Chapter 12: I Had Forgotten Something So Important

I Had Forgotten Something So Important

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This morning, a lot of people came to my house.

And they were all girls! I'm so popular! Yay!

..... Is that how you thought I would react?

In reality, it's just a nuisance when they come uninvited.

I figured it would be rude to just send them away since they'd come all this way, so I let them inside.

It's not like I have any ulterior motives or anything toward them.

I'm devoted to Haruka!

I was really hurt when she left in the middle of our outing at the pool yesterday.

Is there a pretty and cute childhood friend who could heal this wound in my heart?

Well, yesterday is the past, so today I invited Haruka over under the pretext of doing homework.

I really wasn't lying!

Everyone who came to my house said they wanted me to teach them.

.... Maybe I could teach Akari-chan, a first-year, but surely I can't teach Uzuki-san or Hayase-san, who are fellow second-years, can I? 

So, I called Haruka, who's mysteriously smart, because I wanted her to teach me and help me finish my homework.

It's not like I had any ulterior motives or anything toward her...

.... Okay, maybe there is.

Anyway, I called Haruka, but I completely failed to notice her arrival.

What a terrible person I am.

I called her myself, and then I didn't notice her standing there, and she must have been hurt when I said, "Oh, Haruka's here."

Even when some classmate whose name I've forgotten said something like that to me, I was depressed all day.

If Haruka said it to me, I might become depressed and consider suicide.

What have I done?!

... Even though I committed such a terrible act, she only got a little grumpy.

She's a Goddess!

[1P-WIN]

..... Ah, well, maybe not.

"Hmph, still a small fry as ever."

It's frustrating.

So frustrating!

It's so frustrating to lose at a game I'm supposed to be better at.

The three who came over after finishing their homework for some reason left, probably tired.

After they left, Haruka and I played games non-stop.

We'd finished our homework. There's still about a month of summer vacation left. The report will be over quickly anyway.

Well, we played games non-stop, but I can't say I was enjoying it.

Because I was getting completely destroyed.

What's so fun about playing this game right now?

Even using my signature character, I was still getting beaten so badly.

Could it be that she's still holding a grudge because I ignored her?

I'm sorry about that, but she doesn't have to destroy me this badly, isn't she?!

Why haven't I won a single match in dozens of games?!

"Let's stop this game, it's ruining my pride."

"...Do you even have any?"

"I have!"

These words, uttered so casually, hurt my feelings. Even I have a bit of pride, you know.

But still...

..... My current situation is incredible.

I always take it for granted, but having my beautiful childhood friend, the one I like, in my room... what kind of dating sim is this?

And in this situation, I've been harboring a crush on her for years...

I'm definitely a protagonist, right?

Speaking of which, when I went to her house a while ago, Haruka was in the middle of changing her clothes...

That's what you'd call a lucky pervert moment.

Thank you for that, the God of Lucky Pervert!

...

No good.

I can feel my face turning red just thinking about this. Luckily, Haruka doesn't seem to be watching me, so she probably won't think I'm thinking anything weird.

It's no good thinking about this when Haruka's here. It makes me seem like a pervert.

"Hey, Haruka."

"Hm?"

I said I finished the assignments, but that's not all. There are still those tedious things left, like book reports and opinion essays.

I think I'll use the power of my childhood friend, Haruka, to get her to help me finishing those assignments.

Haruka won some mysterious awards in elementary school, so I think she's good at it.

She seemed kind of mature even back then. I remember her book report didn't seem like an elementary school book report at all. In fact, I don't think I even understood the content.

"On a second thought, it's nothing."

But, well, even if I say this, I can only see a future where I'm told "Do it yourself," so I'll just leave it at that.

I remember the same situation in middle school when I asked her for a favor. She readily agreed to my request back then, but afterwards she demanded money.

I've never forgotten the look on her face when she smugly said, "Life isn't that easy, my friend."

Give me back my 500 yen! That was my monthly allowance!

