Being the Best Friend in a Romantic Comedy Isn't Easy! - Chapter 3: Asahi is the Protagonist

Episode 2: Asahi is the Protagonist

“Hehe.”

The transfer student, Rei Tsukinose, smiled gracefully.

That goddess-like smile had enough power to captivate teenage boys in the classroom.

As the boys in the class became enthralled, I desperately tried to stop the cold sweat trickling down my face.

If I didn’t know anything, I would have been like, “Wow! A beautiful transfer student is here!”

I wanted to join in the excitement too!

“Seriously…”

I leaned my elbows on the desk and slumped down.

Currently, there’s no doubt that Renmi harbors the strongest feelings for Asahi Tsukasa in this class.

Renmi, Nagisa, Tsukasa, and I were in the same class last year as well.

Since then, it’s obvious that Renmi has had certain feelings for Tsukasa.

Even though she didn’t say it herself, you can tell just by looking.

Well, to put it frankly, in my mind, Renmi Haruka currently occupies the position of the main heroine in Tsukasa Asahi’s high school romantic comedy.

However, an event has just occurred that could drastically shake up that position.

—In romantic comedies, there’s a certain jinx.

The heroine who likes the protagonist from the beginning of the story may have the protagonist stolen away by a suddenly appearing heroine.

Therefore, the likelihood of her being rewarded is quite low. (With some exceptions.)

This is a development often seen in girls’ manga as well.

What’s happening right before my eyes now is exactly the kind of event that could lead to that.

This situation… might be quite unfavorable for Renmi.

But, no! Maybe such a stereotypical romantic comedy development won’t happen!

There’s still hope for the main heroine! (Temporary)

“Egh.”

We were all dumbfounded, but one man, Tsukasa, seemed oblivious to our feelings.

In response to the smile she likely directed at Tsukasa, he inexplicably responded with a displeased voice.

“What’s up? Do you guys know each other?”

Our homeroom teacher, Mr. Ohara, grinned as he looked back and forth between the two of them. He seems to be enjoying this.

Trying to deny it in a fluster, Tsukasa responded to the teacher’s words.

“Uh, well, sir, I… um, I just—”

“I met him this morning and he was kind enough to help me a bit. …Right?”

However.

Before Tsukasa could finish his sentence, Tsukinose interrupted him and smiled kindly once again.

Year 2, Class 2 is in a state of upheaval.

Ah… so the girl I bumped into on my way to school really was her…

The moment when doubt turned into certainty.

The protagonist of the romantic comedy, Asahi Tsukasa, is in top form today as well.

“Kyaa! It’s like something out of a manga!”

“Hey, Asahi! Have you betrayed us!?”

The sudden romantic comedy development excited all our classmates.

I sighed in exasperation and turned to Tsukasa, who was at the center of it all.

“Hey, Subaru! Listen to me! It’s not like that at all—!”

Tsukasa was trying to say something.

Oh well… As his childhood friend, I guess I’ll throw him a lifeline.

I smiled reassuringly.

“Tsukasa…”

“Subaru!”

“Shut up! I don’t care! You damn romantic comedy guy! Hmph!”

“Subaru!?”

I threw my words at him dismissively and turned away.

Phew… I did a good job.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead.

“…Ahh, I’m so jealous.”

The words slipped out of my mouth involuntarily.

“You’re showing your true colors.”

Nagisa looked at me in disbelief, and I widened my eyes.

Expressing my feelings! 

“Hey, you! Every guy would envy this situation! Don’t you get it? This overwhelming sense of defeat.”

“I don’t get it… I mean, I’m surprised too, but…”

“Even though we’re childhood friends, I find myself in such an envious situation… It’s quite unfortunate.”

“Unfortunate… Because, like, aren’t you supposed to be in the best friend position? Would there really be such an event for a best friend position?”

“There wouldn’t be!”

“Honesty is appreciated.”

There was nothing more to say in response!

I gritted my teeth as I endured the overwhelming sense of defeat.

