I managed to have a conversation with Kushibiki. I even got my smartphone back, but an unnecessary remark from me angered her, and I was forced to leave.
I meant it as a compliment, but maybe it was too blunt?
I prefer the genuine Kushibiki over the cutesy one. She seems more human that way.
Well, I got to talk to her and got my phone back. The rumors haven’t been resolved at all, but that’s okay. Now it’ll be interesting to see how Kushibiki acts.
The next day.
There are three days left until Golden Week. Perhaps because we’re about to have a week off, the classroom was unusually lively. I could hear bits of conversation about where to go and plans to stay overnight.
For someone like me who doesn’t mind spending time alone, it’s the perfect break. I’ll clean my room, organize my manga and books. I’ll catch up on games I’ve accumulated and go on a shopping spree for manga and light novels.
My Golden Week is already filled with solo plans. Sorry about that.
Ah, it’s tough having such a full schedule. Sleep, wake up, play games, read manga, or books. Then go to the bookstore… Talking about it alone makes me feel incredibly sad, so let’s stop. I’m actually lonely and want to hang out with Takahashi. He’s pretty free, you know.
As I was entertaining these lonely thoughts in my head, lunchtime came before I knew it.
Takahashi came to my seat, and the three of us, including Ayase next to me, had lunch together, but I was bothered by her gaze since this morning.
“What are your plans for Golden Week, Tachibana?”
…
Kushibiki has been sneakily glancing at me since the morning.
It’s so obvious that our eyes have met about ten times, and each time I feel like she’s sending me murderous intent. I didn’t do anything wrong! I wonder which story’s protagonist I’ve become?
“Tachibana? Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, I was just spacing out. What were we talking about?”
“Come on. That’s not like you, Tachibana. It’s about Golden Week. We’re talking about plans for Golden Week.”
“Oh. You think I have plans when you’re my only friend?”
“I don’t understand why you say that so confidently. If that’s the case, let’s hang out! Let’s include Ayase-san too!”
“I don’t mind.”
Ayase seemed surprised to be named so suddenly, but she had no objections.
Come to think of it, the three of us have been talking more, but we’ve never gone out to play.
In a world full of enemies, these two are my allies, no, my friends. Are they gods…?
Oh, why is that? Sweat is coming from my eyes…
“Got it! I’ll decide on various things, is that okay?”
“That’s fine with me.”
“Me too.”
“Understood. I’ll contact you later, so look forward to it!”
Takahashi is unusually enthusiastic. Golden Week means we can play as much as time allows. Ayase seems nonchalant, but her mouth is slightly relaxed.
Well, I’m looking forward to it too, but there are many things I need to take care of before that.
“Is it okay if I invite one more person?”
I raised my index finger to make the suggestion.
“Tachibana? That’s unusual. You have other friends?”
“What do you think I am? I haven’t mastered being alone to the point of having imaginary friends. Just wait, I’ll bring that person over.”
I stood up and walked straight toward Kushibiki. When she noticed me, she made a clear expression of dislike, but then quickly put on her cutesy facade, behaving as if nothing had happened.
“Kushibiki, can I talk to you for a moment?”
As I addressed her, some classmates nearby looked at us curiously.
Ignoring their gazes, I continued.
“Takahashi is calling for you.”
It’s a lie. My aim is to use the Golden Week holiday to mediate between Takahashi and me. Kushibiki, being the person who spread the rumors, is infuriating to me. However, seeing her true face at her home, I just can’t bring myself to hate her.
I use Takahashi’s name as bait, but the fish doesn’t seem to bite.
As a result of being trapped by public perception and her own position, she has become like a bird that has lost its wings.
That’s how I see Kushibiki.
“Is that okay with you?”
I asked Kushibiki, who seemed to be in a bind, with a smile on my face.
Is it fun to be with people who only interact superficially, hiding behind false masks?
I can’t see how it benefits you to hang out with people who only connect through badmouthing and gossip, engaging in such unproductive conversations.
I only know bits and pieces about Kushibiki and her friends, but it’s mostly either them talking behind my back, engaging in boring small talk, or not talking at all while fiddling with their smartphones.
