Trial Lover 51 (Patreon)

Main Story 50 - Official Lovers, Began

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As soon as Akaba-san is out of sight, Hiori leans against me. Her thread of tension must have been cut, and her body lost its strength. Himura-san and I support such Hiori.

We talk about taking a break somewhere for a while. But, there are many students here who saw the incident with Akaba-san, so Hiori may not be able to relax here. So we decided to go to a nearby park and rest on a bench there.

Although there's some sunlight, it's still chilly right now. That might be why there aren’t many people in the park, and there is one empty bench. Hiori and I sit down there.

Perhaps having exhausted her stamina from walking, Hiori leans against me.

I'm happy that I can feel Hiori’s warmth and weight. When my eyes meet Hiori’s, she smiles. That makes my happiness increase.

“There's a vending machine over there-ssu. Hiorin, what do you want-ssu? I'll buy it-ssu.”

“Thank you very much. Then, I'd like some milk tea, please. Warm if possible. If not, cold is fine.”

“I got it-ssu.”

“I'll go too. I'm curious what kind of drinks they have.”

Himura-san and Hazuki-san head to a vending machine inside the park.

At this time of year, many vending machines switch to [co~ld] drinks. It's chilly right now, so I hope they sell [wa~rm] drinks.

After about two or three minutes, Himura-san and Hazuki-san come back here.

“Hiorin. I bought some warm milk tea-ssu.”

“Thank you very much.”

Hazuki-san hands Hiori milk tea in a PET bottle.

Is it because she is happy that she bought what she requested? Or perhaps because the warmth of milk tea is comforting? Hiori softly smiles.

“Here, Kamitou. I bought you a bottled can black coffee.”

“F-for me?”

This was unexpected, so my voice came out a little higher than usual.

“You protected Hiori from that Akaba girl after all. It was cool. This is a reward for that. They didn't have hot coffee, so I went with a cold one though.”

“Thank you.”

I receive the bottled can black coffee from Himura-san. It's my favorite coffee after all, and more than anything, I’m happy that Himura-san bought it for me as a reward.

“I like this coffee. I'm happy.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“When we were standing in front of the vending machine, she was wondering [What would be good for Kamitou...?], you know-ssu.”

“S-shut up.”

Himura-san's cheeks turn red as she says that grumpily. I wonder if she’s embarrassed.

“I wasn't wondering, I was just thinking about what I should buy that would make Kamitou the most happy. Then I remembered that he was drinking a bottled can coffee at the study session the other day.”

“Fufu, I see-ssu. That’s quite cute, isn’t it-ssu?”

“Kyoko-chan cute!”

“So charming!”

It's just as Hazuki-san and the others say. But, if I say it, I wonder what will happen to the redness that stains Himura-san's cheeks. Let's not say it.

“Shall we drink it, Hiori?”

“That’s true. Itadakimasu.”

I open the lid of the bottled can of coffee and take a sip of black coffee.

The coldness and bitterness of the coffee spread into my body. This calms my mind.

“It's delicious. Thank you, Himura-san.”

“No, no.”

“The milk tea is also delicious. Saaya-san, Thank you very much.”

“That’s good-ssu.”

Hiori takes another sip of milk tea. And then, ‘Fuu─’, she lets out a long breath. As a result, I can faintly smell the sweet smell of milk tea.

“The sweetness and warmth of milk tea has helped me regain my strength.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“...Up until now, even when I caught sight of Natsuki-san, I never involved myself with her. But, today during lunch break, when I heard from Akito-san about the features of the high school girl he helped at his part-time job, I thought there is a high possibility that the girl is Natsuki-san. It might be that... I would meet Natsuki-san through Akito-san, I thought there was a non-zero possibility of that.”

At that time, Hiori’s smile disappeared from her face and she looked down... as I thought she was thinking that maybe, the woman I saved was Akaba-san.

“When I saw Natsuki-san talking with Akito-san and the others at the school gate, I remembered my first year of middle school and felt scared. But, Akito-san and the others were by my side, so I was able to properly say what I wanted to say to Natsuki-san. Truly... thank you very much.”

Hiori smiles brightly and says her thanks while looking at us. And then, she slowly stands up and bows her head deeply.

Just as I said before, Himura-san and the others supported Hiori. I'm happy that I was able to support Hiori as well.

“I'm glad I was able to help Hiori.”

“It’s as Kamitou-kun said-ssu.”

“I'm glad it worked out. Well, I was just saying what was on my mind though.”

“Kyoko-chan at that time was so cool. I'm glad you were able to say what you wanted to say to that girl, Hiori-chan.”

“That's right. I'm glad that it’s settled, Aoyama!”

Himura-san and others all give warm words to Hiori.

