Chapter 412: Resolved Conflict (2)

“I see. I’m glad to hear that. Let’s go?”

Well, the bell already rang and although the conflict was already resolved, I doubt she already had an answer ready to give me.

She’s already aware of my multiple relationships, it will take her some time to think if she wants to enter it completely.

And if she’s going to pick Ogawa, she wouldn’t embrace me like this if that’s her answer.

Staying in this position for a while, Hina then lifted my head and kissed me, with the same intensity as yesterday.

Pulling me up from a crouching position, the two of us ended up standing in place. Nonetheless, our lips never left each other.

“Ruki…”

As she began calling out my name in between our exchange of kisses, Hina guided my arms to her back, wordlessly telling me to return her embrace.

Perhaps, she’s trying to drown herself from me to forget about Ogawa. However, I was aware that no matter how much we kissed or became this intimate, that guy would be like an unerasable stain on her mind.

That’s why the only solution for that at the moment was to continue drowning her in my affection.

After holding Hina like she wanted, I then leveled it up by lifting her and sitting her on the table where we ate earlier.

With her hands clutched tightly on me, Hina didn’t put what I did to her mind. In fact, she even became more eager as she began sucking on my tongue, my lips and down to my neck.

Pulling her up, I copied what she did.

Just like this, what we’re doing was gradually escalating.

However… before we thoroughly dive down to more… daring things to drown her with my affection, the dreaded bell for the fifth period finally rang out and filled every corner of the school.

As if it’s a wake-up call for her, Hina shyly lifted her head to meet my gaze once more.

I smiled and nodded at her as if telling her that it’s fine, she didn’t need to think about what happened.

Hina shook her head though and before I knew it, she already pulled me on my collar as she used my chest to hide her face from me.

And from down there, Hina’s voice began to enter my ears once more. ”Ruki, I… We don’t have enough time but… can you hear me out? No… You don’t need to hear me out, I just want to release what’s inside me…”

Hina briefly lifted her gaze to see me nodding at her. My hand also moved from her back to the back of her head as I began to stroke it while holding her close to me.

After a while, she began with what she planned to do.

To release whatever was inside her. It could be her grievance or anything. Nonetheless, I patiently waited and listened to her as I continued to stroke her head.

“I’m an idiot but at the same time, I am a bad friend. I… was aware… that in his eyes, I’m only a friend, a sister if you can call it like that. However, I kept on waiting for him. And as expected, my wait never paid off. Nanami arrived and with just one look, the guy with whom I spent most of my years was instantly infatuated. To make matters worse, the girl was the same.”

“I thought ‘it’s just a little crush, it will pass’. But years passed and before the end of our 2nd year in middle school, Nanami told us that she’s going to study abroad. Upon hearing that, among everyone in our circle, I was the only one who rejoiced. I got away with telling it’s a joke but Nanami being Nanami, I knew that she’s aware of how I rejoiced in the news of her leaving Ogawa’s sight.”

“I know she’s treating me as her best friend. But Ruki, I’m a bad girl. I might be showing that I am also her best friend but… it was all fake. And even if Nanami was aware of it, she continued treating me as one.”

“When she returned… and began taking interest in you, I once again rejoiced. That’s why I approached you… but you… what did you like about me? That’s still a mystery to me. Why instead of trying to work with me to make Nanami yours, you instead told me how you also want me.”

“It’s the first time. The first time someone confessed to me like that. I don’t know. Perhaps because of how I openly showed how close I was to Ogawa, no one tried to confess to me or even thought of making a move. You’re the only one.”

“That’s why… I became confused and curious. Truthfully, I am more curious about why you like me despite my clear shortcomings. I’m unlikeable. I’m a selfish schemer who only moved for my own benefit. Ruki. Tell me, why? Why are you patiently going after me even after…” Hina paused at this point as I heard the faint sound of a teardrop hitting the floor. “… even after I told you that I still wanted to be with him.”

I thought of answering her. However, she didn’t really give me a chance. Hina raised her head and began reaching in to kiss me again before she went back to my chest and continued. “But it’s funny… If you didn’t appear before me, I would still be the same girl. The same girl who’s waiting for her childhood friend to put her in his eyes.”

At this point, I understood that the kiss we shared and we did in this brief time became the switch to open these bottled-up feelings of hers.

Her hand that was clutching my back tightened as she began using my chest to wipe the teardrops that were threatening to form again. One teardrop already landed on the ground, I guess she’s trying not to cry and make her eyes sore. We still have to return to the classroom after all.

Or can we? Should I let her rest for the rest of the PE Class? They will wonder about where we’ve gone.

Ah. Wait. Is it time to use the infirmary again?

Well, at the moment, there’s still time for us to get back.

Nonetheless, if the time wasn’t enough, I’ll bring her to the infirmary and message Satsuki, Nami or Aya about us going there using the excuse of Hina being sick.

Today is a free day for us for the PE Class because of winning that activity this Tuesday. However, we still needed to show up there at the gymnasium.

Besides, Eguchi-sensei would probably look for me. And although she wouldn’t be helping Eguchi-sensei today, Orimura-sensei might also show up… If that teacher didn’t see me, she might speculate something again.

Haa… well, let’s not think about that for now. This girl in my arms still needed my attention and presence.

After wiping those tears, Hina continued from where she left off, “Waiting for her childhood friend to see her as a woman in love with her.”

I held her head against my chest and tightened my arms around her shoulder.

“I tried to confess to him more than once and every time, I was met with disappointment. His excuses were neverending. Like you said. He’s aware. He’s clearly aware of my feelings for him. But he’s not ready to hear it or he didn’t really want to hear it. He must be thinking that if he rejects me, I will not be his childhood friend anymore. And that I will be leaving his side. That’s how I see it. My relationship with him.” Ending her words like that, Hina lifted her gaze once more and showed me the bitter and forced smile on her lips.