..... Also, Haruka next to me keeps staring at me for a while now.

As someone who love her, I can't help but be happy, but being stared at like this is making even me a little confused.

Excuse me, did I do something wrong?

Did she see right through my request?

... No.

I really don't want that.

I'm not giving her any more of my allowance.

Okay, I'll do the remaining assignments myself. Since they were assigned to me, I should definitely do them myself.

"... Is something wrong, Haruka?"

She was staring at me so intently that I spoke first.

If you have something to say, you have to say it directly, otherwise I won't understand. Even though we're childhood friends, I can't perfectly understand what you're thinking.

"Well, you know, Yuuki, you're kind of like a harem protagonist."

"I think I heard that before."

"You're happy that you're popular with lots of girls."

"....."

To be honest, I don't want to be like this.

Even my few male friends tell me, "You're like a dense protagonist."

So, like the protagonists in those popular light novels, right? I've heard of them.

No, no, I'm not dense. At least I'm aware of their feelings, so I'm definitely NOT dense protagonist. 

It would be the most embarrassing thing if I were mistaken, though.

Besides, I'm not a harem protagonist like Haruka says.

I'm devoted to you, Haruka!

Certainly, from the outside it might look like a harem, but I don't see it that way myself.

"You don't even deny it anymore... You're happy, being liked by your junior, classmates, and senior."

"Huh?"

"So, who are you going to date, Yuuki? You're a guy, after all, so you must have those kinds of desires, right?"

"Those kinds of desires...?"

What kind of girls were around me?

First, Matsumae Akari. In light novel terms, she's like a junior-type heroine.

She's the kind of girl who always comes to the second-year classroom, the one I'm in, during break time.

She's like a small animal, the kind that makes you want to protect her, stirring up my protective instincts.

... But that alone doesn't mean I see her romantically. My paternal instincts kick in, so she's more like a daughter or something.

Second, Hayase Sakura. She's like a classmate-type heroine.

I don't think I talk to her much myself.

...Why does she like me in the first place? Uh, I haven't done anything with her, right?

We're technically classmates, but I don't know much about her. Our relationship is limited to exchanging greetings and having a little conversation.

The third person is Uzuki Ayano. ...She's a typical tsundere-type heroine, so much so that she needs no introduction.

...So tsundere actually exists. 

I think it works because of her style and her face, which is more beautiful than cute.

She seems to come from a wealthy family and appears to be a young lady.

I'm just making assumptions based on her tone of voice and usual demeanor, though.

The fourth person is Hakaze Izumi. She's a senior-type heroine and holds the title of Student Council President, a position I'm no match for.

Incidentally, I don't have many good memories of her.

Of course, I respect her because she's the Student Council President and a senior, but I wish she'd stop trying to force me into the Student Council.

The other day, she and Haruka teamed up to try and get me in, but I managed to escape by excusing myself to go to the restroom.

The fifth person... Hanasa Nae. She's what you'd call a yandere-type heroine.

She's scary!

I appreciate the presents, I'm grateful for those, but... please stop putting strange things in them!

"...Wow."

Thinking about it, these so-called harem members are so intense it gives me a headache.

Am I not just an ordinary high school boy?

"I guess I have no intention of dating any of them."

"Wow, you just made yourself an enemy of most men in the world."

That's right, I have no intention of dating anyone in the harem in the first place.

Haruka, I've had a crush on you for years now. There's no way I'm giving up now!

I absolutely won't give up!!

"...I already have someone I like."

"...Eh?"

Whatever happens, I'll go for it, even if I fail.

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★★★

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"...I already have someone I like."

"...Eh?"

My thoughts stopped.

Yuuki, who had said he didn't like anyone that much and had no intention of dating anyone in the harem, said he had someone he liked.

It's no wonder I was surprised.

But who is this person Yuuki likes?

Is it one of the girls in the harem?

If so, who is it?

Is it someone I know?

