Yuria and I headed toward the Class 2-C maid cafe where Airi and the others were waiting.
"Say, Ryouta, what’s the deal between you and Tanaka?"
"What do you mean, 'what's the deal'?"
"You’ve been close since junior high, right? Plus, you’re otaku friends... I don't know, I just wondered if you two ever, like, dated."
Walking beside me, Yuria asked the question while stealing glances at my face.
"Me and Tanaka? Dating? Not a chance. She’s a yume-joshi and a fujoshi, for crying out loud. We’ve just been best friends who geek out together since junior high."
"Best friends..."
A shadow passed over Yuria’s face at the mention of the words "best friends."
"What’s wrong, Yuria?"
"No... it’s just, back in junior high, I had someone I called a best friend in my gyaru group. But once she found out I was an otaku, she started acting distant. I just... remembered that for a second."
"I-I see."
"So... I guess I’m a little jealous of you and Tanaka. Being able to share the hobbies you love with someone you actually get along with... I’m kind of envious."
Yuria had been vague before about something happening in her past related to her hobbies, but this must have been it. Her best friend found out she was an otaku and distanced herself, which led Yuria to hide her interests completely. That explained why she had gone all the way to the neighboring town's arcade when we first met.
"Hey! I mean! Where do I rank for you, Ryouta?"
"Your rank?"
"You know, like... am I just a friend? Or a best friend?"
"Well..."
When I really thought about it, what was the value of our relationship? I wouldn't go so far as to call her my best friend yet, but "classmate" felt too distant. "Friend" seemed the most accurate, yet it felt like something was slightly different.
"Ah, wait. If you say 'spank bank material' even as a joke, I’ll punch you."
"As if I’d ever say that!"
"You totally would! You say things like wanting to see me in an embarrassing maid cosplay without a second thought! And you’re always staring at my thighs!"
"Guh..."
My daily behavior was so degenerate that I couldn't even mount a defense. I really hated myself sometimes—or specifically, the lecherous brat version of me. But come on, what's wrong with looking at some thighs?
"So, which is it?"
"W-Well... I guess you’re my Understander, Yuria. You don't get mad when I look at your thighs, and since you understand my fetishes, you’re easy to talk to."
"...So, I’m Ryouta’s number one Understander?"
"Y-Yeah. You’re an otaku friend too, and I feel like I can talk to you about anything."
"Number one, huh? Hehe."
Yuria’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. I wasn't entirely sure why, but "Understander" seemed to have been the right answer.
"Then, as Ryouta’s number one Understander, I’ll let you treat me to a frankfurter over there."
"Let me treat you? Wait, you mean I’m the one paying?! That has nothing to do with being an Understander."
"Ryouta, pleaaase~"
Yuria pointed toward the frankfurter stall at the Class 2-A in-class fair, begging with her eyes.
"I gave you a kiss as a reward earlier, so it’s only fair that you give me a reward too, right?"
Reward or not, the value of Yuria’s kiss and a frankfurter weren't even on the same scale.
(I feel like Yuria’s kiss is so precious that even ten million frankfurters wouldn't be enough... but whatever.)
Thinking about it that way, buying her one didn't seem so bad.
"Fine. Let's get a frankfurter."
"Yes! It was worth asking."
Compared to Yuria’s kiss, one frankfurter was a bargain. I bought one and handed it to her.
"Thanks, Ryouta!"
Yuria happily bit into the frankfurter. The way she ate it... it was kind of erotic.
"Ah! Ryouta, you’re finally here!"
As we walked down the hallway, Airi suddenly came running toward us on her own.
"Ah, Yuria, no fair! I want a frankfurter too!"
"Wait, weren't we supposed to meet at the maid cafe?"
"Actually, the Class 2-C maid cafe is super popular, and there's a huge line. Rui-chan told me she’d wait in line so I could go check out the Class 2-A fair for a bit."
So that was it. They sounded just like sisters.
"Was that frankfurter at the Class 2-A fair too?"
"Yep. Ryouta treated me."
"Whaaat! No fair, no fair!"
Because Yuria had to go and open her mouth, Airi was now looking at me with intense, envious eyes.
"Good grief, fine. Here’s 200 yen. Yuria, use this to buy Airi a frankfurter."
"Hm? What about you, Ryouta?"
"I’m going to go swap places with Rui in line."
"Eh, but Ryouta, you should—"
"It’s fine. I’m counting on you, Yuria."
I wasn't the kind of creature who really knew how to enjoy a school festival, anyway. It’d be better if I swapped with Rui so the three of them could have fun together.
I hurried off toward the line where Rui was waiting.