My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 74 & 75 & 76

 Chapter 74: On the Way Home

After my visit to the Aoyagi household, the second-years at school started getting a bit more active in preparing for the sports festival.

Not only are they using the gym after club activities, but some are finishing lunch early during breaks to practice.

Seeing guys and girls practicing together, having the same sport for both seems to be fostering some youthful moments.

Uryu’s in high demand, getting dragged by classmates to teach them basketball, so I’m eating lunch alone.

For the first time in a while, I’m reminded of how wonderful peace is.

I wish the sports festival would never come.

But why has my life gotten so chaotic lately?

Up until the first term of my first year, I lived calmly like this.

It all started in the second term when Uryu began pestering me.

No point dwelling on the past now.

Maybe the sports festival will push Uryu to eat with other friends.

I’ll bet on that possibility and enjoy the peace while it lasts.

“Yukiya, you going to the gym after club?”

“No way.”

“Right. Next week, then?”

“If the world’s still peaceful.”

“What’s gonna happen?”

After homeroom, I exchange brief worries about the future with Uryu and leave the classroom.

Having moved on from my paper airplane phase, I’m now obsessed with PET bottle rockets.

But the other day, while scavenging for empty bottles at the gym’s vending machine, a janitor chewed me out.

I reflected that rummaging through trash was wrong and started asking people who finished their drinks for their bottles.

They mistook me for a hardcore pervert.

I explained it wasn’t about indirect kisses, but no one got it.

The path to PET bottle rockets is this tough?

So I’m on hiatus for now.

Uryu laughed his head off when he heard, which pissed me off, so I’m not acting on it.

I’ll quietly read a children’s book in the library about a phantom thief fox and his boar sidekick.

Kids’ books spark my inspiration—today, I’ll absorb something new.

※

Wondering why this school even has children’s books, I notice the clock says 15 minutes until club activities end.

Leaving now won’t get me in trouble, so I grab my bag and head out.

On the train, my mind’s on potato stamps.

Are they easy to make?

They seem finicky, but I want to create my own original stamp.

They’ve got charm, and making different kinds sounds fun.

A few minutes later, I get off and walk through the crowded station to the next platform.

Waiting for the train that comes every seven minutes, I spot a familiar semi-long-haired girl in a uniform.

“Hey, Yukiya-san?”

Noticing me, she lights up and bounds over like an overly attached dog.

It’s Uryu’s sister, Aoyagi Tsuyu.

“What a coincidence! This is the first time we’ve met at the station, right!?”

“Yeah.”

No wonder Tsuyu’s surprised.

Since Uryu and I take the same route home, Tsuyu uses the same train eventually.

But this is the first time we’ve met at this platform.

Our schedules must be that different, though I’m leaving at my usual time.

She’s the one who broke her routine.

“You’re heading home pretty late. Something happen at school?”

Yangling High’s club hours are long, so we leave late.

For Tsuyu to be here at almost the same time, maybe a school event?

I ask, but Tsuyu fidgets with her hair, looking reluctant.

Maybe it’s a touchy subject.

“Don’t answer if you don’t want to.”

“No! I was talking to a teacher about my future, and it ran long.”

“Your future? Already thinking about university?”

Her school’s an all-girls integrated middle-high, so “future” likely means university.

But for a third-year middle schooler like Tsuyu, isn’t that early?

“No, no, it’s about high school.”

“High school?”

“I want to take the entrance exam for a different school.”

“…I see.”

It’s a delicate topic, so I pause to choose my words.

Wanting to switch high schools from an integrated school is a bold choice.

“Things not going well or something?”

“Huh?”

“Like, you’re unhappy with school life?”

“Oh, no! I love school. I have friends, and I get along with the teachers.”

Sensing my concern, Tsuyu hurriedly explains.

It’s not a negative reason, then.

No need to tread carefully.

“So why switch schools if you’re happy now?”

As I say that, an announcement echoes through the station.

The train’s about to arrive.

“It’s kinda vague, but I feel like the fun I’m having now is hitting a ceiling.”

“A ceiling?”

“Yeah. Even if I move up to high school there, it feels like it won’t be as fun as now.”

Listening, I think she’s saying something pretty abstract.

Can you really talk to a teacher that long based on a feeling?

Isn’t there something more concrete?

“Tsuyu, you hiding something else?”

At my question, her eyes visibly dart.

Realizing she’s been caught, she gives an embarrassed smile.

“Haha, I can’t hide anything from you, Yukiya-san.”

“You’re just too obvious.”

“I wanted to keep it secret until I sorted it out, but since you know this much, it doesn’t matter either way.”

The train arrives.

We wait for passengers to disembark, then board.

In the mostly empty car, we stand facing each other.

“I want to go to the same school as Onii-chan and you, Yukiya-san.”

As the train doors close, Tsuyu lifts the corners of her mouth and shares her secret.

The “other school” she meant was Yourei High.

Yeah, if she kept that hidden until entrance ceremonies, even I’d be shocked.

