Chapter 102(2/2): The Love Between You, Me, and Him (4)

Everyone around them made a fuss. From childhood to now, wherever she went, any friend who knew her and Sou-kun would call them a pair—even adults, even the homeroom teacher in elementary school.

She’d always taken for granted that she would be with Kanzaki Sou in the future.

But why had she never confessed?

No, she knew herself—she never even understood the meaning of shyness.

Why hadn’t Sou-kun ever crossed that line either?

Was it because of embarrassment?

Definitely not. Though he seemed introverted, he was never indecisive when it came to doing things.

Essentially, both of them were highly proactive—that was one reason they had both excelled since childhood.

All the more strange.

So proactive…yet on this matter, both had acted like they shared a tacit understanding to do nothing.

Was it because, subconsciously, they felt the current state was just right?

The current state—being the person closest to him, being the only one allowed to get angry with him, being the “only girlfriend” everyone just assumed.

Indeed, that sense of ownership might bring more safety and satisfaction than romance itself.

If they actually dated, a quarrel would feel different.

No more outbursts, and all those bad tempers the other put up with would be off-limits.

As long as no one tried to take him away, this state could continue forever.

Maybe she really did prefer it this way.

— Until this girl, Xiao Chun Miura, appeared.

This ordinary-looking girl who, somehow, could make Kanzaki Sou show uncharacteristic gentleness, appeared and shattered her sense of security—or, to put it bluntly, triggered her territorial instinct.

That’s why she lost control, why she became hysterical just now, why she did things even she thought were terrible.

So it was all just possessiveness about not wanting to lose Sou-kun?

Staring up at the ceiling, Kondo Haruka’s heart ached from the emotions swirling inside her.

— This isn’t love, nor is it the right kind of feeling.

Sou-kun is his own person, not her possession—and definitely not a trophy.

Those thoughts…

“I—”

After a long time, Kondo Haruka lowered her hand.

She stared blankly at the ceiling, tears silently slipping down.

“– I just didn’t want to lose…”

“All my life, I’ve always been expected to win, no matter what.”

“Win at tennis, win at running, even eat faster than others…”

“Sou-kun is my best friend and the most outstanding peer I’ve ever met.”

“If someone took him away, that feeling…is just too much to bear.”

The girl’s confession was as quiet as a stream at night, trembling and sorrowful.

But Xiao Chun Miura just listened quietly, finally feeling the weight in her heart lift.

She knew she had succeeded.

Beneath that shell of pride and arrogance, Kondo Haruka was just an ordinary girl afraid of losing her throne and needing to be affirmed.

Xiao Chun Miura walked to the bedside and offered the tissues from earlier to Kondo Haruka.

Kondo Haruka hesitated, but this time, she took them.

“Wipe your face.”

Xiao Chun Miura said, “Kanzaki-kun will be back soon. Do you want him to see you like this?”

Only then did Kondo Haruka sniff and snatch the tissues.

Then, she slowly wiped the tear tracks from her face.

“– Don’t think doing this will change how I see you.”

Kondo Haruka’s eyes were still red as she glared at Xiao Chun Miura.

But even with her tough words, the hostility in her chestnut-red eyes had mostly faded compared to when Xiao Chun Miura first entered the infirmary.

“I never expected you to thank me, Kondo-san. I didn’t do anything worth your gratitude.”

“I already said, Kanzaki-kun is important to me too, so I felt you needed to hear these things.”

Xiao Chun Miura shrugged and sat back down on the chair.

“– Actually, I kind of envy you, Kondo-san.”

“Huh?”

Kondo Haruka gave her a “are you nuts” look.

“It’s true.”

Xiao Chun Miura looked at her, her eyes sincere.

“You’re beautiful, confident, talented—you stand out at everything.”

“I’m different.”

“People like me, just because of my personality, are destined to hide in the corners, afraid of being noticed.”

“We’re just different. You have everything I don’t.”

“…Including Kanzaki-kun’s attention.”

“He wasn’t angry earlier because he hated you, but because he cares about you.”

“He doesn’t want to see the proud and honest Kondo Haruka lose herself, or lose the brilliance that should be yours on the sports field.”

