LIGHTNOVELWORLD chapter 49
To, Ayana, and Osamu
“This is the worst!!”
“hahahaha, there, there.”
Without a care for onlookers, Ayana clung to me. She seemed quite embarrassed that she had been seen using strong words to drive away the guy who tried to hit on her.
I sat on a nearby bench with Ayana clinging to me. Determined not to be seen, I pressed my forehead against my chest and made no move to get up. The others just awkwardly laughed at Ayana’s behavior.
“I was surprised. It’s the first time I’ve seen Ayana like that.”
Ayana flinched.
“…That guy wearing Otonashi-san’s skin… isn’t he?”
Ayana’s body trembled even more.
Until now, Ayana had only been like that with me… Ah, I see, Kotone-chan might have seen her that way too. Besides the incident at the pool where someone tried to mess with Ayana, ignoring Shuu and Iori’s presence, the way she got angry like that was probably because of something said to her.
“Well, I can understand Ayana’s feelings, though.”
“Did someone say something to you?”
When I asked straightforwardly, Hoshina-san nodded.
“At first, it was just a normal pick-up line. He talked to me a bit, then targeted Ayana, saying he’d satisfy her more than her current boyfriend, make her obsessed with him, and stuff like that.”
“I see.”
Let’s put aside the smoldering anger in our hearts for now. Ayana rarely gets angry, and while she may show a bit of sharpness in her expressions and words, she doesn’t usually yell like that. Whenever Ayana gets like that, it usually involves me to some extent. In this case, it was because I was brought into the conversation.
“…For me, To-kun is the best. I don’t want to hear or see trash like that guy who doesn’t even know my name, boasting about himself by comparing himself to someone else’s boyfriend.”
Yes, she’s always like this. Despite feeling a slight sense of danger in Ayana prioritizing me above all, I can’t help but feel comfortable with her. Am I wrong in feeling that way? Regardless, instead of stopping there, I intend to confront Ayana’s way of being head-on. I can say with confidence that I’ve always done that.
“Sometimes, you need to let out the repressed feelings and vent. Well, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t ask too much about it.”
Hoshina-san and Shuu lowered their heads at my words. Their reactions were likely because they knew what my words were referring to or had some idea. As for Iori, she tilted her head slightly, showing some curiosity, but she didn’t ask.
I stopped patting Ayana’s head, raised her face, and gazed into her eyes. Her cheeks were still red, and the embarrassment hadn’t faded, but even that expression was precious to me.
“I like Ayana even in that state. While I love the usual refined Ayana, those moments when her emotions explode, even in that state, she’s not an exception for me.”
“I know. To-kun loves me unconditionally like that.”
“Right? And Ayana knows that too.”
“Of course!”
It was such an obvious thing, and all of us here now couldn’t help but laugh at Ayana’s expression.
“I see, so those gaps are fine, huh?”
“Iori-san?”
“Hey, Shuu-kun. Do you feel a gap when I become more gyaru-like?”
“……………”
What is this person saying? Shuu’s expression was like that. It seemed like he was either imagining it or feeling uncomfortable. Truth be told, I also tried to imagine Iori, who had a bit of a gyaru vibe. Iori, with her long, beautiful black hair and sometimes daring outfits that revealed her cleavage, might give off a refined image in her usual school uniform. “Cool beauty” is often used to describe her, but imagining her as a gyaru… hmm.
I wonder, if the current Iori suddenly changed into a flashy appearance, that’s all I can think of. You know, like meeting a demure girl after a long break, only to find out she’s now a flashy party girl.
“When Honjo-senpai suddenly acted like that, everyone would think, ‘Oh, he’s become a real player.’ And on top of that, he’s really getting around.”
“T-That’s troublesome!!”
With a serious expression, Ayana denied vehemently. She even placed her hand on Shu’s shoulder, shaking it vigorously, emphasizing that she would never do such a thing. She was desperate to make it clear that she would never have any relationship with anyone other than Shu.
“A-Alright, I got it!! Please stop shaking my shoulder now!!”
These two really get along well.
Hoshina-san, who had been watching from the side, seemed to have noticed Shu’s change and was joyfully celebrating the transformation. At the same time, a sense of worry was also palpable in her expression.
