My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 180 & 181 & 182

Chapter 180: Yukiya’s Message

“Ugh, I showed such an embarrassing side.”

After crying her heart out, Izumo wipes her eyes, looking a bit sheepish. She’s probably embarrassed for breaking down like that in front of someone—a delayed reaction now that she’s calmed down.

“But you feel better now, right?”

“…Yeah.”

I know the feeling. Just yesterday, spilling my guts to Dad lifted a huge weight off me, like I was freed from something. I hope the messages from our classmates have lightened Izumo’s heart too.

“Thank you for such a wonderful gift. I don’t know how to put it—I’m really touched.”

“Tell that to Uryu. He’s the one who gathered everyone’s messages.”

Her sincere words catch me off guard, and I dodge them reflexively.

Honestly, those messages wouldn’t have come together without Uryu. Even if I’d tried my hardest, people would’ve been too suspicious to cooperate. Uryu’s the real hero of Izumo’s comeback.

“Maybe, but you’re the one who came up with the idea and asked Aoyagi-kun, right?”

Izumo doesn’t let it go. Her confident gaze locks onto me, unyielding.

“Am I wrong?”

“Well, it was my idea, but—”

“See? Then thanking you isn’t a mistake. Nothing happens without a plan.”

“Sure, but a plan’s useless without someone to pull it off.”

“And Aoyagi-kun wasn’t the only one pulling it off, was he?”

She points at the two voice recorders still in my hand. I’d thought about not bothering with them since they seemed unnecessary, but Izumo asks with a playful glint in her eye.

“You’ve always been the type to cover your bases. Just in case Aoyagi-kun failed, you were out there doing something too, weren’t you?”

She’s spot-on. I swear she’s got the instincts of a detective from a past life. I’d figured it was almost impossible, but I did prepare for the off chance Uryu couldn’t deliver.

“So, can I borrow those recorders?”

“…”

Her beaming smile disarms me, and I give in. Like before, I toss a recorder to Izumo.

She seems to have a hunch. This time, she presses play without hesitation.

“Izumo-chan, I heard you’re sick, and I’m so worried. If there’s anything I can do, just say the word—I’ll come running!”

The first voice is Kirita Akari’s, full of concern. Izumo mutters, “As expected,” smirking at me.

“Zuu-chin’s got a cold!? You okay!? I’ll keep sending you my energy to help even a little! Hoo-waa-choo!!”

“Colds are rough, huh? I catch them a lot during seasonal changes too. Sleep’s important, but make sure you eat well—nutrition’s key to recovery. Take care, Izumo-chan. You work too hard, so maybe this is a chance to rest.”

“Hmm, I can’t think of anything to say. It’d probably sound fake anyway. Ugh. Look, whether you’re healthy or sick, I’m not following school rules, so if you wanna scold me, get back to school soon.”

“Um, thanks for everything at the camp! I know we haven’t talked much, so this might not mean a lot, but please get better soon! Ai-chan’s been all mopey.”

“Izumo-senpai! The whole tea ceremony club is super bummed! You can pile more work on us, so please take care of yourself!”

“I was shocked to hear you’re sick, Misono-san. At the camp, I was too caught up in my own stuff to support you more, and I regret that. I might not be the most reliable, but I hope you’ll lean on me if—huh, too stiff? Too gloomy? It’s already recording, though!”

Hearing the messages from start to finish makes me squirm. These were just from people I thought I could ask—they’re not tied to the main plan. They don’t prove the class doesn’t dislike Izumo.

My failure’s laid bare, and I almost sigh. I should’ve just trusted Uryu and left it to him.

“Honestly, with all this effort, you should just take pride in it.”

The gloom from earlier is gone, and Izumo teases me playfully.

“Shut up. I couldn’t even do the job right—nothing to be proud of.”

“Isn’t what matters how it reaches the person? Even if this was all I heard, it’d still cheer me up.”

“…Is that so?”

If she says that, my efforts weren’t for nothing. The people who left messages get their due, and I can breathe a little easier. All that running around without lunch was worth it.

“So, where’s your message?”

“Huh?”

I thought we were done, but Izumo suddenly says something confusing. My message? What?

“Your message wasn’t on there. I thought you’d say it in person.”

“I already did, with the apology.”

“I don’t need an apology. I’m not even mad.”

“Maybe not mad, but you were hurt. That’s what I’m apologizing for.”

