While I Was Giving Love Advice to My Best Friend, the School's Most Beautiful Girl Somehow Became the Closest Person to Me - Volume 2 Chapter 4.5

The Crisis of a Childhood Friend

“It’s okay with me and Reo, but… you can’t do that with other boys.”

“I know. I try to be conscious of that.”

“Tsumugi?”

“But… I can’t change my way of living so easily.”

Maybe Tsumugi is thinking about various things. But from the other boys’ words, it doesn’t seem to be very effective.

Tsumugi suddenly pulled my arm.

“Either way, it’s fine if it’s Ryouma! Because I’m monopolizing you this time.”

“Really, Tsumugi is… huh?”

When I glanced away, I saw Alisa gripping the pillar at the end of the hallway as if she was going to crush it, peeking over at us.

Her eyes seemed to be burning with flames, and the surrounding students seemed surprised as well. This was clearly a look of jealousy.

If Otsuki-san hadn’t intervened, I would have been oblivious and missed it. But honestly, it’s scary, and maybe I shouldn’t pretend to be oblivious.

Alisa noticed my gaze and approached with a stern face.

“Hey, Alisa. What’s wrong?”

“Do you know the saying that there’s no friendship between men and women?”

Why does the conversation have to go there?

I feel like I shouldn’t delve deeper into this topic. I have to change the subject at all costs.

“Alisa-chan! What are you doing here?”

And Tsumugi, completely oblivious to Alisa’s aura, asked with her usual smiling face. As always, she’s so laid-back and natural!

Caught off guard by the unexpected words, Alisa’s cheeks twitched slightly.

“Hmph. The two of you seemed to be getting too close, even for childhood friends, don’t you think?”

Alisa spoke with a sharp tone, perhaps out of jealousy, crossing her arms. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Alisa like this.

“It’s the usual, right, Ryouma?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, we’re always so touchy-feely, kissy-kissy.”

“I don’t think we go that far!”

“Alisa-chan could do it too. Like… a hug?”

“No way I can do that! Then Tsumugi, could you do that with Ryouma?”

“Eh? I could do it with Ryouma. Because… when we were little, you know. When it got dark and scary, we used to sleep hugging each other.”

“I think we don’t need that story right now. Let’s stop it immediately.”

“Hmm…”

Alisa is trembling because of the unnecessary things said. No matter how much we are childhood friends, I can’t hug Tsumugi.

“Then show me a hug right here, right now.”

“What are you saying, Alisa!?”

At Alisa’s words, Tsumugi, without any hesitation, turned towards me.

This flow… before I had time to think that she couldn’t possibly, Tsumugi hugged me.

“Hug~!”

A bold hug without a moment’s hesitation.

Perhaps to Tsumugi, we are still five years old. It’s not often in life that I’m hugged. But I remember Tsumugi often hugging me when we were younger.

It was often when she wanted attention after praising something she had done.

Especially when she competed with her rival Reo and won. She would hug me then, and I would pat her head. And now, like this, I stroke Tsumugi’s soft black hair.

“…Ryouma, your body different now. You used to be softer.”

“I’ve been training a bit, you know.”

“…”

“Tsumugi?”

“…”

Suddenly, Tsumugi stopped talking. It’s really tough to keep talking without being self-conscious.

Different?

Tsumugi has grown up nicely, becoming cute, and I can also feel her growth.

If I hug her back, it feels like something might burst.

Huh? Tsumugi is nuzzling against my chest as if she’s rubbing her cheek against me…

“Hey, Tsumugi.”

“Yes?”

Startled, Tsumugi suddenly put some distance between us. I was surprised by her sudden action, but more than that, I noticed her face was red.

“Um… well, Ryouma, you’re… more of a boy than I thought.”

“Of course. I’m not as solidly built as Reo, though.”

“I’m starting to feel embarrassed… Why is that, I wonder? Maybe I just remembered something I have to do?”

Tsumugi hurried off, leaving me and Alisa behind.

No, what on earth happened?

“I wonder if I accidentally woke up the sleeping lion…”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s better if you’re oblivious about this matter.”

“Eh?”

Then, left alone with Alisa, she stared at me as if she was glaring.

I was afraid I had made her angry again, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but think that Alisa was really beautiful.

“You looked happy when Tsumugi hugged you. You were patting her head.”

“That’s not…”

That’s not possible, right? It’s impossible to feel bad when a close friend hugs you.

But what is it? I think I patted her head with pure intentions.

Tsumugi has become cute as a girl, but maybe I still see her more as a childhood friend subconsciously.

“Ryouma, you’re lucky to have so many people who will hug you!”

Her words sounded sarcastic, but something felt off.

She said ‘so many,’ but the only people who would likely hug me if I asked are Tsumugi, my sister Hiyori, and… well, let’s exclude the boys.

That leaves maybe one more person.

“So next time, will you give me a hug, Alisa?”

“Huh?”

Alisa’s emerald green eyes blinked in surprise, and her face went blank as if time had stopped. I began to panic, wondering if I had said something creepy.

Should I make an excuse?

While I was thinking, Alisa’s expression turned bright red.

“There’s no way I can do that!”

Of course. I was even turned down for a cheek kiss before. Ugh, what a creepy thing I’ve said. I must have made Alisa dislike me.

What Otsuki-san said, that Alisa likes me, must have been not entirely true after all.

“But…”

Just as I was about to apologize, Alisa spoke up.

“If it’s from Ryouma, I guess a hug is okay…”

She said it with a lack of confidence, and the sight of the school’s most beautiful girl looking so vulnerable made me lose my words.

After that, we were silent, just looking at each other. My face felt so hot it seemed like I was about to develop a fever, and Alisa’s face was also red.

Maybe we were both waiting for the other to speak next.