Nyanta & Pomeko

Chapter 60: Holding hands

"Makoto?　Your face is kind of red. Did you catch a cold?"

"No, I'm fine. I was just a little lightheaded."

　That day, I recognized my feelings for myself.

　I am in love with Anri.

　A feeling I had been trying not to notice. But I couldn't suppress them any longer.

　Anri and I were walking in the residential area in the morning wearing jerseys. In our hands, we carry our luggage for the forest school.

　Yes, we are going to the forest school for two days from today.

"Fuun, you're so strange, Makoto. Can I come a little closer?"

"It's, you know, that ......, it's fine, but ......, hold on a second."

　Anri smiles and closes the distance with me. Come to think of it, we were holding hands on a field trip. ...... now I feel like I've done something horrible.

　The other day I hugged her with all my might. I'm starting to worry that ...... Anri might not like me.

　I shook my head. If she didn't like me, she wouldn't be talking to me.

　I didn't trust people and Anri.

　But we became good friends. Now we are always together.

"I won't wait for you. Yes!　......Since then, you've been acting a little strange lately. Your face turns red easily and you don't hold hands with me like you used to."

　Anri took my hand in hers. I began to worry if my hands were sweating.

"That's because Anri is cute. Ah!"

　I couldn't help but have real feelings. A weird sweat comes out from my whole body.

　Anri mumbles with her mouth agape.

"I-I'm not cute. Makoto-kun is better looking than me. ......"

　Both Anri and I looked down. The air is awkward, but not unpleasant.

　Because Anri was smiling.

　Love is really a terrifying thing. No matter what I do, I can't help thinking about Anri.

　She looked so cute in her jersey. She wears her trademark Pomeranian badge on her bag.

　She is cute, so this Pomeranian is cute, too.

"M-More students from school should be coming soon, but, you know, is it okay to keep holding hands?"

"Ugh ......, I don't care!　You've been so cold lately."

"I wasn't being cold. I don't know how to explain ......, uhm......."

"Yeah, yeah, you better have a good explanation. Last time you hugged me out of the blue."

"T-that was because, well, I was happy to see Anri for the first time in a while."

　Apparently I can't lie in front of someone I like. This is what it feels like to like someone.

　I feel fluffy and hot-headed and .......

　And I'm wondering what Anri thinks about me.

　Our relationship now is between two important friends.

　We finally trust each other and become friends. If Anri finds out that I like her.......

　I'm afraid that this relationship will end. That's why I pretended to be unaware of my love for her.