Chapter Five: “The Princess Wants to Seize the Chance” — Part Eight
“A trial girlfriend, hm…”
After hearing me out, Yuuri nodded with an expression I couldn’t quite name. Understandable, honestly. A trial girlfriend wasn’t something you heard about every day.
I’d probably make the same face if someone said it to me.
But it was still so much better than a flat-out rejection.
“Right. So from now on, I’m going to appeal to Senpai as her girlfriend. To become a real one, not just a trial.”
“And specifically, how are you going to do that?”
“Well, since we’re girlfriends now, obviously that means…”
Going on dates was normal, holding hands was normal, and kissing was normal? And beyond that was also normal?!
“Himena, you’re disturbing.”
She hit me on the back without warning. I started to protest, and got a look of genuine contempt in return.
“It’s a trial period. Don’t go so far she ends up hating you.”
“That is absolutely the last thing I want…!!”
I was thinking about approaches only a girlfriend could take, but if I pushed too hard and got myself disliked, the whole thing would be pointless.
“I want to try so hard that Senpai actually falls for me — and even if that’s too much to ask, at minimum, I want her to think I’m too pitiful to break up with…!”
“Is that actually what you want?”
“No! But it’s still so much better than being rejected!”
I wasn’t going to pretend that one-sided feelings were meaningless. I’d take sympathy, I’d take pity, whatever it took — I wanted Senpai to be mine. The thought of her belonging to someone else was unbearable.
That was how far gone I was.
“Well, you’ll probably be fine.”
“Because I’m cute?”
“Because you’re shameless and you never give up.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes, yes, it is. When you think about it, those are actually important qualities.”
“They really are. When it comes to persistence, I’m confident no one can beat me.”
Senpai was popular enough that there would be plenty of people trying to appeal to her. But I was certain no one would keep at it more relentlessly than me.
“…I’m starting to feel a bit sorry for Iori-senpai.”
Yuuri let out an exaggerated sigh. I was about to complain when I spotted Iori-senpai coming out of the gymnasium.
Running into Senpai by chance after morning practice — that had to mean the universe was blessing our relationship.
“Iori-senpai!”
I called her name at full volume. She turned and gave a little wave.
Even from this distance, her looks and her bearing were overwhelming, the only person shining in the whole crowd.
“…I like her so much.”
“Yes, yes.”
“That impossibly beautiful person is my girlfriend, you know? Is that not unreal?”
“Your trial girlfriend.”
“My girlfriend, the most radiant person in the universe…”
☆★☆★☆★☆★
“I’m sorry, Yuuri. I won’t be able to eat lunch with you from today.”
“Could you try saying that without the giddy grin?”
“Yuuri. Being jealous of someone else’s happiness doesn’t make you any happier yourself, you know.”
“You are genuinely so annoying right now.”
Yuuri sighed deeply and stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“Kanami-senpai’s.”
Apparently Yuuri had decided to start having lunch with Kanami-senpai from today. Yuuri was the type to be fine on her own, but I was a little relieved she wouldn’t be eating alone.
Just as Yuuri took her lunchbox out of her bag, Iori-senpai came into the classroom.
“Himena-chan.”
She walked toward me with a smile, and the impact of it was even greater than usual.
Being in a relationship with someone this beautiful — the whole world could be jealous of me and I’d have no complaints.
Senpai stopped in front of me, then glanced briefly over at Yuuri.
“Hey, Himena-chan.”
“Yes!”
“Have you told Yuuri-chan yet? About us.”
She rested a hand lightly on my shoulder and looked at Yuuri from the corner of her eye.
That sidelong look! I want one too! Not fair!
“Himena-chan? What’s the answer?”
“Oh, sorry, I got distracted wanting Senpai’s sidelong look for myself…”
“What does that even mean.”
I needed to focus. I wasn’t Iori-senpai’s fan anymore — I was her girlfriend. I had to act like it.
“Um, Senpai.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve told Yuuri, but I haven’t said anything to anyone else.”
What I actually wanted was to tell the entire world that Iori-senpai was my girlfriend. But causing trouble for Senpai was the last thing I wanted.
Some people might react badly to finding out two girls were going out, and besides, we were still in the trial period.
“I don’t really mind either way, you know.”
“What?!”
Senpai said it casually, and then took my hand firmly in hers.
“Sorry for stealing her, Yuuri-chan. I’m taking my Himena-chan.”
Did Senpai just say my Himena-chan?! She did, right?! Why didn’t I have a recording device ready?!
My Himena-chan.
What a wonderful thing to hear. I wanted to replace every alarm sound I had with her voice saying that.
“Go right ahead.”
Yuuri’s completely flat send-off followed us out of the classroom together.