The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"Hey...what are you talking about?"

"Ahaha~ If it's something fun, Hina (I) am always free~?"

Asakura Toru and Ichikawa Hina, who were sitting there watching a movie, responded one after another, and Enka had to express her opinion: "It's not that I have to go... What are your plans, Koito?"

"Well...it's just...I have a friend!...I want everyone to meet him--" After a mental struggle, Koito finally finished speaking.

But the happy smile on her face that couldn't be taken off, the shy attitude of wanting to hide it, and the attitude of wanting to tell everyone even though she was embarrassed, made people wonder, could it be...

"Aha~ Could it be my boyfriend?" Ichikawa Hina said excitedly. Although she is usually like this, she would become more excited when talking about this topic.

"Ah...Yabai, now we have to prepare red bean rice and other things." The lazy and sleepy feeling that had originally appeared on Asakura Toru due to the spring break disappeared instantly. After a slight response, he ended with a familiar smile.

"No, that's not it! Just... just a special friend!!!"

No, your attitude will make it easier for people to misunderstand you, right?

However, despite this, Higuchi Enka was the only one in the group who could see that Koito was telling the truth. After all, no one among the four understood better than her...

"Ha-... Anyway, it's not a boyfriend, right? And then a friend wants us to meet, is that right?"

"Yes, that's right!" Koito answered affirmatively.

"Eh... isn't that so?"

Toru's expression shifted to a thoughtful one, but then a relieved smile broke through. It seemed she'd suddenly been craving red bean rice, but not too much. Even Higuchi Enka could only guess from her actions and reactions, but that was probably it.

"But which friend of yours is it... Do we know each other?"

Enka habitually began to think. Of course, this had nothing to do with what someone said, "The only thing you can't stop thinking about is thinking." It was just habitual thinking...

Although it may not be nice to say this, it is a recognized fact that Fukumaru Koito is shy. It would be a good thing if she made friends to hang out with while attending a private school, but why should she ask them to come out?

"Well, um... we know each other... right?"

"......should?"

Enka frowned at Koito's answer, and Koito started to shrink back a bit. But it had nothing to do with her answer, she was just in a bad mood because of someone.

"Ah...the person who delivered the snacks last time?"

“…Y-yes!”

Although she didn't know why Toru's mind was so quick to directly connect with the two people's topic at this time, Koito was happy to accept it.

However, Enka's mood wasn't very good, because the mention of dessert reminded her of something else, such as someone who was also very good at making desserts (she didn't associate the person Koito sent desserts to with Hiranobu).

"Speaking of snacks, does Toru-senpai have any snacks at his house? I'm a little hungry, Hina~"

"Yeah... me too. Well, let's go."

Hina, who suddenly spoke up, and Toru, who naturally picked up the topic of snacks, both suddenly went downstairs, leaving the two of them alone in the room, one who seemed to be in a particularly bad mood today and the other who could tell was in a good mood.

"Um... Did something happen to Enka-chan? If I can help, just ask me!" Fukumaru Koito said, patting his chest.

"...Nothing I can help you with—"

Despite being the smallest and most vulnerable of the four, Fukumaru Koito strives to demonstrate her reliability to her childhood friends. She's not just a cute little bully, nor is she just pretending to be so, but a valued friend who genuinely wants to help... a family member, even.

Thinking of this, Enka suddenly lost the ability to say anything else. After a few seconds of awkward silence between the two, Koito finally spoke first: "H-I see... I'm sorry, I can't help you."

"...I don't have anything I need help with, but I have a friend who's really troubled lately. Koito, could you give her some advice?"

I have a friend...ah, I have talked about this topic in Pingxin!

"Of course... Enka-chan, just rely on me!"

No, so I have a friend... Never mind, it's just a small talk to kill time, and she doesn't think Koito, who has no romantic experience, can give any advice, and might even be scared.

After sighing slightly to let out some of the depression in her chest, Enka said, "I... have a friend who recently fell in love—"

"Eh? Really!?" Fukumaru Koito exclaimed in surprise, then belatedly covered her mouth and smiled awkwardly at Enka, whose face remained expressionless as always.

