Chihaya Rei: I'm Best at Handling Complex Interpersonal Relationships

There was a reason why Ichinose Honami asked such a question.

First, she had recently heard the girls in Class B gossiping about how Sakayanagi Arisu was pursuing Chihaya Rei.

She herself had also seen different girls appearing by Chihaya Rei's side on several occasions.

Because of this, a thought had formed in her mind:

Chihaya-kun must be quite experienced when it comes to romance.

"..."

Chihaya Rei was rather taken aback by Ichinose Honami's sudden question.

So much so that the look he gave her now became somewhat complicated.

How could Ichinose Honami have such a misunderstanding about him?

He hadn't even started "that" kind of life since arriving at this school; he was still a good boy.

"Honami, why would you think that?"

Chihaya Rei asked sincerely.

"Hmm..."

Because she had asked such a question, Ichinose Honami's cheeks flushed with a hint of red.

"Because... I've seen Chihaya-kun getting along well with many girls..."

"Actually, I've never been in a relationship."

Chihaya Rei shook his head, speaking the honest truth.

"Huh? Chihaya-kun has never been in a relationship?"

A hint of surprise appeared in the depths of Ichinose Honami's eyes. "Then I misunderstood you, I'm sorry!"

She hurriedly bowed, the softness at her chest rising and falling.

"It's fine."

Chihaya Rei chuckled, and in order to gain Ichinose Honami's trust so she would let him handle her problem, he slowly added:

"But don't worry, if you have any questions related to romance, feel free to ask me."

"Even though I haven't been in a relationship, that doesn't stop me from being very experienced."

Chihaya Rei looked into the distance, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile:

"Don't forget that I play in a band. There are many messy relationships between men and women in bands, and even if it's not about romantic feelings, I've seen all sorts of niche orientations."

"I am most skilled at handling these kinds of complex interpersonal relationships."

Chihaya Rei said this with a voice full of confidence.

He recalled back in the day, there was a blonde in his band whose views on love had gone astray.

But without a doubt, he had tortured and corrected them all.

"Is that so?!"

Ichinose Honami's clear eyes brightened slightly, her voice filled with pleasant surprise.

"Then... I'll be direct."

She made up her mind then and there.

She believed that asking Chihaya Rei for advice on this matter wouldn't be a mistake, because to Ichinose Honami, Chihaya Rei's words just now sounded truly professional!

"Actually, it's like this: a few days ago, I received a special love letter."

Ichinose Honami pursed her lips, speaking with some embarrassment as she softly explained the sequence of events.

If it had just been an ordinary love letter, Ichinose Honami would have been confident in handling it on her own.

She had experience in rejecting people before.

But this time was different.

By comparing the handwriting on the letter, Ichinose Honami had guessed who the person wanting to confess to her was...

"The person who wants to confess to me this time is a bit different from the others..."

"So I've been hesitating for a long time, not knowing what to do to ensure she doesn't get hurt."

"If only there were a way to get the best of both worlds."

Ichinose Honami sighed softly, a look of worry on her face.

"The person who wants to confess to you is Shiranami Chihiro-san, isn't it?"

Beside her, Chihaya Rei didn't hesitate to reveal the answer immediately after listening.

"Eh??"

"Chihaya-kun, how did you know?"

Ichinose Honami was startled, her pretty face filled with an expression of pure surprise.

If there were a way to resolve the problem without revealing Shiranami Chihiro's name.

Ichinose wanted to keep this secret for Shiranami Chihiro.

But now...

Gomenne, little Chihiro...

Could it be that Chihaya-kun saw her when she was putting a love letter in her shoe locker?

While Ichinose Honami stared at Chihaya Rei without blinking, she began to consider the possible answers.

Chihaya Rei's gaze swept lightly over her face, and he spoke with composure:

"From the moment we first met, I knew that Shiranami-san held unusual feelings for you."

"..."

Ichinose Honami's thin lips parted slightly, and she even forgot to blink her beautiful eyes.

For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

But she felt he was truly amazing...

In other words, coming to Chihaya-kun for this consultation was the right choice after all?!

"From the start of the school year until now, you've been looking after Shiranami-san quite a bit, haven't you, Honami?"

Chihaya Rei continued, staring into her eyes, where his own reflection seemed to appear.

Ichinose Honami snapped back to reality and explained in a gentle voice:

"Yes, little Chihiro is actually a bit shy, and her personality is on the sensitive side. I was worried she wouldn't be able to fit into the class."

Chihaya Rei nodded in agreement and offered his own insight:

"In fact, it was during the process of you enthusiastically helping her that Shiranami-san's feelings for you began to change."

"However, now is not the time to analyze that."

Chihaya Rei shifted the topic and suddenly asked:

"Let me confirm: you definitely don't have that kind of orientation, right, Honami?"

"Of course I don't!"

Hearing this question, Ichinose Honami shook her head with a pretty smile, her pink hair swaying from side to side.

It seemed she didn't want Chihaya Rei to have any strange misunderstandings about her because of this.

She considered herself a relatively conservative girl and couldn't accept such a niche type of romantic relationship.

"So, the goal is to reject her."

