Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 1.14

The Spring When I Met You 14

Perhaps noticing my gaze, Nanase suddenly turned around. Our eyes met, and her vivid pink lips formed a gentle arc.

She waved at me with a small motion of her hand.

I averted my gaze in a flash and left the laboratory. Then I could hear the tap-tap of heels on the floor coming from behind me.

“Sagara-kun, wait.”

The one who had followed me was, as expected, Nanase. I stopped and frowned.

“I told you not to talk to me…”

“B-but…”

“You got Sudo thinking weird things, didn’t you?”

“The rumor that I’m dating you, Sagara-kun?”

“Idiot, not so loud.”

I scold Nanase and looked around nervously. If someone heard this conversation and a baseless rumor started, it would be serious trouble.

“Weren’t you going to find a ‘wonderful boyfriend’?”

“That is… I want one someday, but…”

“Someday, when? You only have four years of university life.”

Like a scolded puppy, Nanase looked down dejectedly.

“Anyway, don’t talk to me too much from now on. If a strange rumor starts, guys won’t approach you.”

“But I…”

“See ya.”

I cut off whatever Nanase was about to say and walked away quickly. Just before turning on my heel, I caught a glimpse of Nanase’s face, which seemed unusually sad.

Once I stepped outside the school building, the damp and uncomfortable air clung to me.

The rainy season hadn’t been declared yet, but it had been raining a lot lately, and the humidity was abnormally high.

I remember last June being a bit more comfortable, but maybe this humidity is unique to Kyoto.

“Sagara!”

…Today seems to be a day when my name is called a lot.

Turning around, I saw a tall, handsome man jogging toward me. It was Houjou. Looking at him again, he really did have a model-like figure.

Even though he’s about the same height as me, the length of his legs is entirely different.

“Sagara, give me your contact info. I won’t just add you to the group without permission.”

“What?”

“If you suddenly can’t come to campus and no one knows how to contact you, we’ll be in trouble.”

…He did have a point. I was ashamed of my narrow perspective. Maybe I should apologize to Sudo next time.

Pulling out my smartphone, I exchanged LINE IDs with Houjou.

Since entering university, he was only the second person I’ve shared contact information with, following Nanase.

The communication skills of a popular and handsome guy are fearsome indeed.

With a pop, a stamp featuring a comically posed middle-aged man was sent. It could be a setup for a punchline, but I didn’t say anything.

While putting his smartphone back in his pocket, Houjou casually asked me as if making small talk.

“Sagara, do you like Nanase?”

Although I was slightly shaken, I was somewhat prepared for the question and answered firmly.

“That’s not true.”

Houjou responded with a noncommittal “Hmm,” and continued.

“I saw you talking with Nanase earlier. You came to the party together too, so I thought you were close.”

I cursed inwardly. See, that’s what I was worried about. People are getting the wrong idea.

“But you’re not dating, right? Ah, this is what Saki said. So, maybe it’s unrequited love on your part.”

This kind of misunderstanding was, as expected, a situation I had anticipated. A plain and unremarkable guy like me getting smitten with a beauty who is kind to everyone. It’s a plausible scenario.

“No way. Someone like me doesn’t match up with Nanase.”

I gave the prepared model answer. But Houjou didn’t seem convinced and tilted his head.

“Really? I think you’d be good together.”

“Huh? How?”

This response was unexpected, so I inadvertently asked back.

To be clear, Nanase, when she’s made up, is a strikingly attractive woman. There’s no way someone as plain as me would be a good match for her.

What on earth was Houjou basing his comment on?

“Hmm… maybe the atmosphere? Like, the air around you when you’re together.”

“Atmosphere…?”

“Nanase isn’t that flashy, you know? When she talks with me, I can sometimes feel she’s straining a bit.”

“No… I don’t think that’s the case.”

I answered, maintaining my composure, but I was inwardly startled. Someone had already seen through the plainness inside the made-up Nanase. Perhaps you can’t deceive the eyes of the real charmers at the top of the hierarchy.

“But somehow, when she talks with you, she seems more natural.”

“…That’s not really true.”

The reason why Nanase seems natural around me is that she doesn’t need to pretend. It’s simply because I know her true face. That’s all there is to it. Being a good match is absolutely impossible.

Indeed, my existence must be nothing but a nuisance to Nanase, who aims for a rosy university life. Being matched with someone like me must be annoying for her. I need to be even more careful in the future and maintain an appropriate distance.

With a meaningful smile, Houjou patted my shoulder.

“Let’s do our best with the group work. Good luck with your part-time job. See ya later.”

As Houjou raised one hand, I vaguely lifted my right hand as well. University students tend to say “otsukare” a lot as a greeting, but I never really understood what they’re tired from.

Looking up at the sky, the heavy grey clouds looked ready to pour rain at any moment. I decided to take an umbrella to my part-time job.

◇◇◇

Haruko’s PoV

“No… It’s not coming together at all…”

Struggling with the pile of materials in front of me, I finally raised the white flag and flopped down on the floor. Looking up at the stained ceiling, I let out a deep sigh.

The clock showed midnight.

I craved chocolate, but eating such things at this hour is an enemy of beauty.

I had a breakout on my forehead recently, and I need to be careful. I’ve been somewhat sleep-deprived lately.

Checking my smartphone, I saw a LINE message from Sacchan. The notification screen displayed [Look at this and laugh] along with the URL of a video.

It’s probably a clip of a comedian Sacchan likes. I felt sorry, but I wasn’t in the mood to watch it right now. I left it unopened.

What I’m working on is a seminar group work assignment. Ideally, all members should be tackling it together, but everyone else except me hasn’t been very cooperative.

In particular, I found Yuusuke Kinami from my group to be a bit difficult.

The bright and friendly Kinami had been talking to me for a while. He’s not a bad guy, but he’s overly familiar and often throws jokes that are hard to respond to.

When we ended up in the same group this time, at first, he said, “I’ll do anything, so just tell me.” But once we started the group work—his cooperation was less than ideal.

He gently pushed the tedious tasks onto others. When asked for his opinion, he’d escape by saying he didn’t understand.

Yet at the end, he’d claim, “If you had told me, I would have done that.” He might not have bad intentions, but he’s the type I’d rather not work with.

The other group members, too, citing busyness or other reasons, didn’t offer much enthusiasm.

As a result, most of the work ended up on my plate.

Thinking back, I had a similar experience in high school. I was supposed to do the library committee work with everyone, but I ended up doing it alone.

“Because I have club activities,” they’d say, and before I knew it, I was sitting at the reception counter every day.

It’s not that I don’t feel it’s unfair that it’s always me, but—I still couldn’t bring myself to do any less than my best. I don’t want to believe that the diligent person loses out.

Surely, there’s someone who sees my efforts.

Just then, I sensed someone leaving the next room.

It was Sagara-kun.

The door closed, and he descended the stairs.

He must be heading to his part-time job now.