My Childhood Friend, Sometimes a Schoolgirl—She Only Wears That Ribbon Around Me - Episode 35

I started pedaling my bike carefully, feeling the pedals heavier than usual.

Around the station, there were more people and cars than other places, but once we passed through the shopping street and went further, the crowd thinned out quickly.

Compared to when I was in elementary school, the town’s energy had been slowly fading year by year.

The candy store I used to know had closed down, empty houses had increased without me noticing, and even though it was Saturday, there were hardly any kids playing outside. But still—

“Wow. So, this is the home ground where you used to play matches when you were in elementary school, Tsuzuki-kun?”

Even though much had changed, it felt surprisingly nice that someone showed interest in the place I grew up.

Starting from the station and going in order, I showed her the shopping street, the sports ground, the hot springs, the middle school, the commercial area, the park, and the elementary school—places I was familiar with—and shared memories connected to each.

Honestly, I wondered, “Is she even enjoying this?” but Minamikata seemed genuinely interested and listened closely.

But while talking, I realized once again that almost everything I said involved Yua Yushiro’s presence.

I truly understood that my memories wouldn’t make sense without her.

“Hey, Tsuzuki-kun. Hey, are you listening?”

“Huh…? Ah, sorry…”

I was so lost in thought that I was slow to respond to Minamikata’s voice.

“I couldn’t hear you over the wind. Is something wrong?”

“Earlier, we passed by the elementary school you went to, right? So I was wondering if your house was close to here.”

“Yeah, if you bike, it’s really close.”

“…I thought so. By the way, where exactly?”

“Where exactly? You mean direction?”

“Yeah, yeah, nothing serious… I was just curious.”

Her tone sounded like there might be something more to it, but I doubted she planned to break into the Tsuzuki house or anything.

“It’s close. Since we’re here, want to stop by?”

“Eh… Is that okay?”

“Well, I can’t invite you inside.”

Unlike Yua, who’s my childhood friend and has been to my place many times, inviting Minamikata on our first date might make me seem like a player.

Besides, my sister’s at home today.

I wasn’t sure how she’d react if I brought Minamikata along. If she showed up in cosplay again like last time, rumors would spread, and my school life would be over.

I changed direction and pedaled toward home, with Minamikata still riding.

“I heard you and Yua have been going home together a lot lately. Did you use to do that too?”

“When Yua was in first to third grade, we were together almost every day. The school was small, only one class.”

“So… your houses were in the same direction?”

“Partly. From my place to Yua’s, it’s just a few minutes by bike. We used to take this T-junction together.”

“Then… should we go see Yua’s place too…?”

“No way, I’m not showing someone else’s house.”

“Haha… yeah, that makes sense.”

It takes less than five minutes by bike from the elementary school to the Tsuzuki house.

After a few minutes chatting with Minamikata, maybe because I was distracted or because I was biking faster than when I was a kid, we quickly reached the Tsuzuki house.

But at the worst possible moment, I was hit by an unwanted miracle.

“…Sora?”

A cold sweat dripped down as I heard my name called from above.

Without even looking, I could easily guess who it was. At this time today, there was only one person who could be inside the Tsuzuki house.

I looked up toward the balcony and saw my sister hanging laundry.

“You’re home early. Did you get dumped and come back already? …Hey, Sora. You’ve got some kind of female evil spirit clinging to your back, you know?”

“I haven’t even confessed yet, and that’s really rude!”

I raised my voice, and Minamikata, who’d been called an evil spirit, got off the bike’s carrier and politely bowed toward my sister on the second floor.

“You’re Sora-kun’s older sister, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Minamikata Saho.”

“You’re still alive? I was about to send you off with a cleansing ritual along with the bike.”

My sister crossed her arms, glaring down at us from above.

“Hey, Tsuzuki-kun? Your sister looks really mad. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong yet…”

“Sorry, she just has a sharp mouth and a harsh look. You don’t have to take it personally.”

I tried to calm Minamikata, who looked scared of my slightly rough-around-the-edges sister, then let out a deep sigh.

“Seriously, sis, cut it out. For anyone who’s not used to this, your attitude just sounds mean.”

“If someone looks down on me right away around here, it’s game over.”

“Are you and I just seeing the world differently?”

I’ve never met a delinquent who starts fights on first meeting—except my sister.

“Hold on a sec. I’ll come down and greet you properly.”

“Greeting isn’t something you ‘come down’ to do!”

As soon as my sister turned her back to us, I faintly heard her running down the stairs inside the house.