How I Ended Up with an Extreme Yandere Landmine Beauty When I Asked to Hang Out with My Best Friend's Sister to Get Better at Talking to Girls

Chapter 46: What’s the Deal with a Yandere Childhood Friend Anyway

After getting back home from the amusement park, I grilled Shinichi about blabbing to Maki and letting her show up partway through, but he just said he had no clue what I was talking about.

And get this—he said he and Maki haven’t even talked lately unless I’m right there with them…!?

That doesn’t add up.

Because when Maki came over to my house the other day—not just at the amusement park—she specifically told me she heard from Shinichi that Azuri was heading to my place, so that’s why she came.

But now he’s saying they haven’t talked recently except when I’m around?

“That’s all completely contradictory, isn’t it?”

Did Maki straight-up lie or something?

No no no no way—Maki of all people wouldn’t do that… right?

Maki’s the class rep, always kind (and sometimes strict) with me and Shinichi since we’re childhood friends—she’s basically our group’s reliable leader type.

So why would a girl like that need to lie about just happening to be there?

“Maybe it’s not a lie so much as a misunderstanding? Like, maybe she really did spot me with Azuri and Mayana heading to my house or at the amusement park by chance, but saying ‘I just happened to see you’ felt awkward or suspicious, so she pinned it all on hearing it from Shinichi instead.”

But even if that’s true, why would Maki go out of her way to do that…?

I kept trying to come up with reasons for Maki lying, but the more I thought about it, the more new contradictions kept popping up.

The more assumptions I make, the more holes appear—which basically means Maki’s actions are full of contradictions from the start…

“…I’ve gotta ask Maki.”

My hand was shaking a little as I opened my phone again.

But what would asking even accomplish?

Even if Maki had pretended it was from Shinichi when it was really just coincidence, pushing her on it wouldn’t do either of us any good.

There’s that saying—sometimes a lie is the kinder option.

She probably figured that if she admitted she just happened to see us, Azuri and Mayana would get suspicious, so she went with the Shinichi story to keep things simple, right?

“Y-yeah, that’s gotta be it. That’s so Maki.”

She just happened to catch sight of me heading out with Azuri and Mayana to my house or the amusement park, decided to join, but saying it was pure chance would raise eyebrows and be a hassle, so she said Shinichi told her.

No contradictions there. Problem solved, done.

I really didn’t want to keep doubting Maki any more than that, so I quietly closed the lid on those thoughts.

Maki’s never the type to do anything wrong.

☆☆

The weekend felt short but dragged on forever, and then it was back to regular high school days.

Kinda feels like ever since I started this “get used to girls” training, I’ve been gaining a bit more confidence in myself.

“Oh yeah, no plans with Azuri after school today, and nothing with Mayana either.”

Even training needs a break sometimes.

Maybe I should hit up Shinichi and just shoot the breeze for once.

“Ah, Ryoya—!”

“Hm? Oh, hey, Maki.”

I was walking to school when Maki called my name from behind and jogged up to catch me.

After all that overthinking I did yesterday on my own, things felt a little awkward.

“G-good morning, Maki.”

“Yeah, morning, Ryoya!”

Maki was smiling.

That honest, genuine smile.

Yeah, jumping to conclusions is no good. Not with Maki.

“Hey hey, Ryoya—so, got any plans for summer break this year?”

“Wha—summer break?”

—

Chapter 47: The Landmine-Type Yanderes and the Summer Break Promise

On the way to school, Maki called out to me and asked what my plans were for summer break.

Summer break plans… huh.

“Nothing in particular, why? You going somewhere, Maki?”

Maki’s family is pretty well-off, since her sister Mayana goes to a fancy all-girls school like Yuri ga Oka Girls’ Academy, so it wouldn’t be weird if they headed to a summer resort or took an overseas trip.

“Nah, I don’t have any plans to go anywhere~”

“Huh, really?”

“What I’m saying is, if you don’t have anything lined up for summer break, maybe we could go somewhere together?”

“Me!?”

Maki of all people inviting me out… what the heck kind of wind is blowing today?

Maybe she’s planning to make me pay for everything on the trip?

“Jeez, why are you acting all suspicious, Ryoya? There’s nothing weird about it, we’re close like this!”

Maki gave my back a light pat with a soft pon sound.

I wasn’t really being cautious, but I guess that’s how it looked to her?

“Um, then you’re not inviting Shinichi?”

“Ehh? But Shinichi has soccer club practice and the Inter-High coming up. What? You don’t wanna go just the two of us~?”

Maki asked while laughing her head off, but it didn’t feel like a real laugh. It kinda seemed forced.

Well, it’s not like she’s gonna do anything strange, so whatever.

“I’m not against it or anything. If I get to go somewhere with you, Maki, I’d be happy. Of course I’m looking forward to it, right?”

“…H-huh, whoa, Ryoya, you really wanna go with me that bad? Then just say so!”

I didn’t really get what she was saying, but oh well.

“So where are we going? Just saying, I’m not up for the amusement park again, okay? It’s gonna be packed during summer break.”

“Nope, for summer break I was thinking something more outdoorsy… y’know, like camping! Let’s go camping, just the two of us!”

“C-camping? No way, there’ll be bugs.”

“Bugs? Since when did you turn into a city boy, Ryoya!”

It’s fine if there’s a country boy who hates bugs, y’know.

“Then how about a barbecue?”

“A b-barbecue?”

“We used to do it every summer when we were kids, right! We’d invite everyone over and use the big barbecue grill at my house.”

“When we were kids? That’s talking about elementary school years ago! Plus, are we doing it just the two of us?”

“Hmm? Yeah, that’s true.”

Even for just two people, it’d be a pretty big setup.

“Then how about inviting Azuri too? I’ve been thinking I wanna do something to thank her for everything.”

“Haa… why did it turn out like this…”

“Hm? What’s wrong, Maki?”

“N-nothing! It’s nothing, Ryoya. Actually, I agree with you! Of course, since you’ve been helped by her, and as your childhood friend I wanna get along with Azuri-chan too!”

Maki suddenly got all talkative and started chattering away.

W-well, if Maki’s okay with it, then let’s invite Azuri.

“Also, while we’re at it, how about inviting Mayana too? I’ve been helped by her as well.”

“Haa… sure. Okaaay, I approve~”

Maki’s mood was clearly dropping more and more.

What’s up with her?

“Then I’ll tell Mayana myself. You go let Azuri-chan know, okay?”
“Y-yeah.”

And that’s how I ended up making plans with Maki, who was acting a little off, to have a barbecue during summer break.

At the amusement park last time things were kinda tense, but maybe this barbecue will help everyone get along better.