CH 27

During the time when Toma was being interrogated, with Ume as the lead.

“Oh, so carrying the shopping bags together means the plan went well, right? That’s great!”

“Well, yeah, but… It was embarrassing, you know? Toma-kun’s hands were touching me…”

At Mio’s home, Nanami was visiting. On the table was a nursing school assignment, with mechanical pencils, red pens, and erasers scattered on the paper.

They took a break after making some progress, and were chatting.

“Even though you say that, you still want to do it again, don’t you?”

“I-I don’t want to do it again…”

“Eh, don’t you want to? Should I do it with Toma-kun instead?”

Nanami knows the secret that Mio likes Toma.

If she has fallen in love, then some degree of possessiveness has likely awakened within her. So, by teasing her a little, Nanami hopes to make her more honest with her feelings.

“That’s not what I meant! You’re being unfair, scheming like that…”

“Hehehe. Finally showing your true feelings, Mio-chan.”

Having or not having experience in love makes a big difference in this kind of situation. Nanami clearly has the upper hand in this regard.

“It’s not fair, you’re being sneaky…”

“Be honest in front of me. I know that you like Toma-kun very, very much.”

“Ugh… Alright, fine…”

Mio pouted and answered, crossing her index fingers in both hands. Her face had a certain redness to it.

“Oh, by the way… There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask for a while.”

“W-What is it?”

“What are those four Gengars on top of the bookshelf? They’re facing each other like they’re building engines or something… Did you buy those 200 yen candies again? You were complaining that your favorite character didn’t come out, but you’ve already gotten four of them.”

“Oh, these are Choco Eggs that Toma-kun bought for me yesterday. My favorite character came out 4 out of 5 times… Hehehe.”

Yes, Mio was able to complete her collection of Pokemon Choco Eggs.

Inside the Choco Eggs that Toma bought for her, her favorite character Gengar appeared in large numbers, which was the best result she could have hoped for.

“Toma-kun, he bought you five of those candies for you? That’s really generous.”

“Yeah, I was happy to… I’ve been spending too much money this month, so I need to save.”

“But what would make Mio-chan even happier is if your confession success rate went up to 80%, which is 4 out of 5, right?”

“Don’t tease me…”

“Sorry, sorry.”

With a big smile on her face, Nanami apologized. Even though she looked apologetic, her true feelings were probably the opposite.

“You don’t need to apologize, really… Oh, looks like we’re out of drinks. I’ll go get some.”

Mio raised an eyebrow in exasperation, but stood up from her chair when she saw that Nanami’s cup was empty.

“I’ll go get it. Don’t worry about it.”

“As punishment for teasing me, should I mix some yogurt in with your tea?”

“Wha!? Please don’t do that.”

“Hehe, just kidding. Probably.”

“Please, I’m begging you, it was just a joke.”

“Alright, alright…”

With a satisfied look on her face, as if she had gotten her revenge, Mio took Nanami’s cup and left the room.

“…. Adding yogurt to tea would definitely make it taste weird…”

Nanami, sweating nervously, stood up from her small chair just like Mio.

Then, she headed towards something – the bookshelf where four Gengars were on display.

“But still, it’s surprising that you like Gengars, Mio. Pikachu would be more fitting.”

Nanami commented, looking at the four Gengars.

“Well, they’re not exactly ugly, but I don’t need four of them… Wait, what’s this?”

It was then that Nanami noticed a carefully folded piece of paper placed in the middle of the four Gengars she had been looking at.

It was almost as if the Gengars were guarding the letter, hiding it.

Mio had arranged the Gengars this way, so the letter must be related to her.

Nanami looked behind her to confirm that Mio wasn’t there.

“I’ll just take a quick look, sorry.”

Nanami’s apology was sincere. She picked up the paper and quickly scanned its contents.

“I’ve been curious about Sasaki-san’s graceful manners for some time now. I know I can’t compete with Miki-san’s drinks, but I’ll make it with my feelings and would like you to try it next time. Please let me know your answer.”

The letter was a confession addressed to Mio.

And Nanami quickly came to a realization – this was something Mio had obtained by challenging Toma to a grade competition. It wasn’t a genuine confession.

(But, she’s cherished… Mio-chan… I’m so jealous.)