“Did you know? When we were in the stands, he came over to warn me to be careful, saying you might target me.”

What?!”

Kondo Haruka stared in shock, like a child caught misbehaving.

“What did he say?! He—he actually said that to you?”

“Yeah.”

Xiao Chun Miura smiled wryly, “But when he said it, his eyes were full of worry.”

“Now I think, he wasn’t just worried about me—he was worried about you, too.”

“He was afraid you’d do something reckless, afraid you’d get hurt—physically or in reputation.”

“So, Kondo-san.”

Xiao Chun Miura turned to look directly into Kondo Haruka’s eyes.

“I don’t think you ever lost.”

“In his heart, your place has always been there—no one can take it away.”

“You’re his only Childhood Friend. That won’t change, and no one can erase it.”

“Unless you destroy it yourself.”

The exchange of hearts seemed to end with those words.

The infirmary fell silent again.

But this time, the silence was different from before—there was no more tension.

Instead, there was a subtle sense of relief.

Kondo Haruka lowered her head, fingers unconsciously twisting the tissue.

After a long time, she finally spoke in a muffled voice.

“…What about you?”

She raised her eyelids, glancing at Xiao Chun Miura.

“You said so much, making yourself sound all clean and pure.”

“Mm? What do you mean?”

Xiao Chun Miura widened her eyes.

“Don’t play dumb. You talked so big earlier, now you act clueless. Do you really take me for an idiot?”

“After all this, you don’t want to steal Sou-kun away?”

“Weren’t you the one who declared war earlier? Saying something about beating me or whatever…”

Her words no longer carried hostility, but instead left Xiao Chun Miura a little at a loss.

Yes, what about herself?

She intervened in their relationship to survive, to stay alive.

— But could she say that?

Of course not.

Now that the crisis seemed resolved, what should she do?

All she could do was withdraw.

She needed a reasonable excuse that Kondo Haruka could accept, one that let herself retreat intact.

A way to explain clearly the reason for all she had done.

“I…”

Xiao Chun Miura lowered her gaze, quietly hiding her emotions.

“I do like Kanzaki-kun.”

“It’s hard not to like someone like him, right?”

“But I know my own limits.”

“I know I’m not someone dazzling, and I know that compared to others, I have no advantage at all.”

“The reason I declared war on you, why I tried so hard…”

“Why was it? Maybe it’s just that I didn’t want to be looked down on—maybe that was part of it.”

“I can’t say for sure.”

“I don’t want to be a supporting role who can be sacrificed at any time. I want to prove that even someone as ordinary as me has the right to stand on the field.”

“As for Kanzaki-kun—”

Xiao Chun Miura looked up, giving a faint smile.

“If he really likes you, I couldn’t steal him away anyway.”

“If he doesn’t belong to anyone… Then all I can do is stay by his side for a while, as a friend or partner.”

“I definitely won’t treat him as a private possession, like you.”

“I’ll respect his choice, and… I’ll respect the special place you hold in his heart.”

These words were half true, half false, mixing a good deal of Xiao Chun Miura’s true feelings with a fair amount of vagueness and intentional ambiguity.

But it was enough to convince Kondo Haruka right now.

Because it fit Xiao Chun Miura’s usual character and didn’t feel out of place.

A truly introverted person always has plenty of good reasons for being introverted.

Add a little flattery at the end, and Kondo Haruka’s subtle sense of superiority was satisfied—after all, even Xiao Chun Miura herself admitted she couldn’t win against her.

So Kondo Haruka accepted the girl’s words.

Kondo Haruka stared at Xiao Chun Miura for a while, as if trying to discern her true intentions.

Finally, she pouted and turned her face away.

“Hmph… At least you know your place.”

Her mouth was still sharp, but her tone had softened a lot.

“Still, this time…I really was too ugly.”

Her voice lowered, carrying an awkward apology.

“Doing something like intentionally bumping someone…isn’t my style.”

“Getting hurt serves me right.”

“– If I had won against you by skill, fine. But using this kind of method…even if I won, it’s not honorable.”

