Chapter No- 07

The morning after I was reunited with Shi-chan, I woke up earlier than usual and was killing time feeling restless.

　Can we go to school together starting today?

　Until now, I didn't even know who the person living next door was, so I was really surprised when I found out it was Shi-chan.

　I think I was constantly surprised yesterday.

　I guess Shi-chan has grown up a lot, but at heart she's still the same mischievous girl.

　By the way, Shi-chan was taller than me.

　Shi-chan has always been bigger than me, and I never thought I could win at this height, but it's still a little frustrating that I'm a guy who's smaller than her.

　Well, there's no point in worrying about it. It's not like I'm going to suddenly grow taller. Anyway, I have to be happy to see Shi-chan again!

　It was now 7:55, and the school was only about a 15-minute walk away, so I was wondering whether it was time to leave when the bell rang.

　I hurried to the entrance and saw Shi-chan standing there dressed in her school uniform.

"Good morning, Shi-chan!"

"Good morning, Aoi."

"Maybe you'll come to school with me?"

"Yeah, I'm thinking of going with you from today onwards."

"Yay! I'll bring your luggage right away, so just wait a bit!"

　I'm so happy to be able to go to school with Shi-chan again~

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　I sighed as I saw Aoi go to the back of the room to get his bag.

"Phew, I'm happy to be able to replenish my body with Aoi nutrients in the morning."

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　To be honest, I was worried about going to school with him. I was worried, but I wanted to be with him for as long as possible, so I decided to go to school with him.

"I'm off now."

　With that said, Aoi and I went outside.

　It felt a little strange to say "goodbye" when there was no one there, but it made me feel like I was living with Aoi, and somehow I was happy.

　Ok then let's execute the plan.

"Hey, Aoi?"

"What's wrong, Shi-chan?"

"Shall we hold hands?"

　Yes, this is the second part of my plan to become closer to Aoi: "Let's hold hands and become closer." By the way, the first part was "Let's wait in front of Aoi's room and talk."

　Well, to be honest, I don't think it will work.

　Aoi may look cute, but he's a high school boy now, and probably too shy to hold hands like he used to.

"Yeah!!"

　See, you weren't rejected after all...?

　Eh? Is that really okay? Can I hold hands?

　Oh no, what should I do? My hands aren't sweaty or anything, are they?!

　While I was worrying about this, Aoi took my hand and started walking next to me.

"I'm so happy to be able to walk together with Shi-chan again!"

"Oh yeah, I'm really happy too."

　Ha ha ha, Aoi's hands are smooth and soft, and a little chewy. This is bad. I feel like the grown-up lady face I practiced in front of the mirror yesterday, trying not to lose my cool character, is falling apart.

"? What's wrong, Shi-chan?"

　This is bad, even holding hands is already hard enough for me, but if he looks up at me like that, I'll reach my limit... No! Hold on, Takanishi Shiori! As a cool childhood friend, I'll show Aoi the composure of a grown-up older sister!

"N-no, it's nothing."

　I stuttered a little, but I think it's safe. Yes. If you think it's safe, then it's safe.

"I see! Ah, maybe you didn't want to hold hands with me?"

"N-no! I was the one who suggested it in the first place, so there's no way I wouldn't like it."

　So please don't look so sad. It makes me feel uneasy, like I'm bullying you.

　I wonder if I'm doing the same things as them.

"Really? You like it?"

"Yeah, it's true, I'd actually like to keep it connected forever."

"I see, that's good then. If you get tired of it, you can always let go, okay?"

"It's okay, there's nothing I'd hate."

　Yes, absolutely. Even if I die, I will never let go of your hand.

　As we got closer to the school gates, more and more people started to gather around us. For some reason, everyone was looking at us, and to be honest, it was a little uncomfortable.

　What? This emperor is mine. I gave them a glare with that kind of meaning, then they quickly looked away and walked quickly towards the school. However, some people around us were whispering.

"Hey! Takanishi-san is holding hands on the way to school!"

"The guy next to Takanishi? Huh? Is that really a guy? Huh?"

"He's wearing a boy's uniform so he's probably a boy."

"Takanishi-san, did you have a younger brother?"

"No way, your boyfriend?"

"No, no, there's no way someone that small could be her boyfriend."

"So you're a lost kid or something?"

"Maybe that's it, I don't know."

　I see, Aoi is my younger brother...yeah, that sounds good too.

　I mean, we were holding hands on the way to school so everyone was paying attention to us.

　Hehe, he's my Aoi so I definitely won't give him to you.

　But wouldn't Aoi like that?

　Thinking that, I looked over at Aoi, and saw him walking along with a huge smile on him face, humming.

"An angel?"

"Hmm? Shi-chan, did you say something?"

"No, no, it's nothing."

　"Oh no, oh no," I said out loud without thinking.

　At least it doesn't seem like he dislikes it.

　Maybe you're so happy to be going to school with me that you don't notice the reactions of those around you?

　Ha, I'm not being so conceited. Aoi is surprisingly lonely, so I haven't been able to talk to anyone for the past month, and that's why I exploded. Mmhmm.

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　(Going to school with Shi-chan is fun~)

　--It's a little further down the line that Nishimiya Aoi realizes that he was just enjoying going to school with Takanishi Shiori and not paying any attention to his surroundings.