Chapter 35: Would you like to be my friend?

“Good morning~”

“…………”

“Good day.”

“!”

It was as she expected.

Ishikawa Yuka thought to herself that even when she took the initiative to greet others, they either avoided her like the plague or pretended not to hear.

Just as she was thinking this—

“Yo, Yuka, good morning.”

“Inadera-senpai… good day.”

‘Oh no!’

She had run into that unpleasant guy first thing in the morning.

Usually, her brother was by her side acting as a guardian, but he wasn’t here now.

They had just parted ways at the revolving doors to head to their respective classrooms for different grades.

But why was Inadera Taichi appearing near the first-grade classrooms?

“I came to see Noyama about something.”

“I see. Nogami-senpai certainly arrives early.”

It seemed her confusion was written all over her face.

Since he had taken the initiative to explain, she had no choice but to offer a perfunctory reply.

“No, he hasn’t arrived yet. I’m waiting for him here.”

“Ah… is that so.”

So he wasn’t coming back from Nogami’s classroom but was lying in wait for him here.

To be honest, it had nothing to do with her, and she wasn’t interested.

Since she had been addressed, she offered a couple of responses; otherwise, she would have fled immediately after a simple greeting.

Truthfully, she didn’t have a good impression of Inadera Taichi.

He wasn’t a character in the game, so she knew nothing about his settings.

But somehow… how should she put it?

His whole being radiated a suspicious aura.

She knew nothing about Inadera Taichi.

She hadn’t had much contact with him in this world, usually only meeting him when her brother was around.

This was the first time they were conversing alone like this.

“Yuka, if you ever run into any trouble, feel free to come to me, Noyama, or Masahira. We will always have your back.”

“Thank you for the concern?”

‘What on earth is this person talking about?’

Calling themselves a “support” when Nogami and Kurohara were clearly the rivals who would eventually bring down Lady Yuka and the Ishikawa family.

She couldn’t understand his motive for saying those things at all.

The Inadera family was close to the Noyama family; could this be some kind of tactic to lower her guard?

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Yuka finished and made a swift retreat.

Staying any longer would only draw attention.

Though she was curious about Inadera’s intentions, it was safest to act as if nothing had happened for now.

She practically bolted toward the Class 1-3 classroom.

Inside the classroom, Anmiya Marina was sitting in her seat as usual.

Although Yuka arrived early, Marina was always even earlier.

It was truly impressive that she could wake up early every single day.

“Good morning, Marina.”

“Good morning, Yuka.”

Actually, Yuka really wanted to chat more, but she was worried about dragging Marina into being isolated as well.

Mentally, she was an adult, so the exclusion of first-graders was nothing to her, but it must be difficult for a child of this age.

Therefore, Yuka simply gave a greeting and returned to her seat.

“Good morning!”

“Good morning, Shoko-sama!”

“Good morning, Shoko!”

“Good day, Shoko-sama!”

A moment later, Matsuyama Shoko walked into the classroom full of energy, and greetings immediately erupted from all around.

However, Shoko was exceptionally lively today; she had been clouded with gloom yesterday, but now she looked like a different person.

It seemed that the pressure from her family to arrange an alliance with the Noyama family had indeed been suffocating her, and venting her emotions had done her some good.

“Yuka-sama! Good morning!”

“Eek! Good day, Shoko.”

‘Scared the life out of me…’

Previously, even if Shoko passed by, she would only respond in a small voice after Yuka greeted her first.

This morning, however, she took the initiative to come to Yuka’s seat and greet her loudly.

This abnormal behavior left the entire class stunned.

“Eh…? Why is Shoko-sama…”

“And she called her ‘Yuka-sama’…”

“Could she have used some underhanded method to threaten Shoko-sama again?”

“Poor Shoko…”

Ugh… she could hear all the whispers around her.

Although she couldn’t catch everything, she didn’t miss a single word of the nearby discussions.

Just what kind of image did she have in everyone’s eyes?

Why would anyone think she could threaten Shoko?

She clearly looked like a harmless little animal…

“Hey! You lot! If you’re going to gossip, say it out loud! If you have an issue, come straight to me! Come on! Don’t you have a problem with Yuka-sama? I, Matsuyama Shoko, will take you all on!”

“No… we didn’t…”

“Hmm?”

‘Shoko is so cool! …But what kind of play is this?’

Shoko’s scolding left the classroom in silence… but what was this situation exactly?

The only thing for certain was that the current Shoko was exactly like the one in the game.

In Love 100%, Matsuyama Shoko was the vanguard captain who dared to confront powerful figures for Lady Yuka’s sake.

Back then, Yuka had often fantasized about this “Lily” pair; looking at Shoko’s current stance, could she really have those feelings?

“Listen up, everyone! From today onward, I, Matsuyama Shoko, am the Captain of Ishikawa Yuka-sama’s Guard! Anyone who dares to oppose Yuka-sama is going against me!”

The classroom instantly erupted into a commotion.

Whispers rippled through the air.

“Wh… What does this mean, Shoko-sama?”

“Exactly, Shoko!”

“W-What are we supposed to do?”

Shoko’s little followers hurriedly crowded around.

