The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Having failed to ‘show her who’s boss’, I had already taken my hands off Koido’s head, and we continued our casual chat while freely fiddling with our smartphones as usual.

While watching a home video of a family with a dog and a cat uploaded on a certain video-sharing website, Koido said,

“Isn’t Hinata Senpai kind of like a dog?”

“A dog? Sure, Hinata likes dogs, but…”

“She’s basically cheerful, friendly, obedient to the one she’s set her heart on, and is a spoiled baby. From what I’ve heard about Senpai, it seems to fit quite well.”

“…Indeed.”

The way she gets down when we stop hugging, or like a dog when her snacks are taken away.

Thinking about it, her gestures seem even cuter.

“On the other hand, I guess Yosaki Senpai is like a cat. Like a Persian cat living in a big mansion.”

“That’s a lot of stereotypes, but I get what you mean.”

“Basically calm and collected, creating a barrier with others, but awkwardly affectionate with those she opens up to. Living life according to her own beliefs feels very cat-like.”

“I can see that.”

Her strong-willed stance indeed gives off a solitary cat-like impression.

She looks cold but actually craves to be pampered, she’s struggling because she doesn’t know how to show it.

Reassessing them like this, I realize again that both of them are charming. I can see why they are popular.

“Koido, I’m… no, never mind.”

“What is it? Are you trying to copy me? Planning some revenge?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I almost blurted it out, but managed to hold back. Forget it.”

“Ah. Well, even I wouldn’t be able to answer that question.”

“No, I haven’t even said it yet. Why do you look like you’ve already answered the question?”

“Eh? Isn’t it about whether Yosaki Senpai or Hinata Senpai would be a better match for Senpai?”

“Scary, scary, scary, scary. I’m almost doubting if you’re an esper or something.”

“I’m magical girl Mai-chan——wait hey, don’t freak out, please. I just said it randomly, and it happened to be right, so I got a bit carried away!”

Seeing Koido desperately explaining, I felt a sense of satisfaction at my successful revenge.

Here stood a man devoid of any semblance of Senpai’s dignity.

——Yep, that’s me.

However, even though she said it randomly and it happened to be right, isn’t it too accurate?

Maybe Koido really is an esper… just kidding.

“Cough. Well, to ensure I don’t influence Senpai’s decision, I’ll keep a secret about who I’m referring to, and please just take it as my personal opinion.”

Ah, I thought she was going to answer, and then Koido raised her right index finger.

“This choice is the route where Senpai becomes the happiest.”

“Me…? In that case, does it mean the other person won’t be happy?”

“No, I think they will be happy. But I can’t say how many years it will last.”

“Don’t say such dreamless things.”

“That’s how it is. In these times when divorces keep increasing, it’s important to know that even love sworn once can decay.”

Koido’s eyes seemed to gaze far away as she spoke.

I’ve never seen such a sad look in her eyes.

As I was about to speak, she continued, “I think that Senpai——”

“——Isn’t the type who pursues his own happiness but rather finds happiness in the happiness of the other person?”

“Do I look like such a good person?”

“In my eyes, you do. Now, about the other option…”

This time, Koido raised her left hand.

“If you choose this one, your partner will be extremely happy. So maybe Senpai will be happy too.”

“Is there ever a case where you wouldn’t be happy to be with someone you like?”

“If you say so, just go out with one of them already.”

“Righ… sorry.”

“Or why not just go out with both of them?”

“That’s the least realistic thing to do.”

“Yeah, I guess not. Even I think it’s unlikely.”

“…Sigh.”

In the end, Koido-sensei’s valuable advice seemed too complicated, and I thought it was unlikely I’d have a chance to use it.

But as I was thinking that I shouldn’t always run away, a soft sensation attacked my left arm along with a short scream of ‘Eek!’

“A bug! There’s a bug! I can’t handle bugs!”

“Well, it’s getting warmer, so bugs will be around. Can you let go of me, please?”

“What! Senpai, you heartless person! Is it okay for your junior to be attacked by bugs!?”

“Yep-yep, that’s also fate.”

“No, really! Now is not the time to be joking!”

In the end, I couldn’t find the bug Koido was fussing about, and it just felt like she was making a fuss on her own.

However, the sensation of her clinging to my arm was somewhat nostalgic.

“Really… where was it?”

“Ah, around there!”

“I’ll go shoo it away. So let go of my arm.”

“No way! I’ll survive using Senpai as a shield!”

“This pathetic shield is saying it’ll become a spear and protect you.”

“…That just now, made my heart race a little.”

“Koido. You’re actually calm, aren’t you?”

