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<b>*****</b>
Morning, before homeroom. This time is the most depressing one. I'm absentmindedly thinking about what kind of hardships I'll face today.
From a long time ago, I always admired popular people or being loved by someone.
But for the longest time I've just been a normal citizen, I always thought that I would spend my life without any extraordinary things happening.Â
That's why I thought of changing myself with my own power. I can't rely on others to improve myself. When I understand my life isn't the story of Cinderella, I've begun to understand that's just how my life works.
If my friends [can do it naturally], then I [should work hard to do it]. The place where I belong, the group, those are things that I should work hard for to maintain preserving their existence.
When I receive special affection from other people, I can't understand that form of emotion.
To be honest, it's more likely that I can't believe it...
"Rena-chan, youâve been melancholic since early morning."
Ha, it's Ajisai-san the angel.
"Aah, um, yeah, a little..."
Ajisai-san's eyes would be harmed if she was exposed to my complicated mood since early morning.
Could it be that Ajisai-san is talking to me because she likes me...?
Huh, nasty misunderstandings will occur at this rate, I quickly change the shift inside my mind.
This is Mai's fault. I'm not guilty. But still, it's true that the one who invited her inside my room during lovers day is me. That was totally my mistake...
"Waa, it's true. Your hands are cold. When the tips are getting cold, it's a sign that you are thinking about something bad. Is it true?"\n"Hie!"
When I got lost inside my own thoughts, Ajisai-san was holding my hands. From the tip of my fingers to my face get warmer instantly.
As I thought, Ajisai-san likes me.
No no no, that's not it. Ajisai-san is someone who likes doing body touch after all, it's not rare for her to even have body contact with boys...
To be honest, I really want to hang out with Ajisai-san, just two of us. But what if I invite her and she brutally turns down my invitation like, [Ha, annoying...Don't get full of yourself, shabby character]. I'm too scared to do it for real so I ended up never bringing up the topic.
That's okay...Because she's everyone's Ajisai-san and not only mine to begin with....
"Huh? Your hands are getting cold again?"
That's when I see Mai entering the classroom with a somewhat confused expression looking at me.
Hii! She saw us! She saw me holding hands with Ajisai-san!
Why did I become flustered, I'm the one who wants to know! I feel bad for a moment and swiftly pull my hands from Ajisai-san's grip and stand up from my chair.
"I-I'm going to the toilet!"\n"Eh? Ah, okay. Take ca~re!"
I passed Mai who tied up her hair on the classroom entrance and got out of the classroom. My heart is beating so fast that other students might hear it.
Let's do a quick cooldown, cooldown, I keep repeating the same word, but my heart won't listen to my command. My school life has become chaotic because of her!
<b>\n</b>
<b>*</b>
<b>\n</b>
"And that's why I want to do a quick exchange to make us understand each other's intention better."
While receiving a huge amount of attention from the other students, Mai lifted the corners of her lips into a fine grin.
"Hou, using our lips?"\n"Wrong! We are best friends right now!"
I glare at Mai sharply. She plays with her hair with an attitude like she's steps ahead of me. This girl...
Everyone keeps looking into our direction, I can hear some of their voices, "Hey, isn't that Oozuka Mai?"
Mai is really a famous person because of her line of work whether it's inside instagram or popular magazines. By walking around while wearing her uniform she might become our school's cover girl at this rate.
I'm already used to being part of the school's popular group, but I really dislike this feeling of getting a lot of scornful stares by strangers. I feel like I heard things like, "Why is that kind of girl walking together with Oozuka Mai?" or "Sheâs really unsuited for her, lol." It's scary!
Nah, this is not a problem. I am Amaori Renako! I already changed from my middle school self! Be confident in yourself! On top of that, Mai likes me!
"What are you doing? Why are you covering your face with your hands?"\n"No...even though it's just to motivate myself, I just had a feeling that I sold my own pride...It's a fool's shameless attitude.
For me to use the fact that she has feelings for me, to use that fact as a means to protect myself...That's too convenient! I'm so foolish!
"Mai is a friend, Mai is a friend, Mai is a friend, Mai is a friend...Alright! I regain my composure!"
I get the power I need through my own words. Looking at me, Mai just shrugs her shoulders and drinks her cappuccino.
I set aside my milk tea in the corner of our table and pull out two sheets of paper and my pencil case. I put each sheet in front of me and Mai.
"I'd like to organize things."\n"Organize?"\n"Yeah, I want to know what youâre seeking from me by being lovers."\n"In short, you are getting really curious about me."\n"That's right, in a certain way! Actually it's better if I just dissect that head of yours and analyze what's going on inside by myself but that's kind of impossible."
And then I hand a pencil to her.
"I will list things I want to do as friends, and Mai will also do the same with being lovers. And then we will show our list to each other."\n"Fumu, I don't really mind, but I think one sheet won't be enough for me."\n"Just writing it in general is good enough!...But still, I thought you won't agree on doing this and would say something like, "I want to keep it as a surprise so I won't do it."
She covers her mouth with her hand and smiles modestly.
"Haha, I don't really need to rely on something like surprises. If I want to make someone happy, they will become the happiest person on earth by default. It means I will make sure to make you happy from now on, Renako."
What a time to boast.
"You sure have a crazy amount of confidence...Even though you were really shaken back when you discovered your feelings didn't reach me at all."\n"Well then, let's start to write things down."\n"Aa! She pretended not to hear anything! That Oozuka Mai! The great Oozuka Mai! Miss Perfect is playing dumb! Is this really okay?"
Mai just smiles over my provocation. She might be used to dealing with jealousy after all. She has a really high tolerance on things like this.
Well then, let's just write things I want to do as friends.
I'm not Mai, but I also thought about a lot of things that won't fit this one sheet of paper. Playing the latest games together is on top of my list. Mai is getting serious over gaming anyway, so it would be fun.
And then I have places I want to go. It's basic but I want to try going together to Nezumi Land. If it's with friends, I bet it would be a blast.
Ah, my list will keep growing at this rate.
When I was getting too carried away with my own imagination and wrote down everything, I realized that Mai has been quiet since earlier, so I took a peek.
Just like a statue, she pours all her focus on the paper in front of her with a gorgeous face.
I feel my chest tightens. Knowing that she thinks about me to that extent, it would be a lie if I said that I wasnât happy...
Suddenly, I get curious. By being lovers, what does she want from me? I wonder if it's like a movie where we spend our time romantically, or being dramatic over our relationship...
"H-hey, Mai. Is it okay if you show me for a bit?"\n"Hm? Aa, of course. I don't mind."
[Kissing] [Inserting my tongue] [Groping her breasts] [Hugging each other while naked] [Getting into the bath together] [Washing her body] [Washing her hair] [Rubbing her legs] [Licking her thighs] [Biting her fingers lightly] [Touching her private parts] [Licking her ears] [Letting her lick my fingers]ăŒ
It's like a mega exhibition of lust and desires.
"Wait, what is this?!"\n"Is there something wrong? For you to be that loud...Could it be that you're getting excited?"\n"Wrong! Stop it! Don't smile like that!"
I desperately hold my desire to rip this paper apart and toss it to the trash can.
"What were you thinking...Is it possible that you only desired my body all along...?"
Like a nursery teacher who got confessed by her student, she's looking at me with a gentle gaze and warm smile.
"Why!?"\n"If I'm being frank, I won't chose you if what I longed for was just physical things."
Ah, I feel like I just took painful stabs right into my chest.
"T-that's, you don't really know, right! I'm an F cup you know! F!"
She was being too direct when she pointed that out, that was embarrassing! She's so unreasonable!
While I'm still struggling to take off the knives from my chest and recover from the embarrassment she put me through, Mai calmly crossed her legs and opened her mouth.
"I want to touch my beloved. The heart is important, but it's also a given that I want to join our body. Is it really an unexpected thing?"
What she said is basically the same thing as what she wrote. It might be because she's good at talking that she looks very sincere right now...
"You only wrote things that were limited to that stuff...Of course I'd get surprised."
My voice is getting smaller by each word. Mai keeps looking at me so much that I choose to avoid her gaze.
