The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 78

Part 10 Evidence

Chapter 78

As a result of the discussion with Koido, it was concluded that the person who spread the rumors was Arahira, who held a grudge against me due to the recent mixer incident.

It was assumed he had been spreading bad rumors about me in order to set me up and give me a bad reputation.

The so-called evidence of the rumor appears to be a photo of Haru and me, which Koido is going to search for.

What I need to do is… gathering materials to deny the rumors remain unchanged, but I haven’t really decided on a plan on my side.

I wanted to discuss that as well, but we ran out of time and had to leave without talking about it.

I secretly told Misa when I returned to the classroom, ‘It turns out Arahira was the culprit after all.’

When asked if this was information from a collaborator, I honestly nodded.

Perhaps because there was some progress, she did not probe any further about the collaborator.

Haru showed a genuinely relieved expression when I came back.

Perhaps she had sensed that I was about to do something stupid.

Spending the afternoon under the gaze of my classmates, I somehow made it to the end of the school day.

I wanted to go home early, but I have to stay behind since I’m on cleaning duty this week.

“You can go home first if you want, considering the situation today.”

“No, I’ll stay. Because it’s better for us to be together.”

“Though you say that, it’s more like it depends on the situation…”

“Um, I’m sorry, but I need to go home right away because I have some family matters to attend to today.”

“Oh, really? Well then, you two should go home together.”

“…alright.”

Haru, who reluctantly nodded her head and Misa, who said she had some errands to run, left together.

I should be fine on my own.

Now, I just want to finish cleaning up quickly and head home——

“Ugh, I’m stuck with Seko.”

“I don’t want to be with him either.”

“People might think we’re friends or something.”

“…Should we skip it?”

I could hear my classmate who was also on cleaning duty saying that while looking at me.

I didn’t want to do anything with those guys who harbored hostility towards me either.

“It’s fine, you guys go ahead and leave. I’ll take care of it.”

When I said that, the four of them visibly cheered up and left the classroom.

I wonder if they were happy because they could avoid working with me or because they could skip cleaning.

Well, it’s probably both.

Alone in the classroom, I begin to push all the desks back to clean up.

It’s quite a big task, and it’s not meant to be done alone.

Looks like I’m going to be late getting home——

Just as I think it was a good thing that the two of them had left before me, someone else entered the classroom.

“Seko. I am here!”

“Oda!”

The one who entered was my best friend, the hero.

(TN: Saying ‘Hero’ because Oda is probably referencing All Might ‘I am here! (watashi ga kita)’.)

“I thought it would be like this. I’m glad I slipped out of club activities to come back.”

“Seriously, you’re a lifesaver. I was just about to have a break down doing this alone.”

“What? I’ll make sure to properly get a big thank you from you later, so don’t worry about it.”

“Leave it to me. Let’s go eat some delicious food.”

“Hmm. That’s a good suggestion. Actually, there’s a place I’ve been wanting to try…”

Since I hadn’t hung out with Oda recently, the conversation turned to us going out somewhere next time.

We continued with the cleaning work as we talked,.

“By the way, sorry about that rumored evidence. I still have zero leads.”

“No, I’m grateful just for your help. Besides, my junior is also helping out on your end.”

“Seko’s junior… that would be Koido, right?”

“That’s right. That girl is also well-informed, so she’s been a big help.”

“Hmm…”

Oda began to ponder something.

I could tell that Oda was seriously working on something for my sake.

…It pained my heart to keep Oda in the dark and still ask for his cooperation, so I decided to share just a little bit.

“Oda. About the truth behind the rumors…”

“…Ah.”

“Would you come to hate me of I said that half of it was true?”

When I asked that, Oda crossed his arms and thought for a moment before replying,

“Even if that were the case, I would remain Seko’s close friend. If a close friend is walking down the wrong path, it is also a close friend’s duty to correct them… Besides, looking at Yosaki and Hinata, I can’t imagine that they hate Seko. On the contrary, they seem to still like you as much as ever. Therefore, there is nothing for me to say.”

He said that with conviction while looking straight into my eyes.

“…Oda. I’ll tell you everything next time.”

“Ohh. I will be waiting, no matter how long it takes.”

“…Having a best friend is nice huh.”

“Mmm.”

“Oda…”

“Seko…”

“They’re at it again. I’m kinda tired of it though.”

As we were confirming our friendship, a familiar voice intervened.

Turning towards the voice, Haru was standing by the classroom door, breathing heavily through her shoulders.

“Haru. Why… I thought you went home with Yosaki.”

“Yeah. I went near Misa’s house, but then I turned back from there.”

“Why… You could have just gone home.”

“Why, you ask? It’s because I wanted to be with Ota-kun. Right, Ota-kun?”

“Uh… Seko is indeed loved.”

“…I’m grateful for that.”

I really think I’m blessed with the people around me.

