“Eh…?”

My thoughts froze. I needed to finish the register work quickly, yet my hands stopped completely. That was how shocking it was.

“I’ve heard that people speak their true feelings in their sleep. What do you think, Natsuki?”

Tachibana’s voice had a tone as if she were testing me. A tension wrapped around my body, as if reacting would mean getting caught in her trap.

What exactly was the meaning behind that smirk of hers?

“…I wonder. Did I even really say that in the first place?”

I couldn’t admit it. If I admitted it, I would surely start to seriously fall for Tachibana. And if that happened, all that awaited me was the despair of heartbreak.

“Can’t believe it? I should’ve recorded it.”

Tachibana peered into my expression and lifted the corners of her mouth even more. Yeah, I bet my face must look pretty ridiculous right now.

“Aren’t you supposed to be working the register?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Urged on, I quickly resumed operating the register. If a customer happened to come for checkout at this moment, things would get really troublesome, so I hurried through the process. I made a few mistakes, which was rare, but fortunately, I managed to finish before any customers arrived.

Even though the work was done, Tachibana didn’t move. It seemed like she still had business with me.

“Hey, Natsuki—hmm?”

Tachibana’s voice was cut off by the intercom ringing. Looking toward the dish-up station, I saw a chocolate parfait prepared. A customer who had finished their meal had likely ordered a final dessert.

“We’ll continue this conversation on the way home—don’t go ahead without me today, okay, Natsuki?”

Tachibana walked toward the dish-up station. I could feel sweat breaking out all over my body.

◆

“Iori-sama, Senpai, see you tomorrow!”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

“Be careful on your way home, Ririmu.”

With the creaking sound of her bicycle, Kobayashi pedaled away. That, of course, left just me and Tachibana. I really wished Kobayashi had stayed with us.

And the reason was—

“Well, looks like it’s just the two of us now.”

So she didn’t forget after all.

As if she’d been waiting for this moment, Tachibana opened her mouth. I felt like looking up at the sky, but instead, I let out a small sigh. They say sighing won’t make happiness escape, after all.

“Just the two of us… well, I guess so.”

The phrase “just the two of us” seemed to hold a more special meaning, so I wanted to argue back, but I couldn’t think of the right words. After I closed my mouth, I realized I could have said, “It’s more like we’re just a pair,” but it was already too late.

“So, about Natsuki’s sleep-talking—”

Tachibana spoke in a tone reminiscent of a judge delivering a verdict. It was as if she were declaring an unchangeable truth with quiet intensity.

“Natsuki, what do you think about me?”

“……”

If I knew the answer, I wouldn’t be struggling.

Because Tachibana shines so brightly, I can’t distinguish between admiration and love.

…No, more than that.

Even if I do like Tachibana, what would she do with that information? It’s not like she wants to date me or anything. At the same time, she doesn’t seem like the type to cruelly make me confess just to reject me for fun.

I couldn’t understand the intent behind Tachibana’s question.

“…Rather, Tachibana—what do you think about me?”

Before I realized it, I’d blurted out something nonsensical. Answering a question with another question—a technique that might seem advanced, but in reality, I was just making a mess of things.

Yet, surprisingly, my desperate move seemed to have an effect. Tachibana fell silent.

“…Why do you ask that?”

“Well, I mean…”

I could only say, “My mouth just moved on its own.”

But now that I’d asked, I was genuinely curious about how Tachibana saw me. Maybe this was a good opportunity.

The scattered glow of streetlights and traffic signals, the occasional car that clearly wasn’t obeying the speed limit—its headlights illuminated us before fading away. We stopped at a red light.

Then, Tachibana spoke.

“Of course, I like you—as a friend, that is.”

I wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed by that answer. But I felt at ease because I could believe her words.

If she’d said, “I want you to be my lover,” I would’ve had to deal with another unnecessary worry. I would’ve thought she was just messing with me again.

“I feel the same way.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

The atmosphere felt oddly itchy.

It felt like she saw right through me.

Like my loud heartbeat was shaking the air and reaching her.

Feeling uneasy, we arrived at the station.

“Well then, see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow, Natsuki.”

At the ticket gate, we parted ways. Seeing Tachibana act the same as usual, I let out a breath of relief.

Tomorrow, I would still be friends with Tachibana.

As her figure disappeared into the platform, I suddenly felt a strange emptiness in my chest.

Did I really just want to be friends with Tachibana?