Arc 1 – Episode 3: “Why Am I Involved with the Academy’s Princess? – Part 2”

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Since then, Kakyoin-san has been recruiting me to help with the student council more frequently.

It's gotten to the point where she's not only asking for my help after school but also during lunch breaks—no hesitation whatsoever.

Seriously, a little hesitation would be nice.

But Ichigo, my girlfriend, has told me to “get along with Kakyoin-san,” and Itou and the others send me off with knowing smiles, so I can't exactly say no.

I just hate the glares I get from the guys.

After being roped in so many times, I've become a familiar face with the student council upperclassmen. Now, it's common for me to eat lunch with them in the council room.

Just like now.

“Kyoichi, you always eat bread?”

“Well, I live alone… so there's no time for me to make a proper lunch.”

Actually, Ichigo and I are practically living together, but that's a secret.

But it's true I don't have time to make a lunch.

Neither Ichigo nor I are all that motivated to cook.

“I see. So, what's your favorite food?”

“…Karaage, I guess.”

Kakyoin-san nods, eyeing the bread I'm eating.

This is karaage bread, after all.

Still, I don't ask what her favorite food is. I've got a feeling getting too close to her might lead to trouble.

“Since we're talking about favorites, what's your type?”

That's a pretty delicate question.

Even a guy who's not a virgin would misinterpret this nine times out of ten.

For the record, I'm not a virgin. I had my first time with Ichigo on the day we graduated middle school—commemorative, you could say.

“Not sure why you're asking, but… I like someone who's devoted, no matter what they look like.”

I pictured Ichigo as I said it.

She's always gone above and beyond for me.

“Got it. Don't misunderstand—I'm just asking for a conversation piece with my friends!”

“Oh, okay.”

Honestly, I'd prefer she not spread it around, but it's not like I can insist.

When I got back to the classroom before the lunch break ended, Itou and the others immediately surrounded me.

“So, are you getting close to Kakyoin-san? What's it like between you two?”

“Are you guys dating already?”

“Even if you get a girlfriend, stay close to us!”

They're as noisy as usual.

“It's not like that. I mean, we get along, but it's nothing romantic.”

“Really? You two look good together.”

“Isn't Kakyoin-san aiming for you? Probably?”

“What if she confesses?”

Kobayashi's question was unlikely, but I went with it.

“If she confesses… I'd probably turn her down. I had a bad breakup with my last girlfriend, and I'm still not over it.”

I'd already told them about my supposed ex from middle school—a fake girlfriend, part of the story I'd made up after a lot of drama with another girl.

“Aw, that's sweet.”

“Isn't that a little heavy?”

Whatever. It's all made up anyway.

But it seems like everyone knows that Kakyoin-san and I are close now. Itou and the others even ask if I've got plans with her before inviting me to hang out.

I've got a bad feeling about all this.

Yet I don't know what to do, and I can't do anything to change it.

Trying to put some distance between Kakyoin-san and me now… just isn't possible.

And if I piss her off, I might get ostracized by the whole school.

In the end, I can only go with the flow.

The next day during lunch, as I was chatting with Itou and the others, I received a message from Kakyoin-san.

We'd exchanged IDs for easier communication during all the help I'd been giving.

“I have someone I'd like you to meet. Could you please come to the empty classroom on the floor below yours?”

Someone she wants me to meet?

…Could it be?

“What's that? A message from Kakyoin-san?”

“Are you sneaking off to meet up?”

“Things are heating up, huh?”

They all turned their attention toward me, so I decided to explain.

“Not exactly. She said she wants to introduce me to someone.”

“Introduce you?”

“Maybe it's the chairman?”

“Getting parent approval already?”

“Yeah, no. Besides, the meeting place is an empty classroom. I'll go check it out.”

“Okay, have fun!”

They saw me off as I headed to the designated classroom.

Inside, I found Kakyoin-san… and Ichigo.

I had a slight suspicion, but I was still surprised. Ichigo stood behind Kakyoin-san, discreetly holding a finger to her lips.

So, we're keeping things a secret.

“Thanks for coming, Kuzuha-kun.”

“Yeah. So, who's the person you wanted to introduce me to?”

“This is Itou Ichigo from my class.”

“I mean, we're in the same class, so I know her…”

It's awkward pretending we're meeting for the first time.

“Um, I'm Itou Ichigo! Let's be friends!”

Ichigo bowed with a nervous expression.

This is an act. Ichigo wouldn't be nervous around me.

“Oh, yeah. I'm Kuzuha Kyoichi. Nice to meet you.”

I played along, introducing myself as if it were our first encounter.

“So, why did you want to introduce me to Itou?”

“How about we all hang out after school?”

There doesn't seem to be a reason, but… I get it.

Ichigo's putting on this show to make an ally at school who supports our relationship.

If she plays it off as a slow-building friendship, with Kakyoin-san as our backup, it'll be harder for other girls to mess with her.

With Kakyoin-san there, we'll attract less attention from other students, too.

“Alright. So, where should we go?”

“Hmm, let's see…”

The three of us started planning our after-school outing.

I was worried about Ichigo's schemes, but it seems I was just overthinking it.