What's Wrong With Interfering With My Childhood Friend's Love? - Chapter 13 : The Operation Begins

Chapter 13 : The Operation Begins

“Is that so? Actually, since Suisei always made things herself, I decided to imitate her and make it myself.”

Suisei had always been a shy person, so she probably couldn’t bring herself to ask. 

At times like these, it was my role to read the situation and take the lead.

I was subtly expressing my gratitude, saying it was thanks to Suisei’s influence, but I wondered if she understood that. 

When I looked at her expectantly, Suisei lowered her gaze, showing an expression that was the opposite of what I had hoped for.

“Is that so… It looks like your cooking is better than mine. I feel a bit discouraged.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah. Just looking at it, it seems delicious. I never knew you had such a talent, Riku.”

Honestly, I thought it looked pretty average. I’d never really cooked before and wasn’t very knowledgeable. But now that she said that, it did seem like it had a mouth-watering appearance.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll need to be careful around Miumi. While making delicious food is great, standing out too much isn’t ideal. I wouldn’t be able to answer if she asked me cooking-related questions.

What worried me was whether Miumi, who was so particular about meals, would listen. 

Also, thinking about it now, she always woke up before me. What time did she even wake up?

“Haha, maybe it’s an unexpected talent of mine.”

This wasn’t a great topic. Even if I tried to expand the conversation with Suisei, it was easy to mess up, and I felt guilty for lying.

Well… technically, Akito should be the one deciding the timing, but I’ll take the initiative and bring up another topic.

“By the way, Akito, have you thought about what I said about going somewhere fun with a big group?”

“Hm…? Sure, it sounds good. I’m all for it.”

“Ehh~, but the places Kaidou invites us to are always suspicious~ I am very scared~.”

As soon as Akito gave a positive reply, Shino interrupted. Her every gesture was irritating.

It’s not like I was inviting people for my own sake, but the way she said it felt unfair. Besides, I hadn’t even mentioned inviting Shino.

Still, snapping back at Shino felt like more trouble than it was worth. Unlike Yasuike, she’d make things indirectly annoying.

Shino constantly fawned over all the guys except Akito and me. Naturally, it caused misunderstandings among the others, and because she did it intentionally, it was a real hassle.

If I ended up making Shino my enemy, I couldn’t even imagine how many others would turn against me. She’d likely use her fanbase to throw passive-aggressive jabs at me, like some modern-day virtual streamer steering public hate.

I’d seen it happen too many times before, so I decided to quietly endure it. Especially since this was real life, not online, the stakes were much higher.

“Come on, Kokaze. There’s no way Riku would deceive me. Let’s just trust him.”

“Ehh~, are you sure about that?”

“Riku went through a horrible betrayal by a friend in the past. There’s no way he’d do something like that.”

“Akito… Let’s not bring that up.”

I wasn’t trying to gag him, but even Akito mentioning that was uncomfortable.

Shino looked curious, but when I glared at her, she didn’t press further. While she lacked tact, it seemed she knew where the line was.

“If Akito says that much, I will join! But I still don’t trust him that much, so I’ll stay cautious~!”

“Alright, Kokaze is in. Suisei and Chiya, what about you two?”

It felt like the conversation, which I thought I’d initiated, had somehow shifted to Akito’s pace.

Well, once the plan was settled, I’d need to negotiate with Amagishi to get the Nishikiba girls on board. That would fall to me.

“I’d like to join too. It’s been a while since something like this, and it sounds fun.”

“I’d like to… but Riku, you mentioned going with a large group, right?”

“Ah, yeah. What about it?”

“From the way you said it, it doesn’t sound like it’s just this group. Are you thinking of inviting someone from our class?”

I didn’t expect Chiya to question me here, and in a slightly louder voice, as if to let the classmates around us overhear. Was I overthinking it?

“Well, I was thinking it might be nice to interact with students from other schools for a change.”

“Other schools? How’s that supposed to work?”

“You remember Amagishi, don’t you? She went to Nishikiba Girls’ School, so I thought I’d try inviting her.”

“Oh, no way. Nishikiba Girls’ is where all the rich girls go, right?”

“You know about it, Kokaze?”

“Of course! Kokaze knows lots of things!”

“So, why is that impossible?”

“Kaidou, someone like you would just get rejected. Akito should be the one to ask~! Right, Akito?”

Shino said that smugly.

But if Akito asked Amagishi, the chances of rejection were actually higher.

“Shino, I know Amagishi too, but Akito—”

“Riku will be fine. Amagishi might seem cold and act harshly toward me, but she’d respond better to Riku.”

Chiya tried to support me, but Akito cut her off.

“Besides, if she knows I’m joining, she won’t reject it outright. Riku can handle it.”

“Wow, Akito, you’re amazing! Right, this isn’t something Akihito needs to handle personally!”

I didn’t understand what was so “amazing” about that, but Shino looked proud of herself.

That said, Akito also seemed keen on embellishing the truth. Calling Amagishi a tsundere? If she heard that, she’d probably be genuinely angry.

Though, it’s true Amagishi wouldn’t openly show hostility toward Akito. She’s someone who acts with grace and class.

When I looked at Chiya, she seemed sulky. Maybe she was sulking because Akito wasn’t listening to her.

Since Chiya already knew about the plan, I figured she was trying to make things run smoothly.

Suisei, who also knew Amagishi, quietly nodded in agreement, and looked very convinced.

What an innocent… adorable reaction.

Anyway, the people on our side were as expected. As for the rest, it was left to me to handle.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : zenon_xt