Flirting with My Childhood Friend Junior
―β Timeline―
“It was delicious‼”
Misato exclaimed, bouncing with joy as she relished the curry doria I’d made. Thinking back, Misato in my previous life also loved curry doria. How nostalgic. Airi, too, would often beg me to make curry. Both of them adored it.
Honestly, my curry isn’t anything extraordinary—I just stick to the basics. Maybe the magic lies in the roux. Thank you, Java Curry. Though Vermont Curry has its charm, too.
“It was really delicious. It tasted like something you’d get at a restaurant.”
Those were Rika’s words.
“Thank you, both of you‼”
Seeing my beloved little sister and the most cherished person from my previous life enjoying the food I made filled me with a sense of purpose. I even prepared a portion for Kaede-san, leaving it in a heatproof container. All she had to do was pop it in the toaster oven to enjoy it fresh and hot. Easy-peasy.
“Hey, Rika-chan. Do you have a moment? I want to show you something.”
Just like that, Misato whisked Rika away to her room, leaving me alone. Oh, so that’s how it is.
Well, whatever. While watching TV, I washed the dishes. I thought about tackling my homework, but to my surprise, I still remembered most of what I’d learned in high school. Even the things I’d forgotten came back quickly with a quick look at the textbook.
In my previous life, after a heartbreak that left me a bit of a recluse, Rika helped me study and guided me through college entrance exams. It was pretty humiliating to be tutored by a junior, though.
Rika, on the other hand, had an unusual upbringing. Her family’s policy was to finish studying high school-level subjects by the time she reached the third year of middle school. For her, school lessons were more of a review. Even now, she could probably get into a prestigious university.
But even someone as brilliant as her had struggles. In my previous life, she once confided, “My life is just about following the path my parents set for me.” The fact that she could stay on that path was a testament to her excellence, but…
That’s probably why she longed to spend her youth pursuing club activities with me. I want to show her a future that’s unpredictable, a world of creativity and infinite possibilities—not one confined by preordained answers.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons Rika respected me. This time around, I’ve resolved to live life on my own terms. Perhaps that approach is what draws her to me.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Only Rika returned to the living room.
“What were you two talking about?”
When I asked, her face turned bright red. “It’s a secret. We were just talking about our dreams for the future.”
“I see.”
I pouted slightly but didn’t press further. Clearly, it had been girl talk, and forcing her to spill the details would have been rude. The middle-aged man inside me—my past self—stopped me. Surprisingly, that old guy was pretty gentlemanly.
“Don’t sulk like that. I’ll do the dishes… Oh, they’re already done?”
“Yeah, I took care of it.”
Turns out, I’m more domestic than I thought.
“You’ve been spoiling me so much today. I feel a little guilty.”
Rika, so capable and self-reliant, seemed to struggle with letting others help her. She had this mindset that she shouldn’t lean on anyone, enduring things on her own. While that kind of self-restraint could be admirable…
Maybe that’s why her cancer was discovered too late in her previous life.
She always prioritized others, suppressing her own needs.
“It’s okay—you can lean on me whenever you want.”
The words slipped out, carrying the weight of my regrets.
“You’re so naturally kind… It’s almost unfair. It makes me start to misunderstand things.”
If I were clueless, I might have asked, “Misunderstand what?” But I wasn’t that oblivious. Her words made my heart skip a beat.
A junior who, despite being a high schooler, exuded a maturity and allure that felt almost unreal. Her beauty only amplified the atmosphere surrounding us.
“Or should I let myself misunderstand?”
I didn’t expect her to follow up like that. I was on the verge of surrender, thinking I might as well confess. But just as I opened my mouth—
“I’m home~”
Kaede-san returned. What timing.
Rika snapped back to reality, quickly greeting her politely with an “Excuse me for intruding”. The moment had passed entirely.
“Oh, Rika-chan, welcome. That uniform really suits you. You’ve gotten even cuter since starting high school.”
“Th-thank you very much.”
The mood shifted so abruptly it felt almost criminal, like being caught during a secret rendezvous.
I busied myself heating up the doria for Kaede-san.
Somewhere upstairs, I heard a faint sigh from Misato’s room.
―A Few Minutes Earlier, in Misato’s Room―
“Oh, so Misato-chan wants to go to the same high school as us?”
“Yeah. But studying is tough, and it’s not going so well. Rika-chan, do you have any dreams or goals?”
“Hmm~. To be honest, I’ve never really had one before. But lately, there’s something I’ve been thinking about… just a little.”
“Eh? What is it?”
“I can’t tell you!”
“Then maybe I’ll guess. Could it be… becoming Onii-chan’s wife?”
“…”
“W-wait, was I right!? Wow, Rika-chan, your face is bright red! Got it. As your honorary little sister, I’ll cheer you on. Even though I think Onii-chan is a bit too plain for someone as cute as you, it’s ultimately up to the two of you. Besides, I think Onii-chan is secretly a good catch—he’s kind and can cook, after all.”