“Damn it, just thinking about it pisses me off. And now I’ve even driven Sou-kun away… What a loss.”

As she spoke, Kondo Haruka grew frustrated.

She irritably ran her hand through her already messy curls, making them even messier.

“Hey, Xiao Chun Miura.”

“Yeah?”

“This time… Let’s call it a draw.”

Kondo Haruka said awkwardly.

“Even though I won the match, I lost in character.”

“You lost the match, but… Forget it! Anyway, I won’t hold it against you this time.”

“From now on, let’s compete fairly.”

“If you can make Sou-kun fall for you by your own ability, then…I can accept it.”

“But don’t expect me to go easy! With Sou-kun’s indecisive personality, if no one pushes him, he’ll never know what he wants!”

“I’ll prove I’m the best fit for him—the true First Place!”

…Watching Kondo Haruka, whose fighting spirit reignited and whose eyes were now much clearer despite her continued tsundere attitude, Xiao Chun Miura finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It was finally over.

At least, the most dangerous bomb—Kondo Haruka’s hostility—had been defused by her own hands.

More importantly, Kondo Haruka had begun to re-examine her feelings for Kanzaki Sou.

Once that seed was planted, it would slowly take root and grow in their interactions, ultimately making her understand that possession is not love—letting go and respecting is.

At that point, Kanzaki Sou’s “Kondo Haruka route” would be completely severed.

“Alright.”

Xiao Chun Miura smiled and held out her hand.

“Then let’s compete fairly, Kondo-san.”

Kondo Haruka looked at her hand, then her face, and finally snorted, reaching out her uninjured hand to slap hers firmly.

“Just call me Haruka. ‘Kondo-san’ sounds weird.”

“Then call me Xiao Chun too.”

“Hah? Why should I get so chummy with you? No way! Miura is fine!”

“…Fine, I don’t mind.”

The two exchanged looks. Though they didn’t smile, the tense hostility in the air had completely vanished.

“……Well, I’m going.”

Xiao Chun Miura pointed at the door.

“Kanzaki-kun will probably be back soon, and I don’t want him to see me here.”

If Kanzaki Sou saw the two of them together, that delicate balance would be broken.

Besides, it was better to let the two of them be alone for a while.

For now, she’d keep her distance from both.

“Hey!”

Kondo Haruka called out to Xiao Chun Miura as she was about to leave.

“Um…”

She bit her lip, clearly embarrassed.

“Thank you.

…For picking up my pillow.”

Xiao Chun Miura blinked, then smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

“Haruka! The School Nurse is here!”

Not long after Xiao Chun Miura left, Kanzaki Sou returned to the infirmary, with the School Nurse carrying a medical kit behind him.

“Sou-kun…”

Kondo Haruka looked at Kanzaki Sou, feelings swirling inside her, not noticing the odd expression on the School Nurse’s face behind him.

Kondo Haruka didn’t cry anymore, nor did she act spoiled.

She simply looked at him quietly, a new layer of thought and reflection in her gaze.

“I’m sorry.”

She said softly.

“And…thank you.”

Kanzaki Sou paused, then his expression softened.

“Let’s talk later—let’s check your injury first.”

Outside the infirmary, at the corner of the corridor.

Xiao Chun Miura leaned against the wall, letting out a long sigh.

She looked up at the blue sky outside the window.

Although dusk had yet to fall—the sports festival, for her, had already ended.

Though the process was nerve-wracking and she didn’t get any ranking,

More importantly, she survived.

Not only did she survive, she solved the biggest hidden danger.

“First stage…I guess that’s a clear?”

She whispered to herself, a relieved smile appearing on her lips.

Maybe things would be a little easier from now on?

I hope so.

As long as that unreliable System doesn’t cause any more trouble, and as long as Kanzaki Sou doesn’t suddenly get snatched by some girl from who knows where…

Thinking of Kanzaki Sou’s face, Xiao Chun Miura’s heart skipped a beat.

And, as long as he doesn’t enter my personal route.

She patted her cheeks and started walking back to the Class (5) rest area.

Yui Hori and the others were still waiting for her.

School life would continue.