Digital Book Bonus: Original Short Story
 
[The Definition of Childhood Friends]

READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM

 
“Come to think of it, until when did we take baths together?”
 
I asked my childhood friend walking next to me on our way home from school.
 
Remi stared at me with disbelief.
 
“…Sorry, could you say that again?”
 
“I said, until when did we take baths together?”
 
“Don’t just repeat it verbatim!”
 
This time, Remi took two steps away from me, looking thoroughly put off.
 
A chill ran down my spine, and I hastily shook my head.
 
“No, sorry, I didn’t mean … Read the rest

Epilogue
 

 
[“Hey, you actually managed to start dating! Yoshiki, you’re really something! I’m impressed!”]
 
“Yeah, it’s crazy, right?”
 
I excitedly reply.
 
The night after my unexpectedly successful confession, I was on the phone with Yuzuha.
 
I had planned to report to her directly on Monday, but Yuzuha had been sending me multiple messages urging me to tell her. I’m glad I reported right away, given how happy Yuzuha was for me.
 
[“Well, I’m your friend, right? This is the least I could do!”]
 
“Easy for you to say. Your terrible acting almost … Read the rest

“Could it be… Yosshi, do you…”
 
Hanazono stopped mid-sentence.
 
Then she shook her head slightly.
 
“W-what?”
 
Perhaps due to nervousness, my knees started to twitch.
 
I sat down on the spot.
 
Looking up, Hanazono seemed very hesitant.
 

— Surely.
 

Surely, she couldn’t say it clearly to preserve our friendship.
 
In other words, my feelings have already been conveyed to Hanazono.
 
Hanazono also sat down, aligning her eyes with mine.
 
And after a short pause, she declined.
 
“I might not be the person you think I am, Yosshi.”
 … Read the rest

 
As Hanazono stood up, I thought I caught a sweet scent.
 
Feeling the urge to touch the frilly material of her casual clothes, I pinched my thigh to resist.
 
“Something’s fallen down.”
 
“Hm?”
 
I moved to where Hanazono was and peered at where she was pointing.
 
There was a wooden box fallen under the bookshelf.
 
“Can I pick it up?”
 
“Sure, but I can–“
 
“It’s okay.”
 
What Hanazono picked up was a small wooden box labeled “Treasure Box”.
 
“Ah… That’s something I packed when I was in elementary school. I don’t know what’s inside. But there might be some treasures … Read the rest

After confirming my parents’ car wasn’t there, I double-checked via LINE just to be sure.
 
After waiting at the front of the house for five minutes, I received a favorable reply.
 
It seemed my family wouldn’t be back for nearly five hours.
 
“Okay, looks like we can go in.”
 
Saying that, I opened the small gate leading to the entrance.
 
“Great!”
 
Hanazono said happily in a subdued voice, following behind me.
 
When I opened the front door, the usual air greeted us.
 
I just hoped there wasn’t any peculiar smell in this … Read the rest

Chapter 12: A Nice Girl
 

 
Hanazono noticed me and smiled.
 
“You came.”
 
I had been thinking about what to say when we met up, but that expression alone made everything fly out of my head.
 
In the end, I just replied with a short “Yeah,” and Hanazono nodded.
 
…I never thought Hanazono would come to me herself.
 
Remi had said that agreeing to a date meant there was interest, but would that really be proven true today? Either way, I couldn’t let this chance slip by.
 
“H-Hanazono?”
 
“Hm?”
 
“Why did you come out to meet me?”
 
At my blunt … Read the rest

“If you can go out, you should have said so! I’ve been hesitating to invite you! The other three are playing upstairs right now. Why don’t you join us for a while? I’ve been pretty bored anyway.”
 
“Well, I don’t go out much on weekends, but staying at home and relaxing is fun too.”
 
“Can I invite you from now on? Is it not okay? Which is it?”
 
“…I’ll leave it up to today’s situation.”
 
“That’s fine!”
 
…The sudden sunlight is too dazzling.
 
Is her mood so high because of the holiday effect?
 … Read the rest

Chapter 11: Meeting up
 

 
The trip to the arcade was over in no time.
 
As soon as we entered, flashy music resonated in our ears, tickling the male heart.
 
However, it seemed to apply to my childhood friend as well.
 
“This song really gets me pumped up. It’s perfect for starting my medal-collecting life. Now, how much should I save up?”
 
“That sounds exactly like a gambler. Are you sure you’ll be okay in the future?”
 
“What are you talking about? Saving is healthy, isn’t it?”
 
“I’m talking about your mindset of … Read the rest

 
“But you know, isn’t it polite for the guy to try to look cool? You’ve dressed up nicely too, Remi.”
 
“Oh? Now that you mention it, this outfit might be for your benefit in a way. But if you start expecting something in return for such things, that’s not a healthy relationship.”
 
Just as I was about to respond, the waiter began placing our orders on the table.
 
“Wow…!”
 
What awaited us was a spectacular sight.
 
Pasta, eggs benedict, tiramisu generously dusted with white powder for dessert, and black coffee wafting a rich aroma.… Read the rest

 
“Whoa, I almost lost trust in you right from the start!”
 
“But we really are going to watch a movie. It’s a safe bet.”
 
Saying that, Remi started walking towards the movie theater, looking excited.
 
I’m starting to feel a bit of her excitement too.
 
It’s been quite a while since I properly watched a movie in a theater.
 
The nearest movie theater is a five-minute walk from the North Exit Station, and we arrived soon after we started moving.
 
Smelling the unique scent of popcorn, my heart leaped a little again.
 … Read the rest