Daigaku de Ichiban Kawaii Senpai wo Tasuketara Nomi Tomodachi ni Natta Hanashi ~ Yotta Senpai wa Ore o no "Suki" ga Tomaranai~ Chapter 2
“Did you have your wallet with you?”
"Ah, yeah. I’m fine."
I had already invited senpai to my house, but the only thing I could offer her was tap water. So, I ended up going out again to the convenience store.
“...But seriously, that was reckless.”
After paying and leaving the store, I let out a small sigh. On the way back, I asked her what happened with those two guys. Turns out, it was her first time drinking alcohol. She went alone to a bar her friends recommended, got approached by some guys, was forced to drink, and before she knew it, she was outside.
“She’s probably someone who grew up too sheltered to know how the world works…”
I could tell right away from her outfit that she came from a rich and fancy family.
"I never thought someone as cool and elegant as Senpai could get like that just from a bit of alcohol."
It was my first time talking to senpai face-to-face, but I’d seen her around a lot. She was always super polite, no matter who she was talking to. Her face barely showed any emotion—her eyebrows and mouth never really moved. With her looks and presence, it felt natural. But if it were anyone else acting like that, people would probably say they were pretending.
"Well, For now I just need to take her home safely."
I opened the door… and my brain almost crashed.
In front of me was a pile of cash—and senpai, doing a perfect kneeling bow like she was paying tribute to a feudal lord. Her long, shiny golden hair was spread out like a carpet.
[Tennouji’s POV]
"Once he left for the convenience store, the alcohol started to wear off, and my head finally cleared up."
"Uwaaaaah!! I-I did something terrible!!"
I sat on the sofa, holding my head and sweating a lot.
"I cried like a baby... and even went into a guy’s house!! This is really bad!! If anyone finds out, I’ll never be able to show my face again...!!"
The Tennouji family has a long and proud history. Since I was a kid, I was raised to be elegant and respected. Because of how I look, everyone expects me to act like a proper lady. I always speak politely and keep my emotions in check. As long as I stay calm and graceful, everyone praises me.
But today, I cried, buried my face in a guy’s chest, and even grabbed his clothes while walking with him... That’s totally out of character!
"But it’s not my fault! I was drunk! Really drunk!"
I’d always avoided alcohol because I didn’t know how I’d act if I got drunk. Since no one in my family had any problems with it, I figured I’d be fine too.
...But deciding to go out and drink instead of staying home was a huge mistake. I never expected to be forced to drink by strangers. And I definitely didn’t expect to lose control of myself like that.
"But still... he was really cool when he saved me...!!"
He showed up with a dramatic dropkick, just like in an action movie. He beat up those scary guys so easily. Just thinking about it made my heart race. I grabbed a pillow and hit it over and over again, my face burning red.
‘How long were you planning to keep touching senpai with those filthy hands you bastard!!’
His words suddenly popped into my head, and my face turned pale.
"He called me senpai... Does that mean he’s from the same university as me...?"
If he were a stranger, I wouldn’t need to worry. But if he’s from the same university, then he definitely knows I’m Tennouji Akebi. And now he’s seen the real me like this…
"If he tells anyone at University... I’m done for!! Everyone will hate me!! My University life will be ruined!!"
My heart pounded, my breathing got faster, and my vision blurred.
"Calm down, Tennouji Akebi. You’ve acted like a perfect lady until now. You can handle this!"
Just then, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway.
"It must be him."
I quickly switched back into my usual “elegant mode” and put on my calm face. I grabbed all the money from my wallet, rushed to the door, and dropped into a deep bow like an athlete.
The door opened, and I heard his surprised voice. I looked up just a little to check his face, then quickly bowed again, pressing my forehead to the floor.
"For now, please forget everything you saw today."
***
When I came home, the university’s queen was bowing deeply in front of me with a pile of money. I had no idea what was going on anymore."
What the heck happened in the few minutes I was at the convenience store?
"Uh... how about we talk inside? We’re kind of just standing at the front door..."
Trying to stay calm, I suggested it gently. Senpai raised her head and pushed the pile of cash toward me, like she really wanted me to take it.
“N-No, I can’t accept this!”
“D-Does that mean it’s not enough...?”
“That’s not what I meant—”
“Here, take this. My necklace and my watch. If you sell them, you’ll probably get a few million yen.”
