What If I Told Tomori-san, The Girl Who's Cold Only Towards Me, That I Knew Her Secret Account? - V2 Chapter 8.4

Dance on the Keyboard 4

“Hey, Chifuyu.”

The black and white keys have turned into a battlefield.

Of course, I have no time to respond to Azusa’s voice.

Still, my best friend, dressed in a vivid red dress, continues speaking without stopping her hands.

“Chifuyu, you said you’re an ‘unreliable person,’ but that’s not true. Talking to you and playing together, those were irreplaceable times for me. I can’t even express how much they’ve meant to me as a source of support for my heart.”

Ah, no.

‘That’s the same for me too!’ I scream the words that I can’t voice out loud in my heart.

(I loved the time spent with Azusa!)

A comfortable relationship just from being together.

Kazami Chifuyu really loved Azusa Tomori.

(That’s why… I felt jealous of Kagisaka.)

I hated the idea of being the only one not special to Azusa.

I was anxious that Azusa might not want to be with me like before. That’s why, I wanted Azusa to rely on me more.

“——I’m sorry, Azusa.”

While playing, I managed to force out the words of apology that I had been unable to say for so long.

What flashes through my mind are the ugly words I threw at Azusa in my jealousy of Kagisaka. Ah, what a fool I am—

“Even if you apologize, I won’t forgive you.”

“…!”

In response to my best friend’s declaration, I make my first mistake in playing today.

However, the audience doesn’t notice because Azusa covers for me and continues the performance.

“I’ve come to dislike you a bit more than before, Chifuyu. The words you said at the pool hurt me a lot.”

It’s not surprising.

I want to slap myself from that time too. I hurt Azusa that much…

“But, I’d never think of ending our friendship just because of that.”

“!”

“Even if I dislike you a little, I still love you, Chifuyu, so much more than that.”

Unintentionally, for just an instant, I shift my gaze from the keyboard to the side.

There, my beloved childhood friend Azusa Tomori was playing the piano with a smile.

(——Thank you)

I hurt you with such terrible words. It’s not something that can be easily forgiven or brushed aside.

Such convenient plot developments like those in anime or manga can’t happen in real human relationships…

(But——still, Azusa)

Even though you said you disliked me, you still want to be friends. You told me you loved me…

If that’s the case…

“Then I’ll do my best from now on. I’ll make up for the times you disliked me and try to make you like me again, Tomorin.”

Using the childhood nickname for my best friend, I continue to play the piano, and then Azusa stops playing.

She stopped helping me, but I didn’t stop my fingers.

The anxiety I felt offstage is nowhere to be found now.

Like when we were kids, wanting to be praised by Azusa, wanting to see Azusa smile, I pour my whole self into it, just like back then—single-mindedly, with my whole body in motion.

“——”

And then, the performance ends.

Immediately after——there is thunderous applause.

——Wowwwww! The arena is filled with a thunderstorm of applause and cheers.

As I look around the venue, I even see students crying, perhaps moved by the performance.

“I can’t believe it, even Sadaoka is crying.”

“Did you change your opinion of Chifuyu after that performance?”

“Ugh… Seriously, you’re so quick to change your tune…”

And that’s where my words stop.

My childhood friend is sitting next to me with the usual bright smile. But what’s different this time is—

“Ah, ahaha, sorry. I somehow feel relieved; I’m just feel so relieved.”

The students watching from below the stage might not understand, but it was clear to me, right beside her.

It was the first time I saw Azusa cry…

“What’s wrong? Were you so happy to play a duet with me?”

“Of course! And with the performance we just did, it should have conveyed that me and Chifuyu have reconciled! This should calm down the anonymous bulletin boards!”

I didn’t understand the term ‘bulletin board,’ but if it’s Azusa——

(——Perhaps she helped me again in some way that I don’t know about.)

But I don’t feel a bit upset because there is something I can recognize more strongly than before.

The relationship between Kazami Chifuyu and Azusa Tomori. We are best friends.

So—.

“Hey, Azusa.”

We both stand up from our chairs and, after bowing to everyone in the center of the stage, I quietly speak.

“How about giving Kagisaka an answer to his confession right here, right now?”

Oh well, I can’t help but laugh at myself. I’m quite quick to change my stance.

But—surely.

Azusa playing the piano with me tonight must have something to do with what Kagisaka did.

To play such an unconventional performance at the prom, like selling a quarrel.

It’s bold and unconventional even for Azusa, who’s usually a model student.

I think Kagisaka must have suggested it.

After all, Kagisaka is Azusa’s partner.

He’s the guy Azusa acknowledged.

If I can accept that—.

“That confession from Kagisaka just now was really nice, you know.”

I ended up saying words that I wouldn’t have said even if I were dead, just until yesterday.

But right now, it’s my honest opinion without any lies.

Kimitaka Kagisaka’s confession was sincere, genuine, and filled with feelings.

“If it’s Kagisaka, I can trust Azusa with him.”

“Heh, what’s that? Is Chifuyu my guardian?”

“No, I’m not. I’m Azusa’s friend. Always have been, always will be.”

“I see, but sorry, Chifuyu.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not going to be what you expect me to be.”

After saying that, Azusa asks the student council president, who comes from the side of the stage, for a microphone.

“Kagisaka-kun.”

And then.

My best friend, clad in a bright red dress, smiles with no hesitation, and then gives her response to the confession.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

I was left speechless right beside her. The rest of the students in the venue were probably the same.

Surely everyone was expecting Azusa to accept Kagisaka’s confession.

“I can’t be in a relationship with you.”

Azusa’s reply to Kagisaka, down on the stage, came exactly three seconds later.

The tremendous shock from everyone painted the entire venue.

“Wait, wait a minute…!”

What’s going on!?

‘You liked Kagisaka, didn’t you?!’ I wanted to shout that out, but I was so surprised that I couldn’t even speak.

From an angle that only I can see—

“——It’s fine, Chifuyu. Everything is according to Kagisaka-kun’s plan.”

‘Everyone’s Friends’ whispered to me without using the microphone, and then she stuck her tongue out a little and gave me a mischievous smile.