My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 201 & 202 & 203

Chapter 201: Summer Break, Harehare 5

“What the hell is with that incompetent woman!”

Having been scouted for all the wrong reasons, I was overwhelmed with an intensely unpleasant feeling.

I’d given her a thorough lecture, which calmed me down a bit, but just thinking about it made me irritated all over again. You’re a scout, and you mistook me for a girl? No way in hell I’m soaring to the world stage like this, you idiot.

“Ha, hahaha!”

“And you, how long are you gonna keep laughing!”

“Ow!”

While I was drowning in genuine sorrow, one girl was clutching her stomach, laughing her head off. Even more annoyed now, I landed a pretty firm chop on her.

“Hey, Yukki, you hit me for real, didn’t you!?”

“It’s your fault for laughing at someone’s pain.”

“Come on, how could I not laugh? Getting mistaken for a girl out of nowhere like that?”

“Out of nowhere? Did you ever think I’d get mistaken for a girl somewhere!?”

“What, like a 0% chance? But for it to happen so suddenly…!”

Recalling my earlier conversation with the scout woman, Haruka put a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. What a cruel girl—she’s probably made countless guys cry in all sorts of ways.

“Dammit, am I not the guy for fending off creeps or scouts…?”

“If it’s that, I’d ask Ururun. I told you on the phone, didn’t I? I wanted Yukki’s opinion.”

What a brutal declaration. It’s like she’s saying I can’t even chase off hostile forces. Times like these make me admire Goriji-senpai even more. If that guy were here, I’d feel completely safe. Even if some thug showed up, he’d probably take them down with a single slap.

Feeling my own powerlessness, a sigh nearly escaped me when Miharu, who’d been hiding in Haruka’s shadow, lifted the brim of her straw hat slightly and said with a smile:

“But Yukiya-kun, when you stepped in between us, you were really cool.”

“Seriously!?”

“Yeah, it felt really reassuring.”

“Heh heh heh, thought so, thought so.”

I crossed my arms, nodding with satisfaction. Listen up, you fools—while I won’t outright deny that looks are 90% of a person, it’s always the heart that moves people. If you get fooled by appearances and miss someone’s kindness, you’ll never have truly honest communication.

And here, Miharu, who perfectly zeroed in on my overflowing manliness, is an exceptional woman. That horse-tailed girl with zero resistance to laughter should take notes.

“O-of course, I thought so too, you know?”

“Liar. No matter what you say now, I’m not buying it.”

“It’s true! The impact afterward was just so strong it kinda overshadowed it.”

“Alright, we’re done for today, yeah?”

“Sorry, Yukki! I’m seriously apologizing, so don’t go!”

“Ugh, fine, let go already. You’re making too much of a scene in front of the station!”

It was half a joke, but she grabbed my wrist with surprising strength, so I quickly backtracked. It felt like we were drawing even more attention now, so I just wanted to get moving already.

“Hehe, this kinda thing’s fun, isn’t it?”

“…And you’re just too laid-back, as usual.”

The black-haired refined girl with a gentle smile was, as always, in her usual mode today. A stark contrast to the other girl with her wild emotional swings.

“Alright! Let’s get going!”

“It’s hardly ‘right away,’ but whatever.”

Miharu and I followed behind Haruka, who bounced back quickly. Ahead of us was a street so packed it could’ve been a shrine on New Year’s.

…This is ridiculous. Why are there so many people in such a narrow street? I’d totally believe it if someone said every person living in Harajuku showed up here. To think I’d have to experience a street too crowded to walk through properly during a mere summer break.

“So, why exactly was I called here?”

As we slowly made our way through, I asked Haruka. Like she’d said earlier, she wanted my opinion on something, but I still hadn’t been told what. It might be hard for her to say, but now that the day’s here, she’s gotta tell me so I can actually help.

“Oh, crepes! I want a crepe!”

“Hey.”

But maybe because of the sweet aroma wafting around, Haruka wasn’t listening to me. That’s weird—she was supposed to have eaten lunch before we met up. Has her gluttonous blood started acting up? This is seriously inconvenient for me.

