Chapter 34

In the end, the anxiety I’d felt on the first day of the trip turned out to be completely unfounded.

"Yuu-chan, thanks for helping out."

"Oh, it’s really nothing."

I replied while folding laundry. It wasn’t just modesty—looking back on the past five days, this was nothing in comparison.

Sure, I’d helped, but they’d provided all my meals and even let me stay in their home. During our shopping trip on the second day, they’d ended up buying me clothes, too.

From start to finish, they’d treated me with overwhelming kindness.

"......"

…And that’s exactly why I couldn’t understand it.

Why were they so good to me? Why would they be so warm toward someone as suspicious as me? I’d spent the past five days turning it over in my head, but I still had no answer.

Why don’t they find me strange?

I’m someone who can only dodge questions about my past.

Was it because Shin had never had friends before?

That might’ve been part of it. If he’d been friendless until now, I could see why they’d treasure the first one he made.

But at the same time, I also wondered: Wouldn’t the opposite make more sense? If your child had never had friends, wouldn’t you be more wary of someone suddenly getting close?

Especially since Shin came from wealth. Wouldn’t it be natural to worry he was being taken advantage of?

Back in the other world, there’d been stories of noble heirs making commoner friends—only for the suspicious parents to have those commoners "disposed of." That was too extreme, of course, but suspicion itself felt normal.

…Really, why?

I glanced up at Shin’s mother. She was humming cheerfully as she worked.

"...Um, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, dear."

Steeling myself, I spoke up. Her smile was the same as always—no trace of discomfort, just like these past five days.

"...Why have you been so kind to me?
Even though… there’s so much I can’t tell you?"

This might backfire. But I couldn’t let it go.

Why haven’t they asked? Why don’t they doubt me?

In the end, over these five days, the only time my past came up was a few vague questions on the first night. And even then, I couldn’t give proper answers.

"I… I am suspicious, aren’t I?"

My voice shrank as I spoke. Regret flooded me the moment the words left my mouth.

What was I expecting? If she responded harshly, I couldn’t just cover my ears and escape reality like I did in the other world.

"...You’re right. It is strange, isn’t it?"

"......"

Even though I’d braced for it, the words made me want to curl up and hide. Where’s Shin right now? For some reason, I desperately wanted to see him.

"But Yuu-chan, you’re a good girl."

"...Huh?"

A good girl?

The words were so unexpected, I almost doubted my ears.

"You’re a very good girl. I could tell after spending these days with you."

"Um..."

…I had no idea how to respond. No one had ever called me a "good girl" in my life.

"As for why we’ve been kind to you…
I don’t think we did anything special. But maybe it’s because you are good—we just wanted to be, without even realizing it."

"That’s…"

I hadn’t anticipated that answer. If anything, it felt too abstract. Was that even a reason?

"Having someone like you by Shin’s side puts me at ease.
...Thank you, Yuu-chan. For being with him."

"......"

The confusion only deepened. I still didn’t fully understand.

…But one thing was clear: My face was burning.

"Yuu-chan. Will you keep getting along with Shin from now on, too?"

"...That’s… I mean, yes."

…I didn’t know about being "good."

But I did know Shin.

She didn’t even need to ask.

"Shin is… my…"

I was about to say best friend—when suddenly, I remembered the shopping trip.

Shin’s mother had used a different word back then. What was it again—?

"—Boyfriend."

Shin’s mother beamed.

Clack, clatter.

The sound of the train filled the cabin.

We were on our way home now, having said goodbye to Shin’s parents at the station.

Beside me, Shin looked drowsy. He’d stayed up late drinking with his father last night, so it made sense.

"...Phew."

I let out a quiet sigh.

…It’s over.

The six-day trip was done. At first, I’d been so nervous—but now, I was glad I’d come.

"...Heh."

"You’re a good girl."

Even now, it left me flustered… but not unpleasantly so.

"......"

My cheeks warmed again, so I shook my head lightly and checked the time.

…About thirty minutes left until we arrived. What should I do until then? On the way here, I’d been too anxious to focus, but now I felt light. Maybe I could—

…Oh, right. There was something I’d been curious about.

"...Shin, can I borrow your phone? There’s something I want to look up."

"...Phone? Sure."

What I wanted to check was that word his mother had used.

Opening the browser, I typed: Boyfriend.

I knew what it meant, but… I needed to be sure. It might’ve been pointless, but I had time to kill anyway.

A moment later, the results loaded. I tapped the first link.

[Boyfriend: 1. A male romantic partner; "boyfriend" (English). 2. A male friend (Japanese usage).]

…Huh?

Rubbing my eyes, I read it again.

[Boyfriend: 1. A male romantic partner; "boyfriend" (English). 2. A male friend (Japanese usage).]

…………WHAT?!

"...Huh… Wh-Wh-What?!"

Romantic partner?! Boyfriend?!

Since when?! I never knew it had that meaning! Why would it mean something so absurd?!

The shock nearly stole my breath.

…W-Wait. Hold on. Does that mean… when Shin’s mother asked during the shopping trip—

"Boyfriend (as in romantic boyfriend)?"

"Yes."

"Aaaaaaaaaah…"

I clutched my head. My heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Wh-What do I do?!

Dazedly, I reread the screen.

…But wait—it also says "male friend." According to the explanation, both meanings exist.

So it could’ve been either… but still…

My thoughts spun wildly. I felt like I’d lost all sense of up and down.

"...Did something happen?"

Shin’s voice snapped me back. He was staring at me, concerned.

"N-Nothing!"

"O…kay?"

Panicked, I closed the browser and shoved the phone back at him. Staring at that screen any longer would’ve broken me.

But the words were already seared into my mind.

"...Wh-What do I do…?"

Boyfriend had two meanings.

If Shin’s mother had meant it platonically, then no problem.

…But if she’d meant the other one…

Yesterday’s conversation replayed in my head.

"Shin is… my… boyfriend."

"...Aaaaaaaaah…"

My face burned so much it hurt. Tears blurred my vision, and I barely stifled a scream.

…I didn’t lift my head again until we reached our stop.

This has to be a dream.