He is an idol and a childhood sweetheart.

After rinsing the foam with water, Higuchi Enka wiped his hair with a towel and raised his head.

After seeing herself in the mirror with wet hair, Higuchi Enka didn't know which tendon was wrong, so she suddenly started to stretch out her hand and fiddle with her hairstyle.

"……Can not be done."

From the beginning, Higuchi Enka has been trying to style her bangs into the style she had in elementary school, as if she wanted to recall the way she got along with Kento Watanabe when she was a child.

However, after trying several times, she finally gave up on this unrealistic idea. Even if her hair style was the same, her facial features and face shape were completely different, let alone compared to the previous one.

That changed his personality and way of thinking even more completely.

"What should I do..."

Sure enough, let's explain it directly... Although she was ashamed, at this time, she was more afraid of losing Kento Watanabe than her shame.

So, what method should be used to explain?

Saying "I actually don't hate you" to him directly...wouldn't it sound a little too unconvincing to him?

After all, her attitude has always been so bad, even if she said this, he probably wouldn't be able to believe it.

So...do we need to prove it with actions?

Since the goal is to repair the relationship with him, then... naturally it is necessary to do something a little more intimate.

Something a little more intimate... intimacy...

"..."

Higuchi Enka suddenly showed a very painful expression in the mirror.

This is too difficult. She was not the type who liked to act coquettishly when she was a child, let alone now.

If he wanted her to do something "shameless" like Toru Asakura, it would be better to just kill her.

"Forget it, let's just talk to him clearly."

Higuchi Enka, who felt a little hot in his head and cheeks, chose to give up thinking.

The next second, Higuchi Yuka, who put the towel on her shoulders, subconsciously picked up the hair dryer placed on the towel rack. However, the moment she picked up the hair dryer, a scene from the past suddenly appeared in her mind. picture.

"……what."

It seems... I have an idea.

Chapter 13: Even so, their eyes never met at all.

"How does it feel? Is it hot?"

"No, it's the same as before. It's very suitable."

"How strong."

"That's fine too."

"That's good."

At this moment, Higuchi Enka was sitting sideways on the sofa in the office, while Watanabe Kento was sitting behind her with a hair dryer, blowing her freshly washed hair.

(Hair quality and other things...are really completely different.)

Although I usually use a hair dryer to blow my hair, the texture of my hair is completely different.

Soft, silky and radiant.

I think this kid should take good care of it on weekdays.

"It's a miscalculation."

Kento Watanabe couldn't help but whispered:

"I should have bought another bottle of conditioner just now."

"If it's just for one day, it's not necessary."

After hearing Kento Watanabe's soliloquy, Enka Higuchi said:

"I don't use that stuff every time I wash my hair."

"That's it."

After receiving such an answer, Kento Watanabe regained his composure and continued his movements.

Higuchi Enka, who was sitting in front, also closed his eyes, feeling this long-awaited touch.

"The last time I helped you dry your hair was many years ago, right? I remember it was when you were still in elementary school."

"……Yes."

Higuchi Enka responded in the affirmative.

"It happened when I was in the fifth grade of elementary school. The three of us went on a trip together during the summer vacation."

"They said there were three families, but you two took me with you, right?"

Mentioning the interesting things from his childhood, Kento Watanabe couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.

"He said he was afraid that I would be too lonely at home, so he pulled me out of bed while talking to himself... Obviously I didn't even have time to change my clothes."

"That's none of my business. I only woke you up after my parents' orders."

"Even if he is not the principal culprit, he is already an accessory. Don't even think about picking yourself out."

"...That's it."

Having said this, Higuchi Enka suddenly opened his eyes.

"In that case, I won't be the only accomplice."

"..."

The movement of Kento Watanabe's hand suddenly stopped.

"Hi, Higuchi, this..."

"Don't worry, I just mentioned it casually. I didn't intend to talk to you about her."

Higuchi Enka stretched out her hand to slightly twist the ends of her hair, then turned back and said:

"Okay, the hair is dry."

"…………"

Kento Watanabe silently turned off the hair dryer.

