Nitta’s PoV

Up till now, there have been no things like a ‘greatest pal’ in my life.

I had at all times saved my relationship shallow and broad, so I knew varied individuals whom I’d see as soon as in a blue moon and associates whom I’d see a couple of times a month. I by no means had a relationship with anybody I may confide my issues with.

After all, I didn’t hate dwelling this manner. Folks badmouthed me behind my again, saying that I lived a ‘lonely’ or ‘empty’ life, however I didn’t care. Having an informal relationship whereas speaking about random issues with none care on the earth felt liberating for me.

It wasn’t like I held no emotions in direction of my associates. In the event that they had been to come back to me and ask for my assist, I’d do my greatest to assist them and provides them my recommendation (Particularly when it got here to like).

Even so, I by no means concerned myself too deeply. I saved a transparent boundary in order that different individuals wouldn’t get throughout simply.

That was how I, Nitta Nina, lived my life till I used to be in center faculty.

And I assumed that I might keep this manner perpetually.

* * *

“—I’m dwelling.”

The Sports activities Pageant, that had been happening because the finish of Obon, had lastly ended. After I received dwelling, I set free a sigh of aid. My physique was utterly exhausted from all of the actions I did underneath the scorching September solar. The college could be closed tomorrow and the day after, however at this fee, I’d be spending the subsequent two days sleeping at dwelling.

This could be the one Sports activities Pageant I’d ever take part my highschool life. It was enjoyable, however on the identical time, there have been lots of issues happening behind the scenes.

“Ah, welcome dwelling, Nina. I’ve already taken my bathtub, so go and take yours, wash off your sweat. If you wish to eat— From the look of it, you haven’t eaten but, have you ever? Hm? May or not it’s? Your folks left you out of their after get together?”

“As if… Everybody’s too drained to do one thing like that, they’re suspending it to a later date. The fireworks competition subsequent week.”

“Now that you just point out it, I noticed one thing like that within the fliers someplace. Anyway, Nina, who’ll you go together with? Perhaps with that quiet boy? Who did you name him once more? Rep or one thing?”

“I. Am. Go. Ing. With. Each. One. You dummy. Didn’t I let you know that we’ll do an after get together or whatnot at a later date? It’ll be throughout that fireworks competition. I do know your mind received fried due to your upcoming examination, however attempt to learn between the traces.”

“I do know, I do know, I used to be kidding.”

“…”

Perhaps she was confused from all of the learning, however my sister had been teasing me rather a lot recently.

Often, I’d simply casually brush off this matter, however it hit a bit of too shut at dwelling this time, so I used to be caught off guard and couldn’t provide you with something to retort her with.

…Again then, it ought to have solely been me, Asanagi and Maehara…

“Hm? Your face is getting purple, Nina, what’s up~?”

“…Shut it, simply give attention to learning, you fool!”

I went to my room on the second ground to run away from my sister, who was grinning from ear to ear after seeing my face. After turning into my shirt and shorts I went to the lavatory.

Usually, I’d simply seize the garments and stroll round the home in my underwear, however as we speak, I felt too embarrassed to take action.

…The rationale for that was my out of character conduct just some hours in the past.

“Ah, jeez! What the hell was I pondering?!”

I set free a deep sigh, muttering to myself as I soaked my physique within the bathtub crammed with sizzling water.

Someway, I requested my pal to go on a date with me.

Not solely that, I did it proper in entrance of his girlfriend.

I had an excellent motive to take action, however I nonetheless wasn’t certain that this was the correct factor to do.

What may I do to smoothen out these three— No, these two’s relationship?

They’ve recognized one another since they had been kids, they had been actually greatest associates.

And people two managed to fall in love with the identical individual, although they did at totally different instances.

What I used to be gonna do could be a one hell of a stunt.

That lady had provide you with her personal reply; attempting her greatest to suppress her emotions, but I deliberate to stop that from taking place.

“That gained’t work, Yuuchin… You’ll solely get your self damage…”

Whereas reaching out to the orange gentle that dimly lit the steamy lavatory, I referred to as out to my ‘pal’ who wasn’t right here with me in the mean time.

