Chapter 3: Each Person’s Approach

​───● The Childhood Friend College Student Proposes ●○●

​November. As autumn fades and winter begins to settle in, a certain event takes place at the university.

​The School Festival. It’s basically the college version of a high school cultural festival.

​The badminton circle that Mizuho and I belong to is apparently running a food stall, but she and I decided to sit this one out. Our school festival is a bit on the plain side anyway, so we figured we’d rather just use the break to go somewhere fun together.

​So, for us, the festival was supposed to be a non-factor. At least, that’s what I thought…

​”Um, I have a huge favor to ask you two…”

​”Hm?”

​It happened just as we were finishing up our circle activities and heading to the cafeteria for a quick bite before going home. Mizuho and I were in the middle of eating udon when Rie, another member of the badminton circle, approached us with a look of pure desperation on her face.

​”Now, now, pray take a seat. A true negotiation only begins once the parties are properly settled, Rie-dono!”

​”Who the hell are you supposed to be…?”

​Rie let out an exasperated sigh at Mizuho’s usual theatrics, cleared her throat, and got straight to the point.

​”Actually… that boy you two are always hanging out with. Could you, you know… lend him to me for a bit?”

​””No way.””

​”Could you at least hear me out first?!”

​Ah, crap. That was such an impossible request that I’d shot it down before even thinking. It seemed Mizuho, sitting right next to me, had the same reflex. She just let out a playful “Nyahaha” laugh.

​”Look, it’s not like that! I have zero intention of trying to steal him away from you guys…”

​”Yes, yes, they all start with that line, don’t they? Truly, the guile of youth knows no bounds…”

​”You’re one to talk.”

​Chop! I brought my hand down on Mizuho’s head. Her eyes turned into little X’s.

​”Sorry, sorry. Go on, Rie.”

​”Ahaha… Well, you know the school festival is coming up? They’re holding a ‘Mister Contest,’ and I was wondering if he’d be willing to enter.”

​”Oh, right. You’re on the executive committee for that, aren’t you?”

​”Exactly! To be honest, the current lineup is… well, underwhelming. If he entered, the whole event would blow up. I think he’d be a lock for the win!”

​It was true. Masato-kun was so handsome he wouldn’t look out of place at all in a contest like that. Winning wouldn’t just be a dream; it’d be a certainty.

​But… the idea of Masato-kun being put on display for the whole world to see made something twist uncomfortably in my chest. I glanced at Mizuho, and her strained expression told me she was feeling the exact same way.

​”Anyway, just mention it to him! If he says yes, let me know! Thanks!”

​Leaving us with that, Rie dashed out of the cafeteria. She probably had committee work to get back to. We watched her back until she disappeared from sight.

​”So… what do you think, Mizuho?”

​”Well… how should I put this…”

​Mizuho stopped her chopsticks, leaving her large bowl of mentaiko udon forgotten as she crossed her arms. Her face was still clouded. Knowing she shared my hesitation made a small, involuntary smile slip out.

​”The best parts of Masato-kun aren’t just his looks… I really don’t like the idea of people who don’t know him judging him based on his face alone.”

​”That!! That is precisely it, my friend!”

​I had to physically hold Mizuho back as she nearly lunged across the table.

​”It’s not just that I’d be in trouble if anyone else fell for him! …Well, okay, maybe that’s part of it. But more than that, being appraised like a piece of meat based on his appearance… I just hate it.”

​”I understand. I truly do, Koumi. A best friend is a treasure beyond measure!”

​Thinking about people giving Masato-kun a score, or him having to deal with people who only approached him for his face… it made me want to shield him. I wanted to keep him far away from that kind of shallow calculation and malice.

​Besides, letting Masato-kun out into the wild like that is just dangerous. He’s far too kind for his own good…

​We were just about to settle on the idea of not even mentioning it to him when Mizuho let out a small “But still…”

​”If Masato-chi were to actually win… I cannot deny that I would feel a certain swell of pride. To say I would not be happy would be a falsehood of the highest order.”

​”Well… that’s true, I guess?”

​He was already the best in the world even without a title, but seeing him recognized by everyone else wouldn’t exactly feel bad.

​”I do possess a desire to shout from the rooftops, ‘Behold! Our Masato-chi is truly magnificent!'”