“Well, I feel the same way.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing.”

Nagisa’s murmurs melted into the noise of the classroom and didn’t reach me.

“Alright, Tsukinose. Your seat will be next to Asahi’s on the left. It happens to be empty due to the number of students.”

“Yes, understood.”

She walked toward the back by the window. As she passed me, a pleasant fragrance tickled my nostrils.

Ugh, no… Why does this girl smell so nice? I’m falling for her.

Suppressing the sudden emergence of a flamboyant personality, I remained calm. Otherwise, I’d end up looking sloppy in an instant.

Men are so simple.

“Hey, why are you—”

“Nice to meet you. Um… Asahi-san?”

“I told you why—”

“Nice to meet you too. Hehe.”

The exchange happening behind me.

Honestly, I’m worried about Renmi’s SAN value, but…

I’ve come to a realization.

Before, too, Tsukasa seemed to want to say something to Tsukinose.

However, Tsukinose interrupted him as if she knew what he was going to say.

Could it be…?

Is there something only they know between them?

…!

Huh!? What’s with this secret pattern between the two of them!? They’re the heroine and the protagonist!

The more I think about them, the more the other Subaru Aoba has to say.

‘Your loss’ (Native).

“Alright, everyone. So from now on, Tsukinose will be with us. Try not to bombard her with too many questions, okay?”

Mr. Ohara clapped his hands, attracting everyone’s attention.

However, each classmate would be curious not only about Tsukinose but also about Tsukasa’s relationship with her. I’m curious too!

Each of us excitedly and nervously finished the morning homeroom, and one female student shivered while the others were excited.

× × ×

“Well… I was surprised too.”

“Me too. I’m used to seeing him act as the protagonist, but that level was something else. …By the way, Renmi, are you alive?”

“No, I’ve gone to some other world. He’s not responding at all even when I call him.”

“But, you know, it’s like…”

“Yeah, it’s like that.”

“Being summoned out of the blue… Truly a romantic comedy.”

“Yeah, a romantic comedy.”

After the morning homeroom, Nagisa and I had a conversation with indescribable feelings.

Why were we feeling like this…?

It was because of the conversation just now.

—’Um… Asahi-san. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about, so… Do you have a moment?’

—’Ah, sure. I wanted to talk a bit too. I’ll show you.’

—’Thank you. Let’s go.’

—And then, the two of them left the classroom, bathed in everyone’s attention. And the murmurs from the corridor could be heard.

…Huh?!

We’re just being shown something!

“Hah!”

Finally, Renmi seemed to have returned to this world.

We greeted her with a “welcome back.”

“Haruka, are you okay?”

“Ahaha… Sorry, I was just dreaming about a beautiful girl transferring to our school, and she even knew Asahi-kun—”

That’s quite a specific dream.

“Haruka, that’s reality.”

“Yeah, it’s reality! Ohhh!”

Renmi stood up and hugged Nagisa.

The feeling of wanting to cry… Well, I can understand it very well.

A super cute girl has arrived, and there seems to be some kind of relationship with the person she likes.

They must be on edge.

“…Sniff. Oh, where are those Asahi-kun and—”

“They went for a secret meeting.”

“Ehh!?”

I added to her surprise with a casual remark.

Approaching us as she remained in shock—

“Subaru-kun.”

With a strong grip, Renmi grabbed my shoulder.

…Huh? Why do you feel so strong? I can hear a noise coming from my shoulder, isn’t that bad?

Oh… I have a bad feeling about this.

Renmi kept hold of my shoulder.

“What’s the meaning of this!?”

She shook me vigorously.

“Whoa! Hey! Renmi-san!? Ouch! Hey, it hurts! Ouch! Agagagaga!”

My brain is shaking! Help! Help, Nagisa-san!

“Why did you two go off alone!?”

Shake, shake, shake. Agagagaga.

In the midst of my shaking vision, Nagisa, who faintly appeared, seemed to be enjoying watching me—

And just as the bell rang, Asahi and Tsukinose returned.