The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 51

Part 7: Together with the Dog

Chapter 51

Today, as usual, I’m walking home from school with Misa and Haru, the three of us.

In the end, the only time I was alone with Haru after school was on the first day, and since then, I’ve been going straight home after parting ways with Misa.

Haru doesn’t seem to have any complaints, but I’ve started to receive more chat messages.

If I take too long to reply, a follow-up message comes, so it ends up taking quite a bit of my time.

“Isn’t it boring when there are no school events around this time of the year?”

“True. But then, Autumn is busy enough as it is.”

“I wonder why they couldn’t have the sports festival in spring? It would be a great opportunity to unite with the new class!”

“Apparently it’s because the former principal used to say, ‘Autumn of culture! Autumn of sports! So, both the cultural festival and sports festival in Autumn!’ The source is Oda.”

“Wow, that’s an unexpectedly simplistic reason.”

Thanks to that, we students are having a busy autumn.

However, it’s actually quite nice in that respect since it’s the time when the weather starts to cool down.

“I heard that the third-year students won’t be participating too seriously because their exams are coming up.”

“What!? So, this year is practically our last chance?”

“Well, we probably won’t have time to participate in school events. If we have time, we’d rather study.”

“Taking breaks is important too! We’ll participate seriously next year too, right? Right?”

“We don’t even know if we’ll be in the same class.”

“Misa! Don’t say that! It’s making me nervous… I don’t want to be separated…”

Worrying about class changes that are still nearly a year away seems like it would be too mentally taxing.

But I also want to spend my last year with these three.

“Next year, it seems we’ll be divided based on our choice between humanities and sciences.”

“Humanities and sciences classes, huh? Starting from the third year seems a bit late.”

“Yeah, but then again, being forced to choose between humanities and sciences in our first year would be tough too. Apparently, the latter half of this year’s classes will be affected by our arts/sciences choice, as the classes we take will change. The source is Oda.”

“Fufu, your only source of information is Oda-kun. By the way, what are you planning to choose, Seko-kun?”

I couldn’t help it because Oda was my only close friend apart from these two.

And I can answer that question immediately.

“I’m planning to go into the sciences. Yosaki… is probably going to choose sciences too, right? You wanted to become a doctor.”

“Yes. My reason for choosing was somewhat vague at first, but recently, I’ve found a clear reason. So I’m thinking of working even harder.”

“That’s good to hear. I haven’t decided on a department yet. Anyway, I’ll be rooting for you.”

“Fufu, thank you. Seko-kun, let’s work hard together. If there’s anything I can help with regarding career counseling, I’ll help you.”

“Oh, that would be great.”

Even within the sciences, there’s a wide range. Natural sciences, engineering, medical sciences, etc.

One needs to choose from these branches and then look into more specific specializations, assessing whether they align with one’s interests and aptitudes.

Misa had started researching universities early on. Therefore, she’s a very reliable partner for career counseling.

It’s a generous offer.

“Wh-what? Both of you are going into sciences!? …Th-then, I’ll choose sciences too!”

And then, there was one person who needed career counseling the most.

“Haru. Choosing a path like that isn’t very wise. You need to think about what you want to do in the future and choose a path that will make it possible.”

“B-but… I want to be with you… That’s what I want right now….”

Haru said this while looking straight at me.

Her eyes were filled with determination, and I could tell that she really meant what she said.

“But Hinata, weren’t you bad at math and science?”

“Ugh… w-well, I might overcome that from now on. Besides, aren’t you supposed to choose your path based on what you want to do, regardless of what you’re good or bad at?”

That’s true, but the harsh reality of exams is that without the ability to pass the examinations, you won’t be granted the right to pursue that path.

“Haru. You’re free to decide to go down that path but remember, it’s you who might have a hard time later.”

“Th-then! Teach me! Seko, you’re good at math and physics, right?”

“Uh, me? Well, I guess they are among my few strong subjects.”

“Then, teach me math and physics. Hey, can you?”

Haru asked with an upward glance, which slightly stirred my heart.

