CH 84

Chapter 84 - "No Monopoly"

“―Is Nemoto-san’s attitude towards Hazakura-kun different because you two are childhood friends?”

When Yō and the others had arrived at the transfer station and went to use the restroom because there was still time to wait before the next train, Marin asked Kasumi a question only when Yō left.

Nagisa stared at Marin in surprise at the unexpected timing of the question.

But Kasumi, who was walking next to her, looked at Marin with a somewhat bored expression.

“What’s the meaning of a childhood friend in a relationship?”

“Eh…?”

It was an unexpected response.

Marin looked at Kasumi, confused by the unexpected words.

“I wouldn’t have gotten along with him if he was just a childhood friend. I don’t care if we’ve known each other since we were kids or not.”

In fact, Kasumi and Yō have quite a few childhood friends who have been with them from childhood through middle school.

But Kasumi never even talked to anyone else except Yō.

It was different when she was young, but by the time she was in the higher grades of elementary school, Yō was the only person she always hung out with.

“Yō is special to me, not because we grew up together, but because I like Yō.”

Kasumi looked straight at Marin and told her how she felt.

Marin stared back at Kasumi, unable to say anything as she was overwhelmed by her mood.

“Akimi-san, you told me before that you have a good eye for people.”

“Oh, yes…”

“I don’t think you’re wrong, Akimi-san, you’re a good judge of character and you can be easily fooled by bad people―”

“Ugh…”

“But I think you also have an eye for seeing the good in others. Normally, other people can’t see the goodness in Yō.”

Marin looked at Kasumi, wondering what Kasumi was trying to say.

Nagisa, on the other hand, nodded her head in agreement.

Nagisa was one of the few people who had a high opinion of Yō.

“Well, you may not know this, Nemoto-san… but you supported me when I was hurting, and…”

“So you think I’m a nice person? No, there were many people who would have been nice to you, if Yō was particularly good-looking like an idol, but that’s not the case. So, why did you only let Yō in?”

Kasumi looked uninterested in her surroundings, but in fact she was watching closely.

That’s because she’s on the lookout for thieving cats approaching Yō.

And Marin had been the one to watch out for since their first year.

So she is well aware of Marin’s changing emotions.

“I don’t… know either…”

To Kasumi’s question, Marin could not give an answer.

She felt strangely comfortable with Yō, but she had no answer to that question as to why.

She’s happy to be pampered, but that’s not the point, because that’s beyond what Kasumi is asking.

That’s why she couldn’t answer.

“Because you kind of know that Yō is different from other boys, and you’re comfortable with him, right?”

“…Yes.”

Marin could only nod her head.

Seeing Marin like this, Nagisa felt a bit nervous inside.

(Hmm, what should I do? Kasumi-chan isn’t trying to pick a fight, but she’s trying to confirm something… Ugh… My stomach hurts from being here… It was about to get good, but without Yō-kun, it’s a disaster…) 

The thought of dragging Yō to this place crossed Nagisa’s mind, but she was afraid of what would happen if she did, so she held back.

“I’m sure that’s true. But that’s why I’m scared.”

“What is it…?”

“What you’ve seen and known is only a small part of Yō’s goodness. And if you’re so pining for him, I’m afraid you’ll have him all to yourself when you know all of his good qualities.”

“P-Pining, something like that is just…!”

“Don’t you think it’s too late to deny it now? Right, Nagisa?”

“Huh? Ah, uh, well, yeah.”

(Don’t talk to me…!)

Nagisa nodded with that thought.

As a result, Marin’s face turned red and she turned her head away.

“I-It’s not like that… And I’m not going to keep him all to myself…”

“How dare you say that, when even now you’re giving me jealous looks just because I’m flirting with Yō.”

“…………”

(T-This is not good, Kasumi-chan’s words are getting sharper and sharper. This girl really gets heated when it comes to Yō-kun… You’ve got tears in your eyes when you’re dealing with an angry Marin-chan, so why are you making things worse again…?)

“Kasumi-chan stop. If you say anything more, I’ll tell Yō-kun.”

“…It’s not like we’re fighting or anything.”

“You were about to, weren’t you? Come on, Yō-kun wants Kasumi-chan and Marin-chan to get along, okay?”

“That’s why I took part in your proposal.”

“No, that was just because Yō-kun spoiled you, right?”

“…You annoying woman.”

“Come on, don’t run away now. And even if Marin-chan wanted to monopolize Yō-kun, you know that would be impossible, right?”

Kasumi was very important to Yō.

And after hurting her once in the past, Yō would never be able to hurt her again.

No matter what it took.

Kasumi and Nagisa, who understood Yō very well, were aware of this.

That’s why Nagisa thought that Kasumi’s poking at Marin was just a waste of time.

“But then again, the opposite is also true.”

Kasumi had hurt Marin very badly.

Not only did Yō take this very seriously, but he also made a promise to Marin to help her recover her feelings.

So, as long as Marin wants Yō, Yō is unable to get rid of his hand.

“I don’t think either of you can monopolize Yō-kun anymore. So you’d better get along properly, for goodness sake.”