The Best Friend of the Person I Like is Secretly Approaching Me - Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Continuing on a path with ups and downs that seemed to proclaim it was just the beginning, we finally reached Okutsu-miya.

Haru seems fine, but Misa is breathing a bit heavily through her shoulders.

It was a good idea to use the escalator at the beginning and save our energy for later.

“So, what kind of blessings does this place provide?”

“Aviation safety, traffic safety, and romantic reconciliation.”

“Just when I thought I finally got some romantic blessings, it turns out to be for reconciliation. As someone who’s never had a lover before, it doesn’t seem like there’s any benefit for me.”

“…Really? You really never had a girlfriend before?”

“I wouldn’t lie about something like this. Besides, you know about my past. No one would fall for the person I was back then. Plus, I wasn’t interested in that sort of thing.”

“Fufu. So, I guess that means I’m the one who planted the seeds of love in Rento-kun’s heart. I’m happy.”

“I’m embarrassed.”

“Oh? But you should be happy since you’re dating your first love, right? As for me, I’m happy. After all, Rento-kun is both my first love and my boyfriend.”

Hearing her say that, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, and my face started to heat up.

Seeing my expression, Misa shows a look of delight.

She really does seem to love seeing me embarrassed, but realizing that just makes me feel even more embarrassed.

“Hey, let’s go pray quickly.”

Haru said that and started walking toward the offertory box.

If I don’t follow suit, I’ll end up being teased to death by Misa, so I head to pray as well.

Then, I hear a frustrated ‘Mou’ from behind, and when I turn around, Misa is making a sulky face.

The expression is a stark contrast to her usual self, and my heartbeat quickens even more.

Noticing the change in me, Misa’s expression shifts to a satisfied one.

Then, with a smile, she hurries to my side.

***

Having finished praying at the last shrine, the only thing left on our schedule is that famous bell.

The official name is the Ryūren no Kane (Dragon Love Bell).

According to Haru, it seems to be located very close by.

“Ah, it’s true.”

Not long after departing from Okitsu-miya, I found a sign indicating the entrance to the Dragon Love Bell.

What caught my attention was the padlock in front of the sign.

It appears to be something that’s sold.

“A key of vows…? What does that mean?”

“Hey, Ren, can I buy this?”

“Uh, sure, why not?”

“Then maybe I’ll buy one too.”

“Eh, Misa too? Do you happen to know the meaning of this padlock?”

“I don’t know, but I have a rough idea. That’s why I’m buying it.”

It seemed like the two understood the meaning of the padlock as they picked one up and headed to pay for it.

I, still not understanding, simply watched them.

Then, some other tourists found it and bought it as well, and almost all were couples.

…Could it be that the ‘key of vows’ means that?

Is the free marker pen placed there with that intention?

By the time I had figured everything out, the two had already bought their padlock and come back.

They borrowed the marker pen and began to write their names on the newly purchased padlock.

One had my name and Haru’s.

“Ehehe. With this, I can always be with Ren…”

One had my name and Misa’s.

“Fufu. It’s wonderful to be eternally connected with Rento-kun.”

It’s only natural since they were purchased, but it seems the girls are serious.

Then, entering a side path like a mountain’s secret trail and climbing up the gentle stairs, there was the Ryuren no Kane (Dragon Love Bell). And on the fence beside it, a great number of padlocks had been attached.

Immediately, the two of them try to attach a padlock.

I call out to Haru in a slightly flustered, quiet voice.

“Uh, hey, Haru. Isn’t it a bit, you know, bad to hang a padlock with mine and your names in such a public place?”

“…What? It’s okay with Misa, but not with me?”

“No, of course, I’d ask Misa to stop too… Ah.”

Looking to the side, it seems Misa is quite dexterous with her hands, as she had already attached the padlock to the fence.

“Misa seems to have already put hers on. Well then, I better hurry up and attach mine too.”

“H-Haru.”

“It’s okay. There are so many, there’s no way they’ll find ours specifically… Oh, maybe it’ll reach the gods more easily if we attach it higher.”

“The higher it is, the more noticeable it is.”

“If we don’t stand out, the gods might miss it.”

