Convenient Semi-friend ch42

I know that
people remember things they hate more than happy things.

The kindness you receive and the fun times you're given
pile up day by day
that you quickly become numb to it.

But
once a tiny hole is opened
in that spoiled everyday life,

it becomes
an unforgettable kind of special.

Rin holds twisted feelings towards Ruka. Now then, show me more of that special you'll only show to me...

What...
are you doing here...?

Hmm.
What indeed.

Eh...? Those two know each other...?
And not in a good way...?

Sense of deja vu

...No, I guess it doesn't matter.
Let's go.
Eh? U-Um.

You're gonna hurt Suuna-chan pulling her like that.
...Sorry, Suuna.
I-It's fine.
It's got nothing to do with you.

Sure it does.
We're friends, after all.

Could you stop lingering behind Suuna like some possessive ghost?
Eh~? How cruel.

Is she this harsh with you too, Suuna-chan?
How scary~
Hey.
Heh!? N-No...

Ruka-san is... very kind.
Fufu. Are you okay? She's not forcing you to say that, is she?
N-N-Not at all...

I see. She must be kind to the people she likes, then.
Eh!? F-Fuhe...

She used to be kind to me too a short while back.

Ruka-chan was in l-
HEY.

Back away from Suuna right now.
Why are you dodging the subject?

Ah.
You haven't told her about your past, have you?

It looks like
she doesn't trust you, Suuna-chan.
Poor girl.

You want to know everything about the person you love, right, Suuna-chan?
Cut it out.
Eh? Um...
Y'know, Ruka-chan and I used to have that kind of relationship.
Come on, Ruka-chan.

Back in middle school, Ruka-chan wasn't interested in that kind of thing at all at first,
Cut it out.
but once I taught her a little about it, she became completely hooked.
You probably hate me right now, right?

It wasn't my intention,
but that apparently made Ruka-chan fall in love with me.
I guess I was Ruka-chan's first.
You probably hate me for bringing up the past like that,
Cut it out.
don't you,
Ruka-chan.

Just like back then,
show me that face you'd only show me...

Make me your special...
I said to cut it out.

Satisfied now?
Okay, let's go, Suuna.
...R-Right.

...Didn't you hate that just now?
What if I did?

Don't you hate it, Suuna-chan?
That your girl friend had a sefure in the past.
Erm...

Um... I already knew she had a s-sefure...
I was also one, in a different sense of the word...
Ahaha...
Wah, that's amazing(?)

B-Besides,

right now, Ruka-san... is...
"Make sure to remember..."

in l-love...
with... me...!

...
Okay?

It's not like
I-I'm not bother by her past... but
I haven't really told her mine that much either...

People can change.
I-It's thanks to Ruka-san
that I was able to change
from who I was before I met her... at least just a little.

Erm.
Um.
B-Basically,

I-I love Ruka-san too...!(?)
Is that the right takeaway from this?
Thanks, though.

...

I see.

You've changed too, huh, Ruka-chan?

You're no longer someone who I can use
for my own convenience.

You were a pretty empty person, huh, Rin-san.
I understand
how that feels.
Because of you.

...Eh~ How cruel...
If you understand, you should snuggle up to me.

Yeah, not happening.
Fufu. How cruel.
Look who's talking.

...Well then, I'm heading off.
Bye-bye, Ruka-chan.

...Aw man.

I loved you, though~

This has been pretty exhausting...
Tense atmospheres scare me...
Suuna.

Which do you want? Black tea or green tea?

G-Green tea...
Kay.

...Erm.
Just now,

p10

you
remembered that thing, right?

That thing...?

Hah

No, that was, um...!
It was kinda by i-impulse and...
Sorry for saying it so loudly...!
What are you apologising for?
It made me happy.

p11

Thank you.

Oh, the show's starting.

p12

...Um.

p13

I'm the one
who's... happy.
I've been happy ever since I met you.

You've always nestled up to a pain like me.
The words and sceneries you've given me...
are all so warm... Ruka.
They're my... special.
...So,

p14

I'm certain
that I'll remember them
for years to come.

Holding tightly the special that you gave me.

Warning