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V6 Chapter 20: Love Rival
🕑 Added 2025-07-06 12:23:27 +0000 UTC(OST: Shorekeeper Deep "Astrum Unicum" OST)
"Haru…"
Chihaya Anon froze in place the moment she realized she had been caught by Kazami Haru in a place like this. Clutching her suitcase tightly, she looked at the dark-haired boy before her in disbelief. That familiar smile, one she had come to rely on so deeply, was once again right there in front of her.
The scene felt surreal, like something from the endless illusion of her dreams...
The girl with cherry blossom-colored hair down to her waist stared blankly at him. The moment they met eyes, her tiny fists clenched without a sound, and her tightly pressed lips seemed to be struggling to hold back the trembling in her heart.
Those crystal-gray eyes that always sparkled were now misted over with a transparent film of tears.
Shrinking slightly, Anon instinctively lowered her gaze, unable to meet Haru's eyes. She wanted to hide, but there was nowhere to run in this wide-open airport. All she could do was summon every ounce of willpower to hold back the emotions threatening to spill from her chest.
"W-why are you here, Haru?"
Her voice trembled as she stammered out the question, emotions long buried surfacing with every word.
"Of course I came to find you. Do you think I showed up at Narita Airport because I'm heading overseas?"
Even though Anon kept her head down, too afraid to look up at him, Haru could clearly see her expression.
That pouty look, her lips pressed tight to hold back tears, gave away all her thoughts. If he took his eyes off her for even a second, she'd probably burst into tears like a helpless little kitten.
She was so adorably clueless. Didn't Anon-san realize she couldn't hide her feelings at all?
Now that he'd finally caught her, the weight on Haru's chest finally lifted.
Though his head still throbbed with occasional dizziness, he maintained a confident smile in front of Anon as if nothing was wrong.
It had been worth it. The taxi driver really did speed for ten minutes to get him to the airport just in time to prepare for this.
He just needed to wait at the ticket gate, and sure enough, he would run straight into this runaway pink-haired fool.
"You even went out of your way to hide it from me? You dumb pink head!"
Haru stepped forward and gently took Anon's soft hand in his, making sure she couldn't slip away. That single act, meant to stop her escape, shattered the fragile hope still clinging to her heart. Her sharp little canine bit into the corner of her lip, drawing blood.
The sting of pain snapped her back from the gentleness he radiated.
Her eyes shimmered with longing and hesitation, but she still shook her head firmly, pushing her feelings back down. Her usually delicate voice sounded hoarse.
She nervously shifted her trapped left hand and spoke, voice barely audible.
"…I have my reasons for doing this. Deciding to study abroad was something I chose after talking things over with my family… I'll explain everything to you and everyone else later, and I'll apologize. But I have to board the plane now… so, so please…"
"If I miss this chance, I might never find the courage to go abroad again."
That was enough. If she just did this, everything would be fine.
Even if it was a pitiful, cowardly lie, as long as she got on that plane, it didn't matter.
If she failed to leave now, if she stayed by Haru's side then the courage she had fought so hard to build would vanish. If he remained close, she knew she would waver, become too soft to leave.
She had barely managed to bury those burning feelings for him deep inside her.
If those repressed emotions were triggered now—
"Anon, is that really what you want?"
Haru didn't let go, even as Anon tried to brush off the lie. With the slightest pressure from his right hand, he could feel how cold and lifeless her fingers were.
"If you've truly decided to pursue what you want, then I'll let go."
The moment she heard those words, Anon felt her heart skip a beat. His serious black eyes etched themselves into her soul, and all the color drained from her face.
The heat in her body vanished in an instant. Her limbs felt numb, as though her blood had turned to ice.
But even so, Chihaya Anon knew that no matter what, she couldn't let herself falter now.
She had to say it. She had to force the words out.
"That's right, it was my own decision…"
Her voice was hoarse, desperately trying to stay calm, like an old, rusted bell wrapped in cotton. No matter how much it struggled, it could only produce a faint sound. As soon as she got the words out, her mind went completely blank.
She quietly felt the grip of Kazami Haru's hand around hers begin to loosen.
It was over...
But in the next instant, the hand that had let go gripped hers again.
"Just kidding. No matter what happens, I'm not letting go."
The handsome black-haired boy wore a smug, mischievous smile, and the courage Anon had barely managed to summon shattered all over again. Her pupils shrank, her heart thudded as though something had struck it hard, and all the love she had tried to lock away began to slip through the cracks.
This time, she couldn't hold it back.
"You're an idiot, Haru!"
"Why did you come looking for me… I was so close to leaving! I just wanted to get away from you, I finally found the courage, so why did you have to grab me!"
