The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 55

Chapter 55

There’s a man standing still in front of the souvenir section of a commercial facility at the station.

That’s me, Seko Rento.

Today is the day I visit Hinata Family’s house. Moreover, it’s when Haru’s mother, Akira-san, is off work.

It’s not like the previous times when I just dropped by after school, so I definitely can’t visit empty-handed.

I’m currently looking for something to bring.

“What should I bring…”

This is my first time doing something like this, so I have no idea what the right choice is.

I know Haru’s favorites, but I don’t know her family’s preferences.

The souvenir corner is filled with local specialties, but it doesn’t make sense to bring products from our own locality to Hinata’s family.

Maybe I should look elsewhere.

“Hey, isn’t that Senpai?”

“Hm?”

Turning towards the voice, I see a cheeky junior.

It was my first time seeing her in casual clothes—a shirt, a long parka, and short pants, quite a casual outfit, which was somewhat like my image of her.

“What are you doing here?”

“Choosing a gift to take to Hinata’s house.”

“Ah, you mentioned that before. I see-I see, that’s thoughtful of you.”

“It’s annoying to be told that by Koido.”

Considering I’ve been consulting her about my relationship issues, I reported my visit to Hinata’s house to Koido today.

“What’s that? That’s mean, Senpai!”

“Never mind that, why is Koido here? Your house isn’t around here, right?”

“What’s that supposed to mean!? Did you just dismiss my dignity like that!? Senpai is always so harsh to me… Well, to answer your question, my house is indeed far from here, but my friends live around this area, so naturally, I hang out here.”

That made sense.

If she’s meeting with high school friends, most of our students live in this area, so it’s natural for Koido to come here.

“I see. But you actually have friends?”

“Hey! Stop it already! I am quite popular in my class, you know?”

“Yeah, I can imagine that. I was just joking.”

“Seriously. I don’t want to be lumped together with Senpai.”

“Ahaha… right… Sorry if I offended you…”

“I was just lightly playing back at you——Don’t look so sad, you’re making it seem like I’m the bad guy here.”

While appreciating the junior who talked with the usual energy even outside school, I checked the time on my smartphone.

“Seems like you’re short on time?”

“If I keep having trouble choosing a gift, then yeah.”

“Uh-oh. What are you debating between?”

“I haven’t even narrowed it down that much, that’s the problem. Maybe I should just go with a cake.”

“That’s a good idea. If you do that, it’s best to buy a variety of types. It adds to the fun of choosing and makes it twice as enjoyable. By the way, I recommend that cake shop over there.”

“That’s good to know. Yeah, I’ll do that. Thanks.”

“No problem! See you at school then!”

With that, she left, and as I watched her retreating figure, she suddenly turned around a little way off and said,

“Senpai, I know you’re actually kind. You’re not fooling anyone!”

She said it with a teasing smile and then continued on her way.

Koido really is a cheeky junior, I thought with a wry smile as I watched her leave.

***

With Koido’s advice, I decided to go with cake as a gift, but at the cake shop, I found myself in a dilemma again.

There were so many types of cakes, and in the end, I had to guess Akira-san’s preference.

I chose Haru’s favorite chocolate cake, a classic shortcake, a Mont Blanc, and for a bit of variety, a fruit tart and had them boxed up.

I messaged Haru that I was on my way from the station and walked carefully to prevent the box from shaking.

Somehow, formally visiting a female friend’s house made me nervous, even though I had visited Hinata’s house several times and knew Akira-san.

I thought about how brave they were to visit my house a month ago.

Haru was really nervous back then, I recalled with a smile.

That thought eased my tension a bit.

Finally arriving at Hinata’s house, I took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell. But there was no response.

As I was tilting my head in confusion, I heard a commotion inside, and then the door swung open with Haru appeared.

“S-sorry. I was just finishing up the preparations.”

Haru, slightly out of breath, apologizes.

