The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Matsui Sensei sat down on a chair, crossed her legs, and looked straight at us.

“I’ve known for a while that you guys are close, and everyone involved with us knows about Seko and Yosaki’s relationship. But what’s the actual situation now?”

“…Well, how should I put it? It feels like a love triangle has developed.”

“Both of them competing for you?”

“…right.”

“Ahaha, that’s hilarious. You, who’ve been harboring unrequited love for so long? Ah, this is perfect…It’ll make a great story for drinks tonight.”

“Hey Sensei.”

“I have to laugh at other people’s stories to survive this teaching job, you know.”

Matsui Sensei said this while looking out the window.

If she were a smoker and this place allowed smoking, she would definitely have taken a long drag right then.

Matsui Sensei gazed at Haru, sighed deeply, and stood up.

She then walked over to her, placing her hand on Haru’s head.

“Well, protecting our students is also part of a teacher’s job…”

Then she gently stroked Haru’s head.

Her touch was unexpectedly gentle and careful, unlike her usual rough attitude.

Continuously being stroked, Haru gradually raised her face, which had been downturned, and looked up at Matsui Sensei.

“…Sensei.”

“Yep, you really are cute. Personally, you’re my favorite.”

“Hinata, you mean?”

“Not just Hinata, both Hinata and Seko. I’m a fan of ‘Seko-Hina.'”

“What’s that? I mean, I get it, but…”

“Ahahaha. No, it’s because I’ve been watching Hinata. She’s been sweetly in love ever since the first year. She would always sneak glances at Seko during class.”

“Ah…uu…”

Teased by Matsui Sensei, Haru turned bright red and looked down again.

“Such progress you guys have made. Everyone has their own way, but it seems you’ve moved in a rather complicated direction.”

“…Sensei, what do you really think about this rumor?”

“Hmm? I’m not really thinking of anything in particular. I’m just trying to calm things down. Whether the rumor is true or not doesn’t matter to me. Besides, if it becomes a big deal, it’ll affect my reputation too.”

“…Ah, I feel relieved now. You are as you always were, Sensei.”

“I-I thought so too.”

“Hey, I’m supposed to be on your side, you know?”

At that, we all laughed together. It was the first time I had seen Haru smile today.

Probably, Matsui Sensei talked about all this just to break the heavy atmosphere.

“I’ve come to think that Matsui Sensei is a teacher worthy of respect.”

“Seko, you’re literally saying you didn’t respect me before. Sigh. Well, it’s okay. I don’t need to be respected anyway.”

While saying this, Matsui Sensei slightly blushed and scratched her cheek with her finger.

“Speaking of evidence for the rumor, do you know anything about it, Sensei?”

“No, I’m not aware of it. I knew it existed, though.”

“I see.”

“As for evidence, don’t you guys have anything to deny this rumor? Some proof that shows how pure your relationship is?”

“That’s like… proving a negative, isn’t it?”

“Hm, well, yes. But without something like that, from the school’s perspective, if we get evidence supporting the rumors, we’ll tend to lean towards that.”

“….I guess so.”

“We don’t intend to drag this out. Once a direction for resolving the issue is decided, we’ll go straight towards it. That’s how traditional institutions like this school operate.”

I had a vague sense that they didn’t want to prolong things out.

That’s why I didn’t report Arahira’s case to the school.

Without evidence, the school would take Arahira’s word for it and act as if the incident had never happened.

If that were to happen, bringing up that incident would have been in vain. It’s only adding to Haru’s mental burden.

Moreover, in the worst case, Arahira might hold a grudge against us, potentially causing new troubles.

Also, I had heard that the police tend not to be very proactive in cases like this.

That’s why we have been unable to do anything.

“Anyway, gather any evidence you can, even testimonies are fine. Then leave the rest to me, I’ll take care of it.”

“Matsui Sensei…”

“Heh, fallen for me again?”

“For the first time.”

“What did you say!?”

“Uhh… Ren…”

“Haru. That’s not what I meant. I meant as a Sensei. Look at the age difference between me and the Sensei.”

“Hey… I’m still in my colorful twenties, you know.”

“…I see. Sorry Ren, I got upset over nothing…”

“Wait, Hinata? Why did you accept that explanation so easily? But it’s cute, so I’ll forgive you. Not Seko though.”

“Can’t I be your favorite too…?”

“You’re only like the ‘rice’ in a donburi bowl, and Hinata is the important ‘topping’ on it. There’s a difference in rank.”

“You’re belittling the rice. Have you lost your Yamato spirit, Sensei?”

“Well, don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s just a joke.”

Yeah, I knew that. This Sensei is unexpectedly easygoing.

“Ren… you’re really close with Matsui Sensei…”

Even though her doubts should have been cleared, Haru was glaring at me again.

I wasn’t going to make things more complicated…

Matsui Sensei, with a cool expression, murmured, ‘So cute’, while looking at Haru.

Maybe she’s the same type as Akira-san.

“Well, you three should discuss the future matters. Of course I’m not going to be included in that.”

“Ah, yes. That’s fine.”

“That reaction is irritating… Sigh. I’ll go call Yosaki, so you guys wait here.”

“Is skipping class okay?”

“Skipping class is no big deal. There are more important things to prioritize right now.”

“You’re so cool, Sensei.”

“That reaction also kind of annoys me.”

Despite the compliment, Matsui Sensei left the room grumbling.

Well, I was relieved to have found a dependable ally.

Then Haru took my hand.

“Haru?”

“Hey, Ren… Am I really a dirty girl…?”

“Did someone say something to you?”

“…yeah. Everyone says it. That I’m the worst for stealing Misa’s boyfriend, even though I’m supposed to be her best friend. That it’s disgusting how I use my body to get your attention…And how can I keep a straight face after all that and still hanging out with Misa… The rumor itself is wrong, but what everyone says is true… I deceived Misa and used my body to catch your attention, Ren…”

Indeed, everything Haru was accused of might be true.

Perhaps our relationship was wrong and twisted.

But still—

“Ah!”

I stood up and hugged her.

She’s short to begin with, but now that she’s sitting she’s even shorter than usual, her head reaching only around my stomach.

“I know it’s strange for me to say this, but Haru, you fell for me and suggested such a relationship… That’s not dirty or anything, I think it’s just your honest feeling.”

“…really? I’m not dirty?”

“Yeah. Besides, Yosaki and I weren’t dating before. So I guess it’s not cheating.”

“Hehe. Yeah, right… If Ren says so, it must be true…Ah, but there’s one thing different.”

“Oh? Did I get something wrong?”

“You said you weren’t dating Misa before, but you’re not dating her now either, right? …You’re not, are you?”

“Ah, yeah. Sorry, I misspoke. No, we’re not dating.”

“Hehe. I thought so. I’m glad… Hey, Ren. Can you stroke my head?”

I accepted her request and patted her head in just the usual spot.

She then buried her face into my stomach.

“It felt nice when Matsui Sensei did it, but I like it better when you do it… I love it. Ren… I love you. I love you so much——”

Listening to her whisper, I gazed at my hand as I stroked her head.

I began to wonder if, in fact, it was I who was dirty.

——I wondered whether it was okay for someone like me to touch her with this hand.