Or is it someone I don't know?

"You have... someone you like...?"

Is it a classmate, a junior, or a senior?

Or is it someone outside of school?

If not, where could she be?

I've been with Yuuki almost all the time. We've spent most of our time together. At least, in the time we've spent together so far, there was no sign of anything like that.

....Then, is Yuuki lying?

"Well, yeah."

"Hmm... since when?"

"...Um, middle school?"

If it's since middle school, that narrows it down considerably. It must be someone from his class.

However, I try to recall Yuuki's middle school life.

... He didn't have any close female friends, and I don't think he even talked to anyone other than me. At most, the conversations were about administrative matters like committee work.

Even so, he has someone he likes?

In general terms, maybe it's love at first sight, I suppose?

But if he still likes her, he must be keeping in touch with her.

I haven't seen any signs of that in the Yuuki I know, but of course, if he'd only contact her when he's alone, so that's to be expected.

Could it be that they meet on weekends or something?

Despite being such an unremarkable guy, Yuuki seems to possess a certain charm that makes him popular with girls. I wonder if the girl he likes likes him too?

Yuuki only sees me as a friend.

.... The girl he likes is not me, I don't want to accept that.

"What kind of girl is she?"

"Well, she's kind, sometimes harsh, but occasionally she's affectionate and cute."

I wonder if there's anyone who would be happy to hear their loved one praising someone else in front of them. 

Yuuki, please stop it.

.... So, that's the kind of person he's into? 

Have I ever known anyone like that?

Everyone in the harem is all lovey-dovey towards Yuuki, so I don't think they'd ever say anything harsh to him.

I can't think of anyone like that among my other classmates or upperclassmen I know either.

... Could the other person be a man, not a woman?

.....

Yuuki certainly isn't normal guy.

He's the kind of person who finds all those cute girls around him annoying.

Actually, his romantic interest might not be women, but men.

..... This would explain a lot of things.

I don't have many male friends, so it's natural that I can't think of anyone in particular.

The reason Yuuki doesn't feel anything for the girls is because he likes men and isn't interested in women.

.... I see, so that's how it was...

"...I'm sorry, Yuuki... For not noticing... Even though we've been together all this time...."

"So you understand it now... right...?"

"Yeah..."

"Then—"

"Now I know Yuuki likes men."

"Why would it come to that?! That's not true! No, I like girls, I'm normal!"

Huh?

Apparently I was wrong.

I was pretty confident about it, though.

Well, I knew Yuuki wasn't romantically attracted to men. I thought there was no way that was the case.

So, who does Yuuki like?

Someone I don't know, and not a man.

Could Yuuki have any connection to someone like that?

Yuuki, who doesn't talk to women much.

"So, who is it?"

"...It's...."

"Hmm?"

Why does he stop like that?

Well, I suppose it takes a lot of courage to say who you like.

Or maybe it's someone he finds difficult to talk to about.

"Is it one of the five after all? Or is it someone else?"

That's right, Yuuki doesn't have any special features, but he's mysteriously popular like a harem protagonist.

He's just so popular.

I'm in the position of Yuuki's best friend, and basically, we'll never end up together.

If Yuuki were to end up with someone, it would be one of those heroines.

Maybe there's a hidden heroine I don't know about, and Yuuki has fallen for her.

".... Haruka, you just compared me to a harem protagonist, right? ...Well, I guess that's not entirely wrong."

"Huh? Are you going to start bragging about your popularity now?"

"No, that's not it. Please listen!"

Yuuki's face became serious, and I wondered what he was going to say, but it was just what we'd talked about earlier.

Indeed, Yuuki looks exactly like a harem protagonist. What else could I call him?

"I don't know the details, but there are five people who like me. Well, Haruka, you might know that too."

"... Of course I know. Not like I could ignore it when it's displayed right in front of me like that."

"So, from classmates, a junior, and a senior. All five of them likes me."

