The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 96

Chapter 96

After finishing our octopus crackers, we continued further down the street.

Then we stopped in our tracks once again when a large red torii gate appeared.

“Have we arrived at Enoshima Shrine? It was surprisingly close.”

“Hehehe, Misa, you were tricked. It’s true that the torii gate is right after entering the island, but we have to climb a looong staircase from here to get to the place for worship!”

“Seriously? Could it be that this is what Oda was talking about…?”

“That’s true, I can see there’s a long staircase behind the torii gate… I wonder if I can handle it.”

Gazing at the long staircase that appeared before her, Misa let out a voice of anxiety.

Seeing an elderly couple who were seemingly regular visitors cheerfully ascending the stairs, I figured I could probably make it to the top too—but I didn’t want to imagine what my legs would feel like afterwards.

“Don’t worry! I might have scared you a bit, but it’s a normal tourist spot, so we’ll get there easier than you think!”

Haru said enthusiastically while pointing at the staircase with a smile.

Sure, Haru would have no trouble with her physical strength, but the two of us who are not so confident in our strength were worried if we could keep up with her.

Wondering what to do, I looked around and a certain word caught my eye.

“Escalator…?”

“Ugh.”

Haru reacted with a dismayed expression to the word I uttered.

“S-Sekoー. Don’t mind that, let’s just hurry up the stairs…”

Ignoring her obvious attempt to change the subject, I check the direction indicated by the sign with the writing on it.

While some people were passing through the torii gate and going up the stairs, not a few were turning left in front of the torii gate and walking in the direction I was looking at.

Could it be——

“There seems to be an escalator.”

“What?”

“…You found out.”

***

According to the instructions in front of the reception, it seems there’s a nice escalator that allows us to skip the stairs and head straight to the top.

Haru didn’t want us to notice its existence and stomped her feet in frustration while puffing up her cheeks.

“Pout, why did you notice it! Let’s take the stairs!”

“Don’t underestimate the Going-Home Club. My physical strength is on par with that of an elementary school kid around here.”

“I’m also in the Going-Home Club! Besides, a family with kids just went up a while ago!”

“That kid’s future is definitely as a mountain climber.”

“That’s not true! No, actually, it might be… Ugh!”

“Already out of words? You give up too easily, Haru.”

“I mean… this is just my selfishness. I don’t want to be disliked by you two for being too insistent… But I do want to try going up the stairs…”

While a little downcast, Haru shares her feelings with us.

Hearing Haru’s wish, Misa and I exchange glances, both of us making somewhat troubled faces.

We definitely want to accommodate Haru’s wishes, but if we give up halfway, the atmosphere will become awkward.

That’s because both the person who acted selfishly and the person who gave up will feel responsible.

If that were the only issue, it might still be okay, but Misa, who is probably the most likely to give up, definitely won’t show any signs of doing so.

She knows that it would create a tense atmosphere.

If that happens, what awaits us is the worst outcome: Misa overworking herself to the point of collapse.

We can avoid the worst-case scenario if I give up first, but it’s certain that Haru will still feel responsible.

These are just my speculations, but as long as there’s a possibility of this happening, it’s hard to make a decision easily.

With a deep sigh and crossing my arms, I take another look at the guide for the escalator. Then, I find a saving grace.

“…It seems they also sell tickets for just one section.”

“Rento-kun, what do you mean?”

“It means that we can use the escalator to get halfway up to the middle area called Hetsu-miya, and from there we can walk up the stairs to the top. I’m sure we can handle it if it’s only about half the way.”

As I say this, Misa smiles and nods while Haru looks up and beams with a bright smile.

“Nice one Seko, that’s a great idea! I’ll go buy the tickets right away!”

“Ah. We could all go together.”

“No, I’m being selfish before, so I’ll pay for it. You two just wait here!”

I tried to stop her as she ran toward the reception desk, but I noticed that she had already arrived in front of the desk and was standing in line to purchase the tickets.

She’s too fast.

“Hey, Rento-kun”

Once we were alone, Misa took a step closer until our shoulders touched.

Then, holding my hand, she looked up slightly at me and asked,

“Whose benefit was your proposal for, Haru or me?”

While wondering why she would ask such a question,

“I guess it was for the three of us, including me.”

I replied. Then, Misa chuckled softly, faced forward, and leaned her weight against me.

“I thought you would say that. But in my heart, I choose to believe that you suggested it for my sake.”

“Then what was that question about just now?”

“Just a confirmation. But, you see, facts aren’t always correct. Rento-kun couldn’t choose the option not to use the escalator and didn’t prioritize Haru’s intentions because you anticipated that I would be overwhelmed. This interpretation is, in my mind, the correct one.”

