

Hmmm…. I don’t know. 

Well, that’s okay.

He is Onii-San, after all.

After scratching his head to disguise his embarrassment, he returned his gaze, which had been averted, to me.

“But it’s rare to see Yuika laughing out loud.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. At least I’ve never seen it before.”

Well, I guess so.

It had been a long time since I had laughed like that.

Ah, … I feel like I was being childish.

When I think about it, it might be embarrassing.

But I was only looking at him, so I guess it doesn’t count.

He stood up from the bench, stretched his body and looked at me.

“I’m going to the convenience store, are you coming too?”

“Yes. I think I’ll have a hojicha latte today.”

“You’re talking as if I’m buying you a drink.”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

Then he chuckled lightly, “Ha…”

“Well, that’s fine. I wanted a hojicha latte too, so I agreed.”

“A hojicha latte wouldn’t be embarrassing for a guy, right?”

“I need someone to talk to when I drink.”

“Oh, here it is. The type that seeks sympathy even though he’s a nerd.”

“No?”

“Yeah. I don’t mind.”

I got up and stood next to him and rubbed his arm twice.

I loved this rubbing, it was so soothing.

I liked this time.

I loved the time I spent with him, talking about things that don’t matter, and just cuddling.

It’s just that, but I love it so much.

“I forgot to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Good morning, Onii-San.”