My Cat Girl Neighbor Is Impossible to Understand

Chapter 23: Chapter 23 - A Strange Feeling

As spring began again, the familiar smell accompanied the morning air as the students entered into Classroom 2-B. The noise of the students filled the air as the sunlight poured in through the large windows.

Sui Aoyama was seated at his usual spot beside the window, reading a novel before the class starts. On the opposite side, Yuiko Nekozawa was organizing her notebooks as usual. She was still as calm as she usually is. As usual, her black cat ears twitched as the conversation continues around her while her tail lay behind her chair.

She was as composed as she usually is.

Sui smiled softly and then turned back to reading his novel.

But before he could read more, the door opened.

Their homeroom teacher came in with a tall boy following behind.

"Class, be quiet," their teacher instructed. "We have a new student who will be with us for the day."

The class suddenly became curious.

Then the boy stepped forward.

"My name is Ren Mizushima. My family and I moved because of my dad’s job. Nice to meet all of you."

He politely bowed.

Some students greeted him with smiling faces.

Then the teacher started scanning through the classroom and pointed at the empty seat.

"You will be seated next to Nekozawa."

Yuiko blinked in surprise.

Ren smiled warmly and then seated himself.

"Guess we’re neighbors in class."

Yuiko nodded politely.

"...Nice to meet you."

Her voice as soft as usual.

The class soon began.

And much to their surprise, Ren was adjusting quite well. He talked comfortably with everyone, laughing and even cracking jokes that make the quiet ones laugh.

At lunch time, many classmates approached him with questions.

"Where did you move from?"

"Do you play any sports?"

"Did you join any club?"

He easily answered their questions.

Then his eyes moved to Yuiko.

"I saw you reading during break."

Yuiko lifted her head.

"...Yes."

"What book is it?"

Yuiko hesitated but then showed the cover to him.

"This is one of my favorites."

Ren’s eyes sparkled.

"No way."

"I’ve read this series."

Yuiko looked surprised.

"You have?"

"Every single volume."

For the first time that day, a smile formed on Yuiko’s lips.

And then they began to discuss about the novel.

Inside the classroom, Sui looked up from his lunch box.

He wasn’t eavesdropping.

They just happened to drift across the room.

"...I cried when I read the ending."

"I know how you feel."

"I really enjoyed the earlier work of the author."

"So did I."

Yuiko’s tail was moving smoothly behind her chair.

She seemed so comfortable.

Comfortable enough that she was smiling without second thoughts.

Sui put down his chopsticks.

He hasn’t seen anyone connect to Yuiko with books so quickly.

Looking beside him, Haru was glancing at the pair of Yuiko and Ren.

A smile slowly formed in his face.

"...Interesting."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Sui continued eating his lunch.

"It’s nice that she’s making another friend."

His words sounded quite normal.

But somehow...

They felt heavier than they should.

In the late afternoon, the class was told to pair up for their literature presentation.

Then the teacher read the list of the pairs.

"Aoyama with Fujimoto."

"Nekozawa with Mizushima."

Yuiko looked at Ren.

Then Ren smiled.

"I guess we’ll be working together."

"...Yes."

"I’ll try my best."

"I look forward to it."

Their conversation was so simple.

Polite.

Quite normal.

But somehow...

Sui found himself staring at them longer than usual.

He looked away quickly.

Why am I staring at them?

It’s not unusual.

Yuiko needed friends.

She spent months becoming closer to the class.

Of course people would want to talk to her.

I should be happy.

But...

But why does it feel uncomfortable?

And so the school ended under the soft clouds.

Sui packed his things as usual.

Normally, Yuiko waited near the classroom door where they will walk together.

But today...

Ren approached her first.

"Do you have free time after school?"

"Maybe we can go to the library and get some references for the presentation."

Yuiko thought for a while.

"...It’s a good idea."

Then Sui stopped zipping his bag.

"Oh."

"I think I will go home a little late today."

Yuiko looked at him.

"I’m sorry."

Sui smiled softly.

"It’s okay."

"School is first priority."

Yuiko smiled at him.

"...Thank you."

Then with a wave, Yuiko left with Ren to the library.

Sui watched them disappearing from sight.

Only then did he leave the school alone.

The streets suddenly seem so silent.

