Chapter 94: Restriction [side Osada Ai]
And then, the next day after school.
Tomonaga brought Kuzu-kun along.
I had both the gal and the honors student join me as well, and we all sat in to listen to Tomonaga and Kuzu-kun as a couple.
I'd already heard most of it from Tomonaga, but just in case, I decided to hear Kuzu-kun's side too.
...Well, just as I imagined, the rumors about Kuzu-kun had really spread, huh?
It's like he's sitting on a bed of needles.
When I asked, "Kuzu-kun, do you have any idea why?"...
Kuzu-kun: "...When it comes to the boys, maybe it's because of stuff with girls? I might be getting some backlash?"
So he says.
From the start, Kuzu-kun's always put on a good face for girls, but he's a guy with no male friends.
He's good-looking and, while not very smart, I've heard he's pretty active in the tennis club.
He acts nice to a lot of girls, so he's popular, but he's also got a playboy vibe, so there are girls who avoid him—a real love-him-or-hate-him prince.
...I don't like him. He's a player, and I could never trust a guy who's always hitting on girls.
I've even seen him hit on Nagase from our old middle school.
...But still, I can't help but feel guilty since I'm the one who introduced him to Tomonaga.
I listened to their story, pretended to think for a moment, then made a suggestion to the two of them.
"I get it. Tomonaga asked me to help, and I see that you're troubled by the rumors, Kuzu-kun. If you can promise me something, maybe I can do something about them?"
The nasty rumors about Kuzu-kun are just overwhelming in both number and variety—so much so you'd think someone was spreading them on purpose.
A scandal between two people who became legendary at the culture festival, and then the actual disgrace of getting suspended.
The more famous you are, the bigger the damage, and it just won't die down.
Kuzu-kun seems to be at his wits' end.
Just looking at this, Tomonaga's got a thicker skin—honestly impressive.
Kuzu-kun grabs my hand like he's clinging to me...
But before he can, whack!! The gal with us smacks his hand away with a ruler.
Gal: "No touching, got it?"
Kuzu-kun: "That's not what I meant!"
There were already some low-key rumors about his womanizing, but this latest batch spread like wildfire.
When I say, "Maybe I could do something about it?" Kuzu-kun latches on.
His face lights up—he keeps asking, "Really? Really?"
But, are you sure? I'm not that much of a pushover, you know?
"So, can you promise me? It's not that hard, really."
Tomonaga: "Yeah, I promise! Just tell us!"
Kuzu-kun: "Yeah, if this could fix things... as long as it's not money or my life or anything..."
What do you think I am?
It's not like I'm some loan shark from a comic...
I stifle a laugh and tell them,
"Alright then—during your time at school, you must 'absolutely' never break up, okay? After graduation is fine, but not before."
They both give me a "Huh?" face.
Tomonaga looks like, "That's all?"
Kuzu-kun looks like, "That's what you're going with?!"
Tomonaga: "...That's really it? You're not telling us to break up?"
"Yeah, if anything, you should stay lovey-dovey. It's better if you're always together."
Tomonaga grins from ear to ear at my answer.
See? That's all? Good for you, Kuzu-kun!
Tomonaga beams at him, and Kuzu-kun gives a wry smile.
Kuzu-kun: "...There's no such thing as 'absolutely' in this world, you know...?"
"That's why I said, during your time at school."
Kuzu-kun's picked up on my intention.
And I push forward, fully aware of that.
The main thing behind these bad rumors about Kuzu-kun is his history with girls.
On top of that, there's failing grades, rumors that the big confession at the culture festival was staged, accusations of improper relationships, stealing Saito-kun's achievements, and other stuff—his track record with girls, the stories about stalking Nagase Aya, and even rumors of sexual misconduct with girls from other schools.
The stories about him stalking Nagase Aya are so detailed and plentiful, it's almost like Nagase Aya herself is spreading them. Like, how does he keep trying after getting rejected so many times?
These bad reputations are a real blow to Kuzu-kun.
With no support from the boys, he absolutely needs support from the girls.
