What's Wrong With Interfering With My Childhood Friend's Love?

Chapter 12 : Plans taking action!

During lunch break, as usual, the usual group of people gathered around Akito.

Amidst that, Akito beckoned me over, and I walked toward him as always.

From the direction I was headed, I could feel Shino’s disdainful gaze fixed on me.

While I had no choice but to go, enduring that gaze every time was something I wished to avoid.

At that moment, someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

“Hey, Kaidou, sorry for the sudden request, but how about eating lunch with us?”

Turning around, I saw a group of boys from my class. Among them were the ones who were openly hostile toward Akito.

To top it off, the one who called out to me was Yuuto-kun.

He’s an honors student and a member of the student council at Higashikiba High School.

What’s this about? If he’s an honors student, he should know better than to stir up trouble.

“Do you need something from me?”

“No, nothing like that. We just thought we’d eat together for once. You’re always with Akimitsu, after all.”

“Wait, are you inviting me to lunch?”

“Exactly. Sometimes, it’s good to prioritize your classmates, don’t you think? Unity in the class is important.”

If unity was really so important, then they could just invite Akito too. From the way they were speaking, it was clear they only wanted to separate me from Akito.

Their intent to ostracize Akito was painfully obvious.

How ridiculous… Don’t drag me into your petty jealousy.

“I’m already disliked by some of the girls.”

“Of course, we know that.”

“Then you should also understand that the time for playing nice and friendly is long gone. That’s why I’m refusing.”

“It seems like you’re misunderstanding something, Kaidou.”

“A misunderstanding?”

“Kaidou… you’re a much higher-spec guy than you think you are.”

Even if Yuuto-kun flatters me, it doesn’t make me happy. Besides, I know I’m not “high-spec.” He’s just making things up.

Sure, I may be good at studying. But in sports, I’ve never even ranked second in any event. I’m not particularly bad at them, but I’m not especially good either.

Compared to Akito, who’s always first or second, all I ever feel is defeat.

“Stop with the flattery. It only hurts me more.”

“It’s the truth. Your academic ability, physical skills, and social skills… all of them are above average.”

“Above average? No, they’re just normal. No one knows me better than I do.”

“Maybe that’s because you’re comparing yourself to Akimitsu?”

Yuuto-kun might have a point. But that doesn’t matter.

Even if I can’t measure up to Akito, I can’t let myself be satisfied with that.

I don’t want to become like them — lowering their standards and envying those above them.

“So, what exactly are you trying to say?”

“My point is, even if things don’t change right away, they might if you take action. Why not give it a shot?”

“That’s all the more reason to refuse.”

“Why?”

“Listen, Akito is surrounded by girls, so naturally, I can interact with them too.”

“Oh, I see. So you don’t need to rely on me?”

“Quick to understand, aren’t you? Just give it up… Even if I’m disliked, being near the girls feels better.”

If I wanted to improve my reputation, I’d already be taking steps myself. There’s absolutely no benefit in Yuuto-kun’s proposal.

Yet, for some reason, the boys gave me pitiful looks. That’s strange. I intended to come off as a girl-chasing scumbag, but they seemed to have misunderstood.

‘Do they think I’m incapable of connecting with girls? I totally am… or, well, I’m not!!’

I was just responding to Yuuto-kun’s persistence, but I’ve been aware of that fact for ages.

“…I see. Then let me just give you some advice.”

“What is it?”

“That guy looks down on you, Kaidou and you are not realizing it. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“…Thanks for the warning.”

—Huh?

Just as I managed to turn him down, I felt someone’s gaze on me.

It was the same kind of hostile stare I’d received from Shino earlier. Looking in the direction of the stare, I spotted someone sitting a bit farther away.

Takuma Ichinose. A quiet boy who doesn’t stand out in class. Unfriendly and hard to read, but why was he glaring at me?

Ah, he must’ve taken my sleazy comment from earlier seriously. In fact, Ichinose’s reaction was probably the most accurate.

The pitiful gazes from everyone else must’ve dulled my senses.

As I was about to head toward Akito, someone bumped into my shoulder.

It was entirely my fault for not looking ahead.

“Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Oh? Don’t worry about it. I don’t mind at all.”

Her tone was condescending, and I almost snapped back, but I held myself back. The girl in question was Iyo Yasuike.

I didn’t have any good memories of her. After all, she was the sister of that overly confident guy I ran into yesterday.

That weird nickname for him, was actually derived from her last name.

Anyway, getting involved with her was bound to lead to trouble. Yet… something about her felt off.

Yasuike had been in a foul mood ever since Akito rejected her. But now, she seemed blatantly indifferent.

Did something good happen to her? When she left, the corners of her lips were twisted into a crescent smile.

“Were you being troubled by someone earlier? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing significant.”

I hurried over to Akito’s side, feeling Shino’s painful glare on me as I prepared my lunch.

The seat next to Suisei was empty, so I casually sat there.

“Hm? By the way, Riku, you brought a packed lunch today, huh?”

“Oh, uh, yeah.”

“Don’t you usually buy from the school store?”

“Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to my health. I can’t keep eating the same stuff forever.”

It took him this long to notice. In reality, Miumi started packing my lunches for me yesterday.

Until now, I’d been buying snacks and yakisoba bread from the school store. I wasn’t particular about it. But if I can eat Miumi’s cooking, that’s even better.

After all, her lunches are delicious.

“Actually, Riku started bringing lunches just yesterday. You’re as oblivious as ever.”

“Kokaze agrees with Chiya-chan. Akito-onii-chan is totally oblivious!”

“Wow, you guys are harsh. It’s not like I mean to be oblivious!”

Akito made a sheepish face. Also, did Shino just casually diss me again? The way she said it without any ill intent was, in a way, impressive.

I wasn’t surprised by Chiya’s sharp perception.

Whether they noticed or not, it didn’t really matter to me.

“Hey, Suisei, did you notice?”

“Uh… yeah. It looked pretty well-prepared, so it caught my attention…”

As long as Suisei noticed, that was enough. The thought of her seeing me as indifferent was chilling.

If Suisei showed even a little interest in me, that would be a huge win.

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