My Childhood Friend, Sometimes a Schoolgirl—She Only Wears That Ribbon Around Me - Episode 30

After parting ways with Sora, I went home, dropped my things in my room, and headed for the bath.

The image of him excitedly exchanging contact info with Minamikata-san kept stirring up my feelings.

If I’d known I’d feel like this, I wish I hadn’t asked for the reason.

On the first day after transferring, I overheard the conversation between Sora and Minamikata-san through the bathroom door and could easily tell he liked her.

Right now, it was just a crush. Sora saw her as someone “out of reach”—but with just the smallest chance, she could become someone he could actually reach out to.

And that date they had was more than enough to become that chance.

I felt jealous and full of longing. Minamikata-san, who has the possibilities I gave up, was unbearably cute.

I took off my clothes until I was in just my underwear, then held the girl’s school uniform I’d brought from my room up to my body and looked into the mirror.

The black blazer, the plaid skirt, and the red ribbon… it all felt a bit strange when layered on me.

Maybe it was because I’d worn the boys’ uniform for so long, but that only meant I’d gotten used to that look and drifted away from “girlishness.”

My mind drifted to the long black hair I cut off when I started dressing like a boy. Even though I couldn’t touch it, my fingertips lightly brushed the air.

For now, I wished I could rely on the long hair Mom used to care for.

Feeling more and more empty, I dropped the uniform on the floor and took off my underwear.

I entered the bathroom and took a cold shower to steady my unsettled feelings.

“Sora… you were watching my reaction, weren’t you?”

He had hesitated, but was trying to tell me about his date with Minamikata-san.

That gentle guy. I’m sure he was thinking about me, wondering if he should tell me, and how to say it carefully.

The fact he worried about telling me meant he was aware of me—at least a little. In that sense, it’s still too soon to give up hope.

But—I can’t be the kind of girl who says “Don’t go” in that moment.

It’d be so presumptuous for just a childhood friend to get in the way of Sora’s love life.

I’ve lost my girlishness. I’m not the “old me” he idealizes anymore. I have no right to hold him back.

I pressed both hands to the mirror and lowered my head.

I hated how I couldn’t be honest with myself.

If things go well between Sora and Minamikata-san, I’ll really have to say “goodbye.”

The daily life I finally managed to get back after so many dreams—I’ll have to let it go again.

Still, as a childhood friend who’s not involved romantically, I should probably support him. When that day comes, I’ll just have to suppress my feelings.

But—there’s one big worry I have.

From what I’ve seen, Minamikata-san hasn’t shown any signs of romantic feelings or anything like that toward Sora.

I understand feeling sorry for treating her like a suspicious person, but someone doesn’t invite a guy on a date if they don’t mean something by it.

Is she planning something? If so, what’s her reason…?

I tried to use my limited knowledge of her to figure out her intentions.

“…No way.”

The most likely reason based on her behavior came to mind, but I didn’t want to think about it—it was way too arrogant.

Anyway, it’s pointless to think too much. No matter how much I wonder, I won’t get an answer until I see how their date goes.

Right now, there’s nothing I can do.

Until their date ends, I don’t think my heart will ever clear up.