Chapter 16 - Castigating Kouki (2/2)
Meanwhile, Ryutarou just looked in Kouki's direction as if he finally realized just how stupid his best friend was and said, ”Man, I thought you are going too far this time.”
Ryutarou might be your typical muscle-for-brain, but it was shown in the official materials that he still had a tact.
”Shizuku! Ryutarou!” Kouki, wearing dumbfounded expression, looked at his best friend and childhood friend. He couldn't believe that they would treat him as if he was in the wrong. He just wanted to protect his other childhood friend!
”Kouki,” Rio called out the dumbfounded Kouki and received his attention. He then continued on, ”Why can't you accept with whom Kaori wants to be? Do you have a romantic interest in her?”
At Rio's sudden and shocking question, Kouki answered in a fl.u.s.ter. ”No! I don't have THAT kind of interest towards Kaori. It's just that... she is my childhood friend and I just want to protect her!” He tried to defend himself.
Rio nodded sagely and said, ”There is nothing wrong with it, Kouki. But, aren't you being unreasonable? You may be her childhood friend, but it is her decision with whom she wants to be. Not even her parents have the right to deny it.”
”But... But...” Kouki's eyes roamed around in utter loss. He tried to get help from his friends, but they averted their eyes, realizing that he was in the wrong this time.
”I think, I understand what you are thinking,” Rio said suddenly, grabbing their attention again.
Kouki looked at him with a doubtful and conflicted expression. He must doubt Rio's words when Rio said that he understood what he was thinking. However, Rio really understood Kouki's thoughts.
Rio recalled a similar event from the books. It was after canon-Kaori joined canon-Hajime's group and canon-Kouki's internal turmoils and thoughts were shown in the book. There was also a part where he had a deep talk with canon-Shizuku, in which he made Shizuku to give her promise to be at his side forever. Of course, there was no romantic meaning behind their promise. It was purely platonic. Regardless, Rio was spot on about Kouki's thoughts and inner turmoils.
”Don't look at me like that,” Rio started, chiding Kouki with a condescending tone and a matching look. ”I really can understand what you're thinking. I was once at your age too, though saying this makes me feel old despite I am only one year older. Joke aside, I know that you are afraid that everything will change if your precious childhood friend suddenly has a boyfriend. You do not want your current situation to change, are you not?”
”That... Yes, you are right...” It was unexpected that Kouki easily acknowledged that. But, he might be mentally tired of the excitement so far. Therefore, he just acknowledged it.
Regardless, it made Rio's task easier. But, before Rio could ease Kouki's worry, Kouki's friends had beat him first.
”Kouki, you silly! There is no way I am going to forget you just because I have a boyfriend. You are still my friend even if I have a boyfriend, you know!”
”You fool! Just how little is your faith to us?”
”Man, I feel hurt that you're questioning our friendship! There is no way I'm gonna ditch you just like that! We are gonna be together through thick and thin, like the usual!”
Kaori, Shizuku, and Ryutarou commented one after the other.
Kouki looked at his friend with a perplexed expression before regaining his vigor. His fear that everything around him would change was for naught. It looks as if a huge burden has been released from his shoulders.
”Kaori... Shizuku... Ryutarou... Thank you! And, sorry for doubting your friendship! I'm really a fool!” Kouki apologized with a heartfelt tone. He sounded relieved too.