The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 29

Episode 29

After summer vacation ended, we got busy preparing for the cultural festival.

Especially as a member of the culture committee, I needed to take the lead in preparations.

However, thanks to Seko-kun and Haru helping out, it wasn’t too much of a struggle; rather, we had a good time.

I think Takahashi-kun, who is also on the culture committee, did his best too.

Our class decided on setting up a haunted house for the festival.

The idea was the only one suggested and got adopted as is, so there wasn’t much enthusiasm from the class as a whole.

That’s why I felt even more motivated to give it my all.

However, I had never experienced a haunted house before.

When I consulted the two about it, Seko-kun said, ‘Why don’t we go try one for real?’ and found a nearby haunted house for us.

So we headed to an amusement park about an hour away by train and went to the haunted house within the park.

It was my first time at an amusement park, but I focused solely on the haunted house, resisting the temptation to look at other attractions.

After all, the two were accompanying me; it was no time to be distracted.

We paid the fee and actually went into the haunted house.

Inside, it was pitch black, with only a faint light illuminating the pathway.

…I see. They create a sense of fear by making it dark while lighting the pathway to eliminate danger.

As I wrote down my observations in my notebook, I excitedly delved deeper into this unfamiliar experience.

Inside the house, there are tricks here and there; noises are made, and ghosts (probably staff) pop out.

I heard Haru’s scream from behind and wrote down that it was an effective staging.

Having successfully completed my investigation, I exit the haunted house and look back.

Because I had moved ahead by myself, Seko-kun and Haru came out of the house a little later.

While they aren’t physically close, they seem to be standing closer to each other than usual.

I glance around.

Due to the location, most of the other visitors are couples.

The girlfriend of the couple who came out after us is saying, “That was so scary,” while leaning on her boyfriend.

Could it be that haunted houses are that kind of place?

And right now, the two people acting like that are Seko-kun and Haru…

For a moment, a chill enveloped my heart, and it felt like my chest was being painfully squeezed.

The two of them are not physically close like the couple I saw earlier.

Yet, I can’t bear to keep watching them.

“How was it, Yosaki? Did you get all the information you needed?”

Seko-kun asked me.

Then I replied with a forced smile.

“Yes, thanks to you, I fully understand haunted houses now. You can look forward to the presentation later.”

“Wow, when you say it, it sounds super convincing.”

“Ugh, I’m done with haunted houses.”

“We’re just about to start building one.”

“I’ll only help build it! There’s no way I’m going through it!”

“Fufu, were you that scared, Haru?”

The atmosphere was relaxed, just like always. But…

“Should we head home then?”

I suggested going home because I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible——

***

After completing the research, I devoted myself to constructing the haunted house the next day.

I prepared blueprints and lists of necessary materials and shared them with my classmates.

Their increased enthusiasm was clearly visible, making me inwardly happy.

When I looked at Seko-kun, our eyes met. He gave me a thumbs-up and a bright smile.

The pounding in my chest was even more intense than the emotional rush from earlier.

Soon enough, the collaborative effort of my classmates and I produced an impressive haunted house.

Our teacher praised us for “overdoing it.”

I replied with a “Thank you” and received a wry smile.

As for who would try the haunted house first, no one volunteered.

So, by default, I, a culture committee member, would go. The setting allowed for two people at a time to enter.

The classmates started saying, “Then, how about fellow culture committee member Takahashi?” But in my mind, I had already decided.

“Seko-kun. Should we go together?”

When I called out to him, Seko-kun froze, and a murmur started among our classmates.

Then they egged him on, saying, ‘Go on, Seko!’ ‘You were chosen!’

In the end, Seko-kun and I participated in the trial run. We waited for the other classmates to prepare and then entered.

It was mostly dark inside, with only a small light at our feet. We had recreated it just like the original.

I had to admit, it was a good replica, or perhaps, I may have even surpassed the original.

Because this time, my body, which hadn’t trembled before, was shaking.

“F-fufu, we’ve made something amazing…”

Not wanting to remain silent, I speak up at random.

At that, Seko-kun looks at me and chuckles.

“Why are you laughing, Seko-kun?”

“Sorry, it’s just… It’s kind of funny, it’s a ‘gap’, you know.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

It’s rare for Seko-kun to tease me.

It’s usually Haru, and for some reason, I find that makes me a little happy.

Then I realized that I was less scared than before.

Could it be because I’m talking with Seko-kun?

I suddenly recall the couple I saw at the amusement park.

What could that terrified girl have done?

The reason I chose Seko-kun as my trial run partner—I hadn’t thought deeply about it at the time, but perhaps this is my revenge for that day.

If that’s the case, I need to act now.

“…Hey, Seko-kun. Can I move closer?””

“uh? …sure.”

Though he looks puzzled, Seko-kun agrees.

I slowly move closer to him. The space that was empty until now gets filled.

Not just physically, but I also feel as if our emotional distance has shrunk. Could it be the darkness?

I manage to take a somewhat bold step and come close enough for us to touch shoulders.

Only our shoulders are touching.

Yet, there’s a certain warmth, as if his very presence envelops me.

“I knew it…this feels comforting.”

The words slip out of my mouth, and I feel my face heat up.

I steal a glance at his face; though it’s too dark to see clearly, I feel like he’s making a similar expression.

That makes me happy.

I wish this moment could last forever. But since this is just a haunted house made from a classroom, we soon reach the exit.

Stepping outside, the brightness makes me squint.

As my eyes slowly adjust to the light, Haru is standing in front of me.

Her eyes look somewhat vacant.

“Aren’t you two standing a bit too close?”

Caught off guard by Haru’s comment, I hastily put some distance between Seko-kun and myself.

“The passage was a little narrow. It seems that two are the maximum number of people that can pass through at a time.”

I offer this as an excuse.

Sensing the mood, Seko-kun agrees, saying,

“Yeah, exactly.”

As if I could say that I moved closer to him——it’s too embarrassing.