My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 204 & 205 & 206

Chapter 204: Summer Break, Harehare 8

“I’m exhausted…”

It’s just past 5 p.m., and while it’s still as bright outside as midday, my fatigue is on a whole other level compared to this morning.

After that, I got dragged to a purikura booth full of girls, roped into buying rainbow cotton candy for Instagram-worthy pics, and ended up playing at some laser-dodging facility before we finally called it a day.

I wanted to take a low-energy approach, like finding hidden gems in quieter streets, but Haruka wouldn’t have it.

It was all about her leading the charge with me and Miharu trailing behind, and that’s how we got here.

Ugh, Harajuku was just too much of an away game.

If we were at school, I wouldn’t have let her set the pace like this—I’d have made sure of it.

“Yukki, thanks for today.”

We’re at Harajuku Station, waiting for Miharu, who’s in the restroom.

Haruka, standing next to me, flashes a smile.

“Playing with Yukki like this was a first, so I got kinda carried away.”

Her childlike, innocent expression makes the complaints I was about to let out fizzle away.

Somehow, it felt like too much for me to handle.

“Was it that fun? I was just grumbling the whole time, wasn’t I?”

Purikura, for one—how long did it take from getting in the booth to actually taking the photos?

It’s their fault for trying to put me in the center.

In the end, I lost at rock-paper-scissors and got stuck in the middle anyway.

But Haruka narrows her eyes and shakes her head.

“It was fun, and it made me happy. You grumble and all, but you still go along with it, Yukki.”

“I’m not acting out of pure kindness or anything.”

“I know. That’s why I was wondering if something’s changed with you.”

That’s exactly what Miharu said too.

Guess I’ve changed enough for both of them to point it out.

“Well, maybe I have changed a bit.”

After what happened with Akari, I decided to change.

I’m trying to improve how I approach relationships, at least with the people who bother to deal with me.

“…You’re aware of it?”

“Of course. I’m gonna change—change and soak up all the fun stuff this world has to offer.”

If it was just me, I’d never have come to Harajuku.

I’d have written it off as too crowded and steered clear.

But because I went along with them, I got to experience purikura, cotton candy, and laser games.

No matter how much I complained, the truth is I felt fulfilled by those experiences.

Not that I’m gonna tell them that.

“…Yeah, you’re right. I want to change too.”

“I know.”

“Huh?”

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t be buying a birthday present like this.”

“Ugh, that’s rude. Even I wouldn’t forget my boyfriend’s birthday present.”

“My bad.”

I smirk teasingly, and Haruka puffs out her cheeks in a sulky pout.

Even that expression looks good on her—beautiful girls are terrifying.

“Will changing make things more fun?”

“Sounds like you’re saying things aren’t fun now.”

“No, I mean, could it get even more fun?”

“How would I know?”

“Haha, I knew Yukki would say that.”

One moment she’s got this wistful look, and the next she’s cackling.

Her emotions are all over the place, and in a different way from Miharu, I can’t read her true feelings.

What I’ve learned from hanging out with her is that she’s not just some airheaded goof.

“Do your best. You won’t know if it’ll be more fun until you try changing.”

When I say that, Haruka looks at me, startled.

Then, she breaks into a cheerful smile like before.

“You’re right, that makes sense! I’m gonna change!”

“That’s the spirit.”

“My goal is to gain Miha-chan’s calmness!”

“That’s impossible.”

I can’t even imagine her smiling as gently as Miharu.

I’d burst out laughing before I could finish the thought.

Also, that’s not what changing means, is it?

“Whaaat? But Miha-chan’s my ideal girl!”

“Have you seen your report card? Didn’t it say, ‘Act more calmly’?”

“Huh? How does Yukki know that!?”

Wait, was it actually written there? I was just guessing, and now I’m shocked.

“Stuff written on report cards is basically impossible to fix. Face reality.”

For the record, mine said, “Work on your teamwork.”

Mind your own business.

“Ugh, my ‘Reborn as Miha-chan Plan’…”

The holder of the Quickest Mood-Swing Grand Prix title is fully leaning into her “sorrow” mode.

How much does she love Miharu, seriously?

“Hey, how’d you and Miharu get so close anyway?”

Since Haruka’s so obsessed with Miharu, I decide to ask something I’ve been curious about.

They’re in the same class and have plenty of chances to interact, but how did two polar opposites become this tight?

“Huh? You’re asking that? You’re really asking?”

“…”

After acting like it’s a hassle, Haruka blushes, looking embarrassed.

What’s with this vibe, like a schoolgirl talking about her first crush?

