As I Know Anything About You, I'll Be The One To Your Girlfriend, Aren't I? - Volume 1 Chapter 3.10

Leave That Culture in the Heisei Era 10

Kujo’s PoV

Then, the other half of the reason my body felt hot was—

That was—

“…I’m going home.”

“Okay. Take care… Wait, why were you here in the first place?”

Ignoring his words, I quickly left the room. It was almost like fleeing.

“Stupid humans…”

Such words spilled out of my mouth as a result of my confusion.

“Stupid humans, stupid humans, stupid humans…!”

I’ve lived my life thinking that about humans.

And yet, …stupid humans!

Without feeling the coldness of the corridor that had made me shiver on the way there, I eventually left the school and arrived home. I don’t remember the journey back.

Once again, I locked myself in my room without having dinner, causing my family to worry…

──Eventually, I came to terms and realized.

…I had fallen in love.

…And, if only it could just end up as a normal unrequited love situation, wondering what I could do to make it come true, and feeling a strong desire to know more about him, I soon found myself slipping into the role of a stalker.

I couldn’t tell my family or anyone.

◆◇◆

“That’s how it goes, …yeah, that’s the answer.”

“Ah~ I see, got it.”

After solving one problem, Miyashiro-kun muttered, “So, this is how it’s solved…”

“Thanks, you’re really good at teaching, Kujo-san.”

“I wonder. Maybe it’s because I often teach my sister.”

In a corner of the library, the two of us sat side by side, speaking in low voices, doing our math assignments.

“You have a sister? Are you two close even you teach her?”

“Well, …it depends on how you look at it. She always tries to provoke me whenever she sees an opening.”

“Really? Over what?”

Mostly… about my love life. …Basically, about you.

“Various things, she lacks respect for her sister.”

Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I dodged the question.

“I see. I’m an only child, so I don’t really understand how close sibling are. I’ve always wanted one, though, be it an older brother, sister, or a younger sibling. Ah, but I guess I have a childhood friend who’s like a sister.”

“Ado-san?”

“Yeah. Though, she’s become so reliable now, I can’t really call her a ‘sister’ anymore.”

“Was she different before?”

“Quite a bit. She was shy and timid. Not as expressive with her emotions as she is now. Though her being hardworking hasn’t changed.”

When Miyashiro-kun talks about Ado-san, he looks like he’s bragging about his most treasured possession.

The bond between them, visible in his expression, filled me with envy.

To make him show such a face, I was jealous of Ado-san.

“Sometimes I help her study, but that’s only because I’m a grade above. If we were in the same year, it’d be impossible. I’d be the one learning.”

I had no idea.

That having your crush talk about another girl could squeeze your heart so tightly.

“Ado-san is amazing, being good at sports and all.”

“Yeah, she’s really something. A true example of excelling both in studies and sports through hard work.”

I had no idea.

That even though I didn’t want him to talk about another girl, I would still bring her up, hoping it would make him happy.

I knew nothing.

“During the holidays, she’s always busy with requests from various clubs. With that, I bet her summer break will be hectic too… Ah, speaking of which, summer break is next month, right?”

While working on the problems, he suddenly mentioned it. It’s mid-June now, so summer break is indeed approaching.

“That’s true. Can’t wait.”

Truthfully, I wasn’t looking forward to it at all. Because I won’t be able to see Miyashiro-kun for over a month.

“What do you usually do during summer break, Kujo-san?”

“I try out new languages… Oh, I mean programming languages, not spoken ones. And some electronics projects.”

“Wow, that’s so cool.”

“Cool, you think?”

Cool, you think!

I was secretly thrilled to be praised.

…No, but, on second thought. Wouldn’t it have been better to mention something more traditionally feminine and cute? Programming… Electronics projects…

Oh, wait, we’re talking about summer break!

I had found a good summer leisure spot that’s easy to get to and had been planning to mention it. It was for the sake of Ado-san, who seemed to be busy with her sports club activities, something Miyashiro-kun was curious about.

