The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 49

Chapter 49

I told my junior, Koido, everything about the problems I was facing with Misa and Haru.

Once I started talking, I couldn’t stop, and my troubles poured out like a flood.

Then I realized. I wanted to talk to someone, I wanted to share my worries with someone and have them sympathize.

Because of the nature of my problems, I couldn’t consult my parents or rely on Oda.

I had no choice but to keep it to myself, which led to that hospitalization.

When I finished my story, Koido said ‘Thank you.’

Her expression was somehow serene.

“I didn’t think it was this complicated, but I kind of understand the situation now.”

“Why am I even talking about this with my junior…”

“Pout. Just because someone is younger doesn’t mean you can’t rely on them. Stop age discrimination.”

“Why am I being accused of such age discrimination now?”

“Maybe you’re too conscious of your age? Sometimes people want to be relied on as adults, and other times they want to be pampered like children. You have to be flexible.”

“That’s good advice.”

Somehow, I feel like I have no dignity left as a Senpai.

“But why are you thanking me, Koido?”

“Well, it’s just a feeling. I think it’s like a thank you for answering my question, and thank you for trusting me enough to talk about it.”

“What do you mean, ‘you think’? It’s about you.”

“Maybe you, Senpai, are troubled because you don’t understand your own feelings.”

“You have a point. I can’t argue with that.”

My dignity was long gone.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. I’ll keep it in my fairly ample chest.”

“Thank you, Koido-sama.”

“Please don’t call me ‘sama’. And respond properly to my jokes, it’s embarrassing.”

“If I do, I’ll be accused of s*xual harassment.”

“I wouldn’t do that! But, in exchange for keeping it a secret, let’s meet here for lunch every day.”

“Ehh… I thought we were done talking.”

“No-no, it’s just starting. I’ll be there to give advice to Senpai! So, come here for lunch and let’s talk! I’m fine with just casual conversation.”

“…Why are you doing so much for me?”

“That’s because it’s interesting——I mean, I thought Senpai seemed pitiful!”

“Both the revised reason and the original one are harsh… to be pitied by a junior…”

“J-just kidding. It’s you know, um, a thank you for yesterday.”

Yesterday… Ah, it’s about the guy who was turned down by Koido but persisted until I showed up and drove him away.

The guy who reflected on himself after seeing me., and the one who realized he was just venting his frustration on Koido.

“I don’t need any thanks, I didn’t really do anything…”

“S-Senpai!? Cheer up, please! I’m sorry for teasing too much—I really am grateful!”

Koido shakes me, trying to encourage me.

Koido is kind. Even though I’m just… I’m just… I’m just…

Just kidding. I’m not that concerned. Really. Just a little.

“Hmm, speaking of Arahira Senpai…”

“Do you know him, Koido?”

“Hmm-mmh. It’s not something to brag about, but Arahira Senpai is a well-known figure at school. Not as much as Senpai though.”

“Do juniors have a rule where they have to jab at me in conversations?”

“Don’t sulk again. …Ahem. Arahira Senpai is famously known as the ‘Lady Weeper.'”

‘Lady Weeper’ huh… So that guy’s been labeled with such a juvenile nickname.

But,

” ‘Lady Weeper’? What’s that about? Doesn’t sound very nice.”

“Yeah. Apparently, he’s quite handsome, so he never had trouble with women. He became too confident and started treating them poorly, earning him the nickname ‘Lady Weeper’. Now, it seems girls in his grade don’t pay him any attention.”

“So that’s why he started approaching Yosaki and Hinata. But then, Koido, you should be careful too.”

“What, Senpai, are you worried about me too?”

“Koido is popular, right? Given how we met.”

“Ahaha, I can’t deny that. Well, for Senpai’s peace of mind, I’ll be careful.”

My words of concern for Koido were received with such a light-hearted response.

“Oh, it’s already this time.”

Koido stood up from the bench, turned around, and stood in front of me.

“Senpai. Let’s take a little break from those two. Instead, I’ll keep you company. It’ll be a nice change of pace for you.”

Her words sounded superficial and didn’t really resonate with me.

But that was what felt most comfortable for me at the moment.

And before I knew it, I found myself nodding in agreement.

***

About a week had passed since I started spending my lunch breaks with Koido.

At first, I used to go right at the beginning of the break, but I realized I might not make it in time if I delayed eating lunch, and there was also dissatisfaction from not being able to eat together with the two, so I started having lunch first and then heading to the backyard.

Today, after eating lunch with Misa and Haru, instead of talking with them after the meal, I headed to the backyard.

We sat side by side on the bench, each of us glued to our smartphone screens.

“It’s getting warmer lately, so it feels nice to be outside.”

“It’s just the right time of year. By the way, Koido, did you have a proper lunch?”

“Of… course! 12,000 points!”

“Ah… there goes all the points I’ve been saving up.”

“Hehe, that’s game over. You lose, Senpai. Please treat me a juice~”

“Another loss… Strawberry milk is fine, right?”

“Yes! Please do~”

I headed to a nearby vending machine and bought strawberry milk.

I also bought a coffee for myself and returned to the bench.

The first time I had to treat Koido to juice, I casually asked, ‘Strawberry milk is okay?’ She responded with a beaming smile, ‘Yes!’

Since then, I’ve made it a rule to buy strawberry milk on such occasions.

“Here, a tribute from the defeated.”

“Wow, that’s a rather ungrateful way to put it. But thank you. Even so, I never expected Senpai to be able to play Mahjong.”

“That’s my line. In my case, it’s my father’s hobby. I’ve been playing occasionally since I was little, so I just remember the rules.”

“I’m in a similar situation.”

“But it’s amazing how we can easily play it now with just a smartphone. We’re in an era where hobbies are digitalized.”

“Senpai’s manga collection is still in paper format, though.”

“That’s a remnant from before I had a smartphone… but how do you know that?”

“I also collect them in paper! Flipping through the pages feels great!”

“…I see.”

I’ve learned in these past few days that taking her words seriously can lead to trouble.

Talking with her requires the skill to ignore certain things.

Koido quickly inserted the straw and began drinking the strawberry milk with joy.

“Ah, strawberry milk bought with someone else’s money tastes exceptional!”

“Good for you. But they say that eating something bought with your own hard-earned money is also special. Koido, which do you think tastes better, yakiniku you buy with your own money or yakiniku someone else buys for you?”

“Hmm. I haven’t worked yet, so I don’t know, but I think the former is only special for the first paycheck.”

“Ah, I kind of get that. The first paycheck is special.”

“It can be said about everything, but the first time is always important.”

——The first time, huh?

Recently, I feel like I’ve lost many firsts and received new ones.

Those moments are special, and I can recall them as if they happened yesterday.

——For this reason, I reminded myself once again that I should act cautiously.