My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 195 & 196 & 197

Chapter 195: Gratitude

“If you only look at the outcome, sure, that’s what it seems like.”

I still vividly remember the first time I came to this club room.

I strutted in, full of confidence, and Goriji-senpai’s eyes went wide. Probably didn’t expect a skinny guy like me. Given what sumo’s about, his reaction was totally fair.

His first instruction wasn’t tough training or complex tips—just one line: “Gain 30 kilos.” Words you’d never hear in normal life.

I tried to make it happen. I even got Dad to up my food intake. I was dead serious about sumo, so I went all in.

But my weight only crept up by a bit over 10 kilos. Despite my efforts, my body wouldn’t cooperate.

Goriji-senpai said we wouldn’t spar until I gained those 30 kilos. So, I kept training alone, day after day.

Eventually, I hit my limit. Just training without knowing how strong I’d gotten was wearing me down. Grinding without feedback? Honestly, it was tough.

So, I got selfish for the first time. I begged Goriji-senpai for a match. Not just for me—I felt bad that with only two members, we were stuck doing solo drills.

He resisted for a long time but finally gave in. I thought if I showed some strength, I could spar with him without bulking up. Naive, right?

Then, I fell wrong, hit a bad spot, and broke my left arm. Total self-inflicted disaster.

Couldn’t gain weight, got injured easily—everything screamed I wasn’t cut out for sumo.

After that, while I was recovering, Senpai must’ve thought staying here would let his skills rust.

Not just as a club member, but as a leader, he decided to join a sumo stable. The sumo club became pretty much dormant.

Looking only at results, it’s like I joined, got hurt, got abandoned, and now he’s thriving in a sumo stable while I’m left behind.

“But outsiders who don’t know the process have no right to judge.”

Senpai coached me seriously, even though I was clearly unsuited for sumo. He never went easy because I was a beginner, teaching me techniques to win.

If I couldn’t bulk up, he taught me “henka”—dodging moves he wasn’t used to. All to make me a sumo wrestler.

I’m the one who screwed it up. I pushed him too hard, making him feel guilty for no reason. Without that, he might still be here, training with me.

“Even if you left the club or barely come to school, the Senpai I admire hasn’t changed. Hating you? That’s impossible.”

I declared it firmly. I’m grateful for his dedicated coaching—there’s no way I’d resent him. My arm’s fine now, too. Him dwelling on it is what bothers me.

“Is that so…?”

Senpai muttered, scratching his neck, as if convincing himself more than anyone.

“Actually, I’m the one who should apologize. My inexperience ate up so much of your time.”

If we’re talking about hating, I deserve it more. In our second year’s first term, Senpai barely got to wrestle. The reason? Undeniably me.

“…Haha.”

He laughed at my apology, catching me off guard, and said,

“We’re two peas in a pod, huh?”

“What?”

I didn’t get it. Me, similar to Senpai? It’s flattering, but no way I’m on his level. If it were that easy, I wouldn’t have been so awestruck that day.

Still, he smiled lightly and explained.

“I’m grateful to you too.”

“Grateful?”

“Yeah. I’m not the saint you make me out to be.”

Then, he dropped something I never expected.

“I didn’t even like sumo to begin with.”

It hit like a thunderbolt, shaking the core of what I believed. I couldn’t have imagined it.

“I was always big, even as a kid. A sumo-loving neighbor pushed me into it. I won more than I expected—took first in my debut tournament.”

“Wow…”

“I was proud at first. Got praised, called talented, got cocky. But that made it hard to back out.”

“Back out?”

“Yeah. Over time, I realized I couldn’t get into just winning at sumo.”

His face darkened. The honest feelings of someone blessed for sumo.

“I was expected to go pro. Middle school was all sumo, all the time. It cost me—barely had friends at school. I was frustrated, stuck doing something I didn’t love, missing out on a normal student life.”

Listening, I recalled my own middle school days.

Trauma kept me from a normal student life. I thought it was just how things were, so I didn’t feel Senpai’s kind of frustration, but my days were dull. If I hadn’t come to Yourei High, where would I be? Thinking about it now gives me chills.

“When I started high school, I pushed back a bit. I wanted a school with a sumo club but not a powerhouse. Got into a big fight, but I said I’d make a name from a no-name school, and they reluctantly agreed. That’s how I ended up at Yourei High. It had a sumo club, and the academics weren’t bad.”

