CH 1

I,Nanase Yuuki, have a childhood friend.

Her name is Kagurazaka Eri. She’s a first-year high school student like me.

Eri and I have been in the same class from kindergarten to high school, and since our houses are next to each other, we go to school together every day.

We’ve been together every day since elementary school, so we were often teased, but I was honestly happy.

Yes, I like Eri.

I don’t have any particular reason for this. It just happened gradually as we spent time together.

As Eri went through elementary school, junior high school, and high school, she became prettier and prettier. I won’t say what, but there were a few things that were a little disappointing, but even if you take those out of the equation, she was still a lot prettier than most models.

Eri was always cheerful, well-liked by everyone around her, and kind to everyone.

There are probably many people who like Eri.

By the way, Eri is called the most beautiful girl in my grade. As her childhood friend, I’m very proud of her. Ehe !

☆☆☆

Oops, while I was talking about that, it was already time to go to school. (……Who were you talking to?)

I hurriedly put on my uniform and headed to Eri’s house.

I got to Eri’s house right away because it was right next door. There were already three of my childhood friends waiting for me.

“Yuuki, you’re late ! It’s already the last minute !”

That’s what my childhood friend is saying…… I forgot to mention that there are more than one childhood friend.

So, this is my childhood friend, Kamisaka Ruri.

Not as cute as Eri, but Ruri is pretty cute too. The way she wears her school uniform, her hair, and other things are a bit girly, but overall she is well balanced. (I won’t say where, but she wears bombastic stuff.) She is famous for being one of the three cutest girls in her grade.

I met Ruri in the first grade. She had moved to the area from far away, and since it was close to our house, we decided to go to school together.

Since then, we have been going to school together every day.

“That’s right, Yuuki, you have to watch the time a little more.”

The third childhood friend, Otori Kaisei, is the one who said that.

Kaisei is now an incredibly handsome man, but in the past he always stuck behind me and was sometimes called “Starfish” because there was a “star in the sea” in his name.

After entering middle school, Kaisei became cooler, and more and more girls started to confess to him. He became brighter than before and could talk normally now, and he no longer hid behind my back.

It’s sad. It’s like a child leaving the nest.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was thinking about something and it got late.

My bad, I was thinking about something and running late.”

“Yuuki, you’re always like that. Come a little earlier,okay?”

Whoa……. Eri is always dazzling as ever. If you let your guard down, it will be purified and disappear. 

“Well, I’ll do my best. Let’s go anyway, shall we? We’re going to be late, right?”

“Whose fault do you think this is? …..Sigh, enough. Let’s go.”

I feel like I’m getting some kind of affection. What’s wrong with me?

With that, we headed off to school.

☆☆☆

……By the way, I’m thinking of confessing my feelings to Eri today.

That’s what I was thinking while on the train.

There’s no particular reason why I decided to do it today. But I thought nothing will change if I stay like this.

By the way, the other two know about this, and I am grateful that they’re both willing to cooperate.

—-At that time, I had no idea that I would end up in that situation.

☆☆☆

When we arrived at the school, we headed to each of our classrooms.

Eri and I are in the class 1-2, and Kaisei and Ruri are in the class 1-4.

When I entered the classroom with Eri, I was stared at by all the boys in the classroom.

That’s not so surprising. It’s not normal to go to school with the most beautiful girl in the school grade.

There was no point in worrying about it, so I decided to go to my seat.

When I got to my seat, the girl next to me spoke to me.

“You always go to school with Eri, don’t you?

“Well, yeah.”

“Oh ! You admit it, don’t you? Are you going out with her by any chance?”

“No, we’re not.”

“Damn, you’re so boring !”

This is the girl who always talks to me, and her name is Segawa Yuri.

I don’t know why she’s bothering me, but I don’t mind it, so I let it pass.

Then the guy sitting in front of me started talking to me too.

“But you’re so lucky, Yuuki, to have such a cute childhood friend.”

“But she stands out in some way. That’s a lot of work.”

“Oh〜 you’re right, I just can’t. I don’t want to stand out.”

This guy is also the one who always talks to me, his name is Ishizaki Shota.

I met Shota at the entrance ceremony and we started talking a lot since we had similar interests.

He’s a good-looking guy, but apparently he’s not good at talking to people. His hobbies are also anime and video games, so he’s a complete nerd. Such a shame.

While we were talking, the chime rang and the homeroom teacher arrived, so we stopped talking.

☆ ☆ ☆ 

I took the lesson as it was, and after school.

I was going to confess my feelings on the way home, so I asked Kaisei and the others to go home first.

I feel like I’m going home with Eri for the first time in a long time. I’m getting nervous…….

“Eri, it seems that the two of them had something to do today, so let’s go home together.”

“Is that so? Okay, just wait a minute.”

Good. I’m glad I made it through the first stage.

I waited for Eri to finish her preparations and we headed home together.

I’m planning to confess my feelings at a park near my house, so I have to guide her well to get there.

We came near the park.

“It’s so nostalgic～, we used to play around here.”

“You’re right~, we used to play in the park over there. ……Hey Yuuki, do you want to go to the park after a long time?”

I never thought Eri would say that.

I nodded since there’s no reason to refuse, and Eri was grinning. What’s going on?

Anyway, we went into the park and sat on a bench together.

“I remember when we used to ride on those swings.

“Yeah, I guess so〜 I remember when Yuuki jumped off the swing and got hurt. I was so surprised at that time.”

I’m so ashamed of the memories that came back to me.

I was thinking of showing Eri how cool I was.

The momentum was more vigorous than I thought, and I went straight in face-first.

“I’m kind of embarrassed, so please don’t say that.”

“Eh? It’s funny though.”

“I’m embarrassed.”

“Oh, well, that’s okay. I’ll stop.”

“Thanks, Eri.”

After that, there was a moment of silence. Should I tell her now?

While I was thinking that, Eri whispered quietly.

“…… Hey, Yuuki.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Will you make me your girlfriend?”

I thought my heart would stop. Eri likes me? Is it true?

“Eh……is it okay?”

“Yeah, it’s okay if it’s you, Yuuki.”

I was so happy to hear that that I stood up unintentionally. After all, I’m the one who should say that.

“Then, Eri, let me say it again. I’ve always loved you. Please go out with me !”

I finally said it. And I had no idea that Eri also liked me. I was so happy that I was almost dancing around inside.

But what I got back from Eri was not a good answer.

“……Pfft, hahahahaha !”

“……Eh?”

“There’s no way I’m going out with someone like you who doesn’t have any merits. You’ve been nervous all day today. You don’t even realize that you’re being deceived !”

……What? What do you mean? What do you mean, deceived?

I didn’t know what she said and couldn’t move for a while.