Chapter 476 So-called Double Standards
“Ah, this is acceptable. However, if it goes against what Kiyomizu-san is willing to do, I won’t help you.” Satō Shin’ichi had already anticipated that Yamameda Asada would have a lot to say. He was aware that his friend had a crush on Mai Shinomiyai.
In fact, most of the boys in the class harbored feelings for this beautiful, mysterious young lady who seemed to possess an aura of enigma. What Shin’ichi hadn’t expected was that Yamameda would actually plan to make a move.
However, reconsidering, he recalled Kazumi mentioning that Mai Shinomiyai was currently without a boyfriend. Given this, there wasn’t much reason to refuse his friend’s request. As long as it didn’t involve anything excessive, Shin’ichi was quite willing to help Asada Yamameda.
“How could I possibly do anything excessive? It’s because, Shin’ichi, you are the only boy Mai Shinomiyai has a relatively close relationship with. If you’re by my side to help, I’m sure I can win over Kiyomizu-san!”
After receiving Shin’ichi’s affirmative response, Asada Yamameda became full of fighting spirit. He struck a confident pose, expressing his determination. Then, with renewed vigor, he shifted the conversation back.
“Then, let’s consider this matter settled. As for the issue between you and Shimizu-san, it depends on what you truly think.”
“What I think?”
“Big bro, it’s you who is angry, not your girlfriend. From Shimizu-san’s perspective, her boyfriend, whom she usually has a good relationship with, suddenly left her and went home without a word. Anyone would be upset about that. You have to give her an explanation.”
Looking helplessly at the golden-haired youth who was completely confused, Asada Yamameda couldn’t figure out what he was so upset about. However, seeing that he was willing to act as a wingman, Yamameda Asada earnestly tried to explain.
“Then I can just directly talk to Kazumi about this matter?” Satō Shin’ichi finally understood Yamameda Asada’s well-intentioned advice. After a moment of thought about his previous thoughts, he asked.
“No, that’s too sudden. Besides, this matter of yours is a bit preposterous. Shin’ichi, what were you thinking? Although our classmates enjoy the gossip, Shimizu-san had no excessive interactions with those two upperclassmen. For you to be angry about such a thing, aren’t you being a bit too petty?”
Satō Shin’ichi finally started to grasp the situation, and Yamameda Asada showed a relieved expression. Then, he asked a question that was on his mind at that moment.
“I just feel a little… uncomfortable.” The golden-haired youth lowered his head, deep in thought for a moment, and replied hesitantly with a complicated expression.
“Elaborate.” Yamameda Asada gracefully exited his high-blood-pressure state and switched to gossip mode, eagerly consuming this fresh gossip directly from the person involved.
“Because, as you know, Kazumi rarely interacts with others. Then suddenly today, these few people appeared, and they were all upperclassmen. I just felt something was wrong in my heart, and it made me uncomfortable.”
“I feel like, compared to the others around Kazumi, I don’t have anything particularly outstanding. But I don’t know how to tell Kazumi, so it ended up like this.” Thinking that he had come for this very reason, Satō Shin’ichi no longer hesitated and began to express his most genuine feelings. However, to Yamameda Asada, his voice seemed to get quieter and quieter, almost inaudible by the end.
“You…” Yamameda Asada was also a bit surprised by the youth’s words. He hadn’t expected that his friend, who always appeared confident and sunny, had such an insecure side when it came to romance. Looking at Satō Shin’ichi’s troubled face, Yamameda patted him on the shoulder and said.
“Shin’ichi, it’s indeed going too far to lose confidence in Shimizu-san, or rather, in the relationship between you two, because of something like this.”
“Fortunately, Shimizu-san doesn’t know about this matter for now. Otherwise, tsk tsk tsk, there would definitely be a huge scene.”
“I just… how is it serious?” The content of what Yamameda Asada said caused a flicker of concern on Satō Shin’ichi’s face. He stood up and asked gravely.
“Ah, don’t get agitated, sit down first.” Satō Shin’ichi sat down on the futon. Yamameda organized his thoughts and continued.
“Let’s look at it from another angle. Do you think Kiyomizu-san is excellent?”
“Shinomiyai? She’s very excellent. She’s beautiful, her grades and personality are good, and she comes from a good family too.” Although he didn’t quite understand why Yamameda Asada was asking this question, Satō Shin’ichi answered based on his impression of Mai Shinomiyai.
“Hmm, to be honest, from my perspective, the way you interact with other excellent individuals like Kiyomizu-san is far more excessive than what you’re worried about now. Has Shimizu-san ever been angry with you about this matter?” Yamameda Asada thoughtfully analyzed.
“Not at all! Shinomiyai and I only know each other for a long time because of our families’ connections. It’s just a friendship, how could it be…”
“Aren’t Shimizu-san and those two upperclassmen also just friends? I remember Shimizu-san is a student council member, so it’s normal to interact with President Kurokawa. As for the student from the Hero Department, I don’t know him well, but you definitely know him much better than I do, and Shimizu-san would have told you about it. I’m not wrong, am I?”
“That’s right.” Hearing words he couldn’t refute, Satō Shin’ichi could only nod in agreement.
“Then, your usual interactions, like talking whenever you have nothing to do, explaining problems to each other, and greeting each other every day, aren’t they more excessive than Shimizu-san’s normal interactions with others? Not to mention, it’s the first time we’ve seen that upperclassman.”
“But…”
“Stop being so hesitant. You are maintaining relationships with other people of the opposite sex while secretly not wanting your partner to interact with others. Satō Shin’ichi, think carefully, aren’t your actions a bit too much of a double standard?”
“I believe Shimizu-san definitely knows about your friendship with Kiyomizu-san, but she chose to trust you and trust the feelings between you. And you, what are you doing? Getting emotional over the slightest disturbance, unreasonably angry with your girlfriend over such a matter?”
“Let me tell you, if you can’t properly adjust this possessiveness brought on by your first love, the relationship between you two will absolutely not be healthy. Right now, Shimizu-san is silently enduring, but there will come a day when she can’t take it anymore, and the final result will only be separation.”
The earth-shattering words exploded in Satō Shin’ichi’s ears. His initially defiant expression gradually faded, replaced by a look of worry and contemplation. Finally, he lowered his head, sinking into another round of deep thought.
