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Chapter 55: Childhood Friend.
For lunch, I dragged Yoko out of the club room, and we ate in the student council room. If we did something like eat in the art room, Aoi would definitely stick to me like a dog.
We don’t have work to do, but it’s useful to be able to use the student council room. With the exception of people involved in the council nobody comes close, and the teacher doesn’t come during their time of long vacation.
For that reason Yoko and the president like to use the meeting room as a rendevor.
“What happened when I was gone. . .”
I grumbled about my problems half to myself half to her as Yoko chomped down on her yakisoba bread. She realized I didn’t know the details, so with a worried face she began to explain it step by step.
“During July Shiroi didn’t come to the club at all, right? During summer vacation you are free to use the club room for club activities, but it’s okay not to come.”
“That’s right. However it seems that Shimamoto-san made a ruckus about me not coming.”
“Yeah, yeah. She knew that you didn’t finish your painting for the school festival, so she thought you would come eventually, but she’d spill it to her seniors often. Almost everyday.”
“Everyday!?!!”
What was she doing when I was living my happy yuri life at home? This heroine! Everyday would usually be scary.
“However, I think all the seniors think that Shimamoto-chan loves you like a junior loves their Senpai. They may not believe there are any romantic feelings.”
“. . . With that attitude? No way.”
“Well who else is the school’s favorite Senpai? Honestly you are very popular with the freshmen.”
“What? I’ve never heard anything about that. . .”
That’s unfortunate, if I would have noticed I was being treated as longed for Onee-sama I would have changed my behavior.
The image I’d picture in a light novel cover with wind blowing as chaotic characters on the cover fly close to them. Actually, I wish I didn’t know this.
“Well you have high specs. Good face, good style, good grades, athletic besides in sports. You are a useless romantic, but the juniors don’t know that.”
“Don’t call me useless. I’m just not used to it.”
“You are also innocent, and that’s also a gap moe! That’s why all the seniors think that Shimamoto-chan is just approaching you as a cute junior who wants to get closer to her longed for Senpai. They are just having fun cheering her on.”
Yoko’s guess is probably right, if they knew she was romantically interested they wouldn’t support her so openly. Seniors wouldn’t be that insensitive.
However this is still troublesome. I’d like it if they would stop egging on Aoi, but what can be done?
“Shimamoto-chan is also a good girl, but there could be trouble if those feelings turn into more than senior and junior.”
“Well, she is a good child, so that makes this even more difficult to handle.”
If handled poorly I would be made the bad guy. So I must do my best to be careful and keep my distance as much as possible.
I thought I only had to pay close attention to Aoi and Koharu, so I didn’t expect that bystanders would participate in the battle. I just wanted to concentrate on the Sara conquest.
“Even yesterday, she was saying “I want to get along with Sugimure-Senpai, but what should I do?””
“Wah She isn’t even hiding it. So what did the seniors say?”
“”Aoi-chan is a good girl, so Shiori also thinks you are cute too! So just strike and face her head on!” is what they said”
“Stop. . .Really stop!”
I began to tremble as I imagined that smile filled with love slamming into me. If she head first confessed to me I can refuse it once and for all, but her darting around like a small animal- – – I think that is the cute image suitable for her, but it’s also unpleasant for her to approach me. Moreover now there is interference from the outfield.
Then I realized that there was a person actually involved that wasn’t mentioned.
“Hey, what was Wakashima-san doing during this?”
What was Koharu doing? She asserted her love for Aoi to me specifically. As a senpai, I shouldn’t have a junior misunderstand this.
Her dark eyes that I just saw made my heart restless. What did she think while Aoi was having those exchanges with her seniors? Now that I like Sara, that pain is beyond my imagination.
“Wakashima-chan? Well, I think she would just normally paint her picture. I don’t think she really participated in the talk.”
“. . .I see.”
I’d like to talk with Koharu. The situation is worse than before, and I’m really worried about those eyes. I’m going to be stabbed at this rate.
Aoi may already be on the “Shiori” route. However, she should change it to the “Koharu” route. She is still scary, and I really don’t want to get close. However I can’t hate her for having those painful feelings for Aoi.
Now that I’m completely trusted by Sara and not even an object of interest for her, I have some sympathy and compassion for her. I’d want her love to be rewarded.
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(Could we talk?)
Koharu gave me her contact information after we met at the chapel. I was worried that I might have been ignored, but soon after I sent it I got a reply.
I was prepared for her to refuse the call, but now I’m scared that she unexpectedly accepted. Will blades appear this time? No, No way. . .I believe in Koharu!
Despite my conflict and fears, In the early morning of the next day, Koharu came to the chapel with an unreadable expression. A withered air around her, and dark powerless eyes.
“Good morning. Thank you for coming.”
“Good morning. . . let’s get it over with.”
As cold as always. However, I think it’s understandable. Seeing as your love rival is always trying to be pleasant with you.
“I think you already know, but it’s about Shimamoto-san.”
“I guess so, there is no other reason to call me out.”
“Yeah. . .As I said before, I have no intention of responding to Shimamoto-san’s feelings. I want to reassure Wakashima-san, because the club room is getting really excited and going in a strange direction.”
It was rather hard to say because it still felt like it was rude to always tell Koharu this.
However after hearing that I expected her to change a little, but she didn’t. She just nodded and said “Is that so?”
“Also, your expression has been dark ever since I saw you yesterday. Are you okay? I’m also worried about that. . .”
“It’s ironic that you’re worried about that, despite Aoi not even noticing.”
“Huh. . .”
I think it was because Koharu always behaved brave before Aoi. In fact I noticed more because I am careful around her, so I could notice changes. Yesterday Koharu oozed exhaustion.
–   – I think she wanted Aoi to notice.
“I am never in Aoi-chan’s eyes. I’m like nothing of note to her. My presence is invisible, I’m not even hated or loved.”
“You can’t say that.”
“Well, I’m below somebody even visible.”
I can’t just say that’s not the case. It would be unforgivable to Koahru to be told that by a third party who isn’t familiar with her, and is also a love rival.
I swallowed those words.
What should I say to her? She is saying all these sad things in an emotionless tone.
“I was also asked to cooperate with her. Unlike all those other senpai, She wanted me to support her in getting Sugimura-senpai’s love.”
“!!!”
How cruel!
I’ve read that situation countless times in Yuri manga and novels, but it may be even more painful than a normal heart break.
Aoi isn’t a bad person. She doesn’t know how Koharu feels, she is just in love with me. It is common to ask your friends for help. Rather, she must trust her alot to reveal she is in love with another girl.
“It’s painful, and I’ve been trying not to be together these past days. I was always by her side, but Sugimura-senpai might misunderstand, and she easily agreed.”
“That is. . .”
“But I’m just that much to her. So I. . . give up.”
She couldn’t get it all through without squeezing it out. She didn’t even fight it, her childhood friend that was alway by her side all the time. For Aoi, how does she see their bond after spending that kind of time with Koharu?
She always goes to school with Aoi, but in the morning I did think it was strange that she was alone, but I never thought this would happen.
I couldn’t see her face. However I could see the hands holding her skirt were shaking.