My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 183 & 184 & 185

Chapter 183: Mother and Daughter’s Conversation

About an hour after Yukiya bolted from Izumo’s room, Izumo finished studying the exam material using the notebooks he brought and headed to the living room.

“Oh, did you get some rest?”

The noisy brothers were nowhere to be seen, just her mother preparing dinner.

“Nope, I was studying the whole time.”

“Hey, I know exams are important, but you need to rest properly.”

“I slept all morning, so I’m not tired. Plus, my fever’s gone down, so I’m fine.”

“Really? You’re always pushing through, so I can’t fully trust you.”

“It’s fine this time. It was mostly sleep deprivation anyway.”

“Honestly, the study camp was shocking enough—don’t give your mom a heart attack.”

“I said I’m sorry.”

Talking with her mom was one of the few things that let Izumo relax. At school, she’s the class rep; at home, she’s the big sister.

“What do you want to do? Dinner’s not ready yet. Wanna take a bath? You must’ve sweated a lot.”

“Hmm, I’ll bathe tomorrow morning. Don’t want the fever coming back.”

“Fair enough.”

While chatting, Izumo grabs mineral water from the fridge. Pouring it into a glass and taking a sip, she asks her mother’s back.

“Mom, did you meet Hirose Yukiya?”

Izumo brings up the classmate who fled her room earlier. Since her mom greeted him at the door, it’s obvious they met, but she asks to start the conversation.

“Oh, I met him. He didn’t seem as bad as you made him out to be. Super innocent, too.”

“Innocent…?”

Izumo tilts her head at her mother’s words. Yukiya’s got a certain naive side, sure, but his bolder traits overshadow it, so it doesn’t quite fit.

“Well, he got really down when I said that.”

“…I can’t picture that at all.”

To Izumo, Yukiya’s the poster child for doing his own thing, never caring about others’ opinions. Imagining him brooding over someone’s words almost makes her laugh. No way he’s that sensitive.

“Anyway, he was an interesting kid. Kind of hard to pin down.”

“Are you actually complimenting him?”

“I am, I am. Felt like if I poked him more, he’d show all sorts of sides.”

Her mom gives a positive verdict, but Izumo inwardly questions if it’s really praise.

Her mom’s a bit too casual, so it’s not surprising she’d mess with a classmate like Yukiya. But hearing her call him interesting makes Izumo curious about their exchange. Still, asking might lead to teasing, so she holds back. Better not stir the pot.

“Bring him back sometime. I wanna hang out with him too.”

Izumo’s dumbfounded by her mom’s innocent request. After thinking it over, she decides to be blunt.

“Uh, that’s probably not happening.”

She didn’t even bring him this time, and she can’t imagine controlling a guy like Yukiya. Who could’ve predicted he’d show up to check on her today?

“Huh? Why not?”

Her mom, unaware of the context, asks the obvious question.

“You’re close enough for him to visit, right?”

“Well, he’s got this sense of duty. Doesn’t matter if he likes you or not—if he decides to do something, he does it.”

“What’s that mean?”

“He came because he had a reason. If there’s no reason, he won’t.”

“Well, yeah, people don’t visit without a reason.”

“Exactly. So I don’t think he’ll come back.”

“…What’s that mean?”

Her mom looks confused, but Izumo can’t explain it any better.

This time, Yukiya came to apologize, thinking he caused her illness. He also helped her prepare for the exams to beat Uryu.

But it’s not because he wants her to like him. It’s just part of his plan to set Uryu up with someone. Unless something beneficial to Yukiya happens at her house, he won’t return—that’s what Izumo thinks.

“Besides, we’re not even that close.”

Until recently, they’d bicker every time they crossed paths. They’ve spent time together, often dragged into things or dragging others in, but she’d never call them close.

If Yukiya denied her claim of closeness, it’d hurt—worse than when he snapped at her during the camp.

So, to protect herself, Izumo says they’re not close, but her mom just stares at her, puzzled.

“You’re not not close, though, right?”

“Huh?”

Her mom’s unexpected words catch Izumo off guard. Oblivious to her daughter’s thoughts, she continues.

“You’re the one thinking that, right?”

“No, it’s more like he thinks that.”

“Oh, then you’re definitely not not close.”

Wondering why her mom’s so hung up on this, Izumo finally hears the reason.

“Because Hirose-kun said you’re friends.”

Time stops for Izumo. Her mom’s bombshell leaves her visibly frozen.