​”I get that…”

​I had to chuckle at how she was already calling him “our” Masato-kun, but that was just Mizuho’s positive, straightforward nature.

​”Alright! Let’s just ask him and see what he says.”

​”Aye-aye, sir!”

​We were seeing him in class tomorrow anyway. Might as well put it to him!

​The next day.

​”And that’s the gist of it! What do you think? The Mister Contest!”

​”I think I’ll pass.”

​”That was fast?!”

​I’d asked him during the lecture the three of us shared. Masato-kun’s response, delivered while he was casually getting his notes ready, was an incredibly blunt rejection.

​Next to me, Mizuho’s eyes were as wide as saucers. I’m sure I looked the same.

​”I didn’t think you’d be into that kind of thing, but still…”

​”Ah, well… it’s not that I hate it, per se…”

​Masato-kun scratched his cheek awkwardly. Since he works at a boy’s bar, I’d half-expected him to be at least a little interested in the spotlight.

​”I’ve just been thinking lately that maybe it’s not a great idea for me to do things that make me stand out too much…”

​”Ho-ho? And what brought about this change of heart, Lord Masato-chi?”

​Mizuho seemed intrigued as well, poking Masato-kun in the ribs with her finger. Lucky. I want to do that too.

​”It’s not like I’m actually that good-looking anyway…”

​You’re literally gorgeous, shut up, I wanted to scream, but I held it in.

​”And if a bunch of people start talking to me, I won’t really know how to handle it…”

​He paused, then added, “Besides… I’m having so much fun with my university life right now. I think I’ll just stick with what I have. Sorry.”

​I felt my breath hitch. Hearing Masato-kun say that he was ‘having so much fun’ with his life right now—with us—made me so incredibly happy.

​Mizuho felt it too. We locked eyes and both broke into wide grins.

​Mizuho, who had been poking him with her finger, upgraded to a playful elbow nudge.

​”Oho? Does that mean, in the heart of Lord Masato-chi, the time spent with Koumi and myself is something to be treasured above all else?”

​”W-well… I guess it kind of does?”

​”He’s blushing! Koumi, he’s totally blushing!”

​I laughed at Mizuho’s excitement, though Masato-kun’s cheeks really were tinged with a faint red.

​”Now, now, Mizuho, don’t tease him too much!”

​”You say that, but you’ve got a massive grin on your face too, Koumi!”

​”Give me a break, you guys!”

​Masato-kun started fanning his face with his hands, and I just watched him, grinning like an idiot.

​Of course I was grinning! I never expected him to say something so sweet. It made my heart do a little backflip.

​And then, a brilliant idea hit me.

​I slid my chair just a little bit closer to Masato-kun, trying to make him aware of my presence.

​”In that case, since you treasure us so much… there’s somewhere I’d really love for you to go with us. What do you think?”

​”Somewhere you want me to go?”

​I shot a quick look at Mizuho. We’d talked about this before, and she caught on instantly, whipping out her phone with practiced ease.

​”Ta-da! An amusement park! They’re doing a limited Christmas illumination right now, so it’s supposed to be absolutely stunning! Look, there’s a break right before the final week of classes, right? How about then?”

​Masato-kun stared intently at the screen Mizuho was holding out.

​”Whoa, that looks amazing. Yeah, I’d love to go.”

​”As expected of Masato-kun! I knew we could count on your adventurous spirit!”

​Yes! He was actually into it.

​”I’ve actually always kind of wanted to see those lights in person.”

​”Really? That’s perfect! We’re definitely going then!”

​Seeing him genuinely interested made me even more excited. God, he really is the cutest, most handsome guy ever.

​”Alright, I’ll send you the details later, okay?”

​”Got it! Thanks!”

​The professor walked into the room right then, so we had to cut the conversation short. But securing the date was already a massive win.

​Mizuho and I are going to make Masato-kun fall for us.

​That goal hasn’t changed at all, and I want it more than anything. This amusement park date is going to be our big move.

​…But.

​This current distance between us… it isn’t so bad either.

​As the bell for the start of class echoed through the room, I took a deep stretch in my seat at the very back of the hall.

​Yeah. I have a feeling today is going to be a very good day!