The word “academics” sent a shiver through me. Someone aiming for pro sumo wouldn’t care about grades. Which means…

“Senpai, were you planning to quit sumo?”

He gave a faint smile, confirming my guess.

“Life less sumo-obsessed was more fun than I expected. People were shocked by my size, but I made a few friends. The fuller life got, the less I felt I needed sumo at the center. Once the upperclassmen graduated, I’d be alone in the club—easy to make excuses to quit. Sumo was fading from my life when you joined.”

He burst out laughing, a hearty “hahaha.”

“At first, I thought you got the wrong room. You didn’t look like a sumo guy at all. But your eyes changed my mind. I saw real determination to take sumo seriously. So, I buckled down and coached you.”

“You were pretty intense, Senpai.”

“You were serious, so I had to match that energy.”

We laughed together, and he continued.

“Coaching for the first time shifted my view on sumo. My style’s ‘yokozuna sumo’—steady, facing opponents head-on. I’d always won that way, no tricks. But that wouldn’t work for you. Figuring out how to make you win taught me sumo’s depth. It’s not just about clashing and winning. Studying what moves are tough to counter made sumo fun.”

His words clicked something for me.

I never thought Senpai disliked sumo. He seemed fulfilled, even excited at times.

So, while training with me, he started to like sumo? Knowing I sparked that feels genuinely good. After all, he’s why I fell for sumo too.

“You’d think liking it would make me want to spar, but I couldn’t with you. With our weight gap—nearly double—sparring risked injury without real practice value. I thought it’d be ages before we could, but you were frustrated. Makes sense—training without matches, you can’t feel progress. I gave in to your passion and sparred, but… that was a dumb move.”

“Senpai, that’s—”

“Not your fault. I’d been doing sumo for years and couldn’t take you down safely. That’s on me.”

No matter how many times we’ve talked, he won’t budge on this. I was the selfish one, but he insists it’s his fault for sparring. I’ve never regretted anything as much as that moment. Dad was worried sick too.

“But you, enduring the pain, said, ‘Haha, I’ll definitely win next time,’ grinning. That hit me. Here’s my kouhai, fighting like hell, and what am I doing? Sitting on my talent, wasting time at a weak school. I’ve got a bigger stage to fight on.”

“So that’s why…?”

“Yeah, I decided to join a sumo stable. Thanks to you, I found sumo fun again.”

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but my eyes got a bit watery.

I always thought I made the club uncomfortable for Senpai. That my injury forced him to hold back on sumo at school.

But I was wrong. Goriji-senpai left the club with a positive outlook, seeking a new stage for a sport he didn’t always love. Knowing that, I felt relief from the bottom of my heart.

“Thanks, Hirose. You gave me a reason to face sumo again. I can’t thank you enough.”

“All I did was admire you…”

“That’s why I’m grateful. You’re my one and only club kouhai.”

Senpai flashed a toothy grin—the warm smile he gave when I powered through training.

Once again, I felt proud to be in this club with him.

Chapter 196: Looking Ahead

“That’s not what I wanted to talk about.”

After we shared our gratitude, Goriji-senpai got to the real reason he called me here.

“At Yourei High, except for clubs retiring early, third-years have to pass on the club captain role by the end of first term.”

“Oh.”

Right, of course. It’s obvious, but Goriji-senpai can’t stay captain forever. Since he joined the sumo stable, the club’s barely been active. Technically, his name’s still on the roster since club membership’s mandatory, but still.

“I see, so that’s it. You called me to hand over the captain role, right?”

If that’s the case, I’d take it on with full responsibility. Following Senpai as captain’s daunting, but I haven’t been slacking. Even on days he wasn’t here, I kept up my shiko training—my leg strength’s legit.

“Nah, that’s not it.”

“Huh?”

I nearly tripped over my own feet. That was definitely the vibe. What else could it be? I looked at Senpai, and he hesitated before dropping a bombshell.

“Once I’m gone, I’m thinking the sumo club should just shut down.”

“What!?”

How many times is he gonna shock me today? I’m speechless every time.

But he didn’t seem to be joking.

“Shut down? I’m still here, aren’t I?”

I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Maybe there’s some rule about minimum members, but that’s a next-year problem. I just wanted to know what he really meant.

“You cool with that?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“If I’m being conceited, forget I said it.”

With that preface, Senpai spoke as if he saw right through me.

“I thought you joined not for sumo itself, but because you liked me.”

“!”

