Chapter 159: Regaining Everyday Life with You as My Girlfriend |
Chirping birds played their morning tune as I stepped out from my home.
On the first day I time-leaped into this second iteration of the world, I left in a state of complete confusion. But now, I had adapted to this routine.
And this routine, too, was evolving into a different, new form. At least for me, it was my first time welcoming a morning like this.
“Good morning, Shinichirou-kun!”
In the clear morning air, an angel’s voice resounded. The girl who was most precious to me, Haruka Shijouin, was there.
(Ah…)
It had been about a month since I last saw Haruka in her uniform, but seeing her smile in that unchanged form filled my heart.
Her glossy, long hair swaying in the wind, her milky white and soft skin, and her gem-like eyes that seemed to be made of pure innocence, everything about her was beautiful.
“Good morning, Haruka. Is your body completely better now?”
Saying this, Haruka clenched both her fists tightly in front of her chest. I couldn’t help but smile at this adorable display of determination.
“Uh… Also…”
At that moment, Haruka suddenly toned down her voice and her cheeks reddened.
“I’ve been looking forward to going to school together today… Even though I’m nervous, I’m really excited…”
“…”
Blushing and speaking bashfully, Haruka’s words made me blush too. I realized that, perhaps, Haruka’s confession was the first time someone had approached me romantically in such a clear way.
Although our relationship had just started on this fresh new page, I could already feel an overwhelming love for Haruka.
“Well then, Niihama-sama, I’ll take my leave.”
“Huh? N-Natsuzaki-san!?”
From the high-class car that brought Haruka, the familiar driver’s face appeared, and I let out a surprised exclamation.
Oh no, I got too focused on Haruka and completely overlooked the presence of a third party…
“Haha, it’s fine if you’re close even in the early morning. Please be careful getting in the car, and have a good time at school.”
“Y-Yes…”
It seemed both Haruka and I had forgotten about Natsuzaki-san’s presence, and we both hung our heads in embarrassment.
“Oh, by the way, though I’m a bit late, congratulations, Niihama-sama. When I heard that you and Miss Haruka started dating, we, the Shijouin family members like me and Fuyumi, were all very excited.”
“Um, well… Thank you.”
It seems that the news has already spread within the Shijouin family… Uh, even though it’s expected, it’s still incredibly embarrassing…
“Anyway, I sincerely bless you. Well then, Niihama-sama, please have a pleasant school life while maintaining decorum.”
With those words, Natsuzaki-san took hold of the steering wheel and drove away with the car.
“It really was a big fuss, wasn’t it, the Shijouin household…”
“Y-Yes… I mean, how can I put it, it was like an endless stream of mother’s excited cheers, the housemaids, and father’s screams and shouts…”
I could easily imagine that scene, and I couldn’t help but feel a little weighed down by the trials that would surely come my way soon.
“Well, well, when the time comes, it comes. As long as I properly explain that I didn’t confess with light intentions…”
I switched my thoughts like that and forced myself to put on a calm facade, showing a smile.
But… I couldn’t hide the single cold sweat trickling down my cheek.
The one-hour-earlier commute than usual had almost no other students from the same school.
The reason we were meeting and going to school so early was to avoid the eyes of our classmates.
(While we have commuted to and from school together before, meeting in front of the house adds a completely different meaning…)
We will eventually have to disclose our relationship, but for now, Haruka has just returned to school after her recovery, and I thought it would be better to keep it a secret to avoid unnecessary trouble until things settle down.
“Oh, it feels really good… to be able to walk the commute route like this.”
As we felt the cold morning air, Haruka, who walked beside me, spoke with deep emotion.
“It felt like I was left behind by time during my hospitalization, but finally… finally, I’m back.”
“Both Fudehashi and Kazamihara, as well as everyone in our class, have been waiting. Welcome back, Haruka.”
“Yes! I’m really back at last!”
With a truly happy expression, Haruka smiled without any hesitation. Being able to commute to school like this was surely a sign that Haruka had truly regained her daily life.
“Ah, Haruka… I’m sorry we couldn’t meet during your hospitalization.”
“Huh? No, it’s not your fault at all! It’s because my family and relatives came to visit me one after another. A lot of people from our main family, whom I barely know, also came to see me, and in the end, I was a bit tired.”
