[Short Short] It Can't Be Helped, Right

I've become a third-year junior high student.

But, I ended up in a different class from my close friend Mina-chan. It feels a bit boring. I do have other friends in my class, so it's fine, but still.

Mina-chan is in Class 2, and I'm in Class 4.

And in Class 2, there's Nao-kun. Nao-kun is in the same club as me, and he's the person I like. I haven't told anyone that I like Nao-kun. It's not that I'm secretive, but I just didn't really want to say it. It was a feeling I wanted to cherish just within myself.

While enjoying my time with my friends in Class 4, I still visited Class 2 several times a day. The main reason was to see Mina-chan, but there was another important reason.

That was to see Nao-kun.

I haven't really talked to Nao-kun much. Our club activities are separated by gender, and we've never been in the same class. But I just wanted to see him, even if it was just a glimpse.

When I go to Class 2, I often make eye contact with Nao-kun. When our eyes meet, I get shy and look away. But before I know it, I find myself following him with my eyes. At times like that, I realize that I really do like him. Honestly, I wanted to tell Mina-chan too. I wanted her to listen to all sorts of things. But at the same time, I felt like I wanted to keep these feelings to myself. I didn't even really understand what I wanted to do myself.

Hey. Aya-chan? Are you listening?

I was startled by Mina-chan's voice. I had been looking at Nao-kun and hadn't been listening to her.

Sorry, Mina-chan. I was zoning out. Oh well. Can't be helped. Do you want to go hang out this Sunday? Yeah! I'd love to. Where should we go?

It was decided that I would go hang out with Mina-chan on Sunday. We'll decide where to go from here. Since I have club activities in the morning, it looks like we'll be hanging out in the afternoon.

Sunday. I'm supposed to go shopping at the mall with Mina-chan now. I decided to wear the long white skirt I just bought. The skirt has a fluttering, cute design. I love coordinating it with a boyish T-shirt and sneakers.

I arrived at the meeting place a little early. As I parked my bike and waited, I saw someone I recognized coming from the other side.

That person was Nao-kun.

Oh, Aya-chan. Did you come shopping? Yeah. I'm meeting up with Mina-chan. What about you, Nao-kun? I'm just heading to the bookstore. I see. Today's club practice looked pretty tough for the boys. Oh, were you watching? We have a match coming up soon. And hey, you're always coming to Class 2, aren't you?

It was the first time I had properly talked to Nao-kun. We were actually having a conversation. I was filled with surprise and happiness at the suddenness of it all. If there hadn't been people around, I would have wanted to jump for joy.

But that time didn't last long. Because Mina-chan arrived.

"Well, I'm going now. See you later."
"Yeah. See you later."

Mina-chan said to me while parking her bicycle.

"Aya-chan, what were you talking about with Nao-kun?"

I replied, while worrying about whether my face was turning red.

"Ah, just about club activities."
"Hmm. I see. Club activities, huh..."

For some reason, I felt something off about the way Mina-chan said that.

Mina-chan and I went around looking at various shops.
Clothes, shoes, stationery, books...
And, to commemorate the day, we bought matching ballpoint pens. We also took purikura.

We were tired from walking, so we both drank some juice.
That was when Mina-chan said it. The thing I didn't want to hear.

"Hey, Aya-chan. There's something I want you to hear."
"What is it?"
"You see. I, I like Nao-kun."
"Oh, I see."
"So, will you help me out, Aya-chan?"

See, I knew this would happen.
It's because I kept my own feelings a secret.
I should have told Mina-chan like this too.

Now that it's come to this, I have no choice but to say this.

"Understood. I'll help you. Good luck."

Mina-chan is a girl who acts quickly.
She immediately told Nao-kun how she felt.
I felt a strange mix of emotions toward such a Mina-chan—I felt both hateful and envious.

"A-ya-chaaan! Listen, listen!"

Mina-chan's cheerful voice. I wanted to cover my ears.

"You know what? I've started dating Nao-kun."
"I see, that's great."

That was all I could manage to reply.
I'm such a fool...
Why didn't I say that I liked him too back then?

Even so, Mina-chan is an important friend. I decided to suppress my feelings and get through the rest of my third year.

I am a student preparing for entrance exams. I can't just focus on romance.

Just like before, I will see Nao-kun in class 2 and at club activities.
It was a little painful for me to look at Nao-kun, but I wanted to keep looking at him.

Then, Nao-kun would always look at me with eyes that seemed to want to say something. And then, our eyes would meet. Neither of us would look away. I, too, poured my feelings into my gaze.

But, it can't be helped, right?
Because you are my friend's boyfriend.