What's Wrong With Interfering With My Childhood Friend's Love? - Chapter 5 : Suspicions!

Chapter 5 : Suspicions!

Morning Classroom.

I rubbed my eyes and sat down at my desk.

“You still look sleep-deprived, but you seem more energetic than usual today.”

Just as I was about to lay my head on the desk and doze off, a girl appeared before me and started talking.

It was Chiyo Sasahara, one of my childhood friends — and one of the many girls who have a crush on Akito.

She tucked her silky, ash-brown hair behind her ear and looked intently at my face. Though she never struck me as the type to be considerate, maybe she was just teasing me out of boredom.

“I’m as energetic as always. Jeez, why don’t you go bother Akito instead of me?”

The reason I’m sleep-deprived in the first place is because of Miumi, who happens to be part of the student council. 

She woke me up earlier than usual, made me eat breakfast, and then forced me to choose between leaving for school or going back to bed.

After seeing Miumi off as she left the house before me, I felt a bit deflated. 

I knew for sure I’d oversleep if I went back to bed, so I begrudgingly left for school.

Still, if being energetic means being able to overcome the urge to sleep, then I guess I’m doing okay. 

Maybe it’s thanks to the proper meal I had yesterday.

“He’s not here yet, is he?”

“Yeah, not yet.”

“What’s this? Are you unhappy about me keeping you company?”

“Suisei would’ve been delighted, though.”

“Wow, that’s harsh. Just because we’ve known each other forever doesn’t mean you can be that cruel.”

She pretended to act hurt, but there’s no way my words actually got to her. 

Chiya has known for years that I like Suisei — it’s not like I’ve ever hidden it. 

But honestly, she probably doesn’t care about my feelings at all.

“Let’s be real here. You’re only talking to me because Akito hasn’t shown up yet, right? I’m just a stand-in to kill time.”

“What? You’re acting kind of cold to me today… Is it just my imagination?”

“It’s just your imagination.”

I responded like a parrot, and she let out an exaggerated sigh.

“I actually have something only you can answer, you know. Since when did you get so prickly?”

“…What? You needed something from me?”

“Exactly. Let me get straight to the point — has something been going on with Akito lately?”

Of course, it’s about Akito. Honestly, what else would she want to ask me about?

“I don’t know. Why don’t you just ask him directly?”

“I did, but he wouldn’t tell me anything, so I’m asking you. Do you get it?”

“Not really.”

“Anyway, I feel like he avoided the question somehow.”

“Too bad for you.”

“You’re acting strange today too, Riku. Are you sure you’re not hiding something?”

The reason I’m acting strange today is because of the chaos that happened yesterday. If Akito has been keeping secrets recently, it has nothing to do with me. I’m innocent here.

“I don’t recall Akito saying anything weird to me.”

“Are you sure you don’t know anything?”

“Yeah. So stop giving me those suspicious looks!”

“Hmm, okay… I’ll believe you, only because you have no reason to lie to me. Consider it a favor for being childhood friends.”

What a weirdo.

Still, why is she so anxious? It doesn’t seem like her at all. 

Did Suisei pull ahead in their little competition over Akito?

No… That would be a problem for me.

Damn it. Now she’s making me curious too.

“Well, whatever. I guess I could subtly try to dig something out of Akito for you.”

“Really? Wow, you’re surprisingly thoughtful. I guess being friends for so long makes things easier.”

“Hey, I’m rooting for you, Chiya. It’s only natural.”

“Where’s this coming from…? You really are acting strange today.”

“Oh, and you owe me for this.”

“Don’t go creating debts with someone you’re supposedly cheering on! I bet you’ve said the same thing to other girls too.”

“What?! I have not—”

“Whatever. As long as I get some useful info, it’s fine.”

Chiya cut me off, ending the conversation with a satisfied look.

It’s true I’ve said similar things to others, but it’s also true that I genuinely mean it.

To be precise, I’m rooting for all the girls except Suisei.

If Akito gets a girlfriend, Suisei would probably back off, given her personality.

And that would create an opening for me. 

Supporting others’ love lives is such a noble act, isn’t it?

Surely, my love will be rewarded too. 

I don’t believe in God or fate, but I do believe in karma.

As I was lost in thought, Chiya averted her gaze from me.

Following her line of sight, I saw Akito entering the classroom — with Suisei beside him.