“If it’s crepes, the shop a bit further in is better.”

“Right? Their dough’s so good, it’s delicious!”

“They’ve got a ton of options too.”

“No bad crepe shops when their savory ones are that good!”

I wanted to steer the conversation back, but Miharu jumped in, so I shut my mouth. This crowd was annoying, and I wanted to finish our mission quickly, but the two of them seemed used to it, not minding much.

Ugh, what a rotten day. Forcing a course correction here would just spark pointless arguments and waste more time—it’s obvious. If that’s the case, going along with the crepe plan is probably the smoother move, even if I’m not thrilled about it.

“Haruka.”

“What’s up, Yukki?”

“We can head to the crepe shop, but what am I supposed to do today?”

Hoping to at least get the details, I asked, and Haruka’s face took on a slightly bitter expression.

“Yeah, that’s the real reason we’re here, huh?”

Her cryptic tone made her hesitate. Wondering what was up, I glanced at Miharu, but she just shook her head, clearly as clueless as me.

“I mentioned it on the phone before, but I wanted a guy’s opinion.”

As I watched Haruka’s hair sway side to side, she finally spoke up.

“I want to buy a present. It’s Imaizumi-senpai’s birthday soon.”

“—I see, so that’s why you needed me.”

Hearing the reason, it finally clicked. Thinking calmly, it should’ve been obvious, but I didn’t get there because of how this girl usually acts, no doubt about it.

“Got it. We gotta pick something good then.”

“Exactly. I wasn’t confident on my own. It’d be great if Miha-chan could help too.”

“Of course, as much as I can.”

“That’s plenty. Thanks, as always.”

Miharu chimed in, cheering on her friend’s love life.

※

—Imaizumi-senpai is Kamishiro Haruka’s boyfriend, who’s already graduated from Yourei High.

Chapter 202: Summer Break, Harehare 6

Back when we were first-years, he was the captain of the boys’ basketball team, and according to Uryu, he’d been the ace of Yourei High the whole time.

Apparently, he’s fairly good-looking and was somewhat popular among the female students.

Despite being that kind of guy, he’s not the type to get cocky, and his serious personality makes him well-liked by guys too, it seems.

Uryu joining the basketball team seems to have overshadowed him a bit, but he himself says he’s relieved to have the spotlight off him.

The more I hear about him, the more he just sounds like a normal guy who’s good at basketball.

Everything I know is secondhand because I’ve never once spoken to the guy myself.

I only remembered his name, Imaizumi, because Haruka mentioned it just now.

So, I can only understand Imaizumi-senpai through the image Uryu and Haruka paint of him.

Well, even if someone explained him in detail, it probably wouldn’t stick in my head anyway.

“Haruka-chan, when was the last time you saw Senpai?”

“Umm, Golden Week, I think.”

“…That’s quite a while ago.”

“C-Come on! We had the sports festival and final exams, you know! And he’s been busy with lectures on his end too!”

“I see. It must be lonely not seeing each other much.”

“It’s not like that! We text on Line and talk on the phone.”

Listening to their conversation from behind, all I could feel was a sense of unease at Haruka’s excuses.

Given her personality, it’s easy to notice something’s off about all of this.

Miharu, who’s known her longer than I have, should pick up on it too, but maybe it’s tough to read into a love life without knowing the details.

Or perhaps she’s vaguely sensed the situation and chosen not to pry.

It’s just like Miharu to make you think the latter wouldn’t be surprising—that’s what’s amazing about her.

“That’s why I want to give him a present the next time we meet.”

“That’s a great idea. I’m sure Senpai will be thrilled.”

“But it’s my first time doing something like this, so I wanted to borrow everyone’s help.”

As she said that, Haruka’s gaze shifted from Miharu to me.

Asking a guy about a gift for a guy—that’s not wrong in itself, but there was one thing bothering me.

“You said it’s your first time, but haven’t you given a present to your brother at least?”

