My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 12: Trace

Chapter 12: Trace

Time passed, and Sunday arrived—the day of my date with Kirita Akari.

The meeting point was the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, in front of the police box.

It’s an easy spot to find, though I can’t help but feel a slight resistance to it, which is understandable.

Heading to the destination, I’ll be honest: I was nervous.

From here on out, I can’t let the real me show.

Today’s date is primarily about getting Kirita Akari used to guys, but if my actions stray too far from Uryu’s, it defeats the purpose.

That’s why I spent all of yesterday on a date with Uryu, memorizing his every move and gesture.

By acting as Aoyagi Uryu, I aim to help Kirita Akari build some immunity to him, even if just a little.

That said, Uryu’s attentiveness—his thoughtfulness—is so meticulous that I couldn’t help but think he’d be popular even without his good looks.

Mimicking all of that requires serious resolve on my part.

“She’s here.”

I arrived ten minutes early, but Kirita Akari was already standing in front of the police box.

Her gaze was fixed on a large monitor mounted on a nearby building.

Alright, time to switch.

I’m not me—I’m Aoyagi Uryu.

A brilliant mind, athletic prowess, and striking looks: the perfect guy.

As that man, I’ll interact with Kirita-san.

“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”

I jogged over to her, and Kirita-san shifted her gaze from the monitor to me.

She was wearing a white blouse with a light blue apron dress.

A brown belt at her waist added a nice accent, and it suited her slender figure perfectly.

Her usually timid bangs were neatly pinned back with a hair clip, giving her a brighter vibe than usual.

“Your outfit looks great on you. You should do your hair like that more often.”

“Eh? Oh, um, thanks…”

For a moment, Kirita-san gave me a puzzled look but thanked me shyly.

Was complimenting her outfit right off the bat too unnatural? Gotta reflect on that.

“So, what should we do? Wanna take a walk?”

“Yeah, sounds good. The weather’s nice.”

“Or maybe grab a coffee shop? It’s supposed to warm up today, and I’d love to hear your recommendations, Kirita-san.”

“Yeah… uh, hold on a sec.”

As I cheerfully suggested options, Kirita-san held up a palm to interrupt me.

What’s up? Does she have somewhere else in mind?

“Sorry, I was just throwing out my ideas. Anywhere you want to go?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Kirita-san seemed hesitant, but then, with a determined look in her timid eyes, she faced me.

“…What’s wrong with you? Did you hit your head?”

“Haha, that’s harsh. Do I seem off somehow?”

“Off? More like you’re giving me chills, or goosebumps. Should we head to a hospital?”

Time for a strategy change.

She totally thinks I’m a weirdo.