While I Was Giving Love Advice to My Best Friend, the School's Most Beautiful Girl Somehow Became the Closest Person to Me - Volume 2 Chapter 4.3

The Crisis of a Childhood Friend

“So… is the usual okay?”

“…Yes.”

“Excuse me, then.”

Alisa lay down on my lap as I sat on the bed.

One of my duties as a housekeeper is to chat with the spoiled Alisa-chan. When I stroke her head in this state, she’s very happy, so I pretend she’s Hiyori and stroke her head.

It would be surprising if Hiyori turned into a blonde with a soft body like this.

“Ryouma, stroke my head.”

“Sure, sure.”

In this state, Alisa sometimes speaks with the intelligence of a young child. I wonder if she acts this way with Otsuki-san as well.

Reo, too, I remember, was like this after basketball games. Since we were both guys, we didn’t get clingy.

Alisa’s golden hair is too perfect. It’s shiny even though she hasn’t bathed.

“Alisa, your part-time job is tutoring, right? What kind of kid are you teaching?”

“Right now, it’s a third-year middle school student. It’s a child of my father’s childhood friend. Maybe they’ll come to our school.”

“Really? That’ll be fun.”

“She’s very affectionate and cute, so Ryouma, you can’t get too close.”

“I can’t?”

I don’t understand the meaning of this conversation, but it’s probably not something to delve into deeply.

As I stroke her head like this, sometimes she falls asleep without realizing it, and sometimes she keeps talking.

If this is a comfort to Alisa, that’s fine. Honestly, it’s a comfort to me as well.

“Ryouma, have you thought about your future?”

Her sudden question brought me back to reality from the comfort I was feeling.

“To be honest, I haven’t thought about anything. I vaguely plan to go to university, then vaguely get a job… I haven’t found what I really want to do. What about you, Alisa?”

“I think I’ll go to university, but I’ll probably start a business after graduating high school.”

“Start a business!?”

“Yes, my mom said she’d help, so I should give it a try.”

“That’s amazing.”

“It’s just to see if I have a knack for management. If I try various things while I’m young, I can have many options. Even my current tutoring job is part of that. Teaching is a special skill.”

“Alisa, you’re amazing.”

Despite being the same age, to think you’ve considered so much… I’ve started to feel ashamed of myself.

“Um… you know, I’m honestly pretty useless at times, and I can’t do any housework… I probably can’t do anything bride-like at all.”

“That’s not the image I have of you, Alisa.”

“So, if it’s okay with you, and if Ryouma doesn’t mind, would you lend me a hand?”

“Me…?”

“I was going to ask Shizuku at first. But then she started saying stuff like her future dream was to be Mrs. Hirasawa or something…”

“That hurts.”

Alisa digs her nails into my thigh. Don’t take out your jealousy on Reo on me.

Starting a business, huh… So that’s why I’ve been chosen.

“It’s similar to what Shizuru-san was saying earlier.”

“Exactly! Shizuru, of all people… I’d rather you choose me over Shizuru… Is that bad?”

I think it over a bit. Onii-san’s offer is generous, but… if I had to choose between Alisa and Onii-san.

“I’d choose you, Alisa. Because you’re the most important to me.”

“~~~~~~”

Alisa turns her face away and buries it in my thigh. I feel like I’ve said something a little embarrassing.

Ah, let’s change the subject.

“Your hair is really beautiful, Alisa. Are you using something special? I think Hiyori should try to make her hair like yours too.”

The rapid speech characteristic of a shy person.

“…I do take care of it. I’m particular about my hair oil, too. I put a lot of effort into it every day.”

“Oh? Why?”

“It’s obvious, because I want you to stroke my head every day.”

“…I-I see!”

Could it be that she’s been putting so much effort into her hair just because she wants me to stroke it?

I’m happy, but… it’s incredibly embarrassing. But it makes sense. The texture of her hair is too perfect.

“I’ll never get tired of touching it.”

“Then…”

Alisa sits up and leans her body toward me. My eyes are drawn to her alluring lips, and I find myself mesmerized by Alisa.

“Do you want to touch other places?”

“Eh…”

“If it’s Ryouma… it’s okay.”

I wonder what she’s referring to. Her emphasized chest, her pale and thighs… or maybe something else.

If this is an invitation from Alisa, then I…

“Can I… touch your hand?”

“Mm.”

I take Alisa’s offered hand and slowly touch it. It’s small, soft, and definitely a girl’s hand.

“Ryouma’s hands are warm. Is it because you play basketball?”

“Maybe so.”

Alisa and I press our hands together, feeling the sensation of each other’s palms.

I can’t help but imagine intertwining our fingers like lovers and heading to the bed… It seems like Alisa would accept that now, so it’s really a matter of whether I have the courage or not.

“Hey, Ryouma.”

“Wh-What?”

“You can do it.”

“Do what!?”

The things I want to do in this situation are limited. Just the two of us, a boy and a girl on a bed.

If Alisa is asking for it, should I take the next step?

Just as I was about to muster up some strength, captivated by her adorable figure, that’s when it happened.

“Hey!”

The door to Alisa’s room bursts open, and Shizuru Onii-san strides in.

“How long are you going to make me wait? I’m starving!”

Before I know it, it’s past seven o’clock. Alisa and I are still holding hands on the bed, facing each other.

“…You guys are dating after all, huh?”

“Tsk! We’re not dating yet!”

The way she says “yet” seems a bit off.

“I might not know much, but if a boy and a girl are holding hands in a girl’s room, doesn’t that mean they’re dating?”

Onii-san’s point is valid, but… Alisa and I aren’t in that kind of relationship.