“I’m not doubting your love for sumo. But can you stay motivated after I officially retire?”

His words hit me hard, making me realize something. Becoming captain means Senpai won’t be around anymore. Could I keep going as captain, waiting for new members who might never show, all alone?

I love sumo. Meeting Senpai made me love it. I even watch pro sumo now, excited at the thought of him stepping into that ring someday.

But I don’t have the same drive to do it myself anymore. Senpai’s absence is part of it, but I also don’t want to worry Dad again. I went back to normal meals, and my weight dropped. Facing the harsh truth that I’m not built for it doesn’t help.

“You’re too loyal for your own good. You might feel obligated to keep the club going for me. But you don’t have to. You’ve got a whole year left—thinking about what else you could do isn’t a bad idea, right?”

“Senpai…”

“I’m not saying quit the club now. If nothing’s decided, stay as long as you want. But if you find something else you’re passionate about, don’t hesitate to leave. That’s all I wanted to say.”

I couldn’t meet his eyes as he crossed his arms and grinned.

Man, how good of a guy is this Senpai? Taking time to tell me this? He’s practically a saint. No friends in middle school? No way—how blind were those people?

“Thanks, Senpai. I’ll think it over.”

“Good. You don’t have to stick to clubs. Friends, dating—those count too.”

“Dating…”

Two girls’ faces popped into my head. Two girls who, for some reason, like a guy like me.

“Oho, what’s that? You got some romance going on?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Come on, spill. I might have some advice.”

His words were kind, but that smirk was all gossip.

“…You just want the juicy details, don’t you?”

“Duh. I’ve never heard you talk about anything romantic.”

“…”

“Don’t give me that look. I meant it about the advice.”

I grumbled for a bit but sighed, giving in.

“No worries, my lips are sealed.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.”

I just felt like talking to someone about my situation. Dad’s fine, but he’d be too biased. In that sense, Senpai might be the perfect listener.

“Uh, I’ll keep their names out of it.”

With that, I laid it out.

Two girls confessed to me. I’ve put both on hold. I’m stuck, no clue how to move forward.

“Huh!? You got confessed to!?”

“Senpai, keep it down!”

“By two girls!? Did you say two!?”

Hearing me out, Senpai slumped into a nearby chair, staring at the ceiling. He looks more shaken than when I broke my arm. Am I imagining that?

“…I thought you were one of us, but you’re on their side…”

“Their side…?”

“Now that I think about it, you’re chummy with those popular third-year girls. No way you’re one of us…”

“No, they’ve got nothing to do with it.”

“See, calling them ‘they’! Flaunting your closeness…”

Oh no. Senpai’s turning to ash, communing with the ceiling. Was this that shocking? Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.

“Sorry, was that too much?”

I asked apologetically, and he finally snapped back, meeting my eyes.

“Nah, sorry, I was escaping reality for a sec.”

“Reality…?”

“You don’t exactly have a great rep, and you know it, so I’ll be blunt.”

“Yeah.”

I get it without him saying. I’ve hurt people with my attitude—something I need to fix.

“But some weirdos were hyping you up.”

“Hyping?”

“No clue, something about ‘coupling.’ Said you’re the perfect ‘back’ or whatever.”

“?”

I tilted my head with him. Valuable info, but no idea what it means, so I erased it from memory. My gut told me it’s better forgotten.

“Whoops, got sidetracked.”

Senpai cleared his throat and looked at me again.

“Honestly, I’m shocked. You’re handling this without skipping around the school. I’d be prancing.”

“That’d be a sight.”

“Idiot, no way that’s happening.”

“Ow!”

He thought I was mocking him and chopped my head.

“Why’d you hit me!?”

“For making fun of me.”

“I wasn’t! You could totally get confessed to—you’re super cool!”

“You need your eyes checked.”

“I’m serious! You’re number two on my cool guy list!”

“Who’s number one? Aoyagi?”

“Haha, no way Uryu makes the cut. It’s my dad.”

“Oh, uh, family takes the top spot…”

Senpai was visibly thrown. Is it weird for Dad to be number one? To me, he’s the unshakable champ.

“Anyway, I figured something out.”

After a rollercoaster of expressions, Senpai slapped his cheeks and faced me seriously.

“Hirose, you’ve got way too little social experience.”

He scratched his head, looking a bit troubled.

“I always thought you were off. You’re surrounded by people but obsess over hanging out with me. That’s not normal thinking.”

