A collection of Japanese short stories ( R18 )

It was just before I started elementary school.

In April, when the cherry blossom petals were falling, I once saved a girl from being bullied.

"It's okay. I'm not afraid anymore."

I held out my hand to the girl and smiled at her, just like the superheroes I used to watch.

With a twinkle in her eye, the child said to me:

"When I grow up, I'm going to marry you! I'll be a happy woman! Will you promise me?"

"Yes. When I grow up, I'll marry you. So take care of yourself until then, okay?"

It was just a little promise we made when we were young. We didn't sign a promise, and there's no video footage of it. But it was such a strong memory that I can still remember it clearly now that I'm a high school student.

I don't remember the child's name.

--- The new high school semester has begun.

The sophomore classroom I entered for the first time since being promoted had the same layout as my freshman classroom, but it felt like I had wandered into a completely different foreign land compared to last year.

Many of my classmates are enjoying their youth as they please. Girls squeal with joy at being in the same class and hold hands, while boys pump their fists in excitement at being seated next to the girl they like.

Meanwhile, there's no one around.

That's right. I've been a loner since the day of my initiation ceremony. I'm a virgin who has never had a girlfriend. On top of that, I have a baby face, so the same sex looks down on me, and the opposite sex doesn't see me as a man. It's a sad truth.

...A promise from my childhood has always been stuck in my heart. A promise to the girl I saved when I was young. I'm sure I'm the only one who remembers it. I know that, but I'm ashamed that I still hold on to it. I guess I can't help it if people call me sentimental.

"Hey, did you hear? The rumor about the new freshmen."

"I know. I heard a really pretty girl just came in."

"And she's a gal too? She's definitely a slut."

The male students around me whispered and gossiped.

This has nothing to do with me. I don't even have a boyfriend, let alone a girlfriend. Whether she's beautiful or a girl, the chances of me ever meeting her are slim to none.

I sigh at the cruelty of the world.

I notice that there is some noise in the hallway.

That doesn't concern me either. I have no connection with anyone in this school. None of my friends come to me, and there's not even a remote possibility that a girl will come to me and confess her feelings.

"Hey, it's that freshman we were talking about."

"She's coming to class. Don't tell me she's here for me?"

"Don't be silly, I bet him, the handsomest guy in the class."

"But that girl just passed you by. Then who was she after?!"

I listened to the voices of my classmates and looked at the scenery outside.

The cherry blossom trees blooming in the schoolyard that I can see from the window seat are beautiful.

I don't know much about the species of flowers, but the sight of bunches of pink ones swaying gently is like a group of innocent girls chatting, and it's a heartwarming sight. Right, I'll take a bento box with me next lunch break and go see the cherry blossoms.

"Excuse me."

"Excuse me. I have a question."

Someone was called.

Her voice was so beautiful that it sounded like the sound of a koto.

Anyway, it has nothing to do with me. I continued to stare blankly at the view outside the window. Then a pair of pink fingertips passed in front of my eyes several times.

"Huh?"

"Ah, you're finally paying attention."

A beautiful girl stood in front of me and waved at me.

Her fingertips with cherry blossom patterned nails were slim like white fish and had a translucent color.

Despite being a freshman, she wore her uniform loosely, and the cleavage of her ample breasts peeking out from under her shirt was eye-catching. Her long, silky black hair, without a single frizz, with a blue hue on the inside, gave her the air of a "neat and tidy girl," and her eagle-like, raised eyes were so intense that my heart pounded every time our eyes met.

"You're a Hisaishi senpai, right?"

"Um, well."

"Is that different?"

How do you know my name?!

I tried to recall my memories from elementary and middle school, but I couldn't find anyone who fit that description. However, there was something about her appearance that felt nostalgic.

No, but the other person is an incredibly beautiful, black-haired, neat and tidy girl.

When I think about it, there is no way that I, a dark and introverted person, could have ever met her. It's as unlikely as a lion on land and a sardine in the sea having a honeymoon relationship. So what on earth is all this nostalgia about?

"Um, excuse me. Are you listening?"

"Uh, wow."

A beauty that could be described as devastating comes right before my eyes.

I've heard that a beautiful girl can kill a virgin just by making eye contact with him, but right now I'm practically on the verge of death. To be honest, I'm not surprised that I might be foaming at the mouth and collapsing at any moment.

Still, the girl was quite tall.

She is about half a head taller than me, probably over 170 cm.

Her long, slender, white legs, which matched her slender, feminine body, peeked out from under her short, woven skirt. It wouldn't be out of place if someone told you she was a reader model for a magazine.

The girl spoke to me with a frown on her face and a sullen tone, so although I was perplexed, I answered her honestly.

"That's right. I'm Hisaishi."

"Why the honorific?"

"Uh, ah..."

"Since you're a senior, it's okay to be on a first-name basis with me. You can even call me by my first name."

"...Uh, no...calling you by your first name is a bit much."

The other person is a tough-looking, outgoing girl.

Since she's my junior, I don't have to use honorifics, but I'm a little hesitant to call her by her first name. Our relationship is not equal, but there is a difference in status, like in the school caste system. If she finds fault with me, I don't stand a chance.

No, if that's the case, even a casual conversation could be dangerous...

When I started to feel uncomfortable, the girl narrowed her sharp bird-of-prey eyes and spoke happily.

"Hisaishi-senpai... I missed you."

"... what?"

"I've been wanting to meet you for a long time."

"Um, well... who are you...?"

As if the sulky look on her face earlier was just an illusion, the girl now had a bright expression on her face.

So cute... I had no idea that a beautiful woman's smile was such a treat for the eyes. I was surprised to learn this fact.

"Senpai, are you free after school?"

"Uh, after school...? I don't have anything special to do."

"Well then, we'll exchange contact information, so please come to the designated place."

"Eh, huh, huh?"

"Now, please take out your smartphone. Open the messaging application and scan this QR code."

"Uh, ah... yes."

Before I knew it, everything happened.

I exchanged contact information with the girl.

"Well then, Senpai. See you after school."

"Y-Yes."

"Please be on time, okay?"

"...yes" "Looking forward to it."

"Yes... I'm looking forward to it too."

The girl's eyes widened at my reflexive words, then she narrowed them and smiled happily.

"I see you're looking forward to it too."

"... ah?"

"Class is about to start, so please see me later. Bye then..."

Saying that, the girl left quickly.

What happened happened so fast that my brain couldn't process it.

Only the sweet, lingering scent of citrus remains in the classroom.

My classmates stared at me and I felt embarrassed.

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