I by no means thought that Yuuchin’s choice was flawed. Maehara and Asanagi had been {couples}, a lovey dovey one at that, and it was not possible to come back between them. That was why I understood her choice; to face again and watch them from the edges whereas supporting their relationship, like an excellent ‘greatest pal’ ought to do.

That was the form of improvement that will make ‘Asanagi Umi’ glad. However, what about ‘Amami Yuu?’

Yuuchin in all probability didn’t need to do one thing outrageous like stealing her greatest pal’s boyfriend. I knew she had enjoyable teasing these two from the facet whereas supporting their relationship all through. I had hoped that issues would keep this manner.

However, Amami Yuu had fallen for Maehara Maki.

These two’s relationship progressed from acquaintances to a pal of a pal and ultimately, earlier than she realized it, her eyes would wander to his facet on a regular basis.

She was gazing him extra typically than at her personal greatest pal, Asanagi.

And I observed, every time Yuuchin was speaking to Maehara, she seemed similar to a maiden-in-love.

This was why I needed her to cherish her emotions extra.

‘Past love’ was one thing that solely occurred as soon as.

Additionally… I had a sense that if I didn’t do one thing, she’d find yourself on their lonesome…novE)lB-In

“However nonetheless, critically, Rep? You snatched the prettiest lady in school’s past love? And I assumed it was stunning that you just went out with Asanagi…”

He was a boy whose identify and face I couldn’t keep in mind till precisely final 12 months. Someway, he turned the focal point of three lovely women, together with me.

It wasn’t like he was good-looking or something. He had a uninteresting face and character, however I gotta say that he had this mysterious allure. Personally, I wouldn’t see him as a love curiosity, however I may positively see why the opposite two had been head over heels for him.

Not solely was he genuinely form, he was additionally a ‘busybody,’ somebody who’d exit of his manner to assist out others.

Truthfully, he was the one individual I knew who’d do one thing like that… Rep— No, Maehara Maki…

“Wait, does this imply that I by some means received influenced by him earlier than I spotted it? …Jeez, what a cheeky man.”

I set free a chuckle as I remembered how clumsy, but surprisingly spirited he was in the course of the sports activities competition.

…Perhaps that was the explanation why these two fell for him.

After I washed my fatigue and sweat away, and gave my pores and skin a correct care, I received out of the tub for a late dinner.

I made some onigiris from the leftover rice and opened up a cup of immediate ramen. We had been purported to have dinner collectively at a household restaurant, however as a result of Asanagi was sulking, we ended up suspending that plan for per week.

Effectively, that was all due to me being a ‘busybody.’

“…Nina.”

“What’s it, Yuna-nee? I gained’t let you know something in regards to the fireworks competition. Additionally, his identify isn’t ‘Rep,’ it’s Maehara, Maehara Maki.”

“Maki-kun, proper, that’s what his identify is. Anyway, that’s not what I needed to speak about. It’s about your hair.”

“What? I haven’t modified my coiffure.”

“Yeah, I do know. I needed to ask you, why are you maintaining that blue scrunchie? The threads are frayed, it’s already worn out.”

“…Ah, this factor, huh?”

My sister pointed on the blue scrunchie I’ve at all times worn.

It was an inexpensive scrunchie I purchased again after I first entered highschool as a result of I needed to alter my coiffure by some means. Previous to that, I had at all times let my hair down.

…This blue scrunchie by some means turned one in every of my prized possessions although.

“Eh, who cares, simply go away it alone.”

“Huh, that’s uncommon for you. Did somebody reward you once you wore it?”

“One thing like that. It was one in every of my associates who did, although and he or she wasn’t a boy.”

“I see. That pal of yours has an excellent style.”

“…What are you scheming? I gained’t offer you something even in case you flatter me, you understand?”

“Hehe, I’m simply being sincere. What? Is it flawed for a giant sister to assume that her youthful sister is cute?”

“…Effectively, not likely, however nonetheless…”

Although I discovered her annoying more often than not, moments like this had been the explanation why I couldn’t carry myself to hate my huge sister.

Due to her pestering me at dwelling and Yuuchin, Umi and Rep pestering me in school, I haven’t been feeling like ‘myself’ nowadays…

Effectively, I gotta admit that it was extra enjoyable this manner.