What If I Told Tomori-san, The Girl Who's Cold Only Towards Me, That I Knew Her Secret Account? - V2 Chapter 5.1

Sleepover Girls’ Talk 1

“It’s not a date. We’re just going out to have fun.”

On a Sunday.

Azusa, dressed in light peach-colored pajamas, nails me just after I get out of the bath.

“This is normal for friends.”

“Again with that? When a high school boy and girl go out together, it’s a date…date will solve everything!!”

“That’s another line from an anime or manga, isn’t it?”

Azusa said after blow-drying my hair.

Today, Chifuyu Kazami’s schedule involves staying overnight at Tomori House.

I’ve often stayed in this apartment since long ago, so it doesn’t feel special at all.

But what we’re talking about might be quite special.

“Come on, at least confide in your best friend like me. You like Kagisaka, don’t you?”

“No, of course not.”

“Why not invite him on that date later and say, ‘Let’s dance together at the prom!’ ?”

“Hahaha, who would want to dance with such a dull youth?”

While forcing a smile, Azusa hugged a small dog plushie in the room.

I know her well; Azusa has this habit. When she’s feeling down, she hugs her favorite plushie.

(It’s not that she hates the idea of a date, right?)

I wonder… is there a reason she can’t invite Kagisaka to the prom?

“Huh?”

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“I’ve been having some trouble getting online.”

“Is there a communication problem, maybe?”

Azusa placed her red smartphone beside her bed.

“By the way, why did you choose tickets as a thank-you gift?”

“Nothing special. I just wanted to push you forward and help you out once in a while. You’ve been taking care of me all the time, after all.”

Azusa and I have been friends since elementary school.

Back then, I was an introvert and sometimes bullied.

『Everything will be fine, Chi-chan!』

At such times, Azusa Tomori was the one who helped me.

She called me by a nickname that is not used anymore and then protected me.

Even though Azusa had many friends at that time, I was her closest one.

(I was so happy to become the best friend of [Everyone’s Friends].)

It felt somehow special.

My shy personality didn’t change until middle school.

I spoke to everyone, including Azusa, in polite language.

Maybe that’s why until high school, Azusa was the only friend I had…

“I’m really thankful that Azusa always noticed me and helped me.”

“Chifuyu has helped me in various ways too.”

“Oh? When?”

“Like teaching me piano when we were kids.”

“Ah, yeah, we used to play piano duets together.”

“Even the fact that I’m involved in the activities I am now, it’s because of Chifuyu.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. When you helped me back then, you said, ‘I like that part of you, like a hero!’ didn’t you?”

“There were times like that too…”

Though my way of speaking is different from how it used to be… I feel like I said that.

It was when Azusa saved me from being bullied at the city park.

——But.

I feel like there were others who helped me at that time, besides Azusa.

“You don’t remember?”

Azusa puffed up her cheeks in a sulky gesture.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but want to pat her head.

Ah, that Kagisaka guy is such an unexpected character.

How could he not fall in love with such an adorable Azusa?

“It was a long time ago, you know.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s been about ten years.”

“I’ve become more respectable compared to those days, okay? I’m no longer the same as I used to be.”

“Indeed, I never thought you’d become a gal.”

“Right? So, Azusa, you should…”

I wanted to say, ‘Rely on me more,’ but stopped.

(Sadly, I can’t be Azusa’s partner.)

Azusa and I have been childhood friends.

But… it’s not an equal relationship.

As evidence, I’ve been helped by her all the time.

Even in the music room the other day, she comforted me when I was crying.

(I can’t count the number of times I’ve cried in front of Azusa.)

But I have never seen her shed tears. Azusa is that strong.

A model student that excels in both academics and sports, [Everyone’s Friend].

It’s inevitable that no matter how hard I try, I can’t have an equal relationship with her.

Believing that, I’ve been covering up my feelings of inferiority, always being helped by Azusa.

(But…)

Kimitaka Kagisaka.

He became Azusa’s partner.

Just thinking about it makes my heart ache terribly.

Surely, Kagisaka is a special presence to Azusa, even more than I am——

“By the way, are you really okay with it?”

“With what?”

“Me going out to play with Kagisaka-kun. Chifuyu, you hate Kagisaka-kun even more than before.”

“That’s exactly why.”

Maybe if Azusa and Kagisaka were dating…

I might be able to blow away these feelings.

“If you were dating… I might not completely dislike Kagisaka.”

“Chifuyu…”

“Don’t get me wrong!? I’d admit it, but only a little! I still get irritated and hate it when Azusa gets along well with him!”

What’s irritating me is…

I don’t like this weak side of me that feels bothered about their relationship.

(Yeah, that’s right.)

I thought Kazami Chifuyu changed after meeting Senpai.

No longer the shy girl with only Azusa as a friend and skilled at playing the piano, and nowhere near a proper lady.

“I also want to be myself and put an end to these feelings.”

“——I see. It’s not like you hate Kagisaka-kun that much.”

“What!? There’s no way that’s true!”

I absolutely hate loners like him!

He ignored me all the time, kept rejecting my invitations to become otaku friends, and yet, he became Azusa’s partner…

There’s nothing redeeming about him!

[Why don’t you just ask your crush directly? Say, ‘Do you have a girlfriend?’]

But instead, the words he said in the music room resurfaced in my mind.

I think Azusa has changed him.

Before, it would have been unthinkable for him to give me advice. And besides…

(… Why does it have to be like that?)

Kagisaka’s serious expression as he gave me advice.

For some reason, his appearance overlaps with the Senpai I met the other day.

I didn’t get to hear ‘I like you better’ that night.

Still, the time I spent with Senpai remains vividly etched in my memory——

“Chifuyu?”

“Um… Anyway, Azusa? Shall we sleep in the same bed tonight?”

“Isn’t it too small for that?”

“We used to do it all the time, so it’ll be fine!”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

She nodded with a smile, even with such a sudden request.

Seeing my best friend like that, I think…

(Azusa is probably just as important to me as Senpai.)

That’s why, even though I feel sorry for Azusa, I will never become friends with Kagisaka.

He helped me the other day, but I should have already repaid the favor by giving him the tickets.

(Of course, I know Kagisaka isn’t a bad guy.)

He’s someone whom my childhood friend and partner recognized.

I fully understand that fact, but——

“Hehehe, it’s still cramped, huh?”

After turning off the room lights, in the dim light, Azusa chuckled shyly.

(——Well, whatever.)

When I saw Azusa’s smile, I felt like nothing else mattered.

Kagisaka probably hasn’t seen this expression of hers yet.

“Hey, Azusa.”

“What’s up?”

“If Azusa asks Kagisaka to dance and he rejects you, then I’ll punch him on your behalf.”

“Wow, that’s something I could never have imagined coming from the old Chifuyu.”

“I told you, I’ve changed. Besides, if Kagisaka won’t dance with you, then how about dancing with me?”

“Me and Chifuyu?”

“I can’t leave my best friend alone at the party. And the prom’s jinx doesn’t work for same-sex pairs, right?”

“Hahaha, you might be right.”

On the single bed, we laugh together at the small distance between us.

(How about it, Kagisaka?)

You probably couldn’t do something like this, could you?

Indeed, you and Azusa became friends.

You’ve managed to establish a connection with someone, something you’ve been refusing all this time.

(But… even I——)

I’m connected to Azusa. Longer, stronger, and deeper.

Satisfied with that, until sleep comes, I decided to exchange trivial conversations with my best friend, just a few centimeters away.