My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 59 & 60 & 61

Chapter 59: A Belated Inquiry

“You see, kids, mastering the way of tea isn’t just about sitting properly and drinking tea. You have to be conscious of the spirit of wabi-sabi and put it into practice. And the important thing is not to lump wabi and sabi together. They’re often grouped as wabi-sabi, but wabi has its own meaning, and sabi has its own. Understanding each meaning and applying them to the tea ceremony—that’s the mission of you tea ceremony club members.”

“What are you doing in someone else’s club?”

While I was lecturing the underclassmen in the tea ceremony room, Misono Izumo showed up with an exasperated expression, and Kirita Akari gave a wry smile.

“You guys. You call yourselves upperclassmen yet you’re late?”

“We were called by the club advisor. What’s your deal?”

“I ran into Ai-chan in the library before heading to my club. She begged me to teach her the essence of the tea ceremony, so here I am.”

“Ai-chan, is that true?”

“Sorry… I invited him to have tea because he helped me with something else…”

“See?”

“See? That’s not even remotely close to what you said…”

Misono Izumo clutched her head in frustration, but in contrast, Kirita Akari didn’t seem fazed.

She gracefully slipped off her shoes and entered the tea ceremony room.

“Hirose-kun, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Well, you ditched me, so there was no reason to see you. I’ve been mad since that day.”

“Right. I made you help with all that stuff and then did nothing.”

Kirita Akari is the ungrateful type who, despite my devoted guidance, gave up on approaching Uryu.

If it weren’t for Rando-dono, the shock from that would’ve hit me pretty hard.

“Then today, I’ll make tea for you, Hirose-kun, as an apology for that.”

“Really? That’s okay?”

“If you’re fine with it.”

“Absolutely, gimme some matcha.”

“Fufu, I’ll get it ready then.”

Kirita Akari responded cheerfully and started preparing to make tea.

Huh, she’s actually a good girl.

As expected of my former disciple—she’s got this level of kindness in her, naturally.

“Oh, sorry, is that okay with you, Ai-chan?”

“Y-Yes! I’ll leave it to you, Akari-senpai!”

“Thanks.”

“You guys, serving even one cup costs money, you know?”

“Don’t be so uptight. It’s just one or two—maybe five—cups of tea.”

“How many cups are you planning to drink!?”

“Izumo-chan, keep it quiet in the tea ceremony room.”

“Ooh, nice one. You’re always so bossy, but you lack this kind of consideration, don’t you?”

“Ugh, even you’re siding with this guy, Akari…?”

“It’s just a normal observation.”

Kirita Akari began preparing with the furo.

Since the fire was just lit, it’d probably take a bit longer.

I decided to ask the three people I knew a question.

“Hey, I’ve got something I wanna ask.”

“What?”

“What do you think of Kamishiro Haruka?”

“That’s really sudden. What, do you like her or something?”

“Is that it, Hirose-kun?”

I asked the question, but instead of answering, Misono Izumo and Kirita Akari fired back with their own.

Girls always jump to romance, don’t they?

Sure, this topic started with a love-related issue, but still.

“Have I ever shown even the slightest hint of that?”

“Then why are you asking about her out of the blue?”

“I was just talking to a guy who said he likes Kamishiro Haruka, so I wanted to hear a girl’s perspective.”

When I said that, the two of them seemed to process it and started organizing their thoughts.

I don’t want this to spread too much, but since I didn’t mention Horimoto Shoki’s name, it should be fine.

“To put it simply, she’s the perfect beautiful girl. She’s cute, has a great figure, is fun to talk to, and has amazing athletic ability. She’s not great at studying, but she tries hard enough. Her weaknesses are probably that she’s bad at gauging distance and has way too many openings.”

“That doesn’t sound perfect at all.”

“Idiot, that’s what makes her perfect. If she never messed up or had any flaws, she’d be unapproachable. Haruka’s balance is honestly just right—she has just enough flaws that everyone wants to help her. If it was calculated, she’d come off as a manipulative woman, but Haruka’s so obviously natural that you can’t help but want to protect her.”

“I see.”

Misono Izumo’s explanation made a lot of sense.

