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/126/
Act 4 - The Past of The Shidou Family
34-1 Memories and Goodbyes
This is a story from when I was much, much younger.
I think I was around four years old at the time.
Back then, I was still very shy, and everyone around me saw me as a really quiet child.
That’s why, even when someone said something that put me at a disadvantage, I couldn’t properly speak up for myself. I still remember that clearly.
"Wha! Yuzuka broke the flower vase!"
“Huh…?”
One boy suddenly shouted at me while I was spending time in my classroom at kindergarten.
At the time, I saw boys as scary, and just that alone startled me so much that I couldn’t get a word out.
Sure, I was near the locker at the back of the classroom.
And yes, it was true that the flower vase we all took care of was placed on top of that locker.
But I definitely didn’t touch it.
If only I had been able to say that out loud――――
“Ah… uhh…”
“You’re in troooouble! I’m telling to Sensei!”
“N-no…”
I found out later that the one who actually broke the vase… was that same boy who was accusing on me.
In short, he was blaming me to cover his own mistake.
It doesn’t bother me anymore, but thinking back, it was such an unfair situation.
Still, I couldn’t stop him as he ran out of the room to get the teacher.
Not long after, our homeroom teacher came into the classroom.
“Oh dear… what happened here? Is everyone okay?”
“Sensei! Yuzuka’s the one who broke it!”
“…Yuzu-chan did?”
The teacher’s gaze landed on me.
Thinking I was going to get scolded, I couldn’t say anything again.
She was a kind teacher, and I now know she wasn’t the type to yell or blame people without hearing them out.
But back then, to me, adults were all like my father, people who yelled harshly when they were upset.
“Did you break the vase, Yuzu-chan? Why did that happen?”
“Uu… uhhh…”
I was too overwhelmed to say anything, and the boy smirked, enjoying my silence.
But then — just as the teacher’s expression began to darken, wondering what to do — another boy suddenly stepped in front of me.
“Sensei, I bumped into Yuzu-chan and the vase broke. So it wasn’t her fault.”
“Huh…?”
That boy — Rin-kun — boldly said it in front of everyone.
Rin-kun was a very smart kid.
He noticed that I was scared and, in order to free me from the situation as quickly as possible, he carefully chose his words to avoid directly contradicting the real culprit.
Of course, that’s just how I see it now, I don’t know if Rin-kun actually intended to do that at the time.
But, if it were "Shidou Rintaro", then I wouldn’t be surprised if he had done it consciously.
Otherwise, why would he stand up like that when he had nothing to do with it?
“I see. As long as no one got hurt, we’ll leave it at that. Just be careful next time, okay? The broken vase could’ve been dangerous.”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
Rin-kun bowed his head, and I hurried to bow along with him.
Watching the teacher clean up the broken vase, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
I wasn’t going to be scolded, and that freed me from the anxiety that had frozen me in place.
The boy who had actually broken the vase was saved too, in a way, but he kept glancing at Rin-kun and me nervously.
Maybe, at that point, he finally started feeling guilty.
But I wasn’t mature enough to notice that then, so I ended up just ignoring him.
“Are you okay, Yuzu-chan?”
“Mm… I’m okay. But Rin-kun… you got in trouble…”
“That’s nothing. I’m glad you didn’t get scolded.”
Rin-kun smiled gently as he patted my back.
It was so warm, so kind.
Even now, I can still remember the feeling like it happened just yesterday.
Because that was the moment I fell for him――――I fell for Shidou Rintaro.
“If anything ever happens, rely on me. I’ll always protect you, Yuzu-chan!”
“Really…?”
“Yeah! I’ll be Yuzu-chan's hero!”
Warm, kind, and strong.
That’s the kind of person Shidou Rintaro was to me.
I wonder… is he still my hero, even now?
――――No, of course not. There’s no way that could be true, right.
◇◆◇
The day after I visited Rei’s family home.
As usual, I attended school classes and, while getting ready to go home, I glance out the window.
“……” (Rintaro)
A black car is parked just beyond the school gate.
It's probably Tenguuji’s.
It looks exactly like the car I saw before.
“So she came today, huh, Tenguuji-san.” (Yukio)
Yukio, standing beside me, mutters while also looking outside.
He's still wearing the boys’ uniform, but once we leave school, he’ll go out of his way to dress like a girl again.
Ever since then, he’s been faithfully playing the role of my girlfriend.
As a side note, recently there had been rumors circulating around school about a cute girl walking around who didn’t seem to belong to any class.
I wonder who that could be?
I play dumb and pretend not to know anything.
