My Childhood Friend, Sometimes a Schoolgirl—She Only Wears That Ribbon Around Me - Episode 33

“You didn’t have to hold back—you could’ve picked a more expensive place than this.”

“I didn’t hold back or anything, I just picked it because I like it.”

The place I chose was a hamburger shop right by the station.

It’s a major fast-food chain with stores all over the country, both in cities and rural areas, known for its affordable prices and wide menu that appeals to everyone—from kids to elderly people.

After putting down our bags and grabbing seats, we headed to the register together.

I ordered a safe combo: cheeseburger, nuggets, and a Coke. Then she ordered the same cheeseburger with fries and tea.

“Thanks, Minamikata-san. I really appreciate you coming all the way to my hometown on your day off and treating me lunch.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m partly being selfish anyway.”

After paying, we took our trays and sat down at the spot I had saved.

“I get the impression high school girls often eat burgers with friends, but what about you, Minamikata-san? Do you come to places like this a lot?”

“That’s a pretty big stereotype, but not wrong. I come here with friends a lot too. High schoolers are usually broke, so if it’s cheap and tasty, everyone tends to gather.”

Looking around, I saw many middle and high school students in school uniforms or tracksuits. Even though it was Saturday, they were probably coming after extra classes or club activities.

“Tsuzuki-kun, do you come here often with friends?”

“No, not really lately.”

“You live near the station and use it every day for school, right? It’s surprising you don’t come here more.”

“I usually eat meals my family makes on weekdays. If I stop by here after school, I’d probably get scolded. But I did come here a lot with friends back when I was in elementary school.”

I smiled, thinking back to those days.

When I was a kid, after soccer matches, I’d sometimes get so hungry I’d invite Yua, who came to cheer me on, and we’d ride our bikes here together.

It’s been years, but I wonder if she remembers that… Actually, knowing her, she definitely does.

“Even though it’s the same city, it’s a bit of a ride from the station to my house, so riding a bike here back then felt like a little adventure… It was fun.”

I put my hands together and said “Itadakimasu,” then took a big bite of my burger.

“That friend you mentioned—is it Yushiro-san by any chance?”

“! Yeah, how did you know?”

“I think Yushiro-san transferred away when you were in elementary school, so you two got separated, right?”

Wait, did I tell her that much? She really knows a lot about us.

“She moved away in third grade. Honestly, I was pretty down about it. I haven’t made a friend as close as her since then.”

“So, you and Yushiro-san were boy-girl best friends.”

Minamikata lowered her gaze and spoke softly.

“…I’m kind of jealous of your relationship.”

“Jealous…?”

“Ah… it’s just, reuniting with a childhood friend in high school sounds so dramatic, like fate or something. It’s like a romance manga plot—a classic story everyone wishes for.”

She intertwined her fingers and smiled dreamily.

“Don’t you feel any romantic feelings toward Yushiro-san after meeting her again?”

“Romantic feelings… not really, at least not now.”

“So ‘not now’ means there’s a chance it could happen later?”

“…I don’t know.”

I hesitated at her question.

It’s not that I have no feelings at all. I do see Yua as a girl in some ways, but I can’t fully see her as a “girl.”

After she moved and started middle school, she faced bullying because she rejected a boy’s confession in class. To protect herself, she chose to dress like a boy.

Whether that was the right choice only she knows. I wasn’t there to see everything, so I can’t judge. But from what I heard, dressing like a boy worked—she stopped being bullied.

The effect of her “boyish disguise” was definitely strong. Even I, who know her well, have trouble seeing her fully as a girl anymore.