When you say “perfect,” I thought it meant someone like Uryu—a superhuman.

But when you factor in relationships, that’s a different question.

It’s true that people who are too amazing sometimes end up isolated.

Even if someone’s superhuman, if they come down to your level, it’s easier to talk to them, and that might actually seem more perfect.

Hmm, that’s pretty interesting.

“I haven’t talked to her much, so I’m more of an outsider, but I think she’d be fun to hang out with. Kamishiro-san’s always smiling, and she seems like the type who gets teased a lot.”

Kirita Akari answered next while preparing the utensils.

Even from a girl’s perspective, she seems like she’d be fun to talk to.

“What about you, Ai-chan?”

“M-Me? I’ve only seen her a few times, but she has this overwhelming ‘amazing person’ aura, so I could never approach her. I’ve heard the boys in my class talk about her, so I think she’s definitely popular.”

“You guys don’t know about Haruka’s clumsiness, so it makes sense you’d find her hard to approach.”

“But she’s popular with the guys, huh? As expected.”

From their answers, I gathered that her appearance is striking enough to spark conversation at first glance.

Her “amazing person” aura makes her intimidating, but once you talk to her, she’s super fun, and the barriers come down.

Yeah, no wonder tons of guys fall for her.

Even girls don’t have much negative to say about her—guys would probably be even more blindly smitten.

“Hirose-kun, you’re even helping out with guys’ problems, huh?”

While I was thinking about how Horimoto Shoki has a lot of competition, Kirita Akari suddenly said that.

“I just listened to him. I’m not planning to do anything.”

“Even so, being someone people confide in means they really trust you.”

She might be right, but I don’t recall doing anything to earn that kind of trust.

I’ve talked to Horimoto Shoki a few times, but honestly, I forgot about him until recently.

“So, um, Hirose-kun, this is a bit embarrassing to bring up in this context…”

Kirita Akari said that, brushing back the hair over her ear.

Was the slight flush on her cheeks from the heat of the furo?

She took a moment to steady her breathing, then looked straight at me.

“About that thing from before… could I maybe talk to you about it again?”

Her words, spoken hesitantly, were fantastic news for me.

Chapter 60: Personal Maneuvering

About 20 minutes before club activities ended, I left the tea ceremony room.

I got to enjoy some matcha thanks to Kirita Akari, so I’m in a pretty great mood.

Maybe because Ai-chan talked me up to her classmates, it wasn’t an uncomfortable vibe.

Dropping by when Misono Izumo’s not around might be a good plan going forward.

“Hirose-kun! Wait a sec!”

As I headed to the gym a bit early, a voice from behind made me stop.

I turned to see Kirita Akari waving at me.

“What’s up? Don’t you have club?”

“Yeah, but just for a bit. I also wanted to continue our earlier conversation.”

“Right! That thing you said—what was that all about?”

I held back from pressing her in front of everyone, but I was dying to know what Kirita Akari meant.

I thought it might have to wait until tomorrow, but if I can ask today, there’s no reason not to.

“I thought you gave up on Uryu. Was that not what you meant?”

“Uh, u-um, well, I guess…?”

What’s with this wishy-washy response?

Her eyes are darting all over, and she’s sweating buckets.

Or maybe the sweat’s from handling the furo earlier?

Dealing with fire in this season would make anyone sweat… but no, this is about Uryu, Uryu.

She was the one who said she wanted to rethink her date with Uryu, and Uryu himself said there was no point in helping her anymore.

In other words, I assumed Kirita Akari had either given up or changed her mind and wasn’t going to pursue Uryu anymore.

But now, out of nowhere, Kirita Akari brings up a formal consultation.

Just when I thought it was over, it’s back from the dead.

After a two-week cooling-off period, I was hopeful she’d had a change of heart, but her sluggish reaction was worrying.

Whatever, vague talk won’t get us anywhere.

She said she had a consultation, so I’ll just listen to it and figure out what’s going on.

“So, why’d you stop me? You’ve got something to talk about, right?”

“C-C-Consultating!”

“Huh? What did you just say?”

“N-N-No, I messed up! It’s not a gag!”

For a second, I thought I heard a spine-chilling dad joke, but seeing Kirita Akari’s panic, I decided it was my imagination.

