Chapter 49: The Next Time We Meet
That's a wrap.
With this, my partnership with Yukari-san is basically over.
Of course, the memories and connections we built together won't disappear.
Yukari-san has already declared that she has something to tell me on the second day of the culture festival.
Probably—no, that's definitely what she means, right?
If I've misunderstood all this, I don't think I could go on living...
But it'd be awkward to try confirming it.
Still...
In my heart, I keep waffling back and forth, unable to decide.
Maybe I should just tell her how I feel? The guy should take the lead, right?
I know people say it doesn't matter nowadays, but I can't help thinking about it.
☆ ☆ ☆
After wrapping up, we head home.
As we pass the station, Yukari-san's eyes home in longingly on the crepe stand.
"Want to get a crepe?"
Yukari: "Don't tempt me! That's the devil's food! Forbidden fruit, dangerous, addictive, habit-forming! ...Osada-san will strangle me..."
"Not 'close out,' but 'strangle'..."
Class 6's dark side runs deep...
I realize I tempted her with crepes because I wanted to see those glossy lips of hers licking the whipped cream again.
So, we walk and chat about this and that on the way home.
The time is warm and fun.
On the train line home, I spot Satsuki at the far end of the station platform.
...If she saw Yukari-san like this now, she'd be shocked.
That's exactly why I don't want to run into her now. She hasn't noticed us, so we quietly move to the corner.
The two of us head to the entrance of the last train car.
Yukari: "The corner feels comfy! Hey, do you think I can beat Mishima-san?"
I nod without hesitation,
"You'll win."
Yukari-san still looks anxious.
Yukari: "You can tell, even from far away. Mishima Satsuki-san is really beautiful. There's no denying that. Me, I was just a fat background girl until recently..."
Even after becoming this pretty, she still can't fully believe in herself... But that's exactly who she is.
Kousuke: "Maybe you're not supposed to compare looks in the first place. But Yukari-san, you're number one for me."
I nod, looking straight into Yukari-san's eyes and telling her exactly how I feel.
Yukari: "Ah, ah, aah! Geez!"
She hits me again.
Blushing bright red, she keeps repeating, "I'm number one, I'm number one..."
Then her face softens into a silly grin,
Yukari: "I mean, I don't even care if I win the beauty contest. Well, if I don't do my best, Osada-san will strangle me! No, that's not it. As long as I can be number one for Kousuke-kun..."
"...Yukari-san."
She mutters something adorable and blushes even more, and I can't take my eyes off her.
The train arrives.
The two of us get on in silence.
Clatter, clatter—the train rocks.
We never look away from each other.
Passionately, directly, Yukari-san stares right at me.
I get flustered. Totally, hopelessly embarrassed—I just can't look away from the dazzling, beautiful Yukari-san.
The train stops; some passengers get off, some get on.
But I don't care about any of that.
At the next stop, Toko Station, Yukari-san will get off.
Our eyes meet again.
The two of us are still silent.
Just before we reach Toko Station, Yukari-san says something I never expected.
She thinks for a moment, looking pained, but then speaks bravely.
Yukari: "I'm not going to see you for a week, Kousuke-kun."
I'm so surprised I have to ask again,
"Huh? Why?"
Yukari: "Well, technically, it'll be about a week. I'll be waiting at 5:00 p.m. on the second day of the culture festival, next to the gym. I want to tell you the thing I asked you to listen to before."
(See Chapter 36 preview.)
Of course I'll listen!
But... not see each other?
Yukari: "I'm going to give it my all until then. I've got the contest, the class maid café, and you'll be busy too, right? So, no LINE, and we're not meeting! I'm going to push myself, and save everything up, and, and, and—!"
Pshoo—"Toko, Toko!"
Is this our stop?
But! I—
The doors are opening, and Yukari-san is about to leave!
"But! I—"
Pshoo! Clunk! The doors right in front of me open,
Yukari-san hops down from the train, which is a bit higher than the platform.
Squeeze!
!?
Yukari-san grabs my hand and pulls me off balance, so I end up on the platform with her.
Wha—?!
The other passengers who got off just walk blank-faced toward the center exit.
Toko Station is a tiny, single-track stop, and the opposite platform is empty, maybe because another train just left.
We're the only ones who got off this end car.
What's she doing? Well, whatever, I can just catch the next train in a bit, right?
I want to stay with Yukari-san just a little longer.
She tugs my hand and pulls me along.
Out of sight from the train windows, at the edge of the station platform,
Yukari-san?
Chu.
She pulls me close, and I stare at Yukari-san's lips as they come toward me in slow motion.
Slowly, slowly drawing near—soft, seductive, pillowy...
All my nerves focus on the moist, warm sensation pressed against me!
Smack.
The lips I'd focused on so intensely pull away.
It probably only lasted a few seconds.
But the sensation is vivid, electrifying.
I don't even have time to savor the surprise!
Panicking, I try to steal Yukari-san's lips for myself this time!
With a mischievous grin, Yukari-san stops my lips with her finger, then gently pushes me back onto the train.
"Wait—me!"
Yukari-san's face is bright red as she giggles.
Yukari: "That was my first kiss. We won't see each other for a week, but... don't cheat on me, okay?"
Pshoo! The doors close, the train starts moving.
I stare at Yukari-san through the narrow train window until she's out of sight.
After that, I have no memory of how I got home.
Until I fell asleep—no, all night long, I couldn't think of anything but Yukari-san's lips.