#nacchan shenanigans ensue

[deus-ex-mona]

Byoumei Koi Wazurai: memory 1

Hi, this is Part 1 of Byoumei Koi Wazurai, which is from the Koiiro ni Sake novel!

Nacchan disaster index for this part: ♥♥♥♥♥

Her unrequited love had lasted for a long time.

The season had been Autumn when Enomoto Natsuki confessed her feelings to her childhood friend, Setoguchi Yu, after her confession rehearsals. 

It was the first Christmas since they began to have the special relationship of “a boyfriend and a girlfriend”, so Natsuki had high expectations for it. But even though she had been making preparations for it with lots of enthusiasm—.

In the living room of the Enomoto household, Yu, his younger sister Hina, as well as Natsuki’s younger brother Kotaro, had gathered in front of the large television. They were engrossed in an old game that they had unearthed from somewhere, with lively voices being raised as they played it.

“Hey, Big Bro. What should I do? I'm gonna die if I take one more hit. Take over, take over!” Hina cried out in a panic.

“Gimme that, you suck!” Kotaro made a grab for the controller from the side.

As the two of them bickered like they always did, the words “Game Over” appeared on the screen.

“You guys know that you’re dead, right?” Yu laughed in amusement from his spot in the corner of the sofa, resting his cheek against his palm.

Natsuki, who had been entrusted with the mission of cutting the Christmas cake at the dining table, was more antsy and curious about what was happening in the living room.

(Aah, that’s my game, but they’re having fun without me!)

“Wait, that’s not the point!” Natsuki found herself countering her own thoughts. The fact that she was not a part of the gaming group was not a big deal to her.

(This is exactly the same as last year’s Christmas!)

Having a Christmas party together was an annual event for the Enomoto and Setoguchi families. Natsuki had no complaints about spending Christmas with Hina, Kotaro, and Yu. 

However, that year was her first Christmas as Yu’s girlfriend. She had also prepared a present for him. She had done her best to prepare food that she was not familiar with cooking.

Yu was preparing for his University entrance exams, so she would not say a word about wanting the luxury to spend it alone with him. She would not say a word about that—.

As Natsuki cut the knife into the cake with her gaze averted from it, the head of a Santa Claus-shaped sugar candy broke off.

“Ah! My Santa!” Natsuki visibly deflated.

Yu, who was seated on the sofa, turned around. “Natsuki?”

“I-it’s nothing!” Natsuki smiled in feigned innocence. “It’s just a little out of shape, but the taste is still the same!”

Natsuki glanced at the cake. It was supposed to have been divided into four equal parts, but the sizes were all different, and one slice had even been turned upside down.

(...They’re all gonna end up in our stomachs, so they’re all the same, right?)

Natsuki told herself as she served the cakes onto the plate. Pretending not to have noticed Yu’s suspicious gaze, she called out to the others. “The cake’s done!”

“I’ll help you, Nacchan,” Hina put down the controller and walked over. Following her lead, Kotaro got up as well.

“Wow, the strawberries look delicious!” Hina’s eyes shone happily. She had said such words even though the slices of cake were misshapen. She really was cute.

Compared to her, however.

“Urgh, just who left you in charge of cutting the cake, Natsuki?!”

“Shut up,” Natsuki poked the head of her cheeky younger brother, and picked up the plate that held the biggest slice of cake. That slice of cake was bigger than the other slices, and came with a bar of chocolate that was decorated with the words “Merry Christmas”. She secured it before it ended up being stolen by Kotaro.

(Alright!)

“Yu!” Natsuki headed for the living room, holding the plate of cake with both of her hands. 

The moment Yu, who was packing up the game console, turned around, Natsuki’s foot tripped on a cord, and she let out a scream. “Aaah!”

“Natsuki!” Yu hurriedly stood up. 

The next thing she knew, Natsuki was diving into Yu’s chest at full momentum.

“Wha-, Nacchan!”

“Natsuki!”

Hina and Kotaro yelled at the same time.

Despite the loud noise that sounded out, Natsuki felt that her body did not hurt as much as she had expected. 

(H-huh?)

She slowly lowered her gaze, to see Yu pinned down beneath her. “Yu!”

“...Ow. Be careful, okay? You’re so careless,” Yu got up, frowning in pain. Whipped cream and a sponge cake slipped off his head as he did so.

“Aah, the biggest slice of cake!”

“That’s what you’re worried about?” Yu dejectedly wiped the whipped cream off his face.

She screwed up—.

With that thought in her mind, Natsuki clapped her palms together and lowered her head. “I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”

“It’s fine… but more importantly,” Yu’s eyes drifted towards his knees. Natsuki followed his gaze. Realising that she was sitting proudly on top of Yu, she hurriedly retreated with a gasp.

(Just what am I doing?!)

Despite the fact that they were childhood friends, doing such a thing was way too embarrassing.

Natsuki kneeled down on the floor, resting her weight on the soles of her feet, and squeezed her eyes shut.

“How about you, Natsuki?” Yu asked.

