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Chapter 7: From Friends to Love Interests.

Another typical weekday begins.

Until noon, I fight off sleepiness and diligently fulfill my role as a student. When lunchtime comes, I head to the bustling cafeteria.

There, as usual, is Kokoro-san, who has secured a spot for us… not that she intends to, but people naturally form a circle around her.

It’s not that Kokoro-san is disliked or feared; her presence is just so divine that people feel they can’t get close. This phenomenon is what I call the «Kokoro Wall,» or the «Sanctuary.» I’m the one who named it, though.

It might sound a bit exaggerated, but seeing Kokoro-san there, it kind of makes sense. She seems to be glowing. It’s an illusion, of course – she isn’t actually glowing, but her beauty and aura are so strong that they create that impression.

«Hello, Kokoro-san.»

«Hel-hello, Kakeru-san.»

We exchange light greetings and I sit next to her.

Until recently, I avoided sitting beside her. After Kokoro-san made an ambiguous comment to me, I misunderstood it and became self-conscious…

But it was all in my head. Kokoro-san had just spoken as a friend. How embarrassing of me.

«Do you two always greet each other like this?»

«Enji, why are you following us? You’ll make Kokoro-san nervous.»

Since I started having lunch with Kokoro-san, I’ve been spending my lunch breaks away from Enji. We made up, and on this first weekday lunch, he just decided to tag along. Ideally, I’d like it to be just the two of us.

«I’m fine…! I became friends with Ichinose-kun during the flower viewing, so I can’t just talk to Kakeru-san alone…!»

«Come on, Shou-chan. It’s more fun with three people, right?»

«Well, if Kokoro-san is okay with it…»

«But then, Hikaru-chan is left out. Should we invite her?»

«What are you talking about? She’s an outsider. The security will scold us.»

«Shou-chan, you’re so cold. We won’t get caught.»

Hikaru is probably busy with university. She wouldn’t bother coming just to have lunch and go back.

«By the way, did you and Hikaru-chan get along after that, Hatsune-san?»

Enji asks while eating curry. I’m curious about that too.

I was the one who connected them, so I’m interested in where it leads… she’s my ex-girlfriend, after all.

«Yes…! We talk on LINE every day now. We even have plans to hang out this weekend!»

«That’s great. Let’s all hang out together again.»

I wonder what they’ll do.

I hope Hikaru isn’t complaining about me.

«Oh, there he is, Enji-kun!»

As we talk, a voice calling for Enji comes from the cafeteria entrance.

Turning towards the voice, I see about six flashy-looking girls.

«Oh, I forgot I had plans today. Sorry, I have to go. But invite me tomorrow, okay!?»

«Sure, sure. Mr. Popular, go on.»

«Oh, is Shou-chan jealous?»

«I’m not jealous, I’ll knock you out!!»

«Aw, you’re blushing!»

«Enji!»

«Ah, run!»

As Enji escapes with his curry, I sigh. Kokoro-san giggles at me.

«You’re really close, aren’t you? I’m envious.»

«He’s just an annoying guy.»

«You don’t really think that, do you?»

«Haha, well, maybe not.»

«I hope someday you’ll say you’ll knock me out too, Kakeru-san.»

«I won’t say that even if we’re close!?»

«Ah, I didn’t mean it like that…! I don’t mean I get excited by being hit or anything…!»

Kokoro-san’s face turns red, and she flails her hands in panic.

«Th-that’s not what I meant…!»

I’m determined not to let her say that word she always stumbles on. «You mean you want us to be so close that I don’t hold back at all, right? I get it.»

«Th-thank you…»

«But even if we get that close, I don’t think I’ll change how I talk or act around you.»

«Why not…?»

I like the calm atmosphere with Kokoro-san. With Enji, a bit of noise is fun, and with Hikaru, exchanging insults feels just right.

«It’s good as it is with Kokoro-san.»

«Is that so…»

Kokoro-san responds, seemingly not fully understanding. She seems a bit down, but I don’t mean it in a bad way…

Wanting to change the mood, I search my mind for a new topic.

«By the way, who has my leisure sheet now?»

«Ah!! I’m sorry!! It’s at my house right now… I meant to bring it today but forgot… I’ll bring it to your house after school, could you tell me where it is…?»

