"Saki..."
Should Maaya answer?
Also, why did Saki Ayase suddenly call her?
Maaya hesitated, but the ringing sound continued, and the guilt that came from inviting Tobe out despite knowing her best friend's feelings toward him, causing her mind wasn't in the right direction, and in the end, she decided to accept even though it was perfectly okay for her not to answer it.
"Hello, Maaya."
"Ah, Saki, what's wrong?"
Was her voice weird?
"Where are you? It seems to be loud there."
"Ah, I am in the zoo with my little brothers." Maaya lied.
"Ah, zoo? Is that so? I am sorry for bothering you."
"I-It's fine..." Maaya wasn't sure whether her voice was shaky, yet she knew well that what had happened in this place shouldn't be known by Saki.
"About the next weekend, is it really okay for us to study at his place?"
This was the promise that Tobe had said casually during his practice in the soccer club, and while he was okay and felt that it was nothing special, Saki thought differently, as she was afraid that she had caused him trouble.
"Oh, it's only that..."
Yet, Maaya sighed in relief when she heard Saki's question.
"Maaya?"
"Ah, no, nothing!"
Maaya, who subconsciously muttered, sighed in relief when Saki didn't seem to hear what she had said.
"So, what do you think?" Saki asked.
"Well..."
How should she answer this question?
Maaya thought inwardly as she knew well that Saki asked this question because Saki was in doubt, yet as Saki asked this question, it meant that a certain part of her wished to go to Tobe's house, so they could study together.
Yes, it was quite wrong, especially when he had a girlfriend, but as he had made a promise, it should be okay, right?
What Saki needed at this moment was just a slight push, someone who supported her, telling her that it was okay.
But could Maaya say that?
Could Maaya, who invited Tobe secretly out of the zoo under the pretext of an outing or training, or many other excuses, support Saki, who was still hesitant and unclear about her feelings?
'No, she isn't unclear, but...'
Maaya sighed helplessly, especially when she thought of Saki's family situation.
While her parents were busy most of the time and left the problems of the house to her, her economic situation was still okay.
As for how good her family's economic situation was, the fact that her parents had more than one child suggested that their economic situation was okay.
After all, taking care of children wasn't cheap, especially when she also studied at a private school.
However, Saki was different; she came from a single-mother family, and her mother worked in the night industry. No, her mother didn't work in that area, nor did she work as a hostess, a female companion who accompanied men to drink alcohol. Instead, her mother worked as a bartender, someone who stayed behind the table.
Unlike the others, Saki had only entered the private school during high school, and previously, she was in a public school that was free.
Regardless of Saki's family situation, Maaya, who understood all of that, knew that she should have supported Saki, letting her have a slight happiness, yet here, she was secretly going out with the one that Saki had a crush on.
Still, was it even possible for Saki to date Tobe?
Maaya was silent for a while until Saki asked, "Did I trouble you, Maaya?"
"No, I am just thinking."
"Thinking?"
"I mean... do you like Tobe-kun, Saki?" Maaya asked as she looked at Tobe, who played with her two little brothers with a camel as the three of them changed from riding a horse to a camel, which made her a little dumbfounded and felt a little curious, yet she knew well that this wasn't a time for that!
"I..."
Saki couldn't give a proper answer, and she was silent for a while before she said softly, "I don't know... but... I like to be with him. It might be strange for me to say this, especially when I know that I have no chance, and even improper, considering how he has a girlfriend, yet I am still trying to be his friend, staying by his side, but... while I don't know how I feel... at least, for now, I am satisfied with staying by his side."
Saki, who had been thinking about him, knew well that she didn't have time to date. No, even if she had time, it was impossible for her to get close to him since his relationship with his girlfriend was so close, and they were deeply in love.
Could she be selfish with her feelings, so she could get him?
Could she make him happier by her side than Yukinoshita's?
When she thought of her family situation, and the kind of hard work that she had to do, she knew well that it was impossible, so after a long thought, she was just satisfied to stay by his side, be his friend, like her relationship with Maaya.
This is what she thought.
While her mind often dreamed or imagined that Tobe made a move on her, kissing her lips, and took her virginity as he was crazy about her body, she knew well that it was unrealistic, as he wasn't that type of person.
"..." Tobe.
'How sincere and pure...' Maaya thought as she heard Saki's confession. Probably, it took all of Saki's courage to say all of that, and Saki dared to say that because Saki trusted her so much, yet despite knowing Saki's feelings, her feelings were—
Taking a deep breath, Maaya said, "Then, there is no need to worry, right? It isn't like you want to become a vixen who will steal him from his girlfriend."
"Vixen..."
"Anyway, let's talk to him tomorrow. Let's see how it goes, then."
"Okay." Saki sighed in relief and somehow felt comfortable after she had said all of that to Maaya. "Thanks, Maaya. If you aren't here..."
"Don't thank me. If Yukinoshita-san is angry, then you need to handle her by yourselves."
"...I know." Saki sighed helplessly, then apologized once again. "Sorry for bothering you on your trip with your little brothers. Then, I will hang up."
"It's fine. You don't need to say sorry."
Instead, Maaya felt that she was the one who should say sorry to Saki.
As for why she was the one who should apologize?
The reason was obvious.
"Maaya-nee! Come on!"
"Come here!"
"Narasaka-san."
As Maaya saw Tobe's gentle smile and happiness that came from this outing to the zoo, she was afraid. Unlike Saki, who could be satisfied with the status quo and stayed as his friend, she was greedy and wanted more than that, despite knowing how wrong it was to be.
"I am coming~!"