Usually Yuiko points out the flowers blossoming along the way.

Or she stops to pet a stray cat.

Or asks him about the book he’s reading.

But today...

There was only silence.

Sui adjusted the strap of his bag.

It’s only for one afternoon.

They’re only going to the library to work on their project.

There’s nothing wrong about it.

He repeated the thought a few times.

But somehow...

It didn’t erase the unfamiliar tight feeling in his chest.

As he walked along the same path, he couldn’t help but glance at the usual path where he walks with Yuiko.

For the first time in a while...

Walking alone feels lonely.

As the afternoon sun set slowly in the sky, Sui opened the front door to his home.

"I’m home," he said instinctively, knowing that no one would answer him.

He placed his school bag and gazed out the living room window, only to find that the curtains of the Nekozawa residence were still shut.

"They must still be at the library," he thought to himself and turned away.

After changing his clothes into more casual ones, he decided to read a book and get lost in a story, but today was different.

He could not help but go over the same page again and again.

He could not shake off his thoughts of Yuiko.

"This is strange," he thought to himself.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Haru: Still alive?

Sui replied, "Yeah."

Not long after, another message appeared.

Haru: You seemed rather gloomy after class.

Sui frowned.

Do I?

Sui: I don’t think so.

After a few moments,

Haru: Yes, and I am the principle.

Sui sighed.

Sometimes Haru noticed things that he did not want him to notice.

As the evening drew near, Sui went out to fetch his laundry.

It happened to be the very moment when Yuiko arrived.

Yuiko bowed politely upon noticing him.

"Good evening."

Sui smiled and replied.

"Good evening."

For some time, neither of them said anything.

In Yuiko’s hand, there was a paper bag.

"The library had our books," she stated.

"I’m glad."

"...Ren is surprisingly well-read."

Sui nodded and agreed.

"Yes, he seems to be a good student."

Yuiko gave a small smile.

"...Ren really loves novels."

"Having conversations about books with someone was... fun."

Sui continued smiling at her.

"I’m happy for you."

The words sounded honest.

Yet, somehow...

They made him feel bitter inside.

Yuiko noticed Sui’s unusually silent demeanor.

"Is there anything wrong?"

"Hm?"

"You seem rather... tired."

Sui shook his head rather quickly.

"No, I’m fine."

"...Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

After studying his features, she nodded.

"If there is anything troubling you..."

"You can always tell me."

His heart warmed.

"...Thank you."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

Yuiko smiled.

"Good night, Sui."

"Good night, Yuiko."

Yuiko entered her house.

Sui stayed outside a little longer.

The cool breeze played on his face.

He remembered their conversation.

"Having conversations about books with someone was... fun."

There was nothing wrong with these words.

Absolutely nothing.

So why...

Why did they keep repeating in his head?

In the morning, Haru immediately fell into the seat right next to Sui and grinned widely.

"So."

"So?"

"You’ve been acting strange since yesterday," Haru said.

"I have not."

"You definitely have," Haru chuckled.

Sui calmly opened his textbook and replied.

"I do not know what you are saying."

Haru smiled.

"Then why were you staring at Yuiko and the new guy all afternoon?"

Sui froze for a brief moment.

"I was not staring."

"Oh?"

"You were not staring?"

"..."

"It was just that I happened to glance over," Sui answered.

Haru leaned in and tried to suppress his laughter.

"Sui."

"Hm?"

"Have you ever heard of jealousy?"

Sui blinked.

"...Jealousy?"

"Yeah."

The word seemed quite heavy to him.

He immediately shook his head.

"That’s impossible."

"You can have friends with anyone."

"I have no reasons to be jealous," he stated.

Haru only smiled warmly.

"If you say so."

The bell rang, interrupting Sui’s question.

As other students sat in their places, Sui glanced at Yuiko.

She was conversing quietly with Ren about their presentation.

She seemed quite relaxed.

Happiness filled her eyes.

Sui instantly looked away.

Jealousy...?

He mentally repeated the word.

No.

That cannot be it.

After all...

Yuiko is my neighbor.

My best friend.

So why...

Why does the sight of another person standing next to her makes my chest feels oddly tight?

For the first time, Sui questioned an unfamiliar emotion that he never experienced.