Volume 1 - CH 3.5

This is not a date

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 3: This is not a date

Part 3

At her sheepish reaction, everyone laughed.

Just according to the intel from Machida, Fujimiya was always at Minato’s side, just like now. But it wasn’t that one of them was following the other around, their hearts seemed to connect, their bond was that deep.

Whatever she was doing, whoever she talked to, Minato and Fujimiya came in a set.

“Eh? Then, let’s be friends, Yuzuki-chan! Tell me your LINE! LINE!”

[TN: LINE, a popular messaging app in Asia]

“Me too, me too–”

“Um… ‘Kay. Then… here.”

She hesitated a bit before handing her phone to them. Her commitment sees no end.

But of course, this is not something bad. Expanding her connection and getting to know more people would surely increase the number of people she likes. That’s her–our– current goal.

By the way, the boys whooped and were waving their phones around excitedly. The hollering got the attention of the other guys around.

It’s purely my own personal judgment, but this seems to be going well. 

“Damn, they got it before you.” From the side, Machida said with a knowing grin.

Too bad, that wasn’t the case. We already had each other’s LINE since the day she discovered me. No, I’m not showing off.

“But Yuzuki-san, what’s wrong with her? She hadn’t talked to anyone until now.”

“That kind of small talk should be normal?” Yes, this is a feigned ignorance.

“Unn–, Maybe–”

He cocked his head curiously while looking at Minato.

From the situation, she had probably refrained from interactions with other people to decrease the number. However, her action, and also motive, was the complete opposite from before. So it was inevitable that people would suspect something. In fact, Machida already had.

I know you’re not eager to do this, but please, Minato.

“Well–, compared to the unapproachable version, now’s way better. At least I think so.” He threw his body back against the chair. 

“Aren’t you a Fujimiya Fan?”

“If I have to choose, that is! But cute girls are still cute at the end of the day!”

“Understood,” I replied dryly.

“Ah! But I’m not going to be your rival, so rest assured, Akashi–” That knowing grin again.

Even though it’s for the sake of the operation, he’s getting more annoying by the day…

◆　◆　◆ 

I called her to the cafe after school and checked once. This was to evaluate today’s operation.

If there was someone, then we would get to identifying. After that, we would list that guy’s interaction with her. She might have slipped something, so that will be where my observation came in.

“S-so?”

She kept her head down all the while I compared the list.

“Oh, there’s one.”

“I knew it…”

So she’s aware of it. 

“Hahh,” she sighed.

“It’s that guy. The guy that asked you what you usually do at home.”

“So it’s Inada-kun… Nghh…” She groaned as she plopped down on the table.

This was our objective, so this is a complete success. Although I understand how she couldn’t feel happy about it.

“At any rate, good job on the first one, Minato.”

“I’m tired… Really…” 

“Actually, you’re more compliant than I thought. I’m surprised. And you’re getting results too.”

“I mean…It’s my problem. So it’s my duty to…” Her head was still plopped down. She really seemed worn out.

I wish I could ease things up a little, but until a satisfactory result comes out, we’re stuck with this. 

“So you don’t understand the reason for this time too?” I asked, just in case.

“Yup… But we only talked, something must have happened there…”

“Even though you said that, it was just a normal conversation.”

“We exchanged contacts…” From the gap of her arms peeked at the phone on the table.

“So you liked him because he asked you LINE?”

“W-wait!” she shouted, but then stammered, “I’m not so sure either… But I don’t think so…”

Hmm. Well, if that’s the case, then it would probably be too much, wouldn’t it? But we can’t just disregard the idea too. For now, note that down, just in case.

“By the way, have you chatted?” 

“Uh, yeah… A little.” Her face turned red again. 

Despite that, her lips curled into a smile. I don’t mean to put it this way, but that was certainly an expression of a maiden in love, the only difference being the number of people she fell in love with.

“And? What have you talked about?”

“He invited me to hang out sometime…”

Whoah. That’s a fastball.

They seemed to be normies too, being proactive was probably in their nature. That’s a good thing.

“Just the two of you?”

“N-no! Several of us, a get-together.”

Hmm, a get-together. Definitely sus.

Well considering the time of the year, it wasn’t absurd.

“So, Io… How should I respond?” She said meekly.

“Hm? A bit hard for an observation here. So operation-wise I don’t advise you to. Of course, that’s just advice. If it’s really a get-together, then you should go, they’re your classmates.”

“Is that so…” She was deep in thought, putting her hand to her well-shaped chin.

“Well, I’ll leave it to you. Do whatever you want.”

“Y-yup, got it. I’ll give it a thought”

Minato opened her phone and started typing. With her eyes on her phone, her expression was quite hard to read.

But, hmm, a get-together…

◆　◆　◆

The next day too, she carried out the plan dutifully. She went on talking with different people, even those who she wasn’t particularly friendly with. That must have been exhausting, since she sometimes returned to slump at her seat. 

I already know she’s like this, but this is more stoic than I thought. Given my previous consultations, most of them are pretty stubborn. They lacked the courage, froze up from time to time.

I really wanted them to learn from her.

Needless to say, to make the most of her efforts, I went to class seven as much as allowed. Listened to Machida’s prattle, observed Minato’s surroundings, and memorized events.

I couldn’t just slack off, just so you know.

“You come here pretty often–. To do this much, quite dedicated you are.”

“Maybe. I’m head over heels for her.”

At lunch, while munching on the bread I bought, I watched her.

Minato and Fujimiya, along with a group of boys and girls, were enjoying their own lunch. Her popularity really shows in times like this, she was welcomed no matter which group she visited.

But there was one thing that piques my interest.

“Y-Yuzuki-san, have you finished the fifth period’s math assignment?” One of the boys asked.

He was my consultant, Makino Kousuke.

“Yeah. The two pages exercise, right?”

“Yup, that one. Um… I have something I don’t understand, mind explaining?”

“Eh? Ok. But I’m not really confident myself…”

“Really? Thanks!”

And their conversation came to an end. They were both conspicuously blushing.

“Ah, that Makino guy there, he’s usually mature and quiet, but he’s like that only when he talks with Yuzuki-san.” In front of me, Machida whispered. 

“Hmph…”

“From my reading, he likes her. And quite serious, by that, you know? Isn’t he your rival?”

“Maybe”

I haven’t talked to him much lately, but he’s working hard too, it seems. Besides, he’s on the list too. Strange as it may sound, their affection was mutual.

As expected… I can’t just choose one of them.

After that, they brought out their books and exchanged notes. No doubt, Makino, and then unexpectedly, Minato too, were bashful. They were on cloud nine, bringing their faces closer and closer.

Just like what Reiji said, she was “leading them on”.

Well, there’s no helping that. But she had no bad intentions, she really felt the same way as them, she was just bad at hiding it.

“Hahh… First of all, this is troubling”

My sigh was too quiet for even Machida to hear.