What’s with her? She’s been dodging my questions this whole time.

“A-A date! Wanna go on a date!?”

“What?”

Her completely out-of-context statement left me dumbfounded.

A date? Why a date? Scratch that, with me specifically?

I thought she might’ve mixed me up with someone else, but then I remembered how we went to Ikebukuro to prep for her date with Uryu.

“Oh, is this like before? You want to practice with me before going on a date with Uryu?”

“Y-Yes, exactly!”

I see, as expected of the diligence representative.

The moment she switches gears, she dives right into training—someone could learn a thing or two from her.

…Wait, didn’t she say after the last date that she could talk to Uryu just fine?

Does she still need practice?

“N-No, forget the date!!”

“Eh!?”

Kirita Akari’s face turned bright red as she frantically made an X with her hands in front of her.

“…Ugh, no, my conscience hurts… That’s way too selfish of me…”

What’s wrong, my disciple? Your emotions are way too unstable.

She’s muttering to herself, and now she looks like she’s about to cry.

What is she even fighting right now?

“Hey, calm down. We can talk about this tomorrow. Why don’t you head back to your club for now?”

Kirita Akari’s current state is so shaky it’s making me worried.

I’ve got to get to the gym anyway, and if this won’t wrap up quickly, tomorrow would be better.

“D-Dance! I’m gonna learn to dance!”

She declared it out of nowhere, with a surprisingly serious expression.

What’s going on with you today?

Did my expectations break you or something?

Where did “dance” even come from, Kirita Akari?

I was uncharacteristically worried about the girl in front of me when she took a few quick, deep breaths—inhale, exhale—and then looked at me.

“I’m planning to learn the choreography for Koisuru Shuri-chan, and I was hoping you could help me, Hirose-kun!”

“SAY WHAT!?”

What’s with this heart-pounding development!?

I thought she was acting weird, but this is what she was trying to say?

Finally, after nearly a month, she’s come to appreciate its greatness—I’m thrilled!

“Got it. If that’s the case, I’m in. Let me know when you need the audio or video.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course! Shuri-chan’s finally leaping into the third dimension. As a creator at heart, let me be part of this.”

“Okay!”

Her voice perked up happily, but then Kirita Akari started muttering something under her breath again, too quiet for me to hear.

“…This is fine, right? Hirose-kun’s happy, and it’s not selfish of me…”

“What’ve you been mumbling about?”

“N-Nothing! Just putting effort into some personal maneuvering!”

“Huh…”

I don’t quite get it, but she doesn’t seem as unsteady as before, so I’ll let it slide.

“Alright, I’m heading out for my thing. Catch you later?”

“Y-Yeah! Later!”

With that exchange, I finally headed to the gym.

I’d completely forgotten, caught up in the joy of Kirita Akari dancing to Koisuru Shuri-chan, but this had nothing to do with Uryu.

Wait, so what was her consultation about? Was it just the Shuri-chan thing?

Oh well, if there’s something else, it’ll come up while we’re working on the dance.

I’ll deal with it then.

If I could, I’d skip the gym plans entirely and start messing with my computer at home right now.

T/N: UGH BE HONEST AKARIIII

Chapter 61: Club Activities at the First Gymnasium

Arriving at the front of the first gymnasium about two minutes late, I saw Horimoto Shoki, who was already waiting, hurrying toward me with a slightly panicked look.

“You’re late, Hirose-kun! I thought you’d gone home already!”

“Oh, that was an option?”

“No, no, no! Our destination’s beyond this door!”

“Ugh, so loud.”

Horimoto Shoki’s over-the-top reactions are seriously killing my vibe.

This guy’s hopeless—the gap between his looks and his behavior is so wide that his pathetic side stands out more.

He’s got the “cool guy” appearance down, so maybe he should work on his everyday demeanor.

“Let’s go in.”

“Huh? Just like that!? Don’t you need to mentally prepare or something!?”

“What prep do you need to enter a gym…?”

“But during club time, the gym has such an away-game vibe!”

“Who cares? The whole school’s my turf.”

“W-Wow, so reliable…!”

Horimoto Shoki looks at me with sparkling eyes, but it’s so creepy I ignore him.

