Chapter 5

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Why does she become so talkative only with me?

She told me the reason.

"I have very good ears."

Unlike her usual machine-gun talk, her words were laced with meaning, making me lean in involuntarily.

"W-What do you mean?"

"Literal meaning. I was born with very good ears... I can tell what emotions a person is feeling from their voice and heartbeat. That's why I don't like Ryuzaki. The sounds he makes are dull and disharmonious, just noise."

Her ears twitched as if she had some kind of nerve. While showing off this impressive skill, she continued.

"On the other hand, Nakayama-kun, you emit very delicate sounds. I can hear the sorrow, pain, and suffering. At the same time, I can hear a strong resentment... or something like that... hehe, it's a mysterious sound. It gives me chills. The way these sounds harmonize is fascinating."

Swinging her legs, she closed her eyes and listened, as if confirming my sounds.

"I was interested in you because you emit sounds I can't understand. I've been looking for an opportunity to talk like this... hehe, as expected, Nakayama-kun is just as I hoped. You listen to my chatter a lot, and I think our compatibility isn't bad."

...She's saying a lot of complicated things.

In short, this girl—

"Do you like me?"

"Can it be summed up in one word? But that sounds boring. It would be more fun if you said you felt a good vibe from me."

It seems that's what she meant.

Hearing those words... I felt a black emotion swirling in my chest.

(She likes me, the childhood friend who likes Ryuzaki...!)

It felt like I had succeeded in getting back at her.

A bad feeling of "serve her right" boiled up inside me. I knew I shouldn't think like that, but I couldn't help it.

It felt like I had taken away the favorite person of the one who had taken away my favorite people.

At the same time, I felt pity for myself for thinking such things.

Because of this personality, those girls probably disliked me... As I was thinking these strange thoughts, ShimoTsuki suddenly placed her hand on my chest.

"Yeah, and... Nakayama-kun, sometimes you make strange sounds. It's like you're filled with self-loathing... I can hear a sound that makes me want to cry. It's like a kitten desperately meowing in a cardboard box on a rainy day."

She must be checking my heartbeat.

Her small, delicate fingers touching me made me a little nervous.

Seeing me like this, she laughed again.

"I have a fetish for cheering up sad people. Nakayama-kun looks very troubled... I'd be happy if I could cheer you up even a little. It's okay, I was raised by wonderful parents who gave me a lot of love, so I have plenty to spare. If I keep receiving so much, God might get angry, so I'll share a little with you."

I was taken aback by ShimoTsuki's words, thinking she was a girl with a unique worldview.

But being liked by such a girl... I also felt genuinely happy, not just as a way to get back at Ryuzaki, but purely.

"And as a bonus, I want to be friends and have someone to talk to. I'd even like to play games together. I've been lonely, and I'm hungry for friends. Also, I'm not good at being paired up in class, so I'd like your help with that."

"...That's a lot of bonuses, isn't it?"

I felt this was more like her true feelings.

But if such a wonderful girl wants to be friends, there's nothing more I could ask for.

"Let's get along from now on, Nakayama-kun!"

ShimoTsuki extended her hand innocently.

I hesitated for a moment about whether to take her hand, but before I could, she had already grabbed mine forcefully.

"It's rude to hesitate!"

Seeing her puffed cheeks, I couldn't help but smile.

"Sorry. Nice to meet you."

I said this and firmly shook her hand.

And so, I gained a friend.

The person I became friends with was the favorite person of the person my favorite person liked—