Chapter 29: Don’t run.

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Translated and Edited by: luccayn.

Common Honorifics:
-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.
-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.
-chan: A common suffix among people you're close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it's cutesy and childlike.
-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

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After giving a detailed report of the incident to the teachers, Tsukino and I waited for Hareta to join us. The plan was to meet at 4:30 PM, and since I didn’t have a part-time job today, I felt relaxed with plenty of time to spare.

“I’ve never been to Saizeriya¹ before.”

“Really? How is that possible?”

“My grandma doesn’t like Western food, and I don’t have the money to eat out by myself.”

“Hehe, but it’s just Saizeriya. It’s cheap.”

Why is she laughing? I don’t get it.

“Hey, hey, is this squid ink pasta any good? Is escargot really that snail? What’s the difference between Italian gelato and regular ice cream?”

“Do you want to try them?”

“I’ll eat them if you treat me.”

“Well, I don’t mind. But you know, a girl who buys meals for a guy is definitely going to get hooked.”

So, I wrote down the menu items I was curious about and placed the order. Tsukino, with a deep sigh, seemed to be playing the stereotype of a career woman tormented by the burdens and pleasures of keeping a dependent man.

Could this be my hidden talent?

“This is good.”

“Ha… This is definitely bad.”

Tsukino looked at me with a furrowed brow, eating cold gelato, unsure whether to be troubled or pleased. She’s the type who, even knowing she’s being taken advantage of, can’t help but be devoted.

“Thanks for the meal. It’s about time for Kumoi to join us.”

“Yeah.”

“If Haruta arrives early, it could be a problem. I’ll move to another seat. I’ve explained the situation to Kumoi, so go ahead and introduce yourself and make friends.”

“You really don’t care about my social interactions, do you, Shinji?”

That’s not true, but there’s no time for excuses. I settled the bill and told the staff I wanted to change seats. I then moved to the other side, separated by a wall, and started reading a paperback.

My role was to give instructions via LINE. I’d already given several possible scenarios, so it would be best if I didn’t have to do anything.

“Are you Tsukino? Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, Kumoi. Thank you for today.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s for us too. You can call me Shizuku.”

“Alright, you can call me Michiru.”

Kumoi appeared and peeked over the wall, waving at me. I raised my hand in greeting and then discreetly dropped a note in front of Tsukino.

“I’ll tell you about Kaito and treat you to dinner. Afterwards, let’s go out.”

It was an enticing offer, but I wrote “I’ll pass” on a paper napkin and tossed it back. Having another girl treat me felt like it would change something within me.

“Oh. What’s that, Shizuku-chan?”

“I got rejected.”

“Rejected?”

“I asked Shinji to come up with a plan to attract a guy by treating him to dinner, but he declined.”

“I see…”

I could tell Tsukino was grinning from behind the wall. Kumoi’s slightly withdrawn voice indicated she was probably a bit creeped out.

“Hey Michiru, are you Shinji’s girlfriend?”

“N-no. I’m not.”

“Do you like him?”

What a bold question out of nowhere.

“…It’s a secret.”

“I see. But don’t you find it hard to understand what he’s saying sometimes?”

“Ah, yeah, that’s true.”

“Right? Guys like him who are hard to figure out are worse than those who think they’re popular, don’t you think? I don’t think I could handle that.”

“Hehe, yeah. He’s probably the most difficult person I’ve ever met.”

Do they know I’m here? They didn’t just suddenly forget I exist, right?

“But he can be reliable, can’t he?”

“Huh, what do you mean all of a sudden?”

“It’s written all over your face. Michiru, you were grinning like crazy earlier. It was kinda creepy.”

“Come on, don’t call me creepy.”

“Want me to imitate you? Like this.”

“Haha! No way! Did I really look like that?”

They seem to be having fun. I’m really curious about what kind of face I made.

“…Oh, wait. Kou just messaged me. He’s in front of the store.”

“I see. I’ll go get some juice. Do you want some, Michiru?”

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll have the same.”

Hareta had been told by Tsukino that there was someone she wanted him to meet. If he knew it was Kumoi, he might’ve made up an excuse to avoid coming.

Just to clarify, today’s plan is to make Haruta reflect on himself. The goal is to make him take responsibility for the discord he’s caused among the girls in our class who are in love with him.

Strictly speaking, if today’s plan goes well, Haruta will start to correct himself and restore harmony in the class on his own. The truth is, there’s nothing I can do to help with his relationships with the heroines, so I can’t really intervene.

Honestly, why does someone like me, who has nothing, have to help someone like him, who’s nearly perfect without any flaws? I ask myself uselessly sometimes.

“Thanks, Shizuku.”

…Well, maybe saying I have nothing is a bit of an exaggeration.

Anyway, there’s no reason for me to help a guy who has everything. If I were to get involved, it would have to be a business deal rather than a charitable act.

Even if Tsukino were completely in love with Hareta, and even if Hareta didn’t reciprocate those feelings, it’s up to them to figure it out. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me who Tsukino dates. My opinion has always been the same, and either way, my relationship with her would come to an end.

They should go their separate ways and find happiness without my involvement. Even if the rejected girls are heartbroken and Hareta ends up hurt, each one suffering in their own way, Tsukino doesn’t need to feel guilty.

That’s what love is.

…Well, if Tsukino ends up getting unfairly blamed and hurt despite her sincere decision, I might step in to help her again.

“Hey, big brother.”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Can I stay here too?”

Without any warning, a little boy, probably a first grader, sat down in front of me. He lowered his head to the table, keeping a low profile. Maybe he’s playing hide-and-seek with his friends.

Looking around, I didn’t see any other kids. He must have wandered in from outside.

“Sure, just don’t get caught.”

“Hehe, thanks.”

“Want some juice? I haven’t drunk mine yet, so you can have it.”

“Really? Thanks!”

I patted the boy’s head, propped my chin on my hand, and looked out the window. Hareta was entering the store. To avoid being seen, I slouched a bit deeper into the sofa, hid behind the wall, and opened my paperback to read the finale.

“Shizuku?”

“Long time no see, Kou. How have you been?”

“Michiru, the person you wanted me to meet is…”

“I’m sorry, Kou-kun. But there’s something I really need you to hear.”

…Hareta didn’t run away.

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1 — Japanese chain of family restaurants; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saizeriya

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