It was understandable; anyone would be bewildered if their leader suddenly declared loyalty to someone who was a rival not long ago.

It was only natural for them to think their leader had been threatened into submission.

“Do as you please. Choose for yourselves whether you want to continue following me and pledge loyalty to Yuka-sama, or find someone else. I won’t force you, and I won’t retaliate even if you leave.”

‘That’s too cool… no wonder so many people were willing to follow her in the game.’

‘Wait, in that case, isn’t Shoko’s leadership charm miles ahead of Lady Yuka?’

‘Just how on earth did Lady Yuka qualify as the villainous daughter in the first place…’

“I… I will never accept this!”

“Ah! Tachiki-san!”

Kiyohisa Tachiki finished her shout and bolted out of the classroom.

As Shoko’s number one follower, she clearly couldn’t accept her leader suddenly submitting to this “outsider” Yuka.

The other followers didn’t say it outright, but the reluctance on their faces was obvious.

“I apologize for the unsightly scene. I’ll go talk to Tachiki.”

“Ah! Wait, Shoko!”

“What is it?”

Yuka called out to her instinctively.

Just now, she almost let it slip that she should go herself.

But what could she do if she went? Would Tachiki listen to her?

In the other girl’s eyes, she was the culprit; going would probably only make things worse.

But… looking at it the other way, that was exactly why she should talk to her face-to-face.

Even if the conflict couldn’t be resolved immediately, taking the initiative to communicate was always good.

“Let me go find Tachiki.”

“How could I trouble Yuka-sama with such a trivial matter…”

“Let me go… alright?”

Yuka insisted.

Shoko, who still wanted to protest, lowered her head and remained silent, which counted as tacit permission.

“To think she could get Big Sister Yuka to personally chase after her—how crafty! I’ll have to teach that girl a proper lesson when she gets back!”

‘Ugh… where did that cool leader-type go… can’t you see the other students are scared stiff?’

‘And if I delay any longer, I’ll really lose Tachiki. I have to hurry.’

Tachiki was already nowhere to be seen in the hallway.

Yuka could only rely on her intuition, following the direction she had left in.

If someone wanted to be alone… would they go to the rooftop? Or pass through the rooftop to the courtyard?

Right now was the peak time for students arriving at school; the paths from the main building to the classrooms were filled with students.

The first-grade classrooms were on the first floor of the Lower School building, and Tachiki had left in the opposite direction of the crowd. At this time, very few people would go to the rooftop or the courtyard.

Following her intuition and some simple reasoning, Yuka pushed open the door to the rooftop.

“Tachiki…”

“…What for? Why is it you who chased after me?”

Tachiki was huddled in a corner of the rooftop.

Hearing Yuka’s voice, she immediately turned her head, but Yuka thought she caught a glimpse of her reddened eyes.

“I’m sorry it’s not Shoko. She was going to come, but I insisted on taking her place.”

In times like this, the person involved would probably prefer to be found by the person they cared about.

As Shoko’s top confidante, Tachiki definitely expected Shoko herself to come.

It was understandable that her mood would be complicated since the “culprit” had appeared instead.

But Yuka didn’t plan on backing down.

She wanted to be friends with Tachiki and all her classmates.

If they only barely accepted her because Shoko made a statement, such a relationship was destined not to last.

What she wanted was a friendship based on true sincerity.

“I know you must be shocked that Shoko suddenly said those things. To be honest, I was startled too… but despite the surprise, I truly want to become friends with Shoko, with you, and with everyone.”

“…………”

Tachiki remained with her back to Yuka, offering no response.

But Yuka continued speaking:

“Shoko’s words might have been a bit exaggerated, but I only hope we can be normal friends.”

“I won’t ask for us to be inseparable immediately; why don’t we start by getting to know each other?”

“If we end up deciding we can’t be friends, that’s fine too.”

“But if possible, would you be willing to be my friend?”

“…………”

Tachiki remained silent, but she slowly turned her head and gazed quietly at Yuka.

Yuka met her gaze without flinching, trying to let her eyes convey her sincerity.

“As you know, I didn’t have many friends before, so I might not know how to get along… but could you give me a chance? Please?”

“…………”

Tachiki looked away again, but she was no longer turned completely away like before.

Her gaze flickered; she seemed to be struggling.

Yuka waited patiently, neither rushing nor pressing her.

“I… haven’t accepted you yet… but…”

“I suppose it’s also wrong to reject someone without knowing anything…”

“Starting by getting to know each other… is fine, I guess…”

“Tachiki! Thank you!”

Yuka excitedly hugged Tachiki, who had accepted the proposal.

‘Ah, why are girls all so cute, soft, and fragrant!’

‘I really want to nuzzle and kiss them!’

“Hey! Don’t push your luck! I haven’t acknowledged you yet!”

“I know. Then, let’s start being friends from now on, okay? Hehe~”

Thanks to Shoko, it seemed she could make even more friends.

Of course, if she performed poorly, everyone would still leave.

She had to be strict with herself and never end up abandoned by everyone.

She absolutely had to avoid acting willfully and making countless enemies like the Yuka in the game, which would lead to a ruined reputation and end!