“What!? No way I can accept that!! That’s way too much money!!”
“Then… what should I do…?”
Her voice got a bit loud. The neighbors might’ve heard us and come out to see.
This isn’t good.
I gave her a small nod and quickly pulled her into my apartment. I picked up the money and gently grabbed her hand to lead her inside.
“…So, what did you mean by ‘just forget everything’?”
I had her settle on the sofa, placed the tea and money on the table, and then let out a sigh as I sat down on the floor.
“I was drunk… and showed you my real self. I cried like a child and clung to you… If people find out about this, it would be a huge embarrassment.”
“…So, what you usually show people—is that all just an act?”
“Yes!! Is that a problem?”
She snapped back at me, then lowered her gaze as if she realized she overreacted.
“…You must be disappointed, right? I might look like a proper, perfect girl… but inside, I’m not like that at all…”
Her voice trembled. Tears welled up in her eyes, even though she was trying to keep her usual emotionless expression.
The fear of disappointing others was making her want to cry.
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
“I was a little surprised, sure. But I’m not disappointed or anything.”
It’s true that she looks graceful, and maybe she has a noble background, but I’m not the kind of guy who judges people based on appearances.
Even so, she didn’t seem to believe me. She rubbed her eyes and muttered softly, almost crying, “That can’t be true…”
I let out a small sigh and gave her the gentlest smile I could manage.
“I kinda get how you feel. Back in elementary school, I was scared of letting people down too.”
“…What do you mean?”
“My family runs a well-known karate dojo in our town. Since I was the son of the master, everyone expected me to be strong. I always got into fights, or had to stop bullies, even though I didn’t like fighting at all. But I felt like I had no choice. I didn’t want to let people down. So I kept getting hurt trying to meet their expectations.”
I gave a dry laugh.
It wasn’t the worst part of my life. I was kind of happy to be called a hero back then. But still, I never want to go back to that kind of life.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone what happened—no matter how much money you offer. …And, well, this might sound a little cheesy, but don’t push yourself too hard. Even if you’re not the perfect girl everyone thinks you are, there will still be people who accept you.”
“…There’s no one like that.”
“There’s at least me. After seeing the real you… I actually think you’re kind of charming.”
The words slipped out.
And I instantly regretted it.
It sounded way too smooth, like something a handsome guy in a romance manga would say. I only meant to comfort her a little, but now my face was burning with embarrassment. I quickly opened the tea bottle and took a big gulp to cool myself down.
“…Really?”
That small, quiet voice stopped me from drinking.
Senpai slowly stood up from the sofa and got down on the floor.
She crawled toward me like a baby, her eyes wide with hope and fear.
“Do you… really think that?”
Her golden eyes shimmered with tears, and she leaned in so close that I could feel her warm breath. Her soft chest gently pressed against me, making my heart race even faster.
Her heavy breathing filled the small six-tatami room, and I swallowed hard.
[TLN: A tatami is a traditional Japanese mat used as flooring in rooms. It’s made from woven straw and has a standard size.
When a room is described as
“I-I really do…!”
I managed to squeeze the words out as I backed away slightly.
But the more I pulled back, the more she came closer. Her jewel-like eyes stared into mine, and I swear my face was hotter than ever.
“…I see.”
Maybe she realized that I wasn’t lying. A gentle smile finally bloomed on senpai’s face.
“──…Thank you. I’m really happy.”
She smiled brightly, showing her perfect white teeth.
It wasn’t the usual graceful, elegant smile I’d seen from her.
This one was innocent. Pure. Like a boyish grin full of energy.
A smile as bright and warm as the sun.
It felt like I’d finally touched a piece of her true self.
And for some reason, that made me… really happy, too.
“By the way… what’s your name?”
“Ah—sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Itomori Kaname. Second-year university student.”
“Itomori-kun, huh? I’ll remember it. I’m—oh, looks like it’s time.”
She said that a bit shyly and stood up.
“Thanks for letting me stay so late. I should get going now.”
“In that case, I’ll call you a taxi. The last train’s probably gone already.”
“No need. I already had a car waiting outside.”
Just to be safe, I walked her out of the apartment.
Right in front of the building, there was a car waiting.
