The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 42

Part 6: Oasis

Chapter 42

I like Misa Yosaki.

I was once saved by her during middle school, and I admired her resolute attitude. I wanted to be like her, and I thought it was natural that my admiration turned into affection. The more I observed her, the more I was captivated by her charm, both inside and outside.

I’ve confessed to her many times and have been rejected by her, but recently, she kissed me——It was a deep one.

I also like Haru Hinata.

She’s a lively girl, but actually, she’s a sensitive type who cares about others and lacks confidence in herself. She offered herself to protect Yosaki from me, leading us to have a physical relationship.

At first, I thought she was just overly concerned as a close friend, but recently, it became clear she had feelings for me.

This revelation changed the meaning of our twisted relationship.

I was hospitalized until yesterday.

Due to my constitution that causes my head to overheat when I have too much on my mind, I collapsed the other day and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

So, during this Golden Week, I’m just resting in my bed at home.

My mom told me to ‘rest a little more’. She also advised against meeting those two during the holiday.

In other words, she wants me to be alone and think things through.

I feel like she can see right through me.

I’m still in touch with both of them.

Misa wanted to visit me but agreed not to after I relayed my mom’s words, leaving me feeling a bit guilty.

With Haru, we chat casually, but that topic doesn’t come up. She said, ‘I’ll be waiting’, probably in that sense.

When I rest in my room due to a headache from overheating, I recall that day.

The day after I formed that relationship with Haru. I collapsed just like now and missed school.

That evening, Haru visited me——

***

(TN: Flashback; probably a continuation of Chapter 7.)

I might hate myself more than ever in my life.

Why is my reason so fragile?

No, maybe it seems normal for a healthy male high school student, but there are lines I shouldn’t cross…

“Sigh.”

As I looked at my palm, I felt like I could still sense the touch of her voluptuous body from yesterday.

“No, I’m being way too creepy.”

I slam my palm down on my cheek.

My brain shakes, worsening the headache, and I feel even more terrible.

“What am I even doing…”

Peering into my smartphone screen, I see the clock pointed to three in the afternoon.

Normally, this would be the time for classes in school.

It can’t be helped since I’m absent due to a headache, but the reason is so absurd that it feels somewhat like I’m skipping school.

Now, facing those two feels a bit troublesome.

As for Hinata, it’s obvious why, and as for Yosaki, although I’m not exactly dating her, I feel like I’ve betrayed her.

Still, I can’t stay absent, nor can I become distant from them. We’re in the same class, and I’d be lonely if we drifted apart.

Just as I’m grumbling about having to make a decision, the intercom rings.

My parents are at work, so I have to answer it.

“I didn’t hear about any deliveries. On a weekday afternoon… could it be a solicitor?”

Considering it might be a bothersome visitor, I cautiously respond through the intercom.

Our intercom is old and lacks a camera, so I can’t tell who it is without talking.

“Hello?”

『T-this voice, Seko!? I-it’s me.』

“Me, as in a me-scam?”

『No, it’s not like that! It’s Haru! Haru Hinata!』

“H-Hinata!?”

The last person I wanted to meet has come… wait?

“What about classes?”

『I left school early. Since I’m recovering from an illness, they allowed it easily.』

“Recovering from a fake illness, huh…”

『…You know. I got worried about Seko and left school early. Let me in quickly. I even brought something to cheer you up.』

Since she went through the trouble of leaving school early to visit me, it’s hard to ask her to leave.

Reluctantly, I welcome Haru.

“Welcome. My parents aren’t home right now, is that okay?”

“Yeah, I don’t mind. Sorry to bother you.”

I think to myself, well, after everything we’ve been through, of course she doesn’t mind.

Haru is indeed in her school uniform, and it seems it was true that she was at school a while ago. In her hand is a shopping bag with what seems to be a gift for visiting… Wait,

“Isn’t that the one I gave you yesterday?”

“Eh, yeah. Well, I was faking sickness, so I thought I’d return it today.”

“You didn’t have to return it.”

“Ah, but I did eat the mandarin jelly! It was delicious!”

“Well, good to hear. You’re so shrewd.”

“Ehehe.”

Seeing Haru’s shy smile makes my heart race.

However, I’m surprised that we can talk normally like usual. Surprisingly, I’m not nervous.

“By the way, Seko, is it okay for you not to be resting?”

“Yeah, well, it’s just a headache, you don’t have to worry so much——”

“A headache!? You must rest properly! Where’s your room, Seko? Let’s go there.”

