The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Recently, I’ve been calling this backyard my oasis in my mind.

In that place, I can escape from my thoughts and forget about my headaches.

Today, with a light step, I finish my lunch and head to my oasis.

Then I see a figure, thinking Koido is already here, but there are actually two.

I instinctively hide from them.

“Koido, I like you! Please go out with me!”

The sudden confession reminds me that this oasis is one of the most popular confession spots in school.

I guess the backyard wasn’t just a quiet oasis.

“I’m sorry. I can only see Kobata Senpai as a senior. I can’t date you.”

When Koido politely refused, the senior boy who had confessed dropped his shoulders in disappointment but still said, ‘Thank you for listening to me,’ and left gracefully.

Feeling awkward to show up right after the confession, I buy a strawberry milk from a nearby vending machine to pass some time, then head to our usual bench.

I sit on the bench and, as if pretending the confession never happened, Koido relaxes.

I surprise her from behind by pressing the pack of strawberry milk against her cheek.

“Hyah!? Wh-what!? Ah, it’s you, Senpai.”

“Sorry for startling you. As an apology, I’m giving you this.”

“Buying it in advance and saying that… you’re such a tsundere, Senpai! Thank you, I’ll happily drink it!”

Koido takes a sip of the strawberry milk I handed her, smiling slyly.

“Senpai, you saw what just happened, right?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb. This strawberry milk is actually an apology for witnessing the confession, right?”

“…No, it’s not?”

“Not denying the confession part shows you’re not hiding it well. Oh, but there’s another reason, right? Let me say it. It’s a reward for me, having to do the hard work of receiving and rejecting a confession!”

“Scary, scary, scary, scary. Look, I’ve got goosebumps.”

“Suitable for the chicken Senpai.”

“Hey now!”

When I show a bit of anger, Koido just laughs and starts drinking her strawberry milk again.

I feel saved by Koido’s presence, but I am reminded that this place is not just an oasis.

“Hey Koido, tell me about a place where I can get some peace.”

“Here!”

“This is a dystopia. I’m constantly entangled with juniors, and they are slowly tearing my heart apart.”

“But you’ve realized that the time spent with this junior is irreplaceable, haven’t you?”

“Affirming that is annoying.”

“Senpai, that’s mean! But it’s nice to see you indirectly affirm it, it’s so like the tsundere Senpai!”

I don’t like how I’m being established as a tsundere character in Koido’s eyes.

I’m always honest. It’s just sometimes, I’m too embarrassed to use straightforward words.

“Speaking of juniors, that insensitive couple hasn’t been around lately.”

“The insensitive couple, you mean Takahata and his girlfriend? They’ve given up on this place and set off on a journey to find another spot for their lovey-dovey moments.”

“What are they even doing… So, this place isn’t just for confessions but also for lovey-dovey moments?”

“According to Takahata and his girlfriend, yes. So if they saw us now, they’d think they’ve caught Senpai in an act of cheating.”

“That would be… troublesome.”

“Hey! Don’t look at me midway through that sentence! It makes it sound like I’m a troublesome girl!”

I didn’t mean it that way, but arguing with her seemed like too much trouble, so I just ignored it.

It’s bothersome to be misunderstood by others, but since no one has ever approached while Koido and I are together, I guess it’s fine for now.

“But recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of confessions around.”

“It’s like a strange trend has started.”

“Maybe they’re looking for a replacement since a certain someone stopped?”

“If that’s true, it’s pretty messed up.”

Why has my thing become something like an addictive substance?

“But, Senpai, it’s not just other people’s business, right? Yosaki Senpai and Hinata Senpai have been confessed to as well, haven’t they?”

“What, Koido, you knew too? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well, for the same reason as those two. Senpai, you know, when I’m with you like this, it’s to give you a break from your worries. So why would I bring up a topic about those two that Senpai might have a hard time wrapping his head around?

That’s true.

Maybe I was just trying to take out my frustration of not noticing myself on Koido.

“Sorry, Koido. I was again…”

“It’s fine. That’s what I’m here for. Go ahead and depend on me.”

Somehow, I’ve completely lost the dignity of a Senpai.

If anything, our roles as senior and junior might be reversed.

“Yosaki Senpai has become softer lately, they say. The love-struck maiden changes, huh?”

“True, Yosaki used to be just beautiful, but now she has this sudden cuteness too.”

“With Yosaki Senpai getting attention, naturally, Hinata Senpai, who’s always near her, gets some too. If Yosaki Senpai is out of reach, then Hinata Senpai is the next target. Hinata Senpai is cute too, and, well, those b*obs! Guys are crazy about them!”

“…Ha!?”

“Hey, don’t scare me, Senpai. You’re oozing murderous intent. But, from others’ perspectives, you, who can freely be with Hinata Senpai, are the one they want to kill. If your relationship with her gets out, it’s going to be a big deal.”

“Regarding that matter, I really owe it to you, Koido-san.”

“Don’t start being so humble all of a sudden! Relax, it’s okay.”

Koido knows about the twisted relationship between me and Haru.

If she spread the word, I would easily become the target of scorn throughout the school.

That’s not the only concern. How Haru would be perceived worries me more.

If people think she’s someone who can sleep with a guy she’s not dating, it could attract troublesome types to her.

I regretted telling Koido about it at first, but I’m truly grateful now she’s keeping it secret and even lending me an ear.

That’s why I can endure a bit of teasing.

“Senpai, your charm is pretending to be all Senpai-like but relying on me at unexpected moments.”

“No, aren’t you making fun of me too much?”

This junior is just too cheeky. I want to remind her that I’m the older one.

Oda’s favorite books suggest teaching ‘lessons’ through rather intimate means, but I can’t lay a hand on a junior.

So, I thought of——stroking her head.

“Eh?”

Koido let out a surprised sound.

Then, noticing my hand moving above her head, she blushed, and instead of getting angry or saying ‘What are you doing?’, she narrowed her eyes and seemed to enjoy it.

“Um, can’t you get embarrassed or angry or something?”

“Why should I? I don’t mind at all. Senpai, after you said such things to me, you wanted to treat me like a younger person, right? Can’t be helped, as a junior, I’ll indulge in Senpai’s teasing.”

“This Senpai’s dignity is completely gone, you know? With that perfect explanation, it’s reached a negative level?”

Realizing that I will never be able to beat Koido, I continue patting her with a distant look in my eyes.

“It feels like, Oni… um, no, nevermind.”

“What were you about to say just now? I felt like Koido was about to point out something to tease me about.”

“It’s just your imagination! Even if there was, you couldn’t catch it, Senpai!”

“That’s right. I’m just an old guy with no dignity, probably with deteriorating reflexes too.”

“Come on, cheer up, Senpai! I’m sorry I went too far! I really do respect you!”

I knew it, this place was not an oasis.

It’s just a dystopia where my juniors endlessly beat me up.

I thought so while stroking Koido’s silky hair.