Arc 2 – Episode 2: [Behind the Scenes] “Gathering the Pieces”

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[Side: Ichigo]

The second semester had started.

Even after returning to school after the break, nothing about my position had changed. I sat at my desk, pretending to read a book, brushing off anyone who tried to talk to me. My attention was on Kyo-kun, though I couldn't help but glance at Aria-chan every now and then.

Kyo-kun's situation, on the other hand, shifted immediately from day one.

First, there was Itou Keiko—the green-haired girl from Kyo-kun's trio of admirers. She looked at him like a lovestruck maiden now. I guess him saving her from that pickup disaster at karaoke sealed the deal.

I remembered Itou-san from middle school. She didn't look like this back then. She probably dyed her hair after hearing rumors that Kyo-kun liked flashy girls. Back in the day, she kept it natural, plain even. I owed her something from those days, though she probably never knew about it.

It was in the second year. A group of popular girls had decided to pick a random target to bully, and since my social standing was practically nonexistent, I was the obvious choice. Sensing the danger, I secretly recorded Itou-san badmouthing those girls. Then, I “accidentally” let the recording reach the bullies.

Their wrath shifted to Itou-san. Problem solved—for me, anyway.

And now? Kyo-kun saved her from being bullied. Classic him. Not that he even realized she was the same girl. He wouldn't. But hey, it worked out. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded if Itou-san became one of his casual flings. After all, I owed her.

But no, Kyo-kun, in a rare display of seriousness, stopped things at just friendship. A little late for that kind of behavior, don't you think? Whatever.

Then there was Yoshida Ami. She used to be just another average girl who idolized Aria-chan. During the sports festival, though, Kyo-kun carried her princess-style to the infirmary after she twisted her ankle.

That one moment, and now she couldn't stop sneaking glances at him. Over the summer, she even dyed her hair silver to mimic Aria-chan. Trying to get serious with him, huh?

Honestly, she's just Itou-san 2.0. Not worth my time.

And then, there's Aria-chan.

She pretends to keep her distance from Kyo-kun, but I've seen her watching him through mirrors she's strategically placed in the classroom. Eventually, she can't take it anymore and finds an excuse to cut into his conversations. It's so obvious—jealousy. A terrItourial warning.

She even glares at me sometimes. Back in the first semester, that might've riled me up, but now? My focus has shifted.

I'm more interested in taking down Nagaoka's little entourage and making those girls fall for Kyo-kun instead.

Of course, Kyo-kun would never willingly go along with my plan if I told him outright. He's too earnest. I'll have to manipulate him into helping, just like I did with Aria-chan.

Sorry, Kyo-kun. I'll make it up to you by surrounding you with cute girls.

I need a couple of pawns for this, though.

First, someone to act in my place. I don't want to get directly involved. If their morals are shaky enough, I can bait them using Kyo-kun as leverage.

Second, and absolutely essential—Aria-chan. She hates Nagaoka as much as I do, so getting her on board shouldn't be hard.

As for Kyo-kun, I'll feed him a mix of truth and lies until he agrees.

Why he can't seem to get it up for Aria-chan is still a mystery to me. At first, I thought it was just his moral code, but now? I'm not so sure. Might be worth poking into.

I originally planned to lay the groundwork for this in our second year, but with the director pushing Kyo-kun to publicly announce his relationship with Aria-chan, time is running out. Once that happens, we won't be able to use him like this anymore.

After school, I called Aria-chan to our usual empty classroom.

On my way there, someone called out.

“Oh, hey, you're that girl from the closing ceremony, right? Feeling better now?”

I glanced over. Nagaoka.

What the hell does he want? We're not friends.

I ignored him and slipped into the empty classroom, locking the door behind me.

The room had become our private space thanks to Aria-chan. Only she, Kyo-kun, and I had keys.

Someone tried the door. When it didn't budge, they knocked. Persistent, aren't they?

Eventually, they gave up. Good riddance.

After a while, Aria-chan arrived.

I suggested we destroy Nagaoka's harem as payback for all the crap he's pulled.

But she shot it down.

Not interested? Seriously?

I thought she'd jump at the chance. After all, he ruined her date.

Without her, this just got a whole lot harder.

Later, I saw a rumor online—Aria-chan had walked home with Nagaoka.

Seriously, Aria-chan? Don't tell me you're thinking of switching over to that guy. No way am I letting that happen.

You're my pawn until we graduate.

And there's no way I'm letting Kyo-kun experience being cuckolded! Taking someone else's girl is fine, but the reverse? Absolutely not! NTR IS BAD!

Still, the idea of her switching sides is ridiculous.

She knew exactly why Kyo-kun treated her coldly. After betraying me, threatening Kyo-kun, and even manipulating the director, there was no way she'd abandon him now.

She was too far in—sunk cost fallacy in action.

While I was debating whether the rumor was true, Aria-chan contacted me.

She claimed Nagaoka had followed her home and clarified that she wasn't interested in him. She also said she was in for my plan now—payback for the rumors.

I see. Good timing, Nagaoka.

Your timing is either perfect or terrible.

I've got the key pawn I needed.

Now, Nagaoka, I'm going to have Kyo-kun steal every single one of your girls.

Blame your bad luck for crossing paths with us. Especially me!