It was Monday of a new week.
Thanks to Rin Seino—who claimed she wouldn't get angry but might be moody—Watanabe Tetsu, having miraculously survived an encounter with Yuki Miki, had no choice but to head to the Human Observation Club's activity classroom after school.
"…I plan to confess during summer break. That way, if I fail, I'll have some time to recover. If I confess earlier, I'd be too scared to come to school the next day."
"Mm, if Ichiki-san thinks that way, then that's what you should do."
"The problem is, I still don't know what Senpai Mai likes."
"I have a suggestion about that," Tetsu said as he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Ah!" Aoi Ichiki jumped, startled.
She had thought someone was eavesdropping on her feelings for her senpai.
This had nothing to do with revealing her romantic preferences—she just didn't want others to know her thoughts. After all, this world was supposed to be very tolerant.
Rin Seino, simply frightened, replied with a slightly harsh tone, "Watanabe-kun, if you come in, just come in. Or do you have a habit of eavesdropping?"
"I wasn't deliberately sneaking in to listen to your breathing, Rin-san," Tetsu said as he sat at the Zelkova wood table. "But I have practiced minimizing my presence… does it work?"
Because he was so handsome, he was constantly approached and bothered, so he had tried various methods to avoid attention—all of which had failed.
Now, it seemed not all his efforts were wasted.
After discerning the truth in his words, Rin Seino looked slightly surprised. "Finally lost control of your desires and planning to sneak into the girls' restroom?"
"Only fools go to the restroom. The changing room is cleaner and safer—and almost everything you'd want to see can be seen there."
"Seems like you've been planning this for a while."
"I call it quick thinking—fast mental reflexes."
"Someone like you would be even more dangerous if you committed a crime. I can't imagine what you might do with long-term planning. Watanabe-kun, care to visit my home's psychiatric facility before the police take you away for a crime?"
"I'm wrong—please stop talking," Tetsu surrendered.
This world was not as tolerant as advertised.
Aoi Ichiki, pacing back and forth, watched the two and said enviously, "I wish I could talk to Senpai Mai like that."
Tetsu glanced at her, then said to Rin Seino, "So, in other people's eyes, we seem like a good match?"
Rin Seino didn't answer. "Watanabe-kun, the one who wants to sneak into the girls' changing room… what was that suggestion you mentioned earlier?"
"Yeah!" Aoi Ichiki looked at Tetsu eagerly. "Watanabe-kun, please help me!"
"You plan to confess during summer break, Ichiki-san?"
"Yes!"
"Before I give my suggestion, may I first share my thoughts on confessing?"
"Yes, yes!!" Aoi's expression was so serious, she almost pulled out a notebook.
If she had, Tetsu would have liked her a little more—after all, a notebook was a standard accessory for someone aspiring to greatness, like himself.
"A confession isn't the signal to charge—it should be the bell of victory," Tetsu said.
Aoi's face showed confusion.
"You mean… Watanabe-kun, who sneaks into the changing room to watch girls change, is suggesting that Ichiki-san, before confessing to Senpai Mai during summer break, should first take steps to raise her favorability?" Rin Seino asked, watching him closely.
"Exactly—but…"
"I'm not opposed to sneaking into the changing room," Rin said.
"Who do you think cut me off before I finished speaking!"
Tetsu wondered if Rin was on her period today—otherwise, why was she so targeted toward him?
Still, provoking a girl on her period was neither kind nor wise, so he decided to let it go. Not that he was intimidated.
He continued explaining his suggestion to Aoi Ichiki:
"Just like last Saturday, Ichiki-san, you can continue inviting her out—movies, meals, coffee, desserts, whatever. During one of these outings, play a game of Truth or Dare—or even King's Game, if you like. Observe her reactions and preferences. Through this, you can gather information to make your confession location ideal."
"Sounds feasible," Rin Seino nodded in approval.
Aoi Ichiki brightened at Tetsu's words but soon frowned. "Without Senpai Hanada, Senpai Mai won't go out with me."
"Then tell Asako Hanada about it," Tetsu said with a confident grin he had long planned. "Get her involved too."
Aoi froze, then suddenly blushed and glanced shyly at Tetsu.
'Wait—wait. I knew you liked girls, that's why I didn't restrain my laughter. Are you bisexual? Or just into good-looking people? Love should be exclusive—or you'll be in trouble, Ichiki-san!'
Tetsu hid his smile and sighed helplessly.
Aoi, pressed for time due to band practice, said she would find a chance to tell Asako Hanada, then hurried off.
Tetsu opened his notebook, quickly reviewing it from start to finish before continuing his Spanish studies.
Rin Seino walked to the window and brewed tea using the new tea set she had brought.
"Here."
"Hmm? Oh, thanks." Tetsu took the disposable cup from her hand.
Rin stood still, simply watching him.
Tetsu sipped, preparing to place the cup on the table. "Hmm…"
Before he could comment, Rin spoke with a faint smile: "Watanabe-kun… is it the taste of early summer, or… terrible?"
"…So she's not on her period?"
"Period?" Rin sighed in exasperation. "Watanabe-kun, it seems your parents need not worry about your future. There's no place safer or more secure than prison."
"I thought after the haunted house incident, we were a little closer… too bad," Tetsu said mock-sadly, sipping tea again.
While comparing the tea made by Miki and the Seinos—and concluding neither matched store-bought barley tea—Rin, arms around a tray, muttered so quietly it was barely audible:
"Y-yes… we are a little closer."
"Huh?!"
"But only as acquaintances. Don't think I'll ever go on a date with you alone!"
"What are you talking about? I never even considered dating you."
"And even as acquaintances, that's no reason to say my mother's tea is terrible. We aren't close enough for that."
"Didn't you say you wanted me to be honest?"
"Is the tea really terrible?" Rin's eyes gleamed.
If this were a game, her head would surely display "Lie Detection 100%."
Tetsu could only avoid her gaze, looking out at the rainy season outside. He neither lied nor spoke fully honestly:
"In any case… it's not good."
Sure enough… she's probably on her period. And it's the rainy season.
...
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