"What am I supposed to do now, huh… What am I supposed to do now…"
Big, clear tears streamed down the pale corners of her eyes. Already swollen from crying, her eyes now looked even more pitiful, and in a matter of seconds, her entire adorable face was soaked in tears.
She raised her tiny fists and lightly pounded Haru's chest, then buried her head hard against him, soaking the brand-new shirt he hadn't even removed the tags from yet with snot and tears.
But Haru simply furrowed his brow slightly and held the pink-haired girl gently in his arms, one hand stroking her soft hair that shimmered like a romance.
"Besides, your lying skills are terrible."
"None of your business!"
Anon wiped her tears aggressively on Haru's chest like she was venting her frustration. She kept crying and complaining, letting all the pain and sorrow she had bottled up come pouring out.
Her tears drenched a wide patch of his chest in no time at all.
Now Haru finally understood what people meant when they said girls were made of water.
The engine's roar filled the air, and through the glass, the pure white plane had already begun to move.
Its massive wings lifted it slowly off the ground, slicing through the sky like a blade and refracting sunlight through the clouds into a dazzling prism.
As the plane vanished into the sky, it seemed to carry away the last of Anon's stubbornness, leaving behind only the vast, magnificent blue.
"It's gone…"
Chihaya Anon looked dazed, the weight she had been carrying for so long now fully released after crying her heart out. But even as she stood there, she remembered something far more urgent.
What about the bet she made with Kita-chan?
In the end, she just couldn't give up on Kazami Haru.
The memories of spending every day with him might have been nothing more than a "dream," but Anon knew without a doubt that her feelings weren't. Even without those dreams, she would have fallen for him anyway.
That was something no one could change.
"I missed the flight, and it's all your fault, Haru. You have to take responsibility… You're responsible!!"
"You're really saying that?"
Before she could react, Anon felt herself being pulled forward, her left hand now tightly clasped with his. And then his familiar, handsome face drew close to hers.
Her eyes widened.
It was a scene she had imagined a thousand times, but when fantasy finally became reality, the intensity overwhelmed her.
Her knees gave out, and she melted into his arms as he kissed her again and again.
It lasted a long time.
When Haru finally pulled away, his expression looked a bit stiff. This had, after all, been the first time he'd taken such initiative.
He hadn't expected lively, cheerful Anon to go so quiet in a moment like this. Since the kiss, she had done nothing but blush and stare at him with dazed, glassy eyes. She hadn't said a word.
She was like a gentle little pink puppy curled in his arms.
"I… I…"
Anon's mind was completely blank. She couldn't get any words out. But her heart was pounding so wildly it felt like it might leap out of her chest at any second.
The sweetness of it all was dizzying, almost like being drunk.
"Was that enough?"
Seeing her all flushed and dazed, Haru chuckled and reached out to wipe the last of her tears from the corners of her eyes with a fingertip.
That was quite the payback.
Back when Anon had been sick and loopy, she'd stolen his first kiss out of nowhere. So maybe this counted as a retaliation against the infuriating pink-head?
They'd already kissed anyway, so Haru had no reason to be shy about it now. In fact, seeing her panting softly made him feel like he'd finally gotten revenge.
Dizzy from the kiss, Anon's breathing was uneven. She didn't know where to put her hands.
Now she really had no excuse to back out, did she?
Her heart, overwhelmed by emotion, had crowded out all thought. The love she'd kept inside burst forth at last.
Even after he let go, she reached up and lightly tugged on Haru's collar, her eyes still hazy as she spoke.
"Haru… I want more…"
You greedy little pink devil… guess I'll just have to handle this myself!
But Haru didn't lose his head. He took a deep breath and steadied himself.
Looking at her still-dazed expression, he reached out and pinched her cheek, speaking with mock irritation.
"Nooope."
"Not until you explain everything properly."
Only then did Anon start to come back to her senses. Her cheeks puffed out in a pout, making her look like a grumpy little dumpling.
"…That's not fair!"
Her eyes still swollen, Anon furrowed her delicate brows. Her lips pursed, and a sparkle lit up in her eyes. Then, in a moment of defiant recklessness, she opened her mouth and bared her tiny, adorable fangs.
She suddenly bit his hand.
"Ah—! You really bit me?!"
"Why not!?"
After venting all her frustration, Chihaya Anon felt nothing but sweet warmth blooming in her chest. Even the playful pout on her face couldn't hide her lingering smile.
She never expected that her stiff, tsundere boyfriend could be so bold. She had been all ready to make a loser's exit like a defeated male lion leaves, but instead she ended up stealing her boyfriend's first kiss. At this point, her victory felt all but sealed.
