LMLCG – Episode 36 – Going Shopping

“If that’s what you want, Sara, then I guess it’s fine.”

“But… technically, that’s something I should prepare myself. As a thank-you gift, it feels a little off…”

“Takanashi-san, what I want is a bento box that I chose for you myself. Of course, if you choose one, that would be fine as well… but if possible, I’d like to be the one to pick it out.”

Ugh… if she puts it like that, there’s really nothing more I can say.

If Sara-senpai’s happy with it, then I guess there’s no problem…

“So basically, Sara chooses, and Takanashi-kun buys it. That means the two of you’ll just have to go shopping together!!”

“Eh!?”

Wait, is that the only way?

But that would mean… with Sara-senpai…

“Going shopping with Takanashi-san… I’m happy… Ah, but is that really okay with you, Takanashi-san?”

“No, I’m totally fine with it! Actually, I should be asking, are you okay going out with someone like me…?”

“I’d be very happy if I get to go shopping with you, Takanashi-san.”

“Ah, of course, I’m happy too!”

“Fufu… Then, would you go shopping with me?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

So that means we’ll be going out together on our next day off?

Crap, I need to figure out what to wear…

“I’m already looking forward to it. Is it alright if we figure out the date and other details later? If we don’t water the plants soon, we’ll run out of time.”

“Got it.”

“I’ll help too.”

I have to see this through with my own eyes…

Sara going on a date with a guy? That’s… interesting, no, I mean, worrisome, right.

As someone watching over the two of them, I need to go and see what happens.

“…So that’s how it went.”

That night, I was on the phone with Yuuji.

Naturally, I was telling him about the upcoming shopping trip with Sara-senpai.

“She wants to pick out Kazunari’s bento box… man, that’s…”

“Yeah, I know I should’ve been the one to buy it before she asks. I feel bad about it. But to be honest, I’m glad she thought about me that much.”

Senpai called me a precious friend.

The way she thinks about me and considers my feelings… it really means a lot.

“…Hey, um… mind if I ask something?”

Yuuji suddenly shifted the tone of the conversation.

“What is it?”

“What do you think about that senpai?”

“What do I think…? I think she’s someone important to me.”

She’s someone who understands me.

Of course she’s important.

“Yeah, I figured. But I mean, do you like her as a woman? I was wondering that even when you told me what happened last time. Where do you stand?”

“To be honest, I haven’t thought about it that way. What matters most to me is that she clearly said I was a precious friend. If that’s what she wants, whether it’s just as a friend or even a close friend, that’s more than enough for me. The fact that she’s important to me doesn’t change.”

“So basically, you’ve gone beyond that kind of distinction, you just care about her, no matter what form the relationship takes…”

After what happened in middle school, Kazunari had a hard time trusting anyone.

That girl… Sasagawa Yuzuha, Kazunari’s childhood friend, was the reason he became so distrustful, to the point where he couldn’t even fully believe in the friends he used to hang out with.

I considered Kazunari to be my best friend, and I knew that girl very well.

So I think I understood how Kazunari felt back then.

Because I stayed close and involved, I think he was able to trust me.

But the others, who didn’t know the full story, just gave up and drifted away from him.

He wanted someone who would understand and believe in him, but he himself couldn’t believe in anyone, that spiral of distrust pushed him into isolation.

So now, someone finally appears who truly understands him, and he’s probably clinging to that… maybe even to the point of being a little blind to everything else.

If someone he treasures wants him, then, to him, it doesn’t matter what form that relationship takes. As long as their feelings for him remain sincere…

“Got it. Sorry for asking something weird. Anyway, just enjoy the day. It’s been a while since you’ve gone out with anyone besides me, right?”

“Yeah, I guess… But first, I’ve got to focus on the main purpose of the trip.”

“If you’re planning to hang out a little after shopping, maybe go for a shopping mall or shopping district. That gives you options.”

Once the shopping is done, if Senpai’s okay with it, I’d like to hang out a bit more.

And honestly, since the bento box is technically for me, I’d like to give her something too, if I can.

“Yeah, I was thinking about that. Either way, I’ll decide with Sara-senpai. We haven’t finalized the date and time yet.”

“Alright then. Let me know once it’s all settled. Maybe I can give you some advice… or maybe even observe the situation myself.”

“Huh? The signal must’ve cut out? Didn’t catch the last part.”

“It’s nothing important. Anyway, keep me posted once things are decided~”

“Will do. Night.”