CBGBE 10

Chapter – 10

True Feelings

After that, I was dragged around by Kotori to various food stalls. I was already full, but the voracious Kotori ordered sweets at every single shop.

I always think this, but where on earth does all that food go in her small body? The human body is quite mysterious.

Before we knew it, time had flown by.

It was just before six in the evening. The sunlight had turned orange and looked ready to sink into the western sky at any moment.

“We really did sightsee all day, huh.”

“Yes. If Fuyunose-kun had a bit more stamina, I think we could have eaten even more sweets.”

“Why do I have to be in a food battle?”

No way am I eating even after I’m full. About eighty percent full is just right.

“It’s already fully evening.”

“Yeah.”

We walked slowly along the sandy beach, gazing at the sea. The soothing sound of the waves and the cries of the black kites echoed around us, as if symbolizing peace.

“I never thought I’d be playing around with someone in my school uniform like this.”

She murmured, as if speaking to herself, while bathed in the sunset glow. Those words, which she would never normally say, held no trace of hiding embarrassment—they were Kotori’s true feelings, straight from her heart.

“I never thought I’d come to the sea with a girl, just the two of us either.”

“Right. I never imagined I’d be alone with a boy either.”

Kotori walked a little ahead of me. Her skirt fluttered gently in the wind.

“Today was fun.”

“What’s with the sudden sentiment? Even if you thank me, you’re not getting anything out of it, you know?”

“That’s fine. I didn’t say it because I wanted something. I just wanted to say thanks because I’d already received something.”

“…I see. Well, you can never have too much gratitude, so I suppose I’ll reluctantly accept it—even if it is from Fuyunose-kun.”

“Much obliged.”

I thought to myself that I’d said something unlike me. But since Kotori had spoken from the heart, I wanted to respond in kind.

Opportunities for people to connect with each other’s true feelings don’t come often. Especially with someone like Kotori, who’s tsundere and not honest with herself.

I didn’t want to waste this chance. It wasn’t about some ulterior motive—like hoping to advance our relationship by speaking honestly.

I just wanted to speak genuinely with Kotori, right here, right now. That was all.

“Fuyunose-kun.”

Kotori stopped walking.

She didn’t turn around, but kept facing forward and murmured softly.

“—”

She let out a little “Fufu” laugh and started walking again.

Kotori’s words, snatched away by the wind and surf, vanished before my eyes. I couldn’t even see her expression—all I was given was her back and that small smile.

That was all there was, but that was everything.

“Geez, this is why tsunderes are…”

She’s impossibly troublesome, and our compatibility is the worst.

But I couldn’t help thinking that I could never truly hate her.

—

◆ ◇ ◆

The next day.

When I arrived at school, Higashikawa was waiting for me, sitting in my seat with a sloppy “Ehehe” grin.

“Oh, here comes the skipper!!!”

“Say what you will.”

“Come here, you~!”

I hung my bag beside the desk and sat down in the seat in front of him.

“Seriously, what’s this about you and Kotori-chan getting all lovey-dovey?! So unfair, so unfair!!”

“…Hehe.”

“What’s that smile?! Did you actually get all lovey-dovey?! More than lovey-dovey—did you go all *smoochie-smoochie*?!”

“…What do you think?”

“Gwaaaaah!!!!”

“Muhahahaha!!!”

—Joking aside.

“Still, it was quite the rumor. Apparently, word got around that Kotori-chan and Taro skipped school to go on a date~!”

“Higashikawa, I know you’re jealous, but spreading rumors isn’t cool.”

“It wasn’t me! Like I’d do something like that! Apparently, some girl saw you two ride right past your stop, sleeping while leaning on each other~!”

“…Ah, right.”

Come to think of it, there were two female students in the same car. As expected, the school world is small. This spread so fast by the very next day.

“This is a total couple confirmation! I mean, you two skipped school just to go on a date!”

“Don’t sulk. I’ll tell you an unexpectedly cute Kotori story to make up for it—”

“‘Unexpectedly,’ huh? I can’t let that slide.”

“Huh?”

When I turned around, there was Kotori, standing with her usual sour expression and arms crossed. Despite her small stature, her presence was overwhelmingly intimidating.

“Kotori-chan! Ya-ho~!!”

“Ya… hello, Higashikawa-san.”

“You can just call me Usagi!”

“First names come after we’ve built up to that. Be patient.”

“Will you eventually?”

“…Fine. I’ll say it someday.”

“Yay! Guhehehe.”

If Higashikawa weren’t a cute girl, that display of joy would have been unbearable to watch. Kotori cleared her throat and handed Higashikawa a bag.

“Here, a souvenir of sorts. For helping me with the absence notice.”

“Oh, really?! Wow, I’m so happy!! A souvenir from a cute girl!!!”
“I-it’s nothing special. Just something they sold at the station.”

“Still makes me happy! …By the way, is there any foreign object containing Kotori-chan’s DNA mixed in…?”

“Of course not. I’ll sue you for sexual harassment.”

“Gyaaah?! I don’t wanna be sued! …But getting sued might actually be exciting in its own way… guhe.”

“Fuyunose-kun, please take Higashikawa-san to a hospital with a good doctor.”

“Got it. I’ll make an appointment right away.”

“I’m NOT sick!!!”

No, you are sick, Higashikawa. It’s probably an incurable disease.

—

◆ ◇ ◆

I walked down the less crowded hallway.

I’d submitted my handouts to the staff room and was heading to the clubroom as usual. Now, what should we do today? If they haven’t decided yet, maybe I’ll suggest we try playing hanafuda for a change.

As I was thinking this, a male student walking toward me with a sharp *click-clack* of his heels caught my eye. Huh, he looks familiar…

“—Tch.”

“…………”

In that moment as we passed each other.

I glanced over to confirm his face, and by chance, our eyes met.

It was Bandou-senpai.

He walked on with an amusingly wide-legged gait. I looked back at his retreating figure once more, then turned and resumed walking toward the clubroom.

I guess I don’t need to worry about it. I’ll deal with it when the time comes.

—

I finally arrived at the clubroom.

Lively voices could be heard from beyond the door. Looks like those guys were already here.

It’s been a while since we’ve all been able to do club activities together. I held back my excitement and placed my hand on the door.

What kind of fun awaits us today?

With anticipation swelling in my chest, I opened the clubroom door.