When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

[AKANE POV]

***

Lately, Futaba has been coming to school more frequently.

The reason is… most likely due to Itsuki.

That day, I forced Futaba, who had no intention of coming to school, to attend just to introduce her to Itsuki.

Futaba was being treated like an outcast by the entire class… no, by the entire school due to a certain incident.

I thought Futaba needed at least one person who would truly see her for who she is.

So, I introduced them.

I thought that Itsuki might not become Futaba’s ally, but at least he would treat her fairly.

After that, I left them alone on the rooftop and let them walk home together…

“…Did they get a little too close?”

The other day, they were really excited talking about movies and anime.

Well, it’s fine if they become friends, right? I wanted that too, didn’t I?

So, it’s not like I’m jealous or anything. I’m not thinking about it at all.

…What was the title of the movie they were talking about?

The moment I picked up my smartphone, it vibrated loudly.

“Wow… Huh? A call from Futaba?”

What could she want at this time?

“Hello?”

“Ah, hello—sorry—are you okay right now?”

“I’m fine, but… what’s up?”

“I wanted to ask about tomorrow’s timetable… do we have physical education?”

Ah, right. Futaba usually leaves her textbooks at school, but she can’t do that with her gym clothes… She also mentioned losing her timetable before.

“Tomorrow, we have…”

I relayed the necessary information and had a little chat.

“Hey, speaking of which. Since I don’t have any student council business tomorrow, do you want to stop by Starbucks? You mentioned wanting to try their new Frappuccino, right?”

For Futaba, Starbucks is a place with an overwhelming “cool kids” atmosphere where she wouldn’t dare to enter alone. I do think it’s stylish, but it’s just a coffee chain after all.

“Ah, the new one, right. I already tried it. It was really delicious.”

“Heh, really? …Wait, you already tried it?”

“Huh? What’s the matter? Is it that surprising?”

“No… didn’t you say before! Starbucks has an intense ‘cool kids’ atmosphere, and you’d never go in alone! Who did you go with?!”

“Huh? It was with Sato. We stopped by after school yesterday.”

“What!?”

G-g-geez, going to Starbucks together after school!? That’s… a complete after-school date!!

“Here, look at this.”

Futaba sent me a photo of her and Itsuki taking a selfie with the new melon Frappuccino.

Huh? What’s with that embarrassed face… She would never make a face like that if I were that close to her, right? Don’t get carried away just because a girl with a slightly larger chest is close to you.

Haa… I’ll give her a lecture when we meet next time.

“…You two seem to get along really well, huh?”

“Huh? Really? Well, we do have similar hobbies and it’s fun talking to him.”

Grrr…!! I saw on TV that having a hobby buddy often leads to getting emotionally and physically closer, and it turns out to be true…!!

“So, um… Futaba, how do you feel about him? D-do you like him?”

“Eh? No… no, not at all.”

Huh!? What’s with that pause!?

There was a slight pause between “no” and “not at all,” right!?

This is bad…!! I have a feeling this is bad!!

In this case, I have no choice but to talk about his bad side to lower Futaba’s favorability towards him!!

His bad side… um… let’s see… bad… side.

…………

Oh no!? I can’t think of anything! No! There must be something! But when it comes down to it…

(Hehe… why are you worrying? Just make something up.)

Ah, it’s the devilish me!

(That’s right! Just lie and say that Itsuki still wears briefs even in high school!)

Th-that’s…

(You can’t do that! That’s awful! It’s not only pitiful for Itsuki, but it’s also morally wrong as a person!)

It’s the angelic me!!

Y-yes, that’s right… Lying is no good after all. It affects his reputation.

It’s ridiculous to lower his favorability–

(Oh, really…? Then are you guys okay with Futaba and Itsuki dating?)

(Sometimes, lies are necessary.)

“Futaba, maybe you should stay away from Itsuki. He’s still wearing briefs even in high school.”

It was unanimously decided, 3 to 0.

“Eh…? S-seriously?”

Futaba’s voice clearly sounded taken aback.

“I’m serious. I asked him if he wasn’t embarrassed wearing those at his age, but he just snapped back at me, saying he likes the snug fit! Can you believe it?”

“E-eh…”

Good, good. I feel like I can hear the sound of her favorability towards him decreasing!!

“Well, I think he’d show you if you asked. That pervert actually enjoys showing off his briefs to other people! I’m his childhood friend, so there’s no doubt about it!”

Well, I don’t think Futaba would actually do something like that.

“O-okay…”

Phew… I feel like I lost something important as a person, but oh well!

A few days later, in the student council room, Itsuki angrily chopped me while saying, “What kind of lie are you telling Nakano?! Thanks to you, she thinks I’m into some perverted play…!!” At this moment, I had no way of knowing that would happen.