My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up

Chapter 107: Surprise Attack

After that, I spend about thirty minutes wrestling with myself before seizing the moment when Tsuyu’s truly asleep to escape her hug.

I cover her with the blanket as she breathes softly, then lie down in the space she’d been occupying and close my eyes.

Man, what a day.

I planned to skip the sports festival, but got dragged into it.

Then, after that, I had to deal with Tsuyu, who fought with her parents.

It’s all so intense, I’m feeling the exhaustion all over again.

If Tsuyu hadn’t gone so wild, I probably wouldn’t be this tired.

Honestly, it felt like she was riding some kind of midnight high.

That’s probably why she was so bold—when she wakes up, she might cringe remembering it.

Whatever.

Time to sleep, even just a little.

If I’m short on rest, I’ll nap after dropping Tsuyu off at the Aoyagi house.

So, I’ll wake up early, get her home safely, and then enjoy a relaxing weekend.

With that, I slowly drift into dreamland.

Before the alarm, my consciousness snaps awake.

Rubbing my eyes, I check the clock—it’s 3:55 a.m. Perfect timing to get ready and head out.

“Good morning, Yukiya-san.”

Before I can wake the girl sleeping beside me, she greets me first.

The alarm hasn’t even gone off yet—what a diligent attitude.

“Morning, Tsuyu. Sorry, but you’re getting up now.”

“Okay~ I’ll sleep more at home if I’m tired~”

Yawning lightly, Tsuyu stretches on the bed.

It’s not her usual bed, so she might be stiff beyond just sleep deprivation.

Still, not going back to sleep is impressive—at least compared to my mom.

“Alright. Let’s hit the bathroom. Wash your face.”

“Yes!”

We climb out of bed, leave the room, and head downstairs.

I try to keep quiet to avoid making noise, but as we pass the living room, I notice light leaking out.

No way, someone’s already up?

I tell Tsuyu to wash her face and step into the living room.

Sure enough, Dad’s standing in the kitchen.

“Morning, Yuu-kun. You’re taking Tsuyu-chan home now, right?”

“Morning. Why are you up this early, Dad?”

“Well, I wanted to iron Tsuyu-chan’s uniform.”

Following Dad’s gaze, I see her uniform already ironed and hanging up.

That means he’s been up at least thirty minutes earlier than us.

Seriously, he’s so nice it’s why Mom gets away with everything.

But that’s what I love about him.

“Thanks, Dad. Tsuyu’ll be happy.”

“You’re welcome. If it’s something like this, I’m happy to help anytime.”

“You work too hard. Make Mom do something for once.”

“Haha, your mom’s hopeless at all housework.”

“Too useless…”

Lamenting Mom’s incompetence, Tsuyu, fresh from washing her face, enters the living room.

Hearing about her uniform from Dad, she bows happily.

Good, Tsuyu—burn Dad’s greatness into your memory.

You won’t find many saints like him.

“Thank you so much for everything since yesterday.”

Fully prepared, Tsuyu’s now in her uniform over my borrowed clothes, bowing to Dad again at the entrance.

She chose to wear it to avoid carrying it, planning to return my clothes via Uryu.

In her hand is just the plastic bag, presumably with her underwear.

“No, no, we had fun having you. Come back anytime.”

“Yes! I’ll return soon, with my thanks!”

What’s this?

They seem closer than I expected.

Did they bond while I was showering?

It’s better than them not getting along, though.

“Alright, Dad, we’re heading out.”

“It’s still dark, so be careful.”

“Yeah, see you.”

“Thanks for having me!”

Just as we exchange goodbyes with Dad and start to leave the entrance—

“Huh?”

The stairs creak, and Dad reacts first.

The sound of someone coming down step by step hits my ears, and I can’t believe it.

No way. It’s this early, on a weekend.

There’s no way she’d be up.

But against all my expectations, Mom shuffles to the entrance in her pajamas, eyes barely open.

Too lazy to stand, she leans on Dad immediately.

Her sudden appearance leaves us, including Dad, speechless.

After a moment, Mom, still half-closed eyes, turns her face toward Tsuyu and speaks.

“…Let’s play games again.”

Satisfied, she slumps fully onto Dad.

With a troubled smile, Dad hoists her onto his back, apparently to carry her back to their bedroom.

“Y-Yes! I’d love to, if that’s okay!”

Excited that Mom came to see her off, Tsuyu replies enthusiastically.

