Chapter 14 - The Beautiful Girl Next to Me Is Not My Girlfriend
At the edge of the shopping street stood a small bookstore that had been there since long ago――.
Its exterior was slightly weathered, and the wooden sign bore faded lettering. When you opened the door, a soft chime rang out. Inside lingered a unique scent—a blend of ink and paper. The floorboards creaked with each step. But even that sound felt comforting.
The store was run by a single lady. She’d known me since I was little, often giving me sweets or reading picture books to me.
Lately, she’d expanded the light novel section for younger readers, and the shelves were now filled with colorful covers that caught the eye.
Tsukishiro-san stood in front of the bookshelf, her eyes sparkling. Standing side by side in front of the light novel shelf, our shoulders were almost close enough to touch. I let my gaze wander aimlessly and reached out for a book.
“The Heroine in The Next Seat Project”――.
Every time I saw that cover, memories of the painful days in middle school and moments with Tsukishiro-san came flooding back.
“…This brings back memories. We read this together in the library, didn’t we?”
The words slipped out of my mouth, and Tsukishiro-san turned to look at me. Her eyes looked just a little misty.
“…You remembered?”
“There’s no way I’d forget. This book… it’s filled with memories of you, Tsukishiro-san.”
It was unconscious. My true feelings had slipped out. I instinctively covered my mouth with my hand.
For a moment, her cheeks turned red. I hurriedly dropped my gaze to the cover.
On the band was a bold announcement: “In Theaters This Summer!” Trying to smooth over my feelings, I showed her the cover.
“They’re making a movie. Did you know?”
“Of course! I’m definitely going to see it.”
“It was a great read. I guess I’ll… go see it too.”
“Th-th-th-then…”
“Then?”
“Then… wanna go see it together?”
Together… with me!? She’s always glaring at me, and yet… today Tsukishiro-san is unusually forward. I’m happy, but also totally thrown off.
“W-with me? Why me?”
“W-well! It’s not fun going alone… um… you know… yeah! I thought it’d be nice to have someone to discuss it with afterward!”
Tsukishiro-san laughed awkwardly, trying to play it off.
…Is this what they call a date? No, no, she said ‘someone to discuss it with’! It’d be rude to assume anything!
“Ah… yeah. If you’re okay with me, I’d be happy to go.”
“Really!? It’s settled then! You have to come, okay!”
Tsukishiro-san pulled out her phone from her blazer pocket and checked her schedule.
“Kanzaki-kun, the movie’s coming out during summer break. When would be good for you?”
“I’m free anytime. Summer break’s just gonna be weight training and reading light novels anyway.”
“Then how about August 1st? It’s a weekday, so it shouldn’t be too crowded.”
“No problem. Looking forward to it.”
I tried desperately to calm myself. My heart was racing at the sudden plan with Tsukishiro-san. It’s still a ways off, but I’m already excited.
“Yeah! Waaah, I can’t wait…”
Is she excited about seeing the movie? Or… about going with me? Which is it!!
But… what does she really think of me? That question suddenly bubbled up.
If she’s inviting me to a movie, she must not have a bad impression of me… I think.
Then why does she always glare at me? Isn’t that because she dislikes me? Huh!? But she invited me to the movie… Aaaah! I don’t get it anymore!
“…Ah, this one looks interesting.”
Tsukishiro-san picked up a newly released light novel. The cover illustration was cute, and the title was eye-catching.
“That looks good,” I said, and Tsukishiro-san smiled happily.
We took the book to the register together, and the lady popped her head out from the back. She squinted mischievously like some villain boss and grinned at us.
“Oh my, Tsubasa-chan, welcome… My, is this your girlfriend? She’s such a cute girl.”
“S-s-she’s not my girlfriend!”
Tsukishiro-san and I turned bright red at the same time.
What are you saying, lady! There’s no way a beauty like her is my girlfriend!
“What’s this, still the prologue?”
“Prologue…! Don’t talk like it’s a book structure!”
The lady chuckled playfully from behind the register.
“I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
What exactly are you looking forward to, lady…?
“Hehe, but you know, stories don’t move forward unless you turn the pages properly. People who judge just by the cover tend to misunderstand. You won’t know what’s inside unless you read it.”
Her words quietly sank into my chest.
――Maybe I’d only ever looked at Tsukishiro-san’s “cover.” Thinking she was glaring at me, I’d closed the book on my own.
After paying, the weight of the book in my hands somehow seemed to ease the weight in my heart. I handed the book to Tsukishiro-san, and we left the store together.
Outside, the shopping street was already dim. Orange streetlights flickered on, and the sound of shutters closing echoed around us.
As we started walking, I suddenly stopped. There was something I just had to ask Tsukishiro-san. Something that had been on my mind for a long, long time.
“What’s wrong, Kanzaki-kun?”
“…You don’t hate me, do you?”
Tsukishiro-san looked surprised and turned to face me. Her eyes shimmered in the twilight――.
And my heart, too, trembled deeply.