My Popular-as-Hell Best Friend Is Annoying, So I Want to Get Him a Girlfriend and Shut Him Up - Chapter 9: Promise

Chapter 9: Promise

“Sorry, it kinda felt like I was kicking you out…”

“Seriously, not even offering a guest a cup of tea?”

“…When you respond that boldly, I don’t even know what to say.”

*

After being thrown out of the tea ceremony room, I killed time in the library until Kirita Akari finished her club activities.

I was reading a manga about a genius doctor without a medical license, and it was a great way to pass the time.

That author is a genius—way too good at pulling you into the story.

“But is this okay? There’s still time before your club ends, isn’t there?”

Kirita Akari showed up at the library about thirty minutes before her club was supposed to end, and for someone in a cultural club, she was oddly out of breath.

It felt like she was in a rush.

“I felt bad making you wait, Hirose-kun, and you’re kinda doing this for me… kinda.”

That’s a commendable attitude, but why did she say “kinda” twice?

Can’t she see I’m going all out here?

…Whatever.

I’ll forgive her for cutting her club short and coming early. She should be grateful for my magnanimity.

I led Kirita Akari to a corner of the library, and we sat across from each other.

There were a few other people using the library, so we kept our voices low.

“I’ve got one question. Have you ever dated anyone before?”

“…!”

Kirita Akari’s cheeks turned bright red at my question.

Alright, I get it. You don’t need to say anything. I understand completely.

“Then, have you ever had a crush on a guy?”

“No! No way! Absolutely not!”

What’s with the dramatic triple denial? Keep it down, we’re in the library.

“I mean, I went to an all-girls middle school, so I never even had a chance to meet boys…”

“No need for excuses. Just the facts are fine.”

“Ugh…”

Kirita Akari visibly flinched at my harsh words.

Sorry, but I’m not holding back. This is all so she can date that idiot Uryu.

No matter how high the wall, I’ll make her climb it.

“What I’d like is for you to go on another date with Uryu, but…”

It’s obvious that’s not happening easily.

Just mentioning his name makes her blush and squirm. There’s no way she could handle a date with him in her current state.

Still, looking at her now, her raw material isn’t bad.

She’s got a slightly unpolished vibe, but that’s actually a point in her favor.

Compared to the three idiots I know, she might fall short in some areas, but she’s more than capable of holding her own.

“No choice, then. Looks like I’ll have to step up.”

“Huh?”

I turned to Kirita Akari, who tilted her head in confusion, and declared:

“This Sunday, you’re going on a date with me.”

“…Excuse me?”

Kirita Akari’s eyes widened, as if my words hadn’t registered at all.

“Um, sorry. Could you say that one more time?”

“Huh? You’re telling me you couldn’t hear me in a quiet place like this?”

“No, I mean… I just want to make sure I’m not misunderstanding, because that’d be embarrassing…”

“I’m saying you’re going on a date with me this Sunday.”

“Ehhhhhh!?”

“Quiet, you idiot! This is a library!”

“S-S-Sorry!”

Kirita Akari hurriedly covered her mouth, but then, still blushing, she leaned closer to me.

“W-Why a date with you, Hirose-kun?”

“Because you’re not used to guys, so we’re going to train you. First, you’ll go on a date with me to get used to being alone with a guy.

That way, you’ll be able to handle the real date with Uryu to some extent, right?”

Kirita Akari is a serious girl. She accepts my advice and can reflect on herself objectively.

If there’s anything she’s lacking, it’s experience.

If she practices with a few dates, she might even build up some resistance to Uryu’s compliments.

“I-I get the logic, but…”

Kirita Akari twirled her index fingers nervously, glancing between the table and me.

“Won’t Aoyagi-kun misunderstand? Like, think I’m into you, Hirose-kun…?”

Ah, I see.

So that’s what she’s worried about. It’s not an unreasonable concern.

But she doesn’t need to worry about that. I told her confidently:

“Relax. If there’s ever any suspicion about our relationship, I’ll step in and clear things up. I promise.”

To begin with, I doubt that oblivious prince would even jump to that kind of misunderstanding, but saying this much should help ease her fears.

Kirita Akari stared at me for a while, her mouth slightly open.

“What? Is a verbal promise not enough?”

“N-No! That’s not it! It’s just… those words felt really reassuring…”

“I’m always reassuring, aren’t I?”

“…Sure, let’s go with that.”

Hey, what was that pause?

Isn’t that a bit rude to your mentor?

“So, we’re good on the date, right?”

“Y-Yeah. I know I can’t keep going like this, and if you’re okay with it, Hirose-kun…”

“Leave it to me. I’ll make sure not to disappoint you.”

“…Okay.”

I felt a twinge of unease at how suddenly subdued Kirita Akari became, but I successfully secured the date.

This date will pave the way for her to succeed with Uryu.

To make that happen, I’ll have to give it my all.

With that decided, tomorrow morning, I’d put another plan into motion.