Upon returning to their own world, Fumino Furuhashi and Rizu Ogata fled as though escaping.
Being near Rei Ao reminded them too much of the night spent hearing noises through thin walls.
"See what you've done."
Mafuyu said awkwardly, giving Rei Ao's waist a light pinch.
"Mafuyu-sensei, where did you learn this 'waist pinch' move?"
Rei Ao's forehead was streaked with black lines; it seemed both she and Mai had picked it up naturally.
"I'm teaching you a lesson!"
Mafuyu replied calmly, face unflushed and heart steady.
"Who does that kind of thing in front of others? Think about how Fumino and Rizu must feel facing me now!"
"Oh?"
Rei Ao teased with a smirk. "I was just messing around with Miko and Hana. I don't remember you joining in. How does that concern you?"
"You still dare say that!"
At the reminder, Mafuyu gritted her teeth.
"Fumino and I were staying in the same guest room—neither of us slept a wink all night. So embarrassing!"
All night, she felt like ants were crawling over her skin. Even she didn't know how to face them both.
But Rei Ao remained laid-back.
"You just have to get used to it. I've done 18 consecutive live broadcasts before."
"This topic ends here. I have to go out."
"It's the weekend. No classes."
Mafuyu reminded him.
"I know—my outing isn't for school; I'm going on a date."
"Huh?"
…
On the train.
Wearing a white dress and carrying a small purse, Iroha Isshiki looked tense. She kept checking herself, worried there might be lint or stains on her clothes.
"Should be fine…right?"
Even though it was her plan to "woo" Rei Ao-senpai, for some reason she was the one super nervous. She hadn't even met up with him yet and was already acting this way. Maybe it was because it was her first date?
Iroha tried to reassure herself, unaware that at the other end of the train carriage, two pairs of eyes were stealthily watching her.
"Yumiko, I feel like dressing like this is way too conspicuous."
Feeling everyone's eyes on them, Yuigahama was uncomfortable.
"Yuigahama, we're tailing Isshiki, so of course we need a disguise," Yumiko said seriously.
"But…alright." Yuigahama sighed, resigning. Though she still wanted to complain. If they were simply following Isshiki, why bundle up in coats, hats, and sunglasses, looking exactly like detective cosplayers? To bystanders, they were basically shady weirdos.
"Yuigahama, she's getting off. Let's go!"
"Got it!"
…
Alighting from the train, Iroha Isshiki looked around. This was where she and Rei Ao had arranged to meet.
"Iroha, over here."
Not far away, under the shade of a tree, Rei Ao waved.
"Rei Ao-senpai!"
Seeing him, Iroha brightened, running over in a swirl of floral scent. She wore an especially cute outfit, like an elf out of a story, and Rei Ao couldn't help praising her.
"Iroha, this outfit really suits you—it's lovely."
"Um, th-thank you for the compliment, Senpai."
A faint blush tinted Iroha's cheeks as she nodded bashfully, all the while berating herself inwardly. Why am I getting so happy from a simple compliment!?
Then she put her hands on her hips, pouting in mock frustration to mask her emotions.
"Rei Ao-senpai, this is a date—so calling me 'Isshiki' is kinda odd!"
"Mm, you're right."
"How about Iroha?"
"…"
The name made Iroha's eyes tremble. She had initiated this request herself, but hearing him address her so intimately made her heart race uncontrollably.
Noticing her strange expression and silence, Rei Ao spoke again.
"What's wrong? Don't like that name? Then—"
"No, it's fine!"
Iroha forced down her embarrassment. "J-just call me that, then. In that case, I'll call you Rei Ao-kun."
Rei Ao smiled slightly. "No problem, Iroha."
"Ugh!"
She quivered. Not daring to meet his eyes, she whirled around.
"Alright, Rei Ao-kun, let's go. Time to start the date!"
Walking side by side, Rei Ao's eyes briefly flicked toward the pillar behind them, noticing two people but swiftly looking away.
Behind that pillar—
"Yumiko, I think Rei Ao-kun spotted us."
Yuigahama scratched her head. His glance had been unmistakable.
"Of course he did," Yumiko retorted sourly. "He's too powerful for our little stakeout to fool him. I expected this, but it's fine."
She shrugged. "We're just here to see if that little fox Iroha tries seducing him. Doesn't matter if he found out we're watching."
"Little fox…?"
Yuigahama was taken aback that Yumiko would use such language—but she had to admit it fit. She and Yumiko didn't mind if a new girl joined Rei Ao's circle, but they disliked the possibility that someone might come in purely through seductive tricks. Over time, they'd come to see Iroha as not malicious, but her sheer determination to "chase" Rei Ao unnerved them a bit.
Even if love can grow slowly over time, there should be at least some genuine affection, right?
"C'mon, Yuigahama, don't stand there. We're following them!"
"Right!"
Rei Ao and Iroha strolled from the mall to the aquarium, then to an arcade crane game—a carefully planned itinerary by Iroha.
She also added some personal touches: trying on outfits in clothing stores, taking close-up photos in a photo booth, playing innocent with sea animals at the aquarium, acting clumsy at crane games—she was intentionally showing off every aspect of a "perfect girlfriend" persona, all to captivate Rei Ao. She felt she'd carried out these roles flawlessly.
'Is he moved by all this?'
Iroha snuck a glance at Rei Ao, only to see his usual calmness paired with a slight, unreadable smile.
'What's with that?'
Her thoughts went into turmoil. He wore the same expression, no matter what she did, and she couldn't glean any emotional reaction, let alone if he was moved by her charms!
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 200 Chapters Ahead of Others!