Chapter 49: The Angel and The Friend’s Troubles (1/2)

Entering February, rumors of the ‘mysterious boy suspected to be Mahiru’s boyfriend’ seemed to have quelled.

One major reason was that Amane did not meet Mahiru outside again. Amane was spotted picking her up, kicking off the rumors, but no other news happened thereafter, so it seemed the flames were extinguished for the time being.

Despite that, there seemed to be common understanding that ‘the boy was not Mahiru’s boyfriend, but someone close to her’. There were also baseless rumors spreading that Mahiru had interest in that boy…which she denied with a smile that would not allow them to probe further, and that somehow calmed down.

Chitose seemed to have witnessed that scene on the corridor, and according to her, Mahiru was giving off an ‘unspeakable intimidating aura’, so it seemed the latter really hated it.

That was to be expected, but he was a little sad to know that she was vehemently denying it. At the same time, he felt it was to be expected.

There was no love between them, and their relationship was in question just because they were acting a little familiar; surely she would be furious.

Amane himself could only show a wry smile.

“Speaking of February?”

“End of year exams.”

“Hey, why is a high school boy in his blooming stage having such boring thoughts?”

It was after school, and Chitose popped by at Amane’s house, uninvited actually; she could not hide how dumbfounded she was to hear that answer.

He heard that she wanted to discuss something; perhaps it was just him, but it seemed she wanted to play with Mahiru.

In any case, Mahiru was brewing tea in the kitchen. Amane and Chitose were the only ones in the living room.

“I don’t know if any high school boy has a blooming stage, but I think it’s an obvious thought for students…”

“Any high school boy enjoying his youth should be talking about Valentine’s, right?”

“I don’t know. I’m not enjoying my youth.”

“Don’t kid around~”

She knew the rumors were not true, but she leered away at him, so he glared back.

Nevertheless, she did not stop smiling, so he could only give up.

“So, what are we discussing?”

Chitose said that she came to Amane’s house to discuss with Amane and Mahiru, leaving out Itsuki.

“Nn. I’m wondering what chocolates to give to Ikkun. In middle school, I just melted the chocolate and hardened it again, but I think as a high schooler, I should look to do something a little trendy.”

“Then Shiina’s suggestion should be enough for you.”

Amane could not cook, and if anyone was to ask him about chocolates, he could only say that he did not know, just Itsuki’s likes at most. However, she spent more time with Itsuki than he did, and already knew about these things, it seemed.

“I can ask Mahirun, but you are somewhat a guy anyway, Amane~ I want to hear what a boy has to say.”

“What’d you mean somewhat I’m a real guy here.”

“I do think a boy will act on a girl when two of them are alone.”

“Say, that only happens when the other side agrees to it, and we aren’t in that sort of relationship.”

“You really are well raised there, Amane. Some healthy thoughts you have.”

He was appraised to have healthy thoughts, but Amane himself assumed it was common sense.

It was true that boys could do such things to girls they do not like, but the concepts of being able to do was a little different from actually doing it. After all, he had to be concerned about what she thought.

He would be lying if he said that he did not have such desires on Mahiru. He felt that it was to be expected for a boy to have some desires from a female who was charismatic inside and outside.

But despite that, he would not want to think of any folly.

He did not want to make her cry, to be hated by her, and wanted to dote on her…such were the feelings he first had for her.

Also, she had declared that she would harm him greatly, both socially and critically, and he was not foolish to actually do anything out of his lust. It was likely she would actually follow through with the threat.

“Well that’s another good point of you, Amane, or rather why you got Mahirun’s trust there.”

Chitose had given Mahiru the cute nickname Mahirun instead. Mahiru did not deny it even though she heard it in the kitchen, so while he did not know if she was willing, she was at least accepting of this given nickname.

Well, for her, it might be better than being called the Angel.

“Sometimes I wonder if you’re a guy.”

“I said I’m a guy. Is there a girl out there who’s rugged and bony all over?”

“So an herbivore…you know, I think you can be a little more greedy, Amane?”