Convenient Semi-friend ch41

When was it
Mom!

It got 100 points
on my maths test.

Ishibai Rin

Wah~ Amazing!
You're such a hard worker, Rin.

that my Mom stopped praising me
no matter how many perfect scores I got?

Rin-senpai, Ruka's former sweetheart. What expression hides behind that plastered smile...?

When was it
Are you okay, Mom?

Does it hurt?
I washed the dishes for you.

Thank you.
You're such a kind girl, Rin.

that my Mom stopped being happy
even when I help her?

When was it
Waaahn!

Hey, what's wrong, Miki?
Onee-chan, she...
Miki's the one who touched my book without...

You're her onee-chan.
Apologise to Miki.

that my Mom
stopped calling me anything but "onee-chan"?

When was it
Hey.

Miki's grades aren't doing so hot... Are you okay with that?
You're worried about Miki, huh?

Don't worry about Miki. She has her onee-chan, after all.

that Mom
dropped all of her responsibilities onto me?

When was it
Amazing, Rin-chan!

That's Ishibai-san for you!

I'm sure you can do this, Ishibai.

that everyone
began treating me like some perfect being like it was natural?

When was it
Ishibai.

I'm sure you've noticed, but
I like you.

I didn't notice at all.
I'm so glad.

that I became unable to say anything but lies?

Sensei, I've gathered the printouts.
Thank you. You can leave them over there.

Look, Sensei~ I've brought the notebook that was due today.
Aren't I great?
That's to be expected.

Ooh, amazing!
You can do it if you try~
Right?

The heck?
That's not fair.

That day, I became a mess.

Of all days, I had to be asked out.
I was so pissed off that I left him a crying mess.

He dumped me
with a terrible look on his face.

It was an expression I'd never seen before.
It made me happy.

Everyone says I'm clever,
so it hit me right away
that I should've done this from the start.

That by doing this,
everyone would noticed "me".

They'll stop thinking of me as the harmless honors student sitting over there.
They'll remember me as "Ishibai Rin".

I've found
my special.

From the moment on,
I'm Ishibai Rin from R Middle.
lying became so much fun that I couldn't help it.

Rin-chan.

Ishibai.

Ishibai-san.

I have no intention of doing that.

I know the rumors about you.
...Is that so?

I guess there would be rumors if I go through so many partners in the space of three months.
So why did you approach me, Hamanasu-kun?

I wonder.
Cos I feel sorry for you, I guess?

The rumors are really circulating.
It'd be a shame if people stopped coming near you entirely.
The heck? You sure are compassionate towards someone who's getting their just desserts.

Right?
Ain't I just the kindest?

If it's just as friends, I don't mind hanging out with you.
It'd be easier to have someone like me who knows your true nature, after all.

...What a weirdo.

It's Ishibai-san...
Scary~...

I believe Hamanasu's her current victim, right?
They've been together a lot lately.
And here I had my sights set on Hamanasu~

This sucks~ Hamanasu sure has some poor taste.

You're so popular, Hamanasu-kun, but everyone hates you since you're with me.
Or so I heard.
I'm hated even though I'm popular? Hilarious.

Hamanasu-kun.
My first high school friend.

So what did you hope to accomplish by telling me that?
...I figured you'd want to stop hanging out with me.

What about you?
You're someone who I want to fall, so I won't stop, I guess.
Hmm.

I can never tell what he's thinking.
Then I won't stop either.

Does that mean you want to make me fall?
Ahahahaha
Well, I can see how you'd think that.

I enjoy being with you.
You don't need to do the stuff from the rumors anymore.

One year later.
Hey, are you two going out?

That's right.
As if, moron.
I'm still telling the same lies as ever,
but the rumors from the start of the first year have reached saturation point.

That so~?
Eh? So you're single right now, Hamanasu?
Rin~ You okay with that? They're gunning for Hamanasu~

Fufu.
It's fine. It's got nothing to do with me.

3 months later.
So you have a little sister, Hamanasu-kun?
Yeah. A damn cheeky one at that.

I had no idea. You got any photos?
As if I'd take any.
I see.

...Will I get to meet her if I come over?
What's this all of a sudden?
...I'm just a little curious.

That was a lie.
I had no interested in his little sister whatsoever.
Ah~...
Well, I guess it's fine...
I just wanted to go to his house.

Hamanasu-kun didn't seem like the kind of guy to invite people to his house,
This is my little sis' room.
Wah~ I'm excited~
so I was simply happy
that he invited me over.

That's really all it was.

p11

Ever since I met Hanamasu-kun,
it felt like my suppressed emotions I had been letting fade away
were about to spill out.
I want to become someone special.

p12

They look pretty alike...

I've found my special.

Warning