Friends are a blessing. They stand by someone through every problem, supporting them until the end.
However, Takari's friends were a special breed—they couldn't stand to see him escape a situation unscathed. If there was a chance for entertainment at his expense, they would drag it out as long as possible just to enjoy the show. That was the perfect description of his friends: a group of people who never missed an opportunity to turn his simple life into a living hell.
"Oye, Takari! What are you overthinking for? Give us the answer!" Kono shouted, breaking his train of thought.
"Everyone is waiting. We want to hear it from you—hurry up!"
"Well, I don't think Takari has the guts to speak, does he?" Miko added with a teasing smirk.
Takari stared at the floor. I should never have joined this game, he thought bitterly.
30 Minutes Earlier
"Takari, say 'Queen'!" Kono had demanded earlier.
"Queen...?" Takari repeated, confused.
"Now propose to her! Propose to Jasmine! Wow, look at him blushing!"
"Wh-what? Why!?" Takari stuttered, his face heating up.
"Because you like her, man. We all know it," Kono laughed.
"We're in tenth grade now; grow up already , Kono
Kono is right Takari, Penso chimed in. "You should just ask Jasmine out on a date directly."
"Please, just die. All three of you," Takari muttered.
"Three? Yay! I knew you wanted to say something to me too,
"Before you speak, Tiro, you die too.
You know me too well Takari that's why you are my friend.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted them. "Hey, what are you guys doing?"
It was Miko.
"Oh, we were just telling Takari to ask Jasm—"
Takari lunged forward, slamming his hand over Kono's mouth. "Nothing! It's nothing!"
Miko squinted at him suspiciously. "Huh. Well, I know you like Jasmine, so why hide it from me?"
"I'm not hiding it from you, you witch!" Takari hissed. "I'm just trying to make sure she doesn't hear you!
Miko rolled her eyes. "I hope she rejects you. Please, God, if I've ever done anything good in this life, let her reject him."
"Oye, crazy Miko! What kind of prayer is that!?"
Just then, Jasmine walked in. She was looking as beautiful as always. She was a bit shorter than Takari—about 164 cm, he estimated. According to his friends, he was the only one who could handle her "drama," which was a ridiculous, logic-free thing to say. But even though people linked them together for no reason, hearing it was still a bit funny to him.
"Well," Miko suggested to the group, "since the math teacher isn't coming today, why don't we play a game in class?"
"Like what?" Jasmine asked.
"Simple," Kono grinned. "Truth or Dare."
"Great idea!" Jasmine smiled.
"A lot of people here have secrets anyway." She glanced pointedly toward Takari.
Takari felt a chill. "Wait," he protested, "there are only five of us. That's unfair."
"You're the dumb one," Miko snapped. "We're six."
"Six? But you're only... oh."
"Did you forget about us, Takari?"
Hina and Aria appeared behind him. Oh, no. Takari had forgotten that they also knew about his crush.
"Why don't we start the game, Takari?" Hina, Aria, and Miko said in unison, their expressions matching in a sinister smirk.
The Game Begins
Takari knew this was a setup to force a confession, but he steeled his resolve. I will conquer this.
The rules were set: the side with the pen nib would choose Truth or Dare, and the person at the opposite end would ask the question. If someone refused, a mystery punishment awaited.
Takari calculated his seating position with the precision of a master strategist. If I sit directly across from Jasmine, she won't be the one asking me the personal questions.
Good plan. Let's execute.
The final layout:
Jasmine was across from Kono.
Penso was across from Hina.
Aria was across from Tiro.
And Miko... was across from Takari.
Why!? This is the worst! Takari screamed internally. Kono is going to ask Jasmine about me! Please, God, send a natural disaster or evacuate me from this room immediately!
"Takari, come on! Let's start!" Everyone was smirking except Jasmine.
Takari took a breath. I still have luck on my side. I've done enough good deeds for Karma to help me now.
"Before we start," Takari announced, "let's agree that we follow the pen rule strictly. Even if the same pair comes up multiple times, we don't change the seating or the turns."
The group was shocked, but they agreed. It was the biggest gamble of his life.
The pen spun. Takari's heartbeat increased.
Please, not the first turn...
The pen stopped. Kono and Jasmine. Takari felt his soul leaving his body.
"Jasmine, Truth or Dare?" Kono asked.
"Give me both options. I'll choose," Jasmine replied.
Kono's eyes flashed with mischief.
"Truth: Do you see Takari as a competitor?
Or
Dare: Hit Miko on the head with your water bottle in a funny way."
Everyone laughed, but Takari was horrified. Is Kono a friend or a demon?
"I choose Truth," Jasmine said. "Look, I see him as a good competitor. He's always first in class and I'm second. I get a little jealous, but not in a bad way. He's like... a good supporter. I don't know the exact word, but I hope you understand."
"I understand," Kono said, looking at Takari with a devilish smile. "And you, Takari? Do you understand?"
The pen spun again.
This time, it landed on Jasmine and Takari.
The nib was pointing at Takari .
"She always wins, just like she won your heart," Kono whispered in Takari's ear.
"Shut up," Takari muttered, his face turning red.
"So, Takari," Jasmine said, "Truth or Dare? Actually, forget it. I only want to ask you a question."
"Okay... ask."
"Do you like any girl?"
-( shocked )
The room went silent. Then, a collective "Ohhh!" erupted from the group. No one expected Jasmine to ask something so direct.
The Present
"Hey, Takari! Say something!" Hina nudged him.
What do I say? Do I tell her? Takari panicked.
No. I've watched enough movies and anime for this. I have the knowledge to counter this. Just stay calm.
He took a deep breath. "In exactly what way do you mean, Jasmine?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"If you're asking as a friend," Takari began, his voice surprisingly steady,
"I like you, Miko, Aria, and Hina. You've all helped me in difficult situations. And since you see me as a positive rival, I can say I like your rival personality too. It's hard to pick just one because friends are priceless. That's why I like you all as friends."
The girls were stunned. Even Miko couldn't believe he had such a smooth, sentimental side.
Please buy it, Takari prayed. I didn't lie, but I definitely redirected the conversation. If I can just set a good image here, I might survive.
Jasmine smiled warmly. "Okay, I'm satisfied with that answer."
Thank God, Takari thought. I was ready to fake a heart attack if that didn't work.
"Well, I'll accept it too, but it wasn't a proper answer," Miko grumbled.
"Doesn't matter, Miko! Jasmine is happy," Penso said.
"Roll again!" Takari shouted.
There's no way it lands on me again. Probability is on my side!
The pen slowed down. Takari's heart stopped.
It was him again. And the nib was pointing at him and opposite is Miko .
"Hahaha!" Miko cackled. "Takari, it's like the universe is on my side! I'll give you a choice, but I'm rejecting any private answers."
"Truth: Tell us the name of your crush."
"Dare: Ask your crush for a date right now, in front of us."
You witch! You devil's daughter! Takari screamed in his head. Just tell me to propose to Jasmine! Why are you playing with me like this!?
"Well, Takari?" The group was leaning in, eyes wide with excitement.
Ten seconds passed
Takari looked at the faces around him. There was no way out. If he had to go down, he would go down on his own terms.
"Okay," Takari said, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "If it's come to this... then I'll tell you. Her name is..."