Kokoro-san frantically opens her phone’s memo app. But it’s not that urgent…

«It’s fine tomorrow. Or even later. It’s my grandfather’s, but he seems to have plenty of them.»

«No…! I must return it when I can! It’s only right!»

«Well, at least let me come and pick it…»

«No! I can’t ask you to come after borrowing it!»

Unable to persuade Kokoro-san, I give her my address. The lunch break ends quickly, and I fight off the weakened sleepiness during afternoon classes.

When I get home, about thirty minutes later, I get a LINE message from Kokoro-san.

«I’ll be there soon.»

«Got it.»

Kokoro-san lives two stations away from my nearest station, so it doesn’t take long.

Thinking to meet her outside, I go down to the first floor of my apartment, and there she is.

«Kokoro-san, over here!»

«Ah, Kakeru-san!»

When he spotted me, his face lit up with a full smile, and he ran towards me in a somewhat clumsy way, making my cheeks feel inexplicably warm. No wonder – it’s just so adorable.

«I’m sorry to keep you waiting…! Here, this is what I borrowed from you.»

«Really, thank you so much for going out of your way.»

«I’m sorry for being late, even though Hikaru asked me to meet you at school…»

«No, no, it’s really okay! I wasn’t in a hurry!»

As Kokoro lifted her head, a single drop of rain fell on the tip of her nose.

«…Rain?»

As those words slipped from my mouth, the rain suddenly intensified.

«Wow, that’s coming down hard. Kokoro, let’s head to the lobby for now!»

«Yes!»

Checking the weather forecast on my smartphone, the chance of rain was only 20%.

From the movement of the rain clouds, it seemed like a passing shower that would probably stop in about thirty minutes.

«It’s awkward just staying here, so, would you like to come to my house?»

There was no deeper meaning to it.

But after saying it, I realized that inviting a girl to my room could be interpreted in a certain way.

Kokoro probably thought the same, as her face turned slightly red. She has a vivid imagination and is surprisingly sensitive to risqué topics. I regretted my impulsive invitation.

«If Kakeru is okay with it…»

«Then, let’s go…»

It’s not like there’s a deeper meaning. We’re just taking shelter from the rain. Don’t get the wrong idea, me.

Kokoro’s reaction when she entered the room was to look around with sparkling eyes.

I’m glad I always keep my room clean.

All my risqué stuff is on my smartphone, so there’s no risk of it negatively influencing Kokoro.

Despite being the same age, I feel like an adult being careful not to expose a child to inappropriate knowledge.

Giving such an innocent girl something like an erotic book would earn me the ire of men all over the world.

«You don’t have many things, do you?»

«Yeah, I guess so. I’m pretty uninteresting. But I do care about my bed. Sleep is a third of our lives, after all.»

«Hehe, that’s so like you, Kakeru.»

Why am I so nervous? Usually, I’m the calm one watching Kokoro getting embarrassed, but now it’s the other way around.

Is it because having Kokoro in my room is out of the ordinary, or because the closed space makes it feel more intimate?

«H-How about you try lying down?»

«Eh?»

Kokoro looks surprised as I pat the bed. Yeah, it’s weird to lie down on a guy’s bed. My thoughtless words just make things more tense.

After all, we’re just friends.

«Then, I’ll take you up on that offer.»

«Ah!»

With that, Kokoro sits down on my bed, the bed I sleep in every day, and slowly lies down.

«Wow, this is amazing. It’s really comfortable. And it’s big too. Looks like it could fit two people just right.»

«It’s a double bed, after all…»

I reply absent-mindedly, my heart racing at the thought of Kokoro next to me. A triple heartthrob.

«Why do you have a double bed…? Maybe for Hikaru…?»

«No, I recently saved up from my part-time job to buy it. I read online that an adult male can finally rest comfortably on at least a semi-double…»

«Is that so… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked something like that.»

«No, it’s fine…»

Why am I so tense? It’s just Kokoro. She’s a friend. It’s rude to be overly conscious. I need to calm down.

«By the way, I have a favor to ask of Kakeru.»

Kokoro sits up and smooths her hair with her hand, while I remain motionless at the edge of the bed.

