Chapter 44: Kissing with my childhood friend amidst the night scenery of that day

Kissing with my childhood friend amidst the night scenery of that day

It’s been a while, but I can’t tell exactly how long it’s been by my senses.

After coming back from a long, pleasurable experience, we slowly got up and took showers, for the time being. While washing Aya’s body with my hands, I hurried to finish as I had a feeling it might start all over again.

Leaving the private room, I realized there were no towels.

“You can use mine”, Aya said, offering a light blue sweat towel. I accepted it and first dried her body, then mine.

By the time I put on jeans and finished wearing my shirt, Aya was already back in her original uniform. She held my jacket and spread it out, smiling.

“Here you go, Boyan.”

She was going to help me put it on. It was a gesture similar to a newlywed wife dressing her husband in a suit. I was ecstatic, but also a bit embarrassed.

Bending slightly, I slipped my arms into the jacket and Aya came over to smooth out the wrinkles in the clothes.

“Alright… yeah, it looks good on you after all.”

“My sister gave me a slightly unsure look though.”

“I like it. That outfit suits you.”

“I like your uniform look too, Aya. Pink suits you so well.”

“Oh… um, thank you…”

Aya blushed and pursed her lips, looking adorable.

I couldn’t help but want to start round two, but I held back. I had important matters to attend to later today.

As I gazed at the paper bag from the traditional Japanese sweet shop on the shelf, Aya followed my gaze.

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“By the way, Boyan, what’s this?”

“Fruit daifuku. A souvenir for you, Aya.”

“Really!? Thank you, I’m so hungry…”

Aya stubbornly resisted her appetite, her lips pursing again.

While stroking my childhood friend’s head like that, I delivered the important news.

“It’s not just for Aya, I also bought souvenirs for your parents and Hiroto-kun.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. If possible, I’d like to go and say hello today.”

Aya’s eyes widened and she froze.

In her heart, there was always a sense of anxiety. It was a deep-rooted anxiety that even she herself couldn’t fully grasp. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

Given my current understanding, I could identify the cause of that anxiety.

Aya had always yearned for something certain.

Even when she was with Tokita, she carried an unstable feeling. She feared that someday her footing would give way, that everything would eventually come to an end.

That was the kind of person Aya was.

She had overcome trauma, started a steady relationship with me and I believed her heart was now fulfilled.

But being the recipient of affection, she might have felt a bit uneasy about the stability of our relationship. It was a minor stress, something Aya of today could tolerate.

I couldn’t be satisfied until I filled even these tiny cracks in her heart. And I had to do it quickly.

So, I passionately sought Aya like this, conveying an endless love with my entire being.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

There was one more thing, something more certain.

“I want to get your family’s approval for our marriage, Aya.”

“Huh…”

“Sorry, but can we ask your family about it?”

I asked casually, as if it were an everyday thing.

It was probably a Saturday before a business trip, so her father should be free.

“Yeah, sure… I’ll ask them.”

Aya answered just as casually, taking out her smartphone.

But her voice was trembling slightly. Deep furrows were etched between her eyebrows.

This was the expression she wore when she was happy but couldn’t show it openly.

Inside, I breathed a sigh of relief, having successfully elicited her response.

“Alright then, Boyan, see you later.”

“Yeah, see you later.”

I waved goodbye to my childhood friend as she entered her house.

For now, I decided to part ways with Aya. We had plans to meet up at our usual family restaurant later.

I could’ve ridden together in her car to her house since it was on the way, but it felt kind of foolish at a time like this.

Also, being in the Nanto family’s car was like playing away. I couldn’t let the atmosphere swallow me up.

Returning to my own house, I hopped on my bicycle and headed towards the family restaurant.

The family restaurant was about a twenty-minute ride away, though it would be just the right time to meet up.

I rode along the main road.

The time was already before 7 PM. Today, it seemed colder than usual for this time of year and I could faintly sense the approach of winter in the autumn air that brushed against my cheeks. Despite that, my body was oddly excited and warm.

The neon lights of suit shops and large recycling centers illuminated the autumn sky, which had already grown dark. Among these, the sign of the family restaurant we were aiming for came into view.

I got off the bicycle and headed to the entrance on the second floor.