"Although he's a decent guy... he seems to be dating several women at once. He's a complete scumbag, a scumbag, a loser... Isn't it better to just cut ties?"

"Eeheeeheeeh!!! Did Enka-chan encounter something like this? I had no idea—"

"...a friend of mine." Higuchi Enka corrected.

What was beyond her expectation was that although Fukumaru Koito was surprised, she quickly accepted the fact... According to the setting, if it was in the past, she would definitely be surprised to the point of being unable to close her mouth, right?

It seems that Koito is also growing up well in a place unknown to them...

"Say, maybe this situation is surprisingly common? ... Common? Anyway... a philandering man isn't necessarily a bad person. There are also some who make such decisions for the sake of everyone else!" Koito showed a firm expression, but when she heard that day that Hiranobu was being confessed to, her expression became much more interesting~

"...Isn't that too much growth—"

Was she the person who could accept such a thing before?

But... for everyone?

So to you, am I "everyone" or the one and only Enka Higuchi?

Tell me, letter...

"Dudu-"

"Enka-chan, it looks like there's a message on your phone, don't you want to check it out?"

"That's true... I should take a look and decide later."

Chapter 92 Who is Higuchi?

"Hey, Miss Higuchi, you're here~"

"...What are you talking about, Mr. White Devil who kidnaps ignorant girls?"

After meeting, it was the familiar line link again——

Okay, it was fun chatting!

"It's not me, it's the fans... Didn't the plot previously reach the point where the self-centered, yellow-haired girl Hina joins the team in pursuit of happiness? Up to that point, the comments below the manga were fine, but after this part, the nickname 'Higuchi the old thief' has exploded~"

Seeing the man in front of her pretending to be stupid, Higuchi Enka felt unhappy for the first time in a long time. This kind of evil smile and the look of having succeeded in playing a prank... If she hadn't expressed her dissatisfaction with the original plot, she would definitely be laughing even harder now, right?

"...Isn't this the result you personally want to see, Mr. Painting Demon Higuchi?"

The name "Painting Devil Higuchi" is the name of a group composed of two people, each half of which is half. Originally, Enka thought that the "Painting Devil" part was a self-deprecating way for Hiranobu and a hint at the following plot. But now it seems that the reason someone didn't choose a normal name was to avoid responsibility.

Anyone would think that the painting demon is part of Higuchi, but in fact it is completely different.

From this point of view, he is worthy of the name of the devil. He is indeed a cunning man... The way he plays tricks in a seemingly fair contractual relationship is completely like the devil himself, right?

"No, no, no, it's you, Higuchi, right?" he said with a smile.

See? In the end, men just shirk their responsibilities... They're still unreliable.

But after seeing her expression become even colder, Hirayuko admired it for a moment before continuing, "Or does this mean you want me to become 'Higuchi' too, Enka-chan~?"

“…Heh~”

After all this time, they're ambushing me in a place like this? By now, I'm completely used to it.

"..Wait, why did you suddenly pull my hand?"

"Eh~~~~..You're still asking this kind of question at this point?"

An infuriating frivolous smile, an infuriating face, infuriating yet surprisingly gentlemanly actions... Rather than being a gentleman, he seems more like a tease with some kind of hint. What an infuriating man.

"...So, why did you ask me out today? The zoo doesn't need me anymore, right?"

Even her usual cold expression couldn't hide the irrational nature of her words. Ping Xin saw that she was in a bad mood and decided to make it short.

"Actually, I wanted to invite you to enjoy the flowers later... Are you free?"

With "everyone"? Or is it just me?

...Heh, in the end, this man wouldn't have the courage to give up anyway, so the answer was already decided. Just like he'd said, "The outcome is decided before the game even begins." There wasn't a single surprising factor in all this; it was simply a matter of course.

In the end, Higuchi Enka still couldn't say these words. She once imagined that the two of them might really be able to talk about anything, but in the end she found that people cannot be completely honest with each other, otherwise they will only see ugly things.

But seeing Ping Xin's unprecedented serious expression, she decided to listen to the end of his words.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have let her go, right?

"Actually, that day, I had something very important to say to you... I don't know why you're suddenly in a bad mood, but if there's anything I can help you with, anything you can't handle on your own, then feel free to rely on me.