I feel bad—Mom probably didn’t even hear her.

Sorry for our ridiculously carefree mom.

Still shocked by Mom’s rare morning appearance, we finally leave the house.

※

“Yukiya-san’s mom is so cute, isn’t she?”

Boarding the nearly empty first train, Tsuyu says this first thing.

“No way, she’s a selfish old hag, obviously.”

“Haha, she’s definitely carefree, but that’s what makes her charming. It really stands out with your dad’s kindness.”

“Exactly. That marriage wouldn’t work without Dad’s patience.”

“Yukiya-san, you really love your dad, huh?”

“Of course. He’s the person I trust most.”

If he’d just be a bit stricter with Mom, it’d be perfect, but then he wouldn’t be Dad.

It’s a tough problem.

“But I kinda get why your dad wants to spoil your mom.”

“No way, you’re joining the ‘Spoil Mom Squad’ too?”

“I don’t know about that squad, but when someone’s so straightforward and genuine, you can’t help but want to accept them.”

“I see. You’re already a lost cause. Poor you, compatible with Mom.”

Feeling immense pity for Tsuyu, we arrive at the station nearest her house and get off.

It’s brighter outside than when we left.

I’m surprised there are already people around at this hour.

“But if I’m compatible with your mom, that means I’m compatible with you too, right?”

After passing through the gate and walking a bit, Tsuyu brings up the train conversation, looking at me with expectant eyes.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You and your mom are parent and child, aren’t you?”

“Hold on. That makes it sound like I’m like her.”

“Well… to put it mildly, I think you’re like her…”

“Idiot! We agreed not to say that!”

I’ve often wished I was more like Dad, but this little sister figure is merciless.

Just wait—my height’ll shoot up fifteen centimeters, my face’ll get rugged, and I’ll show her human growth.

“Let’s set aside the ‘you’re like your mom’ issue for now.”

“Don’t set it aside. I’m nothing like her.”

“Fine, whatever. The important part is that I’m compatible with you.”

That’s pretty dismissive, but it’s clear Tsuyu’s weirdly fixated on compatibility.

“Well, better than being incompatible, I guess.”

“Right! I think so too!”

“I’m your big brother figure, so in that sense, yeah, we’re—”

Mid-sentence, I notice Tsuyu’s happy expression has turned somber.

What’s wrong?

Did I say something to upset her?

Just before reaching the Aoyagi house, Tsuyu stops, looks at me from a slight distance with resolve, and speaks.

“I don’t think of you as a brother anymore, Yukiya-san.”

It’s not out of nowhere.

Last night, she mentioned it didn’t feel right.

Only Tsuyu knows how she really feels, but having my “second brother” role rejected stings a bit.

“Sorry, was it annoying?”

“No way. It’s true I used to see you like a brother because you’re fun to be with. But—Now, I don’t want that.”

Saying this, Tsuyu steps closer. I back away, caught off guard, but she keeps closing in—

—And softly kisses my cheek.

“Wha…?”

I touch my cheek, still warm, as Tsuyu, blushing, gives me a mischievous smile.

“You can’t do that with a brother.”

Stunned, I stand frozen as Tsuyu reveals the meaning behind her kiss.

“I like you, Yukiya-san. I really like you. Not as a brother, but as a man.”

It’s, without a doubt, the first confession I’ve ever received in my life.

T/N: YESSSS

Chapter 108: Response

I’ve been called out by girls plenty of times, but it was always to pass on confessions to Uryu or to set up chances for them to talk to him.

Never anything about me personally.

That’s why, about six months ago, I started pushing Uryu to get a girlfriend, hoping to dodge that hassle.

Despite my efforts, I didn’t get far, and now, two months into our second year—

Somehow, still half in a dream, I’m standing here with a beautiful girl confessing her love to me.

“Ah, don’t answer yet, okay? I know you only see me as a little sister.”

Tsuyu clasps her hands behind her back, leans forward slightly, and looks up at me.

“But I’m gonna work hard to make you kiss me next time. Be ready, okay?”

Smiling brightly, Tsuyu doesn’t wait for my reply and dashes to her house nearby.

Normally, in a romance manga serialized in a shonen magazine, a sudden event like this might leave the protagonist stunned, frozen in place.

The first confession might make your heart race, fill your weekend with thoughts of her, and leave you wondering what face to make when you see her next.

You might lose your appetite, struggle to focus on your favorite hobbies, or worry your friends with how distracted you are.

