Episode 101: Bonus - A Dear Friend

‘Mai-senpai, the school trip starts tomorrow, doesn’t it?’

　The junior walking beside me spoke up in a slightly disgruntled tone.

‘Look forward to the souvenirs.’
‘Right. The three of us you sharing a room, aren’t you? Don’t go cheating on me, okay?’

　I wanted to ask, ‘Are you saying that because you know I’m only interested in Miumi?’, but I decided not to make a joke of it.

“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Promise me.”

　Miumi held out her little finger. I took her hand, little finger and all, and closed the distance between us.

　I bent down slightly so she couldn’t speak, and kissed her.

“Promise—”

　I pulled away from her slightly and said that, and Miumi’s face flushed red before my very eyes, turning red all the way to her ears. I thought she was so easy to read and cute.

“Mai-senpai, you used to be so shy, when did you learn how to do things like that?”

　Miumi spoke with a look of utter dissatisfaction on her face.
　I’d wanted to do it for a while, but I held back because I thought she might hate me if I went straight for it. That’s all.

“If I get the chance, would it be okay if I told Hina and Hoshizora that we’re dating?”

　Partly because I wanted my two friends to know, and partly because, though I don’t suspect Miumi, I wanted to have proof that she has absolutely no feelings left for Hoshizora, I asked her.

“Of course. I want them to know too.”

　Hearing that answer, I felt relieved.
　There had been times when I wondered if she might still have feelings for Hoshizora, so I was really happy.

　＊＊＊

　When I told the two of them about Miumi during the school trip, they accepted it surprisingly easily. The fog in my mind cleared in an instant and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

　And there was one more thing that made me happy.

　Hina told me who she likes. Well, I’d already heard things from Miumi, and Hina’s behaviour was pretty obvious, I could see everything clearly from my seat at the back during lessons, so I’d noticed, but I was glad to hear it from Hina herself for the first time.

　And whilst I don’t know if Hoshizora likes her, I can tell from her behaviour that Hina is definitely special to her.

　Well, I was a bit surprised to hear they’d been kissing even though they weren’t officially dating, but I have no intention of interfering in their relationship.

I just want Hina and Hoshizora to be happy.

After finishing up with Ando and the others, I returned to the room where Hina and Hoshizora were, and a heart-warming scene unfolded before me.

Hina and Hoshizora were sleeping together, looking so happy.

‘Hehe, they look so happy…’

　If I were still there when they woke up tomorrow, I’m sure it would make things awkward for them.

I hurried back to Ando-san and the others’ room.

‘Sorry, I’d like to chat with you all some more, so is it OK if I sleep over here?’
‘You’re more than welcome!’

The three of them gladly accepted me.

I closed my eyes in the slightly cramped futon, hoping that tomorrow I could have another casual chat with Hoshizora and Hina, and that these happy days would continue.