I was led to the back of the gym, which was unusually quiet that day.

"Club activities have been suspended starting today, because of the upcoming midterm exams."

"I see." Two questions of mine, namely why the gym was so silent and why Naruki wasn't busy with his basketball club were answered at the same time. "So? What do you want from me?"

I sat down on the concrete edge of the gym, perking up my ears.

The standard line when calling someone out to such a place would surely be "Your annoying!", followed by a quarrel, and I would have found it amusing if that actually was his issue, but as I was likely to lose to him in a serious fight, he being very athletic, I prayed that it was something else. Something peaceful please, I don't want to habet a fight with my first friend.

"…It's just a continuation of our earlier talk," said Naruki while peeking at me from time to time, "Say, Satoro-kun, are you, and Youko-san, um… you know, a couple?"

I was startled, Why does he always ask about her? Don't tell me he likes her and is he's jealous because I sometimes talk to that Plain girl because of school works when I don't even want to deal with a girl. Sigh,

"Don't be silly. Of course not!" I laughed, but Naruki was still in earnest.

"B-But! You're the only boy she gets on with especially well!"

"As I mentioned earlier, that's merely because we often have to work together."

"But still! Lately, Youko-san has been mentioning you all the time when we talk!"

"Same as above."

"But then! But then, why does Youko-san gaze at you from time to time during classes?"

"…You're barking up the wrong tree. Go ask her!"

That was new to me.

"Say what you want, but I think you two are suspicious! I know it!"

"So?" the reason why he's been asking me about her was probably because he's jealous

"…eh? So what?"

Naruki looked dumbfounded.

"What do you want to hear from me?"

Seeing the question pressed for his answer.

"Will it make you happy if I say that we're dating?"

"No! You mustn't!" He shouted, just to make a 'Oh what have I said!'-like expression the following moment. "…Ah, n-naturally this is not something I have a say in, it's a problem between you and her after all, but, umm, I mean, isn't Youko-san, like, she has a bad rumors about her? So, you see,…"

Hid choppy justification seemed to have no end if nobody interrupted him.

"Naruki."

I tapped on the concrete next to me and signified for him to take a seat. He obediently sat down there while embarrassedly toying with his short black hair.

"Honestly, there is nothing between Youko and me," I assured him firmly, looking into his eyes.

"I see… so there's nothing, huh."

Naruki's face began to shine like a child who has been given candy. He was so easy to understand.

That was probably also the reason why I had easily noticed that he was attracted to Youko, even without looking for a sign.

"Very well then, it seems that I have gained your understanding."

When I was about to stand up, thinking that this was all, he seized my belt.

"Can I ask just one other thing?"

Originally, I planned on just ignoring his grip and standing up, after which I would take a look at his reaction, but since my hips didn't move a bit, I gave up and sat down again.

"…Please go ahead."

"Yeah, um, Satoro-kun, you aren't going out with anyone at the moment, right?"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Right."

Naruki cast his eyes down.

"Then—i-is there someone you like?" He asked towards the ground. His face was tense and his lips pursed like a duck's bill.

His question wasn't a remarkably rare one. At least to me it wasn't something to get that flustered about anyway. Usually.

However, because of the girl who hurt me flashed through my mind for a split second, I forgot to answer him. I don't know what's having someone you like anymore.

"…Wh-Why aren't you saying anything?"

His anxiety helped me find my tongue.

"…Don't have one, Well I guess I like 2d girls and I hate 3d ones"

I said to c

"Eh!!"

Naruki widened his round eyes and leaned backward, completely shocked. I was tempted to give him a push.

"Eh? Who? Who?! Ah! 2d!, isn't it Youko-san!"

Why is he always saying, Youko, that Youko, sigh. I'm starting to get piss.

"Now we're back where we started. What were those minutes just now? Give me back my time!"

"But who else should it be, A 2d?! You're just joking, right?"

"Can you tell me what exactly makes you so sure, then?"

"My intuition!"

His prompt reply made me wonder what nonsense is he babbling, but since he really was a a smart one, I was powerless in front of the weapon called "Intuition", which remains a mystery to me.

On top of that, I was surprised that I just told him about my preference. .

"I think Youko-san sees you in a different light. Iknow she does, because we've known each other for a long time!" She exclaimed.

