What If I Told Tomori-san, The Girl Who's Cold Only Towards Me, That I Knew Her Secret Account? - V1 Chapter 7.2

A friend is Something You Should Possess 2

“It’s been a while since we talked like this, Chifuyu.”

I deliberately spoke in a slightly lower voice.

I have to do this, or there’s a chance that she’ll figure out I’m Kimitaka Kagisaka.

“That’s true. I wanted to have more calls with you.”

“Sorry. I’m not good with phone calls. But it does feel strange? In DMs, you were so polite.”

“Well… then, should I use honorifics during the call?”

“Just kidding. It’s fine to speak casually.”

Actually, it was me who asked her to stop using polite language because it was embarrassing.

“Why do you use polite language in DMs, though?”

“Because, Senpai, you’re older. It’s better to use proper language when speaking to someone older, I guess?”

Chifuyu timidly asserted.

It was an unfamiliar modesty coming from her, considering her usual demeanor.

Yes, Chifuyu believes that Senpai is older than her.

And she doesn’t realize that she’s actually having a conversation with Kimitaka Kagisaka.

When Chifuyu and I first met, I had dyed hair, and my appearance was completely different from now, so it’s understandable that she didn’t recognize me when we reunited in high school.

(It’s convenient for me too, as I want to avoid revealing my true identity.)

That’s why I try to avoid talking to Chifuyu as much as possible at school and refer to her by her last name, Kazami.

“Oh, is that your casual outfit?”

“No, it’s clothes I wear when I go out… Does it suit me?”

“Well, it does.”

“Yay! You know, I don’t want to look like a dork in front of Senpai.”

“I don’t mind what kind of clothes you wear.”

“I-It’s nice to hear you say that, but… It’s actually because I like you, Senpai.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve said it before, but——”

“I know! You don’t intend to pursue romantic relationships while in high school, right? I understand that, of course. But when I’m in front of Senpai, I can’t help but want to say it,”

Chifuyu blushed and smiled shyly.

Her gesture was so cute that it almost made me regret rejecting her confession.

“By the way, what did you want to talk about?”

“R-Right, there is something that I wanted to talk about today. It’s about Azusa.”

“She was Chifuyu’s childhood friend, right?”

“Yes. It seems like she’s interested in a guy now. But that guy is a troublemaker and really unpleasant. He always ignores me.”

“…By any chance, what’s that guy’s name?”

“? Kimitaka Kagisaka, but do you know him, Senpai?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Right! Of course you don’t! Why is Azusa interested in such an unimpressive guy? His taste in men is completely off. You’re so much cooler, Senpai.”

Let’s leave aside the fact that Chifuyu’s statement was a perfect boomerang.

Anyway, the point is, Chifuyu doesn’t want Tomori and me to get closer.

“Oh, let’s get back to the topic. I’ve also been wondering how I can become friends with that Kagisaka guy because, for some reason, he seems to dislike me.”

“You want to become friends with him?”

“Of course! There’s a possibility that he could become my best friend’s partner, and since Kagisaka is also an otaku, I’d be happy if I could have conversations about otaku stuff with him!”

I couldn’t help but admire her honest statement.

(Chifuyu is a really good person…)

I feel sorry now for being distant from her at school.

“Well, there are parts about it that annoy me, though.”

“Oh?”

“Azusa has many friends, but I’m the only one who can call myself her best friend. I was the only one who was special. But when it comes to Kagisaka, she makes comments that she wouldn’t even say to me, and it somehow feels like their relationship is more special than mine…”

“Does it make you feel frustrated?”

“No, it’s not that! I could never say this to Kagisaka himself, but I envy him!”

Unaware that she was actually having a conversation with the person in question, Chifuyu was indignant.

“Fortunately, I know everything about Azusa.”

“Well, you’ve been friends for a long time, after all.”

“Right, we’ve been together since our elementary school days. Here’s a secret, but I used to be a shy, bullied kid back then.”

“Really?”

“Hahaha, believe it or not, I used to be a piano-playing, well-mannered girl from a musical family. Thanks to that, I was often teased by others. But…”

“Did your childhood friend help you?”

“Well, as expected of Senpai! How did you know?”

“I just had a feeling that she would do something like that. Isn’t Chifuyu’s childhood friend notorious for always being involved with troublemakers at school?”

“Yes! In that sense, she’s similar to Senpai.”

“…”

“Senpai, you were like that too in the past. Well, Azusa helps elite students at school, which is the complete opposite of you.”

That’s right, complete opposites.

In my case, the people I was helping were guys of my generation who had nowhere else to go.

“I was one of those who were saved by Senpai too. Two years ago, I had some problems and ran away from home, and fortunately, Senpai protected me.”

“It was just because I’m used to rough stuff.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be so modest. Well, at first, I was scared too. Senpai and the people around him all seemed too rough.”

“Because we were delinquents.”

“But you were different from just any delinquent! Everyone was strong, caring for their comrades, and cool! Especially Senpai, he was the best! I mean…”

Chifuyu sighed disappointingly, ‘I wish we could go back’. Then she continued,

“That’s because Kazarina was a team created by Senpai, right? No, Kei-senpai?”

She called me by an incredibly nostalgic nickname.