Hirose Yukiya called her a friend…?

“That’s just, like, he said it because you asked about our relationship, right?”

Unable to believe it, Izumo grasps at the first explanation that comes to mind. Yukiya wouldn’t say they’re enemies to someone he visited, so he went with “friends,” she reasons.

“Nope. When we first met, he called you a classmate.”

“What…”

“He went out of his way to correct himself, so at least he thinks you’re friends, don’t you think?”

“…”

“Oh, and his face when he said it? So adorable. Full-on embarrassed vibes. After seeing that, I can’t think of him as anything but innocent.”

“…”

Her mom’s relentless revelations stir Izumo’s emotions.

She’d accepted it. Even after Yukiya left, she thought he was just fulfilling a duty, nothing more. That’s why it ended with him joking like usual and her yelling back—a normal, unsatisfying conclusion she’d resigned herself to.

But she was wrong. At least Yukiya feels some friendship toward her. He’s never shown it to her face, yet he told someone else.

Feeling a restless itch, Izumo can’t stay still. She puts the water back in the fridge and heads for the hallway.

“Hey, where are you going mid-conversation?”

“To study.”

“What!? I told you to rest, didn’t I?”

“No way, I’m studying.”

“Ugh…”

Her mom’s exasperated as Izumo stubbornly leaves the living room. Study, drink water, study again—even during exam season, she wishes her daughter would embrace a more youthful life.

And above all…

“Why’s she grinning like that while saying she’s gonna study…?”

She can’t help but worry about her daughter’s mental state.

T/M: Second one DOWN

Chapter 184: Bad Friend

The next day, the first day of final exams. Still reeling a bit from Madam Misono’s verbal beatdown, I drag myself to school. Looks like Izumo’s cold didn’t transfer to me, and I’m feeling fine.

That said, I start worrying if Izumo made it to school okay. But when I get to the classroom, she’s already there, chatting with classmates.

I plop into my seat and let out a breath. At least it doesn’t look like Izumo’s going to lose by default.

“Hey, did you listen to our messages?”

“I did, I did. Thanks so much—they really cheered me up.”

“Good, it was worth the embarrassment!”

“Right?”

Sounds like they’re talking about the voice recorders I gave her yesterday.

Speaking of which, what do I do about those? I handed over two in the heat of the moment. Is Izumo going to keep them forever? If she wants to save the messages, I’d like her to cover the ten-thousand-yen cost. That’s a lot for a high schooler, though. Still, I got money from Natori Mayoi, so letting Izumo off free feels unfair.

…Whatever, I’ll figure it out later. I probably won’t use them much anymore anyway.

While I’m mulling this over, watching the girls talk, my eyes meet Izumo’s.

She shoots me a sharp glare and whips her head away. Her face screams she’s still mad. Guess the sweat smell comment from yesterday is still lingering. Not something a night’s sleep could erase. Lesson learned.

But I’ve got my own bone to pick. Izumo might be treating me like a fifth-grader. Calling a fine second-year high schooler like me a kid? If that’s true, I’m ready to take it to court. Well, I can deal with that after exams.

“Morning.”

Soon, yesterday’s MVP, the annoyingly good-looking Aoyagi Uryu, strolls in.

I found out later, but this guy was sharp enough to call my dad so my family wouldn’t worry.

Dad really appreciated it and asked me to thank him, but I’m not doing it. I’m done with gratitude arguments after yesterday. Sorry, Dad, I’m defying you. Forgive your unfilial son.

“How’d it go yesterday?”

Uryu sits down and gets right to it. He helped a ton, so it’s natural he’s curious.

“Pretty well, I think.”

I’m ignoring the part where we parted ways. That was just necessary banter to get back to normal.

“Nice.”

“Couldn’t have done it without help, though.”

I’m not thanking him, but I’ll admit I didn’t do it alone. That’s the truth.

“That’s fine. Thinking you can solve everything solo is pure arrogance.”

My answer must’ve rubbed him wrong because Uryu snaps back, sounding curt. That’s rare—Uryu’s usually not this sulky.

“…What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“Nothing. Just thought your success counts as yours, even if you had help.”

“That’s weird. I wouldn’t have succeeded without help.”

“Relying on others is the success, compared to failing alone.”

“…What are you even saying?”

I get his take on success, but why’s he bringing this up? I thought he might be stressed about exams, but I’ve never seen him like that.

Confused, I ask directly, and Uryu sighs, propping an elbow on his desk.