“Honestly, I thought she wouldn’t come again... maybe she changed her mind.”
When Yukio showed up crossdressing the first time, I could sense that Tenguuji had more or less given up.
But the fact that she shows up again means either she found some kind of breakthrough――――or she's just being reckless.
At the very least, I must be cautious.
“Sorry, Yukio. Mind getting changed?” (Rintaro)
“Of course. I volunteered for this, after all.” (Yukio)
Saying that, Yukio takes his change of clothes and leaves the classroom.
What a dependable best friend I have.
“Well then…” (Rintaro)
While waiting for my best friend, I finish packing up to head home.
Stuffing the homework I have to do into my bag, I walk to the shoe lockers.
After waiting there a few minutes, fiddling with my phone, Yukio comes sneaking up, clearly trying not to draw attention, and we head for the school gate together.
“......I’ve been waiting you, Rin-kun.” (Yuzuka)
“What do you want today?” (Rintaro)
I face Amamiya, who has just stepped out of the car.
The moment Yukio sees her, his guard goes up and he clings to my arm to sell the ‘lover’ act.
Nice touch, but aren’t you holding on a little too tight?
“I did a little research on the person beside you. You’re Inaba Yukio, right?” (Yuzuka)
“......So what?” (Yukio)
“Legally, you’re registered as male. Are you really Rin-kun’s lover?” (Yuzuka)
Damn, here we go.
“S-So what? What’s wrong with two guys dating…? Love doesn’t care about gender!” (Yukio)
“But, in this country, same-sex marriage isn’t legal yet, right?” (Yuzuka)
“Of course I know that. But so what?” (Yukio)
“Then Rin-kun’s ‘wife’ spot is still open for the future, yes? Would you consider letting me take that place?” (Yuzuka)
“Wha—!?” (Yukio)
Ahh, so that’s where she’s aiming.
Sure, even if Yukio and I were genuinely dating, marriage would still be a legal hurdle in modern Japan.
So technically, Yukio can’t be my legal spouse.
But that’s not the point here――――
“…Just kidding. No need to be so defensive, you two.” (Yuzuka)
“Th-that didn’t sound like a joke......” (Yukio)
“My desire to marry Rin-kun is genuine, so my words carried some weight. …That said, how about you stop pretending to be lovers now?” (Yuzuka)
“Pretending!? We—” (Yukio)
“It’s okay. I don’t intend to do anything to Rin-kun anymore.” (Yuzuka)
“......” (Yukio)
Yukio turns to look at me.
He's asking me what to do.
I let out a small sigh and give him a light pat on the back.
That alone is enough for Yukio to understand my intent, and he gently lets go of my arm.
I don’t sense any ill will from her now.
She really doesn’t seem to have any intention of doing anything to me.
“If you’re not here to pull anything, then why show up again?” (Rintaro)
“Fufu, you've finally returned to your usual way of speaking.” (Yuzuka)
“Shut it. I just don’t like talking rough when there are people around.” (Rintaro)
“Gentlemen who know how to behave in public are exactly my type.” (Yuzuka)
“Stop teasing. I’m asking what you want.” (Rintaro)
In response, Tenguuji gives a somewhat lonely smile.
Then she suddenly bows deeply to me.
“Rin-kun, would you please spend just one day with me?” (Yuzuka)
“......And if I say no?” (Rintaro)
“I’ll go home quietly.” (Yuzuka)
“You serious?” (Rintaro)
“Yes. I won’t go back on my word.” (Yuzuka)
Still bows low, she gives her answer.
I sigh again.
“…Sorry, Yukio. Go on ahead without me today.” (Rintaro)
“You sure?” (Yukio)
“Yeah. Honestly, there’s something I needed to talk to her about anyway.” (Rintaro)
“…Got it. If that’s what you want, I’ll go along with it.” (Yukio)
Yukio shrugs as if to say, "Oh well", and steps away from me.
“Just make sure you contact me if anything happens! I’m still playing your girlfriend, remember!” (Yukio)
“Of course. I don’t keep secrets from my girlfriend. I’ll fill you in once it’s all over.” (Rintaro)
“…Alright. I’ll be waiting.” (Yukio)
I watch Yukio’s back as he walks away.
He really is the best friend I could ever ask for.
There’s no one else who can read me like he does.
Once all this is over, I need to cook him something really good.
“Well then, shall we go? You’re taking me somewhere, right?” (Rintaro)
“Yes, please get in the car.” (Yuzuka)
“Okay.” (Rintaro)
I give a small nod and get into the car with Tenguuji.
~"(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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