The Day After I Told My Shut-In Genius Childhood Friend, Who’s Highly Dependent on Me, “I Got Confessed To,” She Showed Me a Hypnosis App - Chapter 35

After saying goodbye to Mio, who was going to a girls’ get-together, I suddenly got a message from Kirisaka-senpai.

“Honami-kun. I’m sorry. I need you to come to this café urgently.”

“…Senpai?”

…Wasn’t she supposed to be at the girls’ meeting with Mio today? And the place Mio told me about was a different café.

I had these questions in my head, but the message said “urgent,” so I hurried over. I walked from the station toward a quieter area, down a narrow street I didn’t know, to a small café.

For some reason, Momose-san was there.

“…Huh? Momose-san?”

“Hehe… long time no see?”

She waved a little. Huh… it’s just Momose-san?

I sat across from her and spoke, and let my questions show.

“I thought you were at the girls’ meeting with senpai…”

“No. They’re at another place. The student council president arranged for me to meet you.”

Arranged to meet me… So that means… Senpai set up this meeting on purpose?

“…You didn’t have to do this. She’s probably in the classroom.”

“I don’t think Shinonome-san would allow that…”

“…She wouldn’t allow it?”

I thought that was strange, but Momose-san didn’t seem like she was lying.

“Honamin. Since Shinonome-san started coming to class, the mood has been a little different.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. I think she’s trying to keep me and you apart.”

I frowned. It was hard to believe. But… I had noticed it since the day I went out with Momose-san… Or maybe even before that?

Mio’s eyes popped into my mind. That cold stare. The way she looked at other people in class. It reminded me of that same cold look.

Momose-san leaned in and looked at me closely.

“Can we talk for a bit?”

At that moment, my phone rang. The screen said “Shinonome Mio.”

I felt like I should answer. But I couldn’t right now.

I tapped the end call and turned off the phone.

Momose-san looked worried.

“…You’re not going to answer?”

“Yeah. It’s fine.”

Senpai is with her. If anything happens with Mio, I’ll get a message.

Since senpai went through all this to set up the meeting, I should probably listen to what Momose-san has to say.

I ordered only a coffee and sat up straight.

“…Momose-san. Can you tell me about what’s going on in class?”

◇

What Momose-san told me was simple.

(So the class mood is bad because of Mio…?)

If that’s really happening, I need to deal with it. I can’t just ignore it, not as the class president.

“Got it. I’ll watch how things go, and if there’s a problem, I’ll handle it… Thank you for telling me something that’s probably hard to say.”

I need to take action. But right now, I’ve only heard one side of the story. Mio must have her side too. Actually…

(The real cause is probably Mio…)

I need to hear what she has to say. If I can fix the problem, that’s the best way.

Momose-san nodded and let her body sink back, and looked exhausted.

“Yeah, that’s fine… haah, I’m kind of tired.”

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t even notice.”

“Oh, no, it’s okay!”

She shook her head and quickly sat up again. Her back was straight and upright, but somehow she looked less energetic than usual.

From what I can see, Momose-san isn’t really used to serious talk. Today’s problem was just about “my friend is tense, and the cause might be Shinonome-san,” but even a talk like this takes some effort.

“I’ll make it up to you, the drinks on me. Do you want anything?”

“Huh? No, no, really. You came all the way here; I should be the one apologizing.”

“Yeah, but I just came because senpai called me…”

“Oh, I see. What did the president say when she asked you to come?”

“She just said it was urgent.”

I showed her the message, and she let out a little laugh.

“The president’s kind of rough. You really did a good job, Honamin…”

“Well, if senpai says it’s urgent, I can’t just ignore it.”

As we talked, the usual feeling started to come back.

(Come to think of it, it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve talked like this.)

We used to chat sometimes at lunch. The last time we talked properly was… on our date. Only a few days have passed, but it feels like a long time, maybe because of what happened with Mio.

“…”

“…”

While we were talking, an awkward silence suddenly fell. Things aren’t the same as before. We need to check the current situation. Right now… we’re still keeping our confession thing on hold.

“um, Momose-san.”

“Um, Honamin!”

We both spoke at the same time and looked at each other. I think we were thinking the same thing.

“…Momose-san, about the confession?”

“Yeah, that’s what I wanted to talk about… Honamin, are you free after school tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

I was ready to say it now, but today wasn’t the day.

Tomorrow will be fine.

Mio would be around, but I wanted to have a proper talk with Momose-san.

“Yeah, I’m free.”

“Good… then after school tomorrow on the rooftop.”

She smiled like she felt relieved and held out her pinky.

I linked my pinky with hers. The pinky promise.

“…It’s a promise.”

“Yeah.”

We talked a little more, then went our separate ways.

After I was alone, I checked my phone. Mio had sent me a ton of messages, so I called her.

(—Huh?)

While the call was ringing, I thought I heard a myon, myon, myon sound in my head.

By the time I tilted my head, it was gone.

◆ “Momose Nanaka”

After parting with Honamin, I clenched my fist quietly, all by myself.

“…Alright.”

I got the promise.

I could have just talked on my phone, but Shinonome-san was with Honamin.

I wanted to make the promise somewhere I was sure no one could see.

“Tomorrow…”

Since the day I confessed, things had been twisted and complicated.

But tomorrow, it will all end.

Finally, I could move forward.

“Please, give me your answer. Honamin.”

The words melted into the empty air and disappeared.