"I always thought that dating a girl is something like a simple amusement for you."\n"....Hou."
I understand that I said a horrible thing.
But I can't shake off that feeling since she's Oozuka Mai. It's not weird if she's interested in her first commoner friend.
That's why, right now, I convey this feeling of mine while being fully aware of the situation.
"Mai is very popular, if you are getting bored with boys you will play around with girls, is what I thought."\n"It's sad when you won't trust me like that, but I do understand that my lifestyle is not something common for high school students."
She smiles wryly.
"Yeah, that's why, umm, when we hugged...somehow, your feelings were getting through...At that moment I began to wonder that, maybe your feelings were real. I was getting shaken back then because I really couldn't understand your train of thoughts."\n"I see. That's why you suggested this."
Mai's eyes are showing that she's in deep thoughts.
After a while, she stretches her hand towards my direction.
"...What? A hand-shake?"\n"Please lend me your hand."
After peeking at my surroundings, I slowly hold out my hand. Mai envelopes my palm with her hand and holds it tightly. Her hand feels a bit cold, but it is possible that my hand is the one who was hot right now.
This sensation is very different from when I held Ajisai-san's hand back then. Somehow, it feels like she didnât only grab my hand, she also grabbed my heart with that hand.
With a gallant smile, she slowly put her other hand on top of her chest.
"I want to touch the person I like. The relationship where we touch each otherâs body, that's what I meant when I said I want to be lovers. It won't change whether my partner is a man or a woman. I already prepared my heart for whatever comes as long as I'm together with you."
I'm glad that right now I'm sitting on the wall side. If by any chance I took a seat at the aisle side, I would definitely run away.
"You normally can't do stuff like that with any other girl, right!?"\n"If you want to know, I won't mind teaching you thoroughly in just one night."\n"I still don't have that kind of resolution though!"
While I showed her the paper, I tried to get my point straight.
"Best friends won't do something like that in the first place!"\n"Your palm is sweaty right now."\n"It's a cold sweat! It turned out that the woman in front of me is a wolf while I'm just a tasty little sheep!"
I pulled away my hand quickly. If we keep holding hands, I have the feeling she will end up breaking down my defense and I will accept her words then. It's scary.
"What is this...You turned out to be a total carnivore..."
Why on earth did she become someone like this...is what I want to ask but I choose to shut my mouth.
Now if I'm thinking about her personality, she's a super celebrity who has a super bright personality. Sheâs also a quarter foreign and works as a pro-model. Taking those into account, it's no wonder she has a high sex drive (á Prejudiced)
"I know! Are you free this weekend? If you are, give your weekend to me, I'll take you somewhere. Ah, this is not a date invitation, I want to hang out normally as friends!"
Mai looks interested with my suggestion and stares at me whoâs currently standing up from my chair.
"Of course. I wouldnât reject any favor as long it's from you."
Ah it's here, that cocky smile like sheâs already won everything.
Annoying.
"T-this outing is not a simple activity between friends. I'll thoroughly make you understand the magnificence of being best friends!"
Actually, I started feeling cornered by Mai. Even though that feeling is faint, I think I know the reason. But I choose to put on a brave act in front of her.
This is not good, I should do something...I should do something to beat this woman!
At this rate, Mai's value will keep going up and I'll definitely end up as a carefree girl who submitted herself into a love relationship with her....!
I pulled my personal note that was filled with places I want to go to. I gather the most important places on one page.
It's not the time to doubt myself and be too afraid to fall for her trap. I decided on the place we'll go on the weekend. This will be my counter-attack to her and I'll make sure to leave a huge impact on her with this strike.
For the sake of my success, I will observe Mai for the next four days to learn her likings as a basis of my plan. I'll definitely arrange the perfect plan for this.
What I want is not something complicated that resembles a time-bomb like same-sex lovers.
For the next three years, I want a relationship where we understand and respect our boundaries and support each other when things get hard, that kind of thing when we understand each other!
\n
But, when I check the weather for that day, the forecast shows that it will rain. Even though I already prepared this much! If things get worse, I have no other choice than cancel the whole plan. Damn, it turned out that even the weather is Mai's ally!
