Chapter 30

Mika-chan and Kikuno-chan's relationship has become strange.

The cause is that Kikuno-chan is now in the same class as Higuchi.

When the class assignments were announced and Kikuno-chan found out they were in the same class, she was overjoyed.

Since then, she talks about Higuchi every day.

Things like, "He looked so great when he read aloud in Japanese class" or "I accidentally used the chalk after Higuchi-sama used it."

To me, it seems like trivial content, but it wasn't trivial to Mika-chan.

"Rika-sama, don't you think Kikuno-san is getting too full of herself lately? Just because she's in the same class as Higuchi-sama, she keeps boasting every day. What is she even talking about?!"

Oh dear.

It seems Mika-chan and Kikuno-chan, who used to be like a team, are now having a rift because one of them has outshone the other.

"Rika-sama, aren't you upset too? Kikuno-san acts as if she's closer to Higuchi-sama! She's so arrogant!"

I'm not upset at all?

Because I don't like him.

However, since I don't particularly like these two, who have so many fans in the school, there's no need to stir up trouble, so I just nod along with "That's wonderful" and such.

"Even Yuenjo-sama sometimes comes to play in the classroom! That girl, she's been coming to you less during breaks, hasn't she? It's a betrayal to us!"

Wow, she's really getting worked up.

What should I do?

"Maybe Kikuno-san is just trying to make Mika-chan happy by telling her all these things. I don't think she has any ill intentions."

"...I don't think so."

She clearly doesn't agree. Well, I think it's just her being overly excited and boasting.

"Because Kikuno-san really likes Mika-san. When Kikuno-san was feeling unwell before, Mika-san accompanied her to the infirmary, and she was very grateful. She even told me that in a pinch, Mika-san is the one she can rely on."

"Really...?"

This is half true, half a lie.

It's true that she was grateful for Mika-san accompanying her to the infirmary.

The part about relying on her is just that when I said, "Mika-san is reliable," Kikuno-chan replied, "Yes, she is."

"Kikuno-san..."

"I think Kikuno-san is just over the moon because she's in the same class as her idol, Higuchi-sama. She'll calm down soon. After all, Higuchi-sama is almost indifferent to girls. In the end, Kikuno-san values Mika-san, who is close to her, more than the distant Higuchi-sama."

"That's true."

Oh, she's buying it.

So then...

"Mika-san, here."

"Huh, a macaron?"

I handed Mika-chan a pink macaron.

"It's a limited-edition cherry macaron. It's Higuchi-sama's favorite."

"Really?! Higuchi-sama's?!"

"Yes, I went to Pivoine's salon just now, and Higuchi-sama was eating it. I got one too but didn't eat it. I'm giving it to you, Mika-san. Keep it a secret from Kikuno-san, okay?"

"Oh..."

Mika-chan happily wrapped the macaron in both hands.

"It's not often you get to see Higuchi-sama eating sweets, is it?"

"Well, I don't think that's true. He has a sweet tooth."

He often eats sweets at the salon, and there are scenes in the game where he's described as having a sweet tooth.

For a while, he was obsessed with the matcha chocolate from a famous Kyoto tea house.

He doesn't seem to be hiding it, but since bringing sweets to school is generally prohibited by the school rules, you don't see him eat them outside the salon.

"Eating the same thing as Higuchi-sama, I can't bear to eat it."

Since Mika-chan's mood has improved, this is good for now.

"Um... Rika-sama, what I said just now..."

"Of course, I'll pretend I didn't hear it. Because that wasn't your true feelings, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Thank you, Rika-sama."

You're welcome, you're welcome.

"Rika-sama, what do you think about Mika-san's recent attitude? She's jealous because I'm in the same class as Higuchi-sama!"

This time, Kikuno-chan came to me when Mika-chan wasn't around.

"If she's envious, she should just say so. Instead, she glares at me when I talk about Higuchi-sama. Don't you think she has a bad temper?"

Oh my.

You're being condescending.

I think both of you are the same.

"Mika-san is sulking because Kikuno-san talks about Higuchi-sama all the time."

"Sulking?"

"Please keep this a secret. Mika-san told me that she feels Kikuno-san values Higuchi-sama more than her. She was feeling left out because they used to be close. She seems quite sad."

"Really..."

"Mika-san really likes Kikuno-san. But lately, Kikuno-san only talks about Higuchi-sama, making Mika-san feel neglected. Maybe Mika-san isn't jealous of Higuchi-sama but of Kikuno-san?"

This is all a lie.

"But don't check with Mika-san. She's stubborn, and if her true feelings are revealed, she might get even more upset and things could get worse."

"Mika-san would say such a thing..."

"Here, Kikuno-san, be the mature one and reach out to Mika-san. Then, Kikuno-san's favorite Mika-san will cheer up quickly. After all, you two are best friends."

"Best friends... Yes, we are best friends."

Best friends sound so special and admirable.

Kikuno-san's anger seems to have subsided.

"Rika-sama, what I said just now..."

"Of course, I'll pretend I didn't hear it. Because that wasn't your true feelings, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Thank you, Rika-sama."

You're welcome, you're welcome.

You two are so similar.

After that, they made up right away.

It seems my lies haven't been exposed. They are now very close and affectionate.

As a timid person, I don't want to get involved in any drama. It's scary.

You never know when the backlash might come.

Peace is the best.

By the way, in the game "You are My Dolce," there was a scene where Kichijouji Rika told the emperor a lie about the protagonist, causing a rift between them.