They say that teaching others is a good way to learn, and it’s not a bad idea for me either.

If Haru is serious about choosing the sciences, then of course I want to help her.

“I don’t really mind——”

“Haru, you said you didn’t like physics. Weren’t you more interested in biology?”

“…Yeah, that’s true. But, you know, Sensei said that physics opens up more university and faculty options for entrance exams. So…”

“You don’t need to force yourself into a subject you’re not good at just because of that. Besides, there are more options for biology in entrance exams too these days.”

“B-but!… But, I…”

Everything Misa says is correct.

There are universities that have entrance exam subjects that won’t be used after enrollment, and it’s important to choose subjects that will lead to successful admission.

What’s important is you have to pass the exam first.

Haru, feeling defeated by Misa’s reasoning, gradually becomes disheartened.

I don’t know what the right answer is for career choices, but I think following Misa’s advice is probably not wrong.

However, I couldn’t ignore Haru’s feelings.

“It’s okay. I might not be very reliable, but I’ll teach you how to study.”

“Seko-kun!?”

“…Really? Are you sure?”

“Yeah. But in return, you have to study properly.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

“What an unreliable ‘leave it to me’.”

“That’s mean! …Ehehe.”

Haru regains her usual energy.

That alone makes me feel my decision was right.

“Seko-kun… You…”

“No, I understand what Yosaki is saying. In fact, I think you’re right. But I believe it’s not wrong to pursue a path that the person wishes for. There’s also the issue of motivation.”

“…Sigh. That’s true. Sorry, Haru, I was a bit harsh.”

“No, it’s okay. I know you said it because you care about me! I’m sorry too.”

Once Yosaki is convinced, I add a condition to my proposal.

“However, only until summer. The career choice survey was conducted before the summer vacation, that’s the deadline. If Haru’s academic abilities haven’t improved by then, we’ll reconsider it together.”

“Okay, got it.”

“That would be best.”

Thus, Haru’s first career counseling session concluded, and it was decided that I would teach her math and physics.

It could be said that my success would be if there isn’t a need for a second session.

“Going back to our conversation, isn’t there a school field trip coming up?”

“Oh, right! I forgot since it was canceled due to the rain last year, but it’s next month, isn’t it?”

“I had completely forgotten too. Now that you mention it, there was one. But why do they have it during the rainy season?”

” ‘It’s a cheerful event to drive away atmosphere!’ The source is Oda.”

“I can’t feel any intelligence in our school’s decision-making…”

Unlike other major events that require prior preparation, this event is easily overlooked, but we remembered that such a school event was planned for the first half of the year.

“I’m feeling motivated now! Alright, let’s do this!”

“Getting excited over a school trip, huh? I wish you were this enthusiastic about studying.”

“Fufu. That’s just so typical of Haru.”

Misa follows up and I reply, ‘That’s true.’

The conversation then shifts to casual talk about the field trip, and we continue chatting until we near Haru’s house.

Just when I thought it was time to part ways, I felt a tug on the hem of my blazer.

I looked in that direction and saw Haru pulling on it. Next, I looked at Haru’s face, but she was chatting and laughing with Misa.

As I tried to guess her intention, her hand left my blazer without any further action.

When we arrive in front of Haru’s house, she turned to us and said with a smile,

“Thanks for today!”

“No need to say thank you. See you tomorrow, Haru.”

“See you later.”

We returned the greeting and headed back the way we came.

I take the train with Misa, get off at the next station, and walk to the Yosaki residence.

This is our routine these days. Naturally, there’s no kissing or hugging like on the first day.

Then I walked towards the Hinata Family’s house after parting ways with Misa while pondering the meaning behind her actions.

It seems I was right, as in front of the Hinata Family’s house was Haru, whom I had parted with just minutes earlier.

When she noticed me, she ran over with a big smile and hugged me tightly.

“You noticed my feelings, didn’t you? I’m so happy. After all, for me, it’s only Ren. Ren. Ren. Ren.”

While gazing at her, who had become unstable again, I spoke in my heart to Koido.

The detective was right.