Suisei, with her ash-brown hair similar to Chiya’s, wore a distinctive ponytail that made her stand out. Her graceful demeanor was a sight for sore eyes, as always.

‘She’s so cute today… Wait, no!’

Why are they walking into the classroom together?

If their relationship progresses, I’ll have to do something to stop it. 

This isn’t good at all.

“Good morning. You two are up early.”

“Yo! Well, Chiya aside, Riku, you’re seriously early… or maybe Suisei and I were just late.”

“Ah! Akito-nii, good morning! Kokaze, I was watching your club activities yesterday!”

However, Suisei’s expression clouded upon hearing the following voice. It seemed unlikely that her relationship with Akito would progress, but another troublesome girl appeared.

“Hey, good morning, Kokaze. I didn’t score much yesterday, so it’s kind of embarrassing.”

“No way! Your play was so cool!”

“Haha, thanks.”

The lively girl spoke to Akito as if Suisei and I didn’t even exist, completely ignoring us.

Her name is Shino Kokaze. With her petite frame, silver hair, sweet voice, and charming demeanor, she’s always popular among the boys.

Unlike us childhood friends, Shino started clinging to Akito after joining this school.

She calls him “Akito-nii” without permission, and her constant proximity and persistent attempts to appeal are honestly overbearing. But Akito doesn’t seem entirely against it.

I feel like telling her to consider Suisei’s feelings, but since I’m not rooting for the two of them to progress either, I kept my mouth shut.

“I wish I could’ve stayed until the end of yesterday’s match. I could only watch for a bit.”

“What!? Suisei-chan, that’s such a waste! Akito-nii’s dribbling was amazing!”

“Well, Suisei had lessons, right? Just seeing a little of it makes me happy.”

“Yeah! Then that’s good!”

“Ugh…”

Suisei’s face lit up at Akito’s words, while Shino groaned at a volume low enough that only she could hear. I almost mistook it for a mosquito buzzing.

“Suisei, did you walk to school with Akito today?”

“Eh? No—”

“Neither Riku nor I heard about that? If you’re going to walk together, you could’ve invited us too.”

“No, Chiya-chan, it’s not like that. We just happened to meet at the school gate.”

“Yeah, Suisei is telling the truth. What’s up, Chiya? Did you want the four of us to meet up and walk together?”

“Not really~. But maybe Riku was saying something like that.”

Being dragged into the conversation so suddenly put me in a bind. I didn’t say anything like that.

I mean, Chiya’s the same as always — too hesitant to just be honest.

“Riku, we don’t even walk home together anymore. Were you feeling lonely?”

“You know it’s a joke, right? Akito, cut it out with the teasing.”

“Hahaha.”

Akito and I were in the same club until middle school, so we often walked home together.

It’s true that I became a member of the “go-home club” in high school, but since we’re in the same class, we still see each other every day.

There’s no need to go out of our way to commute together, especially since all our childhood friends are in the same class this year.

“Alright! If we’re making plans to meet up, Kokaze wants to walk to school with Akito-nii too!”

“Sorry, Kokaze. I also want to cherish my childhood friends, so that’s a no-go.”

I widened my eyes at Akito’s words. It’s rare for him to outright refuse, considering he’s usually so kind to girls.

“Then how about we walk home together next time?”

“Yay!”

…Though it seems he’ll make up for it another way. 

Akito really is a ladies’ man.

Just then, the sound of the chime echoed.

“Oh, it’s already the warning bell? Hey, Riku.”

“Yeah, what?”

“Want to hang out this afternoon?”

“It’s unusual for Akito to invite me.”

“Akito, does that mean Suisei and I can’t join? Now I’m curious.”

“Ah, this is something we can only talk about man-to-man. Hope you understand.”

“A secret boys’ meeting? This sounds like something Kokaze can’t interfere with.”

Though there were murmurs from someone, I ignored them. 

Today must be a day without club activities for Akito.

It’s perfect timing, too, since I wanted to ask him about something Chiya was curious about. I didn’t have any reason to turn him down.

“So, where to?”

“You can pick the spot. It’s not exactly like a childhood friends’ meet-up, but let’s have a proper chat, just the two of us.”

Ah, so he’s keeping this a secret from Suisei and Chiya to avoid any unnecessary follow-ups.

Thanks to the warning bell, no one had time to question us further.

We quickly hurried to prepare for the first period.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : zenon_xt