The Heroine Is In Love With Me

I'm With Prince Charming, Part 2

A white shuttlecock arcs lazily in the air.

   “Huh, so it turns out, you’re from an elementary school in the
   next town over,” she says as she hits the shuttle back.

   “Yeah, that’s right,” I reply as I send the shuttle back to
   her.

   “But then, isn’t that far from here?” she asks as she hits the
   shuttle.

   “Not really,” I said as I send it back again. “It’s about 20
   minutes on foot.”

   “What? That is pretty far,” she said.

   “Do you think so?” I asked. “But, even if it’s a little far,
   it’s quiet here and the fountain is beautiful, I so I like it.”

   “Oh, for sure!” she said. “I like this park too. See, it’s huge
   and the fountain is beautiful, and, umm, it’s huge!”

   “Ahahaha!” I laughed. “You just said that it’s huge twice now!”

   “Huh, really?”

   “Yes, really…” I muttered. “And here’s my chance!” I cried as I
   smashed the shuttle.

   “Wah…?!” she cried as she lost her balance and fell.

   “S-Sorry!” I cried as I rushed over. “Are you okay?!”

   She smiled as she stood up. “Yeah! I’m fine! You’re strong!”

   “I don’t think I am?” I said.

   “You are!” she said. “That rally lasted for so long and it was
   so much fun! Can we hang out a little longer?”

   “Yeah, sure,” I said. “Well then, you serve this time, okay?”

   “Sure! Taaake this!” she cried.

   The shuttle starts to arc through the air again.

   “By the way, are you always playing alone?” she asked as I hit
   the shuttle back.

   “Yeah, I don’t have any friends at school,” I replied as she
   sent it back.

   “Huuh?! Seriously?!”

   “Don’t be so surprised, weren’t you playing alone?” I said.

   “Oh, yeah,” she said. “Everyone’s too busy with exams or cram
   schools lately, so they don’t want to play.”

   “Hmm, is that so?” I asked.

   “Yeah,” she replied. “Nothing I can do about it but I’m feeling
   a little lonely.”

   “But I’m jealous you have so many good friendships that you
   miss them.”

   “I don’t think you should?”

   “I am,” I said. “I used to have friends a while ago.”

   “Oh, I see,” she said.

   “But there was a boy they called Prince Charming,” I said.

   “Oh, a Prince,” she said. “Was he cool?”

   “No, not at all,” I said. “He was just a little fast.”

   “Hmm, I see.”

   “Yeah. That’s why he confessed to me.”

   “Huh, c-confessed?”