Faced with Rikka's unusual behavior, Arisu looked at her friend with a grin.
"Honestly, Arisu, don't make it sound like I'm someone who can only cling to Mana."
"What, what? Rikka, are you talking about me?" Halfway through, the subject of the conversation inserted herself.
"Ai, you'd better treat Rikka a little nicer. Because you were so enthusiastic toward Makoto that you neglected Rikka, she's already gone looking for someone else's embrace."
"Ehhhh?!" Ai looked at Rikka in shock, as though she had suffered a terrible blow.
"Y-You don't need me anymore?"
Seeing Ai looking so devastated, with tears seemingly about to spill from her eyes, Rikka finally felt an immense sense of satisfaction in her heart.
"Don't talk nonsense. Just like Mana and Makoto became good friends, I found other fr... friends too!"
Thinking of Ash-sensei's final words, Rikka ultimately settled on that word.
Ash-sensei and I... He said I could go see him as long as I didn't get in the way, and I even got his contact information. That should count as being friends, right?
"Rikka actually has another friend I don't know? Who is it?"
"Mana, that's such a weird way to put it. It's not like you're my only friend."
Of course, there was no way she could tell them that this "friend" was someone they all knew. Otherwise, everything would be exposed.
Seeing Rikka look slightly smug, Ai pouted unhappily.
Rikka actually has a friend that even her childhood friend doesn't know... I've decided. I'll definitely find Rikka's hidden friend, and then...
Then I'll become friends with Rikka's friend too! That way, that person will be someone I know!
Rikka still had no idea that while she was savoring her rare "victory," Ai had already started thinking about how to steal away her "friend."