“Onii-chan and I haven’t really decided much for ourselves. Partly because Onee-chan does whatever she wants, but we weren’t that proactive either. We picked our school because it’s Mom’s alma mater.”

It’s similar to what Uryu told me the other day.

Hisame-san, forging her own path, often fights with their dad, so Uryu suppresses his own opinions to keep the peace.

Tsuyu’s the same, not choosing her school by her own will.

But Tsuyu wants to change that.

“But I don’t think I can keep going like this. If I just keep pleasing Dad, I’ll miss out on what I really want. So, inspired by Onee-chan and you, Yukiya-san, I want to go to Yourei High. I want to decide my own path and move forward.”

“…I see.”

Tsuyu’s eyes seem to hold a firm resolve.

She’s decided to stop reading the room and prioritize her feelings.

That’s pretty cool—a declaration Uryu should see.

Whether it’s the right choice is another matter, but facing her dad, who she’s always appeased, is a good step.

“When’re you telling him?”

“When Dad has time, I guess. He’s busy, so maybe next week if I’m lucky.”

“Good luck. That’s all I’ve got to say.”

I pat Tsuyu’s head with the hand not holding the strap.

It’s meant as a big-brother-like cheer, but she widens her eyes, then narrows them with an “ehehe” smile.

“Yukiya-san, can I ask one thing?”

“Depends on what. What is it?”

“If it goes well, pat my head again.”

It’s such a simple request I almost laugh.

Looks like Tsuyu really likes head pats.

“Sure, if it goes well.”

“It’s a promise, okay? No backing out later!”

“If you want pats that bad, ask Uryu.”

“Ehh, Onii-chan’s don’t feel as special.”

“What’s that mean?”

We keep up the silly banter until Tsuyu gets off the train.

Chapter 75: Sports Festival

Exactly one week after my train conversation with Tsuyu, the second-years of Yourei High gathered in the first gymnasium, dressed in gym uniforms.

It’s the long-awaited sports festival day for the sports enthusiasts.

Earlier, the PE teachers gave motivational speeches and went over precautions, but who knows how many were listening seriously.

With 40 students per class, a total of 240 are gathered, but I doubt even half fully grasped the details.

After finishing group calisthenics, the opening ceremony concluded.

The boys head to check the schedule posted by the stage, while the girls move through the connecting corridor to the second gymnasium.

A large doormat is set up at the open door of the corridor.

It’s been raining all week, and the corridor, with only a small roof, gets your indoor shoes wet just walking through.

Today’s no exception—the weather’s bad, too humid for a sports day.

Now that I think about it, even if I hadn’t fought so hard, soccer would’ve been canceled anyway, right?

So, what now?

For the second-year teachers, except the PE ones, today’s like a day off.

They’ll either cheer for students or coldly work on final exam prep.

Either way, their guard’s probably lax.

The referees during matches are basketball club volunteers, so skipping shouldn’t be too hard.

“Yukiya-kun.”

Just as I’m thinking about hiding from the nosiest guy, Uryu, a soothing, sleepy voice calls out.

I turn to see Tsukikage Miharu smiling brightly.

She’s in a gym uniform too, but unlike me, she’s wearing a navy jacket matching her shorts—the long-sleeve winter version.

“Isn’t that hot?”

“Not at all. It’s rainy, and the temperature’s not high.”

“It’s making me feel hot just looking.”

“Haha, sorry, but you’ll have to deal with it.”

I glance around—hardly any girls are wearing jackets like Tsukikage Miharu.

She must be especially sensitive to cold.

“So, what’s the plan?”

Tsukikage Miharu’s calling me because of our earlier promise.

Fellow slackers, we’d spend the sports festival together.

I’ve got no objections, but how do we actually skip?

“How about the second gymnasium? You’d have an easier time skipping there, Yukiya-kun.”

“Huh? Isn’t it the other way around?”

Her suggestion doesn’t seem great.

The second gymnasium, used by the girls, would keep me out of Uryu’s and the strict PE teachers’ sight.

But me among the girls? I’d stick out like a sore thumb.

Wouldn’t blending in with the guys make skipping easier?

Hide a tree in a forest, right?

Then I reconsider.

Idiot, if I’m there, Tsukikage Miharu’s there too.

Putting her in the guys’ den would make her stand out like crazy.

The first gymnasium’s a no-go.

That leaves her plan, but will it really work?

With my overwhelming cool-guy aura, they’d spot me in no time.

Oh, my sinful existence.

“I think it’s way better than me being here.”

“Hm? Hello, Tsukikage-san? What’s that supposed to mean?”

No way she’s saying I’d blend in with the girls.

Should I unleash my masculine pheromones, you smiley girl?

“No, no, something more practical.”

“Practical?”

“Yup. The second gymnasium has air conditioning.”

“Let’s go. The flower garden’s waiting.”

Man, she should’ve said that sooner.

I feel like an idiot for overthinking where to go.

