The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Spring of freshman year is a time when you’re just starting school, and the new environment is all so exciting.

Every day feels fresh, and even the smallest things in daily life can stir their hearts.

For seniors, spring is probably the busiest time.

While some students might be looking for jobs, our school is primarily a college preparatory school.

Hence, most students are engrossed in preparing for entrance exams.

It’s not mandatory, but everyone understands that if they don’t put in the effort, they’re only hurting themselves.

So everyone dives headfirst into their studies with sheer determination.

Although their tasks remain constant day-to-day, they still wish they had even a bit more time.

Then, what about the spring of sophomore year?

To be honest, it’s very mundane. There’s nothing new, no challenges, no pressing matters.

One could say it’s the most relaxing period, but it’s also the most boring.

Even so, I need to think about the future, so I feel like I’m somewhat left hanging day by day.

With that being said,

“Why don’t we make a plan to go somewhere for fun?”

I made such a suggestion to the two of them.

“Where do you mean by ‘somewhere’?”

“I don’t have a specific place in mind. But, I feel like exploring someplace new instead of our usual spots.”

“Exploring new places sounds fun.”

“But I don’t have any particular ideas. How about Kamakura?”

“That’s nice. We haven’t really been to many touristy places.”

“Even if we visited as kids, it’d be different and fun to go with friends.”

While Hinata and I seemed to be on the same wavelength about visiting tourist spots, one person voiced her objections. It was Yosaki.

“Tourist spots are tempting, but they’re not places you go to over and over, right? Eventually, we’d run out of places.”

“Well, you have a point.”

“That’s why I think we should go somewhere closer… Like, you know, Seko-kun’s room for example.”

“…What?”

“Huh?”

An unexpected suggestion from Yosaki left me stunned, and I heard a low voice from next to me,

“…No way, Misa. It’s dangerous to go to Seko’s room.”

I was at a loss for words in response to Hinata’s words.

Agreeing was out of the question, but disagreeing could strain our relationship.

Either way, it’s not like there’s any danger in my room.

“Really? We’ve been in private rooms like karaoke booths, and Seko-kun never did anything.”

“That’s different because it’s outside! Being on one’s own territory changes things!”

“It’ll be fine, because Haru will be there too. You’ll protect me if anything happens, right?”

“Uh…”

Hinata was at a loss for words when Yosaki put it that way.

Up until now, Hinata had been acting protectively towards Yosaki from me, and because of that acknowledged effort, Yosaki’s words carry weight.

“Haru, aren’t you curious about Seko-kun’s room? I’m interested. What’s the layout like, I wonder, and what kind of books are there on the bookshelf?”

“That… No, I’m not curious! Not at all!”

Hinata says she’s not interested, but the truth is, she has been to my room once before.

It was the day after Hinata feigned illness and our relationship took a twisted turn.

Overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, I fell ill and skipped school. Saying ‘a return favor,’ Hinata came to visit me.

During that visit, she seemed to take a thorough look around my room.

“I don’t mind, but there’s really nothing special about it. Also, my parents are home on holidays.”

“Ah, I’ve been wanting to greet your parents, so I’d rather meet them.”

“Greet my parents…?”

“Uhh… If that’s the case, I want to go too. I want to meet Seko’s mom and dad too, I guess.”

“You want to see the parents who raised someone like me, is that what you’re saying?”

“N-No! That’s not it…”

Seeing Hinata desperately deny it, I swallowed my words.

I meant it as the usual joke, but perhaps Hinata genuinely wants to meet my parents.

“Sorry.”

“…No, I’m the one who should be sorry for raising my voice.”

Both of us apologized. The atmosphere felt a bit heavy.

To dispel the heaviness, Yosaki clapped her hands together.

“Then, can we visit Seko-kun’s house this weekend?”

“Uh, sure. I’ll ask my parents about their schedule.”

“Great, thanks. I’m looking forward to it, Haru.”