“…Look, I’m just saying rely on people more. Don’t stew alone.”

“…”

Uryu avoids my eyes, looking unusually off-balance, which is kind of amusing.

All that vague talk just to say that? He’s clumsier than I thought. The success stuff was irrelevant.

Well, putting that aside for now.

“I think I rely on you plenty.”

He’s acting like I’m always failing solo, but I’ve succeeded with his help plenty of times. Izumo’s case, Rando-dono’s case—he was there. No need to spell it out.

“…Really?”

“Why would I lie?”

“You bottle up heavy stuff, though. Like the day before yesterday on the way back.”

“Oh…”

So that’s why he’s saying this—because I worried him after the study camp. I couldn’t tell anyone about that, and even if I had, no one but Dad could’ve helped.

So this guy’s still hung up on that? I thought I’d cleared things up yesterday, but how much of a worrier is he? He’s more protective than my mom.

“Uryu.”

“What?”

“You’re a good guy.”

“Huh? That’s normal.”

I meant it as a compliment, but he gets all snappy. Wait, didn’t he call me a good guy yesterday? I thought he was nuts then, and maybe he’s thinking the same now.

But “normal,” huh?

What’s normal? What’s Uryu’s baseline for “normal”?

Because we know each other? Nah, just going to the same school wouldn’t make him worry this much.

Because we’re classmates? Nope. Closer than acquaintances, sure, but even Uryu wouldn’t fuss over forty people. Doesn’t seem like his style.

So, his “normal” must be a higher-tier relationship.

Like with Izumo, I’m curious about our dynamic.

“Hey, Uryu.”

“Now what?”

“What do you think of me?”

I decide to ask what I was saving for after exams, going with the flow.

I’m dying to know. With all this concern, he can’t just see me as a classmate.

Maybe this guy feels some kind of friendship toward me.

“…What? Some psych test?”

But the supposedly top student completely misses my point, giving me a skeptical look.

“Or did you see something on TV last night? You’re so impressionable.”

“No way!”

I snap at Uryu, who’s veering off in the wrong direction. This jerk thinks I’m some kid who copies everything he sees or hears.

“I mean it literally. Like, do you feel, uh, something more than just classmates with me…”

I try to reset his brain with a clearer explanation.

But avoiding the word “friend” makes it super awkward. Crap, will this even get through to this blockhead?

“Oh, that. Yeah, I do.”

“Whoa…!”

To my surprise, Uryu answers instantly. I asked if he feels more than classmates, and he said yes.

Holy crap, are Uryu and I actually friends?

“Whoa, my ass. What do you want to know?”

“Second question.”

“Ask away.”

Don’t let your guard down. This guy loves to build you up and knock you down. I need a clear answer.

“For the record, you answered yes.”

“This is a psych test.”

“How would you describe our relationship in two kanji?”

“…Huh?”

“Four hiragana’s fine too. Go ahead!”

My perfect leading question traps Uryu. I push for an answer before he can think. That’s when people’s true feelings slip out.

Come on, spit it out, Uryu. Say “friends” already.

“…Wait, are you trying to make me say ‘friends’ or ‘best friends’?”

“What…?”

Just when I’m sure of victory, Uryu puts a hand to his mouth and says that. No way—not just friends, but best friends? …Wait, how’d he see through my plan?

“Got it. If I say ‘friends,’ you’ll make me look like an idiot.”

“Huh? Look like?”

“Trying to mess with my head before exams, huh? You’re really rooting for Misono, Yukiya.”

“…?”

Something’s off. We were on the same page, but now we’re not. Why’d Izumo’s name come up? What’s this about a mental attack?

I’m not sure if he cracked my strategy, but Uryu starts talking with a smug look.

“For the record, even if you asked straight-up, I wouldn’t answer like that. Like I’ve said before, you and I aren’t like that.”

“No way. What’s ‘like that’ even mean? Too many pronouns.”

“I’m saying our relationship isn’t something you can sum up in a word.”

That’s absurd. How do you define a relationship without words? That’d make us just classmates by default.

“Well, if I had to pick…”

Sensing my frustration, Uryu, who’d avoided labeling, starts to speak—

“You and I are like bad friends.”

He nods, satisfied with himself.

“So, what’s the test result?”

“Wait, hold up! Hold on!”

I’m thrown by his sudden answer.

“What’s ‘bad friends’? What kanji?”

“Bad as in evil, friend as in friend.”

