Chapter 11 – Hyuuga Haruka – I Want to Be Like Her at Twenty-Nine (2)
I ended up telling Shiraha-san all sorts of things.
Like how my childhood friend has become a popular VTuber, and it seems like that VTuber is dating my another childhood friend.
Seeing Shiraha-san nodding with a kind smile, I just talked too much.
Isn't she just too good at listening?
Is this the skill of a top professional in the industry?
"So, Haruka-chan, that VTuber is important to you, right?"
"Why would you come to that conclusion?"
I would understand if it was about Wataru.
"Oh, is that not it?"
"No, it's not... umm... mmm..."
It's not different.
It's not different, but being told so directly makes me feel so foolish now.
"When that happens, you just have to confront it, right?"
"That's true, but..."
"...Some people say that. But it's not that simple, is it?"
Shiraha-san frowned and pulled his mouth sideways.
Even that looks cute, which is unfair.
"While everyone around is becoming successful or finding different paths, here I am, desperately clinging on. They say I'm still young, but for me, this is the oldest I've ever been in my life."
Her tone and demeanor were as gentle as always, but there was a strong sense of reality behind them.
"I'm surprised. I didn't think you were the type to complain."
"Hehe, even I do sometimes."
Ah, maybe she deliberately had this conversation with me.
For the sake of a junior colleague she doesn't interact with much.
"Thank you."
"Hmm? For what?"
Shiraha-san smiled.
It seems that being able to say thank you was the "right answer."
"I'm going to the restroom for a bit."
When Shiraha-san left his seat, my smartphone vibrated.
It was the group chat with the three childhood friends, which hadn't had any activity for months.
The message was from Wataru.
Even if I block someone, it seems they can still see my messages.
In the first place, blocking was an overreaction.
This morning my head was a mess, and I did it impulsively, but now I regret it so much.
What if Wataru hates me?
My stomach started to hurt.
I opened the app with half-closed eyes.
(Wataru) This morning was just practice for the game.
I could imagine Wataru rewriting that single sentence over and over.
I should apologize.
The block was an overreaction. I'll undo it later.
Rather, it was all my one-sided misunderstanding, so there's no overreaction to speak of.
I'm the one at fault.
I'll buy some souvenirs to take home today.
Something that won't be too heavy to eat first thing in the morning... for two.
"Oh dear, making such a cute face. It's youth, isn't it?"
Shiraha-san had returned at some point and was grinning at my face.
"My face is the second cutest in the world."
"Oh, who's the first?"
"Of course, it's Shiraha-san."
"Misora in high school, you've been roughed up by the world, haven't you?"
"Why do you look sad there!?"
Shiraha-san, pretending to cry, was the cutest twenty-nine-year-old ever.
Despite it being late at night, Wataru was waiting for me.
But Wataru, a little angry, lined up my favorite foods on the table and puffed up his cheeks, saying, "I won't forgive you until you eat it all."
Starting tomorrow, I'll have to increase my running...