I Knew That the Childhood Friend, Who Was Praised as a “Goddess” at School, Actually Had Another Side as a Arrogant “Demon God.” However, After a Girl, Who Was Praised as an “Angel,” Transferred Into Our Class and Started Getting Involved With Me, My Childhood Friend’s Behavior Became Strange - Chapter 11: Angel's Interest

Chapter 11: Angel’s Interest

“I appreciate you carrying this for me, but… isn’t it heavy, Okazaki-kun?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

During PE class, our school typically has combined sessions with the class next door. Today, the boys were playing baseball on the far side of the field, while the girls were running hurdles on the opposite side.

After class, while we were cleaning up the equipment, I happened to see Angel-san asking one of the boys from the other class to help her carry the hurdles they used for the race.

The hurdles used for the race are light enough for the boys to carry, but they’re a bit heavy for the girls.

So, it’s a heartwarming sight to see a strong boy helping a weaker girl. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a bit calculated.

Knowing Angel-san’s sly nature, I figured she was probably doing this on purpose to gain more followers.

While I was cleaning up the baseball gear, I observed them from behind as they walked toward the PE storage room.

“Alright, this should do… there.”

“Thank you♪”

“Anytime, Angel!”

“Wow, Okazaki-kun, you’re really kind. Can I keep relying on you from now on♪?”

“!!! Ah, of course!”

Angel-san grabbed the boy who helped her carry the hurdles by the hand and thanked him with an upward glance. Watching that, I couldn’t help but think, “How manipulative.”

The boy from the other class walked away with a silly grin, and I even heard him mutter, “Angel is the best…” as he passed by.

It seemed like he had been easily tricked… or rather, he had become one of Angel-san’s followers.

She has a cute face, but she’s clearly deceiving people. She’s definitely not an “angel,” but rather a “demon.”

“Is there something you want to say to me, Ogami-kun?”

After the other boy had left, Angel-san turned to me with her “angelic” smile and asked. I guess she noticed my look of disbelief.

“You sure know how to do it…”

“Little things like this add up to gaining more followers. It’s all about accumulating the small stuff!”

“Maybe you should change your name. From ‘Angel Akua Amatsuka’ to ‘Angel Demon Amatsuka Akuma,’ what do you think?”

“That’s harsh!? You’re saying that when I’m trying so hard to gain followers!? And why would you suggest changing my first name!? I actually really like the name ‘Akua.’ It’s… transparent and pure.”

“Transparent and pure…? When you’re so dark and dirty inside?”

Normally, people’s names are given with hopes for how they will grow. For example, if someone has ‘beauty’ in their name, it’s because their parents hope they’ll grow up beautiful. If they have ‘wisdom,’ their parents hope they’ll grow up smart.

However, based on my brief life experience, it seems that people often end up growing in a way that’s completely opposite to their parents’ wishes, especially in cases like hers.

“…Ogami-kun, are you trying to start a fight with me? This is the first time anyone’s ever made fun of me like this.”

“Sorry, I said too much. Angel-san is kind and pure, everyone’s angel.”

I sensed a dark aura forming behind her and realized I had gone too far, so I apologized. It’s troublesome to make her really angry.

“As long as you understand. But you know, Ogami-kun, you’re my servant, yet you speak so freely.”

“Well, that means we’ve gotten close. I think it’s better to speak honestly with each other than to stay distant.”

Honestly, when I talk to her, it feels like I’m talking to Hina, and I end up speaking without holding back.

The two of them are similar, so it probably just comes naturally.

“Also, I don’t mind your personality, Angel-san. Sure, more people probably support you when you’re pretending to be sweet, but I prefer it this way. It’s easier to talk to you.”

Hearing my words, Angel-san, for the first time, broke her usual expression and looked away, embarrassed.

“R-really…? It’s the first time someone’s said that they like this side of me.”

As I heard her response, one question popped into my mind.

“…By the way, Angel-san, do you have any friends you can speak honestly with? Or, have you ever had any friends in your life?”

Sure, she has a devilish, sly personality, but there are all kinds of people in the world. There must have been someone who preferred the way she really is and found it easier to talk to her.

However, she just said, “It’s the first time someone said they like this side of me.” That made me wonder if she had ever had a real friend before.

When I asked, Angel-san made a noise like a frog being run over by a car, clearly flustered.

“Eh? …I-I had some… but not here in this school.”

“Why are you saying it like that? …Is it not true?”

“Ugh! I-I’m a high and noble being, alright!”

“So, you didn’t have any friends.”

“Shut up! There are many people who resent me because I’m so unbelievably cute! That’s why pretending to be nice is a survival strategy!”

Good-looking people attract attention from the opposite sex. But, on the flip side, there are also people who resent them for the same reason. Maybe that’s why it’s been hard for her to make true friends. I could sympathize with that.

So, I made her a suggestion.

“Well then, I’ll be your first real friend, Angel-san.”

“Eh… friends?”

“You get tired from pretending all the time, right? So, I thought having at least one person you can be real with wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I mean, I already know your true nature, so I think I’m the perfect fit.”

At first, Angel-san looked taken aback by my offer, but soon a smile spread across her face.

“Hehe, I see. You’re right. It’s easier when I don’t have to act with you. Friends… Alright. Ogami-kun, I hereby appoint you as both my servant and my friend.”

“So, I’m still a servant, huh?”

“…You know, seeing a maiden’s naked body is a heavy crime.”

She glared at me with a sidelong glance. I protested immediately.

“I didn’t see anything naked!? Ah, the bell rang! Let’s go back to the classroom!”

“Yeah.”

We exchanged light banter as we walked back to class. It seemed like we had developed an unusual kind of trust between us.

This was the moment when something in our relationship started to change.

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