“But time with you, since you’re rarely at school, is super rare.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You don’t prioritize someone you barely see.”

“Is that… how it works?”

“At least I think so. You get closer to people you see often, and they climb your priority list. But you keep putting me first. That’s flattering, but if you start connecting with others, I don’t think that’d hold.”

I was confused. I knew I wasn’t great with people, but could I really stop prioritizing someone as awesome as Senpai?

As I wrestled with that, he placed his huge hand on my head.

“Hirose, I don’t know those girls who like you. But you won’t know if they’re important unless you spend time with them. This summer, meet as many people as you can. Meet, meet, meet. That’ll help you figure out what matters most.”

“Does it have to be just them?”

“Nah, comparing with others can highlight their charm too.”

That was more valuable advice than I expected. Like Senpai said, I’ve avoided people too much, just coasting through life.

That’s why I’m stuck, leaving big decisions on hold. To fix that, I’ve got to dive in and connect. Summer break’s homework? This is huge.

“Thanks again, Senpai. Talking to you was the right call.”

“No big deal. I just felt bad for those girls, stuck waiting on you.”

“…Yeah.”

Can’t argue there. If they’re stressing because of me, I need to free them up ASAP.

I don’t get my own love life, but I can’t just stay clueless. I hope summer break moves me forward, even a step.

Not long ago, I was stressing about friends, and now this? High school’s way more complicated than I thought. Probably because I’ve been living on autopilot.

“I’ll work on sorting my priorities.”

“Good. Don’t rush, though. Hurry, sure, but don’t give half-assed answers.”

“Got it. You remember something too, Senpai.”

“Huh? What?”

I looked at his puzzled face and said clearly,

“No matter how much I connect with others, your priority won’t drop much. You’re my solid number two on the favorite people list.”

Senpai’s eyes widened for a second, then he let out a hearty laugh, fitting his massive frame.

“By the way, who’s number one?”

“My dad.”

“Damn, can’t beat family.”

“Even you can’t top that, Senpai.”

“I’d love to meet him sometime.”

“Anytime—you’d be a hit.”

We kept chatting for a long time, joking and having a blast.

The next day, my second high school summer break was about to begin.

Chapter 197: Summer Break, Harehare 1

Two days into summer break, the sunlight’s a bit gentler than usual, but the sheer crowd in Harajuku is already making me dizzy.

I’m standing in Harajuku, my brain freezing at the sight of shoujo manga-style ads for some password app lining the streets, waiting for the people I’m here to meet.

Even hiding in the shade, walking through that packed street would leave me drenched in sweat and exhausted in no time.

I thought this place was totally out of my league, but since they picked it, I had no choice. Wiping sweat, I’m caught between excitement and anxiety about what’s coming.

The reason I’m here? Two days ago, I got an invitation.

※

After the closing ceremony, that evening, I was in my room tackling summer break homework when my charging phone started buzzing.

It was a free Line call from Aoyagi Uryu.

“Sorry, I don’t subscribe to newspapers.”

“If you landed a deal with a phone pitch, that’d be something.”

As expected, it’s Uryu on the other end. Being able to connect outside school does make smartphones handy.

“What’s with the sudden call? A message not good enough?”

“Not that it’s not, but typing’s a hassle.”

“And if I didn’t pick up?”

“Then I’d message.”

I get his point, but his energy-saving attitude toward me is annoying. Sure, calling’s easier, but still.

“So, what’s up?”

“You forgot to share your Line with everyone, didn’t you?”

“Oh.”

His words jog my memory of our morning talk.

I got so caught up with Goriji-senpai’s visit that it slipped my mind. I’ve only swapped with Uryu and Izumo so far.

This is bad. I just talked with Senpai about connecting with more people, and I’m already off to a rough start. School’s out tomorrow—what now?

“So, I’ve got a proposal.”

“Proposal?”

“If you beg me, I might share Kamishiro-san and the others’ contacts.”

What a joke. I can practically see his smirk through the phone.

“Sorry, not desperate enough for that.”

“You sure about that?”

“What?”

His tone shifts up. I know this Uryu—he’s about to hit me where it hurts, almost guaranteed.

“Didn’t you promise Goriji-senpai you’d connect with more people?”

As usual, he nails my weak spot perfectly.

No, that’s not the issue.

“…How do you know about that?”

That was a fresh convo with Senpai after school. No way he knows already.

