Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 1.6

The Spring When I Met You 6

While being pulled by my lingering feelings, I left the school cafeteria and began to wander aimlessly. Today, after classes, I have a part-time job from midnight until morning. I plan to nap somewhere to conserve my energy as much as possible.

“Ah, Sagara-kun!”

Just then, as my name was called from behind and I stiffened in surprise.

The voice, which I’ve grown accustomed to hearing, was Nanase’s. I tried to ignore it and kept walking, but then I heard “Sagara-kun!” once more.

Reluctantly, I stopped and turned around. “Haa, haaa… Wh-why are you ignoring me? You definitely heard me, right?”

Nanase, panting, was glaring up at me with her eyes.

“…Do you need something?”

“Um, it’s not that I need anything, but… Sagara-kun, are you going to have lunch now?”

Nanase smiled cheerfully and peered into my face.

For some reason, even after she had seen my true face, she would frequently talk to me like this.

Maybe she’s worried that I’ll spread her secrets around.

I would never do such a thing, though.

“I don’t have lunch.”

“Huh, why not?”

“…It’s right before payday, I’m broke.”

I muttered my reply, and Nanase’s eyes widened in surprise.

She pondered for a moment and then hesitantly made a suggestion.

“Then… would you like to share my bento? The side dish is leftover asparagus pork rolls from yesterday, but I did a great job with the tamagoyaki today. If you’d like, we could share…”

“No, I’ll pass.”

As I responded, Nanase looked down sadly. The moment I saw her expression, guilt stabbed at my heart.

It’s not like being rejected by someone like me would bother her. Why would she make that face?

Passing male students would glance at Nanase and then away.

They must be wondering why such a beautiful woman is with a plain guy like me.

Nanase, with makeup on, is a radiant beauty. Every time she blinks, her long eyelashes flutter, and her large eyes reflect the sunlight like sparkling jewels.

I don’t intend to get involved with her more than necessary, but I don’t want to hurt her either.

I softened my tone just a bit and added,

“…Sorry. But I really don’t need it. That’s your bento.”

“But you’re hungry, right?”

“Not really.”

As I said that, my stomach growled loudly in protest. Nanase’s eyes filled with sympathy for me when she heard the loud rumbling of my stomach.

…Damn, how embarrassing. I clicked my tongue as if to cover it up and started walking quickly again.

Perhaps finally giving up, Nanase didn’t follow me.

After finishing classes and returning home, I lay sprawled on the tatami, blankly staring at the ceiling.

I know it’s pointless to waste time like this, but I don’t want to consume any more energy than necessary.

As I closed my eyes and tried to ignore my hunger, the scent of curry wafted through the air.

My stomach growled even louder at the smell.

The source of the aroma was the room next door.

Apparently, Nanase was making curry. The image of the glamorous beauty I saw at the university combined with the plain and modest face of the library committee member.

…No one would normally think they’re the same person.

In high school, Nanase was plain and inconspicuous. I remembered her face because she was a library committee member, and there was a time when I frequented the library.

I didn’t want to go home at the time, so I was looking for a place to kill time after school.

I didn’t belong to any clubs or committees, so I ended up in the library in the corner of the old school building.

The librarian at the counter was always the same girl — Nanase.

The high school library wasn’t well-equipped, but it was always clean and tidy. Books that students had carelessly returned to the shelves were promptly put back in their proper places.

The writing on the notice “Return due by ◯ month ◯ day” was beautiful.

I knew it was her handiwork.

The reason I frequented the library was that it was a comfortable place. The plain, serious librarian never showed any irritation towards me, even though I stayed until the last minute of afterschool hours.

I only spoke to her once, just before graduation. After the closing time, as she was locking up, I asked her a question.

—Was I in the way?

She answered nonchalantly.

—Not at all.

Surely, to her, it was nothing but a casual remark. However, the moment I heard her answer, I felt as if I had been saved.

Therefore, I had no intention of spreading rumors about her, whether she had made her university debut as a beauty or if her makeup-free face was plain.

In the first place, I didn’t have any friends to tell. If she could live happily without my knowing, that was fine with me… That’s what I thought, and yet.

Why does she bother with me? Now that she’s become beautiful and made her university debut, she should just leave me alone and enjoy her university life to the fullest.

The delicious smell wafts through the open window again.

Just being tantalized by the scent of curry without being able to eat anything is too much to bear.

Damn, if only I had even just plain rice…

I went to the kitchen to at least drink some water when the doorbell rang. Who could it be at a time like this? When I opened the door, there stood Nanase, holding a large pot.

She was wearing her makeup-free glasses and high school track suit.

“…What is it?”

I asked in surprise, and Nanase slightly lifted the pot she was holding.

“I made curry, but I made too much. Won’t you eat some? It’s hard to make just one serving.”

“…I’ll refrain.”

I said so out of a desperate show of restraint, but Nanase did not back down.

“I can’t finish all this by myself. I’d be happy if you could help me consume it.”

Nanase lowered her eyebrows and flashed a troubled smile.

My will wasn’t strong enough to keep refusing when faced with such a tempting aroma of delicious curry.

I resigned myself and took the pot.

“…But I don’t have any rice.”

“What, you don’t even have rice!?”

tln :

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