What If I Told Tomori-san, The Girl Who's Cold Only Towards Me, That I Knew Her Secret Account? - V2 Chapter 4.4

Reunion, Past, and the Interrupted Piano 4

I strongly wished to save her if possible.

I bet on the possibility of her having understanding parents, unlike myself.

“Did you resume playing the piano?”

“No. I’m going to play at an event at the academy, but I still don’t have the intention to enter competitions. I haven’t overcome the slump yet.”

“I see. Well, take your time to figure things out.”

“Mhm. Are you just saying that as a casual remark, acting like it’s none of your business?”

“Why would you think that? You’re not just anyone, Chifuyu. You’re an important friend. Well, I’m sure you have other friends besides me.”

“Yeah, that’s true. I came here today because of Senpai’s DM and Azusa encouraging me from behind. And also…”

“What is it?”

“Remember we talked before? I said there’s someone Azusa’s interested in, right?”

“You mean Kagisaka.”

“Yes, that infuriating guy. But… maybe this time, I should thank him a bit. He also suggested that it would be good for me to talk with Senpai.”

After saying that, Chifuyu stood up from the bench.

“I’m sorry to leave you, but I’ll have to say goodbye soon. If I stay out too late, my parents will worry.”

“I’ll walk you home then.”

“Wow, thanks! You’re really different from Kagisaka, Senpai. He’s nowhere near as thoughtful… and you’re cool.”

“Most of our DMs are about otaku stuff, though.”

“I don’t mind you being an otaku at all! Thanks to meeting you, I was able to change. I used to be so shy, but I tried different hairstyles and outfits, and I worked hard to improve my social skills!”

” …… “

“I wanted to have common topics to talk about with you, and before I knew it, I became an otaku who loves anime and games. Since that night when we met in this park, I’ve… I’ve been in love with you, Senpai.”

“Chifuyu…”

“So, I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”

For just a moment, Chifuyu blushed, and then she lifted the hem of her red checkered skirt with both hands.

I was genuinely surprised.

The school uniform’s short skirt.

In that brief moment, I caught a glimpse of delicately embroidered pure white underwear.

“Ha… hahaha.”

With her face burning red up to her ears, Chifuyu looked triumphant.

“How’s that? Now that girl has one less advantage.”

“…You know, don’t just do things like this so easily. Earlier, you couldn’t even say that she showed her underwear.”

Trying to hide my embarrassment, I retorted.

But then Chifuyu tightly grasped the hem of her skirt and muttered.

“…I wasn’t embarrassed, okay…?”

” …… “‘

“I’m doing something like this… only in front of Senpai. Maybe… I can even do…evenmore lewd things…?”

She gazed up at me with watery azure eyes, her expression bashful.

“——Chifuyu.”

“!? W-What? Why the serious look all of a sudden… Wait, don’t tell me you’re about to—”

“Your approach is too straightforward.”

“Huh?”

“I think you’re watching too much romantic comedies anime. In fiction, making bold moves like this can leave a strong impression on the audience. But in real life, it can have the opposite effect and make the other person uncomfortable.”

“Ah!? I couldn’t help it! Because… because I was so happy to see you after such a long time…”

Chifuyu said in a meek voice, completely different from the straightforward challenge she had just thrown at me.

” …… “

Could it be… is she doing this on purpose?

That straightforward confession earlier, even though I pretended it made me calm, truthfully made my heart race.

And now, with this cute curveball approach from Chifuyu, I couldn’t help but want to pat her head.

Anyway——

“Let’s go now.”

“Yeah! Oh, right! Let’s talk about otaku stuff until we get home!”

“We always do that through DM, don’t we?”

“Talking face-to-face is totally different! It’s so much fun and makes me happy!”

I deeply resonated with Chifuyu’s words.

Otaku friends we could only meet online.

After two years, I finally got to see my Kouhai-chan again.

“—I guess I’m feeling just as happy as you.”

I muttered in a soft voice, barely audible to Chifuyu walking beside me.

Just like on the night we first met, I decided to accompany my dear friend.

*****

Anyway, with this, the matter seems to be settled.

I managed to help Chifuyu with her worries, and for the time being, everything worked out.

Or so I thought until the next day’s lunch break.

“Here, these are for you. My dad got these from his workplace the other day.”

Once again, in the empty music room, Chifuyu handed two tickets to Tomori and me.

The tickets had the name of an amusement park and pool facility near Shinhime Station.

“Thank you, Azusa! I’d like to thank Kagisaka as well. Thanks to you both, I got to meet my crush after so long, and the misunderstandings have been cleared!”

Chifuyu, with a smile full of happiness, announces.

“This is my thank-you to both of you. Since the tests are over, why don’t you two go on a date this Sunday?”