Hiori's smile changes into a happy one, and she mutters, “Yes,” with a nod. I guess Kazuo was right, that the case regarding Akaba-san is settled. I take another sip of my black coffee, which tastes better than before.

“Akito-san.”

As she says my name, Hiori stands in front of me. When our eyes meet, Hiori gives me a gentle smile.

“Earlier... while I was talking to Natsuki-san, I mentioned my feelings for Akito-san. But, may I say it again?”

“Of course. I want to hear it.”

I also get up from the bench. I’d feel bad if I'm the only one sitting there when Hiori is about to tell me how she feels.

When I think back on what Hiori said to Akaba-san... my heart feels warm. My heart is pounding more and more.

I wonder if she’s nervous. Hiori is looking intently at me with red cheeks. Also, Himura-san and the others are watching over such Hiori from both of our sides.

For a short while, silence ensues between the six of us.

Hiori takes a single deep breath and finally opens her mouth.

“Ever since Akito-san confessed to me and we started dating as trial lovers... my days have been more fun than ever. I'm happy to see Akito-san's smile. It became normal for me to be with Akito-san, and I started wanting to be with Akito-san, especially when I can't be with you after school or when I catch a cold.”

“You did say you were lonely.”

“Yes. Day by day, my feelings for Akito-san became stronger. When Natsuki-san confessed to Akito-san, I felt a pain in my heart. I also felt hazy. I don't want to hand you to anyone. I want to stay by your side forever and see your smile.Those feelings come so naturally to me that I... realized that I had fallen in love with Akito-san. And that, the warm feelings I've felt over and over again since you confessed to me are happiness and affection for Akito-san.”

“Hiori...”

Hiori puts both of her hands on her chest. And with a very cute smile on her face.

“I love Akito-san. So, will you please... officially go out with me?”

Hiori looks into my eyes and confesses to me.

Hiori's words enter my ears, turning into a gentle yet strong warmth that spreads throughout my entire body. I can feel myself being enveloped in a sense of euphoria. So I feel this happy when someone I love tells me that she loves me. I realize that my cheeks are loosening.

“I'm really happy that you told me that you love me, Hiori, and that you want to officially go out with me. Also, this park is the place where I fell in love with at first sight six months ago. From now on, please take care of me as your official lover. Let's stay together and be happy together forever.”

“Yes! Please take care of me!”

Hiori smiles widely and answers cheerfully.

Now that we're officially lovers, I find Hiori more lovely than ever. I hug Hiori tightly. As a result, I feel her warmth, smell, and softness. Everything is lovely.

Before I know it, I can feel warmth from my back. I'm sure Hiori has put her hands around my back.

“Your first love has finally come true, Aki! You'll be happy together with Aoyama! Congratulations! Ready, set, go!”

[Congraulations!]

The congratulatory voices of Himura-san, Hazuki-san, Kazuo, and Shimizu-san echo, and I hear sounds of applause.

When I look around, I see the four of them applauding us with happy smiles on their faces.

Perhaps influenced by our behavior, other people in the park and people looking at us from the sidewalk beside the park start clapping. I can also hear their voices saying, “Congratulations!” Although I feel happy, I also feel a little embarrassed.

When I look at Hiori’s face, her cheeks are slightly red and she looks bashful.

“Kamitou-kun is Kazuo-kun’s and my cupid, and I know that you've been holding unrequited love for her for about half a year. I'm really happy for you! You're going to get along well with Hiori-chan!”

“You’re a great match with Hiorin-ssu, Kamitou-kun. Even if you become official lovers, if you hurt Hiorin, as her best friend, I won't forgive you-ssu! But it looks like the two of you will be fine-ssu.”

“I think so too, Saaya. Like I said to that girl called Akaba earlier, you two really make a good couple. Congratulations! Now that my two favorite people are a couple, my future school life will be more fun than ever.”

Shimizu-san, Hazuki-san, and Himura-san send their blessings to us with smiles on their faces. The words of my friends resonate gently within me.

Also, Himura-san said her favorite “two people” instead of “Hiori” I see. Didn't she even tell Akaba-san that she loved our smiles? When I look at Himura-san, I see her cheeks turn red as she looks at me. Still, she doesn’t erase her smile. And Hazuki-san is patting such Himura-san's head.

I'm happy that the relationship between Hiori and I is one that is celebrated by our friends. In order not to betray everyone's feelings, I want to get along well with Hiori as her official lover.

“Everyone, thank you.”

“Thank you very much.”

Hiori’s and my trial lovers relationship that we started In late April with my confession to Hiori as a trigger. We were able to end it for the best reason: [We became official lovers].

And with the end comes a new beginning. This is the beginning of an official lovers relationship between Hiori and me.

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