Episode 238: No One Else Can Copy This

Hmm…

I’d expected Yuji to confess, but I didn’t think I’d end up witnessing the confession itself (from the shadows).

I realized for the first time that when you actually see a scene like that between your friends, it makes you feel embarrassed just watching.

I feel like I finally understand how everyone felt when they were watching us…

「…Fufu… That’s good… Natsumi.」

Sara-san, who had been watching happily, let out her thoughts in a murmur.

The atmosphere seemed fine, so we’d been watching with peace of mind. I thought it might be a bit mean to watch until the very end, but I was convinced by Sara-san’s comment,「We’re even, so it’s fine.」

「…Natsumi has helped me so much with Kazunari-san and even given me advice. I wanted to be there if anything happened, but I’m just glad everything settled peacefully.」

「You’re right. I’m happy for Yuji if he’s found happiness too.」

「Is that so… thanks for the support, okay?」

「?」

Wait?

Whose voice was that?

When I turned toward the voice… there stood Natsumi-senpai with a twitching face, standing tall with her arms crossed.

It looked like we’d been caught.

By the way, Yuji was looking away, probably too embarrassed to meet our eyes.

「Oh, how did you find us?」

Without looking particularly guilty, Sara-san started responding in her usual way. I’m sorry, but Natsumi-senpai is scary, so I decided to leave this to Sara-san.

「I could hear your voices normally… how long have you been there?」

Apparently she’d noticed us. Or rather, if we were in a spot where we could hear them, it’s only natural that they could hear us too. It isn’t strange at all.

「Let’s see… was it around the part where Natsumi started saying meaningless things like comparing yourself to me?」

「Gugh… Sorry about that!!」

Maybe because she was embarrassed, Natsumi-senpai was showing an over-the-top reaction. On the other hand, Sara-san was acting perfectly composed, which seemed to be baiting Natsumi-senpai even more.

「Tachibana-san said he liked Natsumi just as you are, didn’t he? There was no need to compare yourself to me… well, I’m sure it was just to hide your shyness, and that inability to be honest is also part of Natsumi’s…」

「Daaaaaaaah, d-d-don’t try to analyze me so calmly!!!」

It looks like the roles have completely reversed. Natsumi-senpai, who used to be the one giving romance advice and teasing us, was now completely on the defensive against the current Sara-san.

「Fufu… you should just say you’re happy. It’s been obvious for a long time that Natsumi was conscious of Tachibana-san. Like that love fulfillment amu… mgh.」

「Waaaaaaaaaah!!!」

!?

Just as I thought Natsumi-senpai suddenly yelled, she closed the distance to Sara-san with incredible speed and silenced her by thrusting out her right hand.

……What was that speed?

It was a move that made me think,「as expected of the tennis club ace,」and I couldn’t hide my surprise.

However, it seemed she was a bit too late to silence Sara-san. I’d already heard「love fulfillment」… which means she was talking about an amulet.

「Mgh-gh-gh-gh.」

「Sa, Saraaaaaa… y-y-you…」

While covering Sara-san’s mouth, Natsumi-senpai glared at her with obvious panic.

「Natsumi-san… a love fulfillment amulet…?」

Of course, Yuji had heard it clearly too. While showing his joy, he asked Natsumi-senpai directly. Is he trying to make her explain even though he already knows?

「Th-th-th-that was… that was, well, a m-m-momentary lapse in judgment!! I-It’s not like I chose it while thinking about Yuji, okay!?」

Yeah, that was a perfect template response. Even for a cover-up, that was… I couldn’t help but smirk too. It seems Natsumi-senpai also shows a cute, maiden-like side when it comes to her own romance.

「It wasn’t about me, yet you chose a love fulfillment amulet? Then what were you intending… could it be someone else…」

Yuji is being mean too. He seems intent on making Natsumi-senpai admit it, and he has no intention of letting up on his interrogation while smirking.

I just realized, does Yuji have a bit of a sadistic streak?

「Why don’t you just tell him honestly? You already know each other’s feelings now.」

It seemed Sara-san had escaped Natsumi-senpai’s finishing move (?) before I knew it. She sounded like she was siding with Yuji… no, Sara-san isn’t the type to tease someone like that.

She must be serious from the start.

「How about it, Natsumi-san?」

Yuji didn’t seem likely to let Natsumi-senpai escape, as he pressed her while peering into her face. This guy is definitely a sadist. It’s confirmed.

Regardless… to think the day would come when I’d see these two flirting with my own eyes…

「Uuuuuuu, aaaaaah, enough already!! Fine!!! I reflexively grabbed it when I thought about Yuji!!! Is that bad!!??」

Finally giving up, Natsumi-senpai exploded half-sulkily. Her face was bright red, and it was my first time seeing Natsumi-senpai look so adorable.