Perhaps a more formal restaurant might have been better suited for such a meeting, but I somehow felt that this familiar place was right for both Aya and me.

I recalled the day during the school trip when I kissed her on these stairs.

Entering the family restaurant, Aya and the others were sitting by the window in the back—our usual spot.

As I approached, Hiroto-kun raised his hand.

“Oh, Boyan, over here!”

Hiroto-kun was wearing his school uniform.

Aya’s parents were dressed slightly more formally than usual and there was a noticeable difference in their attire.

Aya, on the other hand, was wearing a blue knit top with jeans and she had a thin white cardigan draped over her shoulders. Her short chestnut hair was held back with an emerald green hairpin shaped like a leaf and her forehead was visible.

She looked very feminine.

As I inadvertently stared, Aya blushed and touched her hairpin while standing up, seeming embarrassed.

“It’s okay, Aya.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Prompted by Aya, I took a seat at the table towards the back.

Seated at the front, Aya’s father, who always had a stern face reminiscent of a trendy actor, was there as usual. Next to him were Aya’s mother and Hiroto-kun.

As Aya sat down next to me, she handed me a glass.

“Is sparkling water okay?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

It was exactly what I wanted to drink. There was also a glass of sparkling water in front of Aya. Seeing that more than half of it had been consumed, I felt a bit of tension dissipate. I was feeling the same way.

I moistened my throat with the sparkling water, drinking it with a gulp.

After finishing the drink and placing the empty glass on the table, I looked at Aya’s family.

“I brought souvenirs. I found a Japanese sweet shop on my way back from work.”

Saying that, I handed them the paper bag.

“Oh, wow… thanks, Boyan.”

Aya’s father received the bag with a serious expression. For some reason, his expression made it seem like he was angry.

No, her father had always been like this.

Aya’s mother peered into the bag that her father was holding against his chest.

“Oh my, you even bought souvenirs for everyone. You’re so considerate.”

Her mother laughed in a playful tone. It was clear that she was trying to create a cheerful atmosphere and relieve our tension. I was deeply appreciative.

Surprisingly, Aya’s mother wasn’t fond of sweets, while her father and Hiroto-kun were fond of them. I thought I’d bought things that matched their preferences, but would it suit their tastes?

As her mother lightened the mood, which had grown tense again, I opened my mouth.

“I have something important to share about Aya… today.”

“Yes.”

Her mother nodded with a smile.

From this preordained atmosphere, I sensed that she already knew what I was about to say. Aya had probably mentioned it beforehand. Perhaps Aya had told her.

“Aya and I have been officially dating since two weeks ago. We’re both serious… and, I want you to know, I’m considering marrying Aya in the future.”

I conveyed it directly.

My entire body felt hot and my head felt a bit fuzzy, but I managed to say what I wanted to.

Her mother’s eyes widened. Her smile grew deeper and her eyes appeared moist. I idly thought that Aya inherited her teary nature from her mother.

“Marriage, really…”

Hiroto-kun muttered unintentionally.

It seemed that even Aya hadn’t uttered the word ‘marriage’ out loud.

Her mother glanced briefly at her motionless father, who was smiling. Encouraged by this, her father spoke up.

“Oh, I see… yeah, thank you.”

That was all.

His tone was devoid of emotion, making it difficult to decipher his true intentions. I met his gaze and he looked at my chest area, seemingly lost in thought.

Then her mother lightly tapped her husband’s upper arm.

“Dear, didn’t you say ‘Boyan would be more than welcome’ just a while ago?”

“Well, yeah… when said directly, it’s a bit…”

Come to think of it, Aya’s father, like Aya herself, had a sensitive and delicate nature despite his appearance.

With a sigh that seemed to come from his nose, he finally looked at me.

“Boyan, nice to meet you.”

He lifted the corners of his mouth. He probably smiled at me.

I felt tears welling up and bit my lip.

He didn’t say “Take care of Aya”, but rather “Nice to meet you” as if he was welcoming me as part of the family.

“Nice to meet you too, sir.”

I force out a hesitant smile in response.

For a long time, deep in my heart, I had wanted to become a part of this family.

Various emotions well up and I clench my fist under the table.

Suddenly, my fist is enveloped in warmth.

Aya’s touch makes me feel like I’m on the verge of tears.