“But we’re not supposed to stand out.”

“Ugh! Why do I have to be the only one to hold back!”

At Haru’s outburst, I flinch for a moment.

Regaining my composure, I look around. Confirming that there’s no one else around us, I let out a sigh of relief.

Then, facing Haru with tears welling up in her eyes, I let out a small sigh.

“Even at the top, try to put it somewhere inconspicuous.”

“…Okay. I’ll attach it.”

Haru responds with a slightly sulky tone and attaches it, hiding it among the multitude of padlocks on the top row.

It’s true that it won’t be easily found, but if any of our students find out——

“Hinata, Misa. Wait here for a bit.”

“Eh? Seko, the promise…?”

“Rento-kun…?”

“I’ll be right back!”

I head back the way we came and buy a padlock at the store, writing down both of their names.

Then I run back to Misa and Haru.

“Ah, you really came back quickly.”

“Where did you go?”

“I went back to the store to buy this.”

I show the two of them what’s in my hand.

They lean in to take a closer look and let out a surprised ‘Huh?’

“I get that you bought a padlock, but why have you written my name and Haru’s on it?”

“That’s right. This makes it look like Misa and I are a couple.”

“Well, it’s supposed to be a wish for the bond between the names written to last forever? So, I thought, why not wish for the eternal bond of friendship between you two?”

“I-Is that so?”

“…I see. If that’s the case, hurry up and attach it. We’ve already put ours on.”

“Got it.”

I attached the padlock to the most conspicuous spot at the very top.

Then, I took a photo of it with my smartphone’s camera.

Turning around, I saw that Haru still had a question mark floating above her head.

But Misa seemed to have grasped my intention, her expression a mix of emotions.

“Rento-kun, you’re kind.”

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You’re still bad at playing dumb.”

While giving me a cold look, Misa grasped my hand from the back and handed me the bell rope.

“Come on, Rento-kun. Let’s ring the bell together.”

“Ah, yeah. But, you know, the three of us are dating, so…”

“…That’s right. Haru, come here.”

“Ah, okay. Are we ringing it together? Got it.”

Haru also came over, and the three of us held onto the bell rope.

“This position, we can’t show it to anyone else.”

“Yeah, it’s a good thing there’s no one else around.”

“Then let’s hurry up while we can. Ready, set, go!”

As Haru called out, I swung my arm to ring the bell, but at that moment——

“Hey, Seko. What are you doing?”

Hearing a man’s voice calling my name, we panicked and tried to let go of the rope in a hurry.

However, the momentum of the rope didn’t stop, and the sound of the bell rang out around us.

Looking up at the swinging bell, I wondered if its sound was blessing us or admonishing us.

When I turned toward the direction of the voice, there stood Kaita.

“What do you want, Kaita?”

“Come on, don’t be so defensive. I’m not here planning to blab about your relationship or anything.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’m interested in you, Seko. Ever since the day of the mixer, when you snapped at me. That’s why I want to see how this relationship you cherish unfolds. Of course, I want to see it progress without any interference from anyone.”

“That’s a disturbing hobby.”

“Say whatever you want. It was you who changed me, Seko. Also, sorry for interrupting. I just found it amusing to see the three of you ringing the bell together, so I couldn’t help but call out. Well then.”

With just those words, Kaida really did leave the place.

What did he even come here for?

“He’s a weird guy.”

“I think I’m not too fond of Kaida-kun either.”

“Don’t worry. I just started to dislike him now too.”

We exchanged such thoughts while watching the direction Kaida had left in.

Then, as if to replace Kaida, students came in droves. Most of them seemed to be couples, and their purpose was probably the bell as well.

I suddenly looked down and stared at my own hand.

When Kaida called my name, I tried to let go of the rope in a hurry, but it got caught on my finger, and I couldn’t let go until the bell rang.

Yes, I was holding onto that rope until the end. And, by the feel of it, there was someone else who was holding onto the rope with me until the very end.

I looked up and gazed at her profile.

What is she thinking now?

Does she realize that she rang the bell with me?

…What am I thinking?

It’s just a superstition──Why am I taking it so seriously?

Yet, for some reason, I couldn’t get it out of my head for a while.