I became the boyfriend of the school's madonna, who had turned down numerous confessions, but somehow, without realizing it, I wasn't just playing a role anymore

Episode 133: Still Not Stopping

“……”

Faced with the anger of Sasagawa-sensei, Misaki’s father sat there silently, beads of sweat dripping down his face.

It wasn’t surprising—after all, his usually kind wife and daughters were all glaring at him with hostility at the moment.

“Let me just cut in for a moment,”

In the midst of the tension, Suzumine-san spoke up, smiling as if completely unaffected by the heavy atmosphere.

She had already helped herself to chairs for both herself and Sasagawa-sensei, making it clear that this house was practically a second home for her.

“We can vouch for Shirai-kun—Misora-san and I. At least among the boys at school, I doubt there’s anyone better than him.”

To my surprise, Suzumine-san straightforwardly vouched for me.

I had half-expected her to say something mischievous just to mess with me, but she didn’t.

“…Although, he does occasionally think rude things, doesn’t he?”

As sharp as ever, Suzumine-san shot me a disapproving glare as the earlier thought in my head must have crossed her mind too.

Even though she had been looking at Misaki’s father, how could she have noticed that? It was beyond me.

I shook my head furiously to plead my innocence.

“For Hyouka-chan, who dislikes boys, to actually praise one… that’s surprising.”

“And just what do you think of me, Uncle?”

Misaki’s father’s words apparently didn’t sit well with Suzumine-san, as her brows twitched in irritation while she turned her gaze back to him.

I wasn’t the one who voiced my thoughts, so I thought he deserved whatever came next.

“Y-You’ve never praised any boys your age before, right!? If anything, you’ve treated them like kids or even acted like you couldn’t stand them!”

“……”

Perhaps struck by the truth of his words, Suzumine-san averted her gaze in a subtle retreat.

Honest as ever…

Now that I think about it, she always disliked lying, didn’t she?

“I’ve known him since we were kids. I know what kind of person he was back then, and I’ve observed him since we started attending the same high school. He prioritizes certain things over studies or socializing, but he treats those close to him well. Misaki, for example, is being thoroughly spoiled by him.”

Deciding to ignore Misaki’s father, Suzumine-san returned to talking about me.

She was going all out in her praise, which made me suspicious that she might ask for something in return later.

Moreover, her mentioning how I spoil Misaki was pretty embarrassing to hear in front of her family.

“It was Hyouka-chan who first recommended Raito-kun to me, you know?”

Perhaps feeling it was the right time to chime in, Misaki joined the conversation with a cheerful smile, fully supporting Suzumine-san’s narrative.

Misaki had told me before that Suzumine-san had been the one to encourage her about me.

That had also convinced Misaki that Suzumine-san harbored no romantic feelings toward me.

…Though, lately, she seems to have gotten the wrong idea and has been wary of Suzumine-san for some reason.

“…If you think so highly of him, why didn’t you try dating him yourself…?”

Perhaps because Suzumine-san’s praise was so over the top, Misaki’s father asked a bombshell question that made the air freeze for a moment.

Misaki, Sasagawa-sensei, and Misaki’s mother all stiffened visibly, as if you could almost hear a crack sound effect.

Suzumine-san, on the other hand, sighed deeply, as though nursing a headache.