The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 116

Part 15: Loser

Chapter 116

The mock exams ended today, but the final exams start from the next day.

Failing would turn the much-awaited summer vacation into a supplementary lessons hell, so even those who usually don’t study are immersed in studying during this period.

I’m no exception. Even though I’m not in any club activities, I don’t want to go to school during the summer vacation, so I force my exhausted body to sit at my desk in my room and dive into my studies.

——I can’t concentrate.

Even though I’m supposed to be reading the text in the textbook, my mind is filled with other things.

I’m supposed to be solving math problems, yet other problems occupy my mind.

I pick up the smartphone that was on my desk and operate it, staring at the name displayed on the screen.

Would it be a bother?

She has final exams too, so she’s probably studying. I mean, it’s the middle of the night.

Though I can think of many reasons to stop, I find myself calling her before I realize it.

She answers before the third ring, her voice cheerful and lively in my ear.

『Good evening, senpai!』

“Evening. Sorry for suddenly calling you.”

『No problem at all! I’m always happy to talk! How about we pull an all-nighter right now!』

“That might be nice.”

『…that’s a no-go. Tomorrow is the final exam. If you don’t sleep properly, you’ll end up having the miserable experience of falling asleep during the test.』

“That’s true. Sorry. I shouldn’t keep Koido up like this.”

『It’s totally fine by me. So, do you need something from me?』

“No, sorry. I just felt like talking to Koido for a bit.”

『…What’s up, senpai, still half asleep? I’m going to tease you a lot with this later!』

“I don’t like that.”

When I replied like that, I could hear Koido’s laughter saying, ‘Right?’

Conversations with no real substance. But they’re incredibly fun.

It feels like all the clutter is being pulled out of my mind. My thoughts become clearer, and it feels good.

“Koido, are you okay with your exam prep? If it’s bad, you can hang up right away, it’s fine.”

『I’m totally fine. Honestly, I’m confident I can score full marks with just a light review right before the exam.』

“…Really?”

『Wow, you really don’t believe me with that reaction. I’m actually the top student in our grade.』

“…Really?”

『You’re even more skeptical now! I’m confident I can do better in studies than you, senpai.』

“What did you say? Alright, I’ll give you a problem to solve.”

I select a question from the physics workbook open on my desk, take a photo of it, and send it to Koido.

“I just sent you a photo of the problem, so try solving it.”

『Sure thing. Um…』

Physics is a subject that students start learning in their second year.

Maybe I was being too mean, but I can’t let my pride be hurt by being looked down upon by a junior in terms of academic ability──

『I solved it. The answer is number three, right?』

“…Can you teach me how to study next time?”

『You’re changing so quickly! Well, it’s not that I mind, but aren’t you a bit too lacking in pride?』

“Know this, Koido. Asking for help from someone younger isn’t something to be ashamed of.”

『Wasn’t that something I said! Why are you using it as if it were your own words? How little pride do you have?』

“Sorry… Not only am I relying on my junior, but I’m also stealing her words… Maybe there’s nothing left that’s truly ‘me’ anymore.”

『Whoa, I said too much—I’m actually happy that senpai is relying on me—like, senpai, you’re exaggerating—senpai is senpai, you know—』

Having gone through our usual antics, we laugh together.

Thinking about it, this self-deprecation I always do might just be me relying on Koido.

In other words, I’ve been depending on Koido from the start.

How pathetic.

『By the way, senpai, listen to this! I’ve finally mastered a secret technique!』

“A secret technique? What’s that?”

『Muahaha. It’s the art of getting along with guys while keeping their affection for me just short of them actually liking me!』

“Sorry, I don’t really get it.”

『From your quick response, I feel like you didn’t even try to understand! But let me explain. Remember, you told me before, senpai, to refrain from actions that might lead guys to misunderstand my intentions?』

“Ah, yeah, I said that.”

Koido had been approaching many boys, especially members of the soccer team, to gather information to help us.

Among them, many had come to like Koido, and she ended up receiving a multitude of confessions.

