My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 151 & 152 & 153

Chapter 151: Nighttime Invitation

After somehow convincing Tsuyu to accept the mock trial’s outcome, the cleanup took far longer than the setup. Once it was done, Misono Izumo, who’d served as judge, clapped her hands twice to grab everyone’s attention.

“Alright, we’re starting a one-hour study session now.”

For some, it was a declaration of hell. Kamishiro Haruka and Natori Mayoi, who aren’t exactly study enthusiasts, visibly grimaced.

“Zuu-chin, what’re you talking about? We’re obviously gonna play now, right?”

“What’re you talking about? This is a study camp, so we study.”

“You’re joking, right, Misono? We studied plenty during the day.”

“Do I look like I’m joking? I focused on my own work all day, so tonight, I’m cracking the whip.”

“No way…!”

Haruka let out a pathetic, near-tearful wail, but as Izumo said, this is a study camp. It’s all about studying. Save the board games for the bus ride home.

“Still, I can’t teach everyone alone, so it’d help if Aoyagi-kun pitched in.”

Izumo smoothly invited Uryu to join, her tone so natural that he wouldn’t overthink it. Nice move, Izumo.

“Of course, I’ll help however I can.”

“Then we’re in too! Right, Ai-chan?”

“Yeah, I was planning to study tonight anyway.”

But naturally, if Uryu’s in, Rando-dono wouldn’t just sit back. She roped in Ai-chan, quickly signaling their participation.

Did those two idiots even hear Ai-chan’s comment? They should focus on studying before exams instead of just playing.

“More people, huh? Miharu, help teach too. You can study on your own when there’s no questions.”

Worried about the increased group, Izumo called on Tsukikage Miharu. It’s fair to involve her, even if it’s a study camp, but I hope it doesn’t backfire.

“If anyone else wants to join, come to the lobby anytime.”

Izumo addressed the four of us who hadn’t been called—me, Horimoto Shoki, Kirita Akari, and Tsuyu.

“Hold up! If it’s optional, I’m out!”

“Me too! I can study alone! Probably, maybe, definitely!”

Realizing it wasn’t mandatory, Mayoi and Haruka protested like kids. Their desperation to escape the study session was clear, but—

“You think idiots get veto power?”

“Guh…!”

Izumo’s brutal words sank them instantly. Haruka’s grades aren’t that bad, but taking a hit from Izumo means she knows she needs to study. If she could channel her athletic focus into academics, she’d do better, but that’s up to the teachers.

“I’ll join too. I’ve still got some weak spots.”

Horimoto Shoki, mediocre in both studies and sports, was the first to speak up. Declaring his intent, he followed the others to grab his pencil case and books. Probably a smart move for getting closer to Haruka.

“Yukiya-san, what about you? Joining?”

Forgetting the judge’s verdict, Tsuyu casually asked me. I don’t mind, but…

“No way. I got most of what I wanted done during the day.”

I didn’t come here by choice. I borrowed Shoki’s health textbook and covered the exam material already—no need to study at night.

“Then I’ll join. I’d rather study where I can ask questions.”

Hearing that, I realized Tsuyu wasn’t ignoring the verdict. She wanted to know my choice to avoid contact. Surprisingly dutiful.

“…Plus, I can observe the people who admire Onii-chan.”

Tsuyu, please tuck away that shady aura. This is a study session, not a time to size up your seniors.

I got worried about Tsuyu doing something unintentionally wild, but I’ll leave that to Uryu. A brother’s responsible for his sister, obviously.

That means I’m free. With my stuff, tinkering with my laptop in my room sounds best. I can’t exactly sleep while others are studying—that’s the least consideration I can show.

“Um, Hirose-kun!”

As I headed to my room to kill time, Kirita Akari, lingering in the lobby, called out to me.

Right, she hadn’t decided what to do either. You’d think Izumo would’ve roped her in.

“What’s up?”

Turning to her, Akari took a deep breath. Then, as if steeling herself, she fixed me with a determined gaze.

“I actually have something I want to talk about…”

Chapter 152: Tonight’s Dance

“No, move faster.”

“Ow!”

“Too sudden, huh? Start slow, then speed up as you get the hang of it.”

“S-Sorry. I’ve never done this before.”

“Neither have I. We’ll just have to wing it.”

