The girl who I'm currently going out with is a denpa girl.
Obsessive with chuuni talk and gothic Lolita clothes. Her rude and frank personality often gives the impression that she was looking down toward the society or treating others like trashes.
From outsider's point of view, she probably wasn't much different with any of your typical spoiled otaku
But deep down inside, she is a kind-heart and passionate girl. Who care deeply for her friends, families, and would do whatever it takes to bring them happiness.
Even when sometime it came at her own cost.
She credited much of that trait to her, no, our dear friend Kirino. The one who I also was admiring.
Maybe that's why it's so easy for us to get along, despite our horrible first impression toward each other.
But wow, haven't we really gone a long way since?
Her real name actually is Gokou Ruri. However I preferred to call her by her alias: Kuroneko, much like those close to her.
As she is one year my senior and studying in the same college, so I still have to address her as Gokou-senpai when we meet in campus. No need to say, but that often put both of us, Kuroneko especially, in awkward moments
Hmm… since we are dating, should I now move to first name basis? "Ruri"? "Ruriiii… "? Like that?
Because at this moment I'm still struggling to find anything has changed about our new relationship.
Kuroneko already moved in with me earlier this year.
She already made me breakfast, and give me her hand-made lunchbox everyday
We went on a 'date' every now and then to buy clothes or try out a new restaurant. Even went to movies a couple of times together when I got free tickets.
We did enjoy festivals together several times before. Both summer festivals and Comiket ones (if those are counted as festivals). We even went to an onsen trip together (admittedly with Kirino and Saori).
Us two also had many intimate acts during our private times, and even k…kissed…
What was I thinking back then? Ah… so embarrassing…
I started to rest my head onto the desk and buried my face onto my crossed arms. Even my ears felt hot with embarrassment.
But I am kinda glad that I did it. Our relationship probably would never progress to this stage otherwise…
My heart started beating faster and faster. Ah….this must be the feeling of bliss…. Stop it Ayase, you are acting creepily like a love-struck schoolgirl!
"That is such a pleasant smile you are having. Something good happened ?"
Standing in front was Mai, a close classmate. Since when was she here…?
" No… nothing.. nothing happened…"
"Ehehehe, you can't lie with those blushed cheeks, Ayase. You promised me last time that you will tell me too. Come on, tell this onee-san what happened? "
Mai moved her face closer to mine, forcing me to glance my eyes away
"It's just….I… The one I like, just confessed to me..."
Why did I blurt that out? Wasn't that just pure bragging? What have you became, Ayase!? That is not who you are….
"Really? Congratulation. Way to go, Ayase! Let's have a celebration later today just us two! For today, my Ayase has finally found love. Before that, tell me what that person is like. Wait… let me guess…"
Eh…?
What is that person like?
A girl?
And that is when reality hit me.
I am currently going out with another girl.
There should be nothing wrong with it.
But it's still abnormal to say the least.
How could I tell anyone about it? Will they even understand? Or should I keep a secret of Kuroneko's gender?
Suddenly it hit me hard on how Kirino must have felt all this while. I knew all about her hardship. But only until now that I realised how difficult and painful it must be to hide the identity of the one you love from others…
This aching feeling inside my heart started to sink deeper…. And deeper…
"…oh I know, it's Gokou-senpai, isn't it?"
"Eh… how…?"
I looked up at Mai, who actually looked surprised at my reaction….
"Tck tck tck, Ayase… You thought you can hide it from me didn't you? "
"…"
"Between classes, you always divert your eyes out of the windows toward Block D. Like you were searching for someone from those crowds. Those melancholic and sad eyes. It can't be a mistake; they were eyes of a maiden in love!"
"No … That was not true. I didn't do it…" I protested
"Still denying, eh? Then my dear Watson, explains that blush on your face right now!"
I could feel my face became red hot from that sentence alone. There was nothing I could do, but bury my face on my palms in embarrassment.
"Kukuku. You are guilty of lying to your friend about your hidden relationship with your cute senpai. Do you admit your guilt now?"
"Stop it, or I will die with embarrassment…."
I still hide my face in my palms so couldn't see anything, but I could feel Mai dropped herself to the bench next to me. Like she was just waiting for me to calm myself down.
After a short while…. I was the one who broke the silence first.
"Don't … Don't you think it's strange? About me going out with Kur…. Gokolu-senpai…?"
" Honestly. I was wondering who could make such a perfect girl like you so head-over-heel to at first…."
"…"
"…But when I met and realise that it's Gokou-senpai, It totally make sense. I mean who can resist such beautiful and kind senpai. Ah…! Even flowers must have bloomed when she passed by…"
"But she is a girl, and we are not in high-school anymore…."
"Oh, are you still in doubt? Then let me have her then. I will marry whoever will cook for me and treat me that well!"
"…"
"Don't stare at me like that, Ayase, I was just joking…"
"…"
"But honestly, don't worry about it. Why would gender matter as long as there is love? And if anyone ever questioned you about I, I will personally beat that person up."
Mai showed her usual robotic cat smile again as she bumped her chest with her fist. Jeeezzz… this girl…
"You can't beat up anyone looking like that you know. Even primary school kids won't afraid of you"
I finally broke out a smile. As I go for the teasing.
"How mean, Ayase…. You know I am sensitive about my height!"
"Fine… fine… how about I treating you to a parfait as apology? For this and for lying to you earlier?"
"Eh…? Really? I won't let you take that back… you know!"
I smile and nod my head.
"Then let's head to Mose later for our celebration. As return, you can consult me anything about love. I was called Love Master by my friend in Year 6 you know… "
"Sure… Sure…"
…End of Chapter 11….