Higashi Hazuki Must Not Get Into a Relationship

[Alright, I’ve basically figured out your recent condition.]

Amano Sora removed his mask, revealing a rather handsome face.

His short hair, damp with sweat, also carried a carefree air.

No wonder he could attract the attention of some of Sakurano High’s girls.

Aside from a small number of people, most would probably accept the affection he expressed.

However—

I am one of that small number.

And I’m an especially nasty one.

Not only did I fail to reject his feelings directly, now—

I’m going to deceive him.

[Furukawa, your reactions are still too slow.

If I hadn’t called it out in advance, you wouldn’t even have had time to swing.]

[Yes, Captain.]

[Also, that obvious high stance just now.

Your response was incorrect.]

The gentle expression had completely vanished, replaced by strict instruction.

But due to time constraints, he only said a few words before wrapping it up hastily.

[You’re passable.]

After everyone dispersed, Amano Sora walked over.

[That was really cool, Amano-senpai.]

I smiled as I responded, and his presence immediately became more radiant.

Honestly, for me, I didn’t really understand it at all.

After all, real kendo matches aren’t like movies or games where everything looks flashy, with all kinds of techniques.

They’re much closer to deciding the outcome in two or three moves.

If both sides are extremely fast, the viewing experience is like—

In the blink of an eye, it’s over.

You don’t even know when the shinai was swung or who won.

That kind of experience isn’t particularly enjoyable.

And that’s one reason why kendo can only ever be a niche sport.

Of course, none of that matters to me.

At the very least, it doesn’t affect my act of admiration at all.

[Haha, I wasn’t actually being that serious.]

Being praised by a girl you like is something many men can’t escape from feeling smug about.

Even Amano Sora, who usually looks modest and gentle, couldn’t avoid it.

[If you like it, Higashi, you can join the kendo club.

We’re always happy to have you here.]

[Even though I’m tempted, my club president won’t let me go so easily.

So I’m really sorry, Amano-senpai.]

[I see.]

Amano Sora sighed with some regret.

[Alright, we should get going too.

Goodbye, Amano-senpai.]

[Yeah, goodbye.]

He waved his hand, looking reluctant to part.

[Ah, right.

Amano-senpai, let’s exchange contact information.]

[Eh, r-really?]

That overjoyed look.

So he really had been hoping for this counterfeit version of me to draw closer.

When there were clearly better choices, falling for me is truly pitiful.

But precisely because of that, I can make use of him.

[Mm-hm, of course.]

And just like that, we successfully added each other.

[Tsuki, why did you suddenly add the captain as a contact?]

On the way back, Uetsuki Tsukihi couldn’t suppress her curiosity and asked me directly.

[Well, we’ve known each other for quite a while now, haven’t we.]

[I thought you were starting to have feelings for the captain.]

She sounded a little disappointed.

Actually, she was probably trying to dig up gossip about her captain, right.

It’s really obvious, Tsuki.

[Do you really want me and Amano-senpai to be together that much?]

[Not exactly.

I just feel like since we’re already in high school, it’d be nice to have a dramatic, earth-shaking romance.]

[An earth-shaking romance.

So, Tsuki, do you like explosive love stories, the kind where all the feelings just burst out at once?]

[Not really.

I mean the kind with life and death, amnesia, separation, sorrow, and joy—]

[Um, isn’t that exactly that kind?]

[Is it?

Riku-nii, what do you think?]

Ichijō Riku slowed his pace, as if savoring the comfortable atmosphere before giving it some serious thought.

[For me, I think something gentle and ordinary is better.]

[Gentle?]

[I mean, how should I put it.

Slow, but very peaceful.

No need for overly intense entanglements.

Just letting it grow little by little like that feels nice.]

Perhaps feeling his explanation wasn’t precise enough, he paused.

[I like it when two people can come to understand each other through constant interaction, and find reasons in the other person that make them want to draw closer.

If it’s like that, then it would be really wonderful.]

[So in the end, you really do like that gentle kind of feeling.]

After saying that, he scratched his head awkwardly as he faced us.

As if realizing something, his face reddened slightly, and he coughed lightly as if nothing had happened.

But that kind of behavior only makes people want to tease him more about what he just said.

Like right now.

[Ehhh—]

Tsukihi dragged out the sound.

[I didn’t expect Riku-nii to be such an innocent guy.]

[Innocent might not be the right word.]

Even then, he denied the label placed on him.

But—

You really are innocent, Ichijō.

Like a boy who’s never dated before, trying hard to imagine what love is supposed to be like.

Well, come to think of it, I’m actually part of that group too.

So—

[I really agree with you, Ichijō.]

I smiled as I faced them.

[I like that kind of approach too.]

[Eh, Tsuki, you’re that kind of innocent person too?]

[That’s an exaggeration.

But if that’s how you want to interpret it, I’ll admit it.]

[Ahem.

If Tsuki really thinks that, then I suppose I can only admit it too.]

[Eh—eh—

You two are way too boring like this!]

With a bit of dissatisfaction, Tsukihi grabbed Ichijō Riku’s arm and shook it hard.