While I was heating the doria for Kaede-san, she checked the clock and remarked, “Oh my, it’s already this late. If Rika-chan stays any longer, it’ll be a problem. Michitaka-san, please walk her home.”
It was nearing 8 PM. While not terribly late for a high schooler coming back from activities or cram school, it still wasn’t ideal for a girl to walk home alone.
“It’s fine; I can go home by myself.”
Rika tried to politely decline, but Kaede-san wasn’t having it. “No way. What if something happens?”
Rika looked at me for help, but I agreed with Kaede-san. Shaking my head with a smile, I silently urged her to give in.
“Besides…”
Kaede-san leaned in and whispered into Rika’s ear.
“You were in the middle of some important time together, weren’t you?”
Her whisper was loud enough for me to hear, clearly intentional.
“Auntie, you’re too loud‼”
On the verge of tears, Rika shouted. Kaede-san laughed, exuding the relaxed confidence of an adult, as if to say, “Ah, youth is wonderful”. She even glanced at me with a mischievous smile. What a bold assist.
“Sorry, sorry. But Michitaka-san, make sure not to turn into a wolf on the way. Oh, and by the way, that’s my ‘don’t do it’ setup, so don’t mess it up.”
Classic comedic timing aside, I was at a loss. Honestly, Kaede-san, did you have a drink or two on your way home? Why were you in such high spirits today, of all days?
Teased to the point of blushing and trembling, both Rika and I were visibly flustered. From the staircase, Misato grinned knowingly, watching from a distance. Both of them clearly knew what they were doing. Women truly are terrifying—how are they so perceptive?
“We’re heading out‼”
With no other choice, I grabbed Rika’s hand and hurriedly led her outside.
“Ah, a lovers’ escape‼”
Misato’s playful voice echoed behind us, making my face burn with embarrassment. Behind me, Rika was trembling as well, her cheeks flushed deep red.
Only after a while did I realize my mistake. Holding hands so casually as a high school boy and girl was a careless move… especially for two people who weren’t even dating. The implications were far too bold.
“Um, senpai… your hand.”
After a few moments of walking, Rika murmured softly, her voice barely audible. Her hand, cool and delicate, felt like freshly fallen snow.
It was still April, but the night air carried a distinct chill. I casually wondered if I should have brought a jacket. Then it hit me—I’d made a critical misstep.
Wasn’t this way too soon!?
Sure, we were childhood friends, but wasn’t hand-holding something you stopped doing after elementary school? Sorry, I must have forgotten the social norms of teenage life after living through my youth twice over. Now that I’d realized, my heart was pounding. She didn’t hate me for this… right?
If she said something like, “What kind of boyfriend-wannabe act is this after just one house date? Gross”, I don’t think I’d ever recover.
But instead of scorn, when I awkwardly let go of her hand, Rika mumbled, “Ah, it’s gone”, her tone more wistful than annoyed. Her expression even seemed a little… sad.
“S-sorry.”
All I could manage was a clumsy apology.
“N-no, it just surprised me a little.”
She didn’t seem upset, which brought me an immense sense of relief.
“And, uh, sorry about those two making such a big deal out of things.”
I couldn’t stop apologizing. Rika, giving a slight, wry smile, walked ahead.
“It’s fine. Sure, it was embarrassing, but… it wasn’t a bad feeling. Actually… it kind of made me happy. Like they were encouraging me, in their own way. So, in a way, I’m kind of… thankful, maybe?”
Her words trailed off, uncertain, but I could tell she wasn’t upset. That realization eased the tension in my chest.
We walked quietly after that, the dimly lit street leading us closer to her house. It was less than five minutes away, yet I found myself wishing time would slow down. Maybe she did too.
“I’m sorry, senpai. It’s not right for me to act so familiar with you when you haven’t even broken up with your girlfriend yet.”
That’s when I realized I hadn’t told her yet.
“Oh, um… I broke up with her.”
Rika froze for a moment, as if her time had stopped. I hadn’t expected such a reaction—it felt like I’d accidentally left her behind.
“What? When?”
“This afternoon. She admitted she was cheating on me, so I decided I didn’t want to waste any more time on someone who didn’t value me. I figured it was better to end things cleanly.”
“You’re making it sound like taking a quick morning shower or something…”
“Still, it’s better than dragging things out, right?”
“True, but… then what about this weird guilt I’ve been feeling all day? Ugh, seriously‼”
She pouted, brushing past me, but her expression was oddly cheerful.
“Sorry, I should’ve told you sooner.”
“Yes, you should have. I’m mad at you, you know.”
She was right—I should’ve said something earlier. That was on me.
“…I’m really sorry.”
“Well, it’s fine. Hey, senpai. It’s already April, but it still feels a bit chilly, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
She tilted her head slightly, as if to say, “Don’t you get it?” Her expression puzzled me until the realization dawned.
I moved closer and gently wrapped her soft, cold hand in mine.
“Yup, that’s the right answer.”
She smiled, accepting the gesture. For a fleeting moment, we stood there, sharing each other’s warmth, letting the chilly night fade into the background.