114 - The Next Strategy

RAW

On the way home from school.

The residential streets had grown quieter compared to the height of summer, with the cicadas' cries beginning to subside. Haruto, Ayaka, and Shizuku walked side by side.

"Hey, Ayaka-senpai? If you don’t proclaim your love for Haruto-senpai, I might just hug him again!"

Walking on Haruto’s right, Shizuku teased Ayaka with an exaggerated gesture, pretending to wrap her arms around him.

Ayaka, her ears still red from embarrassment, glared at Shizuku with teary eyes filled with shame.

“Ugh… Shizuku-chan, you’re so mean… I might stop talking to you forever!”

“If you do that, you won’t get any closer to Haruto-senpai at school. Is that okay?”

“Ugh…”

“Come on, Ayaka-senpai, just shout your love like you did earlier.”

Though her face remained expressionless, Shizuku’s tone betrayed how much she enjoyed teasing Ayaka.

Haruto, sensing the need to intervene, spoke up to put an end to it.

“Hey, stop picking on Ayaka.”

Watching the two go back and forth, Haruto couldn’t help but wonder which one was really the senior.

“Oh, I see. Haruto-senpai is siding with his beloved girlfriend.”

“Of course, I am. I’m her boyfriend.”

“Haruto-kun…”

At Haruto’s words, Ayaka smiled shyly, her expression brimming with happiness. Shizuku, still expressionless, puffed out her cheeks in mock sulkiness.

“Hmph. I guess I’m just the third wheel here.”

Haruto chuckled at her exaggerated reaction.

“But really, Shizuku, I’m grateful to you. Thanks to your help, I’ve been able to connect with Ayaka at school.”

“Are you truly grateful?”

Shizuku shot Haruto a skeptical look.

“Yeah, I am.”

“And you, Ayaka-senpai?”

“Yes, from the bottom of my heart.”

“Then, Haruto-senpai, kiss me.”

Shizuku delivered her outrageous request with a straight face. Haruto, accustomed to her jokes, laughed it off, but Ayaka, unprepared, turned pale with panic.

“What are you saying, Shizuku-chan!?”

“You both said you’re grateful, so I figured I’d accept that gratitude in the form of a kiss.”

“Why does it have to be a kiss from Haruto-kun!?”

“See? Ayaka-senpai is so quick to monopolize Haruto-senpai.”

“Of course I am! I’m his girlfriend!”

Clinging tightly to Haruto’s arm, Ayaka passionately declared her stance. Amused by her reaction, Shizuku squinted mischievously.

“Getting so worked up… Could it be that Ayaka-senpai hasn’t kissed Haruto-senpai yet?”

Blushing furiously, Ayaka shot back.

“I-I have!”

“Not just on the cheek, I mean mouth-to-mouth.”

“M-mouth-to-mouth too!”

“And… French kissing?”

“Fr-fren-french k-kis-kissing too!”

As Ayaka struggled to respond, her words jumbled in her flustered state, her face glowing red. Unable to watch any longer, Haruto stepped in once again.

“That’s enough, Shizuku. Ayaka, calm down.”

“Ah… okay…”

Ayaka lowered her head, steam practically rising from her ears as she tried to recover from Shizuku’s relentless teasing.

“Embarrassed Ayaka-senpai is so cute.”

“...Shizuku-chan, I hate you…”

“But I think I might start to love Ayaka-senpai.”

Caught between the two girls, Haruto could only chuckle in exasperation.

As they continued their banter for a few more minutes, they reached an intersection. Shizuku stopped walking.

“Well, Ayaka-senpai, this is where I turn.”

“Oh, I see. We’re going the other way.”

Ayaka pointed to the left, while Shizuku gestured to the right.

“Guess this is goodbye. See you, Shizuku-chan.”

Relieved to be free from Shizuku’s teasing, Ayaka waved her off quickly. However, Shizuku raised an eyebrow.

“We? Haruto-senpai’s house is straight ahead, isn’t it?”

At her questioning gaze, Haruto scratched his head awkwardly.

“Ah… actually, I’m staying at Ayaka’s house right now.”

“What!?”

Shizuku’s usually calm expression shattered in shock.

“Ayaka-senpai, you’re living with Haruto-senpai!?”

“Well, um… it’s not really like that…”

“How is it not!? Lovers living under the same roof—what else would you call that!?”

Shizuku leaned in, her words pressing Ayaka, who tried to calm her down with both hands raised defensively.

“Well, you see, Haruto-kun’s grandmother works as our housekeeper, so…”

“Haruto-senpai’s grandmother is Ayaka-senpai’s housekeeper?”

Shizuku turned her gaze to Haruto, prompting him to explain.

“Yeah, my grandma’s old workplace closed, and when she was looking for a new job, Ayaka’s family hired her.”

“And that led to you two living together?”

“Yeah, Ayaka’s dad suggested it.”

Haruto explained the circumstances, and Shizuku crossed her arms, nodding slowly.

“I see… Ayaka-senpai’s family has cunningly ensnared Haruto-senpai, even winning over his weakness—his grandmother. Quite the strategist, Ayaka-senpai.”

“W-what are you talking about? I just wanted to help Haruto-kun!”

Ayaka responded hastily, her voice slightly higher-pitched than usual. Shizuku narrowed her eyes.

“Oh, how admirable.”

“Wait, Ayaka-senpai, does that mean your family is wealthy?”

“Um… well…”

Haruto, at a loss, glanced at Ayaka, who hesitated before answering.

“Uh… my parents both run companies, so…”

“Wait, you’re the daughter of company presidents?”

“Um, I guess so…?”

When Ayaka looked at Haruto for confirmation, he nodded.

“Yeah, pretty much.”

Shizuku sighed dramatically.

“Great looks, a perfect figure, and now a wealthy background too… Fairness really is just an illusion.”

Ayaka could only offer a strained smile in return.

“And Ayaka-senpai, does that mean your house is big?”

“Uh, maybe a little bigger than average?”

“It’s a mansion,” Haruto interjected simply, earning an impressed nod from Shizuku.

“I see. I’ve thought of our next strategy.”

“Huh? What is it?” Ayaka asked, leaning forward curiously.

“Hehe, it’s a secret. By the way, Ayaka-senpai, since your house is big, it’ll work perfectly.”

Without further explanation, Shizuku pulled out her phone.

“Let’s exchange contact info.”

“Oh, sure…”

Though confused, Ayaka shared her contact details. After confirming the exchange, Shizuku looked up.

“Alright, I’ll tell you about the plan tomorrow.”

With that, Shizuku turned on her heel and walked off.

“What do you think Shizuku-chan’s plan is, Haruto-kun?”

“Hmm… knowing her, it’s hard to predict.”

Haruto smiled wryly as Ayaka tilted her head in curiosity.