40 Chapter 40: Hondou Daiki Has A Thing For Ichinose Minami

[Kurogane Tsubasa's POV]

I was walking alongside Chinatsu and Natsumi as we headed to our classroom. Chinatsu had accompanied me from my house to school, while Natsumi had waited for us at the school's entrance. This had become our daily routine.

As usual, those who spotted us on our way to the classroom couldn't help but express their admiration.

"Oh? It's Morikawa-san and Matsushita-san!"

As we strolled along, a few fellow students couldn't help but admire Chinatsu and Natsumi from a distance. They whispered their admiration, showering the pair with compliments that flowed like a gushing stream.

"Every time I see them, I'm reminded of the phrase 'beauty beyond words.' It's like they were born to grace our school with their presence."

"It's almost unfair how stunning they are. Morikawa-san's charm is magnetic, and Matsushita-san's aura is pure elegance. They're like royalty among us."

"I can't believe we go to the same school as Morikawa-san and Matsushita-san. They're the embodiment of grace and charm. I feel lucky just to catch a glimpse of them."

"You know, I sometimes think that Morikawa-san and Matsushita-san are too beautiful for our school. They should be in magazines or something!"

Those comments might have been a bit over the top, but even I, not the one they were talking about, couldn't help but feel the same way.

"Honestly, how lucky is Kurogane to be around Morikawa-san and Matsushita-san all the time? It's all because they're childhood friends, isn't it?"

"It's not fair. Kurogane is practically inseparable from them. I bet he's living the high school fantasy every guy dreams of."

"Damn, Kurogane, lucky bastard, hanging out with these goddesses!"

It was clear some folks were a tad envious of my close connection with them. Well, I can't blame them; I'd probably feel the same in their shoes.

"Just die, Kurogane!"

Okay, that last one was taking things way too far. Even if I were envious, wishing someone dead is way overboard.

As we walked into the room, it was business as usual. Everyone was used to seeing us together like this.

"Hey, Kurogane!" greeted my friend Kaneda Taro, a bespectacled guy with a bit of a stocky build. He was the resident otaku responsible for nicknaming Natsumi and Chinatsu the "goddesses." "You barely made it on time. Did you get caught up in some adventure with one of the goddesses and end up late?"

"No way, man. Do you really think I have the guts to do that to either of them? I look in the mirror every day, and even I think that's impossible," I replied.

Kaneda grinned, "Come on, Kurogane. You're not too shabby, you know. Some of us have convinced ourselves that no one's worthy of being their boyfriend except you. But I've got to ask, though, if you had to choose, who'd it be between the two?" He nodded toward Chinatsu and Natsumi as they chatted with their friends.

"Like I said, we're not thinking about that right now. Besides, it's not like we're into each other," I replied.

"Really? Because it seems like the three of you are head over heels for one another. People even say that love triangles in manga can't hold a candle to your situation."

I couldn't help but think he was exaggerating.

"It's not like that. We're just friends. We've been pals for as long as I can remember, so being together is just natural for us, you know? The impression you're getting is probably us simply enjoying each other's company."

Even if he had some wild speculations about the three of us dating in some unique way, he wouldn't find concrete proof. An impression is just that – an impression.

"You just don't get it, do you, Kurogane?" came a voice from behind as they wrapped their arms around my shoulder. "Do you really believe that Natsumi-chan and Chinatsu-chan hang out with you every day just because you're childhood buddies? It's pretty obvious to us that the three of you have some kind of secret. Or maybe it's you who's keeping one. So, spill the beans, Kurogane. Are you, by any chance, two-timing them?"

I maintained my composure. It wasn't the first time someone had asked this question. It was quite natural, considering the three of us were practically inseparable, and being the only guy among them, suspicions could arise that I was playing both sides. Well, technically, I was two-timing them, but with their full consent. So, I wouldn't describe our relationship as something as shady as two-timing.

"No way," I replied, shaking my head. "Do you really think I've got that kind of charm to pull something like that off?"

Well, I did manage to pull something like that off, but that's a story I'll keep to myself.

Kaneda chuckled, "Considering how you looked in our first and second years, I'd say it's impossible."

The person behind me chimed in, "Yeah, it was quite a shock when you changed your appearance. You've transformed so much that I could barely recognize you."

