CH ss - 1

I have a childhood friend named Amachi Towa.

How long have I been attracted to him?

I don’t know about that. It’s just something I notice.

My feelings toward Towa are simple when put into words, and can be expressed in three words “I love him”

But the frustrating part of love is that you can’t simply say those three simple words, “I love you,” to your partner.

After realizing that you like someone, you notice further good qualities about the person, and with each increase in these qualities, you fall in love with the person and delay confessing your feelings.

This is why I can’t stop being a childhood friend.

childhood friend

lover

Will it be in the past tense or the future tense?

Which would be the result of my confession with all the courage I could muster?

No, the future is already fixed.

It’s me, Naruse Runa, who is going out with Towa–.

◆

Jiriririri!!!!

The sound of an alarm ringing loudly in the bedroom as the first light of dawn begins to break.

“Nnnn ……noisy…..”

I stop the loud alarm and wake up my body.

Then, with a huff and a yawn, I wiped the tears that came out at the same time with my fingers and stretched lightly, which made me feel a little sleepy.

“Now, breakfast, breakfast, breakfast.”

I wash my face, brush my teeth, change into my uniform, and get ready to go…..I make breakfast and lunch for one, which doesn’t take long.

I, Naruse Runa, live alone in a two-story house. My parents are working abroad and rarely come home.

You ask me if I’m not lonely? I’d be lying if I said I’m not lonely ……, but I’m a little okay with it because I have a childhood friend, Amachi Towa, who lives in the house next door. Towa will be there for me if I tell him I’m lonely. He is such a kind boy.

After finishing breakfast and getting ready for school, I leave the house.

It’s hot again today, and I can’t wait to get into summer clothes. ……

After walking for a while, I spotted a familiar back. –It was Towa.

“Good morning~ Towa~!!”

Naturally, I was so happy to see him again today that my voice bounced.

When I called out to him, he turned around with a sluggish look on his face.

“…Morning~”

“Were you up late playing video games again?’

“No, no. I was studying about love equations last night.”

“Ah, yes, yes. You mean Light Novel. Oh, wait a minute.”

“Hmmm?”

The collar of his uniform was distorted, so I reached around his neck and lightly adjusted it.

I’m a jack-of-all-trades at housework, but these details are a chore.

“Yes, I got it. A clean boy will be popular with the ladies.”

“Thank you. But unfortunately I’m not popular in any way.”

When I said that, I was struck by a mixture of two feelings: “I said something negative again …… ” and “I don’t want him to be popular”

Towa is cool.

I don’t like it when others make fun of the fact that only Towa is normal while her sisters are beautiful, but I am glad that I am the only one who knows the real Towa and can enjoy the special feeling of being the only one who knows what Towa really looks like.

What I think about Towa is usually a mixture of two emotions.

Somewhere there must be indecision.

But wanting to be Towa’s number one is one emotion that cannot be shaken. It is an absolute feeling.

“Towa”

“Hnn?”

The slightly unreliable face is also endearing.

“I knew it. Not Popular.”

“What is that?”

I’m sure he thinks “What is this guy talking about?”

Just a little bit of exclusivity for me.

“Now, let’s get on with the rest of our day.”

I tighten my grip on the strap of my bag and get into the swing of things.

“I’ll do my best–”

“Towa, good luck fighting sleepiness.”

“I’ll take care of it. They are strong enemies, and that’s why I’ll face them again and again. It’s important to have the determination not to run away and the spirit not to give up.”

“Yes, yes. Fight sleep with that strong will.”

But I am sure that he will definitely go to Sleep.

As usual, we walk side by side, talking about trivial things.

I wish this everyday life could go on forever.

Today, the person who is standing next to Towa the most – is me.

◆

“Hey, boy. Don’t fall asleep.”

I drop a chop on the person slumped over the desk. A grumpy face woke up and looked at me.

“Let me sleep a little longer: ……”

“It’s already noon.”

“Eh, really?”

Towa hurriedly checks his phone. By the looks of it, he’s been asleep since the third period after PE.

“I’m sure it’s just a pattern of being tired from PE and trying to sleep for a little while and then realizing it was time to go to bed. I wonder where did you go with the determination not to run away and the spirit not to give up that you said you would not …… at all this morning?”

“No, Runa. I thought they looked like the last boss, but they were actually my friends. If we feel sleepy, we are tired. In other words, the sleepers are so to speak, playing the role of a healer, trying to heal us.”

“I don’t need them to heal you all day long. They can definitely see Mr. Sleepy at night.”

“In the first place, this cozy classroom with its drowsiness-inducing air-conditioned air-conditioning is a good place to be.”

“Then, next time, why don’t you take class in the hallway? That way the air conditioner won’t get as much air.”

“I don’t like the heat and humidity.”

“try your best to stay awake, okay? If you fall asleep next time, I’ll tell the teacher that Towa wants to take his class in the hallway.”

Sachi teasingly says next to me, “You’re scaring like a mom.”

Why do you say I have so much room to grow?

I am in an advantageous position as a childhood friend and a comforter for Towa, who is cold toward her sisters, but most of all, I am…….

As I was thinking about it, Sachi hugged my shoulder.

“Well, Amachin is just barely passable from Satchi’s point of view, so if you were to go out with him, I’d allow it!”

“I’m not good enough for Runa. I mean, what kind of position is Yoshida in?”

Ah, it was still going on.

“What then? If you and Runa go out, will I be your mistress?”

“Yes! Amachin is Runa’s second darling. In other words, my servant!”

“I don’t understand. The part I don’t understand the most is that I’m going to be Yoshida’s maid. It’s against the law.”

“Law, law, law again! Listen, Amachin. Laws are meant to be broken. Only by breaking them can you attain true love!”

“Yoshida, let’s first meet the submission deadline before we bust the law. If you don’t finish your math homework by after school, your teacher will get mad at you.”

“Damn, it’s not fair to bring up homework.

“I’m in charge of collecting them, by the way.”

“……Erm, Tenchi-kun is …… well, you know. So nice right!?”

“I was hurt. If there is nothing in particular, please don’t say it.”

“Please, Amachi sama! Please collect them after school~!”

Towa has a good way of handling Sachi.

A chuckle escapes me at the exchange between the two.

Incidentally, Aoba kun rushed to the store as soon as the class chime rang.

He was asleep during class, but only when the chime for the end of fourth period rang did he wake up at the right moment and run to the kiosk.

“Runa~! Let me see your homework~!”

“I can’t show you, but I can give you a hint, so Sachi, let’s have lunch soon.”

“Oh! Thank you honey~!”

Sachi returned to her seat to get her lunch at my words.

“Don’t spoil her too much.”

“The more bad kids you have, the more you want to coddle them. Just like somebody else.”

“Thank you for all you do for us.”

“Yes, I always take care of you.”

The main reason I can afford it. The reason is that Towa is my childhood friend — and my fiancee.