What's Wrong With Interfering With My Childhood Friend's Love? - Chapter 20 : Casual Confession

Chapter 20 : Casual Confession

Now that I think about it, Miumi had been coming home late due to student council work before. If she was the president, it would make sense why she was so busy.

I wanted to hear more details, but I didn’t have the mental space for that right now. 

After all, the very person who was strict about manners was glaring at me with a stern expression.

Right… It was because I had choked in surprise.

“Oh my, Kaidou-kun. Are you alright?”

“…I’m fine.”

“At Nishikiba Girls’ Academy, choking while eating is considered a breach of etiquette and grounds for suspension.”

“I admit it was improper, but isn’t Nishikiba Girls’ a bit too strict?”

“This is normal.”

“Normally, wouldn’t you show concern or sympathy first…?”

“Rules are rules. They are absolute. That said, since we’re off campus, I have no intention of formally reprimanding you. But we are in front of ladies, so could you at least be mindful of basic manners?”

“…Yes.”

I nodded obediently, but honestly, this was absurd. Not only were we off school grounds, but I wasn’t even a Nishikiba student — I attended Higashikiba. This was nothing more than an unfair dig at me.

Sure, it was my fault for hastily taking a drink and choking on it.

Then, Miumi tilted her head in confusion.

“Kaori-chan… was there really a rule like that? I don’t remember it.”

“Of course not. It was a joke.”

“That was a joke?!”

“But the school motto of Nishikiba Girls’ remains unchanged — ‘Conduct oneself with dignity’.”

“Seriously…?”

“By that standard, if Kaidou-kun ever tried to enter our campus, he would undoubtedly fail the interview.”

“That’s obviously because of my gender!!”

“Oh, that’s true… How unfortunate. I can’t help but sympathize.”

That’s not the part I wanted sympathy for.

As always, Amagishi’s attitude left me speechless. 

Nishikiba Girls’ tended to favor women over men, and I often got caught up in that bias.

Just then, Suisei suddenly raised her hand.

“Um… Aihara-san, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“Huh? I don’t think I’ve done anything…”

“Yeah, it just came to mind.”

“Oh, I see. If I can answer, feel free to ask me anything, Chitose-san.”

Miumi looked clearly confused.

Now that I think about it, she and Suisei hadn’t spoken even once today. It wasn’t surprising that she’d be caught off guard by such an abrupt question.

“You said before that you’d met Akito-kun in the past. Is that true?”

“U-Uh, yeah. I didn’t remember it at first, though.”

“I thought so…”

“He mentioned it to me during badminton, and that’s when I recalled. Why?”

“Why, um… I was just curious.”

Considering that Suisei liked Akito, it was only natural that she’d be interested in this. But Miumi couldn’t just answer so simply.

“Th-That’s…”

“Yes, yes! I was curious about that too! It’s such a crazy coincidence since you go to different schools. Why?”

Suisei fell silent, but Shino, who was just as intrigued, jumped in with the same question. Miumi still looked troubled.

Well, of course. Shino’s “why?” had no answer beyond “it was a coincidence.” Even Shinoo probably knew that.

Was she asking on purpose to fluster Miumi? Or was she genuinely curious and couldn’t hold back?

Either way, it was a bit of a mean-spirited interrogation.

If Akito were here, he’d have helped steer the conversation. But he was on a date with Kozuka-san. That meant I had to step in as the mediator.

“I was there when Akito and Miumi talked. It really was just a coincidence, Shino. Don’t pressure her.”

“R-Right… It was just a coincidence…”

When I called her out, Shino reluctantly gave up — but not before shooting me a sharp glare.

Meanwhile, Amagishi gave me an approving nod, as if to say, Well done.

If she noticed the situation, she could’ve mediated herself. But I supposed it made sense — she wouldn’t take the heat for this when she could let me do it instead.

“Ah, I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”

Suisei quickly excused herself, clearly uncomfortable.

The real culprit behind the awkward atmosphere was Shino. But since Suisei had started it, maybe she felt guilty.

Or perhaps, since she hadn’t been able to get any information from Miumi, she simply relaxed enough to step away.

Suisei was a kind person, but moments like these made me worry about her.

Afterward, Shino placed her order, and we started eating lunch.

I was hungry too, so I ordered pasta.

Before the food arrived, I decided to visit the restroom. But thanks to the vague directions, I couldn’t find it.

The only stairs I found were labeled “Staff Only,” and I ended up wandering in confusion.

I wasn’t desperate, but the longer I searched, the more flustered I became. Few things are as frustrating as not being able to find a restroom when you need one.

Just then, like a savior, Suisei appeared.

“Ah, Riku.”

“Suisei, sorry, but do you know where the restroom is? I can’t find it.”

“The men’s room is just around that corner. It’s kind of hidden, right?”

I glanced at the corner she pointed to. Sure enough, it was there — blending seamlessly into the surroundings.

“Thanks, Suisei. Also, everyone’s ordered already, so you might be the last one left.”

“Oh, got it… Wait, Riku.”

“Hm? What’s up?”

I was about to hurry off, but her words made me stumble.

It was rare for Suisei to initiate a conversation with me.

“Um… Back during badminton, I was too panicked to say it, but… thanks.”

“Oh, that? It was nothing.”

“Nothing…?”

“Of course. I like you, Suisei, so doing that much is natural.”

“E-Eh? That has nothing to do with this—”

“It does. So don’t worry about it.”

“I-If you say something like that out of nowhere… it’s surprising…”

Suisei looked flustered.

Getting thanked made me a little too happy, and I might have gotten carried away.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“I appreciate it, but if someone overheard…”

“Suisei, you really are kind. Even at a time like this, you’re worried about me. Don’t worry — I understand your feelings better than anyone. I won’t let any misunderstandings happen.”

“Well… if you say so. Just come back soon, okay?”

She said something unexpectedly sweet.

She remembered what happened during badminton — and appreciated me for it.

Maybe… I still had a chance.

The frustration from getting lost vanished, replaced by excitement.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

[PoV] Suisei :

When I returned, everyone except me had finished ordering. Chiya had even finished eating.

‘Chiya-chan… how are you so composed?’

To me, Chiya was like an older twin — a supportive friend… and a rival in love.

Now, I wore my hair in a ponytail, so people could tell us apart, but back then, we looked exactly the same.

I had always been compared to Chiya, and in every way, I fell short.

That’s why I liked Akito too.

I wanted to surpass Chiya, to beat her at something.

I wanted to see her struggle.

She had beauty, athleticism, intelligence, and a privileged background. It was unfair.

Even though Akito was on a date with someone else, she remained perfectly composed. That terrified me.

Is it confidence?

Is it composure?

I could never be like Chiya.

Once again, I let myself be swept along, without voicing a single opinion.

Then, I noticed something.

There were three empty seats earlier — mine, Riku’s, and… one more.

“Ah, I saw Riku a while ago, but where’s Aihara-san?”

“She went to the restroom just before you got back. You must have missed each other.”

“…I see.”

I masked my unease.

Wait… did she overhear us?

To distract myself, I grabbed a fry from Kaori’s plate.

…It was salty.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : zenon_xt