Riko's
two friends in this story are probably not going to be deeply involved in the
main story.
One
day in the afternoon when the summer vacation is almost over.
At
a rather expensive family restaurant near the school, she, Sashiro Kanako, is
chatting with her usual friends for the first time in a long time, and her
suspicions turn into conviction.
To
tell the truth, Kanako had been paying attention to that girl while carrying on
a normal conversation ever since sitting here today.
That
girl is Nishizaki Riko, a classmate of hers with dyed blond hair that bounced
lightly and a rather rough outfit.
Riko
is a rather cute and eye-catching girl.
Although
it would be harsh to compare her to a full-fledged beauty like the new student,
Fukami Maria, she is at least much better than someone like her, Kanako, who is
of average height, average weight, average looks and average breast size.
Especially,
Kanako is not the only student who has a faint admiration for her courage to
show off her showy colored hair.
**a
Today,
Riko ordered a salad set with tomato cream-based pasta. From the drink bar, she
chose a cup of tea.
By
the way, Kanako had a Margherita, a cup of cocoa, and another girl had a meat
doria, a cup of orange juice... but that's not important. The problem is Riko's
choice.
As
they've been "hanging out" since April, Riko basically prefers
Japanese style menus. When it comes to drinks, she is often concerned about the
absorption of oil, and considering that, she might order a Japanese hamburger
steak and oolong tea.
However,
it was unusual for her to order a Western meal with black tea.
When
Kanako asked her why, she replied, seemingly unconcerned.
「Ah,
yes. I've been into western food lately. I thought it would be nice to have
something like this」
It's
true that they hadn't seen each other since the start of the summer vacation,
so it's not surprising that their taste in food has changed on a mere whim....
「That
choker」
「Hmm?」
「You've
been wearing it for a while. Is it important to you?」
Kanako
ask casually while eating pizza.
It's
been almost two months since Riko started wearing a brown choker around her
neck. From the looks of it, the item is pretty good, probably costing no less
than five digits.
The
taste is definitely Riko's, but it takes a little courage to spend that amount
of money on an accessory instead of clothes. Also, she hasn't seen a day when
Riko didn't wear a choker since then. Even if it's her favorite, it's too heavy
to wear.
So
from the beginning, Kanako thought it was a gift.
...probably
from a guy.
But
no matter how many times she asked, Riko just muddled her words.
Riko
is still with Kanako and the others at lunchtime, and when she's not, she's
just being called by other girls like Takatsuki Aika. She is sometimes late in
replying to e-mails, but to be honest, this has happened many times before.
There
is no proof.
However,
from the accumulated circumstantial evidence, it is probably true.
For
example, her behavior has become softer since a while ago.
The
most striking example is her behavior toward Izumi Chihiro, their male
classmate. Riko used to make an enemy of him until around June, but one day she
suddenly took a few days off and stopped attacking him completely.
『I
decided to ignore him because it was too bothersome to care about him』
That's
what she said, but it's clearly unnatural.
Her
taste in food has changed, she wears a present-like accessory every day, and
she has become more friendly.
In
addition, her hair, which was black at the roots until the last day of school,
has been re-dyed gold. When I asked her when she went to the salon, she said it
was more than a week ago. That's too early for the start of school. There must
have been someone she wanted to show it off to.
And
the only reason why a girl would change so suddenly is because of a man.
Most
likely, she is adapting to her boyfriend's taste. It's not clear who the other
party is - if it's a student or a teacher of the school, there seems to be too
little movement.
So
is it an outsider?
It
could be a guy from the same middle school. After all, Riko seems to have had a
lot of fun in middle school.
「Ah,
I also want a boyfriend...」
At
first, Kanako observed Riko while lamenting deliberately.
Riko
is a little upset. Apparently, she is attracted by my use of the word
"also".
「Why
don't you just make it happen? Our school doesn't have many couples」
Shibahou
Academy's school rules are loose, and as long as students "live a moderate
life", dating is not prohibited. But despite this, only a small number of
students become boyfriends or girlfriends, probably because they are busy and
relieve their stress by exercising.
In
other words, there are many students who are free.
「Don't
make it sound so easy. I'm not as pretty as Riko」
「It's
not true. I mean, you're pretty, but if you're too pretty, you won't get a
boyfriend」
It
seems she's talking about Maria.
It's
true, she's surrounded by girls. But the boys don't seem to talk to her
aggressively, perhaps because they feel intimidated.
Besides,
Riko is right that it is easier to get along with someone who is suitable to
some extent.
For
example, it would take a lot of courage for Kanako to confess her feelings to
Kamishiro.
...Wait...
Kamishiro.
**b
「Well,
maybe I'll go for Kamishiro」
「Huh?
There seem to be a lot of rivals. Are you okay with that?」
Kanako
tried to be casual, but Riko looked puzzled.
...She
thought it was a possibility that Kamishiro would be the one Riko couldn't make
a big deal about being in a relationship with. For example, Kamishiro and
Chihiro seemed to be getting along well around the sports festival, so maybe
she stopped tormenting Chihiro out of consideration for him.
But
this is not the case.
If
so, there is another possibility.
「Kamishiro
is cool, isn't he? He's a little hot」
「Oh,
you're right」
Nice.
The
third girl, Reina, made a well-timed comment, helping to distract Riko's
attention. Just in time, Kanako joined in.
「You
know, that's the kind of guy who doesn't let you do things easily」
「You
mean, you've been thinking about it since before you started dating?」
Riko
frowns.
She's
still very conscious and pure as usual.
「Of
course not. It's important to know if I want to do it with him or not. Right,
Reina?」
「Hmm...
Maybe you're right」
Reina
Uno nodded and poked at her meat doria.
Reina
is a little taller than Kanako, with a slender figure. She keeps her hair long,
saying it's too much trouble to cut it, and keeps it groomed to the point where
it doesn't look untidy.
Kanako
and her friends know that she has a boyfriend in her hometown, although at
first glance he doesn't seem very masculine.
Her
carefree, laid-back attitude is a kind of leeway, an unconsciousness of those
who have it.
「But,
in the end, you can't tell from their clothes alone. Maybe, he is sturdy and
reliable, but his penis can be small and boring」
「...You're
so direct」
Reina
is so frank that even Kanako is turned off by it.
Moreover,
Kanako is not that interested in love itself, and she's still a virgin, so she
doesn't really understand this kind of thing. Still, Kanako continued to ask.
Thanks for reading...
NEW SERIES!!!
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