"As expected, this is just bragging about your popularity, isn't it?! You're really making enemies of the whole world."

He suddenly started bragging about his popularity after realizing he was a harem protagonist.

What, is he trying to pick a fight?!

I wonder if he thinks he's so cool because he's popular.

"So, to put it in light novel terms like a harem protagonist, there are six heroines, and five of them like me."

"....."

"Among them, there's one heroine who doesn't seem to like me."

"Hm?"

I was surprised there were six heroines.

It seems there were six heroines, I just didn't know about the last one.

This must be confirmed.

Yuuki likes this girl.

And that girl is the last heroine who probably doesn't like him.

Even Yuuki, the harem protagonist, can't win over a heroine who doesn't like him; she must be incredibly difficult to conquer.

"We've been together since we were little."

"....."

"We can say anything to each other without any reservations."

I'd never heard of such a person.

I never imagined that Yuuki had someone he'd known since childhood, someone he could confide in.

Who could it be?

Did they meet in kindergarten or something, and then reconnect in high school?

"We went to the same middle school, and we've been together all through high school."

"...Eh?"

"She's always been smart, and yet she's kind of absent-minded."

A small thought crossed my mind.

Too small, for now, it's only a 'maybe' possibility.

..... Only one person fits what Yuuki said.

..... Only one person comes to mind.

He and that girl had been together since childhood, all through middle school and high school, and they can confide in each other without reservation.

But that's...

No, it's still not certain yet—

"Come to think of it, I made her write my book report back in middle school."

"....."

"...Then she took a month's worth of my allowance back then. I wonder if she remember?"

"....."

"What? You still don't know? About the girl I like?"

.... I know.

I remember everything.

I even remember buying a handkerchief for him with the 500 yen I took back then out of guilt.

Yuuki doesn't seem to have noticed, though.

If I'm not mistaken, the person Yuuki likes is...

....

.... I thought it was impossible. 

I thought Yuuki would be connected to someone in the harem.

"Haruka! Um, if you don't mind, please go out with me!"

The person Yuuki likes is me.

.... Even though he never showed any signs of it.

I took Yuuki's outstretched hand and hugged him tightly.

His hands were trembling subtly... I guess he was still a child at heart.

"Uh, um... Haruka?"

"Baka... you're so slow..."

"So, um... what's your answer?"

"Don't make me say it."

"Ah, yes."

In this situation, I probably don't even need to answer.

Besides, he's Yuuki, who I've been with since we were little, so he should understand how I feel.

... It's just embarrassing, though.

"... I thought I was going to get rejected."

"Why?"

"You didn't seem to have any feelings for me at all, Haruka."

"Ah... well..."

I'm in the best friend position, and it seems I was unconsciously too conscious of being just a best friend.

But still, Yuuki said there were six heroines earlier.

What did he mean by that?

Based on the flow of our conversation so far, I would be the sixth, but I'm in the best friend position. I certainly wouldn't be counted as a heroine.

"By the way, what do you mean by me being the heroine?"

"Ah, well, to put it in light novel terms like I did earlier you're.... that..."

"Hm?"

"You're a childhood friend-type heroine."

"Ah!"

That's right, I'd forgotten.

I'd forgotten about the kind of character that's almost 100% exist in light novels.

A childhood friend, someone you've been with since you were little.

If I were to describe Yuuki and me, childhood friends would be the most fitting description.

I'd been unnecessarily negative because of my preconceived notion of being just a best friend, and I'm surprised I didn't realize it sooner.

That's right, Kirihara Haruka is not just a best friend character. She's a childhood friend-type heroine,

That's how I've connected with Yuuki.

"Hehe."

A smile spread across my face.

Without a doubt, this is the happiest moment of my life.

Because I'm dating Yuuki, the girls in his harem can no longer date him.  

Honestly, I feel sorry for him.

But that's for the best.

Because I'm not going to hand Yuuki over to anyone.

Because Yuuki is mine.