I Confessed My Sexual Preferences to My Online Game Best Friend, and the Person Who Showed Up at the Offline Meetup Was the Cute Girl from My Class - 58

Chapter 58: By Her Side

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After school, behind the school building. It was that fateful(?) place where Ichinose-san had brilliantly turned down a confession from a boy in another class, and where I had been appointed as her “secret advisor.” The July heat reflected off the concrete walls, and the distant shouts from the athletic field only heightened the tension in the otherwise silent space.

Only five minutes left before our meeting time. I leaned my back against the fence and felt my palms damp with sweat. What I was about to say was an incredibly selfish request, one that could very well destroy the peaceful relationship we had. But I could no longer hide behind the word “best friend.”

“—Hehe! Kazucchi-kun, sorry to keep you waiting!”

Suddenly, a bright voice rang out from around the corner of the school building. Ichinose-san came jogging toward me with light, quick steps. Her ponytail bounced energetically, and she flashed me her usual sun-like smile.

“What’s up? Calling Saki out all alone like this. …Did Kazucchi-kun finally realize Saki’s charm? Or is this a secret date invitation?”

She stopped with a little hop in front of me, tilted her head innocently, and peered into my face.

“…No, Ichinose-san. It’s not like that.”

“Ehh? Not like that? Kazucchi-kun, what a shame! Then what, is this a ‘confession’ meant to skip everything and keep it a secret from Rin-rin?”

She giggled playfully, her eyes mischievous as ever, as if she found everything amusing. I took a deep breath. Hot air filled my lungs as I steadied my resolve.

“…Ichinose-san. Yesterday at lunch, I happened to overhear you inviting Shinonome-san to the summer festival.”

“…………”

For a brief moment, Ichinose-san’s smile stopped.

“…Oh, that? The one about going around the food stalls in yukata with Rin-rin? What about it?”

“…I know. I know you two are best friends, and maybe you made that promise long ago. I also know it’s incredibly rude for someone like me to try to wedge myself into that.”

I looked straight into her eyes.

“…But I… I want to invite Shinonome-san.”

I braced myself for whatever expression might appear on her face, but what I saw was a slight surprise and something that looked like understanding.

“…I know I’m asking something awful, telling you to break your plans with Ichinose-san. But I… as a man… I want to take Shinonome-san to this year’s summer festival.”

The moment I said it out loud, I felt my face burn. I had just sealed off my escape route called “best friend” with my own hands. Ichinose-san listened to my words in silence. Normally, she would have teased me with a quick “Hehe!” but now she stared at me with serious, quiet eyes I had never seen before.

“…………Kazucchi-kun. Do you understand what that means?”

“…I do. I’m already at my limit staying as just Shinonome-san’s ‘classmate’ or ‘friend.’ Every time I see someone else confess to her, or every time we pretend to be strangers at school, my heart… My heart feels like it’s going to break…”

I let out my raw, exposed feelings. A selfish confession filled with the desire not to give up the place beside Shinonome-san to anyone.

“…I’ll be taking time away from you and Shinonome-san. I’m truly sorry. …But please. Will you give me the place beside Shinonome-san?”

I bowed my head right there. From Ichinose-san’s perspective, I might have looked like an invader trying to steal her beloved best friend. A long silence followed.

The heat from the concrete and the pounding of my heartbeat were the only things filling that space. And then—

“…………Pfft. …Ahahaha!!”

Ichinose-san burst out laughing as if she couldn’t hold it in anymore. When I raised my head, she was clutching her stomach, tears forming in her eyes from laughing.

“…Ichinose-san?”

“Ahh, that’s hilarious! Kazucchi-kun, you’re the best! …I never thought you’d show up with such a serious face and declare war on Saki!”

After laughing her fill, she adjusted her slightly tousled bangs and looked at me steadily. The usual “bombshell girl” expression was gone. Instead, she wore a soft smile, almost like a true “angel,” filled with gentle affection.

“…It’s fine. I’ll give you the summer festival.”

“―Huh?”

“Because your ‘resolve,’ Kazucchi-kun, seems way more likely to make Rin-rin happy than Saki forcing her to go. …Honestly, I’ve been a little frustrated watching you two stay stuck in that ‘just friends’ vibe forever.”

Ichinose-san leaned her back against the fence and looked up at the sky. How much did she really know? I still couldn’t see what lay behind that smile.

“Rin-rin has always been expected to be ‘perfect.’ Well, me too, I guess. Everyone only sees ‘Angel Rin Shinonome,’ so I think she’s been searching for someone who would see the real her. …I won’t ask for details about what happened between you and Rin-rin. …Not yet.”

She turned toward me and raised a teasing finger.

“Someday, when you two properly put a name to your relationship, I’m going to make you confess everything! From the day you met until now, without leaving out a single word!”

“…Got it. Someday, I’ll tell you everything.”

“Hehe! Then we have a deal. …But Kazucchi-kun, promise me one thing.”

Suddenly, Ichinose-san jabbed her finger into my chest. Her eyes gleamed sharply, like a predator hunting its prey.

“…If you hurt Rin-rin with half-hearted feelings, or make her cry… Even if it’s you, Kazucchi-kun, Saki will never forgive you. Got it?”

“…………”

“Rin-rin is the most important best friend in the world to Saki. That means you have the responsibility to make her the happiest girl in the world. …Do you understand?”

A cold, unwavering devotion to her best friend. She wasn’t just enjoying watching our relationship unfold. In her own way, she had always been the one closest to Shinonome-san, wishing for her happiness and trying to protect it.

“…Yeah. I understand. …I will absolutely treasure Shinonome-san.”

When I answered firmly, Ichinose-san nodded with satisfaction and brightened instantly.

“Hehe! You pass! Ahh, I really wanted Rin-rin to see Saki’s yukata first, though. …Oh well! For Kazucchi-kun’s sake, I’ll give in this time!”

She returned to her usual carefree, cheerful Ichinose Saki-chan.

“…Ichinose-san. Thank you. …You’re really a good person.”

“Hehe, you’re just realizing that? Alright, now that it’s settled, strategy meeting! Saki will tell Rin-rin a little lie like, ‘Sorry, something came up with my mom!’ so you better invite her like your life depends on it!”

“…Yeah. …I’ll do it.”

Behind the school building. With cheers from my strongest ally at my back, I took a step forward. The impatience in my chest had, before I knew it, turned into a calm, dignified resolve. Having overcome the towering wall named Ichinose-san, tonight, for the first time, I would invite her to my side by my own will.

“…Just you wait, Haru.”

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