In the morning, when Shin and Megumi Kato walked into the classroom together, they were immediately met with the gazes of their classmates.
While some had already sensed that their relationship wasn't exactly ordinary when they entered together the day before, today's repeat performance all but confirmed everyone's suspicions. Some even suspected that the two were already living together.
Of course, many still found this hard to believe—after all, high school students cohabiting sounded like something straight out of a manga.
Ironically, their suspicions were correct. Megumi Kato and Shin were indeed living together—just not alone.
Their close relationship also brought Megumi Kato an unusual amount of attention, though most people would still unconsciously overlook her afterward.
Megumi Kato was perfectly happy with this arrangement. It allowed her to stake her claim over Shin while avoiding unnecessary prying—a win-win.
However, while she was satisfied, some in the class were clearly growing restless.
"Looks like someone beat you to it."
Sitting at the front of the classroom, Ebina Hina adjusted her glasses and spoke in a strategist-like tone as she watched Shin and Megumi Kato take their seats.
"Miura, time's running out. They probably haven't made things official yet... but if you don't act soon, there might be no turning back."
Ebina Hina had no idea that Shin and Megumi Kato weren't just "unofficial"—they had already crossed every line.
After all, Ebina herself had no real romantic experience. As a fujoshi, she hadn't even studied heterosexual relationships much.
If it weren't for Yumiko Miura agonizing over whether to talk to Shin, she wouldn't have bothered with this at all—being Miura's friend was exhausting.
"Y-Yeah... Maybe you should take the initiative?"
Beside her, Yui Yuigahama, who usually just went along with others, surprisingly encouraged Yumiko Miura as well—a rare occurrence for her.
Of course, this was mainly because Ebina had already nudged Miura first, so Yuigahama was essentially just echoing her words.
"Then... I'll give it a try?"
Yumiko Miura, who had been hesitating endlessly, finally showed a flicker of determination on her face.
Despite her usual proud demeanor—even earning her the nickname "Queen" among some—when it came to the person she liked, she was surprisingly timid.
This was completely at odds with most people's perception of her. Only her close friends knew just how much of a coward this "Queen" became in matters of love.
But this time, the situation was different.
When the girls from Shuchi'in Academy had approached Shin before, Miura could still console herself with, "They're from another school, so they won't get too close to him."
But now, the "enemy" was Megumi Kato—a classmate. Miura could no longer keep lying to herself.
If things continued like this, Shin would really be taken away!
"Alright, I'll gather my thoughts and invite him after class!"
Finally, Yumiko Miura steeled herself and decided to follow Ebina and Yuigahama's suggestion.
But even as she mustered her courage, she couldn't help but seek her friends' support.
"Um... You two should come with me. Otherwise, I'm still a little scared."
Mainly because Yuigahama had invited Shin to hang out with them multiple times before, only to be rejected every time. This had left Miura with little confidence in her own chances.
True to her word, as soon as the first class ended, Yumiko Miura, accompanied by Yuigahama and Ebina, approached Shin's desk.
Shin had just put away his phone—he and Megumi Kato had been messaging throughout the entire class. The moment he looked up, he noticed someone approaching.
It was the three girls from the "popular group."
Among them, the only one Shin had any real interaction with was Yuigahama, since she had invited him out before.
As for Yumiko Miura and Ebina Hina, he had barely spoken to them—most of his knowledge about them came from the series he'd seen in his past life.
But judging by their positioning this time, Miura was clearly the one taking the lead, so he prepared to hear what this girl—whom he'd barely interacted with—had to say:
"What's up, Miura? Need something?"
Yumiko Miura had rehearsed her lines in her head, but Shin's casual question instantly made her blush, leaving her momentarily speechless.
This reaction caught the attention of Megumi Kato, who was sitting in front of Shin. She glanced at Miura's flushed face and seemed to immediately understand what was going on.
"Shin... Are you free this weekend? We found a really good restaurant and wanted to invite you."
Finally, under Ebina's exasperated facepalm, Miura managed to blurt out an invitation that sounded like something an elementary schooler would say.
Not that she could be blamed for her lack of eloquence—this was just her personality. Around someone she liked, she became overly nervous and couldn't express her true feelings.
But Shin didn't mind. He looked curiously at Miura, then at Yuigahama and Ebina behind her.
He wasn't stupid. The way Miura's face was burning red made it obvious what was going on.
He didn't know why Miura seemed to have such a high starting affection level for him, but it wasn't exactly a bad thing.
"With all of you?"
While he didn't mind going out with girls, the thought of hanging out with the entire popular group made him clarify.
Miura, not expecting to be questioned, instinctively looked to Ebina and Yuigahama for help.
Ebina's lips twitched—wasn't Shin's implication obvious? He clearly didn't want to hang out with the guys.
So she opened her mouth, ready to say, "Just the two of you is fine."
But before she could speak, Yuigahama cut in first:
"Just the four of us will go."
The moment these words left her mouth, Ebina froze. She turned to Yuigahama, surprised that she had taken the initiative to suggest something.
But Yuigahama's proposal wasn't what Ebina had expected.
In Ebina's view, the best answer would've been to let Shin and Miura go alone, giving them plenty of time together.
Yet Yuigahama's words had dragged all three of them into the plan.
"...It can't be what I'm thinking, right?"
Looking at Yuigahama's expression, Ebina guessed a possibility she didn't dare consider.
Maybe... it wasn't just Miura who wanted to go out with Shin.
To be continued…