Kaguya Shinomiya Is as Cold as Ice

"Kobachi Osaragi, could we become friends?"

"..." Kobachi Osaragi.

"?" Miko Iino looked at him strangely.

Since they were all classmates, didn't that make them friends?

"I mean the best-friend kind. How should I put it..."

Houtarou Oreki said, "A lot of people think friendship between men and women is fake. As long as there's a difference in gender, it'll eventually change into something else."

"But."

"I want to find a friendship with someone of the opposite sex that won't change," Houtarou Oreki said. "So."

"Kobachi Osaragi, could you never fall for me, and maintain an eternal friendship with me?" Houtarou Oreki said.

"..." Rio Futaba.

Rio Futaba had already finished eating her bread in the classroom and was about to leave, only to hear Houtarou Oreki's conversation the moment she stepped out.

Tch!

That Houtarou Oreki.

A moment ago, he had clearly been asking her to become his best friend, saying things like best friends, and how one or two in life were enough. Yet before she had even fully agreed, he was casually extending an olive branch to someone else too?

Just how many best friends did this guy want?

And.

Rio Futaba felt that Houtarou Oreki was a little cruel.

Because, every now and then, Rio Futaba would notice Kobachi Osaragi's gaze drifting over in their direction.

And Rio Futaba had barely spoken to Kobachi Osaragi a few times.

So she felt Kobachi Osaragi wasn't looking at her.

And Rio Futaba's seat was behind Houtarou Oreki's. In other words, Kobachi Osaragi might have feelings for Houtarou Oreki.

Then.

Right now, Houtarou Oreki was saying he hoped Kobachi Osaragi would become his best friend, and then never fall for him.

She really didn't know whether he was dense or a devil.

However.

Rio Futaba felt that becoming best