Chapter- 21

Then I came home. …What if she had said she really wanted to do it there? Would I have been able to say no? Or would I have been swept away by the atmosphere?

　First of all, what do I think of Rie? Just a friend? ... No. If that was all, I wouldn't be interfering so much. (I don't have any friends so I don't know) So, is she some poor girl that I have to protect? ... No, I'm sure. I should have stopped looking at her that way and started seeing her as Rie.

…I guess I've reached the limit of pretending not to notice. I like you Rie . I like you as a girl, as a member of the opposite sex.

　What about Rie? I'm sure she likes me, but I don't know if it's love or dependency. So I want to know. But I'm scared to find out. What should I do? What do I want to do?

　"What is it?... A message from Shita-san... Ah! She said she had something to discuss with me!!"

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　I hurriedly opened RAIN.

　"I know this is quick, but can I ask you for some advice?"

　"Of course."

　"Well, I want you to see this."

　When I saw the image she sent me, I was speechless. It was a screenshot of RAIN's chat screen.

　"Do you know this woman called Niizuma? I had no choice but to go out with her because she confessed to me, but we broke up after she had been seen me hanging out with other women."

　"Wow! Poor Kazuya... Well, he did what he had to do, right?"

　"But that girl, she says we won't do it until we're married, so we haven't even had a chance to kiss yet."

　"Haha, I see. I guess if Kazuya's doing it, I can't leave him. Are there about 10 other girls like her?"

　"There are 13. And there are four more to be added, no, one less so there will be three."

　"That's nice, please share with me at least one person."

　"No way. It's only natural that a winner like me should have it all to myself, right?"

　"...What? Don't you understand how Rie feels? Don't you think about how hurt she must be?!"

　The pain from my unconsciously clenched fist brought me back to my senses. ...That's right, you're still okay. Rie - san .

　"Did you see? My best friend has been deceived this whole time. ... Sugita-kun, are you okay? If you do anything bad to Rie, I will never forgive you!"

　"Yes. I promise I won't hurt Rie. Have you told Rie about this?"

　"I haven't said anything specific, but I've told them they're spreading it around. ... In reality, they seem to be trying to hide it, but I told the girls in their class."

　"I see. Is there anything I can do for you?"

　"I want you to protect Rie."

　"I would do that even if you didn't tell me."

　"...Yeah. I think we'll just have to wait and see. Rather than getting involved, we might never see each other again."

　"Okay. Let me know if you need anything."

　"Yeah"

　That was the end of my conversation with Shita-san