My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 11: Confirmation

Chapter 11: Confirmation

“Hirose Yukiya!”

As soon as morning homeroom ended, Misono Izumo approached me, her cheeks faintly flushed.

What’s this about? Another annoying jab using me as a middleman? Maybe I’ll redirect it to Uryu and mess with her.

“Could we talk for a sec?”

Or so I thought, but Misono Izumo averted her gaze slightly, pointing her thumb toward the hallway.

Specifying a place is rare for her. Maybe it’s something she doesn’t want Uryu to hear.

Going along with her feels a bit annoying, but my curiosity about her unusual behavior wins out.

“First period’s starting soon, you know.”

“I-I know. It’ll be quick, I think.”

Her hesitant tone was odd, and Misono Izumo stepped out of the classroom.

Feeling suspicious about her behavior, I followed her.

“…What was that just now?”

Maybe because time was short, Misono Izumo got straight to the point the moment we were in the hallway. Her cheeks were even redder than before.

“What was what?”

“You know, that thing about a date with Aoyagi-kun…”

“Oh, that.”

Now that I think about it, she was the only one standing there looking confused.

I’ll give her some credit for immediately asking when she doesn’t understand something.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. I’m going on a date with him.”

“?!”

The moment she heard that, Misono Izumo’s face turned bright red, and she panicked.

After checking that no one was around, she brought her right hand to her mouth and leaned in close.

Too close, too close! What’s with her all of a sudden?

“Um, uh… do you, like, have a thing for Aoyagi-kun?”

“Huh?”

Just when I thought she was acting all shy, she hits me with something completely nonsensical.

I was about to protest, but Misono Izumo didn’t stop.

“I always thought something was up. You two are always together.

I get how spending that much time with someone could make your heart flutter. Aoyagi-kun is pretty great, after all.”

“No, hold on—”

“And yet, it’s surprising! I never would’ve guessed you were into Aoyagi-kun too.

And he even said yes to the date! Oh no, what am I supposed to tell Akari?”

She was a machine gun.

Her expressions shifted rapidly as she poured out her thoughts, a stark contrast to the usual scowl I’m used to.

It was kind of refreshing, but… ugh. This girl is such a pain.

I waited for a pause in her words and dropped a light chop on her head.

“Ow?!”

“Calm down already. We’re running out of time.”

As Misono Izumo clutched her head with teary eyes, I decided to explain concisely.

I told her I’d promised to go on a date with Kirita Akari to help her get used to guys.

And that I’d arranged a date with Uryu to learn the ropes of dating.

I don’t know if he’s ever been on a date, but he’s good at handling girls, so there’s bound to be something I can learn from him.

“…”

Misono Izumo listened to my explanation, staring off into the distance with a vague expression.

It was like her mind was elsewhere, or maybe her brain had just short-circuited.

I didn’t think I said anything complicated.

“…Seriously?”

“Huh?”

She muttered something under her breath, and then, in stark contrast to earlier, Misono Izumo’s face showed clear anger.

“How misleading can you be?! There were a million other ways to phrase that!”

Her voice echoed down the hallway, loud enough to probably reach the classroom.

There was no point in talking out here.

“Misleading? I said it exactly as it is. I wanted to go on a date with Uryu.”

“To anyone who doesn’t know your intentions, it just looked like you were into Aoyagi-kun!”

“It was out of consideration for Kirita Akari’s feelings. You should be praising me.”

“Sure, I get that we can’t broadcast Akari’s business, but… I can’t tell if you’re a genius or an idiot.”

Misono Izumo put a hand to her forehead and let out a big sigh.

Lately, people around me have been sighing a lot, and it’s incredibly rude.

It’s like they think I’m the problem or something.

“Whatever. At least it’s not like Aoyagi-kun is into guys.

Just… don’t make things too hard for Akari when you go on that date. She’ll bolt in a second.”

“That’s exactly why I’m doing this date.”

“Heh, I hope it goes according to your grand plan.”

With that, Misono Izumo turned on her heel to head back to the classroom.

“Wait a sec.”

I stopped her.

There was one thing I needed to ask.

As she turned back with a “What?”, I said:

“…Are you really okay with this?”

Her eyes wavered, as if caught off guard.

I took it as proof she understood exactly what I meant.

Misono Izumo has feelings for Aoyagi Uryu.

I’m probably the only one who’s noticed.

It’s because I’m the one she’s always picking on that I picked up on it.

But she’s cheering for Kirita Akari’s love.

She genuinely wants her friend to succeed.

And that’s where I sense a contradiction.

“Of course I’m okay with it. My friend’s going to be happy, right?”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

“…Yeah, I know. And I’m saying I’m okay with it, even considering that.”

Misono Izumo looked down, a faintly self-deprecating smile on her face.

She didn’t deny her feelings for Uryu.

“In the end, I haven’t done anything. It’s too late to say what I want now.

I don’t even have the confidence, especially when I see the HareHare duo.”

“HareHare” refers to two beautiful girls in our grade, both with the character for “sunny/Hare” (晴) in their names.

Their close friends call them that.

They’re polar opposites in looks and personality, so guys often debate which one’s better.

It’s crude, but those kinds of rumors unintentionally boost their value.

So people around them end up comparing themselves to the duo and feeling up or down about it.

Misono Izumo is one of those people, hesitating to take that crucial step forward.

Ugh, this is why cowards are such a pain.

If she cares that much about others’ opinions, I’ll just tell her straight.

“I’ve never thought you were inferior to them.”

“Huh?”

Misono Izumo looked up, clearly shocked.

She didn’t seem to get it, so I said it again.

“I think you’re beautiful.”

For a moment, Misono Izumo froze.

Then, like a boiled octopus, her face flushed bright red.

“W-W-What’s that out of nowhere?! Are you teasing me?!”

“I’m just stating facts. Do you think I’d lie?”

At that, Misono Izumo suddenly looked away, as if embarrassed.

She seemed at a loss for how to react.

It’d be fun to leave her hanging, but we’re out of time.

I decided to wrap it up.

“I won’t press you since it’s your decision, but I won’t forgive you if you give up because of your looks.

You don’t have the right to do that, in the opposite sense.

So instead of overthinking, go all out and regret it later. That’s all.”

Having said my piece, Misono Izumo’s embarrassment faded, and she looked at me directly.

Then, with a gentle smile that eased the tense air, she said:

“…Right. If Akari gets rejected, maybe I’ll think about it.”

That’s a positive way of putting it.

It’s a bit too focused on others, but it seems she’s made up her mind in her own way.

Still, there’s one thing that doesn’t sit right.

“Hey, with me around, there’s no way she’ll get rejected.”

I get that she wants to support her friend, but being so leisurely about it just means Kirita Akari will snatch the victory.

But Misono Izumo widened her eyes, then covered her mouth and burst out laughing.

“That’s weird. If you’re right, Aoyagi-kun should already have a girlfriend.”

“Guh…!”

This girl, bringing up past failures!

Sure, the girls who came to me for advice all crashed and burned, but that’s because they ignored my guidance and self-destructed.

What was I supposed to do?

Unable to counter Misono Izumo’s jab, she turned back with a delighted grin, giving a light wave.

“Well, whatever. Just do your best for Akari, okay?”

“I’m doing this for me, don’t get it twisted.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

With a soothing tone, Misono Izumo headed back to the classroom.

Left alone, a fiery rage flared up inside me.

That girl, mocking me like that—she’s gonna pay a heavy price.

Let her stew in misery over Kirita Akari’s success, hah!

I resolved to rework my strategy for this weekend’s dates.