“President, I’m borrowing the Resource Room.”
Satsukawa-senpai informed the President in a tone that brooked no argument.
“A-Ah, sure, I don't mind, but...”
There was likely no problem with her using the Resource Room, as it was rarely occupied, but the President sounded flustered as he replied, seemingly overwhelmed by the intensity of her aura.
“Takanashi-san, please tell me everything.”
With that, Senpai made a move to grab my arm, but after a momentary flicker of hesitation, she took my hand instead.
Like a child being led away, I allowed her to usher me toward the Resource Room without a word of protest.
Once the door was closed and we had moved toward the center of the room, Senpai turned around and looked me straight in the eye.
What was I supposed to do...
I didn't want to lie to her, but this situation was delicate. If it were just a matter of my own social life, it wouldn't be a big deal, but this involved Natsumi-senpai—and worse, it was a romantic matter.
It wasn't the kind of thing I could just blurt out to someone else.
I hoped she would understand if I explained that other people were involved.
“Takanashi-san, does it trouble you to have me ask about the circumstances?”
I flinched. How did she...
“Fufu... it’s not that surprising. Since coming here, your expression has looked even more troubled than before. I suspected as much.”
I see. I certainly had been agonizing over how to explain it.
“I said I wanted to hear your story, but I won’t force the issue. No one can share every single thing with another person, after all. I know that if it were something you felt you could tell me, you would have done so without such distress.”
Her words filled me with relief.
Because she was being so understanding, I decided to keep the details to myself for now. Instead, I resolved to be as honest as possible with her from here on out. I didn't want to keep secrets from someone who treated me with such consideration.
“Takanashi-san, I am always here to listen. Please tell me when you feel the time is right.”
“Senpai, other people are involved in this. That’s why I can’t say anything yet...”
For now, I told her as much as I could.
“I understand. Then I will ask no more. However...”
She took my right hand, enveloping it gently within both of hers.
“If you find yourself in real trouble and still refuse to talk to me...”
Senpai’s smile was breathtakingly beautiful. It was the smile I loved most in the world.
“There will be another punishment, you know?”
As she spoke, she let a playful, mischievous glint peek through her expression.
“I don’t even know how to answer that.”
Leaving those final words behind, Takanashi-kun had walked away.
I believed those were his honest feelings. I felt a wave of relief just hearing words that weren't a flat rejection. I had tried to speak as candidly as possible, but I wondered how they had landed with him.
I don’t like to say this because it sounds like bragging, but the reality is that I’m constantly pursued by women.
I don’t remember exactly when it started, but by now, something like a Fan Club has even formed. They go so far as to prepare a Banner for my tennis matches.
Of course, being cheered for makes me happy. However, that support comes at the cost of resentment from other guys.
I’ve likely never met anyone I could truly call a friend. Everyone who approaches me has an ulterior motive they don't even try to hide. It’s not uncommon for someone to ask me to introduce them to a girl on the very day we meet. More than a few have pretended to be my friend just to get close to a girl they were targeting.
In the end, the emotions surrounding me are always jealousy and envy, and "friends" always come with strings attached. Besides... even the Fan Club only likes me for my looks. They aren't looking at who I really am.
Despite all that, I eventually fell in love.
Natsumi-senpai only sees me as an ordinary junior. She was also the first woman who ever actually scolded me. That was exactly why she caught my interest. She was the first woman I had ever truly admired.
Satsukawa-senpai, on the other hand, is a different story. She’s completely unapproachable—or rather, it feels like men, myself included, don't even exist in her world.
Who could have possibly believed that someone like Satsukawa-senpai would get a Boyfriend? I’d heard the rumors, but I couldn't bring myself to believe them until I saw it with my own eyes.
The guy who accompanied her to cheer for Natsumi-senpai—that must be the one. To be honest, he looked like a plain, unremarkable, everyday guy. But watching them, it was obvious that Satsukawa-senpai treated him as someone truly special.
What really surprised me, though, was Natsumi-senpai’s reaction. Since he was her Best Friend’s lover, I assumed they’d be acquainted, but the scene I witnessed went beyond that. He had clearly managed to become a genuine friend to Natsumi-senpai as well.
I was jealous. Was I... jealous?
So, this is what envy feels like. It was the first time I’d ever truly envied someone.
He was there at the Practice Match as well. With a girlfriend like Satsukawa-senpai and a close friend like Natsumi-senpai, he probably wouldn't have any interest in someone like me.
But for some reason—the same way it happened with Natsumi-senpai and Satsukawa-senpai—when I feel like someone isn't interested in me, I find myself becoming interested in them.
In his position, the resentment and jealousy from those around him must be staggering. He’s the center of attention right now, and I could see the other guys glaring at him. It wouldn't be surprising if people with hidden agendas were constantly swarming him.
It was like looking at a mirror of my own life, and I felt a strange sense of kinship. I feel like I understand his heart. And I think he might be able to understand mine, too.
Besides, with those two women by his side, he wouldn't be distracted by anyone else. That means with him, I might finally be able to have a relationship built on sincerity, without any unnecessary baggage.
I think I’ve finally found a man who could be my first True Friend.
The problem is... once he finds out about my feelings for Natsumi-senpai, he’ll almost certainly misunderstand and think I only approached him to get to her.
How to handle that is the part that troubles me most.