My Friend Doesn't Hesitate 10

 ACT 10     What's an Easily Understood Way to Convey That Someone Is My Property?


「Good morning, Nogi-san!」


The day after their day off, it was a tranquil morning with sunny weather, and Nogi Mashiro was walking alone on the route to school when someone called out to her.


「Ah, good morning, Kizaki-san. It's rare for us to be together in the morning.」

「Our basketball club didn't have morning practice today. It's been a while since I've gone to school this late.」


When she turned around, Kizaki Kiriko, a girl from her class, was catching up to her with a smile on her face.

She was a tall girl, about 10 centimeters taller than Mashiro's 164 centimeters, with dynamic, very short hair and a slender face. With her vigorous manner of speaking, she left a strong impression on Mashiro.


「Does the basketball club usually have morning practice?」

「That's right! Last year, thanks to the efforts of the newcomers Aoyama-senpai and Ogaki-senpai, we made it to quarterfinals at the summer prefectural tournament. This year, Itoga-sensei is being relentless about aiming higher.」

「Despite that, you seem like you're enjoying yourself quite a lot.」

「Because I love basketball. My goal is to be the first-year ace!」


Kiriko puffed out her large chest and breathed wildly.

Her enthusiasm for the sport of basketball was obvious from her cheerfulness.


「Come to think of it, Nogi-san, has your aura changed a bit?」

「Eh? Do you think so?」

「Mmm, compared to before the day off, it feels like you've become quite beautiful.」

「............」


She had an inkling of why.

During the outing with her friend Akami Nishina on their day off, she received a lecture not only on clothes, but on cosmetics as well.

For that reason, this morning, with her mother's help, she put on light makeup for the first time... Sure enough, it seemed the difference really was that big?


「Yeah, as I thought, you've gotten prettier.」

「It's embarrassing to be praised so unreservedly, but... well, it feels good. Thank you.」

「Also, for some reason, it seems to resemble Aka-chi’s cuteness?」

「Nn, you're awfully sharp. Or rather, Aka-chi is Akami?」

「That's right. So, did something happen with Aka-chi during our day off? Tell me the details!」

「Okay. Yesterday—―」


When Mashiro was about to talk about shopping with Akami yesterday,


「Shiro-chaaan」


Was this that speak of the devil thing?

Hearing that familiar voice, Mashiro waited for a moment, and just as she expected, she started feeling a slight weight on her right arm.

It was Akami hugging Mashiro's arm for their usual morning『replenishment』.


「Hehee, good morning, Shiro-chan!」

「Good morning, Akami.」

「Yo, Aka-chi. You're as lively as ever this morning.」

「Good morning, Kiri-yan. How rare. You didn't have morning practice?」

「That's right. This might be the first time since I joined the basketball club.」


Kiri-yan must be referring to Kiriko.

She had thought that she was always with Akami at school, but unnoticed by Mashiro, she had become close enough to Kiriko for them to start calling each other by nicknames.

When she thought about it closely, Akami was friendly with everyone, so maybe she was like that with most of the class.

Mashiro started having just a bit of a hazy feeling in her chest.


「Anyways, Aka-chi and Nogi-san are as close as always. Are you usually like that in the morning?」

「Nn, that's right. Akami always sticks to me in the morning to replenish energy from me.」

「Hmm, is that so? But when it comes to energy, I won't lose! Aka-chi, try replenishing from me too. Here, here, come here!」


So saying, Kiriko spread her arms wide and invited Akami. At the same time, even though she was wearing a blazer, the cushioning on her chest swayed greatly.

As expected, even Mashiro couldn't help but pay attention.


「Oh, ooh, this is...」


On top of that, Akami's eyes opened wide as that cushioning elicited a groan. From her atmosphere, it seemed like she would totter over there at any moment.

In response, the hazy feeling in Mashiro's chest grew stronger,


「No!」

「!!!???」


Holding Akami tightly,



「Akami belongs to me. I won't give her to you.」

「――――」



Facing Kiriko, she said that with a smile.


「Shi... Shiro-chan, umm...」

「Mmm, in other words, Aka-chi’s replenishment source is Nogi-san only?」

「That's right.」

「Ah... Yes, that's right.」


Akami muttered in her arms, but she meekly stayed there and didn't totter toward Kiriko, so she probably thought this was fine.

Mashiro's hazy feeling disappeared, and she felt truly satisfied.


「Alright, then let me resupply from Nogi-san as well!」

「Kyaa, hey, Kizaki-san, don’t suddenly hug me!」

「Unu... hold on, such close contact...!」

「You can call me Kiri-yan. That’s what everyone calls me. In exchange, I'll call Nogi-san Shiro-chi!」

「You're really moving the conversation forward arbitrarily... Well, that's fine. Please treat me well, Kiri-yan.」

「Yeah!」

「............ Auu.」


And although it was through Akami, Mashiro made a new friend.

She was grateful to Akami, who was in her arms and blushing for some reason.

Truly, it seemed like being together with this girl would open up all sorts of possibilities for Mashiro.


　　☆★★★☆★★


Um, walking arm in arm is one thing, but walking while being embraced by Shiro-chan like this is going to make my body give out soon. However... I'm too happy.


「Aka-chi.」


Eh, what, Kiri-yan?


「You showed me something nice at the start of the day!」


........................ Kiri-yan, did you deliberately create this situation?

If so, what a schemer. What a premeditated crime.

But.


Good job, Kiri-yan...!