Wow. wow, what's with him today? He's blabbering something nonsense.

"Even if you deny it, I think she is different toward you."

Naruki spoke staring straight at me with a resolute gaze.

"…and I understand you just as well, Satoru… You're always in my eyes, after all."

It was the gaze of someone who had made up his mind.

"I think you just aren't aware of it, but you consider her special too… I can't put it into words well, but I think you are kind of special to each other. Like, actually

it would have been mutual for a while, you just haven't noticed, so what's needed is just a little push… and you know, I was like 'I have to hurry up now!', but then I thought that it would be sort of selfish of me. But then, instead of playing like a good one and having regrets, I thought that it suited me more to be a bad for once…go my own way and be straightforward, you know… so, umm…"

Naruki hurriedly added,

"J-Just a moment," took a few deep breaths and jumped to his feet.

"I, Naruki Minami, love… you."

The way he confessed couldn't have suited him better.

I suppose there aren't any humans on this planet who would not like to receive such a confession from someone but why does it have to be a guy? I became even more confuse, what is he saying? L-love me? I'm not into BL!

"Thank you," I said more or less automatically.

"Eh? Um, you're welcome…?" replied Naruki, visibly confused.

I was pretending to be happy about his confession since I liked him—a guy that couldn't be more different from me But please stay straight!

A soft breeze blew gently past us as though the school building had smoothed down its edges upon passing by. The back of the gym was so calm that the usual noise felt like a mere illusion.

Suddenly, Naruki stretched himself hugely like acat and—

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

—released a yell towards the blue sky that sounded like a cat's death cry.

"Aah! I feel SO liberated now! So glad I told you!"

His face was literally shining.

"…Sorry for disturbing you while you're savoring your attainment, but what should I do now?"

"Mh?"

"I haven't given you a reply yet, have I?"

I thought that I was supposed to return a straightforward ball, in whatever form—even if the ball went in a direction he didn't wish for.

The next moment Naruki let out a laughter like a baby frog.

I actually meant to be as considerate as my limits.

"But you know…," started Naruki timidly while swinging his legs, "I still fell in love with you, so I had no other choice but to give it my best shot!"

His earlobes were almost as red as a ripe tomato at that moment.

"You have rather peculiar tastes, don't you?"

"W-Whose fault is that!" objected the bright red Naruki.

Even his sentimental and simplistic side, which would normally be viewed as a weak point, added only to his loveliness in conjunction with his straightforward and diligent nature.

He reminded me of a certain remark."Someone once said that someone who's in love are invincible" And that someone is me before. Sigh.

Naruki pointed his fingernose.

"But one day I will hear you say that you love me! Definitely!"

His timidness went somewhere far away, replaced by his usual vigor.

However, I noticed that his little finger was trembling slightly.

This timid guy named Naruki struggles doing so many things I can do easily, but at times he accomplishes feats which I can only dream of.

As was true of his confession as well.

It might be a little exaggerated, but I admired Naruki as a friend. Most likely, because he had traits I could not even wish for.

And so he looked most impressive to me at this very moment, making feel weird.

However, I deliberately went another way.

"Interesting. Please give your best!" I said, making an unimpressed face on purpose. "But let me warn you: don't think I'd fall that easily for a guy like you!" Well, I'm not interested in guys so.. uhm..

"What did you just say?! Keep those words in mind!"

"Yeah yeah."

"Dammit! I'll show you what a I can do!"

I couldn't help it. After all I am a "not so simple" weird who dislikes girls but still endured talking to them.

And once again I arrived at the same conclusion: I would have been be so delighted if he were a girl and I met him before that bitch Shira.

It was also that moment when I became fully aware that there was one person who also likes me even if he's s guy, I gained some confidence with my self.

After that day, Naruki Minami said goodbye at me in text message, saying that she will comeback after a year and I should be prepare.

Now going back to the present, I didn't know that the one who actually confessed to me before was a girl and now she's here, while sitting on the bench at the rooftop, she clings onto me and said.

"So, that thing that I've heard that you're dating a girl is just a misunderstanding like before, right?" She happily leaned much closer to me.

"Are you for real? All this time, she's a girl? I even shared all of my hobbies with a girl. I'm just dreaming, right? I mean this can't be true."

That's what I wanted to think but...She... she's really him. To think my best friend was actually a girl!