Part-1 Ch-08 Ep-05

“Is there going to be anything more than this!?”

I was so panicked that I accidentally slipped into polite speech with my childhood friend of over ten years. Someone, please understand how I feel right now.

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of my mouth. Whether my agitation startled her or not, Maki suddenly started fidgeting and brought it up.

“Um… I got various advice from Seishuku-san and tried it out, but…”

It seemed that in exchange for helping out as cupid, Maki had also consulted Seishuku-san about something. What could Maki possibly need advice about?

The fact that she couldn’t tell me as her childhood friend made me feel just a little jealous.

“Lately… they’ve finally gotten a little bigger. So… what do you think? If you want to touch… I guess it’s okay…”

“What!?”

We just blew right past the skinship limit, didn’t we!?

Oh, but she did say earlier that it was only with me. So… is it okay then?

Is it really okay?

Someone, please teach me the proper distance between childhood friends. And while you’re at it, the proper distance between girls too.

“Um, just so you know, I’m not particularly into girls with big chests or anything.”

Why did I have to start my explanation with that when talking to a friend? Wait, does this mean Maki really does like girls…?

No, that’s just the stereotype that girls who enjoy yuri must like girls, and I’m sure Kagami-kun would scold me for even thinking that. While I stood there frozen and sweating, Maki tilted her head.

“Ah, or are you the type who just wants to look? I can take it off if you want.”

“There are factions!? And please don’t just start taking things off so casually!”

Was this like when the boys in class flip through gravure magazines with slightly risqué swimsuit poses and chat about them? I really didn’t get that kind of thing.

“Help me, Kagami-kun… Todoroki-kun…”

“Hey, why are you bringing up other guys right now!?”

“Why can’t I bring them up!?”

We bickered like that for a while, going in circles and raising our voices, until eventually Maki’s mom came in and scolded us: “Stop fighting, you’re disturbing the neighbors! You’re high schoolers now!”

I considered tattling about everything Maki had just said and done, but the main culprit turned away with a huff and quieted down, so we decided to call it a day. I put on my shoes at the front door, stood up, and turned to face Maki.

“…Things got kinda weird at the end, but I really was happy about the handkerchief. Thank you for the wonderful Christmas present.”

“…Mm.”

I was genuinely, truly happy about the feelings she put into choosing that gift.

“Um, hey, Mari.”

Maki began, her gaze wandering.

“Hm? What?”

“So, um… do you remember the promise we made when we were little?”

The promise we made when we were little. I hesitated before answering.

“Which promise? We’ve been together forever, so I feel like we’ve made tons of promises…”

“Ah… r-right. Never mind then.”

Really? She looked incredibly, painfully sad. I frantically tried to recall something. Let’s see, let’s see…

“Ah, I remembered one. A promise.”

“I said it’s fine… you don’t remember anyway.”

“That I’d always be by your side.”

“…”

“I’ll always be by your side, Matsuri-chan. I’ll protect you.”

[T/N - it's a childhood nickname of sort. Throwback to first 8 chapters/prologue , where Maki mispronounce(?) mari's name.]

When we were very small, before entering elementary school, we went to a large park together and I got hurt.

Actually, it happened because I shielded Maki when she was about to fall onto some rocks, and I ended up hospitalized again. She said that to me in the hospital room.

Thinking about it now, that was probably the moment Maki became so dependable.

“It was way too mature for a six-year-old, but you were really cool back then, Hime-chan. Is that the promise you meant?”

“It’s… not that one. It’s close, though…”

Apparently it wasn’t that promise, but something similar. Maki’s face was bright red. Looking back on it now, it practically sounded like a proposal.

She must be embarrassed remembering that childhood moment. But it was something from that age, huh. Remembering is going to be hard.

“Okay, then I’ll try to remember again sometime. Well, see you~”

Speaking of that time, it was also around when I indirectly talked about this world. That counts as a secret promise too, but bringing it up now would make me sound cringe. I’ll ask Maki about it later and figure out the answer.

“…You really don’t remember, do you?”

Just before the front door fully closed, I thought I heard Maki say something, but it shut before I could turn around, so I couldn’t ask her to repeat it.

End of Chapter 8