I no longer want to be a part of this triangle

**SLAP**

I held my burning cheek with my left hand, and while staring at the ground with wide eyes, I tried to realize what just happened.

....I was slapped...and none other than the person whom I love.

I looked towards the front and found the same girl, which just slapped me, currently weeping in the arms of my best friend. Her nose was red, and tears continuously flew down her cheeks.

My best friend kept a disappointed look at me while consoling her.

Everyone in the gymnasium was looking at me—murmuring and whispering about what just happened.

I stood there in shock and thought about what in the actual heck happened.

*****

[Half an hour ago]

The school was dyed in the colors of the sports day and the cultural festival. Every student across the school was freed from their studies to participate in the event and help the committee members prepare for the festival.

I—Ichihara Kazuki was also involved in the sports day since I was the ace of the basketball team. I have been playing basketball since the age of ten, and in high school, there hasn't been a single player who hasn't lost to me.

...except for one.

"You are late." My best friend, Asuzawa Kohta complained while holding a banner.

He is someone I know from middle school and considering our mutual interest in sports and anime, we hit off rather quickly.

"I got delayed because of the line." I flexed the boba tea I had bought after being in the line for two long hours.

Kohta narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Trying to win Katori-chan's heart with tea? You think she is that cheap?"

I scoffed, "Be more honest and say that you are jealous...Jealous that I would get to see her sweet smile and hear her flowery thanks~" I swooned with my eyes closed as I imagined Nanase Katori thanking me with those droopy eyes turned crescent.

She is the most beautiful girl in our school and someone whom I have had a crush on since my first year. And as one could expect from someone who shares my taste, Kohta also likes Katori as much as I do.

Well, surely a little less than me.

We have been rivals in love for two years straight and Katori-chan has said she would respond to our confession during the graduation ceremony—three months from now.

Kohta threw a paintbrush at me, which I easily dodged—elevating the guy's frustration.

I waved at him and made my way towards the pink-haired girl, who looked nothing less than a fairy.

En route, I suddenly bumped into someone and nearly dropped the tea, "Look where you are going, man!" I exclaimed at the hooded person who was almost a head shorter than me.

The said person didn't even glance at me before stepping aside and walking away.

"How rude...." I shook my head and after correcting my expression, I again marched towards Katori.

"Katori-chan~Here's something good for you." Her pink hair bobbed as she heard me calling before she hurriedly turned to look at me.

Her pink eyes sparkled with childlike joy as she saw the tea in my grasp.

Katori-chan was shorter than even that guy into whom I bumped. However, Katori's figure was one of a bombshell, to the point where she gets offers from magazine companies every now and then.

"Gimme!" She raised both of her hands adorably and jumped to grab the boba tea that I had raised above my head.

"First you need to give me something." Hearing my words, like a cute child, she tilted her head to the left and blinked her eyes in confusion.

"What can I give you?"

I smirked, feeling the urge to say something outrageous, but I controlled myself and only asked for a "Kiss?"

Her face went deep crimson, and the girls around us giggled upon hearing my bold request.

I offered my face to her and waited for her response.

The way her face turned boiling red and her eyes turned sharp; I knew I had gone a little too far.

With a chuckle, I planted the teacup on her head.

Katori grabbed the tea with both of her hands before I whispered, "You owe me one." Winking at her, which caused her to hiccup for some reason, I walked away.

Haah~teasing Katori-chan is so delightfu-

*Dhak*

My train of thought was broken as a foam duster hit me on the face.

Without even looking at him I could tell that this sharp thrower was none other than my jealous friend.

Well, many of the guys always feel jealous of how close I am to Katori-chan...but what can I do?

"You really go far sometimes." Kohta scowled in an irritated tone.

Oh, so he was watching. Now, I feel even more delighted.

I shrugged and began helping the guy to finish the banner which would be hung in front of our classroom.

In the gymnasium, everyone was involved in some work related to tomorrow. It was already four on the clock yet no one seemed to be in a rush to leave.

With just the two of us, we were able to finish the banner. Although our design and calligraphy weren't that good, Kohta somehow made it look presentable, and I helped him draw the outlines.

"Hold it and let it dry for some time. I am going to the washroom." After we were done, Kohta handed me the banner and walked away.

I didn't complain since if I didn't remain involved in this work—which was relatively simple since most of the things were done by Kohta—I would be given some major and tough work.

I was looking around the place casually and trying to find what my sweet nutmeg was doing...when suddenly my eyes widened.

Two guys were standing a few feet behind Katori and have placed a large misting fan which would be placed near the entrance tomorrow. One of the two had taken out his phone, and the other one was about to turn on the fan with the clear intention of taking Katori's upskirt pictures.

I dropped the banner instantly and dashed towards them.

My long legs had never been so useful as they were now as I reached the guy in five big strides and snatched the phone away.

"Ah!" The second guy got startled and accidentally turned the fan on.

"Kyah!"

"Ahhh!"

My eyes widened as I turned toward the group of girls where Katori was standing in the middle.

The two guys beside me escaped in no time and the one who was seen standing behind the fan while holding a phone—was me.

I was so shocked upon looking at Katori's moistening eyes that someone else had to turn the fan off.

Katori walked in my direction with her face red and her eyes filled with tears of anger.

"Katori....I-" I was about to tell her that it wasn't me, and given how close we were, I knew she would listen to me.

But—

**SLAP**

A sharp and crisp sound of a slap resonated across the gymnasium as I stood at my place with my eyes widened and head turned toward the right.

Looking at Katori's tears and the eyes of disappointment directed by my best friend, who knows me the best, I realized something.

I have been living in delusion all along.

I trusted the wrong people.