It’s been about three months since I reunited with Mitoma-san, and we’ve had countless experiences like going home together, having dinner together and many more, but I still can’t get used to her aggressive closeness.

“Um, I really don’t think we should be linking arms.”

“It’s not a big deal… you don’t mind, do you?”

“Well, it’s just that we are gathering a lot of attention towards us.”

Since earlier, every time a passerby walks by us, they will surely look back at us, and it makes me feel uneasy. For me, who has never had a proper romantic relationship, that sight still touches my heart.

Most of all, we’re not even dating, and if we pass by someone from university, they might get the wrong idea.

“We are who we are, you know? You can just think of the people around us as mere bugs.”

“Choose your words carefully.”

Is it just me, or does her innocent line, spoken with a pure, unintentional, childlike gaze, feel thicker than before?

“Well, if that’s what you say, Senpai, it’s fine.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Jeez, Senpai is really shy, isn’t he?”

No wonder.

Who can be okay with having their arm linked with a girl they’re not even dating, and with the girls soft b*****s being pressed against their chests? Being happy and being embarrassed are two different things.

“Well, it’s also about time, so let’s buy something and head back!”

“Yeah…but, today, how about eating out?”

Now that I think about it, I’ve been having dinner made for me every day recently.

I don’t intend to exploit my kouhai’s kindness, who has been taking care of me in various ways, but I feel like it’s inevitable. So I suggested eating out, as it will be a nice change of pace, and she will be burdened less from it.

Then, she said with a slightly puzzled expression, “Eating out?”

“Yeah. You always make me food, so it must be a burden sometimes, right? So how about we go out for a change?”

“I…I don’t think it’s a burden. In fact, I want to take care of you!”

“That’s much appreciated, but…look, I also want to return the favor sometimes.”

“Return the favor… then, how about sleeping together?”

“…No way. That was just for that one day, so don’t think that it’ll happen again.”

“Moreover, it’s too stimulating and I won’t be able to sleep. I can’t concentrate because my heart is racing, and it’s a kind of torture. Sometimes even happiness can become poisonous if it’s too much.”

Those lines were so good, that it might make me popular overnight. 

“Well…for me, it’s the best way to repay a favor.”

“I’m not talking about that. I mean, anything other than paying with your body.”

“I’ll do anything for you, Senpai… s*x, kissing, hugging, or sleeping together!”

“Hey, don’t say that here!”

For a moment, I felt a strong gaze.

As expected, Mitoma-san is a little scary.

“Hmm…”

“That’s why I’m asking about eating out. Come on, I’ll indulge myself today.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, just for today.”

Then, she leaned in and put her hand on her chin as if she were thinking for a moment and said, “Well, there’s a pancake shop I’m interested in. Is it okay to go there?”

“Huh. Well, it’s fine…”

“Great, Senpai. I got your promise, okay?”

“What? You suddenly smiled.”

“No, it’s nothing! Well then, let’s go!”

Suddenly, she grabbed my hand, and before I knew it, I was taken to the pancake shop.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

We reached the pancake shop in just over 10 minutes.

We ran in the opposite direction from our apartment complex and arrived at an unknown pancake shop located on a major road.

“What the… what’s going on here?”

“Huh? It’s a cosplay pancake shop, you know?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about… Wait, did you even hear what I said earlier?”

“Well, I didn’t say anything specific… I just said it was a pancake shop. I didn’t mention what kind of pancake shop it was.”

Indeed, she had said it was a pancake shop, but she hadn’t mentioned anything specific. However, this was too obvious!

The name of the store was “Nyan Nyan Pancake!!”. From the name alone, it was clear that it was not the name of a pancake shop that ordinary college students would go to.

In addition, through the large glass windows, I could see the staff dressed in maid uniforms, and the customers sitting at the tables were also wearing some kind of cosplay outfits, or at least something that was not typical attire.

Most of the customers were female, but there were also couples, and the place was incredibly lively. Why did I never hear about this shop? It was really popular!

“Hey…this can’t be the place, right?”

I looked around to find an escape route, but there was no other pancake shop nearby.

“Is this the place?”

“Wait, are you saying I have to cosplay here?”

“Yes! You said you wanted to repay me, right?”

“I did say that, but this is completely different!”

“No excuses! Anyway, instead of repaying me, can you serve me?”

“What?! Wait, no, no, nooo!”

Once again, I was dragged into the shop by force. And so, the noisiest and darkest night of my life began.

[PoV] Suzune Mitoma :

I absolutely have to take a photo of Senpai in his butler outfit!

But lately, I’ve been feeling strange looks from him. If I push him more at the university festival, I might be able to confess to him and start dating, right?

Well, there’s no need to rush. Anyway, it’s the preparation period now. Senpai is kind, but he’s just a man after all. If I, the cute and adorable me, push him harder, he’ll definitely fall for me.

Ehehe~… In that case, I’ll just keep approaching him as much as possible. Surely, senpai won’t give in easily, so I’ll keep pushing him to his limit, weaken him, and then… I’ll take him for myself.

Oh, speaking of which… I have to keep the promise I made to Miyuki-chan. For my future husband, I have to start with getting his family members on my side first! There’s also a saying like that, and if I can make his parents like me after the university festival is over, we can be together forever and ever.

Ahhh!! I can’t stop thinking about it!!

Hehehe… I’m drooling already.

As I was lost in my delusions, a butler in a black, elegant tuxedo and simple gloves walked towards me from the dressing room in the back, blushing with embarrassment.

He was showing off his good side, and I couldn’t help but go crazy!

“Kyaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”