A Supporting Character’s Love Story - Chapter 8

POV Shinji Makoto

For the next couple of days, we all had lunch together. And me and Nakano started walking home together. You could say that our relationship had improved a lot when compared to before. Nishikawa also started to open up to me more. However, there was no sign of progress in his love life.

As I was thinking on how to create opportunities between Nishikawa and Hiwari, the perfect chance was presented to me on Friday evening. As I was packing my bag to leave for the day, Seiji Nakamoto invited me to karaoke.

“Hey, Makoto. We are planning to go to the karaoke right now. You want to join?”

“Who all are going I asked disinterestedly”

Since there are no club activities on Friday, most of the ‘fun’ after-school riajuu activities happen on Friday.

He listed off a bunch of names.

“Come on bro, we are low on people.” He said noticing my lack of interest.

“Then is it fine if I invite a few people?”

“Oh, you mean Nishikawa? Yeah, it’s fine”

Well, Nakamoto despite his frivolous nature is a good person. The problematic ones are a few pretentious pricks. But since Nakamoto gave him a pass it is fine. They won’t say anything in public at least. However, I could see disapproval in their eyes.

“You heard him Nishikawa. Are you free?”

Nishikawa looked at me with a surprised look and answered “Ah, are you sure?”

“Of course,”

“Don’t worry I’ll be there as well”

Now all I have to do is to get Hiwari to join as well. It will feel weird if I ask her out of the blue.

Just then,

“Can I join as well”, Nakano looked at Nakamoto and asked.

What? What is she trying to do?

“Hee, if Akari is going I want to go as well”

“Me, too”

“Ah, you are all welcome”, Nakamoto said overwhelmed.

Well, it made my life easier. Guess I owe her one.

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POV Akari Nakano

Hmm… karaoke huh. But why is he inviting Nishikawa? Isn’t he his love rival? It’s all right. I’ll help give him a chance this time.

“Let us also go to the karaoke I said to Shizuo and Tsukumo”

Then I asked Nakamoto “Hey, can I join as well?”

.

.

.

I just wanted to come to karaoke to help Makoto get closer to Shizuo. How come I am in a kabedon? And why am I blushing?

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POV Shinji Makoto

While walking to the karaoke bar I was thinking about how to get Nishikawa to get more confident and open up to Hiwari. We finally reached the place. Nakamoto booked a room and we all ordered our drinks and snacks. Then we entered our room and sat down while making small talk. I needed to find a way to get Nishikawa to sit with Hiwari. Luckily there was a seat open beside her in the corner. How can I be so lucky? On further observation I realized that Nakano was keeping that seat open deliberately. Looks like she has found out what I am trying to do. I slightly pushed Nishikawa into that seat.

“Here Nishikawa have a seat”

Plop. That’s a goal. Now the rest is up to fate.

When you go to the karaoke in a group that is not very close, the most difficult part is to get the fun mood going. After all many people are shy, and don’t want to be the first one to sing. Nakamoto took the lead in this situation. He chose a popular song and sang averagely, lowering the expected quality of singing. Next one of the girls sang a love song. She probably has a crush on Nakamoto. Soon the atmosphere built up and the drinks and snacks we ordered arrived. When my turn arrived, I just chose one of the standard karaoke songs. After an hour or so,

“I need to go to the toilet” Nishikawa got up and left the room. I didn’t think much of it. However, he didn’t return soon. I noticed that some other people were also not in the room. Aw shit, is he being bullied? For real? I got up and left the room to check on him. For some reason Nakano also followed me.

Remembering how she really helped me out with bringing both Nishikawa and Hiwari, I turned around and said, “Ah, Nakano thanks for your help today.”

“Then why didn’t you take the opportunities?”

“What do you-” I stopped speaking mid-sentence. As I turned around the corner I could a few people surrounding Nishikawa who was backed up against the wall.

“What are they doing? Nakano was about charge forward to stop them when I pulled her back.

What she didn’t see was that Hiwari was walking towards them from the opposite direction with a frosty look.

She pissed off? Really looks angry.

“What are you guys doing? I have taken a picture so if you don’t want to the teacher to know you better leave.” She asked them icily.

“Oh, Hiwari we were just-”

“Shut up. And get lost”

Those guys glared at her angrily and walked away.

It was then I noticed the girl I was holding. She was blushing. Shit, I pulled off a kabedon on her without noticing. Wait, she doesn’t look angry only embarrassed. A grin formed on my face.

“Oh, what’s this? Looks like you are blushing. Why? Did you fall for me?”, I teased her.

“Thwack” She kicked my stomach and then walked back to the room.

I crumpled on the floor. Why did she have to hit so hard for only teasing?