“Look. You might’ve come to apologize for hurting me, but I’ve been dealing with that for the past year, little by little. An apology now doesn’t really matter.”

“Ugh…!”

Her words leave me speechless. Since first year, we’ve clashed a lot when she tried to correct me. I’ve said plenty of harsh things. To her, an apology might feel out of place.

“Apologies throw me off, so stop it.”

“…You sound like Uryu.”

I’m starting to get what Dad meant. Apparently, I’m not supposed to apologize, even for awful things. What’s wrong with the people around me? This can’t be normal.

“Anyway, back to it. Your message to me.”

“…”

I’m back to square one and stumped. Like with Kirita Akari, am I just spinning my wheels? They’re not mad—they’re grateful. I’m not some saint, so what’s with this treatment? Not that I’m asking to be insulted.

A message for Izumo, huh. I figured apologizing and being forgiven would be enough, so I’m drawing a blank.

If anything, I’d cheer her on with studying, but telling a sick person to push hard feels wrong. Her mental burden’s lifted, but if she overdoes it and can’t take tomorrow’s exams, this was all pointless.

Like the others, wishing her a speedy recovery seems best. It’s the safest bet since I can’t do much else. If only I could take her cold for her…

Lost in that thought, I blurt it out.

“Right, pass your cold to me.”

“…What?”

Izumo looks baffled by my perfect idea. How did I not think of this sooner?

“I’ll stay here as long as I can, so transfer your cold germs to me. You’ll get better, and I just need to recover by the third day for PE. No problem! What do you think!?”

“…”

Silence falls. For some reason, Izumo’s eyes seem softer than usual.

“Can I ask something?”

“Sure, anything.”

“If I give you my cold, will it cure mine?”

“It should, right?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“My cold germs don’t just disappear, do they? Will it really cure me?”

I’m floored.

No way—colds don’t get better by passing them on? I’ve heard that phrase so many times. Is it just an urban legend? I can’t explain the science if she asks.

“Wait, it doesn’t work?”

“Pfft!”

As I seriously puzzle over it, Izumo doubles over, bursting into laughter.

“Hahaha! I thought you were gonna say something serious, but ‘pass your cold’? Are you an idiot!?”

“Grr…!”

My earnest (temporary) message unwillingly puts a smile on Izumo’s face.

“Haha, my stomach hurts! Just picturing your face makes me laugh again!”

“Ugh, enough! You kept harping on about a message! What’s with this treatment!?”

“Come on, acting like it’s some genius plan to pass your cold? Hahaha!”

“Stop laughing!”

Damn… this is just too cruel…

Chapter 181: Back to Normal

“Honestly, making me cry and laugh all in one day—what a busy day.”

“I’m not doing this for fun…”

Izumo flashes me a satisfied smile, clear and bright, no doubt about it. But I can’t fully enjoy it. Obviously, it’s because she’s still laughing her head off at my “pass your cold” suggestion.

“Sorry for laughing so hard.”

“…I don’t see any remorse.”

“Of course not. Your idea was clearly ridiculous.”

“…”

Fine, I get it. I messed up. Can you please stop rubbing it in? Even light jabs can be deadly if they keep coming.

“So, what’s the last voice recorder?”

“Oh.”

Izumo’s eyes sparkle with curiosity, as if expecting something even more entertaining. But the third one isn’t individual messages.

“Just in case, I recorded the morning classes. The voices are a bit distant, but you can make them out. You should be able to review anytime with these.”

I’ve got detailed notes, and I even memorized the material to teach her directly, but there was a chance she’d be too sick to talk.

That’s why I recorded the teachers’ lessons themselves. In a way, it’s probably better than me or the notes.

“…You really don’t miss a thing, do you?”

“Like someone said, I’m always covering my bases.”

With that, I’ve given her everything I prepared. If she asks, “Got anything else?” I’m out of options, but this should be enough, right?

“But I don’t need that one.”

“Huh?”

Izumo points at the recorder in my right hand. It stings a bit to hear my hard work called unnecessary, though I guess listening to four 50-minute classes would be torture.

“Well, I figured you’d manage with the notes.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Hm?”

I’m trying to figure out her point when she sticks her left hand out from her blanket and pats the spot beside her.

“Teach me now. That’s why you came, right?”

For a second, I’m thrown, but it clicks why she doesn’t need the recorder. Fair enough—if I teach her now, she won’t need it.