I despise such fake camaraderie. It makes me sick.
Kushibiki desires for acceptance and and has a strong aversion to being unpopular. That’s why she clings on here.
“…! I, I understand,”
It seemed Kushibiki got the message. That step could lead to a significant breakthrough—ugh!?
Hey, why the stomach punch!?
“You haven’t told anyone my secret, have you?”
Kushibiki crept up like a ninja and punched me in the stomach where no one could see. It hurt like crazy. Boxers are amazing… I’m confident I’d throw up if I took one to the gut like that.
“Of course, it’s only natural. I’m the only one who needs to know Azuchi’s true identity. This is what you call sharing a secret.”
It was a whispered exchange. But because we were closer, I could smell Kushibiki’s scent.
The scent was entirely different from Ayase's- gentle yet with a sweet undertone of thorns.
"Despicable...! You're blackmailing me, treating me like a slave, demanding embarrassing things, aren't you?"
“Huh? How about you stop thinking in that direction? How perverted can you get—!”
I was hit in the stomach again, twice. My knees are shaking, but somehow I manage to endure it.
“I’m not thinking about anything perverted!”
“Stop punching me in the stomach! It hurts!”
“What! It’s because you said something shady, isn’t it?!”
“Huh?! When did I say anything like an erotic doujinshi? I don’t want to be told that by someone who immediately thinks in such an adult and ‘muho muho’ direction!” [T/N:- The term “muho muho” is a playful way to indicate something lewd or indecent in this context.]
“…I wonder when those two became friends.”
“Who knows.”
Takahashi, with his hands on his hips and a look of amazement, said, and Ayase feigned ignorance with a complicated expression on her face. That silent plea for assistance hung in the air…
“Come on, Kushibiki. Just give in!”
“Ugh…”
I dragged the resisting Kushibiki back to where Takahashi and the others were.
“Takahashi, Ayase-san. How about including her too?”
“Kushibiki-san, right? Oh, didn’t Tachibana confess to you and get―”
“Yeah! Got brutally rejected! I really liked Kushibiki, you know. But after talking to her, it seems she wants to get along with Takahashi! So I thought, why not include her in our Golden Week plans?”
I should have done this from the start. It caused me quite a bit of pain, but once I forced the invitation, it was all mine.
Kushibiki, stop pinching my stomach. You’re going to tear the skin, you know?
“I’m fine with it, but what about Ayase-san?”
“I don’t mind.”
“What about you, Kushibiki-san? It looks like Tachibana dragged you here against your will, is that okay?”
The first encounter between Takahashi and Kushibiki. It might be a moment of fate.
Takahashi was his usual unchanged self, but Kushibiki was standing in front of the person she liked, being addressed.
Kushibiki couldn’t stay calm, fidgeting with her hair and her gaze swimming restlessly.
Her neck flushed red with heat, Kushibiki struggled to find the words, a mix of tension and affection creating chaos.
“Kushibiki-san?”
“Ah, ahii!?”
Kushibiki’s voice cracked, and she froze. I immediately stepped in to cover for her.
“She’s too shy to say it, so I’ll speak for her. Kushibiki wants to be friends with Takahashi. So, how about including her in our Golden Week fun? More people means more fun, right?”
I looked into Takahashi’s eyes as I spoke. He nodded without objection.
His decisiveness without hesitation deserved praise. Good job. I won’t pat his head, though.
I looked at Ayase to confirm, and she also gave a small nod, indicating no problem.
“Nice to meet you, Kushibiki-san.”
“Ah, yes…”
Ayase and Kushibiki, almost strangers to each other, exchanged few and hesitant words.
I predict these two will get along fine. They share something in common, so it should be okay.
“So, is that settled then?”
No one objected. Hopefully, this will lead to progress in the relationship between Kushibiki and Takahashi.
Well, we’ll see what happens.
…
Only one person, the transfer student, stared at me with dissatisfaction. Hey, hey. Since you’re both girls, try to get along. She may have a foul mouth and the worst personality, but she’s not a bad person.
No, either way, it’s no good… Ah, man.
My stomach hurts.
I love this story, alot
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