https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9531ga/95/
Episode 12: Admiration and Love
While I fought back against the lethargy corroding away my spirit, the morning classes finally came to an end. With a relaxed atmosphere setting in, my classmates started chatting amongst themselves, picking up their lunches, and filtering out of the classroom. Meanwhile I began stretching out my limbs to relieve some of the fatigue that had set in.
“Yuri-chan”
At that moment, a voice called to me from the seat to my left. It was my princess, Saki-chan.
“What should we do for lunch~? Are we eating here or should we visit the cafeteria?”
Usually we wouldn’t decide on this until everyone was here, but Saki’s feeling in a bit of a rush today. Unfortunate timing for me.
I glanced over and saw that Honoka and Yuzuriha were still cleaning up their desks. But it won’t be long before they get over here. It’ll be too late to move by then….
“Sorry, I’ve got something I need to do! You go ahead and eat first!”
“Eh? Ahh~!”
I jumped out of my seat and started walking before I had even finished explaining things – taking the letter along with me of course.
It’s for the best that I get this taken care of quickly.
♠
Us first-year students have our classes on the school’s highest floor, the fourth floor, but there are still a set of stairs at the end of the hallway leading up.
“Please meet me on the roof during today’s lunch break.”
Those words were all that were written. The letter, (the one I had secretly read in the bathroom where nobody else could see), was written with clean and dignified, yet somehow cute and rounded handwriting.
The appointed meeting spot was somewhere quiet, off the beaten path, and generally unpopular as a meeting spot with the students. It was also behind a usually locked door. There was a desk and chair set at the very top of the steps, but whether they’re supposed to be a spare for a teacher who needs them or a prop someone recently brought there, I couldn’t tell you.
As I stepped onto the landing leading to the roof, I found someone already there, sitting next to that unused desk. The storm clouds had cleared since this morning, and a steady ray of sunshine poked through the building’s windows. The girl had been leaning anxiously against the desk with her head down, but she sat up straight when she heard my footsteps. When her eyes matched my gaze, I gave her a smile and hopped over the remaining stairs.
“Yo, sorry to make you wait. You are the one who gave me this letter right?”
“Yes, Yuriha-chan. Um, thank you for coming…..!”
I recognized the fidgeting girl with the cheerful voice. In contrast to the short, trimmed hair she had in the back, her bangs were long enough to cover both of her eyes. She’s the girl I always see first thing in the morning when I enter the classroom since her seat is located right next to the door. I don’t remember if it was me or her who started it, but it had become a habit for us to share a good morning to each other every morning even if we never talked outside of that.
“Midori-chan….? Is something wrong? We’ve never really talked before, but I’m happy to change that.”
I know that it’s unusual to be called over to a place like this, but I act as if I don’t.
After I pass the conversation over to her, the girl got so nervous she could only get out a few quiet sounds before stopping herself. So cute. If this is her reaction, then this really is about what I thought it was. If things go a little off expectations, and she’s just asking me to be friends…..that wouldn’t be so bad in its own way either though.
“T-Today. I have something important I want to tell you!”
“……What is it?”
I tilted my head slightly to the side and turned my gaze upwards. Her cheeks were flushed, but I was having a hard time seeing her eyes.
“That’s….”
“If this is important――there, it would be a shame if Midori-chan couldn’t see anything in front of you.”
I interrupted what she was about to say and pulled out a long green hair clip I kept in my breast pocket. The hair clip gathered up the bangs that were covering her eyes and held them in place over her left ear.
“There, you look cuter when I can properly see your expression.”
“Ah, that, I’m embarrassed…..”
Now that I can get a proper look at her, I notice her strong, youthful features. Her eyes were small but also round and droopy. Long, blinking eyelashes. She’d be adorable under any circumstances, but even more so with her blushed cheeks.
“So, what did you want to say?”
Turning things back to the main topic. Midori-chan turned her eyes to her feet, then to the side, and her expression kept visibly changing from one cute emotion to the next. However when it looked like she had finally made up her mind, she took a deep breath and stared right at me.
“The truth is! I…..About you!”
But before she could finish her sentence,
The sound of footsteps echoed upwards, and she flinched, closing her mouth. This kind of sound wasn’t something you would naturally hear coming from someone wearing indoor shoes meaning whoever it was, they were obviously going out of their way to make as much noise as possible.
Her silvery hair fell away in waves as her left hand brushed through, like a dragon waving its tail in the wind. She is glamorous yet overbearing, exuding an extraordinary allure…..the Silver Princess.
“Well this is no good.”
Saki gave me a nice enough smile, but the glare she gave Midori-chan was so intense it knocked the wind out of the poor girl as she took a fearful step back.
“I wonder what it is you want from “my” Yuri-chan~”
“Hanazono-san…..? Why are you here…..?”
“Isn’t it normal for me to be wherever Yuri-chan is? I hope you weren’t looking to intrude on our time together.”
Midori-chan must’ve sensed there was something wrong because her expression quickly changed from one of fear to anger. A third person had invited themselves onto this small, three and a half tatami mat sized landing and immediately began challenging her with a fierce glare.
“Why are you even getting in the way….? You and Yuriha-chan don’t have a special relationship together!”
Her body was trembling, and yet she still managed to pick up the courage to return Saki’s glare. She looked brave somehow, like a poor girl standing up to a bullying senior.
“And who are you to decide something like that? Yuriha-chan is mine. I will show no mercy to anyone who gets in the way of that.”
