Chapter 46

“What… what the hell is this situation…!?”

On the way down the hallway toward the designated meeting room, Satoru had already heard that line more times than he could count.

It wasn’t surprising—after all, two of the most popular girls in the entire grade were walking side by side with one guy between them.

Even those who weren’t particularly in the know could tell that Reika and Ruri were completely different types, and definitely not the kind of girls who would normally hang out together.

This rare, bizarre sight naturally drew astonished whispers from the students passing by.

At first, Satoru had thought having Reika by his side was a good countermeasure.

But now, as he found himself stuck between them in this tense atmosphere, the increasing attention from others was becoming overwhelming.

(…No, actually, if Ruri started getting clingy and stressed me out, or made Reika anxious, that would’ve been way worse.)

He didn’t even know what the right thing to do was anymore.

“Hey, Takashima-kun, are you close with Hatsune-san?”

After walking in silence for a while, Ruri suddenly spoke up.

It wasn’t clear whom she was addressing, but Satoru assumed she was talking to him.

“Well, we’re both class reps, so we have to coordinate. I wouldn’t say we’re on bad ter—”

“No, we’re not on bad terms at all. Why do you ask?”

“Hmm, it’s just that lately you’ve been dropping hints like you’ve got a boyfriend. Are you just desperate for some attention as a woman?”

“Oh my, unlike someone who tries to get attention wherever and whenever she can, I’m only seeking affection from my boyfriend. I don’t think that’s so strange, do you?”

“…Still got a silver tongue, huh? Smart girls are amazing.”

Satoru was stuck right in the middle of this exchange.

He had already expected Ruri to react like this toward Reika.

What he hadn’t expected was how much Reika would bite back.

As a result, the hostility between them was practically thick  in the air.

They were still keeping their words civil, but their voices were getting colder and lower with each remark.

“So, Hatsune-san’s boyfriend must be one high-spec, super handsome guy, huh?”

That was a fastball of a jab, thrown by Ruri with zero subtlety.

“Oh yes, he’s the best. If he really tried, he’s smart enough to make me look like nothing in comparison. Though lately, he seems to be slacking off for some reason.”

“Wow, you’re really head over heels, huh. He goes to this school too, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But for someone who keeps hinting at it so much, it’s kinda weird that you’re not telling anyone. Did he ask you to keep it secret?”

Ruri’s voice had turned eerily flat as she made her pointed accusation.

Her experience with people allowed her to zero in on the truth almost immediately.

“Yes, exactly. He’s just very shy, you know?”

“Hmm, is that really the reason? I mean, if a guy managed to land Hatsune-san, you’d think he’d be bragging about it nonstop.”

“Well, comparing him to your average guy isn’t exactly fair.”

“Haha, you’re seriously obsessed. Let me guess—you’re one of those possessive types?”

“Possessive?”

“Yeah. From how you talk, it’s like you want him to be exactly how you like, in the form you love most. And that version of him? You can’t get enough of it.”

“…”

“Oh, did I hit the mark? Just so you know, no matter how beautiful a woman is, if she smothers a guy like that, he’s going to get fed up eventually. Just a little advice from me to you.”

“Okay, okay! You two are getting a little intense. Let’s keep in mind we do need to work together soon, alright?”

“S-Sorry… Did I overdo it…?”

“Nah. Everyone builds relationships differently, and that’s how you manage yours. I’m not judging. Just… let’s keep the peace, yeah?”

“Yeah, of course. You’re really kind, Takashima-kun.”

To be clear, Satoru wasn’t being “kind”—he had simply confirmed that these two weren’t going to see eye-to-eye and had decided to keep his distance accordingly.

But seeing how Reika suddenly went silent after that final exchange, Satoru realized just how formidable Ruri really was.

He also realized he’d need to figure out how to support Reika afterward, and already he was starting to feel a little tired from how much he had to think about.