"What's wrong with a hug between friends? It's not like we're going to get pregnant."
"If there was something between us, it would have happened already.
Besides, she can't even climb anymore. I helped her up. What's the problem with helping each other as friends?"
"You doubt me? I can only say it's your heart. People with a dirty heart see everything as dirty."
Takashi, shameless as always, spoke without any embarrassment.
Even if he was initially in the wrong, by the end of it, he spoke with more confidence than ever.
It must be said, his approach was quite effective.
No wonder so many people love motivational quotes. Actually, what he was saying could be considered a "duck soup" kind of wisdom, not "chicken soup."
"..."
As the saying goes, a chaotic punch can defeat even the most experienced master.
After a barrage of words from Takashi, she was left speechless, unable to argue back.
She even started to wonder if maybe it was truly her heart that was the issue.
By the way, can friends really do things like this?
Then why had none of her friends at school ever done this for her?
Could it be... they never truly considered her a friend!!!
At this thought, her eyes began to redden, tears gathering in her eyes, and she sniffled.
'Why is she crying?'
Takashi, noticing she seemed to be crying, froze.
Could it be that his words were too harsh?
"Don't cry, I was wrong, I'm sorry."
Takashi couldn't stand seeing pretty girls cry, so he sincerely apologized.
Of course, this was only because he thought Komi Shoko was pretty.
If someone less attractive had been crying, he definitely wouldn't have acted this way.
Forget apologizing; he might have even said, "Haven't eaten? Why are you crying so quietly?"
No, he might have been even worse.
He might have just told the person to get away and stop grossing him out.
Under Takashi's comforting words, Komi Shoko's emotions gradually settled. She typed: [Is it really okay for friends to hold hands and hug?]
If this had happened just a moment ago, Takashi would have definitely said "yes."
But worried about making her cry again and needing to comfort her further, Takashi thought for a moment and replied: "Friends really shouldn't do such intimate things."
Komi Shoko: [?]
Wasn't that what you just said?
"But—"
Before Komi Shoko could speak, Takashi quickly changed his tone: "But, best friends can do these things."
Komi Shoko's eyes first froze, then blinked rapidly a few times.
"Best... friends?"
This time, Komi Shouko didn't type.
She parted her crimson lips, opening and closing them, producing a delicate, pleasant sound.
"Your voice isn't bad, why aren't you speaking?"
Takashi raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Komi Shouko realized she had spoken and her face turned red. She quickly turned her face away, turning back to her phone to type.
Ding, ding, ding.
This time, she directly sent the message to Takashi's phone, without even turning her body.
'Is this guy really an I-person?'
Takashi was too exhausted to comment.
Kumi: [What's a close friend?]
'What a ridiculous thing.'
Takashi couldn't stand those who pretended to be close friends but acted in ways that only belonged to a couple, without taking any responsibility.
Of course, if that male "close friend" was him, he'd take back everything he just said.
"That's a relationship more intimate than being best friends, but not quite lovers."
Takashi racked his brain to find a way to describe this kind of relationship.
Kumi: [More intimate than best friends?]
"Yes."
Komi Shouko rested her chin in her hand, lost in thought.
What was she thinking?
"Best friend, I'm leaving."
Takashi gently tapped Komi Shouko's head with his pen as he walked past her.
Suddenly, Komi Shouko grabbed his shirt.
With a pair of eyes as delicate as Usami-chan's, she stared at him firmly, speaking one word at a time: "I want to be your close friend too."
She stumbled over her words.
It was unclear whether it was because she was nervous or because she rarely spoke.
"Huh?"
Takashi couldn't process this. He blinked in confusion.
"I…"
The words she had just said seemed to use up all of Komi Shouko's courage.
She lowered her head again to type and raised her phone: [I want to be your female close friend!]
"…Do you even know what you're saying?"
Takashi thought Komi Shouko had gone crazy.
…
"Katsura, did you come alone?"
Kato Otome and her small group walked over and directly sat down in the empty spot next to Kotonoha.
"Isn't your boyfriend Takashi? Where is he?" Mori Kumi smiled mischievously.
Koizumi Natsumi covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, "Could it be that you broke up?"
"Did you break up, or were you never really dating?"
If Mori Kumi and Koizumi Natsumi had some restraint, Kato Otome showed no such intention and openly expressed her malice towards Kotonoha.
She was envious of how Kotonoha was more beautiful, had a better family background, better grades, and how so many boys liked her.
She was even more jealous that she could date the prince of Aoba, Kitahara Takashi.
She had even added Takashi's contact information, and she wondered why she couldn't date him.
The competition among women is fierce and terrifying.
Many times, those who disrespect, belittle, and insult women are other women.
"I never said I was dating Kitahara-kun; you misunderstood," Kotonoha replied with a lot of composure.
Even at a time like this, she didn't use any foul language and patiently explained.
If it were Takashi in this situation, he would have been too embarrassed to even admit that he had ever been in trouble.
"Besides, Kitahara-kun just went to the restroom. He'll be back soon."
"Is that so? Then I'll wait here. I haven't met an Aoba top student yet."
Kato Otome crossed her legs, her expression mocking.
Kotonoha didn't want to sit with them or let them ruin her hard-earned date with Takashi. She stood up and moved to another seat.
"Are you afraid of being exposed? Can't keep up with your lies?"
Kato Otome suddenly stood up and blocked Kotonoha's path, sneering at her.
Kotonoha calmly met her gaze, "Kato-san, is it because I used to date Ito-kun that you're taking it out on me?"
Kato Otome usually wasn't this confrontational, but today she was relentlessly pushing Kotonoha.
Kotonoha remembered the rumors she had heard earlier and immediately guessed the reason for Kato Otome's behavior.
"What does it have to do with Ito-kun?"
When Kato Otome was poked at the heart, she became furious.
"I don't understand why you're always targeting me; I haven't offended any of you."
Kotonoha stood her ground, courageously confronting her. Usually, they bullied her, and she didn't resist. But today was different.
"If you like Ito-kun, you can go after him. I'm no longer involved with him."
"What are you mumbling to yourself over there?"
Kato Otome's face darkened.
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