Chapter 3 My Childhood Friend is Growing Cuter
I have a very adorable childhood friend, but one who also keeps me on my toes.
Unlike my inconspicuous self, she is stunningly beautiful, talented in both academics and sports, and possesses both virtue and ability. No matter where she goes, she becomes the center of attention, welcomed by everyone.
Her name is Nagi Hoshimiya.
Not only does she look angelically cute, but her personality is also bright and gentle, much like an angel.
“Next, please welcome our freshman representative, Nagi Hoshimiya, to give a speech.”
At the freshman entrance ceremony.
After finally enduring the principal’s long and dull speech, my childhood friend Nagi took to the podium as the representative.
With a perfect score in all subjects and a proud record as the consecutive champion of a city-level swimming competition, it was no surprise that she earned the qualification of freshman representative.
In comparison, my own achievements are merely average, and my athletic abilities are lacking as well.
At times like this, I always ask myself, “Why is such an excellent and adorable girl my childhood friend?”
I was never a likable child; I had an average appearance, a shy and gloomy personality, and struggled to communicate normally with others. I couldn’t fit in with any groups in kindergarten.
In stark contrast to Nagi, who has always been the most radiant and popular person in any crowd.
The two of us, who should have had no intersections in our lives, somehow ended up with Nagi constantly seeking me out to talk.
Since then, she has always been by my side, not only refraining from mocking or bullying me like other kids, but also protecting me from mean children and taking care of me with meticulous attention.
Looking back, it was thanks to Nagi that my twisted personality was able to change, and I wasn’t bullied in kindergarten or elementary school.
Having received unconditional kindness from Nagi since childhood, I often wonder if I truly deserve to stand by her side as her childhood friend.
As Nagi gracefully walked up to the podium in the gymnasium, her long legs wrapped in black stockings, the crowd of freshmen began to stir with excitement.
“Hey, hey, this girl is too amazing!”
“This is bad; she’s so cute! I never expected our school to have such a lovely new student!”
“I wonder if she has a boyfriend; maybe I should confess my feelings to her later?”
Middle school is the age when boys and girls first begin to notice the differences between them, a time when romantic feelings start to emerge.
Nagi, with her lovely and delicate face, and her black hair swaying with her steps, combined with her fair, snow-like skin, pulls at the hearts of the adolescent boys.
As she stood before the podium, she raised her head to meet the gazes of the students and teachers below.
This was the first time everyone caught a glimpse of Nagi’s bright and clear black eyes.
Her eyes, seemingly filled with stars, sparkled with countless lights, radiating an allure that transcends everything.
They captivated everyone’s attention, making it impossible for them to look away.
“So cute…”
Someone couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Hey, is she really not some idol or something?”
“Wow, I’m so lucky to be attending this school!”
The new students, feeling the allure of this black-haired beauty, began to murmur excitedly.
Even the teachers struggled to control the growing noise in the gymnasium.
Each compliment directed towards Nagi cast a shadow over my heart.
Watching Nagi grow increasingly adorable and charming with age, I felt our distance from each other widening.
“By the way, I think I saw her holding hands with a boy this morning?”
“Damn it, has she already been taken!?”
“Honestly, with looks like that, how could she possibly not have a boyfriend? I’m so envious~”
Casual remarks that drifted into my ears ignited a small flame of darkness within me.
That’s right! The person standing next to her is none other than me.
“Good afternoon, teachers and classmates…”
The noisy gymnasium fell silent the moment Nagi opened her mouth.
In the spacious gym, only her clear and beautiful voice echoed.
Standing at the podium, Nagi maintained a serious demeanor, her movements elegant and graceful.
She radiated a noble aura that felt unattainable, completely contrasting her usual bright and lively self.
Even though I had lived with her for nearly ten years, I was seeing this serious side of Nagi for the first time, and it took me by surprise.
Just as I was immersed in this new side of my childhood friend and her captivating voice.
A cold voice, tinged with annoyance, interrupted from beside me.
“Just to confirm, the boy who was holding Nagi-chan’s hand on the way to school this morning would be you, Tsukimi-kun, right?”
My heart skipped a beat.
The voice came from a girl standing slightly behind me.
She was a beautiful girl with platinum blonde hair styled in a side ponytail.
With a slender figure, sharp features, and striking ruby-red eyes, she was beautiful from every angle.
Notably, the slightly upturned corners of her eyes gave her an assertive and feline quality.
This was Mana Hinata.
She is also a childhood friend of Nagi and me.
We met in elementary school, and because her home is close to mine, the three of us began playing together from a young age, gradually becoming inseparable friends.
Mana has inherited part of her father’s Nordic bloodline, granting her the rare platinum blonde hair among Asians, and more refined and three-dimensional features.
She is a completely different type of beauty compared to Nagi.
While Nagi is approachable, Mana comes off as more aloof and cold.
Especially in her usually indifferent and sharp-tongued demeanor.
I once saw her use her emotionless voice to make a boy from another class cry in elementary school.
“No, it was just because Nagi asked me to hold her hand…”
“It’s all your fault for spoiling Nagi-chan, Tsukimi-kun. She’s gotten so spoiled because of you.”
“Um… sorry.”
I have always felt unable to win a verbal battle against Mana, both in the past and present.
“Rather than apologizing to me, you should focus on learning to refuse Nagi-chan next time.”
Although Mana’s words sting, if you get to know her, you’ll find she’s warm-hearted beneath her cold exterior.
Unlike Nagi, who unconditionally accepts me, Mana will harshly point out my shortcomings, allowing me to recognize my flaws. I am very grateful for that.
“Does this guy really understand his situation…” Mana murmured in a voice too low for me to hear.
In her eyes, I, as an introverted and shy childhood friend, was quite a source of worry.
Having someone as beautiful as Nagi sticking so closely to an inconspicuous boy like me would understandably draw criticism from others.
In elementary school, it was bearable, as we were still immature children who didn’t understand relationships between the sexes. People would only tease us about our closeness.
But in middle school, it’s likely that the stares directed at us could harbor malice.
Especially for kind-hearted individuals like Nagi and me, it might escalate to physical confrontation.
Mana glanced at me, who was still completely oblivious to the potential danger, and inwardly sighed.
Just as she was preparing to warn me about maintaining distance from Nagi.
She caught a glimpse of Nagi on the podium, seemingly locking eyes with me for an instant.
Her starry eyes met mine.
Then, Nagi smiled and winked at me.
“Oh my gosh!” The boys in the crowd erupted with excitement.
“That’s a wink, right? Who’s the target?”
“Is it me? Has she fallen for me at first sight?”
“Not a chance! But whoever that is, we need to find out!”
…
Oh no, it’s the first day of school and my life is already under threat!?
My sense of crisis is MAX!!!
