SYSTEM NOTICE

Auto translation by AI. Be sure, accuracy, nuances and authorial intent may not be fully reflected.

[Yuri Novel] The Girl Next Door Knows My Secret <6> [Creative Awards 2025]

2025年6月28日 21:00

Chapter 2
3

What kind of person has Mika been attracted to until now?

As I brought bread to my mouth, I casually observed Mika's face as she sat across from me. She had good posture and wound the pasta around her fork with fluid, beautiful movements. Mika was cute in appearance and spoke gently, but she also possessed a steady, reliable side to her inner self. I couldn't concretely imagine her with a man.

Mika noticed my gaze, wiped her mouth lightly with a napkin, and smiled at me. I felt a momentary tremor at that smile.

Today, too, we were out for dinner together at night. Unlike usual, we were at a slightly upscale Italian restaurant, enjoying wine. Today is—my twenty-seventh birthday.

"Happy birthday, Nana. Here, this is for you."
"Thank you! ...Wow."

An exclamation of admiration escaped my lips. The birthday present from Mika was a pair of earrings. I immediately took them out of the jewelry box and put them on.

"They're clear material this year, how cute. But they look like they could be worn for formal occasions, too."

Charms shaped like water droplets swayed at my ears. At the base of the charms were gems with a subtle yet beautiful sparkle, and I could guess that this was another fairly expensive item this year.

"I'm glad, they suit you. That's the sixth pair now, isn't it?"

Mika smiled with a look of happiness, as if she were the one receiving the gift.

In fact, it had become a custom for Mika's birthday present to me to be earrings every year.
I had long admired the idea of being given accessories as a gift. However, I hadn't had a boyfriend for many years, and the opportunity never really came around. When I lamented that fact, Mika gave me earrings on the first birthday after we met.

"Save necklaces and rings for your future boyfriend. But... I thought earrings might be okay."

Mika looked even more adorable in that moment as she said that with a shy smile. Honestly, it wasn't that I had a specific longing to be given accessories by a woman. But—I was truly happy that they were from Mika. Furthermore, knowing that she had tried to make a reality of the "longing" I had mentioned casually in conversation made that joy even greater.

Because I was so happy that year, the tradition of giving earrings every year became established. Mika had good taste and always chose items that were cute and practical.
I keep the earrings Mika has given me lined up and displayed at home. I usually wear them when I go out, but since today was the day a new pair would be added, I intentionally didn't wear any. Thinking about adding this year's pair to the collection when I get home makes me look forward to the journey back already.

Out of happiness, I intentionally swayed the earrings at my ears. Seeing that action, Mika also beamed with a full smile.
However, immediately after, her expression clouded slightly, and she said with an apologetic look,

"You know, I feel bad that it's just earrings every year... is there anything else you want?"

I was surprised by Mika's offer. She had already booked the dinner and given me earrings, yet she was still trying to do more for me.

"I'm already happy enough. ...Does that not come across?"
"Oh, no, it does. If anything... it's my problem, I think."

She said she felt like she was slacking off if it was the same thing every year.

"Presents are nice because they include the time spent thinking about the other person, right? I feel like... that's lacking."

Honestly, the fact that Mika thought about it that much was enough for me. Just the act of searching for a different design each year that I would like conveys her feelings for me more than enough. Even so, the fact that she feels it's cutting corners is likely due to her overly serious nature.

However, I could easily predict that even if I told Mika I didn't need anything more, she wouldn't be satisfied. As I pondered what to do, an idea suddenly occurred to me.

“In that case… I want to go to your place, Mika.”
“Huh?”

Perhaps my response was unexpected for Mika, as her eyes opened wide and round.

“I’ve never been to your house, Mika. Not once in six years. How about we go to your place for a second round after dinner?”

I thought it was a good suggestion. This way, I wouldn't be putting any further financial burden on Mika. Besides, the fact that I had never visited her home had actually made me feel anxious at times—wondering if we could truly call ourselves best friends.

However, this proposal didn't seem to be a good one for Mika.

“Ah, um…”

She let her gaze wander and stumbled over her words. I could see a level of agitation in her expression that I had never seen before.Is going to her home really such a big deal? Could it be that she has an unbelievably messy room? Or—is she hiding some kind of secret?

“Sorry, for now, let’s just go to the bar I reserved for the second round, okay?”

She said that with a slightly perplexed smile.Should I back down here? …No, if I do, I probably won't be able to understand the essence of 'Mika in the front-row seat.' Perhaps this is an important turning point.I intentionally used a sulky, spoiled tone.

“That’s fine, but… after that, could you let me go to your place? There are some things I can only discuss when it’s just the two of us.”

Mika frowned and let out a “Ugh.” She had a tendency to want to respond whenever someone relied on her or acted spoiled toward her. That was both her strength and her weakness.Right now, I had no choice but to take advantage of that weakness.

“L-let’s just go to the bar for now!”

Mika hurriedly asked the staff for the bill. Well, that’s fine. I can just try again at the next bar. I took the lipstick out of my bag and applied it firmly to my lips.