When you see her, she might look cuter than before, her every move captivating, slowly drawing you toward her.

But that’s just a story trapped on paper.

I’m me, not some manga protagonist.

“Wait, Tsuyu!”

I shout at Tsuyu, who’s reaching for the iron gate of her house, loud enough to ignore the neighbors.

She clearly didn’t expect to be stopped, her eyes wide with surprise as she turns to me.

“W-What’s wrong?”

I run up to her, meeting her gaze.

Her face is even redder than before—maybe she’s mentally kicking herself for her bold move.

Perfect.

“Idiot, you’re the one who’s lost it.”

I point to the cheek she kissed and continue.

“You’re lucky you’re a perfect beauty, but doing something like that out of nowhere could get the cops called on you!”

This isn’t some free-spirited country.

A kiss on the cheek isn’t a casual greeting here.

If the genders were reversed, it’d be a police matter for sure.

Cuteness is her get-out-of-jail-free card.

“…Did you hate it, Yukiya-san?”

Misinterpreting my lecture, Tsuyu looks at me with sad eyes.

“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

“But that’s what matters to me! It was my first kiss, even if it was just on the cheek!”

“C-Calm down. It’s not that I hated it, more like I was shocked…”

“…Phew, thank goodness. If you’d said you hated it, I’d have spent the whole day crying.”

Seeing Tsuyu let out a huge breath, I realize she’s completely taken control of the conversation.

Calm down, me.

The lecture was just an opener—I didn’t want to get stuck on this.

Things suddenly feel like they’re shifting from how they’ve always been, so I need to ask her clearly.

“Hey, Tsuyu, do you really like me?”

Tsuyu, who’d been looking relieved, nods firmly at my genuine question.

“Yes. I wouldn’t have confessed if I didn’t.”

Her serious gaze carries an air that leaves no room for joking.

So I want to tell her what I’m thinking right now.

“I’m not saying your feelings don’t make me happy, but honestly, it doesn’t feel right to me. Haven’t you always thought of me as a brother?”

At the Aoyagi house, Tsuyu always seemed to look up to me.

But that wasn’t romantic.

It was like she saw me as another brother, not someone to confess to. At least, that’s how I saw it.

“That’s true. I only started liking you as a guy last night.”

Last night—when she was on that midnight high, when her behavior was undeniably off.

Now I get it.

If I hadn’t heard this, I wouldn’t have been able to say what I needed to.

“Tsuyu, can we pretend that confession didn’t happen?”

Tsuyu’s face visibly pales.

Hearing the person you confessed to wants to erase it must sting.

“W-Were my feelings a bother?”

“No. If you’re serious, I’ll hear it again properly.”

“Huh?”

“Tsuyu, you’ve been acting weird since yesterday, haven’t you?”

As I say this to a teary-eyed Tsuyu, she tilts her head in genuine confusion.

I’m glad I spelled it out—she didn’t even realize.

“Didn’t your heart race when you got into bed with me?”

“Of course, it was my first time doing something like that.”

“That’s exactly why. You might be mistaking that excitement for something else.”

“Mistaking?”

“That you like me as a guy.”

There’s this thing called the suspension bridge effect—when excitement from fear or anxiety gets mistaken for romantic feelings.

Tsuyu was worked up from my talk with Uryu, and she admitted she was thrilled.

It’s not a stretch to think it applies.

But Tsuyu puffs up, as if my theory’s totally off.

“No way! I didn’t even think I was acting weird yesterday!”

“Got it. So, Tsuyu-san, you’re saying you were perfectly calm when you thought it was okay to let a guy you’re not dating get that close?”

Hitting her where it hurts, Tsuyu’s angry expression flips.

She looks down, embarrassed.

“W-Well, maybe I wasn’t calm, and I might’ve been a bit too excited…”

Hearing her stumble over her words is a relief.

I don’t want her to be the type who gets swept away by the moment.

If she’s reflecting, that’s good.

“What I’m saying is, take the weekend to cool off. If you confessed because of the heat of the moment or a misunderstanding, I’ll pretend it didn’t happen. That’s probably what’s going on.”

Since Tsuyu already liked me as a friend, it’s possible she just tipped into romantic feelings more easily.

So much happened last night and today—calming down might help her see her true feelings.

At my suggestion, Tsuyu’s eyes widen, but then she smiles happily.

“You’re really kind, Yukiya-san.”