That interpretation differs from the facts, but it would be foolish for me to complain about it if she believes it to be correct.

So I simply reply with a ‘I see’, and say nothing more.

And she takes that as affirmation, she smiles like a blooming flower.

I wonder if people are happy as long as they interpret things in a way that suits them.

Thinking about Moriya, who epitomizes this behavior, makes me want to deny that hypothesis.

“Well, Haru said that, but since Rento-kun proposed it for me, I’ll pay for it too.”

“What, then I’ll go pay as well.”

“It’s okay. This is a thank you for listening to my request. So let me pay. Besides, there’s still some money left from the cake.”

With that, Misa squeezed my hand tightly for a moment before letting go and hurried over to where Haru was.

The two who regroup start arguing with their wallets in hand.

Probably, they both insist on paying the money themselves.

While I was inwardly mocking myself for being a bit like a freeloader, I felt my smartphone vibrate in my pocket.

Since I’m alone and have nothing to do, I take out my smartphone to check the notification.

There was a message from Koido.

『How about this view? Right now, I feel like I’m looking down on you, senpai.』

Along with that text, there was a photo that seemed to have been taken mid-hike, showing a panoramic view of Kamakura’s cityscape and the sea.

『Hmph. Enjoy your laughter while it lasts. We’re about to ascend to the heavens using a divine instrument called an escalator.』

『What! That’s cheating! You should walk like I did!』

『Well, We ended up walking the second half, though.』

『Ah, I kind of figured. So you went for a compromise.』

『My junior is too Perceptive and it’s scary.』

『What are you talking about? It’s too late for that now.』

『That’s true, I guess.』

Once the conversation had settled down a bit, I decided to ask about Koido’s situation.

『It looks like you’re into a serious hike there, but you’re not wearing a uniform, are you?』

『That’s right. I’m wearing the school’s designated tracksuit.』

After that message, a single photo was sent.

It was a selfie of Koido, likely just taken.

Koido in the photo was smiling and making a peace sign, and indeed, she was wearing the familiar tracksuit.

Seeing several people in the background sitting down in the same outfit. They must be on a break now.

『Seems tough. Maybe it was good that it got canceled during my time.』

『Ah, it seems like senpai couldn’t go, huh. It’s a bit tough, sure, but just the fact that it’s a field trip makes it enjoyable! Plus, I love hiking!』

『I like hiking too. The view from the ropeway is the best, isn’t it?』

『Mmm——Please stop with the difficult-to-deny jokes! That’s also a valid way to enjoy it!”

『Koido, you’re so kind.』

『Hmph, I am your junior after all, senpai!』

That familiar catchphrase came out again.

Still, I never quite understood what it meant.

What does it mean that she’s my junior?

『By the way, do you have any photos you’ve taken with your classmates?』

『What’s this, senpai? Starting to take an interest in someone younger?』

『Right. If someone with a history like me asks for such photos, it’s no wonder I’d be thought of that way. I guess I’ll become a monk and start over.』

『Whoa, sorry! I actually knew what you meant, senpai! But I was just too embarrassed and ended up teasing you—so please don’t go off to become a monk!』

『What’s that, being caught out like this is embarrassing.』

『I’m embarrassed too, so we’re even!』

And then, a photo arrived.

Seven girls, including Koido, lined up in it, each making a peace sign.

Koido has been running around for me and occasionally gives me advice, so I was a little worried about how she was interacting with her classmates, but seeing this photo, I felt relieved.

『Nice photo. But isn’t the girl eighth from the right super pale?』

『What’s with that way of saying it? Just say the first one from the left… wait, huh? There are only seven people in this photo.』

『What?』

『Ah, hold on, please don’t joke about that! I won’t forgive you if it’s a joke! I’m really going to make you shave your head and become a monk!』

『Please, anything but that.』

『So it was a lie?! …Sigh. Well, if that’s the case, it’s fine. I forgive you.』

『Koido is like the goddess Benzaiten. (a deity in Japanese Buddhism)』

『You’re already embodying the spirit of Enoshima, huh? Oh, by the way, the girl on the far left is Odasenpai’s girlfriend.』

What, really?

I’m usually not interested in other people’s lovers, but it’s different when it comes to Oda.

I’ll zoom in and take a closer look… Oh, she looks quiet but pretty cute…

“Rento-kun. I wonder who is that girl?”

“Ren, do you also like girls with glasses? My eyesight is good, but I can wear non-prescription ones if you like?”

While I was zooming in on Oda’s girlfriend in the photo Koido sent to take a closer look, Misa and Haru returned and completely caught me in the act.

——The look in the eyes of the two girls pressing in on me was devoid of any light.