“…What is it this time?”
“Hey, Akasaki, what’s going on with this?”
Following Kazamiya’s gaze, Haruya could see Rin stealing glances in their direction.
“What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’?”
As soon as her eyes met Haruya’s, she quickly looked away and busied herself in conversation with Sara and Yuna.
“I don’t think anything particularly has changed.”
“…No, Kohinata-san has been looking this way the whole time.”
“Ah, yeah… But she’s been like this ever since the Eika Festival ended.”
“Alright, I get it. I won’t ask anymore.”
“Huh?”
At this point, Kazamiya was convinced that Rin was concerned about Haruya, so he had nothing left to ask.
Meanwhile, the S-class beauties were casually discussing the Eika Festival as usual.
Sara and Yuna were sharing what was particularly challenging about the class play.
Rin was detailing the difficulties she faced as part of the executive committee.
As they shared these details, Yuna began to wonder about Haruya.
(Somehow, lately… I feel like Rin has been paying attention to Akasaki-kun.)
When she brought this up to Rin directly, her usual playful attitude disappeared, and she quietly responded, “…That’s not true.”
That reaction was almost like giving the answer away.
It’s not that Yuna was interested in Haruya because Rin was paying attention to him.
During the Eika Festival, Haruya had said—
“No matter what kind of person Kohinata-san is, or what she becomes, I want you to remain friends with her.”
In other words,
he had anticipated that Rin would come out to Yuna and Sara.
It’s possible that Rin had told Akasaki-kun before telling them, but that possibility was very low.
Because when Rin came out to the two, her face looked desperate, as if she had been carrying this burden alone until then.
The incident in the conference room, his skill in bringing Rin back during the live performance, the summons on the connecting corridor.
(Akasaki-kun might be more than I thought…)
Yuna was internally raising her evaluation of Haruya.
And she had something she wanted to ask him.
It was from a few days ago.
She had sent a message to Haru.
“Nayu: Haru-san. Um… did you come to see the play at the Eika Festival?”
Haruya was about to answer that he didn’t go, but realizing he would likely be scolded at the offline meeting, he honestly replied:
“Haru: Yes, I went to see Nayu-san’s play. I was surprised at how well it was done.”
However, this made Yuna wonder.
During the play, Yuna had carefully scanned the entire audience.
But Haru wasn’t there.
(… Does that mean he was in disguise? Or was he watching from hiding?)
She wanted to ask Haruya, who was in charge of reception as part of the executive committee, about this as well.
She hoped that the seemingly intelligent Haruya might be able to help somehow.
Even so, Yuna thought.
Seeing Sara’s eyes occasionally dart towards Haruya’s seat…
(It’s not like Sara is also paying attention to Akasaki-kun, right…?)
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The sound of ice clinking in a glass echoes.
The chime of a wind bell swaying in the gentle breeze overlaps, and a fan oscillates listlessly from side to side.
(As expected, the coffee here is delicious.)
Haruya had visited the café he frequented as a regular, trying to relieve the fatigue that had accumulated.
And the one who came to serve him was…
“It’s been a while, onii-san.”
Kohinata-san, dressed in a monochrome maid outfit.
It had been about a month since their last meeting.
Now he understood that the reason she had taken such a long break was for the Eika Festival.
Although Haruya knew Kohinata-san’s true identity, right now, Haruya was in his alter ego.
That’s why he responded naturally to Rin’s greeting.
“It has been a while, Kohinata-san.”
“Yes, it’s been a long time.”
“…”
Haruya froze for a moment.
Usually, she would tease him with lines like “Did you miss me~?” or “You really wanted to see me, didn’t you~?”
Then, Rin bowed her head politely and pleaded:
“I’m sorry, but could I ask you for some love advice, onii-san? It seems I’ve started to like someone!”
“Huh?”
Haruya let out a dumbfounded voice.
It was unexpected.
It seemed Kohinata-san had someone she was interested in.
“Well… that’s why I can’t tease you anymore… or rather, I want to save that only for that person.”
“Ah~ I see.”
He understood why her response had been less playful than usual.
If she had found someone she liked, it couldn’t be helped.
There was a hint of loneliness, but he wasn’t in a position to interfere.
Haruya nodded to himself before encouraging her to continue.
“Well, if I can be of any help, I’d be happy to listen to your concerns.”
“Um… actually… you see…”
For Kohinata-san, her face was unusually red.
Her usual devilish charm was nowhere to be seen.
Just looking at her expression made Haruya feel like his own face was heating up.
“…Given your state, maybe we should wait until you’re a bit calmer before talking about this.”
“Yes… I’m sorry.”
She drooped her shoulders dejectedly.
“But I promise I’ll consult with you soon, so please.”
“Ah, sure, if I’m good enough for you.”
As Haruya exchanged these words with her, he had no idea that he would soon be facing hell.
He never imagined that the person Rin was concerned about… was his plain, everyday self.
At this moment, such a thought never crossed his mind.
She had become conscious of him.
She felt that she could show her true self to Akasaki-kun.
This was a first for her, and Rin couldn’t help but smile slightly.
The way he fearlessly confronted those two, it was such a gap from his usual self.
Usually, he seemed lethargic, but after getting to know him through the executive committee, her understanding of him had completely changed.
…He’s cool.
Such a cliché thought ran through Rin’s mind.
But she quickly shook her head, pushing the thought to the back of her mind.
…Well, he might have been cool, but isn’t it too much to think I can show my true self? Usually, I try to act with a teasing tone and a bit devilish, or rather, coy… but my real self is probably standoffish and not cute at all…
Rin closed her eyes, imagining a future that might have been.
[…Kohinata-san. You were super cute. The live performance was amazing.]
If Akasaki-kun had said that after the live performance.
If I had shown my true self, I probably would have replied like this:
“Hmm…”
“Eh, that’s it?”
“So you’re a fan of mine, Akasaki-kun. Well… thanks.”
Showing a standoffish attitude, or rather, a composed attitude at that moment—
But in front of Sara-chin and Yuna-rin.
“Hey, hey. Akasaki-kun praised me so much~ Listen, Sara-chin, Yuna-rin. He’s really so cool—!”
In this way, I’d talk about Akasaki-kun all the time when he’s not around.
…What am I thinking?
For Rin, this was ideal.
In reality, she found herself constantly drawn to Haruya, her gaze following him without realizing it.
And if their eyes met, she would suddenly feel embarrassed, her mind almost short-circuiting.
…Geez, making me worry so much.
Rin stared at the photo of Haruya displayed on her phone screen.
It was a group photo taken during the after-party.
She playfully flicked Haruya’s zoomed-in face on the screen.
Not knowing how I feel… How annoying… Someday, I’ll definitely make Akasaki-kun ask for my contact information.
Well, thinking like this is probably because I’m still caught up in the festival mood. Surely that’s it.
Realizing her body temperature had risen, she gulped down some cider.
Somehow, it tasted sweeter than usual.
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