Wait. If I didn’t tell him, then…

“Goriji-senpai messaged me. Said you had that talk and asked me to back you up.”

“What!?”

Sure enough, Senpai contacted Uryu. It’s sweet to see his kindness, but that’s not the problem.

“How do you have Senpai’s Line!?”

“That’s what you’re mad about? He just told me when I asked.”

“No way… Why didn’t he tell me…?”

“‘Cause he didn’t know you had a phone.”

“Oh.”

Another slip-up. Of course—no one asks for Line from someone without a phone. What a blunder.

“Please, Uryu, give me Senpai’s Line…!”

“You caved quick.”

“It’s worth the humiliation for Senpai’s info.”

“Too bad, can’t do it.”

“What!? After all this groveling!?”

“You really hate asking me, huh?”

Duh, it’s humiliating, and he’s laughing it up. I’m not his toy—he’s my toy.

“Why can’t you tell me!?”

“I can’t just give out someone’s info without permission.”

“Grr… That’s annoyingly fair…”

That reminds me of the original issue.

“Hold up. Didn’t you just say you’d give me Kamishiro’s and the others’ contacts?”

“Yukiya, you’ve been calling everyone by name lately.”

“Tch, that’s not the point.”

“Izumo-san’s calling you by name too. Some change of heart?”

“…”

He’s teasing me now.

I could admit I’m testing a “call friends by name” strategy, but I don’t want to with him.

Why? Because I started calling him by name before I even saw him as a friend or “bad friend.” I don’t recall how it happened, but if I bring this up, he’ll tease me with, “What, you’ve thought of me as a friend all along?” No need to invite trouble—silence is golden.

“Don’t dodge the question. Answer me.”

“The contact thing? I was lying.”

“Lying!?”

“Knew you’d cave to keep your promise to Senpai.”

This guy’s a monster. Toying with my weaknesses like that. Why’s he so popular? Are girls into being messed with? I don’t get it.

“So, you were never gonna share their Lines, even if I begged?”

“Don’t get so mad. I can’t give their contacts, but I’ve got another plan.”

“Another plan?”

“Yeah, I figured I’d just share your Line with everyone.”

“…I get it, but it feels like my Line’s being treated like cheap goods.”

“By the way, I already sent it.”

“Where’s my privacy!?”

“Haha, it’s fine, right?”

Is this guy even treating me as human? He’s got zero respect for basic rights. We can’t let him loose on society.

“Anyway, expect messages from them. Handle it yourself. Later.”

“Hey, you can’t just—”

He hung up before I could finish.

Couldn’t he have just messaged, “I sent your Line to everyone, deal with it”? He got Senpai’s request and called just to mess with me.

Senpai, you picked the wrong guy. This jerk won’t help anything good happen. I’ll tell you next time we meet.

I clasped my hands toward Senpai’s house (roughly) when my phone buzzed again.

‘haruka: Yukki!? Is this Yukki!?’

An unknown ID, but from the username and message, I guessed it’s Kamishiro Haruka.

That was fast. Uryu said he just shared it. Is she that free?

‘Hirose Yukiya: Who’s Yukki? Call me Yukiya-sama with respect.’

I added her and replied. Within seconds, a flood of messages came.

‘haruka: It’s really Yukki!!’

‘haruka: (Bear raising both arms in joy stamp)’

‘haruka: When’d you get a phone???’

‘haruka: (Bear tilting head stamp)’

“…”

Whoa. I thought the notifications meant others messaged, but it’s all Haruka.

Is this how Line works? She’s replying like a chess computer. I’m a phone newbie—I can’t keep up.

Staring at the screen, confused, it kept moving even without my reply.

‘haruka: Why’d you tell Ururun but not me!?’

‘haruka: (Bear fuming stamp)’

That’s because I forgot due to Senpai’s visit.

‘haruka: Doing summer homework!? Teach me physics and chemistry~’

‘haruka: (Bear teary-eyed, hands clasped stamp)’

Summer break hasn’t even started. And don’t switch topics like that.

‘haruka: Yukki, what’s up?? It’s showing read~?’

‘haruka: (Bear smirking stamp)’

Get this: this one-sided exchange hasn’t even been a minute.

I calmed down. I see—Line’s too much for me. Realizing that alone, I owe Haruka thanks. With gratitude, I fumbled through the settings.

[Invite] [Search] [Notifications Off] [Block] ←

Leave the gods alone, and they won’t curse you. Begone, Line deity.