Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 4.11

The Winter When We Take a Step Forward 11

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Haruko’s PoV

“Ah…what should I do…I definitely overdid it…”

Holding a cup of warm milk tea, I sighed deeply. Sacchan, sitting across from me with a cool expression, was munching on cheesecake and said, “Nah, you’re overthinking it.”

Right after class ended, Sacchan claimed she’d “die without something sweet right now,” so the three of us, including Houjo-kun, ended up at a cafe near the university.

I hesitated, wondering if I’d be a third wheel, but Sacchan sharply dismissed that concern, saying, “The nuisance here is Hiroki, not you.”

“Sacchan. I really don’t think it suits me…I definitely weirded him out…”

“What are you talking about? That type of person needs a bit of a work to get it just right.”

Following Sacchan’s advice, I launched the “Make Sagara-kun’s Heart Flutter with My Femme Fatale Mode” operation, but now I regret it. Just recalling my actions and Sagara-kun’s stunned face makes me want to squirm.

Saying things like I want a boy to confess his feelings to me was just inviting trouble. What a disaster of trying to be a little devil.

“Alright, next up, let’s try the body touch tactic. Casually touching his thigh might work wonders.”

I gasped at Sacchan’s suggestion. If I had that kind of courage, I would’ve already secured my rosy university life.

“There’s no way I can do that!”

“It’s not about can’t, you just do! It’s all about spirit and guts!”

“You wouldn’t do it yourself! If you’re going to say that, you try it!”

“Hah!? As if I’d ever do something like that.”

I slumped in defeat. This is just cruel. She’s definitely enjoying this…

While Houjo-kun was sipping his coffee next to Sacchan, he chimed in with a smirk, “I wouldn’t mind being seduced with a body touch, you know?”

“Absolutely not. Why are you even here? Today was supposed to be my date with Haruko.” (tln : man, i really liked this hojo and sacchan duo)

Sacchan glared at Houjo-kun sitting next to her. She’s probably the only girl who can get away with treating him like that. Their relationship seemed so pleasant, making me smile.

“Speaking of which, how long does Sagara plan to dawdle? Haruko’s been trying so hard, he should just give in already.”

“Just a minute ago you were saying ‘It serves him right to suffer more.’ Talk about inconsistent.”

“Well, I still haven’t accepted Sagara, you know. But if Haruko says he’s the one, then I guess it can’t be helped. As long as Haruko’s happy, that’s all that matters to me.”

“Wait, Sacchan, you weren’t just having fun with this?”

At my comment, Sacchan called me an “idiot,” playfully flicking my forehead. Then, we ended up laughing together.

She might be having fun with this, but I knew Sacchan was genuinely concerned for me and supporting me from the bottom of her heart.

Having friends really is nice, I thought, feeling a warmth spread through me.

“Anyway, you can’t back down, Haruko. In love, losing the upper hand means defeat.”

“O-okay…I’ll, I’ll try my best!”

“Wow, the words of someone who’s been on the losing end sure carry a different weight.”

Houjo-kun teased, and Sacchan, turning red, snapped, “Shut up!” Apparently, in their case, Houjo-kun held the reins.

I couldn’t help but secretly laugh, feeling a bit sorry for Sacchan.

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Sagara’s PoV

Since my third-period class was unexpectedly canceled, I was studying alone in the lab.

As my concentration broke, Nanase’s words crossed my mind, and I involuntarily stopped.

──If I were to date someone, it would have to be in an ultra-romantic situation, with a confession from the boy I like.

For about a week, I’ve been troubled by what Nanase said. As if exams and part-time work weren’t enough, why add more worries?

Love is hard. How do people who change partners like clothes even manage?

If I were the “ideal boyfriend” Nanase originally wanted, I wouldn’t be struggling to make her happy. Am I even worthy to stand beside Nanase?

Nanase might have been a social butterfly from the start, now more than ever. Even without me, she could probably achieve her rosy university life.

Now that her bare face is leaked, she can be herself around others, not just me. My role has long been over.

…Should I really… still be by her side?

As I buried my head in my arms on the desk, I heard a voice from behind, “Sagara. What are you doing?”

Turning around, Sudo stood there, looking at me quizzically.

“…Ah. St-studying?”

“You don’t look like it.”