“Eh? Me?” she raised her head to see Yu looking at her in concern.

“Are you hurt?”

“N-no, I’m fine! Nothing hurts at all!”

Rather than her, Yu was the one who was decidedly not okay. The shirt that he always wore was covered in cream.

(Ah… even though it’s Yu’s favourite shirt.)

“Don’t look so surprised by that,” Yu placed a hand on his knee as he stood up.

“Nacchan, Big Bro, are you okay?!” Hina rushed over with a towel in her hands.

Natsuki put a hand behind her head as she laughed in feigned innocence. “Ahaha. Sorry for causing such a fuss.”

“Tch, I can’t believe it. What are you gonna do about Yu’s cake?”

“That’s right!” Natsuki stood up upon hearing Kotaro’s words. “Yu, you can just eat my slice! I’ll be… sa-satisfied with just the Santa!”

“It’s fine, I guess. I don’t like sweet things like that.”

“But it’s the cake that you bought just for us, Yu. Ah, in that case, wanna split the slice in half with me?”

Yu looked over at Natsuki and slowly reached out a hand towards her. He then patted her head lightly with that hand of his.

“Y…Yu?” Natsuki called his name in confusion.

Yu’s expression softened. “Then, we’ll be going halves on the slice.”

“Ye…ah,” Natsuki nodded her head slightly.

“I’ll be in your bathroom,” Yu headed towards the door, leaving her behind.

Looking at Yu’s back as he left the room, Natsuki placed a hand on her head, where his gentle touch still lingered. Her cheeks heated up and she looked down. She felt as though she was spinning and soaring all by herself. She was terribly embarrassed about that.

It seemed as though she was the only one conscious about it—.

(Why can Yu remain so calm?)

Yu’s attitude had not changed much from before the “confession” to that present moment. Thus, even though their feelings should be mutual, Natsuki could not help but to feel rather anxious.

(Since that time, he hasn’t told me that he loves me…)

Was the “love” that Yu felt for her really the same as the “love” that she felt for him?

As Natsuki cleaned up the cake that had upended onto the floor, Hina crouched down next to her. “Here!”

“Hi… na,” Natsuki received the offered towel, and looked at Hina

“Kotaro and I will clean up here, so I leave Big Bro to you, Nacchan,” Hina smiled brightly.

“Why do I have to get rid of Natsuki’s mess?” Kotaro frowned. Hina casually jabbed her elbow into his side.

“Thanks, Hina!” Natsuki regained her senses and stood up with the towel in her hand.

It was the first Christmas since they had started to date.

If she kept making mistakes, Yu would be utterly disappointed in her.

(I want him to enjoy himself too—.)

Natsuki left the place to Hina and Kotaro, and chased after Yu.

~✿~

After the party had ended, Natsuki saw Yu and Hina off at the main entrance.

“Then, Nacchan. See ya again!”

“Yeah, see ya!” Natsuki waved a hand to Hina as she opened the door and headed outside.

Yu sat down and tied the laces of his sneakers more carefully than he usually did. Natsuki secretly turned her gaze down towards his cold-looking nape.

(So he really hasn’t bought a muffler yet after all.)

Yu stood up and turned to face her. Their eyes met.

Natsuki wanted to say something to him. However, not a single word left her mouth, as though they were caught in her throat.

“Yu, if you have time, wanna come to my room? You said that there’s a game that you want to play. I’ll lend it to you.”

Natsuki thought about holding him back with such words, but when she thought about it, Yu was an exam student who was in the middle of his studies.

(He doesn’t have the time to play games!)

That day too, even though he was extremely busy, he still forced himself to make time for the party. She could not take any more time away from him.

Yu remained silent as he shoved a hand into a pocket of his pants. It had not fully dried yet after being washed.

(This really isn’t… like me after all!)

Even though they were unable to spend time alone with each other, Natsuki at least wanted to give Yu something tangible. 

But, to be honest, she had no confidence in it. She did not know if Yu would like the colours and the patterns on it.

(But, after all…!)

Natsuki inhaled lightly. “Um, Yu!”

If just she took the plunge and got it out—.

“Then, I’ll be heading back,” Yu’s words overlapped with Natsuki’s.

She swallowed the words that were on the verge of leaving her lips. “I-I see. Yeah, see ya!”

Having missed the timing altogether, she forced a smile on her face.

The moment her front door closed, Natsuki exhaled deeply, releasing her breath from her chest.

(Guess it can’t be helped for today. There’s sure to be another opportunity!)

She told herself such as she grabbed a gift bag that she had placed on the stairs. With the situation as it was, she headed up towards her room.

As Yu walked out onto the road, he turned back to look at Natsuki’s house. 

Upon seeing the lights in Natsuki’s room turn on, he pulled out the hand that he had stuck into his pocket. He had been holding a small box, which was tied with a red ribbon, in his hand the entire time.

“Will it still be fine… after my exams are over?” his muttered words melted into the air along with a sigh.

Slipping the box back into his pocket, Yu immediately returned to his house, which was right next door to Natsuki’s.