“Boyan, would you like to try the stewed hamburger?”

Her father asks in a comforting tone. It’s a menu I ordered only once when I came here with Aya and the others during my childhood. It was a bit expensive, so I refrained from ordering it after that and went for more affordable dishes.

I must have looked very satisfied eating it back then.

With her father’s unexpected kindness, tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

Today, I came here with the intention of making a good impression, but it still feels like Aya’s home is an away game for me.

Once the ritual-like exchange is over, we begin our usual cheerful meal.

Her father casually asks questions like, “Have you been on a date?” and “When did you start liking her?” and Aya scolds him for it.

Still, he seems to be putting quite an effort into not bringing up the topic of Toshida. Her mother chimes in with supportive remarks and Hiroto-kun seems a bit embarrassed.

“Hey, Boyan, you’re looking sharp today.”

“Yeah, it’s the first time I’ve seen you dressed like this.”

Perhaps finally getting used to the atmosphere, Hiroto-kun starts to play around with my jacket. Aya’s father, who blushed from the non-alcoholic beer, joins in as well.

“Really, it suits you! Boyan looks better in these clothes!”

“I think so too.”

Both Aya and her mother come to my defense.

The unexpected counterattack from the women and the awkwardness of the men’s reactions bring a smile to my face.

“This is borrowed, by the way.”

“Well, I think it looks good on you. Yeah, it’s fine like this on occasions like this.”

Her father gives a small, feigned nod.

“Thank you.”

Come to think of it, I feel like I’ve been saying nothing but thank you for a while now.

Truly, it’s appreciated.

Even though it’s not an immediate plan, since I’ve conveyed my intention to marry Aya, I thought I might be asked about the future or questioned about my readiness to start a family. But both her parents and Hiroto-kun seem completely at ease. It seems that the inexplicable trust they have in me is boundless. Of course, I intend to live up to that trust.

The enjoyable time passes in the blink of an eye and before I know it, it’s past 10 PM.

“Should we settle the bill soon?”

Aya’s father, as usual, declares that it’s time to leave.

We stand up and head toward the exit.

Gathering near the exit, we wait for Aya’s mother to finish paying.

Aya smiles as she looks at the snack corner next to the checkout counter.

As I gaze at her like that, I speak to everyone.

“Excuse me, I’m going to the restroom for a moment. Please go ahead to the car.”

“Sure thing.”

Her father raises his hand and leaves the family restaurant first.

I nod my head and head to the restroom.

Because I had five refills of sparkling water, my bladder is starting to protest.

I splash water on my face.

When I look into the mirror, I meet the gaze of my exhausted face and eyes.

Even I think I’m doing something quite over-the-top.

Suddenly making a marriage declaration—obviously, I couldn’t say something like “I’ve been having unprotected sex multiple times.” But I do intend to convey that in a different way sometime soon.

That will be another challenge.

But there’s no problem. I’m confident of that.

I wipe my hands and face with a handkerchief and leave the restroom.

Aya’s family isn’t in sight at the checkout counter.

I head toward the exit and push the glass door.

Right outside, my childhood friend is standing.

“Aya, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Yeah.”

Her crisp double eyelids form a soft curve.

Being on the staircase on the second floor, we overlook the night view side by side.

Neon lights illuminate the dark autumn sky.

Holding hands with Aya, I think this is quite a view.

“Aya, that hairpin is really cute. It suits you a lot.”

“Hehe… thanks.”

Perhaps she’s too embarrassed, as Aya’s tone sounds a bit off.

I gently touch her cheek bathed in neon colors.

Aya smiles softly and closes her eyes.

“Ah—”

A kiss where our lips met.

That alone was enough.

Words were no longer necessary between us.

But that’s not enough.

There are words that need to be said, no matter how many times.

“Aya, I’m not going anywhere… I have no more worries, I’m okay.”

On the last day of our school trip, in this place, I finally said the words I couldn’t say before.

Aya smiles gently and squeezes my hand with strength.

“Yeah.”

And so, we pressed our lips together again.

Someone might come to the exit, or they might come up the stairs.

We might be seen by the customers or staff of the family restaurant.

Even if that’s the case, there’s no longer any problem.

I tightly embraced the most adorable lover in the world.