“To put it simply, it was love at first sight!”

“Kyaa, I said it!” she squeals, putting both hands to her cheeks and squirming.

Okay, what’s with that vibe?

Can she see my stone-cold expression right now?

“I’ll never forget the day of last year’s entrance ceremony. Before the ceremony—or was it after?”

“You’re already forgetting.”

“When our eyes met in the classroom for the first time, she smiled at me so kindly. In that moment, I was like, ‘I’m in love!’”

“You’re way too easy.”

Sure, Miharu’s smile has floored plenty of guys, but she’s on the exact same level as them.

I don’t even know where to start, but she’s telling the story with such glee.

“So, I was super nervous, but I wanted to be friends, so I talked to her. And Miha-chan nodded with a smile, and I was already head over heels!”

“What are you even saying?”

I’m completely put off by Haruka, who’s clenching her fists and pouring her heart out.

If she was talking about a boyfriend, it’d be kind of cute, but this is about a same-sex friend.

“That’s how Miha-chan and I became best friends. Jealous, huh?”

“Yeah, sure. Totally.”

“Even if it’s you, Yukki, I’m not giving Miha-chan up. Not while my eyes are still black!”

“You’ll be a grandma by then.”

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just as I throw out some half-hearted retort, Miharu comes back.

I let out a relieved sigh.

I didn’t expect a topic I brought up to corner me like this.

The only takeaway is that asking Haruka about Miharu is off-limits.

“What were you talking about?”

“About how Miha-chan and I became friends!”

“Oh, that takes me back.”

“Yeah! Miha-chan, do you like me?”

“Of course, I love you.”

“Ehehe, I love you more!”

“Hey, Haruka-chan, don’t hug me so suddenly—it’s dangerous.”

“But I couldn’t help it!”

“Hehe, you’re so cute, Haruka-chan.”

“…Uh-huh.”

I’m utterly speechless as this impromptu beautiful-girl skit unfolds.

No wonder passersby are doing double-takes.

I’ve built up some tolerance, but this kind of thing would stop the average person’s heart.

It’s a terrifying exchange that could kill a certain demographic.

No doubt about it—these two aren’t high schoolers.

One’s a grade-schooler, and the other’s a housewife, at least mentally.

“What’s wrong, Yukki? Aren’t we going home?”

“…Of course we’re going home.”

All I can do is put a hand to my forehead as they casually return to normal after causing such a scene.

Hanging out with friends isn’t bad, but I need a break for a while.

That’s the thought that lingers from this Harajuku afternoon adventure.

Chapter 205: Summer Break, Tea Ceremony Club 1

“The Tea Ceremony Club’s training camp?”

Three days after my outing with Haruka and Miharu, on a rare rainy summer day, I got a call from our Class B representative, Misono Izumo.

“Yup, the Tea Ceremony Club’s camp. It’s a one-night, two-day trip next week.”

“And you want me to join?”

“Exactly. You’re probably free, right?”

“Don’t mess with me. I’m super busy.”

“Speaking of, it’s pretty noisy with rain in the background. What are you up to?”

“It’s rare rainy weather, so I’m catching tree frogs to make an orchestra of their croaks.”

“What are you actually doing!?”

Right now, I’m inside a concrete pipe in a nearby park.

I was struggling to tame three tree frogs I’d just caught, and things weren’t going well when Izumo called.

“Problem is, it’s pouring so hard that even if the frogs croak, I can’t hear them properly.”

“There’s a ton of other things to worry about before that…”

Izumo lets out a huge sigh, loud enough to hear over the phone.

How rude—this is one of my few joys on a rainy day.

“So, to repeat, can you come?”

“I appreciate you recognizing my magnificent love for tea ceremony, but is it okay to invite an outsider?”

I don’t want to dismiss Izumo’s—or anyone else’s—desire to hear my splendid views on tea ceremony, but I’m not even a member.

A camp meant to build camaraderie and team spirit—wouldn’t it be better for the club if an outsider like me stayed out?

“It’s true, but there’s a bit of a problem.”

“A problem?”

“Yeah. Right after finals, we got a new member in the Tea Ceremony Club.”

“This late? That’s a good thing, isn’t it? What’s the issue?”

“Well, it’s not exactly an issue, but it’s a boy. A first-year.”

“Oh?”

I think I get what Izumo’s driving at.

There’s one thing I need to confirm before she continues.

“The Tea Ceremony Club—it’s all girls, right?”

“It used to be. It’s not like we ban boys or anything.”

Fair enough.

I drop by the tea ceremony room sometimes, but I don’t recall ever seeing a guy.