Then she let out a small cry.

[Ah, it really does still hurt.]

[What’s wrong, Tsuki?]

[I bumped it just now.]

[I told you not to mess around.

Later, let’s buy some ointment and apply it when we get back.]

He comforted her very gently.

Yet he didn’t realize that he himself frowned slightly because of her earlier movement.

It was from pain.

Though it blended well into his concern for Tsukihi, I still noticed it.

Sorry about that.

Such sharp observation skills.

So really, this is the time not to endure it, Ichijō.

But—

To be honest, there’s also a bit of selfishness mixed in.

The feeling that it’d be better if only I knew about his injury.

And that, in turn, made me praise him for enduring the pain with nothing more than a slight frown.

What a contradictory mindset.

After all, I’m just that kind of twisted, strange person.

Anyway—

[Ichijō, you should also take better care of yourself.]

[Eh, Tsuki, what are you talking about?]

As expected, it caught Tsukihi’s attention.

Of course, that was anticipated.

[Hehehe.

It just seems like Ichijō never thinks about himself at all.]

[Is that so?]

She turned her head toward the slightly silent Ichijō Riku.

And he, with a flicker in his eyes, looked back at me.

[Compared to that, the trouble around Higashi is what really needs attention.]

[Ehh?

Why do I feel like you two are talking about something I don’t know?

Riku-nii, hurry up and tell me.]

[—Didn’t Higashi get threatened before?

That problem still needs to be dealt with.]

[That’s true.]

We successfully dispelled Tsukihi’s suspicion.

And we didn’t even lie.

You’re really impressive, Ichijō.

After getting home, I immediately headed out to my part-time job at the convenience store without resting for even a moment.

I finally arrived just before my shift started.

[Tsuki is a bit late today.]

[There were some club matters today, so—

I’m very sorry.]

[It’s fine, it’s fine.

It’s just about time to start work anyway.

This is actually just right.

Tsuki used to come way too early.]

If I didn’t come early, I might collapse onto my bed from exhaustion and be unable to move.

Even though I thought that, I still smiled and nodded.

[Then I’ll be heading out.]

[Mm-hm.

Safe travels, Manager.]

There weren’t many customers at this time.

It was a rare moment to zone out.

But—

—Higashi, are you really planning to do this?

—What else can I do, Ichijō?

I can’t let you face danger alone.

—Actually, I can help too.

—But I don’t agree with you doing that, Ichijō.

Just like what you told me before.

You need to take good care of your body.

I added another line.

—After all, you’re my hope for returning.

He fell silent.

—Ah, I’ll send you the chat records of my conversation with Amano-senpai later.

Don’t worry too much.

There won’t be any other kind of relationship between us.

—Eh?

—After all, I’m not sure whether Ichijō has feelings for this body or not.

So I’ll just assume you do.

Relax.

I understand men’s desires very well.

After all, I’ve been together with this beautiful girl for a long time.

You wouldn’t want to see her turn around and fall into someone else’s arms, right?

I couldn’t help adding a bit of malicious amusement as I typed those lines.

—Even if you don’t say it, there must be just a tiny bit of that thought in your heart, right, Ichijō?

—Higashi, please don’t joke around.

That same helpless reply.

I can practically picture what he looks like right now.

—But, Higashi, I don’t want to lie to you.

I really do have a bit of feelings for you.

This time, it was my turn to freeze.

And then—

[Hehe, hehehe—]

The male lead having feelings for a dried-up corpse like me.

That was completely unexpected.

Well, in the end, it’s all because of this pretty appearance, isn’t it.

Be careful, Ichijō.

There’s no future between us to speak of.

Still, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing happily.

[Are you chatting with a friend, Tsuki?

You’re smiling so brightly.]

A regular customer who had just come in cast me a curious look.

[Yes.

Welcome, Mr. Nitta.

Please feel free to browse the store.]

[Hehehe.]

Starting with the first customer, more people gradually came in.

The store got busy.

And in between, I exchanged messages with another person.

—Good evening, Amano-senpai.

—Good evening, Higashi.

The reply came very quickly.

As if he were deliberately waiting by his phone.

Looks like I’m pretty important in his heart too.

So, I’m really sorry, Amano-senpai.

You fell for a very nasty person.

A counterfeit who’s already become a corpse.

This is all because your eye for people is poor.

You failed to see the rotting heart beneath this bright exterior.

After pushing all the blame onto him, I could send my messages with a clear conscience.

—What are you doing right now, Amano-senpai?

—I’m tutoring my younger sister with her studies.

If you’re tutoring her, then why can you reply so fast?

I ignored that self-contradictory behavior.

And continued typing.

—You have a younger sister, Amano-senpai.

—Yes.

Her name is Amano Yūko.

I’ll introduce her to you sometime.

—Sure.

I’d be happy to meet Yūko too.

—Haha.

She already really wants to meet you, Higashi.

—Mm.

Amano-senpai, you can call me Tsuki.

—Th-then you can call me Sora, Tsuki.

—Okay, Sora-senpai.

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

—Then, Sora-senpai, can you come out for a bit at ten o’clock tonight?