When My Girlfriend Cheated On Me And Spread Rumors That I Was A Guy Who Would Sleep With Anyone, I Decided To Just Accept It And Ended Up Dating The Most Slutty Girl In School.

Hahhhhhh!!

And so, the group found themselves at a nearby karaoke spot.

“This should be a safe place where we won’t be overheard,” Naoki muttered as they settled into a private room.

Kirara and Naoki sat across from the trio of gals, the table in the middle making it feel like a formal interview—though in reality, that’s exactly what it was.

“What’s the deal? Is there something you don’t want anyone to overhear? Huh?!”

Linda slammed her fist on the table, her voice laced with frustration.

“Linda! Please, calm down!”

“How can I stay calm when our best friend might be getting threatened?!” Linda shot a glare at Naoki, her eyes narrowing as Minto furiously devoured a bowl of soft serve ice cream, glaring all the while.

“I… I don’t like fighting… sniff…” Konna, caught between the tension, was on the verge of tears, her gaze darting nervously between both sides.

“Hold it together, Konna! This is an important discussion!”

“That’s right, Konna-chan. Hana-chan’s future is on the line.”

“…I’m sorry, Yari-mura…” Konna whispered apologetically. Though Naoki had treated her as just another lost child earlier, he had unexpectedly earned her trust.

Naoki smirked slightly, leaning back.

“Don’t worry about it. The fact is, I do seem suspicious, so it’s natural for them to be worried. Honestly, it’s admirable how much they care about you, Kirara, isn’t it?”

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Asshi, for dragging you into this mess…” Kirara replied, still looking downcast.

“Don’t apologize, Kirara. Like I said, your problems are my problems. Besides, this is a good chance to clear up any misunderstandings.”

“…I know, but still…”

Kirara’s expression remained troubled, reflecting her inner turmoil. It was no wonder her friends were so concerned about her. But that was just the reality of their situation—both Naoki and Kirara were burdened with too many secrets, too many lies.

The lie about them dating.

The lie about him being a player.

The lie about her being promiscuous.

Even the fact that Kirara was an otaku was something she kept hidden.

Given that their relationship had been built on these lies, it was no wonder that Linda and the others were suspicious. The real challenge now was whether they could convince Linda and her friends without revealing the truth…

(…It’s going to be tough. These girls are close friends, and Kirara isn’t exactly good at lying. They’ll see through any half-baked deception just from the vibes alone. If it were just me taking the fall, that’d be one thing, but Kirara’s too kind—she’d defend me. And if that happens, it could seriously damage their friendship. I have to prevent that at all costs…)

Naoki’s mind raced as they walked.

After all, it was all his fault.

It was his fault for taking advantage of Kirara’s kindness back then, leading to this mess.

In reality, there was no reason for these friends to be at odds with each other. He even considered going along with their accusations and cutting ties with Kirara. But knowing her, that wouldn’t resolve anything.

…More than that, Naoki didn’t want to make that choice.

He wasn’t worthy of someone like Kirara.

With his issues with Chiharu temporarily resolved, he thought maybe this was the right time to bow out.

But that’s when Naoki realized—or rather, admitted—what he had been avoiding all along.

(…I’m in love with Kirara.)

His heart tightened painfully.

For Naoki, this was an unworthy love.

He wasn’t good enough for someone like her.

She might not even feel the same way.

And the thought of confessing and being rejected terrified him.

Even if it all worked out, could someone like him truly make Kirara happy?

Wouldn’t he just end up dragging her down into the same mess he had with Chiharu?

These fears tightened around his chest.

(…I’m such a selfish guy…)

And yet.

Naoki didn’t want to lose Kirara.

At least, not so suddenly.

He wasn’t ready for that, not in the slightest.

So, he wanted to find a way to smooth things over—selfish as it was.

(Don’t let it show. If I start losing my cool, it’s over. Kirara’s done so much for me already. I owe her at least this much before I can even think about walking away.)

Despite the turmoil inside, Naoki maintained a confident facade.

Right now, he needed to be that smooth-talking, experienced guy everyone thought he was.

He had to convince himself that he was used to dealing with these situations.

“Who knows where that vindictive ex of mine might be eavesdropping? I hear she’s the one who put the idea in your head in the first place. If anyone at school overhears and starts spreading rumors, it’ll be a pain. Better safe than sorry, right?”

He had heard the general situation on the way here.

Once again, it was Chiharu’s doing.

Another mess caused by that woman.

It was exhausting, but not surprising.

Chiharu was not the type to back down easily.

Naoki had been naively optimistic, hoping to avoid more trouble with her, but he should have seen this coming.

So this time, he wouldn’t let his guard down.

That’s why he had chosen the karaoke place.

“Heh! You think your ex is lurking in the shadows, laughing at the chaos she’s caused by tricking me out of jealousy? This isn’t some erotic novel Misuto’s reading! Is there really a woman like that in the real world?”

***

“…Tch. I thought I could hear them in a fight from next door, but it’s clear I can’t pick up anything from here…”

As Naoki had suspected, Chiharu was trying to eavesdrop by pressing her ear to a cup stuck to the wall of the adjacent room. She had even disguised herself as an extra to overhear the exchange at the convenience store.

The situation had escalated into an internal conflict, exactly as planned.

Hahhhhhh!!

“Serves them right. Those girls seemed so foolish! Even if they’re friends with a bitch like that, they won’t accept her boyfriend being a player. Serves you right, Naoki! This is what you get for making me your enemy! Enjoy the chaos and your suffering! Oh-ho-ho-ho!”