Chapter 44: Overflowing Affection [Side: Rena Kashii]
I... no, now's not the time for that!
While listening to Tachibana-kun's life advice, a stressed and tired Tachibana-kun suddenly let slip his feelings for me. It felt more like it spilled out rather than him saying it on purpose?
'What did you say?!'
(I was a bit spaced out too, so I almost missed it, but I definitely heard it!)
'Whoa! What's wrong, Kashii-san?'
(This is bad, it feels like he completely said it unconsciously... I should've recorded it...!)
I listened to everything he had to say, telling him it's not his fault, that everyone has things they don't want others to touch on, and that if Tachibana-kun suffers, there are people and family who will suffer with him.
In the end, I can't solve his problems, but I can listen and share what I think. I want him to tell me anything.
I also told him that I feel pained if he's struggling, and I really want to help him if I can.
(It's not very coherent, but I can't do any more today!)
Tachibana-kun said,
'Thanks, Kashii-san. I'll thank Ise-san tomorrow too!'
'Yeah! See you tomorrow!'
I waved with a smile and parted ways with Tachibana-kun at the crossroads.
(I had no idea Tachibana-kun was struggling so much... If I'd been a little closer, I would've noticed, right? ...Ise-san noticed, didn't she? What a worthy rival.)
(Since I had no contact with girls, I didn't expect other girls to notice Tachibana-kun's good qualities. That was unexpected...)
As I walked, I processed small issues one by one in my head.
Even while greeting classmates and first-year juniors on the way home with a smile and a small wave, I kept processing things in my mind.
I arrived home.
'I'm home, Mama. Older sister, you're back already?'
'Welcome home, Rena-chan.'
'Welcome back, Rena. Wanna play Mario Kart with your older sister?'
My older sister has been obsessed with racing games lately.
I told her with a serious face that I have a lot of homework today, so I can't.
'I'll be doing homework in my room until dinner, so don't disturb me, okay?'
If I don't lay down the law, my older sister will barge into my room and bother me right away!
———————
In the living room of the Kashii home
'Rena-chan, it looks like something good happened to you, huh?'
'Mama, you noticed too? That serious face is the one she makes when she's trying not to grin, right? What happened, little sister?'
———————
I entered my room with a serious face, put down my bag, and took off my uniform.
I deliberately changed slowly, getting into my underwear before slipping into fluffy loungewear, then flopped onto my bed. I couldn't hold it in any longer.
Burying my face in the pillow, lying on my stomach, I kicked my legs wildly! Remembering it, I could feel my face turning bright red.
(!!! Tachibana-kun likes me! He really likes me!!)
'"I've loved cute Rena-san since we were kids, so I can't stand seeing the girl I love cry. If the girl I like, no, the girl I love so much is in trouble, I'll risk my life to protect her," he said!!'
(※ The voice imitation isn't accurate, and some wishful thinking has been added.)
'W-What should I do? If he asks me out, I wouldn't say no. But we're still in middle school... and if everyone finds out, it'll be a hassle, right? But if he confesses, I can't refuse. Since we were kids... does that mean at the Christmas party? Ahh, I should've recorded it.'
Muttering it out loud helped me calm down, and I started thinking more clearly.
(But Tachibana-kun is still a kid, so he might not confess right away, right?)
Realistically speaking, since our academic levels are so different, we'll end up at different high schools.
Considering that, it'll be at the middle school graduation ceremony. I'll work backward from there to get him to confess at the graduation ceremony. That way, even if we're at different high schools, we can hang out a lot on weekends, holidays, and long breaks, right?
If we start dating in high school, it'll also be fair to the people who've confessed to me before.)
I smirked. My throat made a small "kukuku" sound. I spoke aloud in a quiet voice.
'I know I'm still a kid too, but Tachibana-kun is as well, so I'll close the distance slowly! I've already found out the answer, but it's not like I cheated. It's like when the answers to a quiz from the first half of class are accidentally left on the blackboard during the second half's test, right? With this, I can win. Let's get a bit closer during second grade. There's not much time left in the first term, but there are lots of events in the second term, and I can use all of the third term. If I can get much closer during the school trip in the first term of third grade, I can seal the deal with events like the sports festival, cultural festival, and Christmas in the second term. Since the third term will be focused on entrance exams, I can't do much then, but at the graduation ceremony, I'll get the final answer with his confession... During spring break, we'll meet up occasionally while preparing various things and decide on dating rules... It's pretty annoying that Tachibana-kun doesn't have a smartphone.'
I could still feel my cheeks burning red.
I muttered with a slight grin.
'Even in high school, first year might still be pretty busy, right? But by second year, when we're more used to it, maybe things can progress a bit more? By then, I should be more developed, like my older sister...'
I placed my hand on my chest, feeling the still-small swell.
"I'm counting on you, okay?" I said to my chest.
'Well, for someone like me, becoming more developed probably won't happen until third year of high school, right? Compared to me, Rena seems to be developing a bit slower. Mama was the same, so I think she'll get there eventually, don't you think?'
Older sister...?
My older sister was peeking through the half-open door.
I asked in a trembling voice.
'...How long... how long have you been listening...?'
'Hmm, from "I've loved cute Rena-san since we were kids..." I think?'
'Gya—!!'
'Hey, hey, it's okay, it's okay! I'll only tell Papa and Mama!'
'That's the whole family!'
My older sister found out...
———————
The Kashii sisters discussed the situation where I overheard a hint of his feelings.
'And then it just slipped out.'
My older sister said while looking something up on her smartphone.
'Ah, it's because of alternating tension and relaxation leading to mental fatigue. The words that come out at times like this are definitely true feelings. Unless someone's had special training or something.'
'Definitely true feelings...!'
'If you repeat this situation and push him mentally, continuously telling him "I like Rena, I like Rena!" it might actually become true, apparently? Though that would be considered brainwashing.'
'...... No, brainwashing is not okay!'
'Rena, didn't you consider it for a second?'