“Ah, yes. It’s upstairs.”

Pressed by Hinata’s insistence, I led her to my room.

Once inside, Hinata makes the bed and says, “Now, go to sleep,” while pulling back the duvet.

Then I comply and get into bed.

“Do you need a cooling patch or something?”

“I don’t have a fever, so I guess I’m fine.”

“Have you had lunch?”

“…Ah, not yet.”

“What are you doing? If you don’t eat, you won’t get better. You don’t have an appetite?”

“Well, not much.”

“Can you eat jelly? Do you want some?”

“…I’ll take it. You still have some?”

“I only ate the mandarin flavor, so there’s still peach flavor. Just wait a moment.”

Hinata takes out a jelly from the bag, opens the lid, and sticks a plastic spoon into it.

“Do you want me to feed you?”

“…I can eat by myself.”

“…I see.”

I take the jelly from Hinata and eat it, feeling her gaze on me.

“Yeah, it’s delicious. Good choice.”

“You were the one who chose it, Seko. Self-praise, huh?”

Haru chuckles. Just seeing that makes me feel a bit better.

After finishing the jelly, I handed the empty container to Hinata.

She takes it, cleans up the trash, and asks,

“Do you think you can come to school tomorrow?”

“…I think so. Yeah, I’ll go.”

“…That’s good. I’m sorry, Seko. It’s my fault you got sick, isn’t it?”

“…Well, to be honest, yes. But I also have a tendency to get headaches easily, so you don’t have to worry too much about it. More importantly, are you okay, Hinata? It was your first time too, after all.”

“Wha!? …Y-yeah. I felt a bit strange until last night, but now I’m somewhat okay, I guess.”

“I-I see.”

An awkward silence fills the air. I shouldn’t have asked that.

I need to steer the conversation back…

“Did you come to visit because you thought it was your fault?”

“…That’s part of it, but I was also worried that Seko might go somewhere far away.”

“Me… go far away huh…”

“Yeah.”

Her concern wasn’t entirely misplaced. I had been thinking about it a little.

That maybe distancing myself from the two of them could be an option.

Hinata places her hands on top of my right hand.

Then she looks up at me and says,

“But being able to talk like this, just like we always do, is a bit of a relief.”

“…Sorry for making you anxious.”

“No, it’s not your fault. I’m the one to blame. I… I pressured you into… you know…”

Hinata’s face turns red. She must be remembering yesterday.

I wish she’d stop because it’s making me feel embarrassed too.

“Hey-hey. I heard that when a guy is bedridden, it builds up. Is that true?”

“…Huh? N-no, I’m fine today.”

“Are you sure? You’re not forcing yourself?”

“No, really, I’m fine. Thanks, though.”

“…Okay.”

Not quite sure what it was for, I decided to thank her anyway.

Hinata seems satisfied with that, though she looks a bit displeased.

I wonder why.

“…Hey. Can I ask you for a favor?”

“Well, it depends on what it is. I hope it’s nothing too difficult.”

“It’s not that hard…Can I call you Ren when it’s just the two of us?”

“…uh, why?”

“Well, you know. Since we’re going to do that sort of thing a lot, I thought we might need a ‘switch’ like that.”

“Hm, hmm?”

“And, and you know, Seko… no, Ren, you can call me Haru too!”

“I’d be embarrassed, so no——mph!”

“Ren, you jerk!”

Haru threw a cushion at me from nearby. So much for the patient treatment, huh?

Since my mom will be home soon, I decide it’s time for Hinata to head back.

She didn’t seem to have left anything out, but we checked for any forgotten items just in case.

That’s when I casually mention something I’ve been thinking about.

“Don’t forget anything, like you did during the exams.”

Hinata’s ears turn red, and she looks away, continuing the conversation in that state.

“…You remembered that?”

“Well, somehow. I was impressed at the time with how someone can mess up so badly. Thanks to that, I was able to stay calm during the exams.”

“Is that sarcasm? …why didn’t you tell me sooner that you remembered?”

“Because that was our first interaction after entering school, right? I thought you might have forgotten about me.”

“Did you think I was that ungrateful?”

“I’m not that bad of a person.”

“Pff, I know…I’ve always remembered it too. I’ve always wanted to say thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

That day, a faint citrus scent lingered in my room.

It was a smell that I liked.

Maybe that’s why I was able to sleep soundly that night, and the next day my headache was gone.