E-book Bonus: Newly Written Short Story
◆ “I Couldn’t Help It,” She Said
I put a gentle force into my index finger and press the button firmly.
A faint ding-dong sound is heard, and after a while, the door opens with a click.
Lately, I’ve been getting used to it.
But still, this moment is tense, and also, I’m fidgeting.
“Hey. Welcome, Yunagi-san.”
He peeks his head out of the door and smiles gently.
Instantly, my heart aches with a pang, and at the same time, I feel incredibly happy.
Sakuraba Aoto-kun, the person I love.
Today marks exactly two weeks since we became a real couple.
To be honest—I’ve been ridiculously giddy every day.
“S-Sakuraba-kun! …Morning!”
“Morning. Come on in.”
“Y-Yeah!”
Following him, I step into the Sakuraba family’s entryway.
His parents are out today, and Aina-chan is also out.
Perhaps because I heard that, my heart skipped a beat when I saw that the lights in the living room were off.
Alone with Sakuraba-kun at his house.
This was the first time since we started dating.
“I’ll get you a drink, so wait here.”
At Sakuraba-kun’s prompting, I head to his room first.
It’s tidy, but his bookshelf and TV stand are filled with his favorite things.
I was so happy to be able to be here as his girlfriend.
…Also, it smells like Sakuraba-kun, which is just nice. I like it.
“Sorry for the wait. …Hey, why are you taking deep breaths?”
“Fwah! N-N-Nothing, nothing! I came in a hurry! Just needed some oxygen!”
“…I see. You didn’t have to rush.”
“N-No! I wanted to see you soon!”
“…Well, yeah. Thanks.”
He said, and then tilted his head a little, as if embarrassed.
Aah, he’s so cool. And so cute.
Sakuraba-kun’s face is probably not what you would call handsome. He’s slender and on the plain side.
And yet, I can’t help but be captivated by him. Is it just a matter of taste?
…No, this must be the work of love.
I have lovey-dovey filters on my eyes.
Even when I realize that and look at him again, Sakuraba-kun is still cool.
Lovey-dovey filters are amazing.
And I probably have the same filters on my ears. I love his voice too much.
“Um… Yunagi-san? Are you acting strange today?”
“Hah! N-No, I’m not! I’m being my usual self!”
“…Well, you’re always a little strange, so.”
He snorted and nodded as if convinced.
I feel like I was just told something very rude. But my happiness outweighs it, so I don’t mind.
In fact, I’m even happy to be teased by Sakuraba-kun, so I’m pretty far gone.
After that, we just relaxed together in his room without doing anything in particular.
We hadn’t planned anything for today.
But just being in the same space, spending time together, is important for us right now.
And the fact that Sakuraba-kun, who has so many books he wants to read, still wants me to be by his side while he does so, makes me so happy.
And… yes, simply put.
“…”
“…Hmm.”
“…”
“Oh, a word I don’t know.”
“…”
“…Haha.”
…Sakuraba-kun reading a book is super cute.
He’s so focused that he sometimes talks to himself even when I’m here, and his expressions change.
Just watching him makes me so happy, and my heart pounds.
I realize I’m completely engrossed in him, but that makes me happy, too.
Aah, I’m probably the happiest girl in the world right now.
I genuinely think so.
“…”
Before I knew it, or rather, from almost the very beginning, my hand, which was supposed to be studying, had stopped moving.
Sakuraba-kun, lying on his back on the bed, reading a book.
As I continued to watch him, I suddenly realized that a strange desire was being born within me.
“…I want to touch him.”
No, not in a weird way. Not at all.
Just, his cheeks, his hair, his hands, his arms, his shoulders.
I want to touch him, who is within arm’s reach.
We’ve held hands a few times. No, since we started dating, three times. I remember the situation and the number of times perfectly.
But this feeling now is a little different from wanting to hold hands.
It’s not about expressing affection or confirming feelings.
I don’t know the logic, but I just want to touch Sakuraba-kun.
And that feeling is growing even stronger as I sit here now.
“…”
We love each other, and. No one is watching, and.
But isn’t it weird to suddenly touch him? And. It’s a distraction from his reading, and.
As I wage this internal conflict, my hand slowly reaches out toward him.
All the while, Sakuraba-kun doesn’t take his eyes off the page.
Closer, closer, almost—touching.
“…Mm.”