Earlier, she’d said all sorts of things about having no confidence, but looking at her now, she’s plenty of a maiden.

「No, I’m really happy.」

And then there was Yuji’s composed attitude. It looked like their positions had completely flipped. Yuji, who was supposed to be the one led around by Natsumi-senpai, was now the one doing the pushing.

「Kuuu… wh-why am I… this is all Sara’s fault!!!???」

「Fufu… it’s your own fault for not being honest, Natsumi. Like me…」

「Is that so, is that so!! Ah, come to think of it, the amulet reminded me!! Hey Takanashi-kun, Sara has an amulet too. And it’s actually a safe deliv… fuguu!!!???」

Whack!!

Sara-san’s movement was every bit as fast as Natsumi-senpai’s from before. She closed the distance with terrifying speed and showed enough momentum that I thought she might actually lift Natsumi-senpai up while silencing her with her right hand.

「Th-th-th-that was just Natsumi tricking me!!! I didn’t choose it myself!!??」

Sara-san panicking is an extremely rare sight. Since it’s an amulet, it shouldn’t be anything bad. I’m curious why she’s panicking that much, though.

「Um… Sara-san?」

When I spoke to her, Sara-san turned toward me and her face turned red in an instant. Is it that embarrassing? If so, I have no intention of forcing her to tell me, but…

「Well… I will definitely tell you about this someday, so could you please forget it for now?」

Since Sara-san asked me like that, I can’t really push the subject any further. Honestly, I’m curious, but if she says she’ll tell me eventually, I just have to wait.

I’m really curious, though.

「I understand. I won’t ask if you hate the idea, Sara-san.」

Hearing my reply, Sara-san relaxed with a look of relief. Was it really something she didn’t want to be asked about?

「It isn’t that I hate it. I just think it’s still too early… well, because it’s about the f-f-future.」

Sara-san fidgeted and looked down bashfully, stealng glances at me every now and then. When she shows me such a cute side, I get embarrassed too…

「Gasp!? A-Are you trying to kill me!!!!」

It seemed she’d escaped from Sara-san’s restraint.

I’d completely forgotten, but Natsumi-senpai’s mouth had still been covered.

「Hah, hah… I thought I was going to die.」

「It was your own fault. Natsumi chose for herself. I was tricked by Natsumi… am… I… wrong?」

Faced with a smile that carried immense pressure, Natsumi-senpai gave a resentful but firm nod. That was harsh…

「I’m glad you understand. Now then…」

After saying that, Sara-san’s demeanor changed completely. She hugged Natsumi-senpai gently and gave a soft smile from the bottom of her heart.

「Once again… congratulations, Natsumi. I didn’t know that seeing your best friend find happiness could make me feel this happy.」

「Uuu… it’s kind of embarrassing when you say it so seriously…」

Sara-san’s gentle voice made it clear that this blessing was a sincere feeling.

The best friend who had always supported her had now grasped her own happiness. There was no way she wouldn’t be happy about it.

And I felt the same way.

「Yuji… congrats. Things weren’t progressing, so I was actually planning to arrange a double date soon.」

「It’s a bit embarrassing when you say it to my face. But let me thank you too. If you trace it back, we only met because of you and your girlfriend.」

Yuji also looked embarrassed, slightly averting his gaze from me. Their meeting might have happened because Sara-san was best friends with Natsumi-senpai. But that wasn’t something he needed to thank me for.

「Natsumi, there is nothing embarrassing about romance. You should be dignified, like us.」

「No way, I could never flirt anywhere and everywhere like you two do.」

Natsumi-senpai seemed to have calmed down, as her usual retorts had returned. Hearing that quip, Sara-san let out a giggle, and Natsumi-senpai started laughing along with her.

「Thanks, Sara.」

「Congratulations, Natsumi.」

Their joy reached me too… a gentle atmosphere enveloped the area. Yuji and I watched the two of them with the same level of happiness.

After coming down from the rooftop, we started our shopping immediately. Since our goals were set, we ended up buying some dishes and an oven, but skipped the dresser and vanity at Sara-san’s request. And finally, it was time to decide on the double-sized futon.

「That’s a shame… this futon was cute and would’ve been good…」

「Hmm… they don’t have the size. It looks like it only comes in single.」

While looking through the displayed futons in order, Sara-san found a cute one, but unfortunately they didn’t have the right size.

「Then just get a single. It doesn’t have to be a double.」

「No. What if Kazunari-san catches a cold?」

As expected, Sara-san’s standard was me.