“Well, yeah, I’ve given stuff to Onii-chan, but…”

At my point, Haruka made a bitter face.

“Onii-chan gets happy no matter what I give him, so it’s not helpful at all.”

“Then just ask him which one he liked best.”

“If I asked that, he’d get suspicious, like, ‘Are you planning to buy something for someone?’”

“It’s scary that you can’t completely deny that…”

I’ve never met him in person, but just from this conversation, I can tell Haruka’s brother is a bit of a prickly character.

There’s definitely a chance that poking around carelessly could stir up trouble.

“Yukiya-kun, have you talked to Haruka-chan’s brother before?”

“Yeah, he’s a scary guy.”

“I want to deny it, but as family, I can’t, and that’s the sad part…!”

Haruka seemed to agree, unable to refute my blunt impression.

That brother of hers—wouldn’t he lose it if he found out Haruka has a boyfriend?

“Huh, I didn’t get that impression.”

“That’s because you’re a girl, Miha-chan. He can act gentlemanly toward girls.”

“When you put it like that, it almost sounds like he’s a total player.”

In reality, he probably thinks it’s fine for girls to be close to his sister.

But guys? They’re all enemies, wolves after his sister’s chastity.

In a way, he’s a pretty straightforward brother.

“Forget about Onii-chan. Right now, crepes come first!”

“What about the present?”

“That’s for later! While getting advice from Yukki!”

She’d been a bit down about her brother, but the mention of crepes instantly revived her.

Her terrifyingly quick mood swings are exactly what make Kamishiro Haruka who she is.

She’s passionate about what she loves and shows a sour face toward what she doesn’t.

She’s the complete opposite of Miharu, who never stops smiling.

“Crepes are fine, but I’m not picking anything, got it?”

That’s exactly why my words made her expression freeze so easily.

She probably didn’t expect to hear that after coming all the way to Harajuku.

“W-Why? If you don’t, I won’t know what to buy…”

“Idiot, how would I know? I’ve never even talked to the guy. You think just because we’re both guys, I’d magically get it?”

At that, Haruka fell silent, as if I’d hit the nail on the head.

It’s not weird to be scared of doing something you’ve never done.

Relying on others to get a better outcome isn’t wrong either.

But if you just dump everything on someone else, you’ll never move past “I’ve never done it.”

“Haruka, your brother’s got it right.”

“Onii-chan…?”

“Anything you give him makes him happy. That’s what a present’s supposed to be.”

Dad always says he’s happy with anything I give him.

Whether it’s a messy drawing or a flimsy paper airplane, Dad accepts it with joy.

I’m the same way.

Anything from Dad would make me happy.

It’s not about what the present is—it’s all about who’s giving it.

“Even if he likes something I picked, the fact that you didn’t choose it will always cause some kind of rift. Sorry, but I’m not taking that responsibility.”

“…”

“So you pick the present. Think about his feelings and choose like your life depends on it. If it’s something totally off, Miharu and I will point it out.”

“Yeah, I think something Haruka-chan picks would make him the happiest.”

Miharu’s support added weight to my words.

The idea that the giver matters is just my opinion, after all.

Some people might care more about the present itself.

If that’s what she’s worried about, I’d tell her to skip the surprise and talk it out with him.

“…You’re right. Something I pick would make him happier, wouldn’t it?”

Hesitantly, Haruka finally made up her mind.

I’m not saying relying on others is bad.

Asking someone who knows what you don’t is normal, and people are meant to depend on each other.

“Alright! I’ll do my best to choose! Please back me up!”

“That’s the spirit. Then I’m heading home.”

“What!? How does that follow!?”

“Well, if Miharu’s there to back you up, you don’t need me, right?”

“Hmm, with Haruka-chan’s imagination, I might not be enough on my own.”

“Even Miha-chan’s being mean!!”

For a moment, the mood got serious, but teasing Haruka quickly lightened it again.

She’s incredibly valuable as the one who gets teased in times like these.

