Chapter 167: My Best Friend
Tuesday, May 23rd – Week 6, Day 6
"That’s not fair!"
When I explained to Suzuka everything that had happened yesterday, what came back was a sharp protest.
"I'm jealous you all get to be a family."
"Um... well, then—do you want to become family too, Suzuka?"
I found myself saying it.
If I could become family with Suzuka, I’d be happy. And if it’s Suzuka, maybe everyone else would accept her too.
"I’m afraid that would be difficult. I’m an only child, and my parents expect me to inherit the family business. If I were to say I’m joining someone else’s family, it would be like betraying their expectations. I’m just not ready for that kind of resolve."
"I see... sorry, you’re right..."
Suzuka really treasures her family. That’s why she couldn’t casually date Souta, even though she liked him.
I regret being so careless. Maybe I’ve been taking the idea of “family” too lightly.
"But still, I’m really happy you told me everything and invited me to be part of your family. Thank you."
"Suzuka..."
"But, but! I still feel left out being the only one not part of it!"
As she said that, Suzuka stood up.
Then she stepped behind me and gently hugged me from behind. The back of my head sank into a luxurious natural cushion.
"Wh-Wh-What...?! Suzuka, you're my best friend, okay!? You’re the only one outside the family who knows about all this stuff!"
"...I can’t help but feel like I got that title by default."
"T-That’s not true..."
"But still... my best friend. Hmm, that does have a nice ring to it."
"Best, best," Suzuka murmured to herself several times in contentment. My best friend is adorable.
"Still, Alice. Lately, even when I hug you like this, you don’t get flustered like before."
"Well, you know..."
"Have you grown tired of my breasts?"
*Bwah!? W-Wha!? —Why would you even!?"
"You were the one who taught me, Alice, that no man dislikes breasts. Or... do you prefer Hisui’s after all?"
As she said that, Suzuka leaned down, and the softness that had been pressed against the back of my head now slid down along my back.
"That’s not it!? I’ve just gotten used to it, it doesn’t mean I’m tired of them or anything like that—Ah, I mean, it’s not about which one is better, all boobs are precious!"
"You’re flustered again. You’re so cute, Alice."
Please stop whispering right by my ear—it tickles too much.
"Wh-Why are you clinging to me like this the whole time!?"
Even if we’re best friends, isn't this too close!?
"This much is normal between girls. Besides, you’re not dating anyone right now, are you?"
"W-Well... I have Alicia, so..."
"Just kidding. Fufu, I was feeling a bit jealous, so I wanted to tease you."
You're going to give me a heart attack.
Lately, it feels like Suzuka teases me a lot more when we’re alone together.
She knows I used to be a guy, and yet she’s so defenseless—it makes me worried for her.
Men are just wolves in sheep’s clothing, you know!
"…Um, can you let go now?"
Or I might pounce—rawr.
"You’re right. In that case—"
Just as I felt Suzuka’s body lift from my back, my head was gently guided backward by her hands.
Pof, she caught me in her lap. Now I was lying in her lap like a pillow.
"Um...?"
Suzuka looked down at me from upside down. She cradled my face with both hands, poking and squishing my cheeks with her fingers.
I didn’t resist. I knew Suzuka would never do anything to hurt me.
I squinted my eyes at the ticklish sensation.
"Suzuka...?"
Her fingers stopped moving.
She had been quiet and expressionless for a while now, and it was making me just a little uneasy. Suzuka was staring at me like she could see straight through my heart.
"Alice... you’re strong, aren’t you..."
"Um... why?"
"I'm a little scared of becoming pregnant."
Suzuka said it quietly, like confessing a sin.
"Ever since I was little, my parents have always expected me to carry on the family line."
She added that it’s not like she resented it. Marriage wasn’t being forced on her either—her parents were letting her choose for herself.
It’s because they cared about her so much that she wanted, if possible, to fulfill their hopes in return.
"Once I hit puberty and my body began to change, I started thinking more seriously about pregnancy and childbirth. Around that time, I became scared of falling in love with a man. Because for me, loving someone meant being prepared to bear their child."
It made me feel a little guilty. Back then, all I thought about when imagining a relationship was how great the sex would be... Honestly, guys are kind of dumb, yeah.
"I thought maybe I’d never be able to fall in love with anyone... But then, it’s strange, isn’t it? When I truly fell in love, all those fears and doubts just disappeared, and I fell—completely."
Suzuka gave a faint, wistful smile.
I already knew it, but this just confirmed how deeply she had loved Souta.
"...I got a little sidetracked. What I really meant to say is that, as women, we grow up always being aware of pregnancy and childbirth. But that wasn’t the case for you, was it, Alice?"
"Well... no."
After all, I was a guy until just last year. The idea of me getting pregnant or giving birth never would’ve crossed my mind.
"For someone like you, who suddenly became a girl, to accept the idea of having a child... I can’t even imagine how much resolve that must have taken."
"I did it because I love someone. You understand, right? You acted on your feelings too when you fell in love. I think it’s the same thing."
It wasn’t some dramatic act of courage.
Sure, the idea of sleeping with Souta was... well, more than a little scary, honestly.
"But I’d also been to another world. That helped toughen me up a bit, I guess."
"That’s right. You did go to another world, didn’t you?"
Those days of adventure in a different world. Life-threatening situations were just part of daily life there. Compared to that, pregnancy and childbirth... yeah, maybe I could handle them.
"If you don't mind... could you tell me about your time there?"
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t really told Suzuka much about it before.
"Sure."
Hmm, where should I start?
There were tough times, painful moments, too. But what I remember most now are the fun parts.
The sights, the sounds, the feel of things, the food—everything was new.
And a big part of why those memories are so precious is because there was a girl who stayed by my side and shared all of it with me.
"...Alicia must have been someone really important to you."
"Yeah."
"May I touch your stomach?"
Suzuka’s hand reached out and gently touched my belly through my school blouse. She softly caressed it—still flat and showing no sign of change from the outside.
"...They're there, aren’t they?"
"Yeah."
It’s strange, isn’t it?
"I want to meet Alicia as soon as I can."
"I think you’ll get along."
"I’m looking forward to it."
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