While offering some reassurance, Haruka complained about the relatives who had crowded her during her hospital stay.
It seemed that Haruka was quite beloved by the Shijouin family’s patriarch, Grandpa, and that’s why her relatives came to congratulate her recovery in droves.
“But… um… since it’s been a while since then, there’s something I really want to make sure of…”
“Hm?”
At that point, Haruka suddenly blushed and let out an embarrassed voice. It seemed difficult to say, but…
“S-So… that is…! Is it possible that me and Shinichiro-kun becoming a couple was… a dream!?”
“Huh!?”
“No, it’s just that! Because when I was in the hospital, I was worried if such a convenient thing could really happen! I was so happy that you confessed to me like that and we became a couple, and that’s why I got anxious…”
“No, no, no! If it’s a dream, I’ll be the one crying! Please don’t say such terrifying things!”
Haruka seemed genuinely frightened by that possibility, but it was more concerning for me, fearing that it had all been too convenient.
“If you’re that anxious, I’ll say it as many times as you need! I like you, Haruka! This isn’t a dream or an illusion, and no matter what happens, I won’t take it back!”
“Wh-what!?”
After shouting something so embarrassing and realizing it, I turned as red as a lobster.
And hearing this, Haruka had a similar reaction. On the nearly deserted sidewalk, we both paused for a moment in embarrassment.
“My heart felt like it was going to explode… But hearing you say that made me feel so light and warm…”
After a brief pause, as if to cool down the heat, Haruka timidly said.
“But… as I thought, because of that… I was trembling in fear at the thought that it might be a dream. I didn’t have the courage to ask you by email or phone…”
“Haruka…”
I hadn’t realized that she had such doubts, and I felt truly sorry. I had no idea she would take my confession to heart like that…
“Since when…?”
“Huh…”
Haruka, her face still red, asked hesitantly.
I, on the other hand, smiled wryly for a moment in response to her question.
“Well, I began to truly feel this way around the time of the cultural festival… But honestly, I’ve had these feelings from the first time we met.”
“Oh, really?”
Haruka looked surprised, with an unexpected expression. Well, back when we first met, I was a mumbly-voiced introvert, and Haruka was so naive she wouldn’t have recognized a romantic feeling even if it bit her.
“I’ve said it several times already… but you’re like an angel, so beautiful, brimming with kindness from the heart, making everyone feel cheerful with your radiant smile. From the moment I first saw you, you already had a tight hold on my heart.”
“Wha… What are you saying!? You’re praising me too much! I’m already so overwhelmed today, my head is steaming!”
I intended to convey the history of my affection, but Haruka, her face still red, protested because she was already at her limit.
(I feel so much better after saying all this. It’s so nice to be able to tell someone you like what’s so wonderful about them.)
“However, saying such strong words made my heart feel light, and I started to feel warm again.”
Even though her face was still red, Haruka spoke with her hand over her chest.
I see… Haruka thought about me even during her hospitalization…
“Since I’d never been in a relationship, I didn’t understand anything… but I just kept wanting to be with you, wanting to talk to you, more and more…”
With her hand on her chest, Haruka continued.
“So, I proposed this morning… that we commute to school together. I wanted to be with you no matter what, Shinichiro-kun…”
“Haruka…”
With her moist, shimmering eyes, Haruka came closer, and before we realized it, we were close enough that our shoulders touched. Her hair had the scent of shampoo, and my head was spinning so much that it felt like it was going to burst.
In the clear morning air, we looked into each other’s eyes for a while.
Just being by each other’s side, happiness continued to accumulate.
“Oh…”
While we stared at each other, I held Haruka’s white, supple hand.
It was what I wanted to do.
And Haruka didn’t refuse; she rather slowly interlaced her fingers with mine.
Our body heat seemed to melt together.
“Um… I’m new to dating and might make mistakes sometimes…”
But I was confident that my feelings for her could not be rivaled by anyone.
“So, I want to be with you forever. From now on… I’ll be counting on you as my girlfriend, Haruka.”
“Yes!”
In response to my words, Haruka replied with a radiant smile.
And so, in this season transitioning from autumn to winter, we started a new beginning. Everything seemed to shine brighter than before, in this sweet season.