I had never seen a car like that before. I don’t know much about cars, but even I could tell—it was a limousine.
A chauffeur in a fancy uniform stepped out and opened the door for her.
She climbed into the back and gave me a small wave.
“…Senpai really is rich, huh.”
I let out a soft sigh as the limo disappeared into the dark night.
It was the last day of Golden Week.
Though it ended in such a chaotic way… it was way better than spending it alone.
But I can’t get the wrong idea.
If I start thinking I can get close to her… I’ll end up getting seriously hurt.
The world she lives in is totally different from mine.
What happened tonight was like a shooting star suddenly crashing into my life—something that shouldn’t have happened.
I was sure this would be the first and last time I’d ever talk to her.
At the time, I truly believed that.
◆
The next day.
Even though Golden Week was over, my night didn’t change.
The clock showed 8 PM.
I used my streaming service subscription to pick a B-class movie.
On the table were whiskey, cola, and potato chips — the perfect setup.
“All right…”
I started the movie and reached for the whiskey bottle.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and I looked toward the entrance.
“Who could be coming at this hour…?”
I could’ve just ignored it and pretended no one was home, but since I was pretty loud last night, neighbors might have complained. If that’s true, I felt I had to answer, even if it was a hassle.
"Yeah, yeah, I’m coming, hold on."
When I opened the door, my mind filled with question marks.
There stood a beautiful woman with blonde hair and golden eyes. Tennouji Akebi.
She greeted me with the usual emotionless expression I always saw at university. “Good evening.”
“May I come in?”
“Uh? Ah… sure.”
Why was she here?
…Ah, I got it. She probably forgot something.
“If you left something behind, feel free to look for it. I’ll help too.”
“No, it’s not that…”
she sat down on the sofa and took a deep breath.
A sweet, fresh scent spread around the room.
After a few seconds, she finally raised her face. Her eyes blinked, and though her expression stayed stiff, her cheeks flushed slightly.
“I—”
I forgot to pause the movie, and it kept playing.
A loud explosion came from the screen, breaking the silence.
“I’ve fallen in love with Itomori-kun.”
“…………Ha?”
“So, I’ve fallen in love with Itomori-kun.”
She repeated the sentence, but my brain refused to process it.
Inside my head, the universe stretched out, and my consciousness floated somewhere else.
Several seconds of silence passed.
Senpai noticed and waved her hand to ease the mood. “Ah, no, not like that.”
“Even if I say ‘love,’ it’s not like love — it’s more like liking.”
“Liking?”
“Yes. I mean, as a human… something like that. Basically, there’s no deep meaning.”
Whether she said love or like, it meant the same thing.
And the person saying it was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.
I was confused because it was such an exciting moment for me, but suddenly I became calm and furrowed my brows.
“No… Did I do something so Senpai could like me?”
When I asked, Senpai looked surprised and opened her eyes wide.
“Because you saved me from a dangerous situation and accepted my true self. I think it’s impossible not to feel more positively about that, right?”
“Ah, ah…”
“I usually get friend requests from others, but I’ve never asked someone myself. But I really wanted to be friends with Itomori-kun, so I came today.”
In front of many people, she seemed like a princess.
But actually, she was just an ordinary girl.
— I suddenly realized that I was wrong.
When someone wants to be friends, they don’t just go straight to that person’s house.
She was an unmatched beauty and rich. Expecting the same feelings as an ordinary person like me was a mistake.
“I’m glad you think highly of me, but… honestly, I don’t think I’m special. If it wasn’t me, someone else would’ve helped you. And about your acting… I’m sure there’s someone else who would’ve accepted you just the way you are.”
“But the one who saved me was Itomori-kun.”
Senpai’s voice cut off my words.
“My acting too, Itomori-kun was the first to accept it.”
“Even so…”
Her twin jewel-like eyes stared at me, leaving me speechless.
Her beauty and strength instantly colored my chaotic thoughts.
“Talk about ‘if’ or ‘what if’ doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change the fact that Itomori-kun is the coolest to me.”
“Really really cool.”
Even though it was a simple compliment, I’d never received words like that from anyone since elementary school, and it surprised me a lot.
Especially since it was Tennouji Akebi.
My face felt hot and spinning, and I kept coughing to get rid of the feeling.
“…So, um. I want to be your friend… That’s what I’m thinking.”