◇

The second bar was also very stylish and had a unique atmosphere. The reserved seat was in a private room, set up as a counter facing a glass wall that looked out onto the view. It was a somewhat unusual place where we could drink side-by-side, just the two of us.

“Hey, this place is nice, isn't it? It’s a completely private room, and you can see the night view.”

Mika said that with a satisfied look. Indeed, with the layout of this room, my excuse from earlier about “things I can only discuss when it’s just the two of us” wouldn't work anymore. I’ll have to think of another reason. I sat down in my seat while turning the thought over in my mind.Since orders are completed via tablet, the staff only appears before us for the very short time it takes to deliver our items. This place seemed like a very good spot to exchange “secret conversations.”

“Once again, happy birthday.”

Mika tilted her glass and turned a smile toward me. That’s right, today was my birthday. Startled by that fact, I also smiled and clinked my glass against hers. A clear, ringing sound echoed through the room.“Come to think of it, are you going home this year? For the Obon holidays?”

Mika asks me while snacking, trying to act as naturally as possible. But I know. I know that she is thinking of and cycling through multiple topics in her head to definitely avoid the flow of 'going to her house' that we were just on.

'Hmm, I'm still not sure. If I go home, they'll be noisy about boyfriends and marriage again... so I'm thinking that just the end of the year might be fine for now.'

For now, I agreed with her. But while going along with the conversation, I remembered something unpleasant, and my mood sank slightly. Every time I return to my parents' home, they bring up topics about marriage as if it's a given that I have a partner. ...Even though I would introduce someone immediately if I had such a person.

'Marriage... huh.'

Mika's expression clouded over slightly again. Come to think of it, I have almost never heard any stories about Mika's love life. It's always me doing the talking.
I knew she was the herbivore type who wasn't very interested in romance, and that she had never had a boyfriend, but I couldn't even imagine what kind of person she would be attracted to.

'Hey, Mika, what kind of people have you been attracted to in the past?'

Deciding that it was still too early to talk about going to her house, I decided to continue with a different topic. And gradually, I would lead the conversation toward that later. Yes, I planned it out in my head.
However, Mika turned her face away from that topic as well.

'Hmm, well, basically kind people, I guess.'

A safe answer. It contained no specific details, and her reply conveyed the intention of 'I don't want you to dig any deeper into this topic.'
Could it be that what Mika is hiding has to do with romance? Maybe the reason she doesn't want me to come to her house is because there is something there that would reveal her past.
Should I dig deeper into this matter, or should I not? It took a lot of courage to step into something I knew would make the other person uncomfortable. ...But.

I remember the expression on Mika's face when she was sitting in that 'special seat'.
And now, looking at Mika's profile as she drinks wine next to me—I felt that things couldn't go on like this.

'...Hey, Mika.'
'Hmm?'

Gathering my resolve, I turn to face Mika, who is sitting next to me. Thinking it's a continuation of the previous conversation, her reply is light. However, when she notices me looking straight at her, she gasps.

'Oh, wait a second, come to think of it, I—'
'Mika, just for a little bit... I want you to listen.'

I stop Mika, who is trying to hurriedly change the subject, with my words and my gaze. Six years. In those six years, this is the first time I have seen Mika this shaken. If I miss this opportunity, I might never again have the chance to understand the essence of Mika.

She might end up hating me. But—I didn't want to be left behind without knowing anything anymore.

With determination, I ask her.

'Mika, are you hiding something... important from me?'
'...!'

Mika stiffened for a moment. Then, she stares into my eyes as if trying to gauge 'how much I know'.
...In reality, I know nothing. Why does Mika always look so lonely? Why, even though she cares for me, does she never talk about herself?

However, I thought that even if I had to bluff, I had to get her to tell me.

'The fact that I can't go to your house has something to do with it, right?'
'............'

Mika bites her lip slightly. Is it really okay to say it? It's as if I can hear the voice of her heart asking that.
One more push. If I push her just a little more, I'll understand something. Feeling that way, I said this to her.

"Mika. Mika, you are my—'special' someone."

Mika's eyes widened significantly.

Surprise, confusion—and perhaps, I felt a flicker of joy, too, momentarily surface in her expression.
I wanted to convey it clearly. That Mika is a special existence to me. That I truly, deeply care for her.
Using the very words that she once said to me, which melted my heart.

—The silence continued.

Mika just kept her head down, staring at her glass. From the distant counter, I could hear the sound of the bartender shaking a cocktail shaker. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her fingers gripping the rim of her glass so hard they turned white.

I didn't say anything more. I decided to just wait quietly for her answer, until she found the words. Perhaps she wouldn't say anything at all. But that, too, would be her answer.

Had five minutes passed? No, in reality, it might have only been two or three.
Mika let out a long, thin, yet clearly audible sigh—and broke that heavy silence.

"You know... I like women."

#CreativeAwards2025
#RomanceNovelAwards

SYSTEM NOTICE

[Yuri Novel] The Girl Next Door Knows My Secret <6> [Creative Awards 2025]

いいなと思ったら応援しよう！