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<b>***</b>
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Right now is the middle of June. The time left for our match is two weeks. The weather is my ally for today. Fufu. It's my win. (á Too early)
I'm grinning while enjoying this sparkling early summer.
We promised to meet up at Tokyo Teleport Station. It took around 20 minutes from Shinjuku via the Rinkai Line. For me who only used to go around the area near my house up until Shinjuku, I consider this as a distant outing.
Because today is the holy war to determine my fate for the next three years!
I'm waiting in front of the ticket gate, it seems like there's a lot of people who bring their families or partners today.
For today's clothes I chose a casual style with a calm shade paired with a knee-length skirt. Since I'll be walking together with Mai, I chose a sandal with a thick sole.
I only relied on my sister's taste to make a combination for my outfit since I'm a total amateur, she really has good eyes. It makes me sad when I remember it.
Just five minutes before our appointment time, a flashy beauty who looks like a celeb appears. It's Mai. She also wore her usual casual style this time.
White shirt, long flare skirt, and sneakers. It doesn't seem like she put a lot of thought into it. Of course, she still looks gorgeous with that hair style. But it shows that this time she really is in her best friend mode.
"Good afternoon, Renako. Today looks like a very comfortable day to have an outing, don't you think?"\n"That's right, I'm glad it's sunny today! Could it be that you are a person who brings good weather wherever she goes?"\n"Not really, when I want rain it will become a rainy day and when I want it to become sunny, the weather will become one."\n"That's a bit too convenient, don't you think? Are you okay with having that kind of life?"
We started walking and she's right beside me now. She offered to carry my bag, but I don't really like that kind of concern from her. As I thought, it's more comfortable with this distance.
\n
\n
"Well, thanks for coming this far today! I already planned a lot of things, let's enjoy it to the fullest!"
After a long ride with the escalator, we finally arrived at the ground level. The wind sure is strong since this is near the ocean. The sun also shines brightly.
I really like this place that was built artificially because it looks different from my usual scenery.Â
"Mai, you said that you never went to Odaiba before, right? It's kind of surprising because you have an unexpected narrow activity range."
"I don't really have friends to spend my weekend with after all."\n"Eh, really? Even though youâre always surrounded like that?"\n"People between school, workplace, and my private time are all different."\n"Does it mean they all have a different role and position? I think I kinda get it."
Even I would have never thought that I would go out together with her like this before, somehow this feels very strange.
Right now, I'm hogging Mai for myself.
"Why are you grinning like that, Renako?"\n"Eh? I-I'm not though?"\n"Are you happy because we are together right now?"\n"That's partially true."
I answer her question with a lively grin, somehow Mai is getting embarrassed.
"...I, I see. It's a huge honor for me then."
While we are talking about trivial things, we arrived at the most popular place in Odaiba, Odaiba Plaza. In here, there's a shopping mall, amusement park, and many fun places to spend your holiday. Apparently, the resort hotel for tourists is very close just right beside the plaza.
Before the entrance, there's a super huge robot acting as something like a gate. Many people say that the robot will move when Odaiba is in danger. Interesting!
When we pass the resort, I can feel a familiar sensation.
"Mai, everyone is looking at you."\n"That's true. When I'm alone I will definitely get called out by someone and it's kind of a pain so I don't really often go out to a crowded place like this."\n"It's one of the hardships being a beauty...Hey, what do you think of your own appearance?"\n"Since I was born, I was already blessed with fast legs, a healthy body, and this appearance. I thought of them as my splendid weapons."\n"I see. A super strong weapon like a Gatling gun during the primitive era."\n"Oh?"
Mai looks at me with an amused smile and raises one of her eyebrows.
"So thatâs the case. You also like my appearance, right? Fufu, I'm happy."
I want her to stop smiling suddenly like that, it's really bad for my heart.
"Uee, no, that's....But considering that perfectly carved face, of course no one would dislike it, right?"\n"Indeed, I get praised by a lot of people. But moreover, it makes me happier when this brings happiness to my beloved one. You are someone who saved me from a prison of loneliness, my one and only destined person after all."\n"I already said that you are exaggerating, right? From now on, you will meet a lot of people and your true destined person. Just be patient!"