She looked at me with weak eyes.
Though her courage was on a different level, in this case, she was just like anyone else.
When I first entered university, I remembered how hard I tried to adapt.
Just like how I used to be, Senpai must have pushed herself to take that first step.
“…I understand that feeling. But I’ve never had friends since elementary school. Is that okay?”
I didn’t mean to reject her.
But my social skills were really poor.
I couldn’t promise that spending time with me would be fun. Honestly, I might just make her uncomfortable.
“What’s the problem?”
She furrowed her brow as if she didn’t understand.
“If I’m the only friend Itomori-kun has, that only benefits me. Does that mean we can always be together?”
Her gaze was honest and serious, not flattery.
This was the first time I was asked so sincerely, and my face flushed, making me a little dizzy.
Still, I tried to stay calm and said, “Y-yeah.”
“So, does that mean we’re friends now?”
“Yes… I guess so…?”
After I answered, Senpai said “Thank you” and bowed politely.
“All right, let’s toast to celebrate our friendship.”
“Is that okay? You said when you’re drunk, your true self comes out.”
“If it’s just in front of you, Itomori-kun, I think it’s okay. I want to relax a bit too. This ‘role’ I always play has stuck to me so much that I can’t really act like myself anymore. Even my face feels stiff,” she said, pinching her cheek and giving a puzzled little frown.
It looked kind of weird, but I heard some actors really get stuck in character like that in movies or plays.
“Then allow me to serve up tonight’s special—cola cocktails. Sound good”
“Yeah. Please.”
I grabbed a glass for Senpai and poured whiskey and cola to make a cocktail.
After that, I put the glass in front of her and sat on the floor as before.
She then tapped the spot next to her, as if asking me to sit beside her.
The two-seater sofa I always used alone.
When I nervously sat beside her, I felt a bit uncomfortable but also comforted by her close warmth.
“Um, so… cheers.”
“Cheers.”
The sound of glasses clinking echoed loudly as we touched glasses.
“This is my first time drinking, but it tastes good. Sweet and fizzy.”
She sipped from the glass with both hands, like a princess savoring a royal drink. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Maybe she liked the taste, because before I knew it, her glass was already empty.
I quickly made a second glass and gave it to her; she drank almost half in one gulp.
Is this okay…?
The alcohol content in this cola cocktail was about ten percent. That’s almost twice the alcohol in regular beer.
She was drinking pretty fast.
Senpai’s cheeks were already a bit red, and her eyes were starting to lose focus.
When I looked at her face with concern, she gave me a smile so soft and sweet, it felt like my heart was melting.
…This is bad.
My heart almost stopped. She was too cute…
While I was mesmerized, Senpai kept drinking from her glass with a “gulp gulp” sound.
“By the way, what’s the title of the movie playing now?”
“This? ‘Alien VS Giant Octopus,’ a B-class movie.”
“Eh, alien…? Is it interesting?”
“Not really. But if you watch it while drinking, it can be really funny.”
“Eh… is there really a movie like that…?”
Senpai stared seriously at the screen.
This kind of movie usually isn’t accepted well by the public.
Besides, it was entertainment far from the world of a girl like Senpai.
“Should we change the movie? There’s anime, dramas, or variety shows too.”
“No, I want to know what Itomori-kun likes. We’re friends, right?”
Although she clearly didn’t like it, she tried to hide it by drinking alcohol.
Maybe she felt disappointed because our hobbies didn’t match.
If she ended up disliking me or found something odd about me, there was nothing I could do about it.
Forcing similarity wouldn’t be good for both of us.
She probably didn’t want that either.
“All right, rather than starting from the middle, let’s start from the beginning.”
When I asked for confirmation, Senpai made an awkward face but didn’t refuse.
Though reluctant, she nodded.
***
Two hours later.
“Haha, ahahaha! This is crazy, what the heck is this?!”
“Wait, wait! Hehehe! My stomach hurts, I can’t anymore…!”
“Wow, Senpai, the octopus won! Yay!”
“No, no, no!! Don’t make me laugh anymore… fugu, ahahaha!!”
With her princess act washed away by the alcohol, Senpai and I ended up drunk, our faces flushed red.
We ended up getting along so well that we laughed out loud, one hand pointing at the screen, the other clutching our drinks.
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