What's Wrong With Interfering With My Childhood Friend's Love? - Chapter 32 : Kindness And Trust

Chapter 32 : Kindness And Trust

The reason I realized Kozuka-san was Rinrin was because we had previously attended a remote meeting together through the agency.

Since I had pushed my hair back with a hair clip, revealing my forehead and my entire face, Kozuka-san shouldn’t have realized that I was “Charo.”

On the other hand, Kozuka-san had a distinct fashion sense. That sense of déjà vu I had when I first met her was precisely because of that.

And just like that, I was able to recognize her true identity.

The fact that I noticed after just one conversation through a screen surprises even me. I don’t have the kind of memory that allows me to perfectly recall people’s faces.

But Kozuka-san’s gothic lolita fashion was unmistakable. It wasn’t just eye-catching; it prominently featured magenta. I still remember how happy I was because the initial outfit I designed for Rinrin also had magenta as its main color.

Seeing that style in real life, it would have been strange not to notice.

“Actually, Rinrin is caught up in a controversy right now… in a bad way. The uproar is already dying down quickly since a statement was released yesterday, but…”

Since Miumi seemed unaware, I explained the details of Rinrin’s controversy.

It was clearly Rinrin’s mistake. That much was undeniable. But I wanted to support Rinrin for standing by her character, and I wanted to gather even just one more ally.

“A controversy… So that’s why Niko-chan has been feeling down lately.”

“…Probably. As a fan first and foremost, even before being an illustrator, I felt really down when I heard about it.”

“And yet, you still continue to support her, Riku-kun… I think believing in someone like that is really difficult.”

Miumi said that, but she has a tendency to easily believe whatever people tell her. Maybe she just lets her guard down when she’s at home.

“It’s not like Rinrin intentionally tried to betray her fans. If she didn’t deceive them on purpose, then I don’t consider it a betrayal.”

Miumi widened her eyes at my words, as if she had taken them to heart.

“…Riku-kun, you’re a kind person.”

“Huh? Where did that come from…? I don’t think I’m kind. It’s just my normal behavior.”

“…Then, if I had some kind of reason for it and ended up betraying you, would you forgive me?”

What kind of question is that? Well it depends on the circumstances, and I couldn’t answer right away. As I hesitated, she added more to her words.

“For example, if I suddenly disappeared from this house, would you be mad?”

“No, I wouldn’t have a reason to be mad. I’d just go back to my usual life.”

“…If I suddenly disappeared, could you really return to your usual life?”

“I don’t know… but either way, I wouldn’t consider it a betrayal.”

“But you don’t know for sure, do you?”

“In your case, if you left without saying anything, I’d probably assume you were kidnapped… and I’d be worried.”

“…That’s what you’d be worried about? Just the fact that you prioritize others like that is proof enough that you’re kind.”

“…Is that so?”

“It makes me feel safe when I’m with you.”

“Well… if that’s the case, then maybe I am.”

I don’t get complimented so directly very often, so it feels a bit embarrassing.

“Feeling safe when I’m with you,” Huh…? No one’s ever said that to me before.

I was always aware that I had a clingy nature—especially when it came to Suisei. I figured that applied not just to romantic matters, but in general.

That’s why Miumi’s words left me with a strange feeling.

Maybe Miumi is the only one who thinks that way about me. But that’s probably because she trusts me.

And the moment I realized that, a wave of guilt washed over me.

“Thinking about it again… yeah, I really don’t want to go back to my usual life.”

“Right?”

“I mean, there’s no way I’d be able to keep my room this clean and organized on my own.”

“You’d be in trouble if I suddenly disappeared, wouldn’t you?”

“Yeah, I would.”

“And if you made it sound like you wouldn’t mind me being gone, I’d be upset.”

“Ah.”

“See? That part of you isn’t very kind, Riku-kun.”

I feel like I just got baited into saying that.

But at the same time, I wasn’t lying.

Miumi let out a playful chuckle before her expression turned serious. That look she sometimes gets—it always leaves a strong impression on me.

“Sorry if I wasn’t clear with my words.”

“It’s fine. I understand what you mean.”

“Well, I guess it’s time to head back to our rooms. This is mine, but still.”

“Yeah. We played around yesterday too, so I need to get back to my assignments.”

“Oh, right. Before I forget, I should mention—”

“You want me to keep it a secret?”

“Yeah. Let’s keep this between us in this house.”

“Understood. I’ll be careful not to slip up when Niko-chan talks about the person she respects.”

The reason I don’t want others to know is simple — Higashikiba High School has a strict rule against students having part-time jobs. I’ve been doing this since middle school, but among my classmates, the only one who knows is Chiya, my childhood friend.

Now that she mentioned it so casually… Does Rinrin respect me?

Even during our remote meeting, she was pretty quiet, so I never would have guessed. I guess I accidentally learned something unexpected about her feelings.

“Honestly, as long as you act normal, I doubt you’d slip up. You don’t need to overthink it.”

“Eh…? But what if I end up picturing your face when I hear the name?”

“…Is that so? Well, I guess it can’t be helped then.”

Wait, no, normal people don’t just picture someone’s face like that.

Miumi’s ability to switch her personality outside is almost flawless. I doubt she’d make such a careless mistake.

But if she says so, I guess all I can do is trust her to be careful.

“By the way… if you don’t mind, could you watch some of Rinrin’s videos? I have a few saved.”

“Rinrin-san’s videos?”

“Yeah. She’s a VTuber I really care about. Plus, it might give us more to talk about with Kozuka-san.”

“Got it. I’m interested, so I’ll check them out.”

With that, Miumi closed the window she had left open for ventilation and exited the room.

I took another look around. The neatly organized shelves were easy to see, and I felt like my mind had cleared a little.

Now that I think about it, Miumi seems to believe that I don’t rely on her much.

But the truth is, she just doesn’t realize it.

I’ve already been relying on her far more than she knows.

Using her for my own convenience, trying to set her up with Akito, and even this request—everything is for Rinrin’s sake.

If Miumi realizes who Kozuka-san really is, she might become a source of support for Rinrin.

Maybe the reason I want her to rely on me isn’t because I think she’s fragile.

Perhaps I just want to ease my own guilt for using her.

That’s why I hide my weaknesses. Because I treat Miumi with calculation, not trust.

In the photo album, I was a primary school student with long bangs covering my eyes, my clothes were plain, and I had an eerie presence. I didn’t want her to know that I was once like that… because I didn’t really trust Miumi.

My old self is now a thing of the past.

I wanted to stop letting my bangs hang down like a child, so I tried to act like an adult… and while I was working as an illustrator, I lifted my bangs to reveal my entire face.

It doesn’t matter if it is a meaningless escape.

The nature of creators is to seek identity.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : zenon_xt