I Turned My Childhood Friend Into a Yandere After She Asked Me for Love Advice. - Chapter 07: The Rehearsal Was a Success

Chapter 07: The Rehearsal Was a Success

The setting sun painted the sky a deep red.

“Yo.”

When I went to the rooftop, Airi was already there, standing with her back to me.

It seemed like the perfect setting for a confession.

“What do you want?”

I pretended not to know.

Airi turned around.

“Yu-kun, I’ve liked you since we were young. Will you go out with me?”

Airi looked at me earnestly, her face flushed. Was it from embarrassment or the sunset?

“Could it be, that letter was…”

I pretended to be surprised, keeping the actual performance in mind.

“Yes, it was me.”

“So it was.”

Well, I knew it, though.

“Yes, so, what’s your answer?”

Are we going to the extent of giving a response?

Ah, but it’s necessary. If I don’t play along now, it might make her anxious about this plan.

But still, it’s a bit harsh of Airi. What if I had genuinely fallen for her?

Well, that’s just like her.

And I knew about the gimmick, so I’m not in love and it’s all fine.

“Please take care of me.”

Airi’s face lit up with a smile. 

She seemed genuinely happy with the success.

“*Sniffle*.”

“H-Hey! Why are you crying?!”

Airi suddenly crouched down and started crying. I rushed over in a panic.

“Sorry, I’m just so happy. I’ve worked so hard for this.”

I see. The success of this rehearsal meant that much to Airi.

“I’m sorry I didn’t realize how much it meant to Airi.”

If I had noticed, maybe I could have found a more effective method with a higher chance of success.

“No, thank you. My wish came true.”

Airi smiled through her tears.

“What are you talking about? It hasn’t come true yet, right?”

It’s just the beginning, isn’t it? She’s going to confess to the person she likes.

“…I want to go on a movie date. I want to visit the aquarium. I want to spend the night together too.”

Airi mumbled these words one by one.

“You can do it.”

It’s bound to succeed.

And then, she’ll go out with her boyfriend. She’ll make it happen.

“Just take it easy and go at your pace, Airi.”

“Yeah, thank you, Yu-kun.”

Saying that, she hugged me.

“H-hey.”

“It’s okay, right?”

She whispered in my ear.

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

Even though it’s actually not.

But I want to stay friends with Airi until she gets a boyfriend.

“Airi, let’s head back.”

“Yeah.”

She agreed, linking her arm with mine, and I couldn’t refuse.

◆◇◆◇◆◇

“No way, right…? Ogawa-kun and Airi, dating?”

At the same time, Saori was eavesdropping from behind the rooftop door.

She had seen Yuuri going to the rooftop and followed him.

Saori’s expression was frozen.

“It’s strange, childhood friends are supposed to be the losing heroines… Besides, Ogawa-kun wasn’t supposed to like Airi.”

Saori’s expression was filled with panic.

◆◇◆◇◆◇

“M-Milady!”

Shinobu rushed into Hikari’s room.

“What’s got you so flustered?”

Shinobu’s usually expressionless face now showed signs of distress.

Hikari, a bit worried by this uncharacteristic hurry, approached Shinobu.

“Yuuri-sama and Airi-sama have just started dating!”

The room fell into a brief silence.

“Fufu, Shinobu, you were in such a hurry over that?”

“…Eh?”

Shinobu, fearfully observing Hikari, wondered how she could take the news of her crush being taken away as “just that.”

Hikari simply wore her usual smile, unchanged by the news.

“He will ultimately be mine. For now, let Airi-san have her moment.”

That’s right, Shinobu remembered.

The lady always has multiple strategies in play, always ensuring she gets what she desires.

Was this development also anticipated by her? As this thought crossed Shinobu’s mind, a shiver ran down her spine.