“I believe it’s only natural, Ruki. I will listen to your request just once and try not to steal you on the first day of my return.
However, if you failed to convince why I shouldn’t steal you from them and make you mine exclusively, you best be prepared for what I’m about to do.
You have no idea how much impact you made on . Without you, I will still be stuck in an endless quagmire, trying to keep up face and please whoever’s in front of . There wouldn't be the Hana of today if not for you.
I may not have known what else happened to you during my absence. Nevertheless, I am willing to believe that you’re not the sa cold yet extrely warm boy anymore.
Anyhow, Chizuru and Hifumi likely thought I befriended them. I don’t. I only used them to get to know more about the sides of you that I can’t see whenever you’re in front of . Please extend my apologies to them if you et them.
PS. The song fits what I’m about to do. I don’t see why won’t I use it otherwise?”
Right before I approached the bookstore where Chii and Hifumi could be seen browsing, I received another email from Hana.
It was a direct reply to and although she wrote sothing that tickled my senses as to what kind of impact I made, my mind focused on the last part before another postscript.
She wanted to apologize to Hifumi and Chii for befriending them with an ulterior motive. Rembering how concerned they were for each other, it would certainly be a heartbreaking thing to hear for them.
Looking at them through the clear glass walls of the bookstore, the two were having fun browsing different books or magazines. Chii, in particular, even returned to how she was before taking up the mask of a gyaru. And Hifumi, her face was brightly lit up with that genuine smile she currently has.
I couldn’t bear to think of showing up there only to have the two listen to Hana’s confession about using them instead of truly befriending them.
What should I do? Well, it’s obvious…
I took a step back and put a little distance from the bookstore for a mont to quickly type a reply to Hana.
I carefully chose my words and ended them with a reply to that particular line.
“… Regarding Chii and Hifumi, it’s best if you tell that to them yourself. If you’re returning here, eting them is just a matter of whether you’re willing or not. If it is as you say, all the more reason you appear before them. I refuse to be your mouthpiece.”
I reviewed it a few tis and thought hard if I would add more. Like continuing that separate conversation on her postscript.
But I guess that’s enough fooling around. I might’ve been excited to hear that she’s returning but that didn’t an I would be willing to sacrifice the ti and attention that should be for my girls… Three emails are enough.
After tucking my phone back into my pocket, I strode forward and entered the bookstore.
Since it was a surprise, even Chii didn’t know when or where I would appear. She only told the place where they should be hanging out so I’m quite lucky to have found them easily.
As rows of shelves laid out before and various people picking out books to read partly obstructed the path, I made my way to the two girls silently.
But at each step I took, I could feel the rising excitent in my chest. I’m really hopeless when it cos to my girls… Perhaps even a small thing would beco a big deal for as long as it involved them.
“Look here, Fumin. Doesn’t this guy look like him?” As I neared them, I heard Chii’s cheerful voice calling out to Hifumi.
That girl… She once again created a nickna for soone close to her.
“Chizuru, I think you need to see an optotrist soon. Every good-looking guy in that magazine looks like Ruki to you.” Hifumi replied while releasing a small sigh. Most likely that’s not the first ti Chii presented sothing to her and called it a lookalike of .
“What’s wrong with it? Don’t tell you’re not the sa as .” Chii’s reply was filled with disbelief. It’s as though she’s surprised that the girl with her wasn’t as lovestruck as her.
“Of course not! It’s enough that I think about him. No need to see every single model in a magazine with his face. He’s handso, I give you that… But that’s not why we…” Hifumi abruptly stopped her preaching.
Since they’re still not in my sight, I could only imagine her reaction. She realized that she was overpraising , isn’t she?
She’s probably blushing right about now.
But thinking about our previous interaction, she’s supposed to still be unsure of what to do with her feelings yet. But the way she praised and admitted how she’s thinking about already says where she’s standing…
Should I co at her assuming that she’s welcoming back into her life? Maybe not yet. She’s with Chii so she’s probably comfortable telling her about that.
Or so I thought…
Chii’s clear laughter soon rang out as she started teasing the girl to be completely honest and complete her words.
However, because of how loud it was, a staff mber of the bookstore ran to them and hushed the girl.
I could still hear her giggling though.
Anyway, making my way to them finally ca to an end. I erged from the aisle next to them and quickly spotted the two girls.
My eyes instantly focused on Chii who had her hair down while holding her stomach. On the other hand, Hifumi was facepalming in front of her. It’s also quite noticeable how Hifumi’s ears were bright red. I was right in thinking that she was embarrassed. But whether it’s an embarrassnt from what she just uttered or because she’s embarrassed for Chii laughing loudly and getting hushed by the staff, I had no idea.
Still, seeing them together like these brought about a gush of warmth to my chest.
Taking this chance that neither of the two had noticed yet, I sneakily closed our distance.
When I reached the point where I could just grab either of the two, I paused in my steps and let my arms stretch out, circling Hifumi’s head and covering her eyes.
Reacting instantly to that, the girl reflexively tried to duck. Unfortunately for her, I anticipated that. My hands still found their target, covering her eyesight. However, because she was wearing a pair of glasses, my hold wasn’t that firm.
In any case, since there was a chance for her to scream or even hit with her elbow, I quickly pushed my lips close to her ear and whispered, “Guess who?”
At this point, Chii, who was just giggling, made eye contact with . Although surprise easily conquered her previous expression, her beautiful smile instantly replaced it. She clasped her hands in front of her and nodded multiple tis in clear excitent.
I winked at her which figuratively shot an arrow to her heart before putting my focus back on the girl in front of .
Hifumi’s hand already grabbed my hand and peeled it off her glasses. And, in contrast to Chii’s excitent, Hifumi bubbled in silent rage,
“You and your surprises… Won’t you at least tell if you’re going to show up here?” Turning around to face , Hifumi removed her glasses, produced a small thin cloth, and cleaned my fingerprints that fogged its lenses. “Did you hear?”
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