The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 83

Chapter 83

After spending some time chatting and killing time with Haru in the changing room, we headed back to the classroom as the classes were ending.

Upon arriving in front of the classroom, our eyes met just as Matsui-sensei finished teaching and came out.

She looked at the two of us in turn, her brow furrowing slightly.

“You guys… Do you even realize the situation you’re in right now?”

“We couldn’t help it. We were discussing what to do from here on out.”

“Hmm. Well, I’ll let it slide since you’re with Hinata.”

“Typical Matsui-sensei. The number one fan of the Seko-Hina Fan Club.”

“Idiot. I’m the legendary number zero member, an honorary member.”

“Becoming a legend isn’t always that great…”

“There’s, like, a weight in your words.”

Matsui-sensei makes a troubled face but encourages me, saying, ‘Well, cheer up.’

Matsui-sensei is a kind teacher who genuinely cares about her students.

“For now, I’ll turn a blind eye to your skipping with my privilege… The mental strain must be tough on you guys.”

“I’m really grateful to you, Sensei. We haven’t been called in yet about that rumor, even though the school must have evidence. It’s thanks to you, right?”

“Well, yeah. But even so, that evidence alone is weak, and it was easy to stop those who were trying to push it… But think of it as a matter of days. Those guys probably don’t want to deal with such a troublesome issue for long either.”

“I totally agree with that.”

Koido seems to be able to secure the evidence we need by the end of today.

If that happens, this issue should be resolved by tomorrow.

It looks like we’re going to make it in time.

As the conversation with Matsui-sensei came to a halt, Haru stepped forward and looked into Matsui-sensei’s eyes and say,

“Ah, that, Matsui-sensei! Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for us!”

Due to the difference in height, Haru couldn’t help but look up at the taller Matsui-sensei, which meant she was giving her puppy eyes,

“Ughh… so cute…”

Matsui-sensei, who adores Haru, clutched her chest and let out a sound she had never made before.

Afterward, with an ecstatic expression and still breathing heavily, Matsui-sensei moved to the classroom where her next lesson was to be held.

I wonder if she’s okay.

Haru, who captivates people like Matsui-sensei and Misa, who has a sister complex, might just be an older woman killer.

As for me… well, I don’t have a younger brother or sister… and it’s not like I’ve been infatuated by that sort of thing.

“Ehehe. Matsui-sensei is such a kind and wonderful teacher who alwys protects us.”

──Hm? I could protect you better, though?

The fact that such a thought comes to mind might mean that I’ve been affected by that trait as well.

Just as I finished the conversation and was about to enter the classroom, someone called out to us from behind.

“You two finally came back, huh?”

Turning around in response to the voice, there stood Misa, who should have been in class just moments ago.

“Oh… Misa. Why are you here?”

“Why, you ask? If only you guys sneak out, it would raise suspicions. I also slipped out of class and took a break in the nurse’s office after I got your message.”

“I-I see.”

I had sent her a message with a made-up reason for skipping class.

It seems she took that as a cue to skip class as well.

I can’t help but admire her for being able to take such action on the spur of the moment.

Although she maintains a calm facade, I can tell that she’s actually angry inside.

And since she can’t pursue the matter here, the thought of being thoroughly questioned about it later weighs slightly on my mind.

When we re-enter the classroom, the gaze of all our classmates shifts to us in unison.

It’s not surprising. But their stares seem to soften a little with Misa joining us and making us a group of three.

The bell had already rung by that point, and I knew that rushing in would only result in cold stares, so I skipped class.

However, it’s a relief that the damage was lessened thanks to Misa’s quick thinking.

——As expected, I’m always being saved by someone else.

***

During the break between casses, I used my smartphone to get in touch with Koido.

Fortunately, Koido didn’t bring up the incident with Haru just before leaving the pool changing room, and we only talked about meeting up again after school today.

I had planned to meet right after school, but at her request, we decided to meet at 6 PM.

I have no problem with that, so I agreed to the time.

Then after school.

Like any other day, I stayed behind to clean while the other guys on duty hurried home.

However, the difference from yesterday was that not only Oda and Haru but also Misa helped out, and the cleaning was completed relatively quickly with the four of us working together.