Of course, I’m not that kind of role.

“Fine! I’ll get my energy from crepe-san! I’m definitely eating two!”

Wait, you’re prioritizing crepes after all this?

Chapter 203: Summer Break, Harehare 7

“Alright, I’ll go buy this!”

After each of us enjoyed our favorite crepes at a shop midway down the street, we visited a vibrant general store with a flashy exterior.

The interior was decorated in bright colors too, but it wasn’t exclusively a women’s shop—it seemed to carry items for all ages and genders.

There were women browsing accessories alone and couples around our age chatting excitedly.

I wanted to wrap up the mission and head home, but this is where things got really drawn out.

Even though I was evaluating Haruka’s choices without outright rejecting them, she kept saying, “Nah, I’ll pass!” and starting over from scratch.

I’m not saying pick a present in a few minutes, but at least show me your final choice.

When I give the green light and she pulls back, it’s hard to stay in high spirits.

In the end, Haruka settled on a mug with a design reminiscent of a southern island.

Among her picks, it was practical and looked decent.

Plus, she took her time deciding—if this doesn’t make him happy, there’s nothing I could’ve done anyway.

“Yukiya-kun, good work.”

While waiting for Haruka to check out, Miharu offered me words of encouragement.

“Man, I’m exhausted.”

“Can’t be helped. A birthday present for someone you love—you’d want to choose it carefully, right?”

“…Maybe so.”

If that’s the case, I’m not about to butt in with unnecessary comments.

I’ll just conveniently assume she’s moving forward in ways I don’t know about.

“Yukiya-kun, you didn’t shoot down anything Haruka-chan picked.”

“What, were you hoping I’d be harsher?”

“No, it’s not that. I just thought, with you being you, you’d be a bit stricter.”

“Am I some kind of appraiser? I said from the start, unless it’s something totally bizarre, I’m not gonna reject it. It’s meaningless if she doesn’t pick it herself.”

I didn’t think I’d said anything unusual, but Miharu looked at me with wider eyes than usual.

Then, she flashed her familiar, warm smile.

“Yukiya-kun, you really have changed, haven’t you?”

The store’s BGM slipped between us.

The chatter of people, the beeps of the register, sounds I usually tune out—they all came through crystal clear.

It must be because Miharu’s question hit the mark.

The bustling atmosphere from moments ago flipped, and time felt like it was moving in slow motion.

This kind of thing often happened when talking to her.

“If it was the old you, you wouldn’t have gone along with something like this, right?”

“Yeah…”

Miharu was right.

Until recently, I’d have flat-out refused to help with shopping.

I didn’t see the point in it and had no intention of finding one.

At most, I’d get roped into something involving Uryu—that’s all I’d bother with.

“…Well, I just figured I could go along with it once.”

“‘We’re friends, after all.’”

“…”

I tried to keep it vague, but Miharu came at me with a teasing tone, like she saw right through me.

Her insight is uncanny—she always finds a way to catch me off guard.

And yet, it’s not like I mind it that much, which is what makes Tsukikage Miharu so intriguing.

“When you called me by my name for the first time, I was shocked. You’d always used my full name before.”

“Didn’t seem like it.”

Between the end of finals and the closing ceremony, I started calling a few people by their first names.

Most of them had obvious reactions, but Miharu responded so calmly.

She’s always so composed, so I didn’t think it was strange.

“I made sure not to show it, so it’s no surprise you didn’t notice.”

“No, I think it’s fine to show you’re surprised.”

“That wouldn’t do for me. I’m already weak enough as it is—if my expressions gave everything away, I wouldn’t survive.”

It’s just about facial expressions, but I didn’t think her dramatic phrasing was an exaggeration.

She was born with half of life’s joys taken from her.

The category of “exercise” that people take for granted—she’s had to give it up entirely.

It must’ve been tough, full of struggles.

If she’s learned to carry herself so gracefully because of that, I can only praise her, not criticize.

Her perceptiveness deserves commendation too.

I just wish she wouldn’t use it to tease me.