She probably had messaged me about that, but it was my fault for not checking, so I simply replied with ‘It’s fine.’

I asked if I should wait outside a bit longer, but she said the preparations were done and invited me inside.

“Sorry for bothering you.”

“Ah, Ren-kun! Welcome! It’s been a while!”

“Akira-san, it’s been a while. This is a little something for bothering you on your day off.”

“Wow, thank you! Oh, this box is from the cake shop in front of the station! I love their cakes! Thank you so much!”

The choice of the gift seemed to be a great success, and I felt relieved while silently thanking Koido in my mind.

Then I felt someone tugging at my sleeve.

It was Haru, looking displeased and pinching the sleeve of my shirt.

“You’ve been paying attention only to my mom since you got here…”

“It’s not really like that.”

“What? You even bought a cake from Mom’s favorite bakery.”

“That was just a coincidence. Oh, right. I also bought your favorite chocolate cake.”

“Ah, really!? Yay! Ehehe, thank you, Ren!”

What a charmingly easy-going girl.

So cute.

“Ahhh, Haru-chan is so cute!! Haru-chan is the cutest when she’s with Ren-kun. I should take a photo.”

Akira-san took out her smartphone and pointed the camera at Haru. Haru, looking embarrassed and protesting, ‘Stop it, Mom!’ only increased Akira-san’s excitement.

Finally, Haru hid behind me.

“Oh dear, she’s hiding. Ah, Ren-kun, I’m sorry to keep you standing here. Please, come in.”

“Ah, yes. Excuse me for intruding.”

Urged by Akira-san, I headed towards the living room of the Hinata house.

I had glimpsed inside when going to Haru’s room before, but this was my first time properly entering it like this.

Yet, I realized that most living rooms don’t differ much from each other, which somewhat settled my nerves.

However, the unique characteristics of the house are seen in some important areas, reminding me that I was indeed in the Hinata house.

Haru didn’t leave my side even as we moved to the living room. Even when Akira-san showed her empty hands and said, ‘I’ve put away my phone,’ Haru didn’t emerge from behind me.

She was acting like a small animal scared of humans.

Well, I’m a human too.

“I’ll go prepare the cake we got. Ren-kun, just make yourself at home!”

“Thank you.”

I chose a table seat somewhat randomly.

Haru finally moved away from me and sat in the next seat since we couldn’t sit together.

“Mom, you’re too excited… I don’t get it.”

Haru pouted and complained to her mother, but she didn’t seem genuinely annoyed.

It made me think that the mother and daughter of the Hinata family had a really good relationship.

Akira-san brought over cups filled with coffee, plates, and forks, and then Haru swiftly arranged them on the table.

I was treated as a guest and was told to just watch, so I did nothing.

Akira-san first placed a piece of the chocolate cake she took out of the box onto Haru’s plate. Seeing Haru’s eyes sparkle at the sight of the cake, Akira-san’s eyes also shone.

Then, Akira-san had a Mont Blanc, Haru’s father liked fruit in general, so I took the shortcake.

Throughout the meal, Akira-san kept looking for opportunities to take photos of Haru. And Haru, although embarrassed, seemed to have given up and accepted it.

Haru skillfully brought a piece of the chocolate cake to her mouth with a fork, then smiled brightly as if it tasted good.

As I watched her, I found myself taking out my smartphone to take a picture of her.

As the shutter clicks, Haru realizes I’ve taken a picture and tries to take my phone away from me, her face turning red.

“I’m sure you just took a picture! Let me see! I wasn’t aware, so I might be making a weird face!”

“It’s okay. You look cute.”

“Ah… really? Am I cute?”

“Yes, you are cute.”

“…Ehehehehehe.”

The moment Haru smiled even more, countless sounds of a shutter echoed from Akira-san’s smartphone sitting across from us.

…No, Akira-san, that’s too many photos.

The shutter sound is almost like background music now.