LMLCG – Episode 20 – I Want You

…I wonder how long she had been thinking about it.

I could tell that Senpai had been thinking about a lot, judging by how her expression would occasionally shift even as she looked away.

Then, suddenly, Senpai turned to face me.

From the way she looked straight at me, it was clear she had arrived at some kind of answer or conclusion.

“I didn’t think too much about the fact that I saw you, Takanashi-san, as different from other people. Before I knew it, I started to think that way, and later, I found myself trusting you, and now… I find you likable.”

Likable!?

Wait, I’m happy, but why all of a sudden!?

“I knew about you before we actually met, Takanashi-san. Of course, I noticed you taking care of the flower bed… but what really stuck with me was when you helped that lost girl in the shopping district.”

A lost girl… That must’ve been Mio-chan.

Was she watching me back then?

I don’t think I did anything particularly unusual.

If I remember right, I was just desperate to get Mio-chan to stop crying, so I did something I remembered from when Yuzuha was little…

“You used a cat mascot to soothe the crying girl, going nyan nyan…”

“Senpai! You don’t need to remember that part!!”

Right.

I remembered now. I did that because I was thinking of Yuzuha.

I didn’t really give it much thought at the time, but a guy going nyan nyan like that might’ve been a bit much…

“…? Why not? I don’t think there’s anything strange about it. I honestly thought it was amazing. You managed to calm her down and made her feel safe so naturally.”

It seemed Senpai cared more about the result than the nyan nyan part.

“…From my perspective, I was just drawing from past experience, I guess? I didn’t really think I was doing anything special…”

“Using your past experiences is important. Doesn’t that mean you’ve always had that kind of kindness, Takanashi-san?”

To be honest, ever since I was isolated in middle school, I haven’t had anyone speak so sincerely and kindly to me. I’m more confused than anything else.

“You held her hand and went with her to look for her mother, right? I still remember that scene vividly. It was a beautiful sight.”

That’s a bit embarrassing…

But Senpai hasn’t once broken her calm expression while talking about this.

In other words, she’s genuinely praising me.

“Even on your way to school, you carried her in your arms, didn’t you? I saw you a few times, and both of you had such wonderful smiles.”

She saw that much…?

So before we ever spoke for the first time, Senpai had already been watching me quite a bit.

…The same Senpai people call the Lonely Goddess…

“To be honest, I’m surrounded by people I find unpleasant. But you stood out to me. And then I got to know you, talk to you. What happened today was unexpected, but even so, I came to realize something.”

With that, Senpai looked straight into my eyes.

Her serious gaze felt like it was going to pull me in.

“I… about you…”

Wait… Where’s this conversation going…?

No no no, there’s no way she actually sees me like that…

“…someone I feel is like a best friend, like Natsumi.”

Yeah, I didn’t really think it was possible anyway. I mean, it’s not like I ever thought we were that close.

But honestly, I’m happy.

No one’s ever said anything like that to me before.

“That’s what I’ve been feeling so far…”

Senpai… is looking at me with a beautiful smile!

“…and how I feel now. If it’s alright with you, Takanashi-san, would you continue being friends with me?”

Rather, that’s something I should be asking for.

“Thank you very much. I’m really happy you feel that way.”

“I’m glad… I was a little worried since I’ve caused you so much trouble.”

I really am happy.

But since Senpai has opened up this much, now it’s my turn to be honest with her too.

I don’t know what Senpai will think when she hears this, and I’m scared to think she might be disappointed in me…