Chapter 31: One Thing or Another

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KYOKO, the model here, is actually Kenzaki Asuka-san, who used to be the student council president back in our middle school days. Asuka-san is childhood friends with Okutsu and Kurebayashi-san, and she’s had an unhealthy obsession with Kurebayashi-san since they were kids—a classic crazy psycho lesbian.

Yeah, getting involved with this mess wouldn’t benefit me at all.

“Anyway, Dashmura, I need your help to get intimate with Mii.”

“I don’t care if you want to have an orgy or whatever. I'm not interested.”

“Why not? You're not still hung up on Mii, are you?”

“Hey, Psycho Lesbo, what's in it for me if I help you?”

I just want to meet a decent girl and get into a normal relationship as soon as possible. Don’t mess with that.

“Actually, I have a few promising young actresses in my agency who are interested in meeting a high-achieving university student.”

“Okay, now you have my attention.”

“That was quick. Are you nuts or something?”

“Meeting someone by chance is fate, but you have to put in the effort to make it happen.” 

Besides, asking me to help you get close to Kurebayashi-san right after meeting me is a bit much, don’t you think?

Not that I really care about Kurebayashi-san, but still.

“By the way, Asuka-san, Kurebayashi-san is your childhood friend, right? Can't you just contact her directly and show your true feelings?”

“If it were that easy, I wouldn't be here, would I?”

“Come again?”

“I went through a lot of trouble to find out she got into this university. But still, I did hurt Mii in the past.”

“Oh, I see.”

That makes sense. Kurebayashi-san’s mom wouldn’t stay quiet about it. Since she explained the situation to me, she must know everything. A protective mother is a strong and scary force.

“So, Asuka-san, whether you plan to woo Kurebayashi-san with some cheesy romantic moves like in yuri manga or engage in some wild lesbian sex play, it's none of my business.”

“You have the most perverted mind, don’t you, Dashmura? Your dirty jokes are really something.”

“Do you even have the right to say that, Asuka? But let's set that aside. You understand that you hurt Kurebayashi-san, right? Even if it was to protect her from Ando’s perverted advances.”

Asuka nodded solemnly, seemingly taken aback by my sudden serious tone.

“In that case, even if you manage to meet Kurebayashi-san behind her mom’s back, she might react with disgust and not even want to talk to you. Doesn’t that sound highly likely?”

“Yeah, I think that's true.”

“Do you still want to see her?”

Asuka-san thought for a moment before answering.

“Of course. No matter how much time passes, neither Mii’s suffering nor my guilt will ever fade away.”

She said this firmly.

“I know I might never be forgiven, but I want to apologize and make amends if possible. Even if I get cursed and scorned, just avoiding her and pretending it never happened isn't an option. I need to face it.”

“But what if Kurebayashi-san doesn't want to see you?”

“Is that how you felt when you were in a similar position?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

Honestly, I think it would be better if they never saw each other again. Digging up painful memories usually doesn't lead to anything good.

But Asuka has a way with words.

“I see. But you did meet and talk with Mii, right? Did nothing change?”

“…”

When she put it that way, I had to admit things did change, even if not for the better.

“Exactly. Whether the motive is pure or not, you never know how things will turn out until you meet. That's what I believe.”

“Even if it's a selfish desire?”

“Wanting to apologize and make amends is genuine, regardless of whether forgiveness is possible.”

To move forward, both Asuka and Kurebayashi-san need to resolve things in a way that satisfies them. It might be selfish, but that's their nature.

Anyway.

“You're saying all the right things, but deep down, you're hoping for a romantic reconciliation, aren't you?”

“Everyone has desires for someone important to them. Acting without any hope for the future is pointless.”

Of course.

“If she's that important to you, there must have been a better way to handle things.”

“Rousing someone consumed by lust can be a big challenge. While youth isn't an excuse, it was a factor.”

“Yeah, right. Nine centimeters of lust.”

We're getting nowhere. This isn't the kind of thing to debate endlessly.

In any case, it's probably better for me if Asuka deals with this instead of bothering me.

At least we agree that Okutsu is the common enemy. Let's leave it at that.