Chapter 3 (2/2)

”Oh, y-yes.” s.h.i.+on's face clouded over.

”I had someone I like.”

”Ooh, someone you like…”

”His name is Yuji. He's the Vice Captain of the Soccer Club, cool, smart and popular among the girls. In fact, I'm not the type of friend he usually hangs out with but the three of us, including Miki, always played together so I was able to get closer to him compared to others.

”Hold on, Yuji and Miki are these two, right?” Senpai pointed to a photo he took out.

”This photo was in the wallet you had when you died. I thought it might be useful so I made a duplicate. These are Yuji and Miki?”

”That's right. Miki is my best friend. She's pretty, has good grades, pleasing personality, and the Vice President of the Student Council. Unlike me, she has many friends, is very cheerful, and takes care of her juniors well. She's my only friend and I'm very proud of her. We've been together since kindergarten. If that hadn't been so, I don't think such a great girl would be friends with someone like me.”

”What an amazing friend.”

”Um, actually, I still can't believe she's friends with me. She always cares about me and encourages me. I'm a gloomy person so I don't have friends. But that doesn't bother her, and she continues to hang out with me. Miki is kind to everyone, lovable and good at sports–she's amazing at everything she does. The teachers think highly of her, and my parents have always told me to be more like her. But it's impossible, you know. There's no way I could be like her. I'm ugly, have average grades, tone-deaf, not a good speaker…”

I couldn't understand the last part as it faded into a mumble.

”I think you have your own charm. When you smile, you look extremely charming.”

I couldn't stand seeing her depressed so I thought of saying something to cheer her up.

”Thank you. That was the first time someone told me that.” She smiled weakly.

”Please continue.” Senpai encouraged gently.

”Okay. And so, Miki… No, that's not it. I should talk about my lingering regret, right? That is…”

At that point, s.h.i.+on closed her mouth. Since she has someone she likes, it must be about him, Yuji.

After pondering over it, s.h.i.+on raised her head with a determined expression.

”I want to know Yuji's feelings. We always hang out together, the three of us. Yuji was always there and so was Miki… It doesn't automatically mean that he likes me, so I want to know if he's got feelings for me too. That's what I feel regretful the most.”

”I see.” Senpai looked as though he was thinking it over.

”When you hang out, the three of you are always together?”

”Ah, yes. It's always the three of us. When we go to karaoke, I can't sing since I'm tone-deaf. When we went to the arcade, Yuji won a phone strap from the claw machine and I've always treasured it.”

”The three of you get along so well. How about the first time you met Yuji?”

”Right. I sat close to him in high school so we instantly became friends. Miki joined us as well and before I knew it, we've always been hanging out together. I think it's because Miki was there. I'm gloomy and not much of a conversationalist… If Miki wasn't there, we've probably stayed as acquaintances.”

”She's an amazing friend, isn't she.” I said with a smile and s.h.i.+on returned it with an awkward smile.

”Yes, Miki always helped me.”

Senpai crossed his arms and nodded repeatedly.

”Understood. We'll go and check Yuji's feelings. We'll tell you what we find out later.”

The interview concluded with those words from Senpai.

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