“Alright—”

I start to move but pause. I’m fine teaching, but I remember what Izumo said when I first entered the room.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, you told me not to come closer earlier, so I wasn’t sure if it’s okay.”

She was probably worried about her smell, but is that settled now? I’m not gonna get a right hook the moment I sit next to her, am I?

“…I forgot.”

“What?”

“I said I forgot! Stop fussing and get over here! You don’t mind catching my cold, right!?”

“That’s fine, but are you sure your fever’s not up? Your face looks redder than before…”

“Mo man tai! No problem!”

You’re not even answering in Japanese—that’s suspicious as hell.

But if she doesn’t care, neither do I. I stand, walk to the bed, and sit next to her. I accidentally step on the edge of her blanket—sorry, but I’m not climbing in with you. That’s a line I can’t cross.

The bed’s super bouncy and comfy, but it might be too wobbly for studying. Also, there’s a desk right there. Shouldn’t we just use that?

“Hey, we don’t have to study here—”

“What, trying to force me to the desk!? So you can rip off my blanket and ogle my pajamas? Too bad, I’m not falling for it!”

“…Yeah, here’s fine.”

Her virus must be eating at her brain, so I decide to teach her like this. I’ll explain what she doesn’t get and leave quick—she needs rest.

With about a fist’s distance between our shoulders, Izumo and I start our study session. Once she focuses, her comprehension is insane. Honestly, I’m not sure I was even needed.

“…I did Akari dirty.”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“Nothing. I’m good now, so you can go. Thanks.”

After about 20 minutes, Izumo, having breezed through four subjects, sets me free.

“Already?”

“There was some review from last time, so the scope wasn’t that big.”

“If you’re sure.”

If she’s satisfied, I’d better get out of here. All that’s left is to hope Izumo shows up to school healthy tomorrow.

“I’ll walk you to the door.”

“Stay here. Sick people need rest.”

She offers as I stand from the bed, but I shut it down.

“But—”

“You planning to wander around wrapped in that?”

“Ugh…”

I point out she’s still clinging to her blanket, and she backs off, looking frustrated. Just saying, I’ve already seen the pajamas.

“Then, I’ll say bye here.”

“Cool.”

“Um, thanks again for everything. I’ll never forget today.”

Her shy attitude is so unlike the usual Izumo, it’s hard to deal with.

Then it hits me. So that’s it—the weird feeling Uryu and Izumo get from me. When someone acts out of character, you want them back to normal. It’s like talking to a stranger.

Knowing that, I’ll throw in one jab to snap her back.

“Guess I won’t forget today either.”

“Hm? What?”

Izumo tilts her head, and I say the one thing I know will make her yell instantly.

“Even with all that sweat, you didn’t smell that bad.”

“Wha… wha…!”

I smirk and give a thumbs-up. Izumo’s face reddens as she trembles.

Then she grabs her pillow, arches back, and pulls her arm.

Hold on, miss! Violence is not the answer!

“Get out, you pervert!!”

“Wait, don’t throw it, don’t throw it!!”

My warning’s useless. Izumo’s furious fastball nails me square in the face.

Fleeing the demon’s wrath, I bolt from her room.

Man, she was pissed—way more emotional than when I said awful stuff at the study camp.

Well, that should kill her shy act. Let’s both stick to being ourselves from now on.

“Oh my, quite the long visit.”

As I head downstairs, Madam’s standing in the hallway like she was waiting.

“Oh, were you waiting the whole time?”

“No, I heard Izumo’s very un-sick-like voice and got curious.”

That yell reached the first floor? It was a demonic roar—might’ve even hit the neighbors.

“So, Hirose Pervert-kun, what were you and Izumo doing alone in her room?”

Uh-oh. Am I… screwed?

Chapter 182: Something Like Friends

“C-calm down, Madam! I ain’t done nothin’ shady, I swear!”

“How about you calm down first?”

I try to defuse the situation with Madam’s quiet, intimidating aura, but she brushes me off lightly. Apparently, I’m the one who’s not calm right now.

But can you blame me? How many people could stay cool when their classmate’s mom calls them a pervert and corners them? If I knew someone with that kind of mental fortitude, I’d give them props, nickname them “Steel Nerves,” and make them handle my tardiness excuses for me.

“Oh, sorry, did I seem mad?”

“Uh, kinda.”

“My bad, my bad. That question was just pure curiosity.”

“Curiosity?”

I echo her, and Madam flashes a mischievous grin.