Even after getting together with Tomonaga, except for the girls who still want to date him, his popularity didn't go down—if anything, that Cinderella story of the confession at the beauty contest made him even more popular with the girls right after they started dating.
But now, instead of just canceling that out, it's totally backfired into a disaster.
Now he's treated like a complete pariah—a lying, womanizing jerk.
...It's probably not even baseless, you know?
Honestly, I wouldn't care if the two of them fell from grace; it doesn't concern me.
But since I have a promise with the film club, I can't just let these two run wild or cause trouble for Saito-kun.
That's why I'm making this suggestion.
This way, sure, there were bad rumors, but the two of them are in love.
So things just got a little out of hand.
There were bad rumors, but now they're only looking at each other.
We'll support that story and spread those rumors ourselves.
If we do that,
Tomonaga may have messed up, but she'll stick with saying she did it because she loves Kuzu-kun,
If she's only looking at Kuzu-kun, then Saito-kun won't get dragged in.
Tomonaga will probably cause Kuzu-kun some trouble.
Kuzu-kun's got a reputation for being a womanizer and having bad rumors, but as long as he shows he's only got eyes for Tomonaga now, there probably won't be any more bad press.
His popularity with the girls has already tanked, so he won't be a player at school anymore, but a guy who has a girlfriend and is faithful to her will actually be rated higher by the girls.
Dating Tomonaga seriously will help reduce the bad rumors.
I mean, they're already dating, right? There's no downside.
...Unless he wants to break up or is after other girls.
For Kuzu-kun, right now,
Dating Tomonaga → Dating Tomonaga, not breaking up.
He's hesitating to add "not breaking up."
Just from that, you can tell Kuzu-kun's the kind of untrustworthy guy I hate.
That's why this promise will actually mean something as a restriction for him.
Guys like this shouldn't be left unchecked.
Seriously, I really hate him.
Gal: "Eh? You can't promise?"
Honors student: "...Unbelievable."
Kuzu-kun: "Uh, ah, no, it's just, it's hard to say 'absolutely'..."
He's making some pathetic excuse, but the rumor that he's turned off by Tomonaga now that she's gained weight is probably true, huh?
In the end, Kuzu-kun weighs his current crisis, safety, and desires against each other,
Kuzu-kun: "...Fine, I promise. I won't break up with Tomonaga-san."
Tomonaga said almost the same vow, but their expressions were complete opposites.
For the record, I had them state it on camera. Now their vow means something.
The two of them left.
Tomonaga was happily chatting with Kuzu-kun, while he looked sour.
I mutter,
"Kuzu-kun... or rather, he's just a piece of trash."
Gal: "Ai-chan, that's harsh!"
Honors student: "He's the enemy of all women! Someone like that!"
"Eventually, Tomonaga will see Kuzu's true colors, right? ...When she does, will swearing not to break up have been a good thing or a bad thing?"
The other two nodded.
"But seriously, I just can't with Kuzu-kun. He's impossible for me! If he ever goes back on his word—"
Honors student: "Got it, I'll keep an eye on him if I see anything."
Gal: "So scary, lol, Ai-chan!"
Right now, I probably have a pretty nasty look on my face.
"When that time comes? Let's really corner him and force him into a mold."
The two of them lean away a little,
Gal: "That's exactly what I mean, seriously."
Honors student: "...That's our Ai-chan, all right."
So, to make it easier to keep an eye on Tomonaga and Kuzu-kun, and so Saito-kun doesn't get caught up in any trouble, we spread rumors that Tomonaga and Kuzu-kun are only interested in each other and will never break up.
There's even a recording of their promise.
...Even if they someday see each other's true nature or flaws and want to break up, it won't be so easy.
Honestly, either way is fine—as long as Tomonaga doesn't end up clinging to Kuzu-kun and causing trouble for Saito-kun.
As long as I can keep Kuzu-kun from freely hitting on other girls, the goal is met, right?
In that way, I put a plan into action to restrict the movements of Yukari Tomonaga and that Kuzu guy.
...And it worked without a hitch.
But you know, I just can't read Yukari Tomonaga as a person.
Not long after, Yukari Tomonaga once again goes beyond anything I could have imagined.