“Hm? How so?”

“This is a safety net for me, right? In case I was mistaken, so I don’t get hurt.”

“No. I just don’t want to accept something I’m not convinced of.”

“Haha, fine, let’s go with that.”

Tsuyu laughs out loud.

Then, suddenly leaning in, she whispers in my ear.

“Don’t think you’re not liked when you’re this kind, okay?”

“—!”

I reflexively step back, and Tsuyu giggles like a kid whose prank worked.

“Like you said, I’ll cool off over the weekend! If it was a misunderstanding, I’m sorry!”

Waving big, she continues.

“Thank you so much for yesterday and today! Hang out with me again, okay?”

Thanking me for everything, Tsuyu finally passes through the iron gate.

Left alone, I stand there, rooted to the spot.

Sadly, I can’t help but think I’m acting just like a romance manga protagonist.

T/N: Well atleast he’s not that dense. Also that’s the first time I’ve seen someone shrug off a confession in that way, he isn’t denying it, he isn’t trying to act dense nor mishear her, he’s acting rationally without any flustering.

Chapter 109: Definitely Love

Monday morning, I head to school feeling completely purified.

Reflecting on the events from Friday night to Saturday morning, I decided I needed to toughen myself up.

So, I resolved to try waterfall training.

With this month’s allowance and some extra cash from Natori Mayoi, I managed to book a session.

It was a weekend, but I was the only participant that day.

The instructor gave me a wry smile, saying, “Who’d come for this in the middle of the rainy season?”

But for me, in every sense, it was the rainy season, and I just had to get under that waterfall.

I got careless since Saturday was sunny, but honestly, waterfall training in the rain was kind of poetic.

One thing’s for sure—if I did that in winter, I’d definitely die.

Anyway, having shed my worldly desires, I’m like a newborn baby now.

Reborn as the pure New Yukiya-kun, I plan to live by Article 9 of the Constitution, sweating it out as a peaceful citizen of Japan.

“Yo, Yukiya.”

Arriving at school and entering the classroom, the cool pretty boy in the seat next to me raises his right hand in greeting.

His casual but friendly vibe makes me smile back.

“Hey, Uryu-kun. Showing up fifteen minutes early? Impressive.”

“Huh?”

Weird.

My wholesome reply gets a skeptical look from Uryu-kun.

That face doesn’t suit this pleasant morning. Sure, it’s pouring outside, but still.

“What’s up, Uryu-kun? That look’s ruining your good vibes.”

“No, no, what’s up with you? Get sucked into some drama again?”

“What’re you talking about? This is just how I am.”

“…If you’re not aware of it, maybe you ate something weird and it fried your brain.”

That’s pretty harsh, but I forgive everything.

Getting mad over this?

Not worth it.

Anger can drive action, but it rarely leads to anything good.

If you get that, let’s all laugh.

Laugh and set the mood right.

If peace brings smiles, then smiles bring peace too.

“By the way, Yukiya, did you shrink or something?”

“No way!! You saying the waterfall bashed my head in? Don’t mess with me!!”

“Ha, you’re back.”

I snap at the ridiculously rude pretty boy jerk.

The world needs more lectures fueled by righteous anger, and I’ll lead the charge.

Education comes first—peace is secondary.

“Seriously, you went to waterfall training? That’s a bold move.”

“Yeah. I wanted to become one with the water, flexible enough to accept anything by changing my shape.”

“Is that what waterfall training’s about…?”

Uryu looks confused, but everyone’s got their own reasons for facing a waterfall.

Going for the ascetic vibe isn’t a problem—what matters is taking action.

“Speaking of, thanks for helping with Tsuyu.”

Uryu shifts topics abruptly, but I stay calm.

The waterfall training’s working perfectly.

“She’s been super hyped since she got back. I didn’t see her down, so she seemed normal to me.”

“Got it.”

“But Dad and Mom were surprised too, so it’s probably thanks to you.”

“I didn’t do much, but if Tsuyu’s bounced back, that’s great.”

“Also, there’s something she wanted to report herself.”

“Report?”

“She said she’d tell you directly, so if you could wait a bit… oh, speak of the devil.”

“Hm?”

Mid-conversation, Uryu pulls out his phone and puts it to his ear.

A call, apparently—but using it openly at school?

“Hey. Yeah, just got here. …Okay, okay, hold on.”

Then, Uryu hands me the phone.