After I said that, someone calls out to Mai. It's a pair of male university students, they must be aiming for Mai's contact details.
"Aah sorry, I'm with a friend today."
It looks like she will deal with them normally, so I quickly pull her arm. Since I'm a shabby character they won't really remember me after all.
"Mai, if you deal with them one by one there will be no end, you know?"
When we are far away enough, I tell her what I think. Mai is looking at me with an apologetic face.
"But I should always be wary of the media's exposure, that's why..."
I see, so she should always deliver something like fanservice and she's banned from ignoring people, huh...
Alright.
"Well then, I will protect you for today!"
I smile proudly at her as a friend and Mai looks at me surprised and widens her eyes.
"Protect, me...?"\n"Yup, we are friends, right? Just leave it to me!"
I hit my chest proudly. I won't let my friend get anxious because it would taunt our fun day! Of course I don't want that!
Mai keeps staring at me with a feverish gaze....S-she doesn't believe me!?
"I- it's okay! Even I can do something when I set my mind on it...I think!"\n"No, that's not the case...No, forget it. Well then, for today I will properly enjoy the role of a heroine who gets protected by you."\n"It's as a friend, not a heroine!"
Geez, how many times do I need to repeat myself to make her understand!
\n
We enter Odaiba Plaza and the cool air is hitting us, it feels good. We make a beeline to a certain place. Fufufu, it's time to reveal my secret plan.
"Actually, today I planned on doing a VR game with you."\n"VR? Aah, Virtual Reality. I heard that it has become popular as of lately."
Mai gazes at something far away with cold eyes.
"You never did it before, right? I've tried them on a game show before, it was really amazing, you know! I bet you will get hooked!"
While weâre still in the middle of the mall, Mai let out a laugh. That laugh is inviting a lot of stares from a lot of people again.
"You can go on laughing all you want now, in a few minutes, I will make you cry and apologize to me."\n"No matter how amazing virtual reality is, I don't understand why I should apologize to you...but okay. If you go that far, I will hold my expectations high then."\n"Yup yup."\n"Iâm already used to opera and musicals since my childhood, that's why I have discerning eyes for entertainment. In short, I'm quite picky, you know?"
Ah, she just stepped on a defeated flag. That's great.
\n
The VR area thatâs placed in the center of Odaiba Plaza is using a booking system. Once weâre inside, we are free to try a lot of games using our admission ticket.
As a student, the prices are pretty hefty, it makes me hesitate to invite people here because I don't want to be a bother. But since it's Mai, I don't need to be afraid of that situation.
We arrive right on time and smoothly enter the gate. We put our belongings in the locker and head to the VR area to look around.
It's around the same size as a gymnasium with a lot of booths that look interesting. It feels like I just entered a game world.
"Do you have something you want to try, Mai?"\n"Hm...I don't really understand, so I will leave it to you, Renako."\n"Okay! Well then...alright, let's ski!"
We hand our ticket to the receptionist lady and receive a short explanation about the game. We covered our face with something like a paper mask and put on our goggles.
I can see a snowy mountain panorama and there's a slope right in front of me. This would be a nightmare for someone with acrophobia. I think this one has a better resolution compared to the previous version. I'm getting more excited, this really is a rapid advance of gaming technology!
"Hou...this one is quite..."
Mai lets out a voice filled with astonishment. When I'm looking at her, she wears a complete set of ski wear rather than her casual clothes. Okay, the preparation is complete!
"All right, let's go, Mai! Can you keep up with me!?"\n"....A, aa!"
After making sure that she's affected by my mood, I push the ground and went through the slope. We cut through the wind, we keep sliding down the snowy area. This feels good. Right now, I'm not a high school girl, I'm a real snow mountain traveler who loves adventure!...Is what I thought until I crash splendidly into a rocky area and get blown away.
I can hear Mai's laugh from my side.
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"That was awesome."\n"Right! But I still can't accept the fact that you have a better time than me!"