“No-no-no-no! I’m really scared!”

In the end, we couldn’t find the bug, and Koido didn’t let go of my arm until it was almost time to go back to the classroom.

***

As we were doing that, the end of the lunch break was approaching, so we hurriedly parted ways to return to our own classrooms.

Reaching the floor with my classroom and thinking I made it in time despite the rush, I saw Haru standing in front of the classroom.

Then as I got closer, she noticed me and complained,

“You’re late.”

“Ah, I was just taking a nap on the bed in the infirmary.”

“is that so? Should I check if you have bed hair?”

“…Oh, please do.”

“Let’s see… but, Seko, you’re too tall, I can’t see! Crouch down!”

Haru hopped on the spot, and as a result, something else also bounced.

Fortunately, there were no people around, but I immediately squatted down since someone could come at any time.

“Oh, Seko actually squatted obediently. Let’s see, the bed hair is…”

As I squatted, the height difference between us reversed, and Haru looked down at me.

She put her hand on my head and thoroughly searched for any bed hair, though there shouldn’t be any since I didn’t sleep.

However, the bed hair check didn’t end quickly, and gradually, Haru’s hand started to move as if she was petting my head.

“…Hinata? Are you stroking my head?”

“Eh!? Ah, no. That’s not it, I was fixing your bed hair.”

“Really?”

So there was bed hair.

Does that mean I’ve been nonchalantly walking around with some of my hair sticking out since this morning?

…Embarrassing. Everyone should’ve told me sooner.

After Haru patted my head for a while, I heard her say, ‘Okay, that should do it,’ and I stood up.

Naturally, Haru’s head was now below my line of sight.

Yeah, this position feels more comfortable.

“Thank you. Thanks to Hinata, I don’t have to be embarrassed anymore.”

“Y-yeah. Really, Seko, you’re so oblivious.”

“I’d rather not be told that by Hinata.”

“What! I’m just trying to be nice here!”

While exchanging light banter, we headed back to the classroom.

Then, as the class began and I managed to survive the sleepy time after lunch, Haru came to me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Um… I didn’t understand this part of the lesson earlier. Can you explain it to me?”

“Ah, okay. I guess what you say about being motivated is true.”

“I’m not lying! I’m serious. Otherwise, we’ll be separated…”

If Haru doesn’t improve her science and math skills to a satisfactory level by this summer, she won’t be able to choose the science stream and might end up in a different class from us.

That’s why she needs to work hard on her studies now.

Fortunately, I understood the part Haru was asking about, so I could explain it to her easily.

It seemed she understood it too, as she could verbally solve the example problems of that unit.

“Good. You’ve understood it perfectly. Well done, Hinata.”

“Yeah! Thanks, Seko! …Ah, um, am I great?”

“Hm? Oh yeah, you’re great. You have the motivation and the results to show for it. If you keep this up, Yosaki will be satisfied.”

Seko Sensei was the type to praise and encourage growth.

So, responding to the student’s request, he praised her properly.

“Ehehe. …Then, can you pat my head?”

“…yes?”

Haru, the student, made such a request in a soft voice.

I replied hesitantly, also in a low voice.

“Haru, this is a classroom, it’s not a good idea.”

“No. I want you to pat me. I patted you earlier.”

“That was for fixing bed hair. …Sigh. Come to the west staircase a bit later.”

“Okay!”

Leaving Haru behind, I left the classroom and turned left towards the west staircase.

This west staircase, located at the end of the corridor and away from frequently used classrooms, was a place not many people used.

Waiting on the landing, Haru soon came running to the stairs. Seeing me, she jumped in with a full smile, reminding me of the conversation with Koido about her being like a dog.

“Ehehe. It’s the first time doing this with Ren at school. It’s a bit exciting.”

“I guess so.”

“…It feels like you smell different than usual.”

“W-well, before someone comes, let’s do this quickly.”

Feeling an ominous aura from ‘doggy’ Haru, I quickly started patting her head.

I thought the same when I did this with Koido, but why do girls’ hair have to be so silky and smell so good?

Before I knew it, I was petting Haru’s head intently with my heart racing.

Haru narrowed her eyes and occasionally let out a soft ‘Mmnh.’

After about 30 seconds of patting, I took a step back and moved away from Haru.

She then showed a disappointed look.

“…Haru, I’ll do it again if you work hard at studying.”

“Ah… Okay! I’ll do my best! Ehehe.”

Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but say such a thing.

The odd situation where I pat Haru’s head in exchange for her working hard on her studies has somehow been established, but well, I guess that’s okay if it helps to maintain Haru’s motivation.