“You giving it to me?”

“Idiot. It’s for you.”

“What?”

Why would a call for me come to Uryu’s phone?

If it’s someone from outside school who knows we sit next to each other…

“Hello?”

‘Ah, Yukiya-san! Good morning, it’s Tsuyu!’

As expected, it’s Uryu’s little sister, Tsuyu.

“What’s up, calling first thing Monday morning?”

‘Yes, I actually have two things to report!’

“Oh, important enough to go through Uryu?”

‘Exactly! Is now okay?’

“No problem, spit it out.”

Urging her on, Tsuyu clears her throat with a little hum and starts talking excitedly.

‘The school transfer thing—Dad approved it!’

“Whoa.”

Definitely something worth reporting ASAP.

‘Last night, Dad made time for me. I talked to Mom first, got Onii-chan to help, and clearly explained everything we went over, Yukiya-san. He was reluctant, but my seriousness got through, and he gave the okay.’

“Nice, congrats.”

‘Mom told me later that Dad couldn’t focus on work after. It was my first time getting mad, so when I asked to talk again, he happily cleared his schedule.’

Hearing Tsuyu’s giggling, I feel relieved that her issue’s resolved.

When she was at my place, refusing to go home, I wasn’t sure how it’d turn out, but it worked out.

Her dad doesn’t seem like a bad guy either.

“Did you thank Uryu?”

‘Yes! Hearing him talk up close, I realized he’s pretty reliable.’

“Little opportunist.”

‘Hehe.’

“Now you just gotta study hard. If you fail the entrance exam, it’ll be a real joke.”

‘No worries, I’ve got it covered. Did you know I’m top of my grade?’

A casual bombshell.

As expected from the terrifying Aoyagi bloodline—no way Hisame-san and Uryu’s sister would be bad at academics.

Worrying was rude of me.

“Then study hard to become my kouhai, Tsuyu.”

‘Oh, wait, don’t hang up!’

“Yeah, aren’t we done?”

‘I said I had two things to report!’

“Oh, right.”

The first was so big I forgot there was another.

What else could Tsuyu need to tell me?

I wait for her to continue, but she’s slow to start.

She didn’t forget what she wanted to say, did she?

‘Yukiya-san, it’s Monday, right?’

Her report begins with an odd lead-in.

“Yeah, Monday.”

‘It’s been two days since we parted.’

“Well, yeah, it’s Monday.”

‘…You still don’t get what this is about, do you?’

“Hm? Aren’t you about to tell me?”

‘Wow, Yukiya-san, you totally forgot what you said.’

“Sorry, maybe the waterfall messed me up.”

‘Jokes aside, fine. I’ll say it clearly.’

Tsuyu sighs, sounding exasperated.

The waterfall thing was true, but she thinks it’s a joke.

What’s this report, though?

I genuinely can’t think of anything else.

As I rack my brain, I hear Tsuyu take a deep breath over the phone.

I brace myself for what’s coming, but—Tsuyu easily blows past my defenses.

‘I, Aoyagi Tsuyu, after two days of cooling off, am still totally in love with Hirose Yukiya-san as a man!!’

Her voice is so loud it feels like it’s bursting out of the phone.

Right.

I told her that her feelings might be a misunderstanding and to cool off before I’d hear her again.

And now, with so much passion, she’s declared it clearly.

Her feelings for me are definitely not a misunderstanding.

‘So, from now on, you’re banned from seeing me as a sister!’

“Banned? It’s not that simple—”

‘It’s fine! I only recently stopped seeing you as a brother, so you can change too!’

“That’s not how it—”

‘If you say you can’t change, that’s okay! I’ll make you change!’

No use—she’s not listening at all.

Like Hisame-san, why don’t Aoyagi women ever hear me out?

I’m starting to feel bad for Uryu and their dad.

“Wait, Tsuyu. One last check—are you really sure you—”

‘So persistent. You want me to say I like you that much? Just accept it already—I love you, Yukiya-san.’

“S-Seriously…?”

‘Dead serious. So, along with my brother, please take care of me from now on!’

With that, Tsuyu hangs up.

Staring at the call history on the screen, I’m stunned.

“What happened? Sounded like you were arguing at the end.”

Uryu takes the phone from my hand, asking curiously.

I hesitate for a second but let the words slip out.

“Tsuyu says she likes me.”

“Yeah, I know, like a brother, right?”

“No, she said as a guy.”

