His Childhood Friend is a Beautiful, Reclusive Girl, So He Spends His After-School Hours in Her Room (But He’s Not Her Boyfriend!) - Ch. 18: The Childhood Friend From A Year And A Half Ago ~ JK ~ (Yuika POV)

The breeze caressing my cheeks felt good.

I was on the roof of a school.
If you look up, you can see the blue sky, and if you look down, you can see the school grounds and the students engaged in club activities.
I was wearing my school uniform of a blazer and skirt. When the wind blows, you can almost see a glimpse of my absolute region, but that’s a service.

I touch the fence on the rooftop while looking out over the city.
It was a fence to prevent people from falling, but it was low enough that I could easily climb over it if I really wanted to.

Behind me is my childhood friend.
It was Mikami Souta.
The boy who has been by my side ever since I can remember.

“Hey, Souta.”

Without turning around, I called out to him.
A light breeze blew and my black hair swayed softly.

“If I say I’m going to jump from here, will you… die with me?”
“Sure. I’ll die with you.”

I was surprised.
The reply was too quick.

I knew what Souta would say, but it would be nice if he pretended to be a little upset. If he replied in an instant like this, I would have to remind him. I’m sure Souta knows exactly what I’m thinking…

“However.”

Souta continued without stopping.
It was very natural as if he was recommending his favorite late-night anime.

“I’m going to live, and you’re going to live.”

A wind blew.
It was a strong, unyielding wind. It pushed me away from the fence and blew off my balance.

… Ah, that’s not good. I’m in love, I’m in love with you…

Souta is always like this.
He listens to whatever I want to do. He’s so accepting that it’s almost a joke, and he supports me every time.

But not when I’m about to make a mistake.
When I was about to make a fatal mistake, he would stop me without question.

It’s the same now.
I’d fall in love with you if you told me to live with you like this. I can’t die now.
Well, we’re just childhood friends, so I wouldn’t really fall in love with you. I won’t, okay? I would never do that, okay?

After all.
I’m the one who’s always pushing him around, but Souta is the one who holds the reins in the end. Fundamentally, I’m no good for Souta.

“Do you understand?”
“… I understand. I’ll live. I’ll live.”

When I staggered from the strong wind, he supported my shoulders from behind.
I looked at Souta with a sulky look on my face.

“Then I’ll stay indoors instead. I don’t want to see anyone anymore. I’m afraid to even talk to people.”
“Have it your way. I’ll see you every day after school.”

I said I don’t want to see anyone.
You think you’re the exception as if it’s obvious. … Well, yes, he is. The only exception is Souta.

I think we are a really weird pair of childhood friends.
Souta has always had a sort of complex about protagonists and heroes. He insists that he is different.

But when I had a problem at this school, Souta was the one who came dashing in and solved it with a bang.

He was very active in defeating the back-student council and the gang leader’s union as soon as they appeared, and helping all the other students who were in trouble. In the end, he even fought a duel with the rival student council president on the riverbank in the setting sun. What kind of romance is this?

He didn’t get upset when I told him I was going to die, he easily stopped me, and he even accepted that I was going to stay indoors. I have never seen such a strong person in my life.

Oh, I’m not in love, I’m not in love with you, okay?
It’s not like I’ve had a crush on you since we were kids, but now that you’ve gallantly rescued me, I have no excuse for being so crushed on you! We’re just childhood friends!

… Well, that’s why.
The reason why I became a recluse has already been solved by Souta, and my current life as a recluse began because of my weak mind.