The sharp smile Saki was giving was completely different from the one she showed Ranko. She and Ranko are friends at least, but since that’s not the case here, she wasn’t making any attempt to hide her hostility.
“B-But I won’t lose!”
Yet still, Midori was able to give an answer despite her trembling legs.
“Yuriha-chan!”
“Y-Yes…..?”
My name suddenly being called out like that left me pitifully overwhelmed.
“I love Yuriha-chan!”
She just came out and said it. Her innocent energy was able to make even Saki grit her teeth. She took a breath to say something back to Midori-chan, but I reached over and covered her mouth before she could. I then turned my full attention to the girl in front of me, the girl who so seriously conveyed her feelings to me.
“You and I are both girls, yet you like me?”
“That’s right! You’re kind and bring everyone around you together…..and you always have a gentle look on your face…..I love you! You’re my ideal person!”
“But we’ve never had a conversation together before. Are you sure you aren’t looking to just be friends with me or admire me?”
“I do admire you! I want to be just as cool as Yuriha-chan! But even aside from that, your facial expressions, your voice, your mannerisms….everything you do makes my heart flutter!”
What a surprise…..it’s really embarrassing receiving someone’s straightforward and honest love like this.
With her bangs out of the way, I found a girl with a small, well-formed face with features reminiscent of an innocent, beautiful boy. A girl who looks like a beautiful boy. Isn’t that the same as calling her a beautiful girl? She is absolutely someone qualified to be in my harem.
But….
“It’s useless.”
In response to those feelings, Saki coldly responded,
“Yuri-chan will never fall in love with you.”
What basis does she have to say that? And yet, for some reason, there was a firm confidence in those words.
But I can’t ignore what she’s saying either. If my princess hates the idea this much, then starting a new fire right now is a quick recipe for some serious burns.
I gently grasped Midori-chan’s hands. She flinched, yet her eyes looked on me with some expectation. In contrast, Saki’s smile had disappeared completely, and her narrowed eyes stared daggers into my soul. Going any further than this would be dangerous.
“I’m sorry. I can’t respond to your feelings.”
So I firmly refused.
“Really…..”
Midori-chan is disappointed. Saki is relieved. A whirlpool of conflicting emotions is swirling together on this tiny landing.
“But,” I continued, “I would like us to become friends.”
I smiled and gave back just a little bit of love.
Her hands slowly squeezed mine, and a smile formed under those teary eyes.
“Y…..Yes”
she answered.
Saki watched us while obviously displeased, her arms folded and legs crossed. After exchanging contact information with each other, we exchanged one final glance before shaking hands again.
“Then, we’re…..friends!”
“Yeah. I’ll be in your care.”
But then Midori-chan brought her mouth close to my ear.
“But I haven’t given up yet either…..”
She said those words while looking directly at Saki. And now the princess was shaking in anger, her hair standing on end. Oh shit! We need to get out of here before Saki starts a full-on war!
“W-Well, then! We should be going! C’mon Saki!”
“……Mm”
I grabbed Saki’s hand and started running down the stairs. But when I was only halfway down…..
“Please wait!”
A voice called out to me from behind. When I turned around, Midori-chan was staring after me with a serious expression.
“Actually, Yuriha-chan, are you and Hanazono-san…..dating?”
I knew this moment would come someday. The question was finally asked. I really wish it hadn’t of been, but I had to give an answer anyway.
“What do you think?”
So I cheated and said something cryptic.
Even by my own standards this response is unfair. But it should be enough to put Saki in a good mood. Quickly checking to my side, and I see Saki’s expression brighten up with a proud, “Hmph.” It’s really nice how easy it is to tell how she’s feeling. Still, I need to shake up her heart a bit.
So I continued to Midori-chan,
“When you become a cool girl who can make my heart flutter…..I hope you’ll ask me again.”
And with that, I gave her a little wink before continuing down the stairs. That line sounded cheesier out loud than it did in my head.
“Sly person”
“Who is?”
“Hmph. Whatever.”
Saki shook her head.
“Put, ting, that, a, side. Was it fine for you to turn her down?”
She instead enunciated every syllable of a different question she had. Who was it that insisted I turn her down? What a stubborn princess she is.
“I already have Saki.”
And Ranko. And Honoka. And Yuzuriha…..I muttered quietly to myself. Oh, would you look at that. I guess I am a sly person.
However, I did give in to Midori-chan’s feelings. I might’ve turned her down, but I still gave her hope in case she ever wants to bravely confess her feelings to me again. Of course, Saki must’ve seen through that part of me. Chances are, if Midori-chan ever tries contacting me in the future again, Saki will do whatever she can to block her. It’s a bit cruel of me to think like this, but I’d kind of like to see that kind of Saki-chan. Even if I know it would be absolutely terrifying. Hopefully this incident will serve as a catalyst for Saki’s feelings.
On a different note…..
Cool like me…..huh?
I ruminated over the words Midori-chan chose to use. I still don’t really have a feel for it myself, but I guess I’m cool.
As an inward smile formed for myself, Ranko suddenly came out from around the corner at the bottom of the stairs.
“What, so this is where you were? Honoka was going on about how she wanted to eat already.”
“You could’ve all gone to eat without me. But no point saying that now. Let’s get going.”
Ranko didn’t probe for any more information. It was a relief to see, so I took Saki’s hand, and we trotted back to our classroom.
I was able to just barely catch a glimpse of Ranko’s expression as we passed her by: one of apprehension as if she were considering something difficult.
Experimental Translations 