Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.
TLN: As promised, the two chapters(bro translating is tiring dude)\n
Title: The Following Yuunagi-san\n
“Hey, hey. Are we really going to go and follow him?”(Yuunagi)\n
As I shook back and fourth with the movements of the train, which I didn’t normally take, I asked Kasumi this question.\n
“As it is, if we had stayed at the cafe, you would’ve just moped around all day. Since you know where he is, you should just go check it out.”(Kasumi)\n
“Bu- But…..If Sakuraba-kun finds out he might get mad at me…..”(Yuunagi)\n
“It’ll be okay. We have two of us here, so we can just pretend that we were also hanging out together. We can fake it all we want.”(Kasumi)\n
“But, but! If I see Sakuraba-kun flirting like it’s a date, I might break down and cry…”(Yuunagi)\n
“Enough already….But this but that you’re being annoying. You already got on the train, so it’s too late to be making a fuss now.”(Kasumi)\n
“O- okay….”(Yuunagi)\n
Kasumi was glaring at me with her usually sleepy-looking eyes. My best friend held nothing back, and her words were as sharp as always.\n
Well, to be fair, a lot of what she said is definitely correct. I clenched my fists to resolve myself, preparing myself and hoping for the best.\n
————————————————————————————————————-\n
When we arrived at the central station, we immediately got off the train and went to the station building directly connected to it. I believe there’s supposed to be a large bookstore on top of this building.\n
“I- I’m getting quite nervous….”(Yuunagi)\n
“You’re overreacting. We’re just taking a peek.”(Kasumi)\n
“Som-, Something significant might happen you know! Like a con-, confession or something…..”(Yuunagi)\n
“If that happens well…..then….Oh!”(Kasumi)\n
Suddenly, Kasumi raised her voice.\n
“They’re here. Hide!”(Kasumi)\n
“Eeeee! Where?!”(Yuunagi)\n
“That doesn’t matter right now. Hide quickly.”(Kasumi)\n
In a hurry, Kasumi pushed me into the cover of the shadows, and Kasumi followed me soon after. Making sure to keep herself hidden, Kasumi peeked out to see what was happening.\n
“…..Aa.”(Yuunagi)\n
They’re here……..\n
It seems like Sakuraba and Naruse had just emerged from an Italian restaurant. Even though their conversation had only been about visiting a bookstore, they ended up eating lunch together too……It’s unfair.\n
“Ohh….Naruse-san is really enthusiastic about this isn’t she.”(Kasumi)\n
“…..”(Yuunagi)\n
Certainly, as Kasumi was saying, Naruse was giving off a very different impression from the somewhat plain impression she normally gave off at school. She was wearing a cute, white one piece, and her hair, different from usual, was soft and fluffy. From what I can tell, it looks like she’s put on a bit of makeup as well. Without a doubt, she’s put in a lot more effort than she normally does.\n
As I thought.\n
I’m almost completely certain that Naruse likes Sakuraba. And this isn’t just a shopping trip but also a date.\n
The two of them walked side by side, creating a relaxing mood as they walked. As the two of them talked happily, they got into the elevator together.\n
Unable to move from the shadows, I just stared at the two of them in a daze.\n
“Hmmm….It seems like the situation is basically what you thought it might be.”(Kasumi)\n
“This is bad…..I’m in trouble…..I’m facing an unbeatable pinch.”(Yuunagi)\n
“Okay, okay. So what are you going to do? Go back?”(Kasumi)\n
“What! Why would you ever suggest that?! Of course I’m chasing after them!”(Yuunagi)\n
“You’re really worried about it, aren’t you…”(Kasumi)\n
As I broke off into a jog, Kasumi, who was behind me, let out a partially exasperated and partially dumbfounded voice.\n
Even if you tell me to stop now, I can’t just turn back after seeing that.\n
————————————————————————————————————-\n
“Oh, they’re here. Shizuno, over here, over here.”(Kasumi)\n
I walked over towards the beckoning Kasumi and took a peek, making sure to stay out of view. And they really were there. Naruse and Sakuraba.\n
The two of them looked through the bookshelves one at a time, pointing out some books and flipping through some others. Though it was quiet, it definitely seemed like they were having fun.\n
