My Childhood Friend Attacked Me When I Declared That Her Birthday Present Was 'Me' - Chapter 15

Friends’ Reactions

“I’m off.”

“I’m off too!”

“…I’m off…”

It seems Daigorou-san is leaving at the same time as us, so the three of us are going to depart together.

Though the expressions on all three of our faces are different…

There is a giant who seems completely fine despite drinking so much alcohol, and there is someone with an excited and nervous vibe as if it’s her first day going to school…

“What’s wrong, Kouta-kun? You look like it’s the end of the world.”

Correct.

Kouta’s face was pale, radiating an aura of not wanting to go.

“Kouta-kun.”

“Y-Y-Yes!”

At the sudden words from Daigorou-san, Kouta’s spine unconsciously tensed up.

“It would be… nice… if you came again… I would like you to listen to stories about my daughter again.”

“Y-Yes…”

That is… something I’d rather avoid if possible.

“Next time, instead of grape juice, I’ll have something like alcohol that minors can drink for you.”

“Y-Yes…”

So convenient? Is there such a thing?

“Worst case scenario, I’ll have barley tea waiting for you.”

Why barley tea?… Ah, because it’s similar to beer.

“So, come again. But…”

She comes closer, exerting pressure…

“Next time, bring a rubber.”

“Y-Yes…”

“Alright then, I’m going.”

” “Have a safe trip! Dad!” ” (” ” Itte rasshai! Otōsan! ” “)

As the door slams shut, Kouta’s strength suddenly drains away.

“Scary… It’s not something you expect to usually hear from someone’s parent…”

Bring a rubber… his tone…It’s as if he’s asking me to bring snacks on a field trip.

“It’s not someone’s parent but Dad, okay?”

“Don’t emphasize that…”

“If I don’t, I’ll end up being downgraded as a best friend or something. We’re already way out of line…You were so manly yesterday, multiple times…”

“Oh, stop. Let’s go! Let’s hurry!”

“Oh, wait a moment, Kaori, Kouta-kun.”

As we were about to leave, Auntie handed us something like a package.

“This is… lunch. Enough for two people.”

“Thank you!”

“T-thank you…”

It’s quite heavy. She must have made a lot… I’m grateful…

“Ah, please eat it somewhere visible to others.”

“Yes?”

“As much as you can!”

“Huh? What does that mean…”

“Come on, we need to hurry or we’ll be late!”

“Hurry up!”

“Ah… alright…”

I feel somewhat uneasy…

“I’m off!”

“I’m off…”

I have no choice but to go. To the living hell.

“Alright! Let’s hold hands!”

“Why?”

“Because we’re lovers. Isn’t that enough reason?”

“Even if we’re lovers, not everyone holds hands..”

“Enough with the nonsense… Just hold my hand already.”

“Ouch! Hey, that’s too rough!”

Kaori forcefully grabs my hand and connects it with hers, holding hands as lovers do.

Seeing her full of joy, it seemed like musical notes were popping out of her head.

“When no one’s watching…”

“And when everyone’s watching, let’s hold hands even tighter, okay?”

“What?”

“We’re not going to enter a road where everyone will come out for a few more minutes, but when we do, let’s get even closer, okay?”

“But why… It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!”

Kaori tightly grips my hand with all her might.

“You have no sense of decency!”

“Being bad is fine!”

“Ugh.”

“It’s about time for everyone to come out?”

“Road? No, what are you talking about…”

(TN: “道” (michi), which can mean both “road” and “way” in Japanese. Kaori is using the word “道” (michi) metaphorically to refer to a figurative “way” or “path” that people will take or emerge from. Kouta is talking about a physical road. It’s a wordplay.)

Squeeze-

“?”

A soft sensation on my body, the feeling of her chest… She suddenly clings to my arm, placing her chest and shoulder against me and looking happy.

“You’re not just simply clinging to me, you’re sticking to me!” (TN: Another subtle wordplay.)

“The meaning is the same, isn’t it? It’s lovey-dovey…”

“Don’t mess around! If people see us like this…”

“Oh, it’s Kaede-chan! Hey, Kaede-chan!”

“Hey, stop calling people over…”

How will this situation be perceived…

“Oh, good morning, Kaori-chan, Kouta-kun. You two are still such a close couple, huh?”

Wait, what?

“Ah, Shiratori-kun and Maeyama-kun too! Hey! Good morning!”

The unbusy bird next to me keeps calling people one after another.

(TN: The wordplay lies in the juxtaposition of “横の閑古鳥” (unbusy bird next to me) with “続々呼び出す” (keeps calling people one after another).

“Good morning, Sawa-chan. Good morning, Kouta. Even today, you two are still so lovey-dovey, huh?”

“Good morning! Sawa-chan! And Akira-kun too. How nice~? I envy you, you have a great girlfriend!”

Hmm? Yes?

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute…

None of you have noticed this strange situation? Huh, isn’t it strange? It’s not right…

“Hey, Kouta.”

“Ah, hey. Shindou…”

Shindou Yuu, Kouta’s best friend among the guys, appears and taps him on the shoulder.

“Shindou… Take a look at this; isn’t it weird…”

“Finally, huh?”

“Finally?”

“I was a bit surprised when I saw LINE.”

“Yes?”

“So you two finally settled into being a couple, huh? You two.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Huhh… No, it’s not like that! What do you mean settled into being a couple?! You idiot!