It's not like we are competing and it didnât displease me that much, but still, it's the truth that it would be satisfying if you seize a victory.
After that, we naturally walk around to numerous booths that featured PvP mode.
We got on a robot and punched each other, had a showdown in the middle of a baseball arena, fought aliens, sometimes we also teamed up to do an exorcism on a haunted mansion. When we tried to become a legendary hero, she got too carried away and said something like, "Now come at me, you monsters! I will protect this village!"Â
As we kept trying different games with different thrills, we started walking faster inside the arena.
"Ah, right there! It's empty! Our time limit is two hours and we will get chased out in 30 minutes, so let's hurry, Mai!"\n"Fufu, you don't have to tell me. But Renako, for you to keep something fun like this as a secret, you sure are mean. Why didn't you invite me earlier?"\n"I brought you here right now though! Also, if you wanted to do this earlier you should change your face into something less intimidating!"
We kept laughing since earlier while joking with each other.
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<b>**</b>
\n
"I'm tired...."\n"I laughed too much that my cheeks hurt."
"Aah this sour grape juice is so refreshing..."\n"To be honest, I was wondering why you would invite me far to Odaiba just for playing...but that was fun."\n"So you thought that..."
I keep staring at Mai who straightens her back, and then she smiles at me.
"Even if I bought a console for VR, I think the sensation would be different. Getting constrained with a certain condition, the moment when we decided on something was fun because we have friends to support each other."\n"R-right! That's it!!"
I reflectively point my finger at Mai.
"That's the most important part. So you do get it, Mai!"
Mai opened her mouth again.
"But that can also apply to lovers, right?"\n"You don't get it, Mai~!"
With an exaggerated move, I lean my body back on the chair. Mai's shoulder is twitching.
"If I do it with lovers, I would have to make sure to keep up my appearance because I don't want to get hated. I want them to keep liking me, it makes me considered a lot of things."
While stroking her chin, she looks deeply moved.
"I see. So you always think about that whenever we are on our date."\n"Wrong! This is a what-if situation!"\n"...Even though you never had a lover before."
I'll pretend I didn't hear that.
"That's why being best friends is the best. You were having fun for today without any coercion, right? If it's between lovers, it won't be the same, you know?"
She accepts my words well and nods.
"You're right. That would be possible."
Yup, I feel zero resistance from her right now. I know that she had a lot fun after all, and that also applies to me.
I feel like I still have a lot of energy inside my power gauge, at this rate I might be able to play until late at night.
"Hey, Mai. Let's go shopping after this. I want to look at some stuff."\n"...Aa."Â
I take her hand the second she nods her head and we stand up from our chair. But judging by her expressions, it seems like she still feels troubled by something.
"...I see. So that's why. The meaning of a friend..."\n"Eh?"\n"No, nothing."
When I'm looking at her, Mai is laughing with her shoulders shaking.
"No, it's just. Well, you were right. It seems like we really needed to have that exchange. Even though we used the same words, they became completely different things depending on the one who said it, I guess."
I don't understand what she meant by that.
"...Are you messing with me again?"\n"Impossible. Just like how irreplaceable the value of [friends] is for you, I also desire to convey the importance of [lovers] for me. I already accepted this much from you, so it's my turn next time to do my best and give a lot of things to you."
I frowned at her declaration, it's like she was saying something along [I still haven't shown you my true power yet.]
"Doing your best is alright...just don't do something extravagant like rent a whole Nezumi Land for a day for my sake, okay?"\n"Isn't that pretty romantic?"\n"Having a different value in money is one of the things that destroy relationships, you know?"
\n
We spend the rest of the day at the Odaiba Plaza. I don't know what kept her mind in a gutter earlier, but today was really fun.
\n
<b>*****</b>
<b>\n</b>
<b>Translators' Note</u></b>
For those who confused and haven't realized, Nezumi Land is a parody of Disney Land. Also, Odaiba is a real thing, and the big robot (Gundam) also exists. That place was fun as heck.
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For more detailed info about the novel, click here
<b>Credit:\nTL and everything else: Meatbun\nProofread: Mai88</b>