Did she beat Kita-chan to the punch?
The thought made her brows furrow slightly.
That's when she remembered her bet with Ikuyo-san. She had promised to back away from Haru, yet here she was deepening her relationship with him. That meant she had broken their agreement, all on her own.
Anon was suddenly overwhelmed with guilt and remorse.
"The truth is, I had a reason for wanting to study abroad…"
She then explained the entire bet between her and Kita, leaving nothing out. She even confessed that Kita had feelings for Haru too, without a second thought.
To her surprise, Haru just nodded calmly, not looking the least bit shocked.
In fact, he seemed almost too composed.
"I kinda figured something like that was going on. But I didn't expect you, of all people, to actually try and run off to another country."
"Who are you calling stupid?!"
Pouting fiercely, Anon bumped her forehead against his chest in protest, but he just reached out and pinched her soft cheek, instantly deflating her.
After finally settling his dumb pink-haired girlfriend down, Haru let out a long sigh, then spoke with a complicated tone.
"Actually, I was in the middle of a date with Ikuyo. But I suddenly got a message from Tomori about you and she figured it out too."
"So once she found out what was happening… she didn't hesitate at all. She told me to come find you."
His words left Anon speechless.
"Huh? So that means…"
She hadn't expected that. Even after setting such a serious bet with her, Kita had chosen to give up the date she'd planned so carefully, just to send Haru to her side.
Kita-chan, you dummy!
If she had just let Anon leave, she could've won. She would've had Haru all to herself.
A storm of thoughts swirled in Anon's heart. As her friend, Kita Ikuyo understood her so well and Anon understood her just as clearly.
That's what made this so painful and complicated.
Unlike Kita, who had openly played fair and was willing to give up her win, Anon had played dirty. She had taken advantage of her friend's kindness and snatched away someone precious.
It wasn't just shameful. It was downright despicable.
Chihaya Anon figured she was never as bad as a certain chestnut-haired fox, but even so, she felt a little sick with herself.
Finally, she took a breath and made up her mind. "...Haru, you have to make up that date with Kita-chan, okay?"
If Kita Ikuyo could go that far, then Chihaya Anon would do the same.
Worst case, she'd just share her boyfriend. She wasn't selfish enough to keep him all to herself.
"Haru! It's not just Kita-chan… Tomori-chan and Soyo-chan like you too!"
"Actually, about that…"
Seeing the serious look on her face, Haru let out another sigh and took the chance to explain everything about Tomori and the others.
Anon, who had assumed she'd finally beaten that scheming little fox Nagasaki Soyo, could only gape.
What?
So… she was actually the last one to fall for him?
Unacceptable, unacceptable, unacceptable! The sheer indignation puffed up her cheeks again as she glared at her hopelessly flirtatious boyfriend.
Frustrated beyond words, Chihaya Anon shoved Haru onto a chair and smothered him with kisses until she was breathless.
Originally, she was willing to share with just Kita Ikuyo. Maybe she'd stretch that to include sweet, innocent little Tomori…
But this? This was way too much! What was she supposed to do now?!
"Ugh… Haru, you playboy!"
Gripping Haru's collar, Anon pouted fiercely. Her head was spinning from all these revelations.
Once, she would have flat-out refused such a ridiculous, womanizing idea. But now that she'd experienced what it felt like to lose him, she knew she never wanted to feel that heartbreak again.
No matter what, she was never leaving this tsundere playboy's side again.
But that didn't mean she was okay with everything!
Anon leaned in and gave him a small bite on the neck. Not too hard, just enough to leave a mark. Her voice, hoarse from crying, carried a strong tone of protest.
"You still owe me that aquarium date, Haru! You have to spend the whole day with me!"
"You're not allowed to hang out with any other girls that day, especially Soyo!"
Speaking of which, when did that sly fox Nagasaki Soyo make her move? Anon was supposed to be keeping tabs on her at all times!
Soyo was the one girl Anon absolutely couldn't tolerate. That pure-hearted villain was clearly just after Haru's body!
…
"I'm home!"
"Eh?! Anon-chan?"
Back at home, Chihaya Anon kicked off her little leather shoes and stepped straight onto the wooden floor in her white stockings, her long legs barely slowing down as she sprinted toward her room.
Mrs. Chihaya stood there, stunned. Her daughter had left earlier looking like she was about to burst into tears yet here she was, back already?
That girl's mood swings were way too fast!
Chihaya Anon had no idea what her mother might be thinking. As soon as she got back to her room, she quickly opened LINE and searched for Kita Ikuyo's account. In no time at all, her message was sent.
[Ultimate High School Guitar-Vocal: Are you there?]