The reason I can enjoy what I’m doing now is all thanks to them.

That’s why I want everyone to be happy.

Thanks to Oda and with Haru’s help as well, we were able to finish cleaning up many times faster than expected.

“Well then, I will dispose of our trash. You two can go home first.”

“No, let me take care of it.”

“What for? The garbage disposal area is near the club buildings, so it’s not a problem for me. Instead, Seko, please ensure Hinata gets home safely. Then I’m going.”

Oda left the classroom with the tied-up garbage bags in hand.

We watched his departing figure.

“Ota-kun is really kind, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, he’s my pride and joy, my best friend.”

I bet he’d be popular with the girls if he had a bit more self-esteem.

“Hmm, I’m a little tired now.”

“We did the work of five people with just three of us, after all. Thank you so much for your help, Haru.”

“No, it’s fine, this much is nothing. Now, let’s put away the cleaning tools and head home.”

“Right.”

As I put the broom and dustpan back into the locker, I saw a figure at the classroom door.

I thought it might be Oda returning, but it turned out to be someone else.

“Whoa. Why are these two together?”

“Just the two of them, no way~”

“Could the rumors actually be true?”

It was three of Misa’s female classmates who were unusually meddling.

“Hinata was just helping me with cleaning,”

“So why is it just the two of you? There are other people on duty, right? And where’s Yosaki-san?”

“I let him go home because he seemed to dislike being with me, and Misa went home earlier for some errands at her house. Also, Oda was helping out until a while ago, so the three of us cleaned up together.”

“I get why Yosaki-san isn’t here, but you probably let the others go because you wanted to be alone with Hinata-san, right? And it’s suspicious that Oda was here until just recently.”

“That’s definitely a lie. You two were enjoying a secret meetup after school, weren’t you? That’s so gross!”

“First of all, I can’t believe they’re still trying to be together in this situation. I can’t even imagine it.”

“Hey, let’s not bother with these guys and just go.”

“Yeah, you’re right. But let’s make sure to tell Yosaki-san about it tomorrow, just in case.”

“Agree—!”

The three of them left the classroom after saying whatever they pleased.

It didn’t seem like they had any business here; they just happened to pass by.

Haru had been looking down ever since they arrived.

If this continues, Haru will eventually collapse.

“Haru, everything is going to be okay.”

“…I’m fine… but I’m a little tired. Can we sit and rest for a while?”

“Ah, sure. But wouldn’t it be better to rest back at home?”

“I can’t make it home like this. Please.”

There’s no benefit to staying at school, but since Haru insists, I take a seat at my desk.

Instead of choosing an empty seat, Haru sits down on my lap, facing me face-to-face.

“H-Haru? This isn’t good──mmmfh”

Haru presses her lips firmly against mine and slowly slides her tongue inside of me.

I try to resist, but my brain tingles every time her tongue touches mine, and the headache fades away.

——I want to drown myself in this pleasure.

But I managed to push back the desire and push her body away after remembering the situation we’re in.

“…Haru. Why would you do something like this──”

“Ren. I love you.”

She changed the way she called me right now. She also said, “I love you” even though we’re still at school.

She stares at me with empty eyes.

“Everyone hates us. My classmates call me a bitch. I’ve only been with Ren, but I wonder if that’s what I am.”

“No, that’s not──mmfph”

My lips are sealed again.

This time, I pull away from her before her tongue can enter.

“…It doesn’t matter anymore. It doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks.”

“Haru…?”

“Ren, let’s fall together just like this. Ignore everyone else, just the two of us outcasts together. Let’s fall as far and as deep as we can. Then we won’t have to worry about anything. Just a life where we long for each other, just the two of us——”

I embrace her body to interrupt her words.

Tightly, tightly, tightly. As if to support her body. As if to make sure she doesn’t fall apart.

“Ren… I love you. I really love you… Ren. Ren. Ren.”

She also hugs me back tightly as if yearning for me.

I speak to her as if to reason with her while stroking her head.

“I will definitely put these rumors to rest, and we’ll get back to normal life. So please Haru… don’t talk like that, don’t be so negative.”

This might be tough for the current Haru.

But Haru still nodded firmly.

“Okay… if Ren says so. If Ren wishes so, I won’t say it anymore. But in exchange, can I stay by your side? I don’t have to hold back, right?”

“Ah. There’s no need to stay away from me because of this rumor. There are people who say such things, but if we can deny the rumors, they’ll eventually disappear… I’ll support you, Haru.”

“Um, I understand. I’ll be fine if Ren is with me…Ren. I love you… Ren. Ren.”

Her unstable mental condition had worsened.

I said I would support her, but it seems I need to resolve this quickly.

After sending Haru home, where her mental state had stabilized more than before we left school, my smartphone in my pocket vibrated.

The sender of the message was Misa.

『Let’s go on a date now.』