“Evil friends!? We’re evil friends!?”

“Look it up in a dictionary.”

“Don’t have one!”

“You can check on your phone.”

“Don’t have that either!!”

“Guess you’re screwed.”

“Just tell me!!”

“No way.”

“After all that ‘rely on me’ crap!?”

“Idiot, Yukiya. Not telling you is what bad friends do.”

“I don’t even know what bad friends means!!”

In the end, I learn nothing before the first day’s exams start. I consider hitting the library for a dictionary, but unlike regular classes, I can’t be late, so I hold off.

For now, I decide to think of “friends” as a good omikuji draw and “bad friends” as a lesser one to calm myself. A desperate fix, but it’ll do.

Damn it, Uryu, what the hell’s a bad friend…?

Chapter 185: Friends

The final exams are over, and it’s Wednesday of the following week. After homeroom, I’m sitting quietly at my desk in the classroom.

It’s not that I have nothing to do—Izumo told me to wait here.

I know why. Today, all the exam papers were returned. The official report cards aren’t out yet, but with the tests back, the top students can probably guess their rankings.

Izumo, in particular, has been checking in with Uryu during every break after a test was returned. I’ve been stepping out each time, but the results should be clear by now. Otherwise, she wouldn’t ask for a moment like this.

So, I’m waiting in an empty classroom, but the key person got called away by the tea ceremony club advisor about a camp and isn’t here.

Bored, I flip through the Kojien dictionary I borrowed from the library last week.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the meaning of “bad friend” and looked it up right after the first exam day. Nervously opening the entry, I found this:

“① A friend who is bad to associate with. A companion with whom one does bad things or is negatively influenced.”

I was floored—it wasn’t just a bad draw; it was downright ominous. I wasn’t trying to pitch my usefulness to Uryu, but knowing he might think I’m “bad to associate with” didn’t sit well.

But the entry continued:

“② (Affectionately, in an ironic sense) A close friend or playmate.”

Who could blame me for muttering, “These are completely different meanings,” twice?

Still, the second definition gave me some hope. The problem is, which one did Uryu mean? His tone didn’t make it clear.

I couldn’t figure it out alone, so the next day, before exams, I grabbed Uryu by the collar and demanded answers.

“Bad friend? Did I say that?”

Unbelievably, the guy who memorizes vocab and formulas perfectly claimed he forgot what he said the day before. How could someone like him have such a selective memory? He wouldn’t engage, so the truth about “bad friend” was buried.

This “Uryu Memory Cinderella Incident” made me rethink. Those voice recorders? I need them. They’re my trusty sidekicks, ready in my pocket for moments like this.

“Sorry, I’m late!”

While I’m replaying last week in my head, Izumo rushes into the classroom, wiping her forehead.

It’s peak summer, and even a little movement makes you sweat. Aside from girls wearing lighter clothes, it’s hands-down the worst season.

Izumo heads to her desk, pulling a sheet of paper from her bag. I assume it’s a record of her and Uryu’s test scores.

Come to think of it, this is the first real talk we’ve had since I visited her last week. Exam week meant early dismissals, and this week, she’s been glued to Uryu—checking scores, I mean.

“So, how’d it go?”

As Izumo approaches with the paper, I ask. She’s been chasing Uryu’s tail—did she finally catch up?

“Sorry, I came up a bit short.”

Her opening apology says it all.

Unfortunately, it seems Izumo couldn’t beat Uryu this time either.

“But I think I did better than usual.”

She hands me the paper, which, as expected, lists her and Uryu’s scores by subject.

“Four points!?”

The total score difference is just four points. I don’t remember exactly, but their usual gap on regular tests is around fifteen points or more. Uryu’s scores are that dominant.

Yet this time, it’s only four points. Some subjects even show Izumo winning. Uryu’s scores didn’t drop, so Izumo must’ve just pushed harder.

“Usually, I’d tie at best, but this time, I won a few subjects. It’s still a loss, but I’ve never seen Aoyagi-kun that rattled.”

“…Nice.”

Seeing Izumo talk so happily, I can’t help but smile. She didn’t win overall, but closing the gap like this? Uryu’s going to have to watch out for her now.

“You did it.”

“Well, the overall ranking’s the same.”

“Doesn’t matter. If Uryu got shaken, you’re holding your own against Rando-dono and the others, right?”

“…I hope so.”