In summer, head to cool places—that’s human nature.

My standing-out issue isn’t solved, but I’ll ignore it for now.

Comfortable temperature is justice.

“Hehe, that honesty’s part of your charm, Yukiya-kun.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m a full-body charm machine.”

“Bet the sea hates you and you can’t swim.”

“Who’s the Pirate Empress? I’ll petrify you!”

“Isn’t that ‘bewitch’ instead of ‘charm’?”

“…Whatever, it’s not a big deal…”

“Oh, sorry, I cut you off.”

“Don’t comfort me! That makes it worse!”

“You were obviously sulking.”

“Forget it! I’m a full-body charm machine! End of story!”

“Yup, I’ll get petrified.”

So mean—she said we’re done, so why keep poking…?

Chapter 76: Sports Festival 2

Regaining my composure, I glance around cautiously and move from the first gymnasium to the connecting corridor.

The sound of rain pelting the roof echoes loudly.

It’s pouring with enthusiasm today, as usual.

“Do you like the rain, Yukiya-kun?”

“Well I don’t dislike it.”

“Why’s that?”

“There’s stuff you can only discover on rainy days. Staying cooped up just because the weather’s bad is a waste.”

“I see. That’s very you, Yukiya-kun.”

“What about you?”

“Not a fan. Getting wet and cold feels like a one-way ticket to a cold.”

“…Not something to say with a smile, I think.”

If you asked anyone at this school about Tsukikage Miharu’s trademark, most would say her “smile.”

That’s how rarely her expression changes.

Her mature, fleeting smile is her weapon and charm.

After walking the 20-meter corridor, we approach the entrance of a sturdier-looking building.

The second gymnasium.

Like the new school building, it was added to accommodate Yourei High’s growing student population.

Built about ten years ago, it’s much newer inside and out compared to the first gymnasium.

The structure’s similar, but it’s got air conditioning and stage effects, making it a prize for the volleyball and table tennis clubs.

The drama club can’t use the stage because the dance club hogs it.

Each year, they decide which gymnasium to use, so next year’s up in the air.

Inside, it’s packed with girls.

Obvious, but it’s the first thing I notice.

The air smells different, and I feel like I shouldn’t be here.

“Wanna sit on the stage?”

“Sure.”

Of course, Tsukikage Miharu doesn’t pick up on my unease.

She climbs the side stairs to the stage, and I follow, sitting next to her.

As expected of a stage, it gives a clear view of the gymnasium.

Like the boys, some girls check the schedule by the stage.

Some head to their assigned courts, while others go back to the first gymnasium with friends.

What’s with them? Got questions for the teachers?

Then I remember—today’s mostly free time.

They probably know they’re not in the first match and are heading to watch the boys’ games.

Maybe cheering for their class or that cool guy next to me—who knows.

“You not gonna watch Uryu’s match or something?”

Tsukikage Miharu gazes at the gymnasium with her practiced, flawless smile.

If it’s free time, watching Uryu’s game is an option.

“It’s fine. I saw plenty last year. Cheering doesn’t exactly boost my favorability.”

She’s got a point.

Cheering your heart out for Uryu probably doesn’t register with him.

Worst case, he might not even notice.

He’s not just dense—he’s practically insensate.

Still, don’t you want to see someone you like in action?

It’s basketball again this year—a chance to see Uryu’s big plays.

Not heading to the first gymnasium makes Tsukikage Miharu seem pretty detached.

She and Uryu might get along, but at this rate, he’ll forget she exists.

“But don’t you want to see Uryu?”

“Cheering’s more like watching than meeting. Don’t you think I’m more likely to run into Uryu-kun by staying with you?”

“…”

I don’t want to admit it, but she’s right.

To skip efficiently, I’m registered on the same team as Uryu.

I don’t remember other classmates’ faces well, but if anyone’s looking for me, it’ll be Uryu.

Her prediction feels spot-on.

Which is really annoying.

“Let’s chill, then. Maybe watch the girls’ matches.”

“It does sound good. Checking out girls’ corpses—”

“One letter off, and it’s a whole different thing.”

“Japanese is scary.”

“You’re the scary one, Yukiya-kun.”

I’m not happy with that accusation.

What’s wrong with girls’ corpse? The match results are secondary.

Oh no, I’m so hyped I’m rhyming.

Am I unlocking my rapper potential?

“Hello… is that okay?”

As I banter with Tsukikage Miharu, facing the stage, a girl’s shadow appears.

Her eyes waver nervously, her voice hesitant.

Kirita Akari calls out, a bit awkwardly.

T/N: Now regarding the corpse part, the excerpt in romaji is 

“It does sound good. Checking out girls’ corpses—”

「Tashika ni ii na, joshi no shitai o miru no wa」

Now, the right word here is Shiai, not Shitai. Shitai is basically a corpse, while Shiai means a match. MC was referring to the girls’ match, but by being 1 letter off, he accidentally meant their corpse.