The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 120

Chapter 120

“Do you two know? Senpai gets confessed to quite a lot.”

Misa and Haru’s eyes widen at the truth revealed by Koido.

“Rento-kun…!?”

“T-There was no sign of that at all.”

“Those who confess to senpai have all been moving so that Yosaki-senpai wouldn’t find out. It’s no wonder Hinata-senpai didn’t notice either. Besides, senpai probably thought it was not something to tell the two of you. He rejected all the confessions on the spot. But around May this year… right after Golden Week, it seemed like he was intentionally hiding it.”

“That recently!?”

“Yes. By the time the rumors started spreading that Yosaki-senpai started dating him, there were classmates in despair, thinking, ‘It’s over,’ and when the rumors spread that he was two-timing with Hinata-senpai, there were those who became frantic, thinking, ‘I still have a chance!'”

“I had no idea…”

“You two might not realize it, but senpai is usually quite cold to others. Especially to those who get carried away. That’s probably due to his experiences in middle school.”

Hearing this, Misa and Haru didn’t immediately understand since Rento had never shown them a cold attitude.

But, recalling how Rento acts around Moriya, they began to understand that might be what it was about.

“Still, he can’t help but reach out to people in trouble. One of my classmates was lost and couldn’t find the classroom shortly after enrollment, and it seems like Senpai helped them out. Quite a few people have been completely charmed by that kindness. Although Senpai stands out in a strange way, there are those who think it’s wonderful that he loves someone wholeheartedly without caring about what others think. It seems like he’s been unconsciously building up a fan base like that.”

The image of Rento described by Koido was exactly the person they knew.

However, they were made aware of how little they knew about his surroundings.

“Even so, despite being such a scumbag, how can senpai be so popular?”

“…If you think Rento-kun is that kind of person, then maybe you should stay away from him.”

“What are you talking about? Leaving him because he’s a scumbag is like saying I don’t love him. If Senpai said he wanted to commit suicide, would I happily do it with him? Of course not. I’d listen to Senpai, discuss, and convey my own requests. I’d do everything to stop him. If senpai were to stray from the path, it’s obvious I would correct it.”

“Y-you just said you love Ren! After all, Koido-chan have feelings for Ren──”

“That’s not it. My love for Senpai is not like that. If I had to say, it’s more like familial love… no, never mind. Anyway, senpai will eventually collapse if you two stay with him as you are now. So, please don’t get close to senpai. Alright?”

Koido said this to them firmly and stood up from her seat. Then she thanked the shopkeeper and tried to leave the shop.

The two of them did not stop her. No, they couldn’t stop her.

After being thoroughly pointed out their inadequacies by Koido, realizing that they themselves were continuing to cause suffering to their beloved Rento, and sensing they couldn’t match Koido’s immense love for Rento, they were disheartened.

In her despair, Misa gathered her last bit of strength to ask her a question.

“Koido-san. Why do you know so much about Rento-kun? How can you be so serious about him? What do you want to be to Rento-kun?”

“I’m just Senpai’s junior. Nothing more, nothing less… that’s all,”

Koido turned around, lowering the eyebrows that had been raised all day, and said with a downcast gaze.

“A girl who once wanted to be Senpai’s little sister.”

(TN: Maybe Chapter 22? “Oh, I remember. I think there was a girl who used to be very close to me. I don’t remember her face or name anymore, but I do recall feeling like I had a little sister.”)

***

It must have been at least thirty minutes since Koido had kicked me out of the café.

At first, I wondered why I had to leave my seat, but Koido’s eyes weren’t those that intended to harm me.

Rather, they were eyes that seemed to be protecting me.

That’s why I obeyed her and left the café, leaving the two behind.

Koido had mentioned it was a “girl talk,” but I could hardly believe they were engaging in such a light-hearted conversation.

The topic is somewhat predictable.

Koido knows that I’ve been going to the hospital to get medication.

I’ve asked her to keep it a secret from the two of them, but she mentioned she would tell them if she ever felt I was at my limit.

And then, I ended up calling her the other day.

Maybe she took that as an SOS from me.

…No, she wasn’t entirely wrong.

At that time, I definitely sought her help, just like when she comforted me after Golden Week when I struggled to interact with the two of them.

It’s rather pathetic. I’ve been relying on her too much, yet here I am, trying to make amends with strawberry milk.

Drops of water clinging to the paper carton drip down to my feet.

Has it already gotten warm? I wonder if I should buy a new one.

Just as I was about to stand up from the bench——

“Sen—pai”

The girl standing before me—Koido—was looking at me with her usual smile.

“What’s up with that strawberry milk? Are you giving it to me?”

“Yeah. But it got warm, so I was thinking of buying a new one.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that! I’ve been talking a lot and my throat’s dry, so this is really helpful. I’ll gladly take it!”

Koido took the strawberry milk from me, skillfully inserted the straw, and began to drink eagerly.

“Phew—Senpai’s strawberry milk is exceptional!”

“I shouldn’t have said this, But how did you know I’d be here?”

“I can predict Senpai’s actions. After leaving the cafe, senpai wouldn’t go far, so I figured you’d choose the nearest bench to sit on… How about that?”

“It’s so spot-on it’s scary.”

“Don’t you think it’s too late for surprises?”

“I guess so.”

She has read my thoughts and actions many times before. That’s why I’m not actually surprised by this anymore.

And because she’s like that, I’ve somehow come to understand what she does.

“…So, where are Yosaki and Hinata?”

I ask about the whereabouts of the two with a sense of trepidation.

Then, after letting out a long ‘Ahh’ sound, Koido smiled slightly and said——

“The two have decided to distance themselves from Senpai. So, they won’t come here.”

“…huh?”

Koido took my confused hand and said with a blissful expression.

“Senpai, you’ve become free. But don’t worry, you still have me! So, senpai. Let’s spend a lot of time together this summer vacation!”

Author’s Note:

I apologize for the inconvenience.

Thank you for reading 「The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Managing My S*xual Desires」 (Season 3)

I truly appreciate all the comments and reviews.

There isn’t a particular theme for Part 3. If I had to say, it would be 「You reap what you sow」

In the end, Koido tore the three of them apart,but it seemed like it was bound to happen eventually, even without her intervention.

It felt like things just fell into place.

In a way, she was being kind.

Well, I guess the three of them weren’t really suited for a harem situation.

So, in the end, everyone was a loser! Koido had foreseen this outcome. As expected of a master.

Originally, I planned for Koido to utterly crush the two and drive them to despair, but it turned into more of a counseling session.

The master is kind.

Regarding Episode 87 (the last episode of Season 2) and the part about ‘chasing two rabbits’, for Rento, it meant ‘Misa’ and ‘Haru’, but from the heroine’s perspective, it meant ‘Rento’ and ‘a best friend’.

Master Koido was saying that this love can only exist if one gives up on Rento or cuts off the best friend.

(A bit of an afterthought) Rento’s name could mean ‘a series of rabbits’ and might or might not imply ‘chasing two rabbits.’

The characters’ names were given with meaning. Yosaki has a cool vibe, and Hinata has a bright feel. (Coincidentally) I like that their names contrast like day and night.

It eventually became a first-name basis.

Oda-kun is like that too. He’s been called Ota-kun since Haru. That’s how it is.

Kaita and Moriya are just random names, though.

Speaking of Rento being quite popular, the actual number isn’t that high.

(Excluding Misa and Haru) About enough to count on one hand?

I mean that he is quite popular in the sense that he is unexpectedly popular.

Oh, Ran’s true identity has been revealed! I was impressed by some of the comments that had been guessing.

Ran was a key person in the formation of Rento’s personality.

When she passed away, Rento was just a kindergartner.

(The argument between Rento and Matsui-sensei in Chapter 73 seems like a foreshadowing but it’s not!)

Also, it seems Koido might have a significant past. (I’m already laying the groundwork for that.)

I’m looking forward to the summer vacation spent with Koido.

That’s all for now.

The fourth season starts from the next Chapter.