“Well, maybe you don’t need to show it. As long as you feel it in your heart.”

“Yukiya-kun, are you aware how embarrassing that sounds?”

“Shut it. Poetic me is cool too, isn’t it?”

“You’re right. Yukiya-kun is cool.”

“…That’s your real opinion, not just parroting me, right?”

I figured there was no need to show it, but when she hides her thoughts this well, I genuinely can’t tell what she’s thinking.

I wouldn’t be shocked if, ten years from now, she’s dominating the gambling world—she’s got that mysterious vibe down pat.

“…Um.”

As I imagined Miharu outwitting burly guys twice her size, she mumbled, looking down.

“…This time it was Haruka-chan’s request, but if I asked you, would you go along with it?”

For someone who usually looks you in the eye, it was rare for Miharu to say this without once meeting my gaze.

Was it that hard to ask?

I’m already here helping Haruka shop—the answer’s obvious.

“If you were really in a bind, yeah. But don’t rely on me too much, or I’ll be the one in trouble.”

I was too embarrassed to be straightforward, so it came out curt.

I know it’s a bad habit, but that’s just me.

I can only hope people get used to it.

“I see.”

But in an instant, my worries were washed away.

Miharu’s profile was radiant, unlike before.

It was easy to tell she was genuinely happy.

God, why am I relieved to see her react like a normal teenager?

I get not wanting to show weakness, but letting herself off the hook a bit wouldn’t hurt.

“Good. Now I can rely on you without holding back.”

“Did you hear me? Only when you’re really in a bind!”

“It’s fine. If I say I’m serious, I bet Yukiya-kun will believe me.”

Alright, she’s definitely picking a fight.

I landed a chop on her straw hat with my ultimate weapon, my right hand, and Miharu laughed while holding her head.

“Haha, I was kidding, and you still went all out!”

“Then make it clear it’s a joke! You’re grinning like you’re having the time of your life!”

“It is fun, talking with Yukiya-kun.”

“Meanwhile, I’m taking mental damage over here.”

I let out a big sigh.

Talking with Miharu always leaves me with this weird sense of defeat.

Her calm aura deflects my attacks, and she handles me with ease.

I’m starting to suspect she’s got a decade’s worth of experience over me.

“Sorry for the wait! Shopping’s done!”

Right then, Haruka returned from the checkout, holding a stylish paper bag.

“What were you guys talking about?”

“Well, I got chopped.”

“That’s way too brief!”

That’s not even an answer to “What were you talking about?”!

Saying “I got chopped” is clearly just to make me look bad.

“Hey, Yukki! I’m the only one allowed to chop Miha-chan!”

“What are you even saying…”

Haruka clung to Miharu, spouting incomprehensible nonsense.

What kind of emotions are behind that line of hers?

But, well, seeing two of Yourei High’s most beautiful girls getting along so closely is quite a sight.

If I snapped a photo and saved it, it’d probably be worth a fortune.

Their personalities are polar opposites, yet they’re this close.

Maybe it’s because they’re so different.

“So, where to next?”

“Huh!? We’re not going home!?”

Haruka’s errand is done.

There’s no reason to stay in Harajuku, but she looked indignant.

“What are you talking about!? Harajuku’s daytime is just getting started!”

“I don’t care! I hate this crowd!”

“Heh heh heh, I already planned for Yukki saying that!”

With a smug grin, Haruka closed in and firmly grabbed my right arm.

“What!?”

Caught off guard by her sudden move, I didn’t notice Miharu securing my left arm.

“Sorry, Yukiya-kun. It’s a girls’ pact.”

“Ehehe, you’re at least coming with us for purikura!”

“Wait, wait, stop! I won’t run, so let go!”

“No way! Miha-chan, let’s drag him like this!”

“Got it.”

“Don’t ‘got it’ me!”

And so, we burst out of the general store, drawing countless stares.

Whoever coined “a flower in each hand” with a positive spin owes me an apology right now—I’m dying of embarrassment.