“…”
I touched him.
I touched him.
My hand on Sakuraba-kun’s arm, which was supporting the book.
It was warm, but not as soft as I had imagined, and I could faintly feel the contours of his muscles.
My fingertips tingled slightly.
But I couldn’t let go. As if being drawn in, I squeezed his arm gently.
“…Yunagi-san?”
Sakuraba-kun’s eyes widened in surprise.
When Sakuraba-kun is reading, I’ve always just watched him.
To touch his body like this, to disturb him, was a first—
“Ah… s-sorry!”
“No… it’s fine, but what’s wrong?”
“N-No! It’s just that, I just noticed, or rather, before I knew it, I just! I’m sorry I disturbed you when you were concentrating…!”
As I made an excuse that didn’t even make sense to me, I finally pulled my hand back.
Aah, what am I doing?
He even invited me to his room. He met me.
To disturb him like this. And for a reason as simple as wanting to touch him.
My guilt mounted, and I couldn’t help but look down.
I’m sure Sakuraba-kun is troubled. And he might even be a little angry.
I was so mortified that I couldn’t say anything and just closed my eyes, waiting for his next words.
“…Yunagi-san, come here.”
After a short pause, Sakuraba-kun said.
I looked up and saw Sakuraba-kun looking at me, his cheeks slightly red.
He then changed his position and sat on the bed, patting the spot next to him gently.
Th-This is…!
“Eh… um… uh.”
“…Come here, next to me. It’s lonely when we’re apart. I’m sorry.”
Thump—!
“I-I’m coming! Eh, i-is it okay? For me to go next to you!”
“Hee-hee. It’s fine. I can still read my book like this.”
He said with a smile, his eyes narrowing.
I immediately stood up and moved next to him as if to dive in.
Our shoulders and thighs touched slightly, and I could feel his warmth again.
My heartbeat suddenly quickened, and I could feel my face getting hot.
I was a little sad just a moment ago.
But now, my mood has completely changed, and I’m so excited.
I’m so simple, so foolish, but it can’t be helped.
This must be what it means to be in love.
…And more importantly!
“S-…Somehow… I’m so nervous.”
Because, “come here”!!
I’ve been wanting to hear that so much! No, I just heard it!
Eh, I want to hear it again! But I don’t want to move away!
“…I see. Well… yeah, me too.”
Sakuraba-kun’s voice was small, but very gentle.
And the fact that he was feeling the same way as me was unbearably endearing.
After that, we sat there together, not saying anything.
I guess I didn’t understand.
To be in love with someone, to have your feelings reciprocated. It’s an amazing thing.
A wonderful thing, a happy thing… and also, a lot of work.
Being alone like this, it feels like I’m losing control—
“…”
Because no one is in our way. Nothing is standing in our way.
Before, we couldn’t do this.
We were far apart, our feelings weren’t connected… we weren’t a couple.
That’s why—
“Sakuraba-kun.”
“…!”
I twist my upper body and turn to face Sakuraba-kun.
Then, I lean into him as if to fall into his chest.
I can feel Sakuraba-kun’s hand slowly wrap around my back.
His heartbeat, which I can hear as much as my own, was fast.
“…What’s wrong, all of a sudden?”
“Nothing. But, I just… couldn’t help it.”
After I’ve done it, a wave of embarrassment washes over me.
But Sakuraba-kun, after letting out a short breath, gave a small nod.
A side-by-side, awkward hug.
But this was the first time we had hugged out of pure affection.
“…Sakuraba-kun.”
“Mm. What is it?”
“…Thank you, really.”
For making me your girlfriend.
For telling me your painful story. For teaching me.
For not giving up on yourself.
“…No, thank you, Yunagi-san.”
Sakuraba-kun’s arms tightened around me.
It wasn’t painful. It didn’t hurt. It was just happy.
For a while, we didn’t let go and just stayed like that.
I was so happy when he stroked my head a few times that I was on the verge of tears.
I don’t know what kind of couple we’ll become.
“…Well, I’m going back to my book.”
“Yeah. I’ll study, too. …But, a little later, do it again, okay?”
We might fight, we might have misunderstandings.
“…! I-I’ll think about it.”
I want to cherish each other, to be considerate of each other.
With Sakuraba-kun, I’m sure we can do that.
“Hehe. No.”
Our love has only just begun.
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