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. - Chapter 45: A Bright Answer from a Boring Man.

A Bright Answer from a Boring Man.

“—Guh!?”

Linda coughed after receiving a punch to the stomach from Minto.

“I’ve told you, ‘Lady Comics’ aren’t just porn. Lin-chan,” Minto said with a hint of exasperation.

“I-I’m sorry! But, I talked directly to Chiharu-chan! She seemed like a genuinely good and serious person. She didn’t seem like the kind of wicked woman you’re describing at all!” Linda retorted.

“That’s exactly who she is… a professional at putting on a facade,” 

“People can’t be judged by their appearances! Isn’t that the same for us!? Chiharu is the opposite version of that! She looks like a good person but is actually a twisted psychopath inside!”

“Just because you say so doesn’t mean it’s true!”

“I’ve talked to Chiharu a little bit myself! And she was truly the worst bitch!” 

“A little bit isn’t enough to understand! Even if Chiharu was a bad woman, it doesn’t make Yari-mura a good person! Besides, there’s no way he’s a good person! He’s a womanizer!”

“That’s why! If that’s the case, then I’m also a ‘bitch,’ right? Does that mean you think badly of me too, Linda?”

“That’s a different story!”

“It’s the same thing!”

“By the way, are you really a ‘bitch’? I just can’t believe it, Hanabusa-chan.”

“I-I’m! Everyone knows that! I’m a sex monster who’s had hundreds of partners! Anyway, that’s not relevant right now!”

“Are you absolutely sure? Can you swear on our friendship that you’re not lying?”

“T-That…”

Hanabusa’s gaze shifted nervously under the pure and innocent eyes of Konna.

(This isn’t good…)

The reactions from the three of them likely confirmed that Hanabusa was hiding some sort of lie.

(It’s tough to come up with an excuse when I can’t discuss it with Hanabusa. If they find out, it would mean a complete loss of trust right from that point.)

Suddenly, Hanabusa glanced at him, as if seeking help.

However, as soon as Naoki noticed, it seemed Hanabusa had resolved herself to something.

With a face like someone who has just committed murder, she began to speak.

“W-Well… I-I—”

“That’s enough.”

Naoki intervened.

He couldn’t allow Hanabusa to be branded a liar over this.

“But—”

“Just leave it to me.”

“Huh? I wasn’t asking you!”

“You’re trying to silence Hana-chan and hide inconvenient truths, aren’t you? I can see through every trick of someone like you who seems likely to hit women!”

“That’s just your knowledge from manga, isn’t it?”

“…What’s that supposed to mean? Are you looking down on otaku?”

“No? I’m an otaku too. Looks like we have something in common.”

Naoki grinned, and Minto’s face flushed red as she looked away.

“D-Don’t say such careless things! I understand everything now! A-Are you saying that you’ve been preying on innocent girls like Hana-chan to satisfy your own interests? That’s the worst! Stay away from Hana-chan!”

“Alright.”

“Asshi!?”

Hanabusa stood up suddenly, causing the three of them to look on in shock.

“Trust me,” Naoki murmured to Hanabusa before turning to Minto with a serious expression.

“But there’s one condition. Answer my question honestly. If your answer is what I’m looking for, then I’ll break up with Kirara here and now.”

Kirara, with a tearful expression, began to say something but tightly shut her lips.

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean! That’s just your whim, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. We can’t accept such an unfair condition.”

“I don’t think its fair if it’s just us? I don’t think Yari-mura is a bad person…”

“Konna!?”

“Konna-chan!?”

“B-But… sniff…”

Naoki gave Konna a gentle smile despite her teary eyes.

“Thanks for believing in me, Konna. But I need all three of you to answer this question.”

“…Alright.”

Nodding, Konna cast a pleading look at Linda and the others.

“Just this once… Please believe in Yari-mura… Just answer the question… He said he’d break up with Hana-chanif it goes well…”

“That’s clearly a lie! Don’t be fooled, Konna!”

“That’s right! We can’t trust someone like him!”

“Okay, then. I’ll trust you all. Is that alright?”

“ “‘Huh?’” “

Naoki spoke to the two who looked puzzled.

“For Kirara, I’m willing to go this far. I believe that if it’s you two, you’ll definitely give me the answer I want. So, all you need to do is answer the question honestly, and then I’ll break up with Kirara.”

Hanabusa’s face lifted with a start.

She swallowed the words that were almost on the tip of her tongue and gripped her thighs tightly to hold back her emotions.

(…I’m sorry, Kirara.)

He apologized internally.

But Naoki couldn’t come up with a better plan.

The three of them stared blankly for a moment.

“Are you serious?”

“What’s in it for you?”

“Did you end up hating Hana-chan?”

Konna’s words made Kirara’s shoulders tremble.

“No, it’s quite the opposite.”

With a gentle smile, Naoki gazed back at Linda and the others.

“So, what will you do? Will you answer, or will you refuse?”

Were they being deceived?

Linda and the others exchanged uncertain glances.

“I’ll do it! If Yari-mura is going this far, it’s our turn to trust him now!”

“…Well, that’s true. But it might be some kind of trap.”

Linda glanced at Minto’s expression.

“…I’ll do it too. But, If you lie, I won’t forgive you.”

“Alright. Do as you please, whether you want to grill or boil me.”

Naoki shrugged nonchalantly.

“So, what about you? This discussion is off if all three of you don’t agree.”

“Fine! Just get on with it! I’ll answer any question honestly!”

“That’s the spirit.”

Naoki smirked and asked his question.

“Do you three like Kirara?”

The question stunned the three of them, and a moment of silence followed.

“…Huh?”

“That’s the question?”

“I love her! Isn’t it obvious?”

“And the other two?”

“I love her too! Isn’t that a given? Are you making fun of us?”

“I also love her. I’d do anything for Hana-chan.”

“Then, here’s the next question.”

“Hey!? It’s not just one question!?”

“I never said that.”

“…If you’re planning to drag this out and make it unclear—”

“There’s only one more question. Answer it, and I’ll break up with Kirara.”

Each time Naoki mentioned breaking up, Hanabusa’s face twisted in pain.

Naoki was aware of it.

(…I’m sorry, Kirara. Really…)

In this situation, all he could do was apologize in his heart.

“…Well, if it’s just one more question.”

Reluctantly, Linda nodded.

Naoki posed the final question.

“Will you still like Kirara no matter what secret she’s hiding?”

“Asshi!?”

(…Well, it’s bound to come out.)

Kirara was sharp.

By this point, she would surely realize Naoki’s intention.

“Of course!”

“Yes.”

“Absolutely!”

The three answered without hesitation.

Despite their words, Hanabusa’s face remained anxious.

“That should be enough. If it’s these three, it’ll definitely be alright.”

It was impossible to cover up the lie any longer.

So, he had to tell the truth.

“Thank you for your patience. That’s the end of the questions. As you said, we were lying.”

Unable to endure any longer, Hanabusa covered her ears.

“Kirara isn’t a ‘bitch.’ She’s just a virgin.”

Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

“““Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?”””

The colossal scream in triplicate echoed all the way to the neighboring room.