"It's a comment I've heard from quite a few people," I admitted with a grin.

Then, Kaneda suddenly changed the topic.

"You know, Kurogane, it's crazy how many good-looking folks there are in this school. Makes a guy like me feel a bit out of place, you know?"

I nodded in agreement. "Tell me about it. It's like every corner you turn, there's someone who could easily be a model or an actor. It's intimidating."

The person behind me chimed in, "But you're no slouch in the looks department now, Kurogane. You've got your own charm."

I chuckled, "Thanks, but I think I just leveled up a bit."

Kaneda glanced back at Chinatsu and Natsumi, who were still talking with their friends. "You know, speaking of good-looking people, I can't help but wish I had a girlfriend who's as stunning as those two. Life would be a dream!"

His comment got me thinking. "Honestly, Kaneda, I think a lot of guys here wouldn't mind dating one of the school's 'goddesses.' They're not just beautiful; they're genuinely amazing people."

The person behind me nodded, "Totally agree. It's like they have this aura that draws you in. But let's be real, it's a long shot for most of us."

Kaneda sighed, "Yeah, it's a long shot indeed. But a guy can dream, right? But, you know, Kurogane, if I were dating one of those goddesses, I'd make every date unforgettable. Starting with a romantic dinner at a fancy restaurant, candlelit, of course."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his vivid imagination. "Go on..."

"Then," Kaneda continued, "we'd take a moonlit stroll in the park, holding hands and talking about our dreams and aspirations. When the moment's just right, I'd lean in for a kiss, like they do in those romance movies."

The person behind me chimed in, "That sounds pretty sweet, Kaneda. But what if you want to, you know, take things to the next level?"

Kaneda didn't hesitate, "Ah, well, in that case, we'd find a nice, cozy motel where we could have some privacy and get lucky."

I raised an eyebrow, "Getting lucky, huh? You sure you're ready for that kind of step?"

Kaneda's grin widened, "Hey, when you're dating one of the goddesses, you've got to seize the opportunity, right?"

I chuckled, "That does sound fair."

"Ahhh, I just want to score with a goddess. Like Ichinose-san. She's a real looker," Kaneda added wistfully.

Ichinose, huh? Well, that did seem like a far-off dream for anyone, including me. After all, she was already working as a model and was quite famous.

"How about you, Hondou-kun?"

"Didn't I mention I've got my sights set on Minami-chan?"

Kaneda looked surprised, "Wait, seriously?"

"Yeah, I've had my eye on her for a while now. And this time, I'm determined to make her my girlfriend.

I glanced at the person behind me. Hondou Daiki returned my look with a grin. He sported a bandanna on his forehead, dyed hair, and stood at least two heads taller than me. His delinquent appearance was as distinct as it got.

"Ichinose is your type, Hondou?"

"Huh? Yeah, and I've got a hunch she's into me too."

"What makes you think that?"

Hondou whipped out his phone, opened it, and showed me a message thread with someone. That someone turned out to be Ichinose Minami.

"Whoa?! Seriously?!" "Whoa, dude, seriously?!" Kaneda exclaimed, his shock completely understandable since I was taken aback too.

"Hey, keep it down. Nobody knows about this, and it'd be embarrassing if our classmates found out I'm pursuing her."

I raised an eyebrow, "Then why did you tell us?"

Hondou grinned, "Well, I guess I wanted to make it clear that she's mine, and no one else should even think about trying. So, if you've got your sights on her, I suggest you redirect them elsewhere, got it, you two?" He looked straight at me, as if issuing a warning specifically to me, not to both of us.

"Well, Hondou-kun, I have no intention of stepping on your toes, so I'll steer clear of her. You can count on that. Plus, there's no way someone like me could even dream of getting with her," Kaneda remarked.

Hondou grinned, "Glad we're on the same page. Now that I've said my piece, I'll leave you to your own affairs." With that, he turned around, but not before shooting a parting glare in my direction, then walked back to his group of friends.

Kaneda looked at me, head tilted in confusion. "What was that all about?"

I was just as surprised. I never expected to have a conversation with Hondou of all people, especially since we weren't particularly close.

I glanced at Ichinose, who was now sitting in her chair. She was looking in my direction, but as soon as our eyes met, she quickly looked away.

I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion at her behavior.