A Very Popular Idol Classmate Has Taken a Liking to Me, A Person Who Doesn't Want to Work for My Whole Life
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.Daininki Idol na Classmate ni Natsukareta, Isshou Hatarakitakunai Ore
Src: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2496gr/106/
Act 3 - The School Festival
27- No matter what happens
Under the darkening sky, the orange flames of the campfire are casting light across the ground.
Kakihara and Nikaido are hanging around the campfire, chatting shyly.
Then there are Doumoto and Nogi a little further away, it seems like they are also having fun.
"This is how...... youth should be." (Rintaro)
The youth I longed for is right here.
It is a refreshing moment, different from the bitter one at the pool from before.
――――No.
Maybe it's because of those bitter moments that I can appreciate the present beauty.
Understanding something that's just a concept is tough, and I am sure that this is only a part of the formless thing called "youth". Even if it's just a little, I'm happy to have understood it.
Well, just because I understand it doesn't mean I can do anything about it.
(Man, I'm so alone.) (Rintaro)
Leaning against the school building's wall, the lonely me is absentmindedly gazing at the fire from a distance.
For Yukio, he should be dancing with Miyamoto-san around the campfire at this time, who has been showing interest in him for a while now,
Around the campfire, there are only groups of boys and girls hanging out.
Those not part of these groups are making a ruckus in their own close-knit circles.
It was inevitable for someone like me, who doesn't have any close friends or a close-knit group, to end up alone.
"It feels kinda lame to head back all by myself......" (Rintaro)
Leaving amidst all this excitement and going back alone feels a bit like being a loser, or maybe it's just a tad pitiful, to say the least.
So, I'm pretending to be cool by acting like I'm just chilling here.
But it's so boring, so I get up to leave――――and then.
"......Rintaro."
"Hmm?" (Rintaro)
As someone calls my name, I hear footsteps approaching.
In the dim light, amidst the faint darkness, there stands Rei, back in her school uniform, taking note of her surroundings.
"Ah, Rei, huh. That was a good job." (Rintaro)
"Mm. You too." (Rei)
She seems a bit restless for some reason as she stands next to me.
I couldn't figure out what was causing her to act this way, but now, it's making me uncomfortable.
It's honestly bad for just the two of us to be seen together.
"...I was thinking of heading back now, what about you? If you still have something to do, I can go back and prepare for dinner." (Rintaro)
"I don't particularly have anything to do. But......" (Rei)
"But?" (Rintaro)
"I want you to accompany me for a little bit." (Rei)
Saying this, she takes my hand.
"H-hey...... This is bad, isn't it? If we're seen like this......" (Rintaro)
"You promised to listen me to whatever I wanted to, didn't you?" (Rei)
"True, I did promise but..." (Rintaro)
It was a promise that stemmed from the story of me and Mia going on a date, but I never thought she'd enact it right here, right now.
"I want to go where there's no one." (Rei)
"......" (Rintaro)
My heart skips a beat.
I don't understand her intentions, but Rei's unusual demeanor is unsettling my heart.
"If it's behind the school building, there won't be anyone, right?" (Rei)
"I-I think so, but..." (Rintaro)
"Shall we go there, then?" (Rei)
Why does this make my heart race?
Even though we are usually alone at home, and should be used to it, I can't stay calm right now for some reason.
Is it because of the sense of immorality――――being in the midst of others?
Behind the school building, aside from the moonlight, there are no other light sources, and there are no other people besides us.
This place, where I had witnessed Rei being approached by Kinjou during the school festival preparations, doesn't hold particularly fond memories.
"......What's gotten into you, all of a sudden?" (Rintaro)
"I just wanted to be and talk with Rintaro...... Is that a bother?" (Rei)
"I wouldn't think it's a bother for you to tell me that. But being brought here without knowing why is a little scary......" (Rintaro)
I'm not talking about just Rei here.
It's just that I'm a coward when it comes to these things.
"I didn't have anything specific to talk about. I just...... wanted to spend this time with you." (Rei)
"......How can you say such an embarrassing thing so easily." (Rintaro)
"Are you embarrassed?" (Rei)
"Well, yeah." (Rintaro)
"......How cute." (Rei)
"Don't tease me. I'm going home, okay?" (Rintaro)
Of course, I have no intention of doing it.
I sit on the steps near the back door and look up at Rei.
"Sorry. I'm a little embarrassed too." (Rei)
"It's unusual for you to say that." (Rintaro)
Rei sits next to me, being careful with the hem of her skirt. There's only a fist's width between us.
