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 Shinjo.

She is my childhood friend and currently the number one person I don’t want to be involved with. She’s overbearing and reckless, causing trouble and dragging others into it. I know from personal experience that nothing good comes from getting involved with her.

However, it seems that no one in this school shares my sentiments.

According to what I’ve heard, she’s a model student. A beauty that looks like she’s drawn in a picture, and she’s ranked second in her grade. Her physical abilities are also outstanding, as she excels in sports class like an ace, and every sports club still tries to recruit her.

She’s also the vice president of the student council at Hakurei Academy, and everyone recognizes her talents and beauty.

She’s one of the five beauties of Hakurei Academy and boasts top-class popularity.

Her innocent and cheerful personality is easy to get along with, and it seems like every boy in the school wants to be led around by her at least once.

When I heard that, I thought, “In-innocent and cheerful?! Do they know what they’re saying!?” I was seriously thinking that.

Well, I don’t want to admit it, but… I think she’s cute. She was popular even in kindergarten, and she had surprisingly good academic abilities and physical prowess.

But I never thought she would be this popular.

“Itsuki!!”

After school, I was stopped by Akane as I was about to leave.

“…What’s up?”

“Um, well…”

Despite initiating the conversation, she suddenly became flustered for some reason.

“Oh, you’re a transfer student who just came to this school, right? You don’t know your way around, do you? Let me show you around personally…”

“No, thanks.”

“Why not!?”

She was shouting at me, sounding more like she was disappointed than angry.

I mean, it’s a hassle to be with you…

“Well, I’m actually pretty busy, and I don’t get this kind of opportunity often, you know? Besides, I was thinking of taking a tour of the school tomorrow since I’m tired today.”

I have a lot of things to do at home, like writing letters and stuff.

So, please let me go home quickly…

“Then how about after school tomorrow!? If that doesn’t work, I’m free the day after tomorrow or the day after that!”

No, weren’t you busy?

“Actually, I was thinking of asking Miyata-san to show me around the school tomorrow or something.”

Miyata-san was a girl who offered to show me around the school during break time. She was cheerful and easy to talk to, so I was thinking of asking her to guide me.

If I say this, this girl will definitely back down.

“Anyway, see ya.”

“Wait, hold on!”

Akane, in a panic, grabbed my right hand as I was about to leave after greeting her.

“…I, I can do it…”

“?”

“I’m here, you know!!”

“Huh? No–”

“I can! I’m here, you know!!”

“Huh…?”

Why? What’s going on? Why is she so desperate? Maybe it’s because Akane, who won’t let go of my hand, is crying and the other students are looking over here.

She’s making us stand out so much. This is bad; if this continues, we’ll definitely be misunderstood.

“…So, in other words, there’s no option for me to reject your proposal.”

“None.”

“And there’s no option for me to ask someone else to guide me on another day.”

“None!!”

This is the only choice, isn’t it?

“In that case, I’ll ask for your help from now on…”

I decided to get it over with and go home.

“R, really?! W, well, it can’t be helped, right? If someone asks you for a favor, you can’t just say no because you’re busy, right? Ehehe…”

Ugh, how annoying.

The tears seem to have receded, and now she’s grinning at me.

…I should have refused her after all.

After that, Akane explained the cafeteria, library, gymnasium, playground, terrace, and other places in the school, and we toured the school while being guided by her.

“Thank you for today. I got to know this school well, thanks to you.”

I thanked her sincerely, but for some reason, Akane made a sour face.

“…I was just thinking, why don’t you call me by my name?”

“Huh?”

“That’s right!! Starting with things like ‘Hey’ or ‘Oi’, there’s no subject! The subject is missing!”

“I understand. I understand… Shinjo, thank you for today. Thanks to you, I got to know this school well.”

“…Call me Akane, okay!?”

“Well, calling you by your name is a little…”

“Why not!?”

Ha ha. I thought that calling each other by name would make us seem closer, but I desperately kept my mouth shut.

It seemed like things were going to become troublesome.

But still, I feel like Akane has a high level of likability… If that’s the case, why?

Well, that doesn’t matter now. Rather, let’s end things here for today.

With that in mind, I said “Well then” and tried to move away from Akane while waving my hand.

“Eh! Wait! Let’s talk a little more! Um, that’s right! How about having tea nearby? I’ll treat you!! Okay? Isn’t that great!?”

Wait, is this some kind of pick-up line or something?

Akane grabbed the sleeve of my uniform and pulled me closer.

“And let’s exchange phone numbers too!!”

Why is her likability so high!?

“I’m not exchanging numbers, and I’m heading straight home.”

“Huh? Oh, your home? W-well… we can take it easy there, so it’s fine.”

She said that bombshell of a statement without looking particularly upset.

“Wait a minute, why are you assuming you’re coming with me!? I meant let’s end things here! And what about the sense of danger or caution about going to a guy’s house!?”

Is her likability bugged or something!?

“I-I mean, I wouldn’t go to just anyone’s house! And-”

Akane tried to continue her words, but then seemed to suddenly come to her senses and fell silent for a moment.

“O-Okay, just wait here while I go get my bag! If you leave me here and go home, I’ll chop you! Chop!”

She said that while going to get her bag.

“…What’s a chop?”

I sighed as I watched Akane run off.