I open the gym door without waiting for him to get ready.

The moment it opens, a wave of stifling heat spills out.

It’s so muggy it makes me hesitate to step inside.

The determined shouts of students reach my ears, and I can easily sense their serious dedication to their club activities.

Why would they keep the doors shut in this heat?

Then I notice the boys’ basketball team practicing closest to the door—probably to keep the balls from rolling out.

Beyond the boys’ basketball team is the girls’ basketball team, and further back, the badminton club is active.

I walk along the edge of the gym, taking it all in.

With club activities almost over, every group is practicing in game-like scenarios.

“It’s kinda intense, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Horimoto Shoki lets out a quiet comment, overwhelmed by the atmosphere as he watches the boys’ basketball team.

It feels intense because people we see every day are showing expressions we’ve never seen, completely immersed in their clubs.

It’s like they’re in a different dimension.

The white lines of the court must be the gateway to that world.

Looking at the court, my eyes are immediately drawn to the guy who sits next to me.

Holding the ball with both hands and lowering his stance, he radiates an intimidating presence that’s more than enough to unnerve those around him.

He effortlessly blows past his defender and, before approaching the tall center, stops and jumps.

The whole sequence is so crisp, it makes you wonder what kind of core strength allows for such a clean shot.

At that moment, a loud whistle echoes through the gym.

It seems club activities have reached their end time.

The badminton club starts packing up their nets, and the basketball teams form circles to stretch.

I’m thinking it’s about time to call out when—

“Yukki? What a rare sight, you being here.”

Apparently spotting me, Kamishiro Haruka, who was collecting scattered balls, calls out.

Instead of a gym uniform, she’s wearing a yellow T-shirt with white English text printed on it.

Looking closer, most of the basketball team members aren’t in gym uniforms either.

“Yo, you’ve got a guest.”

“A guest? You mean Horimoto-kun, right? What’s up?”

Man, they’ve been in the same class for over a year, and he still hasn’t earned a nickname…

That’s kind of sad, but being called by his last name is a good way to know where he stands.

“He wants you to teach him basketball. You were looking for people, right?”

“What, really!?”

At that, Kamishiro Haruka’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Horimoto Shoki.

“I’m so glad! I was worried no one would show up after I made such a big deal about it. Thanks, Horimoto-kun!”

“N-N-N-No, no, no, I just love basketball, th-that’s all!”

Maybe because it was so sudden, Kamishiro Haruka seemed a bit down that no one had approached her today.

But now, in her excitement, she grabs Horimoto Shoki’s hand and shakes it vigorously.

The fake cool guy instantly turns bright red and crumbles.

He’s stammering so much I can’t even tell what he’s saying.

Show some guts, man—where’s that bold hallway attitude?

“Let’s start practicing then! Anything specific you want to learn?”

“I’ll leave it to you, Kamishiro-san!”

“Okay, how about we do some simple passing drills and then try layups?”

“Y-Yes!”

And just like that, Horimoto Shoki follows Kamishiro Haruka like a wagging puppy.

Yeah, this is one of those cases where they might get closer as friends but nothing more.

She’s treating him like a pet—there’s no way that leads to boyfriend status.

Also, the girls’ basketball team is still stretching—aren’t they gonna get in trouble for ditching like that?

“Sorry, but I’m not teaching you, Yukki! Yesterday’s friend is today’s enemy—I’m not helping a rival!”

“You got that backward.”

“Oh, but thanks for bringing Horimoto-kun! I’m super grateful for that!”

“Shut up and go already.”

Kamishiro Haruka strikes a dramatic pose while completely botching her words.

Sigh, I told her at lunch I’m skipping the sports festival, but as someone from another class, she’s still wary of me.

If it were me, I’d practice with them to gauge their skills, but Kamishiro Haruka’s all about charging straight ahead the honest way.

Alright, my errand’s done smoother than I expected.

If they keep bonding over sports, they’ll probably get a bit closer.

Do whatever you want now—I’m out.

Just as I was about to leave the gym—

“Hey, you, what’re you doing in a place like this?”

A girl’s voice I’ve been hearing a lot lately stopped me from behind.