My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 15: Wistful Expression

Chapter 15: Wistful Expression

Having been unfairly treated by Kirita Akari, I showcased my proud resilience and jumped back into the conversation.

As for why she joined the tea ceremony club, it seems she was captivated by the seniors in traditional clothing during the club introduction orienteering in April.

She was a bit disappointed to learn they mostly wear uniforms during club activities, but she’s enjoying it now without minding too much.

“This year, Izumo-chan looked super cool in traditional clothes. You probably know that, though, Hirose-kun.”

“Did she? I forgot.”

“…That was less than a month ago.”

Could she stop looking at me with those sad eyes?

I was busy helping with the stage setup, so it’s not weird that I didn’t see it.

It’s not in my memory, so the tea ceremony club’s turn must’ve ended while I was preparing.

I’m totally not at fault.

“Then how about I show you? The club records it with a video camera.”

“Hey, why does the tea ceremony club even have a video camera?”

“To check if our movements are off. Verbal feedback alone doesn’t fix habits.”

Am I imagining the massive cop-out vibe here?

Kirita Akari doesn’t seem flustered, so she probably genuinely believes that’s the reason.

But seriously, school, you actually funded that?

“We also use it to record our training camp for the tea ceremony club.

Gotta leave memories for the underclassmen.”

That’s the real reason, got it.

I feel like I’ve glimpsed an unflattering side of the tea ceremony club, leaving a hole in my heart, but Kirita Akari turns the conversation back to me.

“By the way, what club are you in, Hirose-kun?”

“I’m not in any.”

“Huh? But doesn’t our school require joining a club?”

“I’m technically enrolled in one, but I don’t do anything. A ghost member.”

“Which club?”

“Not telling.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want them thinking it’s okay to have ghost members.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, but that doesn’t sound like you, Hirose-kun.”

Her comment made me realize it really isn’t like me.

But it’s true that I don’t want to cause trouble.

I can’t let the only other member besides me get their hopes up.

After that, we wandered away from the station, passing by a university and narrow streets too tight for cars, keeping the conversation lively.

Apparently, Kirita Akari doesn’t care for walks in parks or open spaces—she loves roaming the city, spotting things that have changed.

Each time she found something, she’d excitedly point it out, which left an impression.

I did my part to keep the conversation flowing.

According to Uryu’s lessons, when a girl seems eager to talk, just nodding along or encouraging her to continue is enough.

But if you seem bored, it kills their enthusiasm, so it’s all about balance.

That jerk, acting like he’s some expert.

“Mind if we go in here?”

Twirling her hair and turning to me, Kirita Akari’s eyes sparkled as she pointed at a shop.

The slightly worn sign gave off an old-school vibe.

It seemed to be a place serving traditional sweets.

“Isn’t this just a retail shop?”

“They serve upstairs.”

“Oh, got it. Let’s go.”

“Okay!”

Kirita Akari happily entered, giving a slight nod to the woman at the register before heading up the stairs.

On the second floor, a staff member told us to take any open seat, so we sat down.

There were six women in their fifties or so, chatting animatedly.

“What do you want, Hirose-kun?”

She handed me a menu, and I skimmed it.

I planned to just get a drink, but since we’re here, might as well try some sweets.

“You decided?”

“Yup. I always get the same thing here.”

Sounds like Kirita Akari’s a regular.

The calm interior does seem relaxing, though the older ladies’ voices are a bit loud.

We called the server, and I ordered a matcha set while Kirita Akari got strawberry shaved ice.

Wait, not matcha?

I thought she picked this place because of the tea ceremony club.

When I pointed it out, she retorted, “I get enough matcha with the tea ceremony club!”

Fair enough.

You don’t drink your favorite thing 24/7.

Our orders arrived, and I took a sip of the matcha.

Mmm, delicious.

That lingering flavor and bitterness—it’s the essence of matcha. Perfection.

Meanwhile, Kirita Akari was blissfully enjoying her strawberry shaved ice, her face all relaxed and unguarded.

It looked super sloppy, but given today’s goal, it felt like major progress.

“This should be fine, right?”

Munching on the zenzai that came with my set, I asked, and Kirita Akari tilted her head slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“The date with Uryu. You seem good to go based on today.”

At first, Kirita Akari was a bit awkward, but as time passed, her tension seemed to fade.

We had lively conversations, she smiled a lot, and she even talked about herself.

If today’s mission was to talk normally with a guy, I’d give her a 95.

That’s why I thought I could give her my seal of approval.

I was sure her date with Uryu would go well.

“…I wonder.”

But the smile that had been on her face until just moments ago was gone.