5-6 minutes

Translator: Soafp

[Asuka Noumi PoV]

“Big problem, big problem!”

“W-what’s up, you’re making so much noise in the morning.”

Before morning HR started.

When she entered the classroom, there was a girl who came to me at once.

Her blonde ponytail wagged like a tail, and she talked like an Edo-kko. I’d like to say I don’t know this girl, but she was my friend.

Mami sits down in her own seat, looking at me with a look of dismay.

“I’ve got some big news.”

“Big news?”

She followed my lead and sat down in the seat in front of me, her voice hushed.

“I heard that Hiroto has found a girlfriend”

“....tsu ...Heh, is that so?”

“You’re not surprised?”

“I-I’m not his girlfriend anymore. I’m not surprised by all that.”

I’m surprised inside.

With my cheekbones on the table, I’m shaking it so hard that it shakes the desk, but I’m sure I’m doing fine.

“Your body is so honest, it’s hilarious.”

“.... This is just a bout of a chronic illness. It doesn’t matter. So, ...., you know, ....,about that?”

“What?”

“About Hiroto. Who’s his new girlfriend?”

Mami loosened her cheeks in a hateful way and leaned forward.

“Asuka, you are very interested in your ex-boyfriend, aren’t you?”

“..... You brought it up, didn’t you? You are responsible for telling me everything you know about it!”

“Uwa, you’re really not being honest.”

“Just hurry up!”

“Aah yes. You see”

Mami looks diagonally behind me.

When I check the point of her gaze, my eyes meet those of a certain person.

Sakura-san.

I don’t have much contact with her, but she is a bright and innocent girl who is cheerful to everyone.

Her shoulders jumped and her body shrunk as she looked down at the book she was holding in both hands.

“Is Hiroto’s new girlfriend Sakura-san ....?”

“It seems so. I can’t be sure, but there was a witness who said they were on a date.”

If it’s been ruled a date by the side of the road, they must have been going somewhere at a reasonable distance. ....

As for me, my chest tightens up.

Sakura-san, huh?

She’s a totally different type from me.

She is caring, kind to everyone, always smiling, cheerful, and never overlooks those in need.

On the other hand, I’m strong-willed, selfish, always trying to get Hiroto in trouble, not at all honest, and too easy on myself and too demanding of others—

Huh?

Objectively speaking, what’s so attractive about me?

I don’t have anything that would make him to like me.

If I were a guy, I definitely wouldn’t want me as my girlfriend. ....

And yet, Hiroto confessed his feelings for me, which is really weird. .... Well, I’ve already broken up with him. uuugh. Crap, I think I’m going to cry again.

“It’s because Asuka’s being so stubborn. Hiroto-kun now has been taken.”

“Taken.. .... I broke up with Hiroto, and our relationship is over.”

So it’s okay for Hiroto-kun to hold hands with, kiss, and have s*x with Sakura-san?”

“....No.”

I mutter in a small voice like a mosquito.

I know this kind of thinking is not good for an ex-girlfriend.

But it’s no use lying in front of your friends.

“Then, the only thing left to do is to steal him?”

“S-Stealing is ....!”

“Y-You’re talking too loud!　Quiet!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

When I raised my voice, Mami immediately admonished me.

She covered my mouth with both hands and shook her head.

“Is Hiroto-kun one of those quick to make a move?”

“Gohoho, koho!　What are you talking about???

No, it’s important. The time limit is determined by that. If they start raising the relationship, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Ugh...., well, that’s true.”

“So, anything?”

“I don’t know what the criteria are.”

I have only dated Hiroto.

I don’t know how fast student couples generally climb the stairs.

“Then how long after you started dating did you have your first kiss?”

“Before we started dating....”

“Eh, really?　Hiroto-kun is like that. ....”

“Oh, no, that’s not it!　That was more like an accident, we just did it in an unexpected way. I was really surprised when .... that time. ....”

“A romantic comedy?”

“What’s with that comment ....”

Mami’s voice is uncharacteristically low, and she rushes in, stunned.

“Well, never mind. When did you have s*x?”

“...I-Is that a normal question?

“This is an important information. How long have you been together?”

“........ about two months.”

“Two months? That’s sooner than I thought.”

It’s so early. ....

It was just the time of day when no one was at home, and I felt like I was in the mood for something like that, and then I realized it was happening.

I remember it on my own and my cheeks turn red.

“Ushiaa. Then, you’ll have to do something about it within the next two months.”

“.....Why is Mami so eager?　I’ve already given up.”

“You’ve been in low spirits for a long time, Asuka. You may think you’re acting normal, but you’re not.”

Ugh. ....

I thought I was able to reproduce my normal routine,.....

It seems my friend saw right through me.

“Moreover, I am on Asuka’s side. I can understand Hiroto’s feelings, but it would be nice if he would give Asuka a little chance.”

“Mami ....”

Tears welled up in my eyes.

Mami’s hands went behind my back and we hugged tightly and powerfully.

“Ugh, what the hell. You’re a pain in the a*s.”

“Then don’t be nice all of a sudden, idiot.”

“Yes, yes. For now, I’m going to Asuka’s house after school today. We’ll think about everything there.”

“....Hmm”

I nodded my head in a hushed voice.