Buzz~
Back at home herself, Kita Ikuyo blinked in surprise when she saw the message. She had just heard from Kazami Haru that Anon had been stopped at the airport, and now here she was, messaging her right after getting home?
"Is Anon-chan… trying to talk to me about it now?"
At this point, the relationships between both Anon and Ikuyo with Kazami Haru had completely changed. Once rivals in love, they were also close, inseparable friends.
Now, they both understood the situation clearly, and could finally speak to each other with complete honesty.
[Kita kita: Anon-chan, is something wrong?]
[Ultimate High School Guitar-Vocal: I just got home. There's something I wanted to talk to Kita-chan about~]
[Kita kita: Is it about Haru?]
"Of course it's about that~"
Lying on her bed with her white-stockinged legs swinging, Anon raised an eyebrow confidently, a triumphant smirk tugging at her lips.
[Ultimate High School Guitar-Vocal: I was all ready to just walk away, but once Haru grabbed me, I couldn't move at all... and I realized I just can't let go of my feelings for him.]
[If I had run away like some pathetic loser, I know I would've regretted it for the rest of my life.]
Thinking about that miserable future, a faint sadness clouded Anon's lovely face.
"So that's what happened, huh~"
A soft glow flickered in Kita Ikuyo's eyes. She gently furrowed her brows and smiled, ready to reply.
As someone who deeply understood what it meant to lose someone, she didn't want her friend to suffer that same kind of pain over a hasty decision.
[Kita-chan, I really want to thank you.]
"Eh?! Anon-chan…"
Ikuyo hadn't expected a sudden thank-you. Her vibrant, sprout-colored eyes shimmered with confusion. Just a normal, sweet girl at heart, she was completely flustered.
[I know it was you who told Haru to come after me, right?]
[…I didn't really do anything! You don't need to thank me at all!]
As the screen began to flood with stickers and emojis, Anon couldn't help but let out a giggle, then continued tapping away at her phone.
[Actually, thanking you was only part of the reason I wanted to talk. There's something even more important!]
Something more important?
Kita Ikuyo blinked in confusion, sensing that something serious was coming.
[Ultimate High School Guitar-Vocal: Kita-chan, have you ever thought about the future… with Haru?]
"The future…"
Hearing that, Kita Ikuyo's expression turned thoughtful. Both girls now fully understood the kind of person they were in love with.
They knew everything about each other now. Once rivals, now allies... They were no longer separated by distance or secrets. They were teammates who could be completely trusted.
And now, they were on the same side.
Seeing that Ikuyo hadn't responded for a while, Anon decided to continue being honest.
[If it's with you, Kita-chan, I'd be willing to help you and Haru grow closer as a couple.]
[But let's be real, Haru's going to attract more girls. Sooner or later, some sexy 'brown-haired fox' is bound to show up just thirsting for him. Even now, he's already got quite a few around him. So as comrades, we have to team up and reduce the number of future love rivals as much as possible!]
After all, the more people there were, the more their love would be split.
Since it was clear the "harem route" was inevitable, the only thing they could do was carve out as much space for themselves as possible.
At that moment, an image popped into Kita Ikuyo's mind. Blue hair and golden eyes, a cold, distant stare.
If someone like Ryo-senpai with her icy, aloof personality got serious, it wasn't impossible she'd make Haru dump everyone else and keep only her.
If things ever turned out that way...
[Kita kita: Got it!]
Forming an alliance with someone as trustworthy as Anon was all gain and no loss for Kita.
"Anon-chan!"
Seeing that they had reached a mutual understanding, Anon's eyes lit up. With Kita's agreement, the weight in her chest finally eased. Remembering the way Kita had helped Haru reach her, Anon took a deep breath and smiled.
[Ultimate High School Guitar-Vocal: So, as a show of good faith, I'll help out with your next date with Haru!]
[Kita kita: Th-then I'm counting on you!]
Seeing that message, Kita Ikuyo couldn't help but get a little flustered, covering her face shyly. Good thing Anon couldn't see her through the screen. If she did, she'd have no idea how to explain herself.
Meanwhile, Anon was still basking in the success of their "Anti-Fox Alliance," but the next second, something struck her.
She furrowed her brows, took a deep breath, and began furiously tapping her phone again.
Tap tap tap…
The rapid clicks echoed the urgency in her heart.
[Ultimate High School Guitar-Vocal: Of course… the final step, Kita-chan, you can't do yet!]
There was a long pause. Just as Anon started wondering why there was no reply, Kita finally sent a single cat-thumbs-up sticker.
Wait, what?!
Did that mean Kita really was thinking about doing that?!