«A favor?»

«I want to call you by your real name too, is that okay?»

It was an unexpected request.

Certainly, our relationship feels more like college classmates than just acquaintances from Connect.

The initial relationship where we didn’t disclose all our personal information to each other has long since passed.

If that’s the case, calling each other by our real names seems quite natural.

«Is that all? I don’t mind at all.»

«And, I would like you to call me… Kokoro…»

While lowering her eyes, she speaks in a small voice. The sound of rain outside asserts its presence, even from beyond the window glass. The room is dominated by the loud rain, loud enough to drown out Miss Kokoro’s small voice. Yet, her voice still reaches me clearly.

Why does she say it with such embarrassment?

We’re friends, after all. It should be normal.

Is being called by her first name by a friend that embarrassing? It wouldn’t be surprising if Miss Kokoro thought so.

«Understood. Then, from now on, I’ll call you Kokoro-san.»

«I’m happy… you know, Hikaru-chan and Enji-kun call each other by their first names, and I’ve always wanted that too…»

She should have just told me that. But Kokoro… no, Kokoro-san can’t say it that easily. She’s that kind of person. I know that, I understand it, so I should be sensitive to her feelings. After all, we’re friends.

«I’ve always thought about it. That I was… getting ahead of myself by saying… that I can make you forget… that someone like me…»

«That’s not true at all. Please don’t think of yourself as ‘someone like me’. You’re truly charming, and I’m glad I met you.»

Ever since I met Kokoro-san, every day has been enjoyable.

I’m not sure if it’s thanks to meeting Hikaru again around the same time or not… No, it must be thanks to both of them. And now, thanks to Enji, things feel even more enjoyable.

There isn’t anyone around me that I’m not glad to have met.

«I’m also glad I met you, Shou-kun. …Looks like the rain is stopping soon…»

After saying that, perhaps feeling shy, she gets up from the bed to look outside the window─

─Flash, rumble rumble rumble.

A flash of light followed almost immediately by a thunderous roar.

«Kyaa!!»

It was the moment Kokoro-san stood up. Surprised by the thunder, she topples over towards me.

«─Ah»

I end up in a position as if I’m being pushed down, our noses almost brushing against each other.

For a moment, neither of us understands what has happened, frozen in place. It’s only a moment, but it feels like several minutes have passed.

«Go-, sorry─»

As I come to my senses and move to grasp her slender shoulder to push her away, Kokoro-san grabs my hand.

«I’m scared, could you please stay like this for a bit longer…?»

Without responding, I simply comply in silence.

Indeed, Kokoro-san is trembling. Her shoulders, still in my grasp, are shaking slightly, and even the eyes looking at me closely are wavering.

It probably lasted for about two minutes.

Gradually, her trembling subsides, and Kokoro-san speaks.

«What do you think of me, Shou-kun?»

Confused by the sudden question.

What do I think? What does that mean?

Even as I try to clear my confusion, my mind can’t function normally due to the agitation, and I can’t find an answer. Kokoro-san adds on.

«Are we… friends…?»

Her voice, expression, the intensity of her eyes. Everything is unlike the usual Kokoro-san.

It seems like she’s lost her composure due to the extraordinary situation caused by the thunder. At the same time, it’s as if she’s made up her mind.

«Did I do something to make you feel uneasy, Kokoro-san…? I really think of us as friends… Oh, are you still worried about what happened during the day…? I really just want to be that way with you…»

As I desperately try to articulate, Kokoro-san suddenly becomes unfazed by the thunder, sits up on the bed, and I follow suit, sitting next to her.

«You really are dense, Shou-kun…»

«Eh, what does that mean…»

«No, it’s nothing! Sorry for suddenly saying this, I should be going home now.»

Only then do I realize that the rain outside has stopped.

My heart is still pounding loudly, the vibration of it reaching me.

I go down to the lobby with Kokoro-san, offer to call a taxi, but she refuses, saying it’s a waste of money.

Kokoro-san seems different till the end, somehow… like she’s shed a layer. That phrase seems to fit her mood.

«Then, Shou-kun, see you tomorrow at the cafeteria!»

She leaves with a smile more charming than usual.

I don’t think I’m that dense…