My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 13: True Self

Chapter 13: True Self

“Oh, I get it.”

I switched off Aoyagi mode and decided to explain the situation.

I didn’t want to resort to this, but she looked ready to drag me to a psychiatric hospital, so I had no choice but to abandon the act.

That would’ve been bad.

“I’m so relieved. I thought you’d lost your mind, Hirose-kun.”

“…”

Was it really that unnatural?

Sure, it was a far cry from the usual me, but I didn’t expect her to worry that much.

“I mean, the vibes were so off, pfft…!”

“…”

Kirita Akari was desperately holding back laughter, clutching her stomach and trembling.

Hey, is it really that funny?

I explained my reasons, didn’t I? This was all for your sake!

Starting to get annoyed, I gave Kirita Akari a light chop on the head.

“Ow!”

“You’re laughing too much. How about praising my efforts for once?”

“Haha, sorry, sorry. But come on, who’d expect you to seriously pull that off?”

“To think my disciple would spew such venom at her earnest mentor. How cheeky.”

Since Kirita Akari was clearly mocking my methods, I decided to explain again.

“Listen up. Imitating Uryu has a big purpose.

By having you talk to me while I mimic his speech, you’ll block out his surprise attacks.

If you think, ‘Oh, I’ve heard this somewhere before,’ it loses its freshness, and you won’t get embarrassed and run away, right?”

“Sounds like something out of a seminar manga pamphlet.”

“Oh? You took that seminar?”

“Nope. I just read the manga and tossed it.”

“Same here. I used to send complaint letters pointing out their layout errors and typos.”

“…Uh, that’s not quite the same.”

That’s weird. We were on the same page for a second, but now Kirita Akari’s giving me a cold look.

Why? Complaints are fair game.

A company focused on education can’t just let typos slide.

“So that’s why, huh?”

“Why what?”

Holding her swaying hair with her left hand, Kirita Akari gave an awkward smile.

“When you suddenly complimented my outfit, Hirose-kun.

I wondered if you’d really say something like that, but it makes sense if you were copying Aoyagi-kun.”

For a fleeting moment, I saw a hint of disappointment in Kirita Akari’s expression.

To be honest, I don’t get what there was to be disappointed about.

Whether I complimented her while imitating Uryu or as myself, I don’t see the difference.

Still, imagining Kirita Akari carefully picking out her outfit for today, I decided to add one more thing.

“It’s not like it was just Uryu’s imitation, you know.”

“Huh?”

“I personally think your outfit looks good.”

I’d never lie, and I’m the type that doesn’t sugarcoat the truth.

That belt, in my opinion, adds a nice touch. It really highlights her proportions.

“R-Really?”

Kirita Akari scratched her cheek shyly, glancing between me and her outfit.

Her face lit up more than I expected. Was she that happy?

“Th-Th-Than—”

“You’re finally starting to understand your own strengths. As your mentor, I’m pleased.”

“…Than—”

“Hm? Ants? What about them?”

“…Yeah, I was just thinking how hard they work despite being so small.”

What’s with this girl? She suddenly started a biology lesson.

And her mood just plummeted. It’s like the air around her got darker. Is she okay?

Just as I was about to say something, Kirita Akari let out a small chuckle.

“…But that’s so you, Hirose-kun.”

“Hey, you little—did you just call me small like an ant?”

“Huh? There aren’t any ants around, are there?”

Hold on, this conversation is bouncing less than a flat tire.