Moreover, because Koido had been ingratiating herself with others to collect information, there were many who misunderstood and thought she liked them.

When she rejected their confessions, there was a possibility that some might bear a grudge and cause trouble.

That’s why I asked her to refrain from such actions in the future.

『No, that’s actually quite difficult, you know. Why do guys misunderstand things so easily? There was even a time when just greeting someone made them think I liked them.』

“That makes me feel… somewhat apologetic on behalf of guys.”

『Ah, I’m not blaming you! Anyway, after what senpai told me, I tried all sorts of things, but nothing really worked out. That’s when I ran into an acquaintance!』

“Acquaintance…?”

『Huhuhu. Prepare to be surprised! My master is none other than Saki-chan!』

“What, seriously… uh, yeah, that actually makes sense.”

『Hey, what’s with that reaction! Be more surprised, please!』

“Nah, it’s the secret techniques of handling men that you got from Saki-chan, right? They must be incredible. I’m beyond surprised; it just makes perfect sense.”

『I’m not satisfied with your reaction, senpai!』

I don’t understand why you’re not convinced.

After all, it’s the secret technique bestowed upon you by Saki-chan, right?

Just hearing that tells me how effective it must be.

『Sigh. Anyway, that’s the situation, so you don’t have to worry anymore, senpai.』

“Good, I’m glad to hear that.”

『Hehe. I want to lessen your worries, senpai.』

“As expected of you, Koido-sama.”

『Hmmph, please stop with the ‘sama’!』

“Understood, Koido-dono.”

『How much do you want to keep your distance from me!』

“Just kidding, Koido.”

『Heheh, I know that.』

I can’t help but smile at Koido, who gets in a better mood just by being called by name without any honorifics.

『”By the way, senpai, speaking of techniques related to romance, do you know about the ‘sa-shi-su-se-so’ of being popular with guys?』

“‘Sa-shi-su-se-so’? Not the cooking kind?”

(TN: Probably this for cooking. Sa (さ): Sugar (砂糖, Satou), Shi (し): Salt (塩, Shio), Su (す): Vinegar (酢, Su),
Se (せ): Soy sauce (醤油, Shouyu), So (そ): Miso (味噌, Miso))

『It seems there’s also a “sa-shi-su-se-so” used for becoming more popular. For example, “sa” stands for “sasuga” (as expected). It’s like a collection of words that affirm or praise the other person.』

“I see. So, “shi” would be like “I didn’t know (shiranakatta)”?”

『Exactly, senpai! ‘I didn’t know (shiranakatta)’ that, but you got it right away!』

“Are you already using that technique on me? Well, next is “su”… That’s easy, it’s “sugoi” (amazing).”

『’Amazing (sugoi)’, senpai!』

“You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you? Next is ‘se’, huh… ‘se’? No, I don’t know. ‘Senan ya (That’s right)’ or something?”

『Why do you suddenly switch to the Kansai dialect? The correct answer was ‘sense aru’ (having sense)!』

“Senan ya (That’s right)”

『No, that’s not the technique, okay? It’s senpai’s ‘se’.』

“What the heck is my ‘se’?”

Well, as such silly talk continued, it became quite late.

As Koido said, I need to get enough sleep, or I might fall asleep during tomorrow’s exam.

It would be bad enough for me, but it would be even worse if it also affected Koido.

“Maybe we should call it a day. Thanks for today.”

『Yes! I’m always at your service! …But are you really okay with this?』

“…What are you talking about?”

『Senpai, you’re hopeless. In the first place, senpai is a scumbag for dating two people at the same time, so I don’t think there’s any need for you to feel regret or be down about it now—』

“What kind of consolation is that?”

『But you wanted me to say it, didn’t you?』

“That’s…Yeah. Thanks, Koido.”

『No problem at all. Good night, senpai!』

“Good night.”

I ended the call with Koido and placed the heated smartphone on the desk.

I stared at the open textbook and let out a sigh, murmuring to myself.

“Maybe I should try a little harder…”