What If I Told Tomori-san, The Girl Who's Cold Only Towards Me, That I Knew Her Secret Account? - V1 Chapter 11.2

Connecting with You 2

“Hmph. I’ll support you, so the least you could do is say thank you.”

“I’d rather die, even under torture, I wouldn’t say it. Besides, what can a problem child like you do for me?”

“…arbitrating fights?”

“Stop! I only see a future where it turns into a bloodbath!”

“Are you mistaking me for a mass murderer or something?”

“Wait, let me think of a job that even a loner boy like you can do…”

“Don’t say things like a mother encouraging her unemployed son.”

“Ah, how about helping out the track and field team? I heard there’s a marathon event coming up, so why not experience a taste of hell?”

“You’re more suited for that. Your leg power is like that of an orangutan, okay?”

“Are you dumb? Orangutans have developed grip strength, huh?”

“As expected, you know a lot about your own species.”

“I don’t want to be told that by someone with the delicacy level of an ape.”

A light-hearted banter ensued in the classroom.

It may seem like an intense exchange with others, but this is also our form of communication.

Maybe a relationship like ours cannot exist without banter.

“You’re useless. I guess I’ll have to train you to be capable of work.”

“Well, it’s true I’m not as skilled in communication as Tomori.”

“Um… w-well, it’s not that I’m that good…”

“Tomori, you’re surprisingly easy to flatter.”

“——Hee? Since you can flatter me, if you try hard, maybe you can get along with everyone?”

“No, that’s…”

“Until you can get along, your job is to do odd jobs.”

“That’s quite a low position.”

“I’ll make you work like a slave. Besides, just the fact that you’re not alone is a relief. Show some gratitude that I’ll rely on a problem child like you.”

Yes, even with things we can’t do alone, we can do together.

For example, Tomori can handle the communication aspect that I struggle with.

And I can handle the troubles that Tomori’s straightforward approach doesn’t work on.

Together, we can complement each other’s shortcomings.

(Besides, being alone all the time is exhausting.)

[Everyone’s friend.]

Rather than being a perfect honor student loved by everyone all the time, it’s better to have someone who can let her show her relaxed side and be on equal footing.

(That’s why, I’ll be that person.)

I’ll be the kind of partner that the ever-strong, ever-kind hero can rely on and show her vulnerable side without worries.

I promise.

(However, if there’s one thing to say…)

——My feelings towards Tomori won’t change.

Even if I declare myself as her friend, exchange LINE, and continue to work together as troubleshooters at school in the future.

That should never change.

【——Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for saying you’ll support me.】

However…

I couldn’t help but gasp my breath when I saw the message displayed on my phone.

Tomori was sitting across from me, nonchalantly checking the documents I had prepared.

Her left hand was tucked into the pocket of her skirt.

【Since I can’t say it directly, as I said before, I’ll just write it here.】

【I’m really happy to become your friend.】

【I know it might be difficult right away, but if it’s the two of us, I believe we can become good friends. Yes, to put it like my childhood friend did. 】

【The best partner you’ll ever have.】

She must be typing with her usual touch typing skill.

Hmm, that’s fine.

Tomori’s message was too straightforward, but compared to the tweets she had posted until now, it wasn’t as embarrassing.

However, the problem is——

“Hey, Tomori.”

“What? Do you remember there is a mistake in the documents? I knew it, you problem child——”

“Just now, I received a LINE from you.”

“——Yes?”

As I was about to take out my phone, the color drained from Tomori’s face.

Missend. It was a common mistake on social media.

I guess she was really happy when I said I would support her.

Either due to excessive excitement or carelessness, Tomori had mistakenly sent the message she intended for her secret account to our LINE conversation.

Well, these kinds of funny accidents can happen when you get along with someone.

That’s what human relationships are all about.

“Wait, it’s not what you think!”

Tomori stood up in a state of panic.

“What do you mean it’s not what I think?”

“Well, um, this, it’s something I wanted to say to you…”

“Then why did you write it in our LINE conversation?”

“Th-that’s…!”

“[I’m really happy to become your friend. I know it might be difficult right away, but if it’s the two of us, I believe we can become good friends. Yes, to put it like my childhood friend did. The best partner you’ll ever have.]”

“Stop it! Don’t read it out loud~!”

‘I was just teasing!’ ‘I only did it to embarrass you!’

It was a forced explanation.

Immediately after, on her secret account, she posts:

《Accidental post! Absolutely not! From now on, no matter what happens, I’ll only tweet about my feelings for K-kun on my secret account!》

Ah, that’s more like it.

Somehow, my determination not to change my feelings for Tomori almost wavers when she makes such adorable blunder.

“Hey, why are you laughing?”

“Sorry. It’s not that Tomori’s message was funny.”

“Then why?”

“That’s… a secret.”

“Huh? We’re supposed to be working together, and you’re already keeping secrets? You really have the worst personality!”

‘Why can’t you be more honest?’ Tomori yelled.

Well, maybe things would be easier in many ways if I could be more honest. But it’s still impossible.

I’m sure our relationship will change once we become lovers, but for now, I want to enjoy this a little bit more.

Azusa Tomori.

——It’s been a while since I had a connection with a classmate.

***

TL: Hiraeth