I ended up coming here on impulse.
Even though I hadn’t managed to sort out my feelings at all.
I peek my face through the door and say in my usual gentle, fluffy voice.
「Excuse me. Do you still have any items left for sale?」
I said.
Since then, I’ve been absent-minded.
Even when making casual conversation with Eri-san. Even when that guy said something teasing again and I smiled while feeling irritated inside.
It felt different from usual.
I was envious of the harmonious atmosphere between them.
Without realizing it, I had stopped thinking about it.
Looking back now, I think that’s how it was.
Even when I was walking down the hallway with him, I felt a different sensation than usual.
I was trying hard to be my usual self, to be natural.
I wonder if he thinks I’m acting weird…
That’s what I thought as I glanced at him walking beside me, but it was just needless worry, and he spoke to me as naturally as if he were at home, just like always.
The conversation was mundane.
Comments about the stall, asking why I bought so much.
I lied to him on the spot.
It wasn’t for friends or anything, I just bought it because I liked it.
The reason I hid that was…
It’s embarrassing to be thought of as a glutton…
I clearly didn’t want him to have a negative image of me.
Why…?
There shouldn’t be any disadvantage no matter what he thinks of me…
While my mind was in turmoil, I glanced at him again and saw he had a slightly troubled expression.
I wonder what’s wrong…?
It was a genuine question, but the cause of his worry soon came out of his own mouth.
Apparently, sales weren’t going well.
It wasn’t about the taste, the shop’s concept, or the price, but the limits of advertising.
At some point, he said so.
He was doing what he could. I knew that best. He always spent time coming up with various ideas, trying to present the best one in his own way.
But there was a limit to how much you could attract with something new, no matter how much thought you put into it.
The cafeteria stall was apparently a huge success.
Because of that, even fewer people were coming to the Home Economics Club’s stall.
His face, as he asked me to spread the word to my friends, was smiling but filled with guilt underneath.
It wasn’t the kind of face he usually showed me.
He should usually have a more relaxed expression.
He would never show such a troubled smile while trying to cover up his perplexity.
What’s with that… If he needs an advertising tower, he should just ask me.
Just ask me to go around and advertise with him!
I realized that in addition to the vague, frustrating feeling, a deep-seated anger was bubbling up inside me.
「I-It’s fine though…」
Despite being angry that he didn’t invite me, I don’t clarify my own position.
I can’t be honest. I hate that about myself.
Even though I was filled with self-loathing, “…Is that okay?” He was very surprised by my response.
What, I would normally lend a hand if someone was in trouble, though?
What does this guy think of me?? Isn’t that rude?
I might be getting a bit annoyed for another reason too…
「I mean, you’re defiant, right?」
Hahaan. So you think it’s okay to pour oil on the fire like that? Hee?
I know this isn’t the time to be arguing about this, but it’s offensive to be called defiant, and I can’t accept it.
If you trace it back, it’s your fault for doing things that make it hard for me to react!?
Of course, it’s just a difference of opinion and we’re arguing about it.
I don’t know if my dissatisfied protest worked, but unusually, he apologized.
When he says “Don’t get mad”, I become stubborn and don’t want to admit I’m angry.
He can see through my facial changes by bringing up that day’s events, yet he’s so clueless about the important things.
Right now, I’m angry that he’s not honestly asking me for help… It’s not like I’m thinking anything wicked like being upset about spending less time with him or about them doing the stall together, or that it’s unfair, or that I want to do something together with him too…
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
When I pointed out his lack of perception, he said something unbelievable like “Were you lonely because we didn’t talk?”.
Ha? Lonely?
Who? Where?
He asked if he hit the mark just because I was a little taken aback, but there’s no way that’s true!
As if I’m saying I’m angry that he doesn’t stay for dinner, or that I want to talk about things other than the sports festival, or that I’m a bit down because he hasn’t praised me recently even though I’ve been diligently cleaning the toilet??
Well, he’s way off the mark! Seriously!
See, he doesn’t get it at all!
Geez… he’s really hopeless.
He doesn’t realize his own suffering… and that there’s someone who wants to share that suffering with him, who wants to reach out to him.
「Hey… don’t you have something to say to me right now?」
I’m a sly person, so I won’t give him the answer myself.
He had unconsciously voiced his own SOS signal.
And I should have already conveyed, albeit clumsily, that there’s someone who wants to help him.
So… rely on me…
I had no intention of leaving.
I just wanted to create an opportunity for him to speak up.
That’s the only reason I started to walk away.
And he stopped me.
A slightly rough, boy’s hand completely enveloped my arm.
Feeling the definite warmth, I turn back and stare straight into his eyes.
Until I get the answer.
〇
「Um… if it’s not too much trouble… I was wondering if you could help advertise the shop…」
He slowly speaks, careful not to make a mistake with the words that haven’t fully settled yet.
As I watch him, I nod to show I’m listening.
「If Hoshino helps advertise, I’m sure lots of people will be interested…」
「Yeah.」
「So, I want to ask you. I want you to come with me. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find anyone more suitable than you. I’m begging you.」
He bowed his head to me.
At that moment, a certain emotion overflowed.
Not because he bowed his head.
But simply because his words contained at least some of what I was seeking.
「I guess I have no choice. I’ll help you out.」
「Really? That’s a huge help. Sorry, isn’t it tiring to act?」
「If it’s an emergency, it can’t be helped. You really want this to succeed, right?」
「Yeah.」
「But! This counts as one favor. Next time, I’ll ask you to grant me one wish.」
「Ehh… you too…」
「Nn? Wait a minute? You too? What’s with that “too”?」
Are you granting someone else the right to ask for a favor?
W-Wait, I’m curious about this!?
「…No, it’s nothing. Just my own situation. Don’t worry about it.」
「No, I’m a bit curious about it, though??」
Did you mess up again? Hey?
「…Anyway, let’s hurry. At this rate, we’re going to be in the red.」
He pulls on the arm he was holding.
「Hey, careful with the fruit! What if it spills!?」
He blatantly changes the subject… definitely because it became inconvenient for him!
And right now, I’m holding fruit in my right hand and a sports drink in my left hand!?
Uwaa… looking at it this way, I really do look like an advertising tower…
「…That outfit of yours right now, it suits you perfectly.」
「Wha…!?」
I don’t know if he said that again because I dressed up for the sports festival, or because I was perfect as an advertising tower holding the products.
But there’s one thing I’m sure of.
…What’s with my heart racing?
There’s no need for it to beat faster.
…Hurry up and stop.
The identity of that emotion I was pretending not to know didn’t release me from the mysterious throbbing for a while.