The Charm of the Popular Beautiful Succubus in Class Doesn't Work on Me ~ For Some Reason, This Beauty Keeps Trying to Hold My Hand ~ - 2

Chapter 2: As Expected From the Information Broker, the Title Is Not Just for Show

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

“…That’s what happened, Kokubun. What do you think?”

I was on my way home after witnessing Makabe’s confession. I wasted no time sharing the story with Seiya Kokubun, the only person I could call a true friend. 

What? Didn’t Kisara Sarashina tell me to keep quiet about it? Well, I’m just a curious, impulsive and always-hungry second year high schooler after all. There’s no way I could keep quiet about a scandal as big as this. 

“What’s there to think? Obviously, that Makabe guy is just being used by Kisara Sarashina.”

Kokubun said dismissively. He was a tall guy, tall enough to look intimidating, with a two-block haircut that was styled after a famous Hiroshima Carp baseball player. 

“You’re as cynical as ever.”

“Well, that’s the most logical conclusion based on what you’ve told me.”

“But you know, maybe Sarashina’s type is actually someone like Makabe? Maybe she likes the quiet, introverted kind?”

Kokubun let out an exaggerated sigh, looking clearly exasperated. 

“In fact, that alone shows just how mismatched Sarashina and Makabe are.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, think about it. From the way you described it, Sarashina is the one doing the ‘choosing,’ while Makabe is the one being ‘chosen.’ Even an outsider like you can see it that way, that means they themselves must be aware of how mismatched they are.”

“Ah, I see…”

“Besides, you didn’t see Sarashina accepting Makabe’s confession, right? Sarashina is not your ordinary girl. She’s everyone’s idol. I can’t imagine someone like her would be willing to ignore how others see her and decide to date someone like Makabe.”

Kokubun’s knack for analyzing information never ceased to amaze me. Despite his imposing physique, Kokubun is the epitome of a calm and composed guy. He always tried to see the situation in a rational and methodical approach. In that sense, Kokubun was the perfect example of a “cool-headed guy.”

As for me, I was more of a hot-blooded, goofy type. I tended to let my personal feelings influence my decision. This was the reason why Kokubun’s objective opinions were important to me. I had to take his point into consideration to see the bigger picture. 

“And…”

“And…?”

“Based on my information network, Sarashina is still single. There’s no rumor about her boyfriend or anything like that.”

Yes. Furthermore, Kokubun was incredibly well-informed. There was always one person like him in the class. Someone who knew who was dating who, who had a crush on who and all other gossips as well. That person was Kokubun. He knew everything, even stuff way beyond anyone’s comprehension.

“As expected from the Information Broker. Your title is not just for show.”

Hearing Kokubun talk like this always made me think, “Maybe he’s right.”

Sarashina was the class idol. That was a fact recognized by everyone, including me. Under normal circumstances, it made no sense for someone like her to be with someone like Makabe. So… Maybe Makabe was being used by Sarashina after all?

“But still, Sarashina’s popularity is something else. Even I can’t help but think she’s cute. No wonder all the guys lost their sense of reason. I can totally see why they can’t control themselves in front of her.”

“I heard she totally dominated the ‘Who’s the Cutest Girl?’ poll in Class A’s group LINE chat.”

“‘Heard’? You and Sarashina are in the same class, aren’t you? You made it sound like you ‘heard’ about that from someone else?”

“Because I’m not in the class group LINE chat.”

“What? Are you still acting like a stereotypical ‘loner yankee’? You should just go ahead and dye your red hair back to black already.”

Kokubun said, chuckling dryly. 

Yeah. To be honest, I don’t have many friends. 

I was born with natural red hair and that meant I was labeled as a ‘yankee’ from the moment I entered high school, making it hard for me to get any friends. Furthermore, there was that “incident” during my first year, which only drove away the few friends I did have. And so, there was hardly anyone who talked to me these days. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say I didn’t have any friends in class. And yet… Despite everything, Kokubun was the only person who still treated me the same. 

“You idiot! This red hair is natural! I can’t dye it ‘back’ to black! Besides, I don’t judge people by their appearance! I hate that kind of shallow thinking! What matters is what’s on the inside!”

“Yeah, sure, but I bet you were grinning like an idiot when Sarashina held your hand earlier, weren’t you? Don’t worry. Even though a red haired yankee like you actually has the purest soul deep inside, a beautiful girl like Sarashina would never give you the time of day.”

“Huh?? Someone as sneaky and calculating as you would never be on her radar either!”

“Well, yeah. I’m too cunning to waste my time chasing after an idol that won’t be worth my time and effort.”

With that, Kokubun and I burst into laughter at the same time. Though we liked to exchange thorny comments like this, but I truly trusted this guy and appreciated him. He was the only person I could truly call my true best friend. 

“By the way. I have some interesting information about Sarashina. How about it? I will give you a special discount.”

Kokubun said, leaning to me with a playful smirk on his face. 

Interesting information? 

When Kokubun smiled mischievously like that, it usually meant he had something really worthwhile to share. 

Interesting information about Sarashina, huh… Well, might as well hop on the ride!

“Hamburger!”

“No, it’s a Big Mac worth at least.”

“Then… Teriyaki McBurger!”

“Alright! Deal!”

Kokubun then drew out a dramatic breath before leaning close to my ear and whispered. 

“Actually, Sarashina…. Is an E-cup!”

I went without saying that my right hand burst into flames after that. Leaving Kokubun sprawled on the ground, I turned on my heel and headed toward the train station.

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー