The Story of Becoming a Drinking Friend When I Saved the Cutest Senpai in University - Vol 1 Chapter 28

Itomori’s POV

“This is the worst…”

I swore at the unfamiliar ceiling and clenched the sheets of my bed, which were not my own.

This is the hospital.

I lost consciousness at the hotel and was immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance.

“…What are you overworked with?”

It seems that my body has reached its limit after last month’s labor.

I have a terrible fever, blurred vision, and faint consciousness like when I get drunk. The doctor told me harshly that I would have died if things had gone worse.

I worked three days and three nights without sleeping, and I slept half an hour or so a day. I think I pushed myself too hard.

“Damn… Above all else, of all that time…!”

It can’t be helped that I’ve run out of energy.

But the timing couldn’t have been worse.

“If I’m going to fall, don’t do it in front of senpai…! I’m worried… I’m stupid… I…!”

I wanted to confess, for it was a golden opportunity, despite that regret, it is more than that that I regret that I fell down on the spot.

When I woke up, senpai was crying…

I feel so sorry that I have a splitting headache.

Destroying the presents, not being able to confess, and making her cry is beyond control.

“…I have to give her the best birthday ever.”

I have caused her a great deal of trouble.

I don’t know what I can do, but if you want, I’ll do something special or anything.

If I am told to jump into a waterfall, I’ll do it, and if I am told to fight a bear, I’ll fight.

I have to do at least that much to make up for what I did.

After…

Next time, without fail, absolutely.

I have to confess to senpai.

◆◆◆

Tennouji’s POV

August 1st.

Today is my birthday.

The venue is a Western-style house where my deceased grandfather lived.

This birthday party itself was originally planned by my grandfather, so we still use it as a custom.

“Happy birthday, congratulations.”

“Happy birthday, ojou-sama.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you, everyone. Please enjoy yourself today.”

Nearly 300 people gather in the hall, and everyone enjoys eating and chatting in a standing style.

In the midst of this, I stood as usual in the corner of the hall, dealing with endless congratulations.

“Tennouji-san, happy birthday! Do you remember me?”

“Yes, it’s been a long time. Thank you very much for coming today.”

“No, no! No need to be so formal!”

A plump, fat man in his thirties.

He is the son of a congressman.

“This is a birthday present! You can use it as you like!”

“…Um, what is this?”

“It’s the key to the apartment. It’s all right, we have all the furniture and stuff!”

He gave me the key, holding my hand tightly.

His eyes were clearly on my chest, and he immediately looked at me, perhaps because he thought it was inappropriate, and smiled with desire.

Even after he left, many men came with jewelry, luxury cars, and expensive gifts. They all share a bottomless desire with an open smile.

Among the participants in this birthday party, fewer than 10 percent of the people I invited.

Twenty percent are relatives, and the rest are acquaintances.

People who have nothing to do with me come to me almost every year to form deep relationships, and so on. If they can marry me, they’d have control over my body, and since they can get the money and power of the Tennouji family, a huge amount of money moves for these presents.

…I’ve been doing this since I was a child.

Even though it’s my birthday, I’m in a whirlwind of sexual desire, money desire, and power desire.

I was forced to congratulate them only in form, and I was looked at with disgust, and I was disappointed that I might not be able to do this.

I think it’s silly from the bottom of my heart, but since it was started by the previous head of the family, no one can say no.

If only Itomori-kun had been there―

He was forced to stay in the hospital because of overwork, so he has to stay in the hospital until tomorrow.

…If this were the case, I should’ve just told him a birthday present from the beginning. Then he wouldn’t have worked so hard.

I underestimated Itomori-kun’s seriousness.

I can’t believe there are people who literally work for a whole month just to celebrate my birthday. I’m glad that he’s too straightforward, but I’d be most grateful if he’s with you.

Well, there’s no use worrying about it.

He’s not coming, and I’ll just have to get through today.

“Hey, Akebi, it’s been a while. You’ve grown up.”

“Long time no see, old man. When did you return to Japan?”

A man in his early 70s. This person is my grandfather’s best friend and usually works overseas.

He has been very helpful since I was a child, and he is one of the few people who I can feel at ease here.

“A little while ago. My grandchild started working in Japan, so I came to see what was going on.”

“Your grandchild?”

“I suppose he was the same age as Akebi. I brought him here today. Let me introduce you.”

“Hey,” the old man beckoned, and two men dressed in expensive suits turned around.

