Like I previously promised, once they finished preparing, I escorted Fuyu along with Eri and Futaba to the train station. At first, the pair of Eri and Futaba stared at in wonder when I followed them up to the platform. They thought I would only be escorting them up to the entrance.
I an, I never ntioned it so it’s understandable. Moreover, Fuyu was already used to it after the few instances that I walked her ho.
Upon confirming that, Eri leered at . Most likely trying to get a grasp of the entirety of my dedication to send them ho safely. On the other hand, Futaba took that as my kindness as well as Akane’s consideration.
What a contrast between the two.
Sohow, ever since I started interacting with them as well, I’m gradually understanding the depth of their friendship. It may not be the sa as how Arisa and Izumi looked after each other but it’s more than enough to say that they are inseparable no matter what happens in the future. They’re just there for each other’s convenience.
If I have to break it down, it’s like this:
Akane is the core of their group. She’s the one giving them light to follow. I an, apart from being so gung-ho about , she’s a model student that everyone admires.
Fuyu, regardless of how she is when it cos to , is still the leader-like figure of their group. She’s the glue keeping them tight together. For sure, she’ll also stand up for Eri or Futaba if ever their boyfriends wrong them.
Eri is similar to how Arisa is in their circle. She’s the playful one and possibly the one who will lead the charge in order to protect everyone. Also, despite her tomboyish nature, I’ll actually put her as the girliest in their group. She’s more conscious than the other three when it cos to her appearance – or maybe, just the lack of her essential parts.
And lastly, Futaba… though I dubbed her as gyaru-ish, she’s actually a demure and kind girl. The emotional support of the group. She’s also acting as a leash to Eri’s brash playfulness. Just that, out of the four of them, she probably believes she is the least pretty out of the four; hence she uses makeup to bridge the gap – which is effective. I’ve already seen her without and honestly, she also has her unique charms. Well, that’s subjective since I based it on my standards.
Anyway, after the initial surprise that I would be escorting them, the rest of the ride was quite normal.
I let them sit together with one of them taking the corner. On the other hand, I acted like their line of defense sitting at the other end.
But well, it’s Eri who ended up sitting next to . Due to that, the girl took that chance to blast with her nonsensical questions about every topic she could think of.
Futaba tried to stop her but she was relentless. Maybe if I wasn’t so patient with her, I would’ve kneaded her cheeks or ruffled her hair already. Eri is a sassy girl and it would probably take Futaba all her effort to stop her.
Right. She even asked how I would rate all of them. I knew that it was normally a trap question but that girl was probably just too curious for her own good.
To get back at her, I had her cough out tidbits of information about her and her boyfriend. And honestly, she’s more vocal about it as if she’s been waiting for soone to ask so she could have a reason to brag about it. Or maybe hear a male perspective when it cos to their situation.
I rembered her ntioning about having a problem but it’s nothing too serious. It’s just a small difficulty that anyone could overco. For example, her boyfriend’s preference for certain things like cologne or shampoo. However, since her surroundings were mostly girls, she believed that she was lacking in terms of seeing things from her boyfriend’s perspective.
Honestly, I was probably the worst guy to ask about it considering how different I am from everyone else. But for her sake, I gave her my honest thoughts on the questions she brought up.
On the side, Futaba quietly listened, nodding occasionally as if agreeing with the points I raised.
As for Fuyu, whenever I would catch her staring at , she would purse her lips, looking a little bit apprehensive.
Wait. That didn’t sound quite normal, right? Allow to change how I described that trip then – it’s a bit eventful because of the sassy girl next to as well as the two listeners.
Soon enough, the train reached Fuyu’s station. I got off the train with the girl to complete my promise. As for the other two, they remained on the train. Their stop was the next one so it’s impossible for to also escort them completely.
In any case, they said their boyfriends are already waiting for them at their station so it’ll be fine. They reminded to take care of Fuyu the sa way I take care of Akane. Although that sounded like they just wanted to ensure Fuyu’s safety, its aning beca a little twisted to us.
Guilty conscience or not, given what happened between us, it’s inevitable for it to be interpreted differently.
Fuyu imdiately tried to put so distance between us while keeping her pace a step ahead of .
Unfortunately for her, my strides were longer so I easily kept up with her.
In the end, by the ti we exited the train station, she gave up maintaining the distance and allowed to walk alongside her. On top of that, she handed her tennis bag to carry again.
She’s stumped on what to say but her actions alone were enough to convey her current thoughts. She also didn’t like the awkward silence to continue.
And so, upon reaching the main street that would lead us to their neighborhood, Fuyu opened her mouth to break down the status quo.
“Onoda-kun, is being with not bothering you?”
What a question… Out of all things to ask, she chose that.
“Not really, no. I don’t see any reason why I should be bothered.” My answer was swift. It’s unsatisfactory though. That’s like saying, ‘I don’t care about what you think’.
And sure enough, it made Fuyu’s brows curl. Then she let out a sigh, releasing so of the tension on her shoulder. When her eyes landed on again, I caught the hint that she had reached a realization.
“I understand now. I’m the one overreacting … After earlier, I beca so conscious of everything that each mont beca awkward between us… Akane noticed it and told to relax. I’m certain you do as well. And yet, you’re not calling out for it.”
Upon saying that, Fuyu sluggishly hung her head low and staggered in her steps that she imdiately fell behind .
I slowed down and waited for her to catch up. And when she did, I reached for her hand, holding it tightly.
“You know, Yuuki-san. I’m not calling you out for it because you’re justified to feel that way. Just that, my shalessness knows no bounds. I could’ve respected the distance you’re attempting to create yet I remained by your side.”
“Is that how it is?”
“In my perspective, yes. Likewise, you can see things differently through your own eyes. Yuuki-san, you can speak freely to . What do you think? Am I being a bother for doing things this way? Will you stop talking to after today?”
For sure, soone would point out that I was contradicting myself when I said I wanted to respect this girl’s choice and then do this. But in my defense… I’m doing this because this is a chance for to understand her better. If she’s serious about not wanting to betray Akane, starting tomorrow, it will be hard to see or talk to her again.
Anyway, Fuyu failed to respond right away. Our pace beca a beat slower and her head remained low with her eyes stuck staring at our joined hands.
I could feel her trembling a little but not because of the cold.
Eventually, Fuyu moved her fingers, slotting them in the gaps of my hand before clenching them tightly. She then raised her gaze and looked at with her most complicated expression to date. It’s a mix of frustration, guilt, and delight.
Yeah. Two negatives and one positive.
“I’m such a fool. Instead of the guys trying their best to appeal to , I find myself entangled with you, the guy my best friend is always gushing about. The one she never gives up on. Onoda-kun, what if I end up hating myself for this? What will I do?”
Upon saying that, Fuyu bitterly laughed.
It’s not that I don’t get where she’s coming from but after Nami and Shizu or Sena and Ayu… I probably beca desensitized to the idea that girls would be this torn about falling for the sa guy.
But thinking about it, Shizu and Nami listened to my past and accepted for it. On the other hand, Ayu also struggled to believe that it was possible. Hence, Fuyu’s dilemma here was totally understandable.
Rather than her well-being, she’s more concerned about Akane.
Haa. What should I say here then? Convince her that it’s fine because I will love them both? Ugh… No. Not yet, the most important thing is to prevent Fuyu from hating herself. It will be a lose-lose situation if that happens.
“Yuuki-san, I can answer that question but I believe that you shouldn’t hear it from . I an, I’m the guy making you this torn apart. I might just make it worse and I don’t want that to happen. That’s why…”
I didn’t finish my words but I conveyed my thoughts on my next move. Holding her hand tightly, I recovered our pace and continued on the road until we reached their street.
Upon arriving at their front gate, little Fubuki and Fuyu’s mother were already there to receive us.
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