My Childhood Friend Seems to be the Main Heroine. - Chapter 21

“Minazuki-kun, you want me to get you a drink while I go get mine? What do you want? “

“Wow, really? Thanks, Akashi. Okay, I’ll have a cold cup of tea, please.”

“Okay.”

“Minazuki-kun, there are more hamburgers. I got an extra one for you. Do you want an extra one?”

“Seriously? Then, I’ll take your word for it.”

　On the second day of the forest school, Saito was tucking into the buffet he missed yesterday.

　Akashi is taking care of Saito so that he can enjoy his meal comfortably.

“Ah, Minazuki-kun, do you want──”

“Good morning, Saito, Shuri-chan, Akashi-kun. (It’s blatant and gross, can you stop it right now? )”

“…… (Hiiee sorry! ) “

　Akashi was about to say something to Saito when Riri called out to them.

“Good morning, Riri-cchi.”

“Good morning, Riri. Hey, Akashi, what did you say before? “

“N-no, it’s nothing…”

“Is that so? Well, okay then.”

　When he asked Akashi what the interrupted conversation was about, he looked frightened and said it was nothing.

　Something is obviously wrong.

　What’s wrong all of a sudden? He thought.

　Saito wonders why Akashi’s behavior suddenly has changed.

(Come to think of it, he was acting strange since Riri’s arrival, hadn’t he? Did Riri do something to Akashi?)

　 Akashi became frightened after Riri’s arrival.

　This means that something must have happened between Akashi and his childhood friend.

“Riri, did something happen between you and Akashi? “

“Yes, there was something. Last night. After bedtime, I happened to see him and talked to him.”

“Ah〜, Akashi, he went to the bathroom at night. I guess he was talking to Riri.”

　Thinking back, there was a time last night when Akashi left the room to go to the restroom and didn’t come back for a long time.

　I thought it was too long for a bathroom, but it seemed that it was because he ran into Riri, and they were talking.

“Akashi, he’s freaking out. What did you two talk about? “

“No, it’s just small talk. Uh, but I did tell him some scary stories.”

“Really? So Akashi is scared because he remembers that story. Ghost stories are a standard part of these school events, but keep them to a minimum. Some people don’t like them.”

“Okay? I’ll tell him a better story next time. (glance)”

“Hiiiee!!!”

“What’s wrong with you?”

　He thought she’d reflect on that and refrain from reminding him again.

　Why are you trying to make it more extreme?

　Well, Saito admits that Akashi’s reaction is interesting, but it would be too much if it goes any further.

　Saito told Riri about it and warned her to stop, but she replied only lightly, “Yes, yep.”

(This is definitely not remorseful. I’ll keep an eye on her for a while.)

　Saito wrinkled his brow and pinched it, deciding to keep an eye on this childhood friend to make sure she didn’t abuse his friend anymore.

“By the way, I heard we’re going Rafutingu with Saito’s group after this, so let’s do our best for it!”

“What is Rafutingu? I was asleep when they explained it, so I don’t know what we’re doing.”

“Rafutingu is river rafting. You get on a boat, and we all go down the river together.”

“Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun. I’ve never been on a boat before, so I’m excited.”

　When he looked at the schedule in the morning, he had no idea what they were going to do, but after her explanation, he understood.

　Saito’s heart was racing, as he had been on large boats before but never on a small, human-powered boat.

“But we’ll have to take a bus to get there. Don’t throw up this time, Saito.”

“I got a good night’s sleep, and I have the anti-sickness medicine Yakumo gave me yesterday, so I’ll be fine. You, too, don’t get sick and throw up again.”

“I’m fine today. I’m feeling great, so don’t worry! Okay, I’m going back to my group. See you later.”

“Yes, bye.”

　After exchanging a few words, Riri leaves her seat and goes back to where she came from.

　Saito turned his body toward Akashi and asked, “So, what did you and Riri talk about yesterday?”

“No, no, it was really scary, so you’d better not ask me. If I tell you, Saito, you’d probably wet your pants.”

“You said you were good at horror stories, but was it really that bad?? Seriously, what kind of things is she talking about?”

　What kind of ghost stories did his childhood friend tell him?

　Saito was curious and asked Akashi persistently, but his mouth was tight, and he did not tell him the details.

* * *

　The bus ride took several tens of minutes.

　Saito and his friends had reached the upper reaches of the river.

　In a large warehouse where the boat was stored, the instructor explained to them about rafting, and they changed into their suits.

　The tight-fitting suit reminded him of some spy or soccer cartoon, and he was elated.

　However, when he put on a life vest and boots, the image faded away. I look like a fisherman, Saito thought.

　Saito changed his clothes and headed for the instructor’s office.

“I look forward to working with you.”

　A nice guy with blond hair and glassy hair stands in front of the boat, and Saito bows his head in greeting when their eyes meet.

“Oh, nice to meet you. Uhh…”

“I’m Minazuki.”

“Ah, you’re Minazuki-kun. I just remembered you. You’re a big guy. You’ve got a pretty solid body. What do you do for club activities? Baseball? “

“No, I do muscle training every day, but I’m not in a club now. I played tennis in junior high school and judo in elementary school.”

　When I tell him that I do muscle training, his eyes sparkle from behind his sunglasses.

　What kind of menu do you usually do?

　What kind of protein do you take?

　It was interesting to talk about various topics, such as the following.

　As they were having a nice conversation, a voice said, “Sorry to keep you waiting,” He turned around to see his childhood friend, who had just finished getting dressed.

　Perhaps it was because the suit made the lines of her body more clearly visible, or perhaps it was because her hair, usually pulled down but now in a ponytail and showed the nape of her neck, making her look more alluring than usual.

　It’s not a pleasant sight for a high school student in the throes of puberty.

“…hey.”

　Saito’s eyes drifted a little to the side as he gave a short reply.

“Oh, you seem to be embarrassed by her cute figure. Minazuki-kun, the secret of a happy relationship is to compliment her honestly.”

　The instructor-nīchan, who had spotted the slight blush on Saito’s cheeks, made fun of him.

“Oh〜 Is that so〜. Saito, you’ve been admiring me. What do you think? Isn’t my ponytail cute?”

“Ugh, get away from me! “

　Riri smirks at Saito with a derisive smile and makes fun of him.

　Saito kept his distance from his childhood friend while saying [Don’t say unnecessary things, nīchan.] in his mind.

　However, Riri did not intend to let his childhood friend go so easily.

　She immediately closes the distance between them and persistently asks him about it.

　Saito remained silent throughout the session until Riri suddenly asked, […maybe it doesn’t suit me?] Saito’s suddenly became more sullen, […no, it looks good on you, but, uh, you know…], Saito, mistakenly believing that he has offended Riri, follows up with an embarrassed look on his face.

“Ohh〜, so you thought it was er*tic, not cute. Saito’s a perv. Well, I guess it can’t be helped. My body is more developed than average. Yes, yes, it can’t be helped it.”

　She has done it.

　Riri, who succeeded in getting an honest impression from Saito, smiles more and plays with Saito.

“Hey! you bastard! You tricked me! “

　Realizing that he has been set up, Saito glares at Riri for her trick.

“You wicked woman! “

“It’s your fault for falling for it so easily.”

“Stop talking, you crybaby girl!”

“Shut up, you Muttsurisukebe! “

(Muttsurisukebe, A person who pretends to be indifferent but is actually lustful. Idk the English word for it)
　

　From there, they start arguing and cursing each other out.

　It’s obvious that they are not serious. Instead, their abusive words are cute.

　The instructor-nīchan looks at them and mutters to himself, [Youth, huh?]