The Losing Heroine Dumped by Her Shady Childhood Friend Will Definitely Win as Long as I’m Around!

Chapter 14: Sometimes You Just Need a Detour

Chinatsu-chan, will you go home with me?

U-Un., okay.

After school. I asked her to accompany me after school, but she unexpectedly said yes.

I was expecting Chinatsu-chan to say, Its embarrassing for us to leave school alone together There were peoples eyes on us at school.

Was this also because of the day we went on a date? Even if one doesnt think about it, I think it was a higher hurdle to have a date on a day off. Compared to that, walking alone with her after school was just normal.

So, an after-school date with Chinatsu-chan was decided. She may not realize it, but this was a date in its own right. Well, if you want to call it that, we went to karaoke after school the other day, just the two of us. So its all right then.

Fufufu~!

Sano-kun? W-Whats wrong?

I am so happy to be with you after school, Chinatsu-chan. I was trying to hold back my laughter so I wouldnt gross you out.

I-I see . It looked like you couldnt stand it.

Seriously!? Sorry! Please dont think Im grossing you out. If Chinatsu-chan thinks so, my life will be reduced to zero.

O-okay, so dont react like that here.

Yes.

I was chided for overreacting. How pleasant it was to be scolded by Chinatsu-chan with a meh.

(T/N: Again the same thing as I explained in the previous chapter)

So, I left school together with Chinatsu-chan. I walked alongside her with my heart pounding.

I thought the same thing when we went on a date yesterday, but she was smaller than me.

Well, it was natural for a girl to be smaller than a boy. I could tell just by looking at her.

Still, walking side by side like this, I feel like I could feel her presence closer to me. I could see Chinatsu-chan more clearly.

So I couldnt help but think to myself, Her shoulders are so small. Chinatsu-chan is cute in that way, too. I really couldnt help it.

I wonder if Osako has been enjoying this special seat for a long time.

But I was not jealous. No matter what happened in the past, I will never give up this special seat from now on. I already own the seat next to Chinatsu-chan.

Ah.

Chinatsus eyes widened. And then, I realized that she gasped.

Ahead of her gaze. Two people, a man and a woman in school uniforms from the same school, were waiting for the traffic light.

(T/N: Yk Like in anime waiting for it to turn green)

From Chinatsu-chans reaction, I guessed who it was. And one of them had long black hair.

It was a back view, but there was no doubt. Osako and Matsuyuki were leaving school side by side.

.

Chinatsu-chan suddenly stopped.

She and Osako were in the same class, so they saw each other even if they didnt want to. Even so, she probably still couldnt bear to see him accompanied by Matsuyuki.

The love for a childhood friend that had been nurtured over a long period of time. I think I have some idea of how much that love has grown because I have been advising her.

Chinatsu-chan, Chinatsu-chan. Look, theres a crepe shop. Is it new? I didnt know about it at all. Since were here, why dont we go eat?

Before Chinatsu-chan could even notice the unnaturalness of her own behavior, I pointed in the other direction.

W-What?

Just from the smell alone, it looks delicious. Lets go there anyway.

I took her a little too forcefully.

As we moved off the road, the signal ahead of us seemed to change. Osako and Matsuyuki walked away without noticing us.

Nevertheless, putting aside Osako, what was Matsuyuki thinking?

She must have noticed that Osako was treating her like his girlfriend during the morning exchange. If they were not going out, wouldnt she consider distancing herself from him?

I tried to think about it, but right now, Chinatsu-chan was my top priority.

Perhaps it was because we were so close to the crepe shop that we could clearly smell the sweet smell, or perhaps it was because we were so far away from Osako. Chinatsu-chans tense expression softened.

Wow, it looks delicious. What do you want, Chinatsu-chan?

Sano-kun, you know youre not supposed to buy sweets and eat them immediately, right?

Elementary school student? But serious Chinatsu-chan is cute.

(T/N: Meaning these are things told to an elementary student)

It doesnt matter. This season is the kind that makes me crave for crepes. If you miss the timing, you wont get to taste the exquisite crepes, okay?

What is that? You say a lot of things, but you just want to eat crepes, dont you?

Thats right. I want to eat crepes alone with Chinatsu-chan. I want to enjoy a leisurely after-school time with you!

.

Chinatsu-chans face instantly turned bright red. Although she didnt say a word, I interpreted her reaction as her agreement to eat the crepe with me.

Two strawberry crepes, Onee-san. Please make them delicious.

Leave it to me! came the energetic voice in reply. I bet this crepe shop will thrive.

*****

I received the freshly made crepe and sat down on a nearby bench.

Um, Ill pay for it.

Its okay. Ill lend it to you.

Lend it to me When should I return it?

Well, you can have another date with me and pay me back.

I jokingly asked her out on a date. I was serious in my heart, but I didnt show it on my face.

Even though I said it jokingly, I was depressed when I got a silent response. Did I perhaps put you in a bad mood?

Crepes are delicious, arent they?

Yeah

I took a bite of the crepe and forcefully changed the subject. More than the sweetness of the cream, the tartness of the strawberries spread in my mouth.

I made Sano-kun pay attention to me, didnt I?

What do you mean?

I just wanted to eat a crepe. I wanted to say

Why are you so nice to me Sano-kun?

I was startled. I almost dropped the crepe I was holding.

Chinatsu-chan let out a few tears. Her crying face made it impossible for me to remain calm.