The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Having finished ordering our drinks, the conversation moved on to the main topic.

As expected, it was Misa who opened the conversation.

“Koido-san. About that rumor, you really helped me out. I want to thank you again. Thank you so much.”

“No-no. If we get down to it, it was me who led that person to spread the rumor in the first place. It feels strange to have you thank me for that.”

“If you put it that way, there would have been no assumption that Rento-kun was cheating if I didn’t start saying that we were dating.”

“No… I think it wouldn’t have gotten this complicated if I hadn’t suggested such a relationship to Ren, it’s my fault.”

“I’m the one who’s completely at fault for insensitively making public confessions every day and for showing a weak-willed attitude on top of that, I’m really sorry.”

An unusual situation arises where everyone apologizes.

Our table’s atmosphere dies instantly, but it dissipates the next moment as Koido claps her hands together.

“Alright. Let’s just say that everyone was partly at fault for what happened. We’ll leave the question of responsibility ambiguous.”

“…Right.”

“I’m saved, huh?”

“It pains my heart to be saved by my junior again.”

“Hmph. That’s why, Senpai, age doesn’t matter when it comes to relying on each other! If you keep saying things like that, the options you think of when you’re in a pinch will become limited.”

“Koido-san is right. I also rely on Saki quite often. Of course, I was resistant at first, but her advice is reliable, and it makes me happy to know that I can count on her.”

“…I see. Yeah, I’ll honestly express my gratitude here. Thanks, Koido.”

“Heheh. Well, I am Senpai’s junior, so this much is only natural.”

Just as Koido showed off her smug face, the shopkeeper brought over the drinks we ordered.

At that, Koido seemed to feel embarrassed about the shopkeeper seeing her smug expression; her face turned a little red, and she looked down.

We each took a sip of our ordered drinks. It was getting hot outside, so the iced coffee felt really good.

I have a feeling the heat isn’t just because of the season, though.

“We really owe you one, Koido-chan. Thanks a lot. You were there for me when I got confessed to, and especially this time… I haven’t been able to do anything.”

“There’s no need to worry about this incident, it’s kind of like my own little scheme. You shouldn’t feel bad about it, Hinata-senpai.”

“Ehehe, Koido-chan, you’re so kind… Ah, Ren, can I have a sip of your coffee?”

“Hm? It’s fine, but I thought Haru couldn’t drink coffee because it’s bitter?”

“Y-yeah, but I want to become an adult quickly, so I want to challenge myself to drink coffee!”

“Haru, just because you can drink coffee doesn’t mean you’re an adult. In fact, Rento-kun can drink coffee but he’s still childish, right?”

“I wonder why the coffee feels more bitter than usual today?”

“Fufu. Sorry, I just wanted to tease you a little. But I find you’re like this cute, and I like you just the way you are.”

“Now, senpai has been showered with sugar.”

“My mouth’s all sweet now. By the way, I’m a fan of black coffee.”

“Ugh… I’m talking to Ren right now! Geez, I’ll just go ahead and drink it without asking!”

Haru, looking annoyed, grabbed the cup of my iced coffee and sucked it up vigorously through the straw.

Then——

“…bitter”

She made a face as if she had just swallowed something very bitter.

“Ugh… it’s so bitter, Ren…”

“You knew that. You should have at least tried adding milk or sugar before you tried it. Here, drink some orange juice to wash away the bitterness.”

“Mm… hehe, it’s sweet and delicious. I really do love orange juice.”

I let out a sigh of relief, finally able to see Haru’s smile return to her face.

Then, I notice Koido holding her chest.

“… Senpai. Just now, something welled up in my chest.”

“Even the younger ones are affected… This is Haru’s charm.”

“Sigh… I can’t compete with that.”

“E-eh, what are you talking about? My charm?”

“Haru is cute, that’s what it means.”

“…Ren! I like you! I really like you!”

Haru, who has lost her vocabulary, seems to be wagging an invisible tail and clings to my arm.

By the way, even when Misa is around, I make it a point to call Haru by her given name.

It naturally led to calling Misa by her given name in front of others as well.

Now that I am in a relationship with both of them, I think it would be unfair to call only Haru by her given name.

Besides, there was no longer any reason to call her by her surname.

Of course, I couldn’t call her by her first name in front of our classmates, but I decided it was okay in front of Koido, who knew our situation.

As I enjoy the sensation of Haru nuzzling her cheek against my arm, I feel a touch on my other arm as well.

Turning around, Yosaki was clinging to my arm with a pouty expression.

“It’s not fair that you only pay attention to Haru, Rento-kun. I can drink coffee and I’m an adult, so I think I’m full of charm too.”

“Just now, wasn’t it Misa who said that being able to drink coffee doesn’t make you an adult?”

“That depends on the situation. Adults can see things from multiple perspectives.”

“The way you twist logic like that actually makes you seem more childish.”

“What… Does Rento-kun dislike the childish me?”

“On the contrary, I think the gap makes you cute.”

“…Fufu. I think it’s nice to be spoiled by you like this once in a while.”

Misa said this, and, just like Haru, she rubbed her cheek against my arm.

Her expression was beaming, but there was a hint of redness to it.

“By the way, Koido.”

“Ah? You’re talking with me in this situation!? Wh-what is it?”

“Well, you see, we owe you a lot for helping us out with this incident, but I’d prefer if you didn’t put yourself in danger for our sake if possible. If things had gone poorly, you might have also been harmed by Arahira. Plus, you’ve been doing various things to gather information about the other soccer club members, right?”

“…Ah, you noticed? Yeah, that’s true, I was intentionally acting in a suggestive manner at times. Alright, if Senpai says so, I’ll make sure not to do that kind of thing in the future. It’s also tiring being confessed to, and I can’t afford to cause you any more worry, Senpai.”

Koido said that with a smile.

Hearing her remark, I couldn’t help but smile wryly, thinking that her reasoning was a little off.

Then, Misa pulled her face away from my arm and turned towards Koido to say—

“Koido-san. I really appreciate what you’ve done… but why would you go so far for Rento-kun? I heard it’s to thank him for his help, but isn’t that a bit too much?”

“…What, you still doubt my relationship with Senpai? Well, I can kind of understand Yosaki Senpai’s feelings, but I’m just a junior to Senpai. Nothing more, nothing less, and I’m not asking for anything else.”

“…I see. Then, I have one more question. Did you really act solely for Rento-kun’s sake?”

“…Ah, is that what this is about? Yes, that’s right. I acted only for Senpai’s sake. As I’ve told Hinata senpai before, I have no intention of taking sides with either Hinata senpai or Yosaki senpai.”

“I see. Thank you for answering.”

“No problem.”

During the conversation between the two, Haru tilted her head in puzzlement.

The intent behind Misa’s first question was very clear. Probably, even Haru could have understood it.

The second question likely stemmed from a suspicion in Misa’s mind: ‘Did you do it for Haru’s sake?’

Because I ended up dating both of them, and I haven’t denied my relationship with Misa.

In other words, as far as the public is concerned, Misa and I are romantically involved.

And then, during the commotion of that infamous rumor, almost everyone at school had turned against us.

However, the rumor was completely debunked, and those who had been accusing us started to act awkwardly around us.

In other words, no one could criticize her for it anymore, even if Haru were to behave in a way that suggested she and I were very close in the future.

Because of this, Haru was able to interact with me without worrying about her relationship with Misa.

In the end, the incident had its benefits for Haru, as it led to the exclusion of Arahira and for these reasons.

However, Koido claims she acted solely for my sake.

I don’t know how Misa will take that, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Koido wasn’t lying at all.