Chapter 22 : Buddy, I See You as a Buddy

Huh? What’s going on? Miki tilts her head, closes her eyes, and rubs her brow. Wait, seriously, what is this situation?

Hikaru, seeing her disbelief, thinks she understands. She watches Miki’s mood carefully and explains timidly. “Yamazaki-san, maybe you’re not aware, but everyone in class knows…”

“Huh?” Miki blinks. “Knows what?”

“Right after school started, everyone thought you two were officially dating for ages.” Hikaru continues. “But over the semester, classmates figured out your relationship—‘more than friends, less than lovers.’ Anyway, ‘Yamazaki-san likes Shangguan-san’ is common knowledge in 1-A. Some even bet on when you’d confess…”

“Wait, hold up. Me confessing to A-He?!” Miki’s both amused and exasperated. “A beauty like me just has to bat an eye, and a virgin like him would fall instantly. Why would I confess first?!”

“Ah, exactly. That’s why fewer bet on you confessing…”

“No, no! The point is, I’m not interested in dating him!” Miki throws up her hands. “We’re just good friends. Cheering on a buddy’s love life is normal, right?”

“You don’t like Shangguan-san?”

“I do.” Miki nods. “But like and love are different! It’s just friend-like for him!”

“Huh?” Hikaru eyes her, thinking Miki’s just tsundere. “Won’t like turn into love over time?”

“No, no, no—totally different!” Miki waves frantically. “Imagine we’re best friends since junior high. I like you, you like me. Fast-forward to high school—does that automatically become romantic love?! Friendship can sour, but not that way!”

“But we’re both girls…”

“Can’t opposite sexes have pure friendship?!” Miki’s conviction is so strong it makes others feel inadequate.

“Huh? Uh—huh…” Hikaru’s unconvinced. She’s read plenty of romance manga. At 60-70 years old, a man and woman claiming pure friendship might be believable. But Shangguan He and Miki are peak teens! Pure friendship between them? Hikaru feels they’re just one trigger away from breaking the status quo.

“Fine, new angle. I’m a guy, you’re you.” Miki persists. “We’re best friends. Cool with a male bestie?”

“…Yeah.” Hikaru nods.

“If I invite you to hang out, you coming?”

“Huh…” Hikaru hesitates.

“Not just us—others too.”

“That’s fine.” She nods quickly.

Seizing the rhythm, Miki steers from “normal friend activities” to “intimate couple stuff.” “Picture us holding hands, fingers locked. How’s that feel?” “Picture me stroking your body. Thoughts?” “Picture us kissing. How’s that?” “Picture us sharing a bed… Oh, no need—you’ve got your answer.”

Hikaru’s face is tomato-red. Miki grins triumphantly.

“Yamazaki-san, I-I don’t get what you’re saying?” Hikaru stammers. “Those later things aren’t friend stuff, right?”

“Exactly. So, can friends do that?”

“Uh… I don’t think so…”

“If you can’t, why do you think I can?!” Miki’s shocked. “A-He and I are just friends. Just imagining holding his hand gives me goosebumps all over! Dating him?! No way!”

“Huh… okay…” Hikaru nods thoughtfully. “Got it. Sorry.”

“Finally cleared that up.” Miki sighs in relief. “So, what’s your plan? A-He’s really into you. If you’re even a little interested—or at least don’t hate him—you two could try dating. Worst case, break up. I’ll even help! Too shy to dump him? I’ll do it for you! How’s that? Bonus: he’s never dated, neither have you—mutual first loves! Win-win!”

Facing Miki’s unstoppable enthusiasm, Hikaru sweats buckets. “Uh… let me think…”

“Huh? You’re thinking now, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but… I need more time. This is big—I want to be careful, make the right choice. It’s respecting his feelings… Can’t I?” Hikaru lowers her head, avoiding eye contact. She feels Miki’s goodwill and doesn’t want to brush her off. But this is her first love! Caution’s normal, right? Shangguan-san’s nice, but dating means… holding hands, kissing, a-and… that?!

“Alright, I get it.” Miki nods, pulling out a notepad and pen. She scribbles her contact info and hands it over. “Hit me up when you decide—my phone’s 24/7! Even if it’s a no, just tell me! Lunch break’s almost over—let’s head back.”

“Ah, yeah, okay.”

Ding-ling-ling-ling! Ten minutes before lunch ends, the bell rings across Yingcheng High. Teens grumble about short breaks while heading to class in groups.

Main Building, Class 1-A. Shangguan He, lamenting the abrupt end of peace, looks up and spots a bouncy figure entering. Yamazaki Miki? Where’d she go at lunch? She seems in a great mood—why?

Catching his gaze, Miki turns, flashes a happy grin, and sneakily gives him a thumbs-up.

“?” Shangguan He’s baffled. “What happened?”