113 - Ayaka and Shizuku

RAW

After leaving the school grounds and walking for a short while, Shizuku stepped ahead of Haruto and the others, then turned to face them. Her expression was one of triumphant satisfaction.

"Well, Haru-senpai, how about my flawless plan?"

With her hands on her hips, Shizuku puffed out her chest proudly.

"I'm impressed. As expected of you, Shizuku."

"Hmm, praise me more!"

"Of course, oh great Shizuku-sama."

Although her face remained expressionless, Shizuku's mood seemed noticeably elevated as Haruto gave an exaggerated bow.

Shizuku's plan was simple yet clever: by becoming friends with Ayaka, she positioned herself as a mutual friend to both Haruto and Ayaka. This allowed her to naturally bring the two closer together. As a result, at school, Haruto and Ayaka were now seen as "friends of a friend."

"Um, Shizuku-chan… thank you."

"Ah, Ayaka-senpai, you should praise me too."

"Oh, uh, okay. Shizuku-chan, you're amazing."

"Fufufu."

Shizuku, pleased with Ayaka's praise, hummed in satisfaction. At that moment, Tomoya, who had been walking beside Haruto with an amused smile, joined the conversation.

"Hey, is it really okay for us to tag along?"

He glanced briefly at Saki before asking Shizuku.

"No problem at all. In fact, it's better to have others around initially," Shizuku replied, giving him a thumbs-up.

"Inviting just Haru-senpai and Ayaka-senpai alone would seem forced. Having supporting cast members makes it feel more natural."

"Haha, supporting cast, huh?"

"Exactly, supporting cast."

Shizuku's straightforward words made Tomoya laugh heartily. Saki, listening to the explanation, nodded thoughtfully.

"I see now. Honestly, I thought you were more reckless, Shizuku-chan, but you're pretty calculated."

"Of course. By the way, though I invited you on a whim, who are you again?"

Shizuku tilted her head slightly as she turned to Saki, who responded with a wry smile.

"I'm Saki Aizawa. Basically, Ayaka's childhood friend and bestie."

"Oh, I see. So Ayaka-senpai actually has a real best friend. I thought she was a loner."

"Why would you think that?!"

"Isn't it common? The classic 'beautiful girl with no friends' trope."

"That's not me!"

"Shame."

"Shame?!"

Ayaka demanded an explanation for Shizuku's comment, but Shizuku brushed her off nonchalantly.

In this lively atmosphere, the group continued walking. When they reached an intersection, Tomoya raised a hand.

"I’ve got some errands near the station, so I’ll split off here."

"Oh, I take the train home too. Want to go together?"

Saki’s suggestion caught Tomoya’s attention.

"You commute by train? Sure, let’s go together."

"See you all later!"

"Bye, Saki."

Ayaka waved at Saki while pausing her exchange with Shizuku. Haruto and Shizuku also raised their hands in farewell.

After Tomoya and Saki left, Haruto found himself walking in the middle, with Ayaka and Shizuku on either side. He glanced toward Shizuku on his right.

"Thanks again, Shizuku. This really helps. Now I can start getting closer to Ayaka at school."

"It was surprising when you suddenly asked me to be your friend this morning, but thanks, Shizuku-chan."

"My cooperation is only just beginning. I'll visit your classrooms from time to time, so be prepared."

"Really, thank you. Let me repay you somehow."

"No need. Not at all. It's not like I’d ask for a cream puff from the department store as thanks or anything."

"Uh, okay."

Haruto scratched his head with a wry smile at Shizuku’s typical cheeky remark. Ayaka chuckled softly at their interaction.

Then Haruto, as if remembering something, turned to Shizuku.

"I'm really grateful for your help, but… could you avoid causing any trouble?"

"You're referring to Ayaka-senpai's admirers, right?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

Shizuku, who had trained in martial arts since she was young, had a strong personality and was highly skilled in karate. She spoke her mind openly, regardless of whether her opponent was older or male. While these traits were part of her charm, they also made her prone to trouble.

"Hmm. I don't intend to cause any disturbances in your class, so… fine. I’ll try to be careful."

"Thanks, that’s a relief."

Haruto bowed his head in gratitude, and Ayaka, who had been listening to their exchange, spoke up.

"Hey, Shizuku-chan."

"Yes?"

"Aren’t you afraid? I mean, expressing yourself so openly and confronting others like that."

"...Sometimes I am," Shizuku admitted after a brief pause.

"But when I’m scared, I try to figure out why. I focus on the root of that fear."

"The root of fear?"

Shizuku’s gaze turned serious as she looked at Ayaka before continuing.

"Yes. For example, this time, I thought about what could happen if I clashed with that upperclassman."

Shizuku looked ahead as she resumed walking.

"I might get harassed. It could escalate into bullying. And because of that, I might lose friends. But when I considered all that, I realized it wouldn’t matter much."

"Huh? That wouldn’t matter?"

Ayaka’s eyes widened in surprise.

"It wouldn’t. Anyone who would distance themselves from me over such things wasn’t a true friend in the first place. Losing a hundred of those kinds of people wouldn’t bother me."

Shizuku glanced at Haruto.

"What matters to me are the relationships with people who stay by my side no matter what."

"Why are you looking at me while saying that?"

Haruto scratched his head awkwardly.

"Because Haru-senpai will always be my friend."

"If you didn’t bathe for a month, I’d definitely keep my distance."

"Then, Haru-senpai, you’d have to bathe me."

Shizuku clung tightly to Haruto’s arm, prompting Ayaka’s brows to twitch.

"Shizuku-chan!"

Ayaka protested, grabbing Haruto’s other arm to pry Shizuku off.

"I appreciate your help, but you can’t cling to Haruto like that!"

"Hmph. You’re clinging to him too, Ayaka-senpai."

"Well, I’m his girlfriend! It’s normal for a girlfriend to cling to her boyfriend!"

"Then it’s normal for a childhood friend to cling as well. Hiya!"

With a spirited cry, Shizuku latched onto Haruto’s other arm.

"Aah! Shizuku-chan, stop that!"

"Ayaka-senpai, possessive girlfriends like you get dumped quickly."

"That’s not true! Haruto loves me!"

Ayaka, tugging Haruto’s arm with all her might, declared her love fervently. Shizuku, maintaining her cool demeanor, replied calmly.

"Love isn’t just about demanding it, Ayaka-senpai."

"I’m not just demanding it! I love Haruto too!"

As Ayaka shouted her love, Shizuku suddenly let go of Haruto’s arm and smirked.

"Did you hear that, Haru-senpai? Lucky you."

"Shizuku…"

"Ayaka-senpai’s passionate confession is truly something to behold."

Ayaka, realizing she’d been played, turned bright red and covered her face with her hands.

"You… you’re awful, Shizuku-chan…"

Still flustered, Ayaka trembled as Shizuku glanced at Haruto.

"What do you think, Haru-senpai? Isn’t it endearing to see a beautiful girl blushing like that?"

"Shizuku, please don’t tease my girlfriend."

"I’ll think about it."

Ignoring Haruto’s plea, Shizuku looked at the embarrassed Ayaka, her eyes gleaming with amusement.