The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 4Volume .2 - Shimizu-san and Shopping
Shimizu-san and Shopping 2
“It would be nice if Toshiya and Shimizu-san could get along well.”
Seto-san nodded affirmatively.
“If the two of them aren’t getting along, I’d like you to help me follow up later.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you, Hondō-kun.”
“There’s no need to thank me. They’re both important to me too. But I’m surprised you’re so concerned about their relationship, Seto-san.”
“After getting along with Shimizu-san, I started to care. They just don’t know each other well enough, and I thought they could become friends if there was some kind of trigger.”
“Indeed, Toshiya and Shimizu-san haven’t had many chances to talk just the two of them. Considering that, this incident might be a chance for them to get closer.”
“I’d be happy if that were the case.”
Seto-san seemed to have a slightly more uplifted smile than usual.
※ ※ ※
“What are we buying next?”
“...Origami paper for decorations.”
“Got it.”
“Then, let’s go...”
We moved through the shopping mall in silence.
How long had it been since I parted ways with Hondō and Seto?
Matsuoka and I had been shopping one item after another as we moved through the mall.
The atmosphere between Matsuoka and me alone could be described, to put it mildly, was terrible.
There was hardly any conversation, and Matsuoka seemed to be on guard around me the whole time.
“...Sigh.”
I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
If it had come to this, I shouldn’t have come along for the shopping. The other three would have had a more enjoyable time at the mall without me.
“I’m sorry, Shimizu-san...”
It seemed that Matsuoka had heard my sigh.
“It’s not your fault.”
“No, if your partner wasn’t me but Daiki, this wouldn’t have happened...”
“Why are you bringing up Hondō’s name now?!”
“Huh? But isn’t it because Daiki is here today that Shimizu-san came?”
“That is...”
Matsuoka and I hadn’t talked much directly.
Despite that, why was he so sharp about this?
“I can see that much, at least. I’ve seen you talking with Daiki in the classroom.”
Indeed, it wasn’t unusual for me to talk with Hondō in the classroom.
“But even if that’s the case...”
“When you talk with Daiki, Shimizu-san, you look genuinely happy.”
“Wha?!”
It seemed Matsuoka had been paying more attention to Hondō and me than I thought.
“That’s why I feel sorry...”
It was rare to see Matsuoka looking so downcast. He seemed to be reflecting on something.
“Like I said before, it’s not your fault. Besides, if that were the case, I’d have to apologize for not being Seto, right?”
“Huh, did I ever tell Shimizu-san that I like Seto-san?”
Shoot, I had taken for granted that Matsuoka liked Seto, but that information was something I had overheard from Hondō and Matsuoka’s love talk.
“You’re the same! It’s obvious from your attitude!”
It turned into a lame excuse because I couldn’t honestly admit to eavesdropping on their love talk.
“So that’s how it was. I thought you had heard it from Daiki.”
Matsuoka seemed to think I had learned about his feelings for Seto from another source.
“Hondō wouldn’t spread that around even if he knew.”
“Indeed. Well, I’m not trying to hide it from anyone other than the person in question, so if Daiki thinks it’s okay to tell someone, then I don’t mind.”
“Do you think I wouldn’t tell Seto about your feelings?”
“I might have doubted you before, but now I think Shimizu-san wouldn’t say anything.”
“Why?”
“Because Daiki and Seto-san trust Shimizu-san.”
Matsuoka said that with a smile.
“You really trust them, huh?”
“Of course! They’re my best friend and the person I like!”
Somehow, his smile seemed brighter than ever.
“You’re amazing...”
“Thank you?”
He didn’t seem to understand why he was being praised.
“Think before you thank me. And I’ve been meaning to say this, but you don’t need to use honorifics with me.”
“...Won’t you get angry if I suddenly start speaking informally?”
“I won’t! What do you take me for?”
“Because in the past, when I tried to talk to you, you glared at me so fiercely...”
“That... I don’t remember at all, but sorry.”
There were too many instances that came to mind, and I couldn’t recall that specific one.
As I was digging through my memories, Matsuoka suddenly burst into laughter.
“It’s just as Daiki said.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Back in our first year, Daiki said that Shimizu-san is kind and funny. After talking to you today, I understand. What Daiki said was true.”
That was during a conversation I overheard in the hallway. Matsuoka remembered that.
“You didn’t trust Hondō?”
“I do, but Daiki can be too nice sometimes. I thought maybe he was exaggerating.”
“Well, Hondō is the only weirdo who would call me kind and funny.”
“But you have fun when you’re with Daiki, right?”
“Hey, aren’t you getting a little too carried away?”
Ever since he stopped using honorifics, it’s clear that he’s lost all restraint towards me.
“Maybe it’s because my fear of Shimizu-san has faded. And maybe I feel closer knowing Shimizu-san also cares about the same people.”
“Hondō, you mean?”
“And Seto-san too.”
“Seto too?”
“Yeah, you care about Seto-san too, right?”
Why doesn’t this guy have even a millimeter of doubt?
“...Not as much as you.”
“That’s where I don’t want to lose!”
Matsuoka’s eyes are ablaze.
He really seems to have confidence in that.
“I’m not planning to compete.”
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“Even if both I and Shimizu-san care about thosetwo, our ways of caring are a bit different.”
“That’s true.”
The moment I said that, Matsuoka started to grin.
“So Shimizu-san really does like Daiki as a member of the opposite sex.”
“Why do you have to say that again?!”
“No, I just found out today.”
“No, what are you talking about? You knew that I care about Hondō, didn’t you?”
“I knew Shimizu-san cared about Daiki, but I wasn’t sure if it was romantic love. I became certain when you affirmed that the way you care about Daiki is different from mine.”
I was being set up.