“Towa-kun, thank you. I’ve calmed down.”
“I see.”
“Yes♪”
Ayana, who had returned to her usual self, stood up away from me and gazed at Shu. Shu, upon meeting Ayana’s gaze, tightened his expression and faced her. After a moment of silence, Ayana was the first to speak.
“Shu-kun… you’ve changed, haven’t you? You seem bigger than before, or rather, it feels like you’ve grown stronger inside.”
“Yeah… maybe. I don’t really know.”
They both seemed a bit reserved. But I think that’s understandable. Ayana and Shu exchanging words like this was supposed to be the first time since that incident… Yet, there was no uncomfortable atmosphere, and both of them exuded a gentle aura.
“…Moving forward makes the view look different, right? I think you understand that now.”
“…Yeah. I understand it well. I’ve realized how small my existence was.”
“hehehe, that’s true. I felt the same… But, there was someone who made me realize that.”
“That’s right. I had the same experience. I had a precious friend who made me realize that too.”
And at that moment, Ayana and Shu both looked at me. I was taken aback by the sudden turn of events and felt oddly embarrassed, so I averted my gaze. Not only the two of them, but even Hoshina-san and Ayana seemed to sense a similar mood, which left me at a loss.
Looking at me affectionately, Ayana turned around and faced Shu again.
“Shu-kun, please take care of me from now on. As childhood friends.”
“…Yeah! I’ll take care of you! As childhood friends!”
…hahahaha, I felt like I might cry a little.
At that time, I thought our relationship had completely ended. But that wasn’t the case… We were able to go back to how we used to be. Of course, many things had changed since then, but the crucial difference was that all of us had taken a step forward once again.
“hehehe, you look so happy, Yukishiro-kun.”
“Yeah. I’m happy, just as Iri said.”
“That’s good…?”
“…Ah.”
Oh no, I inadvertently called her by her name without honorifics, overwhelmed by emotions. Iri seemed surprised at first, but soon chuckled.
“I see, so in your mind, Yukishiro-kun, you were calling me by my name without honorifics?”
“…I-I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize… I see, I finally understand.”
“Understand?”
Iri nodded.
“Your gaze toward Otonashi-san, and your gaze toward me… Sometimes, it felt like you saw me as older than you. I didn’t say it aloud, and even if I suddenly did, you’d probably be embarrassed.”
“That’s… “
“It’s as if you have secrets even from Otonashi-san… hahahaha, let’s not delve into it. Pursuing you would be like stirring up a hornet’s nest.”
“Huh?”
Iri pointed to where Ayana was staring with a sharp gaze. Indeed, we might have been talking a bit too intimately. I waved it off as nothing, and Ayana quickly moved me away from Iri, creating some distance between us.
“Towa-kun, did this big-chested woman say something weird to you?”
“H-Hey, isn’t that a bit harsh!?”
“It’s not cool. Please don’t tempt Towa-kun with sagging breasts when you get older.”
“I’m not saying it with a straight face! They won’t sag! Besides, Onmuna-san, yours must be similar, right?”
“I always make an effort to stay in top condition, you know? And besides, F is just the right size, isn’t it?”
…I think F is on the larger side for a high schooler. And come to think of it, I heard they’ve been getting bigger lately. It’s actually kind of heartwarming to know they’re still growing.
Blushing furiously, Iori, for some reason, looked at Hoshina-san. More precisely, at Hoshina-san’s chest… Naturally, it was filled with dreams even bigger than Ayana’s and Iori’s.
“By the way, even though they’re that big, your mom’s breasts are firm and perky.”
“…I see.”
“W-What are you guys talking about in a place like this!?”
Hoshina-san shrunk her body as if to hide her chest, but her posture seemed a bit awkward. Because she was holding her chest as if embracing it, it was quite obvious even from above her clothes… Oh, a passerby seemed startled, quickly averted their gaze, and walked away.
“…I’m tired.”
“Yeah…”
Without realizing it, Shuu and I had come to stand side by side, exchanging those words, as we continued to watch the interaction of the women for a while.