She insisted that a large size was necessary strictly to prevent me from catching a cold.

「No, that’s why we should use separate futons…」

「That is also out of the question. When we started living together, we promised to always sleep while cuddling at night.」

「…………Wow, what a wonderful promise?」

Natsumi-senpai gifted me a blank stare and a deadpan comment.

She must be completely exasperated.

It’s true that we made several promises.

Sleeping together was one of them, and it seems Sara-san is truly determined to sleep while holding me every night from now on.

「Kazunari… well… do your best.」

Yuji’s lukewarm support, clearly laced with consideration, was pathetic… but I just have to do my best.

「Ah… this one looks good. If I make the futon cover myself…」

The futon laid out on the display bed was apparently a store recommendation. It must be a famous brand, as the price was fairly high, but it was fluffy and felt great to the touch. It was within the budget too.

「What do you think?」

「It looks like it would feel great to sleep on.」

「Yes. Let’s keep each other warm ♪」

「…I can’t handle puking that much sugar, okay?」

「…Yeah, me neither.」

Leaving the two with twitching faces behind, I started the purchase procedure with the clerk I’d called over. It would be delivered at a later date along with the other items we’d bought so far.

Our shopping finished successfully, and we ended up taking a break at the cafe Natsumi-senpai had wanted to visit. We each grabbed our orders and secured a table for four.

「Sigh… I still don’t have a real sense that I actually have a boyfriend.」

「Saying that right in front of me is a bit lonely.」

Even though these two had become a couple, it felt like the atmosphere from the outside hadn’t changed much. If you listened to their conversation, you could tell the difference, of course.

「Here, Kazunari-san, say aah…」

Chomp… munch munch.

Well, no use worrying about it. Those two are them, and we are us. So, ignoring the rest and sticking to our usual routine, we carried on with our typical scene.

「Is it delicious?」

「Sara-san’s cakes are more delicious.」

「Fufu… even if you flatter me, I’m only giving you ‘good boy’ treatment ♪」

「No, I’m not flattering you. I really think so.」

「……Kazunari-san. Please let me kiss you later, okay?」

「「…………」」

I’m well aware that we’re being given incredibly lukewarm stares. But they’ll only be able to look at us like that for a little longer. Since they’ve become a couple, they’ll surely start flirting eventually too.

「Natsumi, is something wrong?」

Of course Sara-san noticed the stares too, so she tilted her head curiously.

「No… I was just thinking, how can you flirt that much? I couldn’t do even half of that.」

「That’s just because Natsumi is still a beginner.」

「No, no, if you’re going to say that, you two were overdoing it even before you started dating, okay?」

Thinking back to before we started dating, yeah, maybe these two are being a bit too casual. You’d think there’d be more joy at becoming lovers, more excitement or physical contact…

「Now that I have a boyfriend I realize it all over again, but you really are amazing.」

「What’s this all of a sudden?」

「No, I was just thinking, no matter how much you like someone, how can you be that devoted? And being able to be that open with your affection is also incredible.」

Sara-san is definitely special. Even I know that much. But that’s exactly why I love Sara-san from the bottom of my heart, and I’ve decided to accept her expressions of affection even in public.

「Fufu… I think I’m special too. If someone could copy me, I’d be genuinely impressed.」

「So you do understand that you’re an outlier, at least?」

「That’s a bit different. I just think that the strength of my feelings of love for Kazunari-san isn’t something that can be copied.」

No one could feel anything but joy at being loved that much. I really am a happy man. The happiest man in the world.

「I’d love to see if there’s another woman out there who can do as much as you. So Takanashi-kun, what are your thoughts after hearing all that?」

The spear of the conversation suddenly turned toward me. Thoughts… Sara-san said all that for me. I want to give something back too.

「I know how special, precious, and happy the things Sara-san does for me are. That’s why I’ll always accept you, Sara-san, and love you from the bottom of my heart…」

Chu…

Suddenly I felt a gentle and happy sensation on my cheek.

It was a kiss from Sara-san, of course.

「I couldn’t wait until we got home…」

「Sara-san…」

「I don’t like that… call me Sara… Dear.」

Sara-san’s pained expression fixed my gaze on her. Our feelings of love must be overflowing in the same way.

「I understa… I, I understand… Sara.」

It was sudden, but I managed to reply. Seeing Sara-san’s happy expression makes me feel just as happy.

「…D, Dear? Are these guys limitless?」

「…No, the fact that we just normally ignored a kiss in a store is also bad…」

As long as I can see Sara-san smiling so happily, I don’t care what the people around us think or how exasperated they are. Sara-san’s happiness is my happiness.