Higuchi Enka also turned around, facing Kento Watanabe.

Facing that direct look, Kento Watanabe subconsciously averted his gaze.

Seeing Kento Watanabe's restless look, Enka Higuchi took a deep breath——

"Although I don't know exactly what happened between you and Asakura, and I don't know what kind of impact that incident had on you... but no matter what, it's your and Asakura's business. not my business."

"...Of course I know this. That's why I will still get along with you in the same way as before-"

"That's not the way it used to be at all, is it?"

Higuchi Enka interrupted Watanabe Kento without hesitation.

"Although our previous relationship couldn't be said to be very close, it would never be as rigid as it is now. Cautious, aloof, worrying about gains and losses... You should know better than me what kind of mentality you are getting along with me. "

"…………"

Kento Watanabe was speechless.

The adjective chosen by Higuchi Enka is so accurate that it makes

He couldn't refute it at all.

In order to cherish his last childhood sweetheart and not lose it again, his attitude towards Higuchi Enka was indeed so cautious.

"Asakura is Asakura, I am who I am, don't force things between you on me, and don't presume to guess my mood."

Higuchi Enka's expression and tone were more serious than ever.

"Also, I want to formally respond to what you said to me on the road. First of all, I don't hate you. From the first time we met when we were young to now, I have never hated you! Ah, although my attitude...can't really be called very friendly."

"Eh……"

"Finally, our childhood sweetheart relationship was not just established because of our two parents or our addresses. Compared with those innate factors, the more than ten years after that are more important, right? Or, Do you want to just deny all the time we spent together?"

"No, there is no such thing!"

After hearing this, Kento Watanabe immediately shook his head and denied:

"I never thought of it that way!"

"Really? That's fine."

Seeing Kento Watanabe's decisive reaction, Enka Higuchi's tone softened slightly.

"I know that you have experienced a lot in the past year and a half, so I don't expect you to completely return to the same mentality as before to get along with me. But... at least I hope you will not continue to misunderstand me."

"……………………"

Kento Watanabe was silent for a long time, and then finally breathed out slowly.

"This... is the first time I've heard true words from you... To be honest, it scares me a little."

"Huh? Is this the first reply?"

Higuchi Enka narrowed her eyes slightly and said:

"You really still don't believe what I said, right?"

"No, no, no, of course I believe you. After all... Higuchi, you should never bother to lie to me."

"...What is this, is it a mockery of my attitude all along?"

"It's not sarcastic, it's just because I know who you are."

Kento Watanabe smiled.

Although it happened suddenly, he still understood the meaning of Higuchi Enka's words.

If she was facing someone she hated, she would never go out of her way to ask him to help her dry her hair and give such a serious explanation.

It seems... what she just said on the road made her feel uneasy.

"It's hard not to admit it now. Indeed, Asakura's incident has had a great impact on me. It is no exaggeration to say that her departure has directly shaken my view on the relationship between my childhood sweethearts. Cognition. But...you are right, Asakura is Asakura, and Higuchi is Higuchi. I shouldn't change my attitude towards you because of her."

Watanabe Kento looked at Higuchi Enka's face again.

"I'm sorry, Higuchi, I shouldn't have said those words that alienated you just now."

"You also know that's alienating."

Facing Kento Watanabe's look back, Enka Higuchi looked away to the other side.

"You have to look at my face even to button up... My classmates are not as reserved with me as you are."

"At least I haven't spoken to you using honorifics, right?"

"If you really use it, I will definitely be angry."

"Haha, then please spare me."

Kento Watanabe smiled and shook his head.

"It was obviously hard to resolve the misunderstanding. If I was really hated after this, I would definitely cry."

"...Is it that exaggerated?"

Higuchi Enka couldn't help but ask:

"Speaking of which, do I really feel that...unfriendly to you?"

"Yes...after all, we have rarely been able to talk to each other since you entered junior high school."

Kento Watanabe sighed pretending to be sad:

"And even if we do talk, it's just some necessary questions and answers, and the attitude is always so cold... So I've been wondering if I'm disliked by you or something..."

"That's because I'm not the type to initiate conversations with others."