Izumo’s response is a bit hesitant. I get it—there’s no telling what gets through to that blockhead Uryu. All her effort could still fizzle out. Thinking about it, I was pretty reckless cheering her on. Gotta reflect on that.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

As the exam talk wraps up and I sit up straight, Izumo fiddles with her bangs, looking at me.

“Exams are over, so I wanted to thank you again.”

“Thank me?”

“Yeah. I could fight through the exams because of your support. Really, thank you.”

Her gentle smile catches me off guard, and I flinch, not used to this side of her. I’m way more familiar with her angry face.

“I appreciate the thanks, but if I hadn’t said all that, you might not have caught a cold. Hard to accept it fully.”

“No, it’s the opposite. Without that, I’d have ended with my usual scores. In a way, catching a cold was the right move.”

Izumo giggles, hand to her mouth. It’s nice my screw-up’s being brushed off, but it throws me off. Was she always this smiley?

“Want me to teach you to study?”

Out of nowhere, Izumo leans forward, her face screaming it’s a brilliant idea.

“Why studying?”

“I said it’s thanks. Studying’s all I can teach.”

“Hard pass.”

School studies are mind-numbingly dull. I can’t see them being useful after graduation, so I’m not exactly thrilled.

“What? The perfect-score champ doesn’t need my lowly lessons?”

“It’s not that. I just hate studying.”

“…How’d you even beat Aoyagi-kun?”

“Wasn’t trying to.”

I just wanted a laptop. And maybe to shut up those idiots messing with Horimoto Shoki. That’s it.

“Then what? Etiquette or manners? You really need to stop waltzing in late.”

“Look, I don’t need thanks. Your words are enough.”

“But—”

“No buts or wars. And etiquette? I’m not your… wait!”

I stop mid-sentence, remembering a critical issue.

The theory that Izumo sees me as a fifth-grader. Talking to me like she does her brothers. Teaching study is one thing, but etiquette and manners? That’s not for classmates. Okay, let’s ignore whether I lack those for now.

“Misono Izumo, I’ve got something to say.”

“G-go ahead.”

“I’m not your brother! I’m not that childish, and I’m your classmate. Treat me accordingly!”

There, I’ve declared it. If I’m wrong, fine—what matters is setting things straight.

“…”

Izumo looks stunned. So she was treating me like a kid? Unforgivable, but I’m magnanimous. If she fixes it, I’ll let it slide.

“Hehe.”

As I stand smug with my arms crossed, Izumo smirks back. What’s this? Isn’t this where she apologizes?

“I’ll admit, there was a time I thought that way. If it made you feel bad, I should apologize.”

“Admirable attitude.”

“But I don’t think that now.”

“Huh?”

A weird preamble.

Then, pointing between us, I get why she’s smirking.

“Because we’re friends, right?”

“What!”

Her hearsay phrasing confirms it—Madam spilled what I said.

“I was shocked you thought of me like that.”

“Grr…!”

Her syrupy tone makes my face heat up. Yeah, I said we’re friends, but spilling it, Madam? That’s low.

“If we’re friends, I can teach you to study or call you out on manners. Normal stuff, right?”

“Was it…?”

Teaching etiquette to friends? I’m too inexperienced to know.

Fine. Embarrassment’s fleeting. She called me a friend—that’s what counts. I’ll plan a counterattack later and retreat while the damage is light.

But Izumo’s follow-up hits faster than my exit.

“So, don’t complain if I mess with you more than usual, okay—Yukiya.”

“Wha—”

The unfamiliar name throws me. Izumo looks tickled too, and, unable to stand the vibe, she quickly adds,

“We’re friends! Calling you by name is normal! I can’t keep using your full name forever, right!?”

“I-Is that how it works…?”

Clueless about what’s normal, I can only nod vaguely. She does call her friends by name, I think.

But doesn’t she use last names with “-kun” for guys? She always used my full name.

“That’s how it is! I’ve got club, so I’m out! See you tomorrow!”

Before I can ask, Izumo grabs her bag and bolts.

A wave of exhaustion hits, like a storm just passed, and I sink into my chair.

Izumo’s friend declaration overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t say a thing back.

“Got it…”

The sounds of club activities echo in the quiet classroom. Hearing the lively voices of high schoolers undaunted by summer heat, I think to myself.

“If we’re friends, I can call her by name too.”

It’s peak summer, plagued by cicadas and scorching sun—a hellish time I’d rather spend indoors with AC.

Yourei High just finished final exams and is about to head into summer break.