MCFW 05

chapter: 05

My childhood friend — and someone I think of as an older sister — Kana Nishida, is a girl who’s perfect in every way: well-mannered, beautiful, and top of her class.
At our all-boys school, she’s something of a celebrity.

It’s not just her looks — her kindness, the way she treats everyone equally, makes her admired by almost every guy who knows her.
She’s also very sociable and has many friends even at her own all-girls school.
Naturally, plenty of guys from our school have sent her letters and confessed to her before.
But Kana-nee (that’s what I call her) always turns them down.

“Oh, hey, look — Nishida-senpai. Still as gorgeous as ever.”

My friend Shingo Kazami smiled as he spotted Kana-nee walking to school.

“Yeah, that’s just like her,” I replied.
“By the way, how long are you gonna keep calling Nishida-senpai ‘Kana-nee’?”
“Huh? Well, she still calls me ‘little brother’, so I figure we’re even.”
“Seriously? That’s… how it works?”

Shingo gave me a puzzled look.
He was actually one of the many guys who’d confessed to Kana-nee — and, of course, was turned down too.

“That’s just how it is. For me, she’s nothing more than a big sister figure.”
“Maybe so, but I bet everyone around you thinks you’re lucky as hell.”
“Lucky? Why?”

I tilted my head, thinking. Shingo grinned.

“You’re her childhood friend! That means your families are close, right?”
“Well… yeah.”
“And she even calls you ‘little brother’! That’s practically a term of endearment.”
“Honestly, it’s kind of embarrassing being called that at our age…”
“Still, you’re the one she trusts and likes the most, no doubt about it.”
“You think so?”
“Of course! She’s not dating anyone, right? So if she did like someone, who else could it be?”
“I don’t know about that. I’m just her ‘little brother.’ I doubt she thinks of me that way.”
“Then what about that Valentine’s chocolate you got?”

He was talking about that chocolate.
I’m not exactly popular with girls, so when I got one, he must’ve been curious.

“That was back in middle school. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“So it was from Nishida-senpai…”

Shingo slumped his shoulders, clearly disappointed.
I wasn’t sure why he looked so crushed.
That chocolate was a simple thank-you gift since we were graduating middle school — nothing romantic.
At least, I think so.
I can’t say that with absolute confidence, though.

“It was just obligatory chocolate. I wasn’t really into Valentine’s stuff anyway.”
“Still, she gave you chocolate and calls you ‘little brother.’ You really are lucky, man.”

Shingo sighed.
I had, of course, given her cookies in return — and she looked genuinely happy when I did.
She’d smiled and said, “Thank you,” so warmly that it stuck with me.
But I figured she must’ve liked someone else, so I didn’t think much of it.

No way, right?
There’s no way Kana-nee could like me that way.

Just then, as she noticed me walking toward school, she flashed her usual bright smile and called out—

“Good morning, little brother!”

Shingo stiffened beside me and blurted,

“Uh, I’ll go on ahead! See ya!”

Before I could stop him, he bolted.
I sighed and turned back to Kana-nee.

“Morning, Kana-nee.”
“Don’t forget — we’ve got practice later. Same place as usual.”
“Got it. I’ll come right after work.”
“Oh, right… I’ve got my part-time job today too.”

She looked a little deflated. I knew she worked part-time at a café.

“Guess we’ll both be late then.”
“Yeah, looks like it.”

She gave a small, wry smile.
We walked in silence for a while before she suddenly grabbed my arm.

“Kana-nee? What’s up?”
“This Sunday… where should we go shopping?”
“Anywhere’s fine with me.”
“There it is again! Listen, little brother — a real man should know how to properly escort a lady. You can’t just leave it all to her!”
“Ah— sorry…”
“Honestly, I’m worried about our Sunday date— I mean, shopping trip.”

Wait— date?
I thought this was just a shopping errand.

“It’s fine, Kana-nee. We’re just shopping, right?”
“That’s your problem. These days, a guy’s supposed to escort the girl properly, even when shopping.”
“Even when buying… underwear or something?”
“W-well, not that! I mean… if it’s two people who really like each other, maybe even that… no, wait, what am I saying…?”

Her face turned bright red as she muttered to herself.
She was clearly lost in her own little world again.

“Kana-nee?”
“A-anyway! You have to escort me properly, got it?”
“I don’t really get it, but… sure, I’ll do my best.”

So I just had to escort her properly, huh?
Who knew shopping could be such a big deal between guys and girls?

“Well, I’m heading this way.”

She glanced toward the crosswalk ahead.
Our schools weren’t far apart, but if anyone saw us walking together — especially her classmates or mine — rumors would spread fast.
After all, Kana-nee was very popular.

“Okay. See you later.”
“Yeah — at that place.”

She winked playfully and ran off.

I turned back toward my own school.
I wonder what kind of day this will be.
Hopefully a quiet one.
I just hope no one saw us walking together…
Anyway, I should just keep my head down and blend in until class starts.

When I arrived at the school lockers, a few guys came up to me.

“Hey, you.”
“Huh? What’s up?”
“We saw you walking with Nishida from the girls’ school. What’s the deal? Are you two dating?”
“What? Kana-nee? No, we’re just childhood friends. It’s not that weird to walk together.”
“I’m asking if you’re dating her!”

One of them grabbed my shoulder roughly.
I sighed.

“I don’t know about her, but I’m not dating her. Why?”
“So you’re not, huh?”
“N-no, I don’t think so…”
“Good. That’s a relief.”
“Relief? Why?”
“None of your business! Anyway, just leave Nishida to me.”

Leave her to him? What was that supposed to mean?
Well, whatever. I’d already answered honestly.
I was in Kana-nee’s band, sure, but that didn’t mean we were together.
And about that kiss yesterday… I still wasn’t sure how she felt, so that didn’t count.

“Leave her to you? Why?”
“Because I’m confessing to Kana Nishida today!”
“You’re… confessing to Kana-nee? I see.”
“Exactly! And I’ll need your support to make it happen. I want you to bless our relationship when she says yes.”

He looked serious.
I didn’t really get why my support mattered — it was all up to Kana-nee, not me.
I touched my lips and smiled faintly.

“Well, good luck. I’m rooting for you.”
“Really? Thanks, man! With your support, I know it’ll go well!”
“Sure thing.”
“I can already see it — me, dating the beautiful Kana Nishida!”
“Good for you.”

At that point, all I could do was let him be.
Otherwise, he’d never be satisfied.

Of course, dozens of guys had already confessed to her — and all were turned down.
He’d probably be next, but he seemed serious, so… who was I to stop him?

“Anyway, don’t just chase after your big sis all the time. You should get yourself a girlfriend too, or you’ll miss out on youth!”
“Yeah, maybe once I have the time.”

I waved him off as he left.