The cleaning was done in no time, and Misa and Haru came over to where I was with their belongings in hand.

“Thanks to both of you for helping out.”

“This much is fine. It’s for Rento-kun’s sake, after all.”

“It’s called helping each other out.”

“…I see. But thank a lot, Oda. For continuing to help out from yesterday too.”

“What’s that. I’ve merely done what should be done as Seko’s best friend.”

“Oda…”

“Seko…”

“You really need to stop doing that.”

“Enough is enough.”

“Ye-yes.”

Having finished what was becoming a routine exchange, Misa sighed.

“Well, let’s go home, Rento-kun.”

“Ah, I actually have to stay a bit longer today. Could you two go ahead without me?”

“Eh? Why? Are you meeting with Koido-chan by any chance?”

“Yeah. It looks like I’ll be able to get the evidence by the end of today, so I’m thinking of checking it out. I didn’t have enough time during lunch.”

“Ah… I see.”

Haru, maybe reminded of the lunchtime incident, turned away with a flushed face.

Misa looked at her with a puzzled expression.

I explained to Misa that I had to skip class because Haru had come to me while I was meeting with a collaborator named Koido.

I couldn’t honestly tell her that I had done such a thing with Haru.

“Koido-san, huh. I’d like to meet this person too, so do you mind if I stay with you?”

“Ah. But it might get pretty late.”

“Fufu. Don’t worry. It won’t get that late… right?”

At Misa’s provocative tone, this time Haru makes a puzzled face.

Realizing she’s probably referring to what happened yesterday, I panic and end up giving a noncommittal ‘Yeah—’ in response.

“If Misa’s staying, then I’ll stay too. It’s fine, right?”

It’s not that it’s not okay, but like Haru, the idea of bringing Misa and Koido together feels a bit troublesome.

I’m worried that through some chance, it might accidentally come out that I’ve been meeting her under the pretense of going to the infirmary.

It’s not like Koido and I are in that kind of relationship, but it might be unpleasant for the two of them, and more than anything, I don’t want them to find out why I’ve been meeting with Koido.

As I hesitantly nod in agreement to their requests, Oda suddenly apologizes with a ‘Sorry.’

“I have something to discuss with Seko. Sorry but, could we please have some privacy?”

“Eh? Ota-kun, are you serious about Seko…!?”

“No, absolutely not! It’s just… I can’t go into details, but it’s more convenient for me to speak with Seko alone. I apologize for being selfish, but I’m asking for a favor.”

“…I understand.”

“Misa, is that okay?”

“Yes. Oda-kun can be trusted.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

“Yosaki-san… Hinata-san…!”

Seeing the deep trust the two had in Oda, he himself appeared to be a little moved.

“In that case, we’ll head back first. It’s one thing with Rento-kun and the three of us late at school, but it’s a bit troublesome to stay with just the two of us.”

“Yeah. Someone might come up and say something to us again. Well then, see you both tomorrow.”

“I’m really sorry about this. See you tomorrow.”

“In return, make sure to properly introduce us to Koido-san next time.”

“I also want to meet and talk one more time.”

“…I’ll ask Koido.”

“Fufu, thank you. Well then, Rento-kun, Oda-kun. See you tomorrow.”

After the two left the classroom, I let out a sigh.

“Thanks, Oda. Somehow, I just didn’t feel like letting those two meet Koido right now.”

“Hehehe. I sensed that… Well, it’s true that there is also something I need to talk about, though.”

“Oh? Wasn’t that just a bunch of nonsense to escape that situation?”

“Nope. Seko, could you follow me for a moment? There’s something I want you to see.”

“Ah, sure.”

I followed behind Oda as he led the way.

We left the classroom, walked down the hallway, changed into our shoes at the shoe lockers, and went outside.

As I wondered how far we were going, Oda stopped next to the bushes by the side of the field.

“Seko, hide yourself a bit and look over there.”

“Hmm? What am I supposed to see… huh?”

When I looked where Oda was pointing, there was Koido in a tracksuit. In her hand, she held a water bottle, the kind often used by athletes.

She carried it over to a certain person and handed it over with a smile.

The person she was smiling at was Arahira, the one rumored to be spreading gossip about us.