Chapter 43: I Like Your Lover
Meanwhile, at the lakeside campsite, the atmosphere grew much quieter after Ren and Nadeshiko left.
Although Ren hadn't asked for help, Yuno still tidied up the various tools he had brought, resembling a devoted wife.
Hitori sat stiffly on the lounge chair, watching her. She wanted to initiate conversation but didn't know how to begin, growing increasingly nervous until she felt herself starting to sweat.
When Yuno finished organizing the tools and took a break, Hitori seized the opportunity to start a conversation. She noticed Yuno had taken out another phone—an old-looking flip phone—and asked:
"That phone of yours looks quite old, Yuno-san. Why do you still use it?"
"This? My parents gave it to me a long time ago, so I've never replaced it."
Yuno smiled faintly, her expression nostalgic, holding the device as if it were a rare treasure.
After speaking, she put down the flip phone and took out her smartphone, noticing a message from Ren. Silently, she added him as her only special contact.
"It seems very precious. Your parents must be really good to you."
Hitori racked her brain to awkwardly continue the conversation, complimenting Yuno's parents. Not knowing what else to do, she figured praising them was safe—after all, nobody dislikes compliments, right?
"Hehe~"
Yuno merely chuckled softly, but the gentle breeze suddenly turned icy cold. Even in her tracksuit, Hitori broke out in goosebumps.
"Yes, they taught me what love is and many other important lessons."
Knowing Hitori meant no harm, Yuno wasn't angry. She truly was grateful to her adoptive parents—it's just too bad she'd personally had to send them to a mental hospital. She had endured everything, so why couldn't they? How strange.
"I-I see..."
Feeling inexplicably chilled, Hitori shrank back into her timid self, unsure how to continue the conversation with Yuno.
"Hitori-san, you really like Ren, don't you?"
Seeing her fall silent, Yuno took the initiative to chat with Hitori. Since Ren had asked her to befriend Hitori as much as possible, she would do just that.
"Yes, I like him very much. If it weren't for Ren, I'd probably be rotting at home right now."
Once the topic turned to Ren, Hitori became talkative. Without him, she would never have had this chance to go camping with friends and make new ones.
She'd never have found the courage to play guitar outdoors, receiving praise and gaining a little fan. Perhaps she'd even inspired someone's interest in music.
All of this made her incredibly happy, and she cherished every moment.
"Right? Even back in middle school, he would reach out to help those in need. You're very lucky, Hitori-san. Speaking of which, would you say we're friends now?"
Yuno smiled faintly, her gaze toward Hitori strangely kind and affectionate, before posing her question.
"Yes, we're friends."
Hearing this, although Hitori felt inexplicably afraid of Yuno, she still admitted somewhat happily that they were friends.
"Great, in that case, there are some things I can say to you, Hitori-san, especially since Ren isn't here."
The smile on Yuno's face grew even brighter, though she deliberately kept her thoughts to herself, waiting for Hitori to ask.
"What is it?"
As expected, Hitori grew curious and followed Yuno's lead by pressing further.
"I actually like Ren too. I've liked him since middle school—so much that I'd give up everything for him. That's why, after you and Ren got together, I didn't interfere but silently wished you happiness. I hope you two will be happy."
Yuno spoke slowly, her tone tinged with regret and blessing, her expression a mix of sorrow and forced cheerfulness.
"Huh?"
Hitori was stunned after hearing this.
Unlike Satou, who wasn't her friend but a rival who appeared out of nowhere, Hitori, despite her fear and insecurity, hadn't reached a state of complete panic.
But Yuno's situation was different: a friend liking her boyfriend, confessing it, and offering a strained blessing.
For Hitori, who had just started making friends and engaging in normal social interactions, this felt like a devastating blow.
How could she balance between her friend and her lover?
If her happiness with Ren made Yuno sad, what should she do?
Could they still be friends when they liked the same person?
Countless questions and self-doubts flooded Hitori's heart. This time, she panicked because she truly had no idea how to handle it.
"Bocchi-chan? Why are you spacing out here alone? Where's Yuno-san?"
By the time Ren returned to the lakeside, Yuno had already gone back to the tent, leaving Hitori sitting motionless on a chair, her expression blank.
As he asked, Ren sat beside her and took her hand.
"She went to rest..."
Hitori opened her mouth but could only manage those words. She didn't know how to tell Ren about this or whether she should.
"I see. Was it stressful being alone with her?"
Used to Hitori's withdrawn nature, Ren didn't think much of her dazed state and instead asked about her feelings.
Making friends and overcoming social anxiety wasn't something that could happen overnight, so he prioritized Hitori's comfort. If she wasn't willing, he'd let it go.
"A little, but it's manageable. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"...It's nothing."
Hitori shook her head, hugged Ren, buried her face in his chest, and fell silent.
It clearly didn't seem like "nothing," but it also didn't seem like Yuno had bullied her.
Pushing for answers wasn't Ren's style, so he held Hitori close, offering comfort.
That night, Ren and Hitori returned to the tent together. They hadn't brought sleeping bags but had bought an air mattress and a blanket, opting for a different kind of shared sleep.
This was also an attempt to bring them closer.
After taking off her tracksuit, Hitori was left wearing only a dress. She had actually dressed up for today's camping trip, but she couldn't part with the protection of her tracksuit while outdoors, so it had remained hidden until now.
And precisely because they were outdoors, Ren didn't do anything excessive—he simply wrapped his arm around Hitori's waist and pulled her into his embrace.
Hitori possessed a fullness far beyond her peers, making her feel like holding a warm, soft bundle of cotton when embraced. Ren held her, breathing in her scent, feeling both restless and strangely peaceful.
Hitori, on the other hand, felt somewhat shy. Lying together and being held in his arms felt more intimate than sitting and embracing. She could more clearly feel the contours of Ren's body and his presence, making her heart race uncontrollably.
But the moment she recalled Yuno's words, the warmth in her heart cooled. What should she do? Pretend she hadn't heard?
Or act oblivious, allowing Yuno to harbor her secret crush on Ren while she herself engaged in affectionate displays with him in front of Yuno, piercing her heart?
Hitori didn't know. But just for tonight, she wanted to lose herself in Ren's embrace, unwilling to wake from it.