Chapter 23

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A few hours after the five of them started playing, Aya and Chiharu began to say such things.

"Hey, I'm hungry."

"Me too, I'm so hungry!"

They said this to Yuzuru and Soichiro, who were taken aback and exchanged glances.

"Is that so?"

"That's tough."

Aya and Chiharu then showed obvious signs of dissatisfaction and pulled Airei, who was standing there blankly, by the hand.

"Hey, Airei. Aren't you a little hungry too?"

"Wouldn't you like something salty?"

"Huh? Well, I can't deny that I've been moving around a lot, but..."

Airei didn't quite understand Aya and Chiharu's intentions. However, it didn't seem to matter much to them whether Airei understood or not.

They nodded their heads exaggeratedly and repeatedly.

"Right?"

"You're hungry too, right?"

They glanced at Yuzuru and Soichiro.

"Anyway, I think one of the qualities of a great guy is being considerate."

"I agree. A guy who buys food without being asked when a girl is hungry is pretty great, don't you think? ...Airei, what do you think?"

"Huh? No, well... but, it's not like..."

Finally, Airei caught on to Aya and Chiharu's intentions and shook her head to deny it. However, they interrupted her with loud, exaggerated voices.

"Ah, my cute childhood friend is hungry."

"Even your fiancé looks hungry. What are you doing?"

Yuzuru and Soichiro sighed. First, Soichiro asked Aya and Chiharu.

"Okay... what should I buy?"

"I want yakisoba."

"I want takoyaki."

Since Soichiro was going, Yuzuru had no choice but to go along. Yuzuru asked his fiancée, who looked confused.

"What about you, Yuki?"

"Um, well... I guess..."

"I'm free too, so..."

When Yuzuru said this, Airei placed her hand on her slender, white stomach. She blushed slightly and spoke with a shy smile.

"Then, I'll have some fries, please."

"Got it."

As Yuzuru and Soichiro turned to leave...

"Hey, get us some drinks too!"

"We'll wait over there!"

The voices of their childhood friends echoed behind them. Yuzuru and Soichiro exchanged glances and shrugged.

"Alright, let's go."

"Let's go."

After seeing Yuzuru and Soichiro off, Aya and Chiharu approached Airei.

"Um, what is it?"

"Let's have a little girl talk."

"There are a few things I want to ask you, Airei."

Airei was practically dragged to a chair and seated. Aya and Chiharu sat on either side of her.

"So, Airei, what do you really think of Yuzuru?"

Aya asked Airei, who exclaimed in surprise.

"Wh-what do I think...?"

"Do you like him as a guy?"

Chiharu asked more specifically. Airei's skin flushed slightly.

She shook her head vigorously.

"No way! ...I don't have any romantic feelings for him."

In response to Airei's answer, Aya and Chiharu tilted their heads.

"Yuzuru might seem a bit lazy at school, but I think he can look pretty cool when he dresses up."

"I think he has a great personality. Is there something you don't like about him?"

Airei shook her head again.

"N-no... I do think Kasegawa is a wonderful man, but..."

She lowered her eyes shyly and hesitated before speaking clearly.

"But, that doesn't mean I have romantic feelings for him."

"Hmm..."

"Is that so?"

Even if Yuzuru were a wonderful man, it wouldn't be a reason to fall in love. It's the same for Aya and Chiharu, who only have feelings of close friendship for Yuzuru.

So, they easily backed off.

...Or so it seemed.

"What if Yuzuru told you he liked you?"

"Wh-what!?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Airei exclaimed in surprise. Her pale skin turned bright red.

"Th-that... that's impossible."

"Let's say hypothetically. Wouldn't you consider giving it a try, just to see?"

Chiharu asked with a grin as Airei shook her head vigorously.

"I can't do something so dishonest! Besides..."

"Besides?"

Airei sighed softly and spoke weakly.

"There are many women who are much more suitable for Kasegawa. He's such an outstanding person."

She smiled, but it was more of a self-deprecating, bitter smile.

"Hmm..."

"I see."

Aya and Chiharu seemed to understand something. They smiled at the bewildered Airei.

"Sorry for asking such strange questions, Airei."

"If it made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry."

"N-no... it's fine. We are childhood friends, after all, so it's natural to be curious."

Just then...

"Hey, we're back."

"We got some drinks, so pick what you like."

Soichiro and Yuzuru returned. The three girls greeted them with smiles as if nothing had happened.

So, that's where Airei's feelings for Yuzuru stand at the moment.

A bit more effort is needed to win her over.

If you find it interesting and are curious about when Airei will dere, bookmarking and rating (changing the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ below the table of contents) will help maintain the author's motivation to update until Airei dere.

Thank you for your support.

There's no dere degree today.

If you're looking forward to the dere degree, please bear with us a little longer.

If you're excited, looking forward to it, and curious, bookmarking and rating (changing the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ below the table of contents) will be a great encouragement.