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 4.6

The Crisis of a Childhood Friend

“Ahem. So, Alisa… What’s wrong? It’s rare for you to talk to me outside of after-school hours.”

“I had something I wanted to talk to Ryouma about. It’s convenient that Tsumugi isn’t here right now.”

Once our faces cooled down, we deliberately avoided mentioning the previous topic and returned to the original conversation.

I couldn’t stand the sweet atmosphere any longer. Alisa went along with it, so we continued.

“Ryouma never calls out to me. I’ve been waiting all this time.”

“I’ve never seen Alisa alone, though.”

Alisa and I hardly ever talk at school. After all, there are always people around Alisa. Not only close friends like Otsuki-san, but she also attracts attention from other classmates.

I feel it’s bold for me to approach her, but even before that, I can’t find the opportunity.

“But I’ve been approached by boys a lot less lately. They all go to the girls who are more charming.”

“Charming? Ah, you mean Tsumugi. Recently, all the boys are crazy about her.”

“They used to call out to me just like that.”

“Alisa, you’re so merciless with the boys that they all shrink away.”

Alisa, with her strong and unforgiving tone, would completely crush the faint hopes of the boys.

That’s the tsundere character of Asahina Alisa at school. But…

“Am I really that scary? I’m not intimidating towards Ryouma… If it’s unpleasant for you, then—”

My friend, Asahina Alisa, would sometimes throw words at me with a lack of confidence.

That gap was unbearably striking to me… or rather, attractive. She’s kind only to me. Maybe there’s also a sense of superiority.

“It’s okay. Alisa is very kind.”

“Really? That’s good!”

I couldn’t proceed with the conversation if I kept finding her cute. I worked hard to calm my flushed face.

“The thing you wanted to talk about is about Tsumugi, right? Is there a problem? From what I can see, everything seems peaceful… She talks easily with the boys, so I think Tsumugi’s reputation is good.”

“That’s… the problem.”

“Huh?”

I didn’t understand what she meant. What about that was a problem?

“I was hesitant to tell you since you’re Tsumugi’s childhood friend, but…”

Alisa hesitated a little, then continued.

“Tsumugi is really hated by the girls.”

“Why? She doesn’t say things that hurt people, and like you said, she has charm.”

“Yes, towards the boys only.”

I was taken aback by her words.

“She’s very friendly towards me and Shizuku. Probably because she’s had experience being close to people with similar personalities, so it’s easy for her to get along. But with other girls, it’s completely different. They become intimidated. You can tell when you see her talking with Eri and Maria.”

Those girls are part of Alisa’s gal group, right? Come to think of it, I don’t often see Tsumugi talking with those two.

“Yet, she’s friendly with the boys… They think she’s a flirt who’s trying to curry favor with them. Tsumugi turns down confessions from boys, right? They say she’s selling flattery without any intention of dating.”

“I had no idea it was like that…”

“Shizuku and I have our own thoughts about Tsumugi, but we don’t intend to end our friendship. We’re used to dealing with such girls.”

“Alisa…”

“Well, I don’t like that she clings to Ryouma after saying she’d bring us together. Even the hug… I want to do that too.”

Her voice was too soft for me to hear the last part clearly. But to think… Tsumugi had such problems.

“About Tsumugi, did you know she used to do cheerleading at her previous school?”

“Yeah. She wanted to keep it a secret, so I didn’t ask too much about it…”

“I think she still wants to do cheerleading at heart. But… she can’t anymore.”

Alisa took out her smartphone and showed it to me. It was a video uploaded on YouTube, featuring the high school cheerleading team 『FRY』 in competition.

In the center of the team was Tsumugi, captured on the screen. Her performance was of incredible quality, naturally drawing the gaze to her.

Light on her feet, seemingly enjoying herself… and above all, beautiful. I couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

“Amazing, isn’t it? Tsumugi really is experienced. What’s with this video?”

“Watch it till the end, please.”

As the performance ended, the cheer team members left the venue. They were warmly welcomed by the other members… Huh?

No one was rushing over to Tsumugi. While everyone else seemed happy about the performance’s success, Tsumugi was alone, wiping sweat from her face without expression.

“I think Tsumugi might have been disliked by girls at her previous school too. It’s just a guess though.”

That’s why she transferred to this school.

To the school where her childhood friends, me and Reo, are… It’s just a guess. I can’t be certain.

The comments section of the video site had as many remarks about the team’s performance as it did about Tsumugi’s good looks, who was the center and top of the team. And then there were the hidden words.

『The top girl is a slut who flirts with guys』

『She has the worst personality, a hated person』

『The pretentious girl should quit the club already』

It was clear that these comments were about Tsumugi.

Honestly, it was a shock. I can endure whatever is said about me, but seeing my childhood friend being insulted like this is hard.

Seeing my face, perhaps… Alisa looked apologetic.