While I Was Giving Love Advice to My Best Friend, the School's Most Beautiful Girl Somehow Became the Closest Person to Me-Chapter 4Volume 1 - ※Alisas Miscalculation

Chapter 4: ※Alisa’s Miscalculation

*Asahina Alisa’s POV

After parting ways with Kogure-kun and Hiyori-chan at the station, I boarded the bus and took a seat to catch my breath.

I wonder if I can make it home before it starts to rain. I should have brought a foldable umbrella.

At times like this, I think to myself that I wouldn’t forget if Shizuku were with me. To be honest, I was thinking of canceling today’s outing.

Even though her parents were there, I was worried about Shizuku who had a fever, and even though her sister was there, I never thought it would be acceptable to go out with a boy.

However, Hiyori-chan was angelically cute, and when Kogure-kun found out about Shizuku’s fever, he immediately showed genuine concern.

That’s something you won’t do without caring the other person.

My smartphone pings with a notification.

“Hehe.”

It seems Kogure-kun has sent me photos from the amusement park via LINE. They’re mostly cute two-shot photos of me and Hiyori-chan.

Not having a sister myself, I was completely charmed by Hiyori-chan’s cuteness.

I’ll have to tell Shizuku about it later.

『Thank you for today. Hiyori is very happy. It looks like it’s going to rain, so please head home early』

…huh.

Kogure-kun is such a nice guy. All the boys I’ve met so far have been pushy because of my looks, but he talks to me with a step back.

Being aware of my discomfort around men, he seemed to take the trouble to always keep Hiyori-chan between us as much as possible.

“They really do resemble each other.”

Shizuku and Kogure-kun are alike. They’re both considerate and kind. They may seem timid, but they’re calm and become resolute when they’ve made up their minds.

They would make a perfect match since they’re so similar. Kogure-kun likes Shizuku… If I step in, they’re sure to become a great couple.

My phone pings again. More photos are coming in. I thought that was the end of the photos, but…

“What!?”

There are loads of photos of me hugging Kogure-kun! What’s this…it’s embarrassing!

“Ah…”

And among them, one photo stands out.

It’s a photo of Kogure-kun gently stroking my head with a kind expression while I’m crying in fear.

Was that during the roller coaster ride?

My cheeks flush with heat… It’s so silly to ask a boy to pat my head! But… it feels nice.

Another photo comes in. It’s from the Cure Cure Show, where Kogure-kun is giving me a princess carry.

When I was being carried, I clung to Kogure-kun’s body… I could feel that his back was quite well-toned. He supported me steadily, making me feel secure, but honestly, my heart was racing.

However, any embarrassment I felt was blown away when he said something without any delicacy!

Still, looking at the photos… Kogure-kun seems quite embarrassed too. Even if it’s not with a girl he likes, he still gets embarrassed. He gets embarrassed even with me…

What am I thinking… I’m almost envious of Shizuku, who is liked by him. Such a foolish thought crossed my mind.

“Hehe.”

Suddenly, all the additional photos that were sent are deleted.

Maybe Hiyori-chan sent them by mistake, and Kogure-kun hurriedly deleted them.

That’s probably what happened. But too bad. I’ve already saved all the photos.

Before I knew it, I’ve arrived at the bus stop nearest to my house. I pay the fare and get off the bus.

“It’s started…”

Large raindrops begin to fall. But it’s okay, my house is visible from the bus stop.

As I hurry and run, I notice someone at the entrance.

“…Shizuku?”

“Welcome back, Alisa.”

There stood my dear best friend Shizuku. I rush over to her.

“What are you doing here…you had a fever, you shouldn’t be out. You need to rest!”

“I sent you a LINE message saying my fever went down. I’m okay now. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep our promise today.”

“Kogure-kun said to take care, and Hiyori-chan was…so cute.”

“Alisa.”

Shizuku calls my name with a tone that’s different from usual.

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Why is she in front of my house anyway? She has a spare key, so she could have waited inside.

“We can talk inside the house.”

“Sorry, this will be quick.”

Shizuku’s eyes are a different color than usual.

“Hey Alisa, is there something you’re hiding from me?”

