Head Over Heels From The Scarf I Lent Her Chapter 20

“Wha—?! You guys are dating…?!”

“Shh. You’re so loud.”

Jun held his index finger up to his lips and hushed Tooru.
Half of summer break was already over. Satsuki had more housework to take care, so she couldn’t join the three of them today.
They sat down at a table in a well-known chain of cafés.
Well, of course this news would be a shock to Tooru. There wasn’t anything in particular between Jun and Akane at first, but now they’re going out already? Tooru simply thought they got along well but didn’t think they got along that well.

“Didn’t you know, dude?”
“I knew you two were close but didn’t think too much about it.”
“This is a recent thing. Right, Akane?”
“We’re not that close.”

Jun sounded rather happy when he jibed back, saying You’re so mean! Tooru was rather moved to learn that was what dating is like. For someone who has never had any experience with women, he thought that they were a very sweet couple.
Akane cleared her throat before retrieving a well-worn notepad from her bag. It was the same notepad she brings to school. She flips it open and laid it on the table.

The boys were surprised by just how jam-packed with information a single page contained.
There was everything from trifling details about the girls in their cla.s.s to the rumors of Amane’s bullying. Akane wasn’t kidding how she bills herself to be well-informed.

Flipping through the precious data revealed that the last page contained a comprehensive report on how Tooru was being bullied. Details included the time, the people who ignored him, and even the people who talked smack about him. They looked back up at Akane who had a big smile.

“She might have seen through your voice recorder, but she doesn’t know about me which means I can keep taking notes on Miyamoto. I’m not proud or anything, but I’m doing this on my own free will.”

Well, thanks to you two as well, she added.

“But we still need more dirt on her. I still don’t have anything that can pin her down.”
“All the teachers know how Amane is a bully. Isn’t this enough?”
“Nah, we’ve gotta nail her down as hard as possible since the teachers will all try to protect her. Chipping away at her isn’t good enough.”

Tooru slumped down. If this much evidence isn’t even enough, then how can he get back at Amane? There’s only so much he can bear, even for Tooru. And it’s not as if he’s at his limits yet, though it makes him wonder just how effective keeping quiet is.

Akane frowned too, likely feeling empathetic towards Tooru. There wasn’t much else she could do for him either.
Then, suddenly, Jun seemed to have come up with a great idea.

“In that case, I’ll just need to get bullied too.”

The other two blankly stared at him, not knowing how to respond. Tooru thought about punching him in the face to get that stupid smirk off his face.

“It’s not a joke. Even you should know how much this sucks.”
“I do, but we need more dirt on her, right? If there’s one more person she’s bullying, then there’s double the evidence on her. There should be more witnesses too. We could even corroborate our stories too.”

Jun looked up at Tooru and Akane.
What he said made a bit of sense but it was a double-edged sword. If any one of them were to give in, that would be the end of them.
They didn’t know how far Amane would take it. It’d be stupid to volunteer for—

“That might work.”
“No!”

Tooru couldn’t stop himself from snapping at them after hearing Akane is going agree with being so reckless too.
It’s true that Jun can take it, but it was still too risky of a bet to make. Why would they even agree to something like that? Seeing Jun get done in by Amane would hurt Tooru more than getting roughed up himself.
Then, confusing everyone in the process, Jun took out a pen from his bag with a smirk on his face.

“I went and bought myself this. It’s a voice recorder.”
“You’re kidding…”

Tooru picked up the spy recorder pen.
It doesn’t look like anything out of the ordinary. How could this possibly be a voice recorder?

“How much did you even spend on this?”
“About 10,000. This bad boy can record a whole day’s worth of audio.”
“That much?”
“If it means protecting you and me, it’s worth it.

Tooru stared at the recorder. This isn’t just about him and Jun but also the fate of Satsuki as well. Tooru felt he was in safe hands.

“Then I’ll trust you with it, Jun.”
“Aye, aye. I’ll steer the s.h.i.+p to a safe harbor.”
“Y’know, for some reason, the more you speak, the less confident I am…”
“Whaaaat!”

There’s no way Amane should notice it. Tooru had no idea when he first looked at it. It’s just some small, rectangular object.
It’s possible that Amane would thoroughly check what it is, but it’s a risk they’ll have to take. Tooru couldn’t waste this chance that Jun offered.
Looking at the pen-shaped voice recorder made Tooru determined.

His determination came from Akane and Jun, who will watch over him and help with intel gathering and voice recording, respectively. She put her cup down on its saucer after finis.h.i.+ng her coffee then spoke.

“Then we’ll go through with this plan… don’t screw up.”
“Not s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up is my motto!”
“Jeez…”

To much of his chagrin, tears began to flood Tooru’s eyes.
Was it fair to be blessed with such good friends? They were willing to dive in head first to fight along his side. He was truly grateful.

If they were going to do this, then they will have to brace themselves for what is to come. They must not fail. Tooru finishes his coffee then places his cup on its saucer too.

“You two make for a fine couple.”

With great grins, Jun and Akane headed to war alongside Tooru.

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