Chapter 454: That’s Not the Answer I Wanted to Hear

Ishigami walked down the hallway.

While not completely lifeless, he looked very down.

Earlier, Iino had asked him what was wrong, but he said nothing and just walked in silence. Worried, Iino stepped aside and called Rinji.

He was supposed to go home with the other students, but Iino Miko had eaten some rum chocolates and passed out on the sofa, so he stayed behind out of responsibility as a student council member.

And so, he stayed until the last train was gone.

He liked Koyasu-senpai, but hadn't planned to confess that night. Still, missing the last train gave him the chance to stay over.

With Koyasu's invitation, he ended up in the guest room.

Just as he was lying down, Koyasu suddenly showed up in his room and casually lay beside him.

In that situation, anyone would see it as an opportunity, and Ishigami's brain overheated—he confessed.

And then...

"So I failed after all..."

[Senpai, I really like you. Please go out with me.]

[Sorry, Yuu. Dating... that's a bit…]

[…Then why?]

[It's not about like or dislike… I just can't face this kind of feeling. At most… this is what I can give you.]

"Was it out of sympathy... pretending to like me?"

Ishigami couldn't accept that.

Part of it was the thought of being pitied, which crushed his pride.

And part of it was Koyasu's worried expression when he left without hesitation. He started doubting himself—was walking away really the right move?

"What the hell... am I even doing?"

He didn't take the elevator. Even though it was over twenty floors, he took the stairs down.

"I kind of want to die."

He didn't know which floor he was on when his right foot suddenly missed a step and he pitched forward.

Thud.

"..."

No painful faceplant.

Ishigami slowly opened his eyes.

In the dim stairwell, what appeared before him was a familiar face with golden hair—Rinji.

At that moment, Rinji had caught him, preventing him from hitting the ground.

"You really are more trouble than you look."

"…Rinji?"

Standing before him was his friend.

Ishigami knew. Every time something happened, the first person who showed up to help him—was always Rinji.

"Iino called me and said you looked off. I figured you probably failed your confession." Rinji said plainly. "No surprise. Same thing happened to me four years ago."

"...Thanks."

"Thanks for catching you before you broke your face?"

"Thanks for showing up now. Seeing you kind of eased the pain." Ishigami smiled.

"Man, don't get all gross on me."

…

"So, nothing serious happened?"

"Not really. I just argued with Koyasu-senpai over something. It's fine now."

"Still troublesome."

Outside the building, Iino looked disapprovingly at Ishigami standing beside Rinji.

"Sorry..."

"Forget it. As long as you're okay. I'm going home now."

Seeing that Ishigami was fine, Iino turned to leave.

"Just curious, Iino-san." Rinji suddenly asked, "How tall are those heels?"

"...Fifteen..."

"Hm?"

"Fifteen centimeters," Iino replied quietly, blushing.

"Trying to break your ankles?"

"Short people have their own ways of fighting!!"

Looking at her sudden outburst, it was obvious Iino was self-conscious about her height.

"You're really planning to walk home in those? I already called a cab. Just take it."

"...Thanks."

After watching Iino get in the taxi and leave, Rinji turned to Ishigami.

"Now then, let's deal with your issue."

---

Late at night, the sound of joysticks and buttons echoed through the arcade.

Since it was Christmas, the place was still fairly crowded despite the late hour.

Of course, no couples were around—at this time of night, they'd all gone off to hotels. Only single people gathered here in groups.

"Ah! Lost again."

"Good, the more you lose, the better."

Sitting across from Ishigami, Rinji took a drag from his cigarette while watching the "You Win" message flash on the arcade screen.

"Getting crushed a few times after a breakup is good for your growth."

"What kind of weird comfort is that?"

After Iino left, Rinji didn't immediately take Ishigami home. Instead, he brought him to the nearby arcade to let off some steam.

Originally, he wanted to take Ishigami out drinking, but Japan doesn't allow anyone under twenty to drink, and shops wouldn't sell alcohol to either of them. So, this was the next best option.

He inserted a few more coins, and the next round began.

"Hey Rinji, why aren't you spending Christmas with your girlfriend?" Ishigami asked as he worked the joystick.

"Of course I planned to. But your situation came up, so I left them at home."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, if you've got a girlfriend, go spend time with her... Wait, did you just say 'them'?"

"I told you this morning, didn't I? I have two girlfriends."

"..."

Ishigami froze, not even noticing his character had just been defeated again.

"I know it's shocking, but that's the reality. Relationships are something that naturally develop."

Rinji flicked his cigarette into the ashtray next to the arcade machine.

"So, how are you feeling after this breakup?"

"I've got feelings."

"What kind?"

"Compared to you, whether I have a girlfriend or not doesn't even matter."

"That's not the answer I wanted." Rinji sighed. "I think the president's theory from before is right. Rather than confessing your feelings, it's better to make the other person fall for you first."

"You want me to find a way to get Senpai to confess to me?"

"Something like that. The point is to keep improving yourself, to become someone she'll fall for."

"...I get it."

Ishigami nodded and stood up from his seat.

"Hmm? You're done playing?"

"I'm fine now. Rinji, you should get back to your girlfriends too. Be careful, though. I saw an anime where the main character got his head chopped off for two-timing."

"No one in this world can chop my head off."

After comforting Ishigami, Rinji let out a small sigh.

He could handle Ishigami's issues, but now he was starting to worry about Shirogane. If something went wrong there too, he definitely wouldn't be going home tonight.