By the way, the bookstore was essentially merged with a cafe and restaurant, so it was quite lively and filled with people. Because of that, our conversation wasn’t audible to Sakuraba, but that also meant that we weren’t able to hear their conversations either.\n
“I wonder what they’re talking about…..”(Yuunagi)\n
“Most likely books, of course.”(Kasumi)\n
Kasumi answered without a second thought. She’s probably right, but I still couldn’t stop worrying about it. Rather, this situation where other girls were talking to Sakuraba-kun without being able to hear their conversations was unbearably painful for me.\n
“But, as expected, they’re a good match. Those two.”(Kasumi)\n
“Muu……that isn’t true…”(Yuunagi)\n[TLN: Here the sentence is ended with ‘mon’ which basically implies pouting but there isn’t really a good replacement for that, so I just settled with <s>hmph</s> muu. Lmk if u guys can think of a better replacement]\n
“Is that really the case? Their height difference is quite nice, and can’t you see how relaxed they are around each other?”(Kasumi)\n
“That really isn’t true! In the first place, I’m Sakuraba-kun’s girlfriend you know?!”(Yuunagi)\n
“Just the girlfriend that he was basically forced into accepting, though.”(Kasumi)\n
Guh[TLN: <s>not sure how to translate</s> gussu->guh]\n
Even though it’s something I am aware of, it’s still heartbreaking to be told again…..I mean……\n
“Why would you say something so mean!”(Yuunagi)\n
“Well, a panicked Shizuno is too cute, so it sort of just happened….”(Kasumi)\n
“This isn’t cute!!!”(Yuunagi)\n
As I yelled at Kasumi, I began to remember that Kasumi had always been this kind of girl.\n
Then, for the next few hours, the two of us continued to trail Sakuraba and Naruse. Despite that, nothing really notable happened, and the two of them mostly looked at books in silence.\n
Finally, after we had finished the drinks we had brought and bordering on the edge of exhaustion, it looked like the two of them had finally finished looking through all the bookshelves.\n
“In the end, the two of them really just came to pick out books, huh.”(Kasumi)\n
“Ye- yeah.”(Yuunagi)\n
Holding several books, the two of them lined up in front of the cash register together. Apparently, there were a few books that they had taken a liking to.\n
“Well this is good for you isn’t it? Nothing major happened.”(Kasumi)\n
“…..Yeah.”(Yuunagi)\n
After paying for the books, they got into the elevator together. Just before the elevator door closed, I could barely make out Sakuraba trying to hold Naruse’s books for her. Naruse cheeks were dyed red, blushing a bit from embarrassment and happiness.\n
“Ohh….He’s a gentleman isn’t he, that Sakuraba-kun. Even though he’s normally so unfriendly.”(Kasumi)\n
“Yes, he is. On the inside, he’s actually incredibly kind.”(Yuunagi)\n
“Why are you saying things that make you sound like you’re his girlfriend?”(Kasumi)\n
“It’s cause I AM his girlfriend!”(Yuunagi)\n
“Yes, yes.”(Kasumi)\n
While having such an argument very similar to the other arguments we’ve had god-knows-how-many-times today, the two of us got onto the elevator and descended from the building.\n
As the elevator door opened, I could just barely make out Naruse and Sakuraba’s figure in the distance. It seemed like the two of them were finished and were going to head home.\n
“We should head home too. Make sure to not get caught.”(Kasumi)\n
“Sure.”(Yuunagi)\n
Our surroundings began to get darker and darker. I want to go home quickly and message Sakuraba. Otherwise, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep very well tonight.\n
“Huh? For some reason they suddenly stopped.”(Kasumi)\n
“What?”(Yuunagi)\n
When I looked over, I saw the two of them in front of the station facing each other. Naruse’s face was red, and she looked very bashful and hesitant. Presumably from nervousness, her body even squirmed a bit as she faced Sakuraba. Sakuraba, on the other hand, was scratching his head and looked a bit troubled.\n
“Is that……”\n
“……No way….”\n
[TLN: I have no clue who’s speaking there are no clues]\n
I was very familiar with that mood. Naruse’s timid and worried expression. The way she clenched both hands tightly. Her eyes that looked like they might start crying any second.\n
That is……Without a doubt……..\n
“…..A confession.”(Yuunagi)\n
That was the first time I had ever wished for someone else’s heartbreak.\n