Chihaya Rei stated this in a declarative tone.

"That's my thought as well."

As Ichinose Honami nodded in agreement, she reached up to tidy the hair that had fallen in front of her face.

Her expression became conflicted:

"It's just... the method of rejection?"

She looked up at Chihaya Rei, hoping to receive a perfect answer.

"After all, Shiranami-san mustered up the courage to express her feelings to you, so you must respond to her sincerely."

Chihaya Rei said this with a relaxed tone at first.

But soon, one could feel his voice turn firm, even stern.

"However, when giving your response, I believe you must reject her clearly—the kind that leaves her with absolutely no hope."

"Eh?"

Ichinose Honami was clearly stunned. She bit her moist lip, her expression visibly hesitant:

"But... wouldn't that be too harsh?"

"What if little Chihiro, because of this..."

"That is your flaw, Honami."

Chihaya Rei spoke suddenly, his deep gaze seemingly able to pierce through Ichinose Honami's heart.

He said in a tone that sounded somewhat lamenting:

"Your personality is too gentle, and your style of doing things reflects that gentleness. Gentleness is a wonderful quality, that much is true."

"But not everything can be solved with a gentle approach."

[Tortured Ichinose Honami, gained 2500 Torture Points]

[Current Torture Progress 92%, rewards will be unlocked upon reaching 100%.]

"For example, this time."

"..."

Ichinose Honami was stunned into silence.

Since arriving at this school, this was the first time someone had criticized her with such seriousness, telling her that being too kind was wrong.

She couldn't help but offer a smile tinged with shame, whispering:

"I can't really argue with that."

Chihaya Rei naturally had his reasons for saying so, and he immediately explained:

"Think about it. If you hadn't rejected Shiranami Chihiro firmly, decisively, and sternly this time..."

"If that led to her still harboring fantasies about you, still holding onto romantic feelings for you..."

"Then let me ask you, when she confesses to you again next time, or the time after that, or even the time after that, what are you going to do?"

Chihaya Rei pointed straight to the core of the issue:

"You aren't the type of person to easily change your principles, are you? Especially when it comes to matters of romantic partners."

"Mm..."

Ichinose Honami nodded subconsciously.

Even if Shiranami Chihiro confessed to her again later, she would still refuse.

"So, rather than letting Shiranami Chihiro keep getting hurt, it's better to make her realize the reality of the situation once and for all."

"That is the only way to solve this once and for all."

Chihaya Rei's expression was earnest as he delivered this declaration.

Ichinose Honami remained silent for a long while with a complex expression, eventually lifting her fingers, which she had clenched at some point, and looked at Chihaya Rei:

"You're right, Chihaya-kun. This matter cannot be resolved with kindness. I will sternly reject Chihiro-chan."

"By the way, what should I do to ensure Chihiro-chan doesn't hold onto any fantasies?"

Ichinose Honami asked earnestly.

Chihaya Rei exhaled and said meaningfully:

"In this matter, Honami, you can use me."

"Eh?!"

Ichinose Honami's blue eyes trembled as she instantly imagined a certain possibility.

It wasn't as if the thought hadn't crossed her mind before.

The idea of pretending she already had someone she cared about, using that as an excuse to reject Shiranami Chihiro.

"Are you saying I should pretend you're my boyfriend, Chihaya-kun?"

She whispered with a slight blush, lowering her head, though she couldn't see her own toes.

"Exactly," Chihaya Rei nodded.

"But what about you and Classmate Sakayanagi..."

Ichinose Honami's expression was subtle; she was clearly worried.

"Sakayanagi and I have nothing going on. Those are just rumors from the outside."

Chihaya Rei shook his head, explaining indifferently.

He couldn't help but wonder, just how many people believed that Sakayanagi Arisu was pursuing him?

Just how distorted had the rumors become?

When would they start saying that Sakayanagi Arisu had been rejected by Chihaya Rei multiple times?

Hearing Chihaya Rei's words, Ichinose Honami lifted her head again, appearing relieved.

She subconsciously patted her soft chest.

Since she didn't have to worry about causing a misunderstanding with Sakayanagi Arisu, and Chihaya Rei himself had agreed, she could indeed use him as her fake boyfriend.

Ichinose Honami took a deep breath and said gratefully:

"Alright, then I'll be counting on you this time, Chihaya-kun."

"Mm."

After Chihaya Rei acknowledged this, he asked:

"When does Shiranami Chihiro plan to confess to you?"

"Today..."

Ichinose Honami tilted her head in shame.

She felt quite embarrassed that she had dragged out such an important issue until today.

"What time?"

"Six o'clock."

"Then we have to head over now, right?"

Chihaya Rei said after glancing at the time.

"Yes."

Ichinose Honami wore a slightly embarrassed smile on her face.

"I have to trouble you to come with me, Chihaya-kun. I feel a bit sorry for suddenly dragging you into such a troublesome matter."

"It's no trouble."

The corners of Chihaya Rei's mouth curled up slightly. "It's only natural for friends to help each other out."

Besides, he had his own agenda as well.

Shiranami Chihiro, he would make sure she never returned!