Chapter 16: Disqualified Childhood Friend
With Ren absent, Hitori actually felt more nervous. She found it difficult to initiate conversation with Ryo and could only keep her head down while walking quickly.
"Bocchi."
Having accepted payment, Ryo intended to get things done. After walking with Hitori for a while, she called out to her, this nickname was one she had come up with herself.
"Here!"
Hitori straightened up like a soldier receiving orders, standing rigidly in place without daring to breathe heavily.
"Are you and Boss Watanabe really just friends? You're hanging out together on weekends."
Ryo couldn't be bothered to correct Hitori's reaction and instead began probing indirectly.
"Aren't we?"
Hitori asked weakly in return. She actually wondered why Ren would want to be friends with her too, after all, she was so gloomy and ugly, and hanging out with her would surely be embarrassing.
See, even Ryo thought they didn't seem like friends.
Hitori felt so miserable she wanted to cry, but she knew this was just who she was.
"That's not what I meant, Bocchi. You might not be very experienced in these matters, but from what I know, among male and female friends who hang out together on weekends, aside from those with family ties or childhood friends, without exception one party is interested in the other."
Seeing Hitori beginning to shrink and squirm, Ryo realized the other had misunderstood her meaning, so she delved deeper into the topic to explain clearly to Hitori, just right taking the opportunity to hint at something.
"....?"
But Hitori failed to pick up on Ryo's hints. She was utterly confused about this, what Ryo was talking about was beyond her comprehension.
Even making friends was something she only dared dream about, she had never fantasized about relationships more intimate than friendship. So no matter how Ryo hinted, she couldn't make the connection.
"I'm saying Watanabe likely has feelings for you."
Seeing that Hitori wasn't catching on, Ryo became more direct. This kind of talk was indeed more appropriate for her or Nijika to bring up.
"Huh?"
At this point, Hitori could understand what Ryo meant, but she couldn't believe it. After freezing for a moment to process the information, she refuted while waving her hands and shaking her head:
"Impossible, impossible, impossible! Watanabe probably just pities me and that's why he's willing to be friends with me. How could he possibly like me? Would someone like me ever be liked by anyone?"
"Heh, Bocchi, you're overestimating Watanabe and underestimating yourself too much. You've probably watched Animal Planet, right? This is mating season. When male creatures approach female creatures, there are only two possibilities: either to hunt or to seek mating. Watanabe isn't going to eat you, he just wants to mate with you."
Ryo gave a faint smile as she eloquently shared her perspective.
She didn't understand Ren, but she understood girls' figures and appearances. Hitori just often hunched over with low self-confidence, with a haircut and change of clothes, she'd be even prettier than Ren, with a better figure too.
Being noticed by Ren was the most normal thing possible. She had even pointed out Ren's greatest desire—to sleep with her, it would be miraculous if high schoolers this age could restrain themselves after starting to date.
"This is impossible, Ryo, stop teasing me on purpose."
For once, Hitori was clear-headed, thinking Ryo was deliberately teasing her.
Just making friends was already satisfying enough for her. If Ren really wanted to pursue her, she'd have her dowry ready for him by tomorrow.
But this was impossible. Romantic relationships weren't part of Hitori's life plan, she just needed to make a few friends, then live alone for the rest of her life while being supported by Futari.
"Nothing's impossible, Bocchi-chan. Just pay attention to Ren's reactions or search online about it."
At this point, Ryo didn't want to continue further. If Hitori truly realized Ren wanted to pursue her, given her personality she'd probably keep denying it and avoid Ren, which would be counterproductive.
For now, it was enough to plant this idea in Hitori's mind. Through gradual influence, she'd slowly accept the possibility, making it easier for her to accept when Ren eventually confessed.
"..."
Hitori still didn't believe what Ryo said, but Ryo's goal had been achieved, Hitori was somewhat curious about whether Ren actually had feelings for her.
She just didn't dare to hope. If there really was a chance, even if it meant being completely shattered in the end, she'd still try to reach out. This might be her only opportunity in this lifetime.
She had friends now, she'd joined a band, could she pursue something more?
Though this desire would be suppressed by her insecurities and social anxiety, it wouldn't completely disappear. When a real opportunity came, Hitori wouldn't back down.
Meanwhile, Ren had returned home.
"Why are you back so late again? Ren, don't tell me you were accompanying some girl?"
This was already the second time Ren had returned late. Anon, who had just come back, didn't want to bother her old classmates and hadn't made new friends yet, so she could only kill time by waiting for Ren.
But Ren had left at noon and didn't return until nearly 11 PM.
Since when had her childhood friend become someone who came home late every day? Had those girls who were still reserved in middle school stopped pretending after entering high school? Taking advantage of her absence to approach Ren and ask him out, did they think her, his childhood friend, didn't exist?!
The reason Ren remained girlfriendless despite his good looks was because of her presence. With a childhood friend around, few would bother competing against that, it was too difficult to win. But then she had gone abroad.
Anon believed the problem lay here—if she remained present, what vixen would dare approach Ren?
"Right, I went to watch a band performance with her. You should check it out too when you have time, Anon. It was really good."
"You actually admit it?!"
"Why would I lie about this?"
Ren chuckled at the sight of Anon clenching her fists in front of her chest, baring her teeth in frustration.
"Ren, this is cheating! What does she look like? Do you have photos? Is she prettier than me? Does she have a better figure?"
Anon complained discontentedly. The premise of not having romantic feelings for her childhood friend was that he wouldn't date anyone else either.
Now that she knew Ren wanted to find another girl as his girlfriend, Anon grew anxious. Weren't she and Ren supposed to just get married once they reached the appropriate age? How could Ren already be cheating when they'd just started high school?
She wasn't demanding that Ren never date anyone—she wasn't a demon.
But what did it mean that he wanted a girlfriend right after she returned from abroad? What was wrong with his perspective on love? Wasn't he only sixteen?
If this continued, he'd have a second girlfriend at seventeen, a third at eighteen, and eventually become a promiscuous scumbag.
As his childhood friend, she might need to take serious action, really.
"As for photos, not yet. I think she's prettier than you, and has a better figure too."
"Ha!?"