I am that male friend in the harem story-Chapter 296: White Lies

"Oh?"

While Tobe didn't feel surprised by Hiratsuka's sudden appearance, inwardly, he wondered whether she had stood outside the club, listening to their conversation. Still, even if the soundproofing of the room wasn't so good, the volume when they talked wasn't so loud that it could be heard from the outside with the door of the club closed.

"What's wrong, Hiratsuka-sensei?"

Still, before he agreed, Yukinoshita looked at Hiratsuka in wonder, wondering what Hiratsuka wanted to do with her boyfriend.

This was a normal question, especially when she was just cornered about her boyfriend, yet for Hiratsuka, this was weird, as it was her first time seeing Yukinoshita show her concern to someone else.

"You seem to be concerned about him, Yukinoshita?"

Despite this, what Hiratsuka planned to do as a teacher was to lead Yukinoshita out of that room.

Not to become like a blue bird that was kept inside a cage and kept as a pet, but to become a free bird that soared into the blue sky, gaining her freedom and companionship.

With Tobe, Hiratsuka felt that this was possible. Instead, she felt that it was better for him to go out with someone of her age.

The difference of more than ten years was a lot after all.

If a man dated someone younger than him, even decades younger than them, everyone would just look at him enviously.

Yet, what if it was the other way around, and it was different because of how a woman is seen when she dates someone more than a decade younger than her?

In the eyes of society, how would it be seen?

Even worse, he was her student, and she was his teacher, so using that dating reward as a moment, she thought to reject him. Yes, he was handsome and was also her type, as she could see that he showed his effort to become better, yet the reality was like this, and for her, who had encountered the harshness of society, she felt that this was the best.

Yet even though this was how she felt, it felt tight when she saw him close to another and quickly moved on, it made her unexpectedly annoyed, and even a slight anger also existed.

Was his love for her just like that?

It quickly disappeared, vanished, like a flickering flame of a candle that died out with just a weak breeze?

She thought so, and she even wondered whether it was even possible for her to marry someone.

Regardless, if Yukinoshita could come out of her cocoon and fly as she had someone who could support her, then as a teacher, shouldn't Hiratsuka support that?

Still, on that question, Yukinoshita was a bit embarrassed to say that she had just decided to date Tobe, yet, for her, who never thought to lie and never felt that it was something that she should hide, was about to say their true relationship, but—

"You really came at the weird time, Sensei. Is it not possible to talk after school?"

"It won't take a long time."

"Then, we should talk quickly."

"Okay."

As Hiratsuka agreed, Tobe looked at Yukinoshita and said, "You should go back first."

"Um..."

Still, as the two left, Yukinoshita stared at them for a moment, feeling that their relationship was a bit weird, yet when she thought of their status, she felt that nothing had happened, right?

"...you have become so close to Yukinoshita."

"Are you jealous?"

"Don't tease your teacher." Hiratsuka wanted to knock Tobe's head, but her wrist was caught by him. His hand was strong and large, she thought, and this gesture made her face reddened. "Let go."

Tobe just let go of her wrist, following her wish, yet this made her feel slightly conflicted.

Still, taking a deep breath, Hiratsuka said, "It's good that you have become close with Yukinoshita."

"I tried to become her friend."

Tobe tried to become Yukinoshita's friend, but in the end, he became her boyfriend. Still, he felt that while it might seem kind of sneaky, it was better to say that later, especially when a huge misunderstanding existed between the two.

Sighing inwardly, he felt a bit of regret for playing with Hiratsuka's feelings, although it was all due to her teasing.

Frankly, he had never expected that their relationship would become so complex, and it was also because of this that he knew that he shouldn't mention his current relationship with Yukinoshita.

He knew well that Hiratsuka had rejected him, yet for him to move on so quickly like this, how would she feel?

Then again, as Hiratsuka had rejected him, it shouldn't be a problem, right?

Yet, somehow, with his emotional intelligence, how could he just leave a bitter taste in Hiratsuka's heart?

The heart of a woman who was about to reach 30 was fragile, and a slight shock might have her do something extreme, or make her into a virgin woman till menopause.

Sighing inwardly, if Hiratsuka was a bit girly, then it wouldn't happen, but Tobe knew well that despite her beautiful face, she was like a young boy who got groggy in front of love, and instead of facing her feelings bravely, she would run away.

"Then, be there for her."

Tobe wanted to say something, but he held it since he knew well that despite Yukinoshita's bravado and bold confession, everything Yukinoshita did took all of her courage and the willingness to trust someone.

If he destroyed that trust, probably, Yukinoshita's reaction would be even worse than Hiratsuka's.

'Love is troublesome.'

Love gave power, yet it was also the most lethal weapon that humanity had ever created, since a single injury, sometimes, would lead to death.

Yet—

"Sensei, I..."

The sound of the ringing bell stopped his words.

"Oh, it's your time for the class. You should go. Also, let's talk later about our trip. I have a class, so I need to hurry."

Waving her hand, Hiratsuka quickly ran away by making an excuse, but Tobe was angry.

"Didn't I tell you that we should talk after the class? I will be late, too!"

"....." Hiratsuka.

Regardless, Tobe also needed to go back to his class as soon as possible, but on his way, he met Yukinoshita. "Huh? You haven't gone back?"

"I just said "um." I never said that I agreed to go back."

"....." Tobe.

"Let's go back together, then. You might be okay since you are a good student and the teacher will forgive you easily, but if I am late, I will be punished."

Yukinoshita giggled as she showed a sweet smile at him. "Then, do your best to be in the top ten ranks on the exam later!"

In other words, she wanted him to take her on a date!

"I will."

Regardless, with this, everything was solved, and Tobe knew that he could just focus on his new girlfriend, but then again, as expected, when he arrived at his class, he was late.

Fortunately—

"I am sorry, Sensei. My stomach hurt before."

Tobe was good at making white lies.

Still, when the class finished, Hayama, Yumiko, and the rest wanted to ask Tobe about his relationship with Yukinoshita, a petite, cute girl, followed by another beautiful girl with sharp features, who came to the entrance of their class.

"Tobe-kun!"

Waving her hand, as always, Maaya showed her brightest smile.