“What do you usually do during summer break, Miyashiro-kun? I mean, I can guess but…”

“I paint, as you’d expect. We’re both indoor types, huh?”

I was trying to find the right moment to bring it up when he said that. Indoor types, meaning we have that in common… Miyashiro-kun and I are… in sync…!

I almost lost my mind with that thought, so I pinched my thigh to regain my sanity.

“But I do think I should exercise a bit for my health. Ideally, somewhere not too hot if I’m going to work out.”

“…!”

A cool place for exercise, this is it! This is the moment! The best move!

“Miyashiro-kun, have you heard? This summer, a new pool is opening in the town next door. It’s supposed to be quite big.”

“Really? I hadn’t heard. Wow, that’s cool.”

“There’s a direct bus from the station, so it’s easy to get to. It’s open late, so you can avoid the daytime heat too.”

“Awesome.”

The sea, mountains, theme parks—they take time, but this place could be a quick getaway. If it’s open late, you could even go after club activities (though I’m not sure if you’d have the energy for it, having no experience with sports clubs myself).

“By the way, to avoid overcrowding, they’re only allowing entry with pre-purchased tickets for a while. They start selling them at the beginning of next month.”

“Huh… Do you usually go to places like that, Kujo-san?”

“No, I… ”

I began to answer, then realized.

…Is this… like asking him out?

Reviewing the situation, it seems I haven’t brought up Ado-san at all, so it’s just me suggesting a “good place” to Miyashiro-kun, who’s interested in exercising.

…Does this count as asking? Or am I overthinking it? No, I really can’t tell.

“…I don’t usually go, but… maybe”

I’m not sure, but… if I push further.

Maybe this year, I thought about trying those places out, but didn’t have anyone to go with… so, if you’d like…

Right here, if I had said—

“Wow, Kuuya, it’s rare to see you in the library.”

“!”

A voice suddenly called us, and I swallowed the words I was about to say.

“Oh, what brings you here?”

“I needed some books.”

The girl, with a smile as bright as a lit lamp, was already standing close by our table. True to her words, she held several books against her chest.

“Ah, we were working on math assignments… and, well, it’s hard, so I was getting some help.”

“I see. …Um, and you are?”

Her wide, earnest eyes locked onto me.

“Kujo Kurenai from the same class. Ranked first in the national math mock exam.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! So cool!”

Her voice was lively, kept to a considerate volume. The choice of “cool” and her sparkling eyes…

…Her reaction felt similar to Miyashiro-kun’s. It made me instantly feel the length of time they’ve spent together.

“It’s not a big deal.”

I said, slightly looking away.

Ado Suika. Ado-san. This was our first conversation. A shining, wonderful, normal girl. Everything about her felt different from me.

“Are you going to a club activity today, Suika?”

“No, I’m heading straight home. My mom asked me to do some shopping. …Oh, would you like to come with me?”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

“Yay, thank you so much!”

Shopping after school with Miyashiro-kun, just the two of them. To me, that was harder to achieve than scoring first in the national mock exam, and something I deeply longed for.

The difference in our standing was so vast, it felt presumptuous to even call it a “gap.”

“…The rest of the problems can be solved using the method I showed you at the beginning.”

With that, I started packing up my things and stood up from my chair.

“Ah, are you leaving too, Kujo-san? Sorry for cutting this short.”

“Don’t worry about it. Thanks for today, goodbye.”

As soon as I said that, I quickly moved away from the spot. I thought I wouldn’t be able to stand being left alone after Miyashiro-kun and Ado-san left together.

Making such a decision felt pitiful in itself.

The excitement I had felt was all gone, as if it had been an illusion from the start.

“…Sigh.”

I let out a small sigh, ensuring no one could hear, as I opened the door to the library. Before leaving the room, I glanced back to see Miyashiro-kun and Ado-san, wrapped in an intimate atmosphere.

But really, I’m so unlucky. Of all times, why did Ado-san have to show up when Miyashiro-kun and I were alone together? What are the chances?

“…”

…Right, she did have quite the timing.

Almost too perfect, if not a bit suspicious.