I’ve Always Thought My "Casual Partner" Was Oddly Attentive — Part 1

 Since entering university, I met a guy named Kaede Izumi. He’s known as a so-called “bad boy,” constantly changing girls. Even though he changes partners, they’re all just casual flings, not a single real girlfriend.

He’s allowed to get away with that because he’s undeniably good-looking, kind, athletic, and tall. While he’s not great at studying, it adds to his charm in a way.

He’s not just “cool”; the word “beautiful” suits him better. His posture is so refined that you’d never guess, at first glance, that he’s the type who’s always got a new casual partner.

That’s why, without knowing anything, I became friends with him. Afterward, I heard the rumors and decided to ask him directly about them. I didn’t want to judge someone I had grown close to—especially someone I had developed feelings for beyond just friendship—based solely on hearsay.

Honestly, as long as he wasn’t hurting anyone, I didn’t care about the rumors. But some of the rumors were pretty nasty, like, “He forced a girl into something, got her pregnant, and didn’t take responsibility.”

Of course, I didn’t take that seriously.

Still, when I earnestly asked Izumi for clarification, he smiled bitterly as if giving up on something.

“...It’s true I have a few casual partners. I’m not intentionally switching them around, but when a girl starts getting serious, I cut things off, so maybe that’s why it looks that way.

But I only get involved with girls who agree upfront that it’s just casual. I’ve never forced anyone. No one’s ever told me they were pregnant either, and if that ever happened, I’d take as much responsibility as I could.

—So, Riko, do you believe me?”

“Yeah, I believe you. I figured that was the case.”

They say rumors die down after seventy-five days, but will this one go away that quickly? I want it to disappear soon, but if Izumi keeps doing the same thing, it might be difficult. He stands out too much as it is.

While I was lost in thought, Izumi muttered in disbelief.

“...‘Figured,’ huh.”

“Well, Izumi, you have a strong sense of responsibility, and you’re not the type to force someone into something they don’t want, right? I mean, if you’re saying you give off a different impression, I don’t get it, but which is it?”

“...If I admit it, it’s embarrassing, and if I deny it, you’ll probably think less of me. Isn’t that a no-win situation?”

“Then, I’ll say this: if it’s coming from Izumi, who doesn’t want to be looked down on by me, I can trust your words.”

When I smiled at him reassuringly, for some reason, Izumi looked like he was about to cry, and I ended up panicking.

And that’s the backstory.

Currently, I’m one of Izumi’s casual partners. That conversation happened about a year ago, and I offered to become one about three months ago.

Three months ago.

His rumor never faded, and one day I witnessed someone outright berating him. Something about how Izumi stole his girlfriend.

I thought the girl was more at fault for becoming Izumi’s casual partner while having a boyfriend, but Izumi just quietly listened to the guy’s angry words and, in the end, sincerely bowed and apologized.

After promising to cut ties with the girl, the man, looking somewhat unsatisfied, left. Izumi sighed deeply, clearly exhausted.

“Sorry for the wait.”

“...Did you know she had a boyfriend?”

“No, not at all. If I knew, I wouldn’t have gotten involved, no matter what was said.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

Then why didn’t you just say that? Not that it would’ve helped—probably would’ve made things worse.

Even though it’s his own fault, seeing Izumi go through this kind of pain makes me sad. The rumors are awful, too. Izumi doesn’t show it, but there’s no way he’s not hurt at all.

“I know it’s not my place, but would it be possible to at least stick to just one casual partner?”

“...If they start thinking they’re special, it’d be a problem.”

“Ah, I see.”

Being good-looking must be tough.

But in that case, maybe it’d be fine to stick to one person who doesn’t misunderstand the situation.

—What about me?

I would never misunderstand. Izumi would trust me on that. We’re close enough that I could say we’re best friends at this point.

With that in mind, I invited him over to my place that day. Using a takoyaki grill I’d impulsively bought not too long ago as an excuse, I said, “It’s lonely doing a takoyaki party alone, so come over, Izumi.”

We’d never been to each other’s homes before. I figured Izumi thought of me as important and didn’t want to risk any misunderstandings, which is why I hadn’t pushed it until now. But this time, I was persistent.

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