Sudo said, sounding exasperated, and put the pouch she left on the desk into her bag. It seemed she only came back for something she forgot.

As she was about to leave, I called out, “Hey.”

“…Sudo, I heard you’re dating Houjo?”

Sudo blinked quickly, probably surprised I initiated the conversation.

“Did Haruko tell you? It’s not a secret, so it’s fine.”

“…You knew how Houjo felt and ignored him, right? What changed?”

“Why are you suddenly asking? You’re unusually probing.”

Sudo shrugged and sat down across from me, resting her chin on her hand and began speaking plainly.

“I’ve always hated the idea of dating a popular guy. With all the jealousy and complications, is it worth the risk? That’s what I thought.”

I could somewhat understand her perspective.

“But that’s just me being scared of getting hurt. When I thought about it, the idea of Hiroki dating someone else was absolutely unbearable. So, I decided it’s better to face the music and be ready to make enemies.”

After saying so much, she blushed and abruptly ended the conversation with,

“Okay! That’s enough of that!”

Listening to Sudo, I felt a kind of kinship with her.

Afraid of getting hurt, running from my true feelings, and unable to accept the other’s feelings. Sudo and I were the same in that regard.

Yet, Sudo chose to be with Houjo, even if it meant getting hurt.

“…Maybe you and I are kind of alike…”

I muttered, and Sudo grimaced visibly. Then, she let out a deeply disgusted sigh.

“Ah~!? What are you saying? Please stop. That’s the worst. I want to die.”

…I got the message; she hates being lumped in with me, so there’s no need to look at me like I’m a cockroach. Even I felt a bit hurt by that.

“But why are you worried about me? Shouldn’t you be focusing on Haruko?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Haruko’s pretty popular, you know. If she gets tired of waiting, don’t blame me. Personally, I think she could do choose better.”

The words she casually threw out hit me harder than expected. Why does she always manage to strike right at my core?

I know that. The girl who said she liked me, even though I’m pathetic and pitiful—I don’t want to make her wait any longer.

After returning home from class, I pressed the intercom at Nanase’s room. “Just a moment!” she called out, and after about five minutes, she appeared wearing a mask.

“…You have a cold?”

“No, no. I’m just…not wearing makeup right now…”

Nanase said, covering her eyes with her hands, looking embarrassed. I had the sudden urge to forcefully reveal her face but restrained myself.

“More importantly, what’s up all of a sudden?”

“…Ah. Well, um…after the exams, it’s spring break, right?”

I blurted out something obvious as a prelude to the main topic. Nanase tilted her head, puzzled. I tried to continue as naturally as possible.

“After the exams…let’s go somewhere.”

Nanase’s eyes widened behind her glasses in surprise.

“Is that…just the two of us?”

I nodded silently. What’s Nanase thinking right now? Her large mask made it hard to read her expression, which made me anxious.

“…Yeah. I’d like to go.”

After a brief silence, Nanase answered.

Internally, I sighed in relief.

“…Yeah. Then, I’ll…think about various things…”

“Thanks. I’m looking forward to it.”

Nanase softened her gaze and said, “See you then,” before closing the door.

Her unexpectedly nonchalant reaction made me suddenly uneasy.

…It’s going to be okay, right?

Trying to lift my spirits, which were on the verge of sinking, I started boiling some thirty-yen udon for a pre-work meal.

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Haruko’s PoV

The moment I closed the door, I raised my fists high in triumph.

YESSSSSSSSS! I finally got asked out on a date!!

Though he didn’t exactly say “date,” going out together just the two of us is definitely a date.

Yeah, let’s go with that.

Unable to contain my excitement, I opened my closet, wondering what to wear. Then, realizing I was getting ahead of myself, I closed it again.

It’s still a while away, so I’ll go shopping for new clothes as soon as the exams are over.

I never thought Sagara-kun would be the one to invite me. Maybe Sacchan’s “Femme Fatale Operation” actually worked. Though I didn’t manage to touch his thigh…

I silently exploded with joy in my room, careful not to alert my neighbor.

Once I calmed down a bit, I realized this might be my last chance.

Slapping my cheeks, I switched gears and returned to my interrupted exam studies.

To fully enjoy my date with Sagara-kun, I must achieve the highest grades possible.

I won’t cut corners, not in studies or in love.