Anyone can join, but when it’s all one gender, it probably creates an atmosphere that’s hard to break into.

Not that I’d know.

“It’s not a big deal during regular club activities, but a camp? I figured a guy might feel out of place being the only one.”

“Anyone bold enough to join the Tea Ceremony Club probably wouldn’t care about that.”

“That’d be nice, but if he gets fed up with the girly vibe and quits, that’d suck. Plus, it could pave the way for more guys to join next year.”

“Hm? Did you just say ‘again’?”

Catching a word that stood out, I ask Izumo to clarify.

After a brief pause, she responds.

“He was originally in the boys’ basketball team, but he switched clubs because balancing studies and sports might be tough. That’s why I don’t want to make it an uncomfortable place for him.”

I see. It’s not hard to understand.

I’ve seen the basketball team practice a few times, and it looked pretty intense.

For a first-year just starting, keeping up might be rough, especially while thinking about academics.

Still, wow—what VIP treatment.

I get that they’re happy about a guy joining, but is it really necessary to go this far?

Then again, that’s probably why she’s Misono Izumo—she can’t let stuff like this slide.

Come to think of it, she’s the one who kept nagging me to shape up despite my slacker attitude.

“Alright, I get what you’re saying.”

“S-So, what do you think?”

“Just so you know, I’m only doing this my way. I don’t care about some new member.”

“So…?”

“I’ll go. A Tea Ceremony Club camp sounds like an intriguing unknown.”

When I say that, a relieved sigh comes through the phone.

I don’t think my participation is that critical, especially since I told her I’ll do things my way.

“…I thought you’d say no.”

“Why invite me if you thought I’d refuse?”

“Because I figured you’re the right guy for it.”

“No clue what you mean. Wouldn’t Uryu be better, since the kid’s ex-basketball?”

“Idiot. It’d be awkward to have a senior from the club he quit, obviously.”

“Is that how it works?”

“That’s how it works. And if Aoyagi-kun showed up at the Tea Ceremony Club—”

“What’d happen?”

“…Our members probably wouldn’t be able to focus.”

“…Yeah.”

As much as it pains me, Izumo’s concern makes sense.

Put a perfect guy like that in a tiny space like the tea room, and the girls might get too nervous to function.

He could be a poison or a cure—hard to say.

That said, I’m probably just as much of a wild card.

“So, why’d you say yes?”

“Whim. Might change my mind and bail tomorrow.”

“Just so you know, I’ve got your word. No backing out now.”

“Sure.”

I gave Izumo a flippant answer, but I’ve got a real reason.

Something Goriji-senpai said crossed my mind.

Find something I want to do besides sumo.

The Tea Ceremony Club camp could be a starting point.

I don’t want to quit the Sumo Club, but sticking around without trying anything else feels wrong.

Right now, I should be experiencing all sorts of things.

“Alright, I’ll send the details on Line later.”

“Got it.”

“Oh, one more request.”

“What?”

“Can you keep it a secret from Akari and Ai-chan that you’re coming?”

“Huh?”

Izumo’s request makes no sense.

I wasn’t planning to go shouting it, but there’s no need to hide it.

Plus, shouldn’t they tell people about a guy joining the camp in advance?

“It’ll be more fun that way, don’t you think?”

“…”

Is this really who Misono Izumo is? Her playful tone makes me wonder.

But when someone says it’ll be fun, I’m the kind of guy who can’t resist jumping in.

If keeping quiet means I’ll see something entertaining, that’s not a bad deal.

“So, we good with that?”

“…If it gets weird, I’m out.”

“That’s fine. Looking forward to it.”

With that, Izumo ends the call.

“Tea Ceremony Club camp, huh…”

It probably won’t just be all fun and games.

Akari’s in the Tea Ceremony Club.

She’s someone who said she likes me.

We’ve been texting every few hours, but meeting in person will probably change things.

What will come up at this Tea Ceremony Club camp?

Will I gain something, or end up back at square one with nothing?

“Oh…”

I put away my phone and look down, only to find the tree frogs I caught are gone.

※

“…Time to head home.”

But somehow, I’m no longer hung up on my frog orchestra.

Chapter 206: Summer Break, Tea Ceremony Club 2

“I’m back!”

After shaking off the rain, I return home from the nearby park.

A little later, Dad greets me with a small towel.

With a gentle smile, Dad wipes my slightly wet hair.

“How’d it go? Did you make friends with the frog squad?”

“They were a bit off their game. Maybe their throats weren’t feeling great.”