If you just can't say it to me, then I will wait until the day you want to say it."

"Tsk... cunning man——"

How long do you want to fool me?!

She lowered her head, so Hirayuko couldn't see her bangs, which were usually pinned up, or her amethyst-like eyes. He didn't use his abilities to feel or influence her, but simply left the choice to Higuchi Enka herself.

And what about Enka? In fact, her emotions and rationality were in an unprecedented state of confusion.

Am I so insignificant in your heart? You won't even ask!?

No, on the contrary, it was a sign of his respect for us.

Why didn't he tell the truth from the beginning? Why wait until now? Isn't this kidnapping me?

But if he had been so "honest" from the beginning, we wouldn't have accepted him anyway, right?

In the end, the so-called "honesty" is just "not lying". He also uses concealment, partial concealment, and splicing of facts. Don't you notice?!

Yes, it's like Kyubey in the comics saying, "It's not that I didn't tell you, it's that you didn't ask." It can't be called true honesty, but is there anyone in this world who can be truly honest? Not even you or me can do that.

…Even so, he still lied to us! He cheated on us, was unfaithful, and deserved death!!!

But even if we'd been speculating, hadn't "we" taken the initiative to ask? The fragile balance between the two had been maintained by this false understanding. What was supposed to be a trump card had now become a source of pressure.

Yes, so "we" are stupid, whether it is 'you' or 'me', we are all hopeless idiots!

Yes, because "we" really fell in love with the one in front of us——

"...I will wait without any expectations. If you can't give me a satisfactory answer, then go to hell." After saying that, Higuchi Enka left without looking back.

This is definitely the last time... For Koito's sake, I'm giving you this last chance.

Although it was a little disappointing that his plan to cheer her up hadn't been carried out, Hirayobu waved goodbye, saying, "See you later, Miss Higuchi... If you 'break your promise,' you'll be called a thief next time~"

"...Heh~...Isn't it you who should be called Higuchi the old thief, Mr. Painting Devil?"

Although she left behind a cool and straightforward back, Higuchi Enka's mood soured again as she thought of something. However, since "there was no chance" now, she could only wait and make a decision later. It was better to be cautious after all.

After all... think about it, this is her first time in love, so it would be better for her to make a cautious decision, right?

“…Aa ...

But in the end, I was still very angry!

...I'm so angry!!!

Chapter 93: Going to enjoy the flowers

"Yaho~... Flower viewing and barbecue—what a perfect combination!"

...No, how is it perfect?

Isn't it normal to bring snacks or a nice bento when you go cherry blossom viewing? Why is it like a company-building barbecue party here?

Rather, even though we often have team-building barbecues, no one would barbecue in such a beautiful place, right?!

But the tragedy is that people with common sense are a minority here, and an absolute minority, just like a green leaf among thousands of flowers!

In addition to the familiar faces from the past, some acquaintances also came here today.

For example, the tough principal who is crying now has a tissue next to him, but the person who is actually holding the tissue is Kirikiri Kyoko, who is about to go to study in the UK.

Such as the Yamabuki family of five from Yamabuki Bakery, acquaintances from other shopping streets, and acquaintances among the relatives such as Hikawa Sayaka's sister Hina, Kikuri's team members Shima and Eliza.

In addition, for some reason, there was Rion Chozuki who looked unfriendly today, Yuuka Hayase who seemed to have a strong appetite but was deliberately restraining her gaze, and Noah Namahashio who had a smile on his face as always but seemed a little different for some reason.

There were also some people he had cultivated as his confidants, such as the former delinquent Suzuki and the swordsman Ryoma, who had returned from overseas specifically to visit his hometown of Sakura. Of course, the Shadow Maids were also there, enjoying a long-awaited moment of relaxation.

Others...are like Goto Ichiri, who wanted to establish a personal relationship and tried to invite people without any hope, but for some reason, only one dared to invite and the other one dared to come——

"Sister, aren't you going over?"

"Me, me, me, me!...How can I get through this?...Everyone is different from me, sunny, cheerful, and beautiful. People like me should (whisper)... (mumbling very quietly and making strange noises)"