One day after school.
「Iyaー, today’s club practice was tough againー!」
「Yeah. And it’s been getting hot again recently, it’s starting to feel a bit exhausting.」
「Exactly, really! It’s already autumn, but the number of days over 30 degrees is increasing again, it’s just crazyー!」
I was having this conversation with Mochizuki Kaede, a friend from the volleyball club, while changing in the clubroom.
「Yeah, and it feels like the hot season is getting longer every year. I sweat a lot during club activities, so I wish it would cool down soon…」
「Yeah, really. It would be nice if the temperature cooled down a bit for us doing club activitiesー. But well, instead of just thinking about club activities, we’re high school students after all, so I’d want to hang out more. I’m getting tired from just club activities all the timeー.」
「Ahー, well, that’s true.」
「Ahaha, Saki thinks so too after all. Ahh, I wish I could have a boyfriend and experience youth like Haruka… Ah, right! Speaking of which, Saki, you’ve gotten really close with Yamada-kun lately, haven’t you?」
「Eh… Ah, eh? R-Really?」
I was taken aback when Kaede suddenly said that.
「Yeah, definitelyー. I mean, lately you’ve been spending a lot of time with Yamada-kun, right? I often see you two talking together in the classroom looking closeー.」
「Eh… Ahh, yeah. Well, we’ve been spending more time together recently, I guess? Eating lunch together, studying together… well, maybe we’ve been together a lot lately.」
「Hee, is that so! Eating lunch together means you’re really close! Ah, then maybe… are you two actually dating?」
「Eh… H-Haat!?」
I was so surprised by the unexpected question that I raised my voice.
「N-No, that’s!? T–T-That’s… not it! Y-Yamada and I aren’t dating or anything…!」
「Fuun, is that so? But despite saying that… fufu, your face is turning really red, you know?」
「Eh!? N-No way!? It’s hot!?」
I reflexively touched my cheeks with my hand. They were much hotter than I expected.
「Ahaha, what are you doingー? But seeing your face turn so red, it seems like you’re not entirely against the idea, right?」
「N-No, I said… i-it’s not like that! It’s just that, um… we only eat together and study together sometimes! We’re just friends, just friends! I’m sure Yamada thinks the same way!」
I said to Kaede, feeling embarrassed. S-Seriously… Kaede always tries to turn things into love stories right away…
「Unn, I don’t think that’s the case thoughー. I mean, Yamada-kun always looks really happy when he’s talking to youー.」
「Eh? R-Really…?」
「Yeah, reallyー. That’s why there’s quite a bit of gossip among the girls in our class. They’re wondering if you two might be in that kind of relationship…」
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
「Uh… L-Like I said, we’re not in that kind of relationship. W-Well, you can gossip about me all you want… but please don’t spread those kinds of rumors about Yamada. If Yamada has a girl he likes, um… it would be troublesome if those rumors got out…」
I said that thinking about Yamada.
── chiku…
(…Huh?)
But at that moment… I suddenly felt a prickling pain deep in my chest.
And for some reason I couldn’t understand… I felt a bit uncomfortable when I mentioned the possibility of Yamada having a girl he likes.
But what is this feeling…?
「Fuun, I seeー. Well, I get that you and Yamada aren’t dating. But I think you two make a great couple.」
「Eh… Uhh… t-that’s…」
「Fufu, but actually… what do you think about Yamada-kun?」
「Eh? T-That’s, well… I think he’s an easy guy to talk to. And he’s pretty serious and kind…」
「Fufu, I see, I seeー. Then… have you ever thought about wanting to date Yamada-kun?」
「Eh… Ehh!? N-No, that’s…」
I panicked when my friend asked me that. And while flustered, I ended up saying this.
「N-No, that’s… I-I’m not really sure yet… I mean… I’ve never dated anyone before… and I…」
(I… don’t have any charm as a girl…)
As I thought this, I fell deeper into self-loathing.
After all, I don’t have a particularly cute face, and my body isn’t slim and slender.
In fact, because I’m in the volleyball club and exercise every day, I have a rather strong build. My thighs are thick…
And I know I don’t have a very cute personality either. I’m pretty straightforward and say things as they are. So there must be people who don’t like this kind of personality.
Of course, I don’t know what Yamada thinks of someone like me… but objectively speaking, he probably wouldn’t like a girl like me…
「…? What’s wrong?」
「Eh… Eh!? A-Ah, no, it’s nothing!」
Kaede looked at me worriedly because I suddenly went silent. So I hurriedly said it was nothing.
Then I somehow forced the topic to change, and after that, I went home with Kaede while having trivial conversations.
But to think… such rumors were spreading among the girls in our class… What should I say to Yamada…