Nanami’s voice trembled as she tried to hold back her tears. She folded the letter back up and placed it in its original position before sitting back down on the small chair. She shook her head to clear her mind of the sad memories.

“What’s wrong, Nanami?”

“N-nothing, it’s nothing.”

Just then, Mio returned to the room and saw Nanami shaking her head. “I see… here’s your tea,” she said, handing Nanami a cup. As Nanami reached for the cup, Mio held onto it tightly.

“Nanami, you’re always listening to my problems. It’s my turn to listen to yours. What’s been bothering you?”

Nanami sighed. “I give up. Alright, I’ll tell you.” She then proceeded to confide in Mio, telling her the worries that had been weighing on her mind.

Mio had noticed something was wrong when she saw Nanami’s face on the intercom camera in her house. “I saw your face and knew something was bothering you,” she explained. “I also noticed your eyes were a little red just now. Even the slightest change in you, my best friend, is something I would notice.”

Nanami thought to herself, “I can’t hide anything from my best friend.” After sharing her concerns with Mio, she finally felt a weight lifted off her chest.

“I was invited to a hotel by my boyfriend. It’s about tomorrow… “

“I-Is it… that kind of hotel?”

“Yeah, but you know… I found out something. He doesn’t actually like me. He only dated me to do things like ‘that’ with me, and he was nice to me just for that reason. He even made the confession first… It’s terrible.”

Nanami grips her inner thigh tightly with both hands, giving off an aura of frustration that Mio can feel.

“I-I don’t know if that’s really the case… Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding on your part?”

“I wish that were true, but I overheard him talking on the phone when I came back from the restroom during our date. He was talking to someone else and said things like, ‘I wonder if I can do it within a month.’ It seems like he’s playing some kind of game.”

Mio is shocked. She had no idea that some people would date just for that kind of thing.

“And tomorrow is our one-month anniversary of dating. He was so desperate to invite me to the hotel, maybe it’s because he wants to bet on something with the person on the phone. That’s just my speculation, though.”

“…”

“That’s why I’m planning on breaking up with him tomorrow when we meet. I can’t date such a terrible guy.”

“I think that’s a good idea. Nanami, you should be able to catch an even better guy.”

“Thank you.”

Nanami understands that Mio is speaking from the heart, which is why she genuinely thanks her.

“…Well, besides, that kind of act is scary. If I were to do it, I’d want to do it with a better man. Someone who would treasure me.”

“E-even you would be scared…? T-That act you’re talking about…”

“Of course. I haven’t done it before. Same as you, Mio-chan.”

“D-Don’t say we’re the same… Huh?”

“Huh? That’s rude to react that way!? Do you have some doubts!?”

“S-Sorry. I… I thought Nanaum, youi had experience.”

“I haven’t. I’ve had a boyfriend before, but it never went that far. Ah, I’m glad that misunderstanding is cleared up.”

Nanaumi takes a sip of tea, relieved. It’s true that it’s better to know the truth about these things. Even if asked for advice, there’s nothing Mio can do to encourage her.

“So, I talked about breaking up with my boyfriend. And while I’m single, Mio-chan, you suggested dating Toma-kun and widening the gap between us.”

“A-Alright! Stop teasing me!”

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry!”

The two repeat the exchange from a little while ago. Truly, they make a good pair as best friends.

“Thank you, Mio-chan. I feel better after talking to you. I also thought about finding someone like Toma-kun next time.”

“I-It’s impossible for you,Nanaumi.”

“What!? Just earlier you said I could catch someone even more wonderful than before!”

“B-But Toma-kun is a no-go… Absolutely…”

Mio’s face twists into an expression of genuine concern. Only Nanaumi would see her friend’s emotions laid bare.

“Mio-chan, you have a strong possessiveness.”

“Well, I can’t help it… I like him, you know?”

“You have been acting all lovey-dovey just because you are going to be free from me. Tch.”

“Didn’t you tell me to be honest about my feelings, Nanami?”

“Hahaha, yeah, I did say that.”

By the time they had this exchange, Nanami’s usual expression had returned.

“… Shall we get back to our assignment now?”

“I hate to do it for a change of mood, but that’s a good idea. Oh, can you show me how to solve this problem?”

“Sure thing.”

And so, after finishing their break, Mio and Nanami continued to work on their assignment together.