“No way, she’s gotta be teasing you.”

“…Teasing… Michael Jordan…”

“Huh, what’d you say?”

“Probably not Michael Jordan.”

“Of course it’s not Michael Jordan…”

“…”

“…For real?”

“For real…”

“Seriously…?”

Uryu and I stare at each other, dumbfounded.

I thought it was a misunderstanding; he thought it was sibling affection.

We’re both shocked.

The day I truly accepted Tsuyu’s confession, the rainy season was still in full swing.

Yourei High was about to enter the prep period for final exams.

Chapter 110: Maidens’ Chatter 5

“Tsuyu-chan!? What was that call!?”

“‘I love you’—was that a confession!?”

Having said what she wanted, Aoyagi Tsuyu hangs up the phone with satisfaction, only to be swarmed by her friends, Onoya Shiori and Kudou Madoka, who’d been talking with her moments before.

“Yup, I forgot about it midway since we’re at school.”

Tsuyu scratches her head with an “ehe” to brush it off, but her loud voice draws more than a few glances.

Given the nature of the conversation, no one but her two friends dares to ask for details.

“Eh, who’s the guy!? Someone we know!?”

“You know him, but you haven’t met him, I think.”

“No way, that friend of your brother you mentioned before?”

“Yup, exactly him!”

““Kyaaa!!””

As Tsuyu gradually spills the details, Shiori and Madoka get more excited.

For these girls at an all-girls school, real-life romance talk is endlessly fresh and fascinating.

Especially when it’s about Tsuyu, known as a beauty even at school.

“Since when!? When did you start liking him!?”

“Yeah! Before, you said it was like getting another big brother, right!?”

“Um, the day before yesterday? No, no, three nights ago.”

““Night!?””

Their excitement shows no signs of cooling, and they race up the escalator with unstoppable energy.

Far from finding their enthusiasm annoying, Tsuyu continues shyly.

“So, I told you two about consulting him on my future plans. He’s kinda blunt, but super reliable, always saying exactly what I need to hear. Before I knew it, I started liking him as a guy.”

““Kyaaaaa!!””

Letting out squeals unfit for the morning, Shiori and Madoka cling to a blushing, fidgeting Tsuyu.

“What’s gotten into you!? You’re already cute, but you’re gonna get cuter!?”

“The power of love!? This is the so-called power of love, right!?”

“Guys, I can’t breathe…”

Sadly, Tsuyu’s voice doesn’t reach her friends, who are running on full emotional throttle.

Tsuyu’s a bit rattled by their even higher energy, but she doesn’t mind at all.

“So, what about his reply!? What’d he say!?”

“I didn’t get one. If I did now, I’d just get rejected.”

“Reject you, Tsuyu-chan!? What a terrible guy!?”

“Haha, yeah, he might be kind of terrible.”

Tsuyu smiles, thinking of her outrageous crush.

If he were just her brother’s friend, she never would’ve felt this way.

“Ah… Tsuyu-chan’s got the face of a maiden in love…!”

“This is how Tsuyu-chan’s stepping into experiences we don’t know, bit by bit.”

“You’re both exaggerating, Shiori-chan, Madoka-chan. I’ve always been like this.”

“You don’t know if you’ll stay the same forever!”

“Yeah… Tsuyu-chan’s going to a different high school…”

Shiori and Madoka know Tsuyu’s planning to apply to Yourei High.

If her parents approve, that’s the path she’ll take.

From the phone call just now, it sounds like a done deal.

“No way! I don’t wanna be apart from Tsuyu-chan!”

“We finally got this close!”

“What’re you talking about? Even if we go to different high schools, we’ll always be friends! We’ll keep in touch and hang out.”

““Tsuyu-chaaan!!””

“Wahh!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, the two tackle Tsuyu again.

Like she said, different schools won’t change their friendship.

Shiori and Madoka are thrilled to reaffirm that.

And with that reaffirmed, the school transfer talk takes a backseat.

These romance-obsessed maidens want to dive into juicier topics.

“By the way, Tsuyu-san, you haven’t addressed that ‘night’ phrase you dropped.”

“Ugh… you’re hung up on that?”

“Didn’t you want us to notice, Tsuyu-san?”

“No way, it just slipped out…”

“C’mon, c’mon, spill it and get it off your chest!”

A bit thrown by their slightly old-man-like tone, Tsuyu realizes there’s no escape and starts talking.