“Okay, thanks, Hirose-kun.”

“What’re you saying? I’m the one who should thank you. I’m the one getting the good deal here.”

“R-Really?”

I flashed a grin at Kirita Akari, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.

“‘Love-Struck Shuri-chan’ leaping into 3D—there’s no greater thrill than this.”

“Haha, ha…”

What’s with that awkward laugh? Weren’t you moved by my enthusiasm?

Despite my suspicion at Akari’s hesitant chuckle, I focused on coaching her dance moves while watching the video.

Right now, Akari and I are in an unused room on the first floor, one nobody’s claimed for the camp.

Akari asked me earlier to teach her the “Love-Struck Shuri-chan” dance, and while everyone else is buried in studying, here we are.

That said, practicing in one of our rooms risked someone dropping by for books and making a fuss, so we snuck into this empty room.

About ten minutes into starting my laptop and guiding her through the video, Akari was struggling to pick up the choreography.

“Bit late to say, but shouldn’t you change clothes?”

Like me, Akari was still in the ryokan’s yukata, which looked restrictive for moving her legs. It’d be fine for a festival dance, but…

“You’re right. It’s a bit hard to move, so I should…”

Mid-sentence, Akari put a hand to her mouth, lost in thought. Glancing at me, she lifted the yukata, which reached below her knees, up to above them.

It wasn’t much different from her school skirt’s length, but the yukata’s rarity gave it a subtle allure. In one word: kinda sexy.

“L-Like this?”

“If you’re cool with it, I guess it’s fine?”

Despite doing it herself, Akari’s face was beet red. Sure, exposing her legs suddenly might be embarrassing, but why not just change? It’s not fixed in place, so it might slip while dancing.

“Ah…”

Hearing my reply, her expression softened with a hint of joy. I didn’t say anything special, but it was clearly different from before.

“What’s up all of a sudden?”

When I asked, Akari shook her head slightly.

“Nothing. Just noticed you called me ‘you’ [omae].”

“Huh?”

Her answer only confused me more. What’s so great about that? As I puzzled over it, Akari hurriedly added.

“L-Like, when we first talked, you called me ‘you’ [kimi]! Now it’s different!”

“Hm, I don’t get it. You prefer ‘omae’ over ‘kimi’?”

Generally, ‘omae’ comes off as rough or rude, not exactly positive. I couldn’t grasp why Akari was happy about it, but—

“…Yeah. It feels closer than before.”

Her voice softened, but she stated it clearly. I kinda got it—maybe the roughness of ‘omae’ implies familiarity? I didn’t mean it that way, but it’s true my way of addressing her has shifted.

“Anyway, enough about me. What about Uryu? You barely talked to him today.”

I hadn’t had a chance to point it out since we hadn’t talked one-on-one, but Akari never asked Uryu any study questions. Sure, Rando-dono and Natori Mayoi might’ve hogged him, but with a bit of initiative, she could’ve jumped in. Objectively, I didn’t sense that drive from her.

“Field-wise, I thought asking Miharu-chan would be better.”

“Fair, but if you keep saying that, you’ll fall behind Rando-dono and the others. You okay with that?”

I don’t want anyone slacking until Uryu gets a girlfriend. To nab a big shot like him, rivals need to push each other to improve.

If Akari’s at risk of falling out, I’d go all-in to back her up. All for my peace. To live my precious school days calmly.

“…Yeah, maybe that’s fine.”

“What?”

I meant to fire her up, but her unexpected reply threw me.

“That’s fine” means giving up on Uryu, right? Did I push her too hard, making her feel she had to quit?

“Wait, hold on!”

If it’s my fault, I need to fix it fast. I scrambled for words.

“Look, as you can see, that idiot’s a fortress. He’s not the type to fall for someone easily.”

Explaining it made me a bit sad. Honestly, I want him to fall for someone quick, but reality’s as I just said.

“So, like, it’s fine if someone takes it slow. Maybe he’d even prefer that over someone coming on strong.”

Akari, head bowed, let out a relieved chuckle as I gestured wildly.

The source, of course, was the girl in front of me.

“What’s that about?”

“…Just thinking, Hirose-kun’s really kind.”

I didn’t get it. How’s me pressuring her about Uryu kind? As I wondered—

“Hirose-kun, do you have someone you like?”