“I see. Well, next time’s your chance for revenge.”

“Yeah, I’ll make it the ultimate orchestra.”

As usual, the two of us chat happily.

With Mom not around, this would normally be the time to show off our epic father-son bond, but there’s something I need to do.

After Dad dries my hair, I head to my room and grab my phone.

I open Line and call a certain guy.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I’ve got a question.”

“That’s out of the blue.”

After just one second of Line’s familiar call tone, my so-called bad friend, Aoyagi Uryu, picks up in his usual tone.

This guy answers fast.

Is he secretly that free?

“It’s about the boys’ basketball team. Anyone quit recently?”

“There is, but why the sudden interest?”

“Just curious.”

I keep it vague since spreading word about the camp could get messy.

Misono Izumo’s request was about making a lone guy feel less out of place at the camp, but I don’t even know this dude.

Even if I’m doing things my way, I should at least get some intel beforehand.

I don’t for a second think I can just vibe with a total stranger.

“Fine, it’s rare for you to care about someone else.”

“Skip the preamble. Spill.”

“Alright, alright. What I know, anyway.”

With that, Uryu starts talking about the guy who probably left the boys’ basketball team.

“His name’s Saeki. Pretty interesting guy. During his intro, he said stuff like, ‘Let’s aim for nationals together!’”

“Sounds passionate.”

“Or tone-deaf. The gym went dead silent for a second. We’re not exactly a powerhouse team.”

“You’re so cynical.”

With Aoyagi Uryu on the team, they’ve got the potential to aim for nationals, but the guy himself has zero interest.

Poor Saeki.

“He was polite, but he had this open hostility toward me.”

“Hostility?”

“More like a rivalry. He’d always challenge me to one-on-ones, and I’d crush him every time.”

“…”

Saeki, you’re really getting the short end of the stick.

Going all-in for nationals, only to get repeatedly stomped by a perfect guy who’s just treating it as a club.

“Did he quit because of you?”

“Who knows? He acted serious, but his focus was lacking.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’d chat up the manager for ages or get distracted by other clubs during warm-ups.”

“…Oh?”

This juicy tidbit makes me grin.

This is definitely not the same bland guy Izumo described.

Saeki’s got some layers, alright.

“He’s not a bad dude, but not some saint either. He just handed in his resignation to the coach and that was it.”

“Got it. That’s all I needed.”

“What were you trying to figure out?”

“Just a little entertainment. For my own fun.”

“Whatever. Just don’t cause too much trouble for the Tea Ceremony Club.”

“You knew!?”

This jerk! Acting all clueless and then dropping that?

Here I am, trying to be discreet, and I look like an idiot.

Saeki, don’t forgive this guy.

“I mean, I knew Saeki joined the Tea Ceremony Club, so I threw out a guess.”

“…”

Jerk, jerk, jerk! Listen, if you weren’t a pretty boy, you’d just be a creepy stalker.

You get a pass because you’re a pretty boy, proposing all boldly like that!

…Wait, what was I even mad about?

My brain went off the rails there.

“Whatever. I gave you the warning. I told you because it’s you, but don’t misuse it.”

“Obviously. I’ll keep it all in my head.”

“That’s still misuse.”

“Shut it, you dimwit. You’re done. I’m hanging up.”

“Hold up, one more thing.”

I try to end the call quick, but Uryu stops me.

I’ve got a bad feeling, and sure enough—

“Tsuyu’s pissed about you replying late. She’s taking it out on me, so keep up with her messages.”

I let out a huge sigh.

Ever since I got this phone, that Aoyagi family princess has been messaging me non-stop, but apparently she’s grumpy enough to snap at her brother.

“Late? I’m purposely not replying. She’s a test-taker, but all she does is Line.”

“From your perspective, maybe. But she’s been studying hard, you know? Wants to go to the same school as a certain someone.”

“Then she can wait six months. What if she fails her exams because of me?”

“She might pass because of you, but fail because of you? Nah.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m being considerate about her exams.”

“Messaging you boosts her study efficiency. Get that and act on it so I don’t get caught in the crossfire.”

“That’s what you wanted to say. Finally get it.”

He was being awfully pushy, and just like with Haruka, Uryu’s stuck in the middle.

I felt bad about Haruka, but with Tsuyu, I’m not so sure.

They’re siblings—deal with her whining, even if I’m the cause.

“I’ve said my piece. Do something about it.”

“How scared are you of your little sister…”

My exasperated tone must’ve gotten through, because the call cuts off.

Staring at my phone screen, a thought hits me.

…Tsuyu-san, your brother might not be that perfect.