Her piercing words hit me. I’ve never heard Shizuku’s voice like this before.

What is she talking about?

My mind can’t keep up. I continue to be pelted by the rain while shivering.

“Today, you know. Someone came back to this house in the afternoon. I knew you wouldn’t be back until the evening, so I thought maybe… it was Shizuru-san.”

My brother had come home. It’s his family home too, so there shouldn’t be a problem, but I can’t shake the bad feeling.

“Next to Shizuru-san was Kokoro, looking so happy.”

“!”

“I didn’t know… Shizuru-san and Kokoro were dating, huh? They really looked good together.”

“…”

“Did Alisa know?”

“Uh, I…”

“So you did know after all. It’s obvious that I liked Shizuru-san, but I also thought it was a hopeless crush… as best friends, I believed she was a good match for him, and I could have blessed their relationship. But…”

Shizuku’s words grew heavier. I was at a loss for words.

“…I think it’s terrible that you kept it a secret from me. Don’t you trust me at all? Did you think I would come between Shizuru-san and her?”

“That’s not it! I’m sorry for keeping it a secret. I was… I was thinking of Shizuku and Kokoro.”

“You should have been honest if you were thinking of us…”

“…Ah.”

“I see… so you didn’t trust me.”

Shizuku said in the pouring rain before returning to her own home.

I had asked Kokoro to keep it a secret from Shizuku that she was dating my brother because I feared it would cause a rift between the three of us.

I just wanted things to stay the same as they had always been. But perhaps Shizuku was right… maybe this wouldn’t have happened if I had talked about it sooner.

I thought it would never come out.

They were both busy with school and club activities at their boarding school, so they hardly had time for dates.

Why would they come back to this house together?

I hadn’t heard anything about it… But the problem was mine to postpone.

It was all my fault.

Drenched by the heavy rain, I entered the house and lay down on the sofa in the dark living room.

I had never had a fight with Shizuku before.

To be looked at with such cold eyes… I wondered if we could ever return to the warm relationship we had as childhood friends. Just then, the sound of thunder roared loudly.

“Hyah!”

My body trembled, and I clutched my head. It was a flash of lightning followed by a thunderous sound. I had a trauma with thunder due to an experience from my childhood.

That’s why I couldn’t bear thunderstorms without Shizuku by my side.

“But…”

I couldn’t call Shizuku. I had hurt her.

The night continued with rain. The thunder kept roaring. Each flash of lightning made me cover my ears and scream at the thunder.

Scared, scared, scared. But… I had to endure it alone. I had hurt everyone. Not just Shizuku but Kokoro and my brother as well.

It was all my fault. But I’m scared. Somebody help me.

『I wonder if you’d worry about me if I got a fever or something.』

『Of course, I would. It’s only natural.』

『Please tell me too if you’re really in trouble. I’ll help you if I can.』

Remembering his words, spoken without a hint of concern, I grabbed my smartphone and pressed the call button on LINE, reaching out to Kogure-kun in desperation.

The call connected immediately.

“Hello… Asahina-san, what’s wrong?”

“I… Ah!”

Just as I began to speak, another clap of thunder sounded. Shocked, I threw my smartphone towards the window.

I reached for the phone, but the window was enveloped in light… and the thunder roared again.

I couldn’t bring myself to go near the window. And then… the call ended. That’s right, it’s rude not to respond during a call. It wouldn’t be strange if he hung up. I covered my ears and… just crouched there.

Every time the thunder sounded, my voice leaked out. I continued to crouch in fear.

Ten minutes, thirty minutes, an hour… I lost track of time.

Then, the doorbell rang. Who could it be on such a rainy night?

Could it be Shizuku coming to see me?

That’s impossible. We had fought, and Shizuku had her own key.

I didn’t have the energy to respond to the doorbell. But then…

“Asahina-saaaan! Are you home?! It’s Kogure! Please open up if you’re in trouble!”

I could hear him knocking on the front door repeatedly. It was the voice of the person I had spent the whole day with.

I got up and ran to the entrance. I unlocked the door and flung it open.

There he was, soaked to the skin despite wearing a raincoat… and just like in the morning, I cried out and threw myself into his arms.