A face that basically doesn’t move in front of people makes a face so bitter that I can see it yourself.

That physique, that face, that hair… I’m sure.

The night I met Itomori-kun.

When I first went out drinking, there were two men there who were going to take me to a hotel.

That unexpected reunion stiffened me, and they looked at each other awkwardly.

What a coincidence. I can’t believe this is happening.

“These are my grandsons, Ryou and Ren. Please get along with them.”

When the old man told me, I had no choice but to bow.

I’d like to tell everyone what happened that night, but if I do that, the image of Tennouji Akebi will be destroyed.

It’s true that I almost got taken to a hotel because I made a mistake while drinking.

That’s not the ideal girl. It’s a problem to be known to everyone.

“Come to think of it, Akebi, are you not dating anyone?”

“Ah, no. I’m so busy every day that I don’t have to…”

“Then what about my grandson? He earns a lot of money, and he doesn’t look bad, does he?”

“…Y-yes?”

The old man’s eyes glowed with a fever far from reassuring.

…Does this person want to be part of my family? Ever since I was a kid, has he been looking for this opportunity? For that reason, did he prepare a man just right for me?

“Grandfather, that’s going a bit far…”

“You’re making Tennouji-san uncomfortable.”

Surprisingly, the two grandchildren calmly spoke up to the old man.

“That’s right, I’m sorry for the suddenness. Then shall we start with dinner, Akebi?”

The old man doesn’t seem to give up.

I looked at them to see if they could hold him back again.

“Just a meal should be fine.”

“Let’s get along well with the three of us, Tennouji-san.”

…Ah, this is bad.

He has a perfect look on their face.

Most people don’t want to get married, and they just want to play.

If there are three of them again, I don’t know what they’ll do this time.

“It’s decided. When are you free? Let’s fix the schedule first.”

He said it deliberately and loudly as if to check the surroundings, and smiled with a noticeable smile.

The look on his face made me nauseous, but I managed to swallow it and keep calm.

There is no one here who can criticize my grandfather’s best friend, and I can’t ignore him from my point of view.

What am I going to do? What should I do?

The tension makes me thirsty, and my palms are dripping with sweat. In a hazy consciousness, I remember the night when they took me to walk, and I almost shed tears of fear.

“Happy birthday, senpai! I’m sorry I’m late!”

I look back in a familiar voice.

There stood Itomori-kun, who was so sweaty that he might have hurried with all his might that he was steaming.

…This is no good. I’m going to cry like this.

I’d like to ask him what’s wrong and he’s supposed to be in the hospital, but now his voice is more pleasant than anything else. I can’t help but be happy that he came to celebrate without any motives.

“Huh? Those guys…”

Seeing these two, Itomori-kun frowned.

Perhaps a bad memory has come back to life, but the two try to leave, saying, “I’m hungry” or “Do you want anything to eat?”

“…Wait a minute. Why are you here?”

His freezing cold voice hardened everyone around him.

The tension of a fierce beast coming out of a cage makes me gulp down… I’m scared. Itomori-kun can look like this. I didn’t know.

“Senpai, did those two do something to you?”

“…N-no, nothing yet.”

“They’re about to do something, aren’t they?”

Because of my poor answer, Itomori-kun’s eyes changed from suspicion to anger.

He approached them with unsteady steps and patted them lightly on the shoulder.

“Come with me for a moment.”

He dragged the two great bodies out of the great hall, which seemed to be 150 kilometers long and returned in less than a minute.

But the two figures were nowhere to be seen.

There’s only Itomori-kun.

“What are you? Where are they?”

The old man peels his eyes and spits.

Itomori-kun wiped the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief and looked toward the entrance of the hall.

“It’s alright. They just ate something bad and locked themselves in the bathroom.”

A trivial response.

Nevertheless, it was cold, sharp, and dark as I had never felt before.

Everyone here understood in an instant that there was no way it would be all right.

However, the old man sweats heavily and shuts his mouth in an atmosphere where it seems that it is not enough to doubt.

As for security guards, they don’t even try to look at them, but they give up their duties and take the attitude that it doesn’t matter to them.

“I’ll go and fix my tie. I got out of the hospital and came in a hurry, and the way I rolled it was messy…”

His voice and expression towards me were his usual gentle Itomori-kun.

He pointed shyly at his ugly tie and turned his back, saying, “I’ll be right back.” I quickly narrow down the distance, grab him by the wrist as hard as I can and pull him.

“If it’s your tie, I’ll fix it… So please, stay with me now.”