“…Yeah. Thanks, Misa.”

“Fufu, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“…Hehe. Misa is so cool~!”

Hinata hugged Misa, rubbing her cheek against Yosaki’s chest.

Yosaki, while seeming tickled, accepted the gesture with a smile.

Watching the two of them, I naturally smiled as well.

Despite everything, our group has a good balance.

Even if tensions arise, someone always eases the situation, so we’ve never had a big fight.

That’s why we seem to be a close-knit group.

At least from the outside——

***

And thus, the two decided to come to my house.

When I asked my mom about her plans for the weekend, she responded, ‘If you’re inviting girls over, I’ll cancel any other plans! I want to meet them too!’. The schedule was arranged smoothly.

My dad plans to go fishing as usual. He was going at his own pace as usual.

On the morning of the day, I went to the nearest station to pick them up, and from there, the three of us walked to my house.

When we met, both Yosaki and Hinata were holding paper bags.

Hinata’s hand, which held the bag, was trembling.

“Well then, welcome to my home. It’s nothing special.”

“Thank you for having us.”

“Th-thank you for having us.”

I led the two friends into my tidied-up home.

I’ve had male friends like Oda over, but it was my first time inviting female friends, so I’m a little nervous.

“Welcome! Hello~ I’m this silly son’s mother! Waa, you both are so adorable! I wonder why you’re even with Rento. This is the first time Rento has brought girls over, and I’m so excited that I——”

“Umm…”

“Ah-haha.”

Witnessing my mother’s runaway’s chatter, any lingering tension evaporated, and the two of them looked bewildered.

“Mom, are you going to keep them standing at the entrance?”

“Oh my! What’s Rento doing? Quickly show them in!”

“Whose fault is this… Anyway, you two, just remove your shoes and come in. My room is upstairs—”

“Wait. Lead them to the living room. I still want to chat with these girls.”

“…The living room is this way…”

I led the two, somewhat exasperated by my mother’s antics.

Perhaps that eased the tension, the two exchanged glances and chuckled after seeing me like this.

After entering the house, they handed the bags they’d been holding since we met to my mother.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve been classmates with Rento since the third year of junior high school. My name is Misa Yosaki. This is from my mother to Seko-kun’s mother…”

“Oh, thank you…Eh, isn’t this that famous luxury confectionery? C-can I really accept this?”

“Yes. It’s just a small thank you since we’re in your care today.”

“Oh my… Rento, is this girl perhaps a young lady from a well-off family? Are you trying to marry into money?”

“Mom, that’s rude to both Yosaki and me.”

“To you too…?”

“Don’t look at me like you really don’t understand!”

“…Fufu. You seem to have a close relationship with your mother, Seko-kun.”

“Eh, what gave you that impression?”

While it’s true that we have a relationship where we can speak frankly to each other, I always feel like I’m being toyed with by my mother, so when someone says we’re close, I don’t really get it.

“N-n-ni-nice to meet you! I’m…I’m Seko…R-Ren…Rento-kun’s classmate, and unlike Misa, um, I became friends with him after entering high school. Ah, my name! My name is Haru Hinata! Here’s something from me too! It’s just a small thank you!”

“What’s with this girl, she’s so cute…My maternal instincts are tingling. Thank you for preparing something too, Haru-chan.”

“No, not at all! Unlike Misa, it’s really just a trivial gift…”

“Hey Rento, can I pamper this girl? I want her to be our daughter.”

“Me, a daughter of the Seko family..!? That means…”

“Look, Mom, Hinata’s so flustered she’s frozen. Can you tone it down?”

“…Sigh. I’m sorry, Haru-chan. It’s my son’s…”

“Me?!”

“N-no. I’m, I’m indebted to Rento-kun, um, yes.”

I wish I could say that it’s me who’s indebted to her, but I can’t bring myself to say that out loud.

Thus, the two’s first visit to our home (though it’s technically Hinata’s second time) began like that.