“So, um, I was consulting him three nights ago.”

“Uh-huh, over LINE or something?”

“Uh, he doesn’t have a smartphone.”

“Huh? So…?”

“I met him in person that night to talk.”

““Met!?””

“More like, I ambushed him.”

““Ambushed!?””

“And, well, I got selfish, and he let me stay over.”

““Stay overrrr!?””

“You guys are too loud!”

Another group of girls scolds the trio for their noisy chatter.

Tsuyu, honestly embarrassed and wanting to stop, sees Shiori and Madoka’s sparkling eyes and decides to keep going.

Moments like this won’t last forever.

“B-But, staying over doesn’t mean that, right!? Separate rooms, yeah!?”

“Yeah, yeah! Same room is just for shoujo manga, right!?”

“…”

“Eh? What’s with that silence?”

“Tsuyu-chan… no way?”

“…It’s not a lie.”

““Eeeeeek!?””

“And, well, we shared a bed too.”

““Haaaah!?””

“Is that that weird?”

“It’s super weird!! That’s basically a couple!”

“Tsuyu-chan, are you okay!? Guys are wolves, scary wolves!”

“No, it’s fine. He was a total gentleman.”

“Huh? How? Sharing a bed and still a gentleman?”

“Well, I kinda invited myself.”

““From you, Tsuyu-chan!?””

“Y-Yeah. He said he’d sleep on the floor since there was no other bed.”

“He’s a gentleman!? Your crush is a gentleman!”

“Sorry for calling him a wolf!! You’re the wolf, Tsuyu-chan!”

“Ugh… I really was acting weird then…”The maidens’ lively girls’ talk continues noisily until the teacher starts morning homeroom.

Chapter 111: Chilled Chinese Noodles Are Amazing

A scene from the sports festival.

“Hey, Uryu, aren’t chilled Chinese noodles just incredible?”

“What’s with the random question?”

“Think about it, Uryu. If you had no prior knowledge of chilled Chinese noodles, could you figure out what kind of food they are?”

“Hm, I’d guess it’s cold Chinese food.”

“Who’d think it’s actually a Japanese noodle dish? No one would, right?”

“Well, yeah, once you say it, I get that it’s short for Chinese noodles, but…”

“When a term becomes so widespread that everyone instantly gets it, that’s what makes chilled Chinese noodles amazing.”

“Sure, but there’s probably tons of stuff like that.”

“Huh? Are you dissing chilled Chinese noodles?”

“Not dissing, but it’s not exactly worth singling out.”

“Shut up. In my world, only chilled Chinese noodles exist. They’re the ultimate dish.”

“Congrats, I guess. Couldn’t care less.”

“So, I’m heading off campus to eat some chilled Chinese noodles.”

“Figured as much. That was a sloppy setup, as usual.”

“When inspiration strikes, it’s go-time. Nothing’s stopping me.”

“Didn’t you just say we’re eating lunch as a team? Get in line.”

“Don’t mess with me. I’ve been craving chilled Chinese noodles since morning.”

“Then why didn’t you say that when you agreed to team lunch?”

“Because you said you wouldn’t take my objections! What are you, the Emperor, stifling free speech!?”

“I ignored you because we’d never move forward otherwise! And your excuse earlier was ‘I’m not into the cafeteria because there’s no fried chicken’! Where’d chilled Chinese noodles come from!?”

“I saw an old lady setting up a ‘Now Serving Chilled Chinese Noodles’ flag on my way to school! Got a problem with that!?”

“In this rain!? That’s total BS!”

“What!? You said it now! I’ll prove you wrong—come with me! Delicious chilled Chinese noodles are waiting!”

“I’m not going. Lunchtime off-campus trips are banned, you know.”

“You jerk! You tagged along when I mentioned a good ramen spot, but now you’re playing goody-two-shoes!?”

“That was my dark past. I’m never breaking school rules again.”

“What’re you yapping about, Uryu? That lady’s waiting with her chilled Chinese noodles! If you don’t break the rules now, when will you!?”

“No amount of passion’s gonna sway me. It’s pouring, and I don’t wanna go out. I don’t even care about that lady.”

“This is why today’s youth… Go read Miyazawa Kenji and try again! I’m going alone! I’ll save that lady!”

“Oh, perfect timing. Sensei, this guy’s trying to sneak off campus at lunch.”

“Y-You, that’s cheating…!”

“Hm, Hirose, what’s this about?”