This was the absolute worst.
Why did I have to run into her here, of all places...?
"What’s with that look on your face? That’s no way to react when you haven't seen your cute childhood friend in such a long time, is it~?"
Her makeup was as heavy as ever.
However, her style had changed since middle school. Was this that "White Gyaru" look people talked about? She didn't seem to have the actual gyaru way of speaking down yet, but her tone was just as grating as I remembered.
"Hmm? What’s wrong? Oh~ are you just nervous because Yuzuha-chan’s gotten even cuter?"
Yuzuha met my silent stare with her usual flippant banter.
For now, engaging with her was a total waste of time. No matter what I said, she would just twist it to suit her own convenience.
"Uh... Kazunari? Is she an acquaintance of yours? A childhood friend?"
Sensing the awkward tension, Hayato stepped in, his voice sounding a bit forced as he tried to bridge the gap.
"That’s right~! It’s such an amazing coincidence that Hayato-kun is Kazunari’s friend! Oh, let me introduce myself properly. I’m Yuzuha Sasagawa, Kazunari’s childhood friend. I hope he hasn't been too much of a burden? This guy has really been a handful since we were kids—"
Was she seriously going to start spinning lies again?
It was sickening. Hearing that voice while knowing what she was really like beneath the mask made my skin crawl.
"Yuzuha, what are you talking about?"
"Hee-hee, you finally decided to talk to me. I was just telling him how you've always been a handful—it was just a little social icebreaker. Why are you getting so worked up?"
She was doing this on purpose. I could tell she was relishing my reaction.
"Hey, Hayato-kun. Since you're friends with Kazunari, doesn't that make us friends too? I have a lot of friends myself, so I'm sure we could do all sorts of fun things together."
She was as brazen as ever. Her shamelessness knew no bounds.
As she sidled up to Hayato with a cloyingly sweet expression, I caught his eye, desperately pleading with him to turn her down. I hoped he would understand. Please, let the message get through.
However, despite showing a reaction that suggested he caught my drift, Hayato gave in.
"Oh, sure. I get it. In that case, should we exchange RAIN info?"
He actually accepted her proposal.
Had I failed? Had my silent plea been misunderstood?
"Yay!! Then let's set up a mixer or something soon!"
"Hey, Hayato..."
"Kazunari, hold on a second."
I couldn't even find an opening to intervene before the two of them finished exchanging contact information.
She was definitely plotting something. At this rate, Hayato might end up being exploited just like I was.
Swallowing my disgust, I decided to take the initiative and speak to her directly to find out what she was up to.
"Yuzuha, give me a moment of your time. Hayato, this will be quick, so just wait here."
"Yeah, sure."
"Hmm, fine by me, but don't go trying to give me a confession or anything, okay?"
As if I’d ever do that in a million years.
I led her to a spot a short distance away and stood face-to-face with her. It was the first time we'd been alone like this since middle school.
"What are you planning?"
I struggled to keep my voice calm, resisting the urge to snap at her while she stood there smirking.
"I really just want to be friends with Hayato-kun, you know? You'll help me out, won't you?"
She dropped the "good girl" act, and her voice returned to its natural, spiteful tone. She knew perfectly well that there was no way I’d ever cooperate.
"Do you honestly think I’d help you?"
"I guess not. That’s why I’ll apologize for what happened back in middle school."
...What?
Did she just say she’d apologize?
"I said I’d apologize, so you can lose the shocked expression."
I was so caught off guard that I didn't know how to react. What was this girl even talking about...?
"I just want to get close to Hayato-kun. I’m not even asking you to help; as long as we both just keep our mouths shut, everyone’s happy, right?"
I thought back to middle school. If those days were about to start all over again, it would be a living hell.
"Are you... really saying you'll apologize?"
"That’s right. I apologized, so don't you dare get in my way. Besides, Hayato-kun was the one who said he wanted to be friends with me, so you don't have any right to butt in, do you?"
She hadn't grown up at all.
Her attitude made it clear that she had spent her life being pampered, convinced she was the protagonist of her own story. She genuinely believed that because she "apologized," I was obligated to forgive her.
The fact that she thought I’d be satisfied with that proved she didn't have a shred of actual guilt.
Without waiting for a response, Yuzuha turned and began to walk away. She was incredibly selfish.
What was I going to do about Hayato...? If she truly just wanted to be friends, that was one thing, but I needed to stay on high alert just in case.
Looking back, I saw Hayato talking to Yuzuha's friend. He wasn't smiling, which suggested he already found the situation a nuisance.
For now, I just wanted to get away from here. We could talk later.
"Hayato, I have plans, so I’m heading home. You have somewhere to be too, right?" I called out, making up a lie on the fly.
"? ...Oh, r-right. I’d be in trouble if I were late for the meeting. Sasagawa-san, sorry, but we’ve gotta head out."
He seemed to catch on to my intent and played along. Thank god—we could finally escape.
"Ehhh, what a bummer! And we were just getting to know each other. Oh, well, we can talk on RAIN, so message me anytime! I’ll be sure to message you, too!"
Yuzuha switched back to her nauseatingly sweet persona.
"Well then, we’re off."
"Okaay, see you later! Kazunari, I'll be counting on you too~."
I didn't give her an answer.
Ah-ha, there they go.
That was so lucky, though. I actually got Hayato-kun’s contact info... He-he-he.
Kazunari is such a pushover. All I had to do was hint that I might apologize, and he folded. I didn't actually say the words "I’m sorry" even once! (lol)
But that should be enough to keep his mouth shut for now. It’s only natural, since someone like me went out of my way to act like I was apologizing to him.
It’ll be fine. If worst comes to worst, I’ll just give Hayato-kun a firm warning myself—tell him how dangerous Kazunari is.
Men are so easy. If you just pretend to cry a little and say you were the victim, they believe you instantly.
"Hey, Yuzuha, was that guy with Hayato-kun an acquaintance of yours?"
"Don't be like that, Miho. He’s going to be the pipe that connects us to Hayato-kun from now on, so you have to call him a friend properly."
I can't let a chance like this slip away.
It’s not like I’m actually looking for anything serious with Hayato-kun. I have a boyfriend like Kazuma-kun, after all. Having a hot guy around is just like being a fan of an idol.
But you can never have too many handsome guys in your circle. If I can set up a mixer with Hayato-kun, I might be able to use him to connect with even more models... Actually, that’s the real goal.
If that happens, I won’t just be popular in my class—I'll be the center of attention in the whole school! Everyone will be sucking up to me just to get an invite... The sense of superiority is going to be amazing!
Now then, how should I handle this?
Oh, I know. I’ll talk to Kazuma-kun about it. I think he mentioned having acquaintances at Hayato-kun’s school.
Ah! I should spread those rumors about Kazunari first. That way, Hayato-kun will definitely believe me, and he might even listen to my requests as a way of "protecting" me!
Ah, I can't wait.