"...Kakihara-kun's confession, I'm glad it ended up being a success." (Rei)
"Yeah. The pair who should be together are together. I'm at ease too." (Rintaro)
Although the outcome is fine, I also think it was good to have practiced for today.
It was worth the trouble when the problem that had been bothering me was resolved.
"But, school might get a bit chaotic from next week." (Rintaro)
"Why's that?" (Rei)
"You know about Kakihara's popularity with the girls, right? I think some of them might cry......" (Rintaro)
I refrained from mentioning the obvious, but in reality, from the stage, it was clear that there were girls who were in despair when Kakihara's confession succeeded.
All those who had feelings for Kakihara ended up heartbroken. I'm sure Kakihara himself doesn't understand how much it will shake up the entire school.
"There were also many guys who liked Nikaido, so ultimately, when someone's love is fulfilled, it might mean the end of someone else's love." (Rintaro)
"The end of someone's... love." (Rei)
Rei repeats that part and then looks down with a troubled expression.
She might have something on her mind, but as for me, I was a little embarrassed to have my words be quoted off at random.
"Rintaro... do you have, someone you like?" (Rei)
"Huh?" (Rintaro)
At her sudden question, I unintentionally let out a foolish voice.
Someone I like.
I reflexively begin to think, and Rei's eyes, somewhat moist, meet mine.
The person I like――――
(......What the hell am I thinking!)
I should have left these feelings at that summer sea.
As a mere ordinary person, I shouldn't have such feelings, and it's out of the question to express them recklessly.
Rei――――Millefeuille Stars, they can reach even greater heights.
I mustn't be a hindrance to them.
"Even if I have, I wouldn't say it." (Rintaro)
"Huh, why not?" (Rei)
"Because it's embarrassing, obviously. Can you openly talk about someone you like?" (Rintaro)
"Well... it is indeed embarrassing." (Rei)
"See? So let's end this conversation." (Rintaro)
"...Okay." (Rei)
She might have some dissatisfaction, but it seems her own embarrassment won out as she readily backed down.
I breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.
However, I can't say that the situation as it is is good.
I know that Rei is popular with men, and since I actually witnessed her being approached by Kinjou, there's no doubt that there are people in the entertainment industry who are aiming to be her boyfriend.
Thinking about Rei smiling at someone else and going home to someone else's house――――.
(Yeah... I really hate it.)
I feel like this feeling itself is the answer, but let's put that aside for now.
Just imagining Rei walking happily next to someone else makes my chest feel all tangled up.
Even though we can't have a named relationship, I can't stand the thought of someone else having that kind of relationship with her.
I'm so ugly for feeling this way, and it's really cowardly, and I truly hate it.
"......Do you remember when I told you I wanted to be by your side forever, Rintaro?" (Rei)
Whether she knows what was in my heart or not, Rei suddenly brings up those words.
"Of course, I remember......" (Rintaro)
"Those feelings haven't changed at all, and I don't think they ever will." (Rei)
So――――.
Rei takes a breath and continues.
"I can't express it clearly in words yet... but as long as Rintaro doesn't reject me, I'll always be by your side." (Rei)
As she says that, just like when we talked on the beach that day, Rei closed the one-fist gap between us.
Just that alone makes the anxiety that has been swelling up suddenly shrink away.
"......There's no way I'd reject you." (Rintaro)
I stand up, exposing myself to the moonlight.
A new song for the folk dance is being played in the schoolyard.
It's quite late already, so this is probably the last song.
In short, the closing party is probably coming to an end soon.
"It might be presumptuous, but you're an important place for me. As long as you say that, I'll come back to you no matter what happens." (Rintaro)
"......Rintaro?" (Rei)
Realizing that something is off with me, Rei's voice is mixed with concern.
She really is sharp when it comes to me.
"It's a great opportunity. Wanna dance a little? ...Just the two of us." (Rintaro)
I invite her myself, but it feels cheesy and embarrassing, and I unconsciously scratch my cheek.
Rei smiles and stands up, lining up next to me.
"If you're okay with me, I'd be happy to." (Rei)
I reach out my hand, and Rei takes it.
Even though we have only heard the song a few times, we end up dancing surprisingly well.
It's not like we're particularly skilled, but we surprisingly have fun dancing.
"I'm flattered to be called your important place." (Rei)
"That's an exaggeration." (Rintaro)
"It's not. I'm really happy about it." (Rei)
Rei has a smile on her face that I've never seen before.
Unexpectedly, my heart is easily captured by her smile.
No matter what happens, I'll come back to her.
Yes――――No matter what.
~"(This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~)"~
[End of Chapter]
Cya~!
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