Bending slightly, Akari looked up at me with a question.

Chapter 153: A Storm of Questions

“What’s that? Is there a point to answering?”

“Yeah. I’d be happy if you answered properly.”

“Not about being happy—I’m asking if it matters.”

“It does matter. I think it’s important for you too, Hirose-kun.”

Her serious expression convinced me to answer without dodging. Who I like shouldn’t have anything to do with her love life, but whatever.

“Just to clarify, you mean romantically, right?”

“Yeah, that’s what I want to know.”

“Then no one. Satisfied?”

I answered bluntly, and Kirita Akari let out a cheerful “I see…!” I stared at her, completely lost.

“So, you’re not dating Tsuyu-chan, right?”

“…Sigh.”

It’s back to me, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

About Tsuyu, I got bombarded with questions after that mock trial. Not just during the argument with the first-year duo, but apparently, she spilled stuff during the bath too.

The issue was supposed to be settled, so why’s it being dragged up again? We’re in the middle of “Love-Struck Shuri-chan” mode, and I’m ready to groan.

“Not dating. She said she didn’t need an answer anyway.”

“Answer? Tsuyu-chan confessed to you?”

“Huh?”

Realizing the mismatch, Akari and I widened our eyes at each other.

“Wait, didn’t you hear about it from Tsuyu at the hot springs?”

“No. She talked about how you two met and why she likes you, but nothing about a confession.”

“…”

Worst-case scenario. I dug my own grave. She was so bold objecting in that mock trial, I assumed everyone knew. Tsuyu, make up your mind—spill it or keep it quiet!

“I see, so Tsuyu-chan even confessed.”

Once that’s out, love-gossip-hungry girls will pounce. She didn’t jump in earlier, but Akari’s no exception.

“…Keep that to yourself, please. I want to avoid more complications.”

Ugh, why am I begging Akari over this? It’s my fault, I know, but it stings. Just as I thought, this study camp’s dragged me into a mess.

“That’s fine, but can I ask one more question?”

“A trade, huh? You’ve gotten cunning.”

“No, I mean, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“What? You’re satisfied just asking?”

When I pressed, Akari gave an ambiguous smile instead of words. What’s with her? She’s been acting weird since we started talking about crushes.

“Are you planning to date Tsuyu-chan?”

Her oddness seemed tied to the question itself.

Otherwise, there’s no need for such a serious face over someone else’s love life. It’d be more fun to keep it light and playful.

“I told you, she’s not asking for an answer right now.”

“Even so, it won’t just end with nothing, right? I bet Tsuyu-chan will want an answer eventually.”

“…”

I don’t need Akari to tell me that. That’s why I want to give her an answer soon. I don’t want to rob Tsuyu’s youth by dragging it out.

But is there really a need to delay? Do I seriously think my rigid mindset will change over time?

“…No way I’d date her.”

I threw my honest feelings at Akari. If Tsuyu demanded an answer now, that’s all I could say.

“Why not?”

“What?”

She didn’t look happy or sad, just curious, her gaze steady. Those eyes felt like they were stripping away my escape routes.

“Tsuyu-chan’s super cute and pretty. Her manners are refined, she’s polite, and you can tell she really likes you, even to us around her. A girl this great is rare, don’t you think?”

Akari’s right. Maybe it’s the Aoyagi blood, but Tsuyu’s top-tier. Looks, personality—both premium. She’s in an all-girls school now, so it’s less obvious, but in a co-ed school, guys would be all over her. She’s that charming.

That’s exactly why I can’t understand why it’s me.

“That’s none of your business.”

In the end, I dodged with a catch-all phrase. There’s no reason to spill my and Tsuyu’s business to a gossip-loving girl. It’s easy to justify it as being unfair to Tsuyu.

“If that had been the end of it.”

But Akari stepped forward, her unwavering eyes piercing me.

“No, it’s not. This is between me and Tsuyu—”

“Yeah, it’s your and Tsuyu-chan’s issue, and I’m not involved. But if you’re not planning to date her, that’s a different story.”

“What…!”

“I want to know why you won’t date her. Is it her looks? Personality? Age? Family?”

Spilling words like a torrent, Akari paused for a breath, then faced me.

“Is there room for me to step in?”