For Some Reason The Girl Who's Too Popular Only Drinks with Me - Volume 1 Chapter 6.2

“So, senpai won the bet. That’s why he said it’d be cruel to make the newly paired-off two entertain me, so he told me to bring in more people. Frankly, I didn’t expect you two to get all touchy-feely, so I had pretty much given up.”
“Please don’t casually mention ‘touchy-feely.’ Well, I didn’t expect that kind of relationship either.”

“Right? I figured even if you liked Hamasaki-chan, you’d wimp out thinking it’s impossible, and even if she fell for you, you’d run away screaming it’s impossible.”

While sipping the alcohol she gave me, I felt somewhat downcast. This person really understands me too well. I had no idea my wavering heart was so visible to her. Am I that transparent?

But alas, Sugino-senpai’s predictions were off. Mikami-senpai had a better eye for people, and Hamasaki Mai proved to be one step ahead.

“Mikami-senpai said you two were similar in many ways and would get along, so he made the bet with me on whether you’d get together.”

“Don’t bet on people’s love lives, please.”

“I lost 1.2 million yen because you two ended up together!”

I nearly spat out my drink at the sudden mention of such a large sum. Coughing, I tried to process what Sugino-senpai had just said.

1.2 million yen? Why would they bet such a huge amount? I know Sugino-senpai has money to burn, but was Mikami-senpai okay with that?

I wiped my mouth with a napkin nearby. Sugino-senpai was laughing heartily, drinking her alcohol, and Hamasaki Mai was looking at me worriedly from a distance.

“1.2 million yen, you bet money on that? And such a large amount…”

“Mikami-senpai said he only had 120,000 yen in his account at the time.”

“How confident was he to make that bet?”

But despite that, Mikami-senpai never gave any romantic support. Not that I’d want him to meddle in making Hamasaki Mai and me get together. I definitely wouldn’t want to see such support from him.

“Well, I think it was good. I’m happy about it.”

Sugino-senpai mumbled, looking down while fiddling with her glass. She had been laughing just moments ago, so why this sudden change?

“Hamasaki-chan seemed to be struggling with various things, and Kirishima-kun was parched. Well, who knows how long it’ll last, though.”

“That’s true. I think so too. Though, I’m prepared to be dumped anytime.”

“You’re still such a pessimist.”

“And a gloomy guy too.”

I took another drink from the glass Sugino-senpai refilled for me. Yeah, the alcohol she’s drinking doesn’t have much of a kick, surprisingly smooth and easy to drink.

Maybe my tastes have changed recently. I looked up to ask what kind of alcohol it was, but Sugino-senpai had already left my table.

She was now heading towards the big table in the center of the room. Around a tall table surrounding a thick pillar, many men and women were chatting animatedly, with Hamasaki Mai at the center.

“Hey there! No hitting on her!”

Sugino-senpai raised her bottle and shouted at a boy who was trying to get closer to Hamasaki Mai. The freshman boy startled but laughed off her intervention with a “What’s up~”.

“Seriously, Hamasaki Mai is my ultra-SSR pull. Can’t let just any guy take her.”

Sugino-senpai squeezed right next to Hamasaki Mai and drank her alcohol. Despite the abrupt intrusion, Hamasaki Mai laughed, and the other boys and girls seemed puzzled but also laughed. Normal guys would probably try to ignore Sugino-senpai at this point and go back to focusing on Hamasaki Mai, but unfortunately, the Sake Friends Circle guys aren’t normal. They all owe a lot to Sugino-senpai, just like me. Nobody could stand up to her.

“Ehh, so we don’t stand a chance?”

“No chance! Though I’m not a monster, so I’ll give you a chance.”

“Really?!”

“No, wait, Sugino-senpai? What about my opinion?”

“Do you know what type of guy Hamasaki-chan likes?”

“Uh, no clue. What is it?”

“Sugino-senpai? You’re not listening, right? Sugino-senpai?”

“I’ll tell you though, it’s guys who can handle their liquor. Guys who can carry a drunk me home.”

Her declaration with a smug face caused a stir in the restaurant. A mixture of agreement and confusion filled the air, and Hamasaki Mai, who had been ignored the whole time, wore a complex expression.

Thinking back on her drunken antics, various images came to mind. Wrapping a towel around her face and dousing herself in alcohol, sneaking behind the counter to play hide-and-seek, petting a fire extinguisher before taking it home, getting entangled in a bench in front of the shop like a ring puzzle, running after a blue sheet blown by the wind in the park while calling it “a blue puppy”… well, a lot. I’m pretty sure she’ll be fine today. She won’t break anything in a restaurant owned by Sugino-senpai.

Maybe she’ll break a sign somewhere on the way home, though.

“So, drink up, everyone. The last one standing gets to hit on Hamasaki Mai.”

Sugino-senpai smiled sweetly as she made the announcement. Mostly the boys shouted in response, chugging their beers in unison.

Hamasaki Mai, turned into a prize without her consent, laughed awkwardly. Watching her seemingly having fun, I sipped my drink.