“Yup. By the way, do you think my daughter’s pretty?”

“Yeah.”

“Instant answer! And you say that with a straight face?”

“Well, it’s true.”

“…You, with that cute face, you’re probably seducing girls left and right, aren’t you?”

“Nah, my face isn’t cute.”

“No, that’s not the part I wanted you to bite on…”

I don’t know which part she meant, but I’m not cute. Also, I’m not seducing anyone. What’s with this lady, spouting nonsense out of nowhere?

I’m fuming at the unfair accusation when Madam crosses her arms, nodding to herself.

“But that instant reply, huh. She’s got good looks, if only she didn’t nag like a mother-in-law.”

“Mother-in-law…”

“She’s so bossy. Runs the house like it’s her own, leaving me, the actual mom, in the dust. Her caregiving’s a double-edged sword—great that she looks after her brothers, but still.”

“Uh-huh…”

I’m bewildered by the aimless conversation when Madam scratches her head, looking apologetic. From what she’s saying, Izumo’s the same at home as at school. Sounds like she’s perfect for class rep—maybe I didn’t need to worry about her in the first place.

“Anyway, back to the point. She’s decent-looking but never had any guys around, so as a mom, I was worried. Then a boy shows up to visit my sick daughter, and I’m getting a little excited!”

“Oh.”

That explains her enthusiasm.

But my perspective, as someone who sees her at school, is different.

Sure, Kamishiro Haruka and Tsukikage Miharu might steal the spotlight, but Izumo’s got her share of popularity. The reason she hasn’t had romantic developments is her crush on Uryu, not a lack of interest from guys. I’m not about to spill that, though—I don’t want Izumo yelling at me for meddling.

Still, I need to correct what needs correcting.

“So, spill! What’s your deal with Izumo?”

I hate to disappoint an excited Madam, but I’ve got to tell the truth.

“Like I said, Izumo-san and I are just cla—”

I start to say “classmates” but stop.

When I got here, I called myself her classmate because I hadn’t apologized yet and didn’t think I could claim more.

But now? Have I become more than a classmate?

Izumo said she wasn’t mad. She thanked me. She asked me to teach her.

Could this be… what friends are?

“Huh? What’s up, what’s up!? Is it some super close relationship!?”

My pause makes Madam think I’m hiding something, and she rapid-fires questions.

“Uh, well…”

Should I say it? What if I’m wrong? That’d be mortifying. Maybe I should stick with “classmates” for safety.

“Apologies throw me off, so stop it.”

I’m about to chicken out when I recall what Izumo said earlier.

Ugh, this is stupid. I’m not the type to overthink like this.

Just say it. There’s nothing to fear.

“Izumo-san and I are, uh, friends… or something like that.”

It’s a bit hedged, but I said it.

It’s fine. If she doesn’t see it that way, I’ll make her see it. Simple.

Now that I’ve said it, it’s not a big deal. My face felt hot at first, but I’m over it.

“Huh?”

I’m pleased with my answer, but Madam’s face sours.

“What, you were that embarrassed just to say that?”

“…”

She’s not teasing—she’s genuinely baffled.

Okay, yeah, it took me a bit to spit it out, but was it that bad?

“…Got it, I understand.”

“Understand what?”

“I take back calling you a pervert.”

“What!?”

I don’t know why, but my reputation’s been restored. I was bracing for a grilling, so this is unexpected.

I’m glad to be cleared, but I don’t get the reason. Should I just be happy I didn’t have to bring up the sweat thing?

“Izumo must’ve misunderstood too. She’s got a cold, so it’s understandable.”

“Uh, why’d you take it back?”

I know I shouldn’t dig, but I’m curious and ask Madam directly.

She responds with, “Oh, that?” and gives me a carefree smile.

“A shy, innocent boy like you doesn’t have the guts to do anything pervy, right?”

“Shy… innocent… boy…?”

Madam’s words stab me without mercy.

“You’d probably blush at a glimpse of underwear, wouldn’t you?”

“N-no way! Of course not!”

“Oh, now I get it. You’re like Rik-kun and Kai-kun. That’s why Izumo wants to mess with you. Makes sense.”

“Like… her fifth-grade brothers…?”

“They barge into her room without knocking but turn red if they catch her changing.”

“I’m… a fifth-grader…?”

Her second and third verbal blades pierce me, leaving me frozen.

Despite clearing the “pervert” label, I’m crushed, my dignity as a man stolen.