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. 31: The Next Step Is Difficult

I feel Yuika’s breath close to me.
My left hand is around her thin waist, and my right hand is on her lush cheek.
Yesterday, we had our first kiss.
Today, as expected, we were going to spend the day as usual.

But I can’t.
Once you know that sweet feeling, you can’t hold back anymore.

“Souta…”
“I’m taking it, the second time.”

Not wanting to hear any response, I tried to place my lips on hers, and…

“So-.”
“So-?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t do it!”
“Eh!? Gufu—!?”

Long time no see, King Arthur!
I don’t know where in the world she took it from, but I took a direct hit to the face from the plushie and fell down.

Yuika left my hand and moved like a rabbit towards the bed.
I hold my reddened nose, confused.

“W-what!? Wasn’t I just being nice!? I thought I was being twice as kind as Buffalon.”
“I don’t think that’s a very subtle analogy, because twice the kindness of Buffalon is, in other words, only the equivalent of one pill!”
“Yes, indeed…! No, wait, now is not the time to be discussing the conversion between pharmaceutical law and human emotions!”
“You’re right…! Well, I mean, why are you sorry…?’

Yuika turned into a bun with a futon over her head with only her face showing.

“M-my view of love is made up of only games, manga, anime, and Souta. That’s why, that’s why…”
“I can’t help feel so happy on the fact that it casually includes me, but what does that mean? Please continue!”
“I just can’t get my head around the fact that reality is catching up with fiction! It makes me go wow! Yesterday, I kissed you unexpectedly, but when I got ready to do it, I felt so embarrassed…………sorry.”
“I-I see…”

I certainly understand what she’s saying.
After all, we’ve been childhood friends for 17 years. If I suddenly try to do something like that, she will get nervous and probably lose it.

“Ah, and…”
“Yeah?”
“Whenever Souta gets into relationship mode, I almost laugh because it doesn’t suit him.”
“Isn’t that awful to say!?”

Oh man, this is the most level of hurt I’ve felt all year… No, I noticed it too, you know? I thought I was giving off an unsuitable vibe. But if I’m in a relationship with a girl I like, I’ll do my best.

But, well… it’s not the end of the world for Yuika to do that. I walked over to the bed, sat down next to the bun, and patted it.

“Then, let’s take it slow.”
“… Aren’t you mad at me?”
“No. I won’t be mad over something like this.”
“If you’re mad, tell me, okay? I’ll apologize…”

Coming out from under the covers slightly, Yuika blushed.

“…I’ll let you touch my chest for a little.”

“I’m angry. I’m super angry. Now I can be a blonde and beat a guy with 530,000 pounds!”
“Oh, you’re not really mad. Thank God.”
“Dang it! I hate the tacit understanding that is unique to childhood friends…”
[TLN: Dragon Balls?]

Hah, I feel weak. No matter what I do today, it’s going to backfire. I’ll just do my school work quietly. With that thought in mind, I was about to get up from the bed when I felt a tug on my sleeve.

“… Don’t go.”

Yuika only had her fingertips out and was tugging at my sleeves.
Mmm, you’re so cute, konoyaro.

“I’m just doing my assignment.”
“… I know. But I want you to stay with me a little longer.”

She looks up at me and says sweetly.

“… No?”

I chuckle and said, “okay,” then sat back down on the bed.
When I reached out to her, she ran away, but when I try to pull away, she wants me back. This kind of “troublesome yet cute” move is also typical of Yuika.

When she saw that I had sat back down, she squirmed out of the way and rubbed her cheek against my hand.

“Whoa, whoa, a Neko?”
“Playing Neko.”
“Then say nya?”
“… Nya~”
[TLN: Neko = cat.]

Okay, it’s cute.
After that, I became engrossed in stroking Neko Yuika’s chin for a while. I was so engrossed that I almost forgot to do my assignment. No, no, I need to be careful.

[TLN: Woohoo screw Finals I’m done. Do you readers want to see illustrations for this? Though there is only one volume, I could get it and post them. Btw 5 chapters for today since Ucali clapped me yesterday. 1 / 5 ]