The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Koido wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and put on a smile after preventing my stupid outburst before it could happen, acting as if nothing had happened.

“Then, Senpai, let’s have a talk!”

“Right. Si Koido, have you thought of a solution?”

“Yes! Simply put, we’ll gather evidence to refute the rumors about Senpais.”

“I thought so. Actually, our homeroom teacher has agreed to help persuade the school authorities if we do that, so we were planning to gather evidence too.”

“Oh, that makes things easier.”

“But I don’t know how or what to gather. If only I could identify the person who spread the rumor and their purpose…”

“It’s Arahira-senpai.”

Koido declared it outright.

Her eyes seemed to show she had unwavering confidence in what she was saying.

“…I also thought it might be him, but why are you so sure, Koido?”

“Why? Because I heard it from a friend. I have a lot of friends, so I get this kind of information quickly.”

“I’m not doubting your friend, but in the end, that’s still just a hearsay. You can’t be certain that the information is accurate.”

“By the way, the motive for Arahira-senpai to spread the rumors was because he wanted to bring down Senpai. What do you think? We have all the reason to say Arahira-senpai is the culprit, right? On the other hand, can you think of anyone else who might be responsible for this rumor?”

“…Well, I can’t think of any specific person.”

“Right. So, let’s decide that Arahira-senpai is the culprit for now.”

Koido brought her hands together with a clap as if saying that the matter was concluded.

“Also, the solution where the Senpai sacrificed himself was actually the best outcome for Arahira-senpai huh?”

“Wow, seriously… then you really saved me by stopping it, Koido.”

“Hehe. As a thank you, treat me to strawberry milk next time!”

“I dont mind if it’s only that request.”

“Hehe, okay! The strawberry milk from the other day was a treat! It was super delicious!”

“The other day’s… Ah, when we were with Saki-chan. I’m glad then.”

“They still bring it back for a limited time even though it’s out of season. Plus, there’s the fact that it was on your money, Senpai!”

“Strawberry milk paid for with someone else’s money must be very special..”

“More accurately, with Senpai’s money.”

She said that with a teasing smile plastered on her face.

It seems to me that her cheeks are slightly redder than usual.

“Maybe it’s true Arahira was the one who spread the rumor. In terms of credibility, Yosaki and I had assumed that Arahira was someone who was trusted by those around him.”

“It seems that he is trusted by others, at least. He has a bad reputation with women, but he actively participates and excels in school events. Moreover, the fact that the rumors are coming from someone with a history of issues with women could actually lend them more credibility.”

“I see.”

“Plus, there’s evidence for the rumor, too.”

“What? Does that really exist?”

“It seems so. It looks like there are photos of the two of you.”

“Got caught together outside huh? Sigh.”

Was it on the way home or during a date?

Whatever the case, I didn’t think there was actual evidence.

It seems our speculations were nothing more than wishful thinking.

“Even so, didn’t the rumors spread too quickly? I wonder if Arahira went to great lengths to spread them.”

“I don’t think Arahira-senpai has been doing that much. It’d be a hassle if it got out that he’s the source. I mean… stories that lower someone’s reputation tend to spread fast. You know that well, don’t you, Senpai?”

“…That’s true.”

In the closed space of a school, a caste system naturally emerges.

And we subconsciously want to stand atop that caste.

The easiest way to do that is to drag down those who are above us.

This rumor might be something like that.

I climbed to the top by starting to date a beautiful girl named Yosaki.

Those who don’t like it might use this rumor to try to bring me down.

“Anyway, it’s all about gathering evidence now. I’ll take care of the evidence for the rumor on my end.”

“Can I really rely on you?”

“Yes, leave it to me! I have a lead!”

“A lead? That’s impressive.”

“Hehehe. After all, I am your junior, Senpai!”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Well anyway, it seems better to rely on Koido than to look for it myself if that’s the case. I’m counting on you, Koido.”

I’ll leave that to Koido, and I’ll gather something to prove our innocence.

But if Arahira is the one who spread the rumors, what kind of evidence should I collect──

“Hey, Koido──”

“Senpai! By the way, did anything romantic happen between you and Yosaki-senpai last week?”

“Yes? We don’t have to talk about that now──”

“Well-well. I understand what you’re saying Senpai, but it would be too late if it turns out later that you did something that puts us at a disadvantage. That’s why sharing information is important.”

“Hmm, I guess that’s true.”

She’s right, I should probably talk about such things in order to make things more favorable in the future.

“It was pretty much the same as usual on the weekdays. At school…well, it felt a bit like ‘that’ because everyone was making a fuss.”

“I guess that can’t be helped. So how was your weekend? Didn’t you go out on Saturday?”

“Well, you know that since you met me. It didn’t really feel like a romantic date because I went out with Saki-chan too on Saturday.”

“But classmates who saw Senpais might think you have a relationship with her family too.”

“Now that you mention it… that might be true.”

For me that wasn’t a date, so maybe I’m a Lady Weeper regarding that.

“Didn’t you do something a bit like lovers?”

“Stop doubting me… Oh, Yosaki changed her hairstyle since yesterday. I wonder if it’s because she’s using the scrunchie I picked out for her.”

From the experience of choosing underwear during a date with Haru, I thought that this might also be considered an act typical of lovers.

It seems I was right, as Koido retorted with, ‘See, you did do something!’

“By the way, knowing that Yosaki-senpai changed her hairstyle ‘since yesterday’ means you saw her on Sunday too, right?”

“Koido you’re sharp. That’s right. I visited Yosaki’s house on Sunday.”

“Heheh… What? You went to Yosaki-senpai’s house?”

“I did go.”

“No way, did you actually do ‘it’ with Yosaki-senpai!?”

“We didn’t do ‘it.'”

“Ehh, I can’t believe it!”

“We’re not officially in a relationship yet, so I avoided that kind of thing.”

“Do you think people will believe that if you’re the one saying it?”

“That’s true… I’ve made a mistake once, so my trust has already hit rock bottom…I guess any reflection now would just be hypocrisy…”

“Whoa, just kidding! I know that you’re reflecting on it Senpai──so please don’t give me that same look again!”

I was able to get back to my usual pace thanks to Koido, but this time──the self-deprecation seemed to still linger in my heart.