"I have a friend."
Normally, when someone says that—
What follows is usually just their own story.
An imaginary friend, so to speak.
But Haruto really did mean it this time.
"She's in a situation similar to Komi-san's. She's also extremely socially anxious and has trouble making friends. And now, she's made lots of friends—but she only managed it thanks to one thing."
At those words, Komi Shouko's eyes instantly lit up.
She looked at Haruto with hopeful anticipation.
Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui were also curious. After all, neither of them were exactly skilled at making friends either.
The former was a proud, aloof young lady—she didn't have much of a need for friends to begin with.
The latter was such a natural airhead that it was hard for her to form genuine friendships.
She had a hard time refusing other people's requests—
So she was often surrounded by people who only pretended to be friends with her.
They just found Yuigahama convenient to use.
Not true friends at all.
Haruto continued:
"That one thing was a hobby. A shared hobby can easily bring together people with different personalities. When people share the same interest and work toward it together, their relationships naturally grow closer in the process."
The friend he spoke of, of course, was Hitori Gotou.
Bocchi, because she loved music—
Met three others who also loved music.
Bound together by their band, they became good friends. A shared hobby really was a powerful tool for making friends.
Hearing this, the three girls all nodded in agreement.
"As expected, Haruto-kun is so reliable!"
Yuigahama sighed in admiration.
Haruto smiled.
"Well, I've provided the idea. Next, finding out Komi-san's hobby will be up to you guys."
And with that, he prepared to slip away.
Yuigahama froze.
She had just called him reliable—
And now he was trying to run away.
But before he could turn fully, Yukinoshita grabbed him by the collar. Clearly, trying to ditch the first club activity was going too far.
It was not allowed.
"Well then, Komi-san, do you have any hobbies?"
Yukino asked.
Komi fell into thought.
Did she have any hobbies?
It didn't seem like she really did.
She was remarkably capable—both in academics and in sports. She could also play extracurricular instruments like the piano.
But as for an actual "hobby"—
She didn't have anything she particularly favored.
"What about cats?"
Haruto casually suggested from the side.
In the next moment, both girls in the room seemed to light up, their eyes sparkling like cat eyes.
Komi loved cats.
Especially black cats.
Perhaps because they were so much like her.
'Like!'
Komi quickly wrote on her small chalkboard.
"So you like them too〃ˇ!"
Yukino looked as if she had just found a kindred spirit.
She was a hardcore cat lover herself.
In the next instant, Yukino launched into a passionate speech. Talking about how cute cats were, their habits, and everything in between.
Komi eagerly wrote back on her chalkboard.
The two communicated with ease.
Yuigahama could only stare in amazement.
"As expected of Haruto-kun! Amazing!"
Haruto shrugged.
Two cat lovers were too easy to deal with.
Never mind Yukino's usual aloof, cold demeanor—
She barely gave anyone the time of day.
But when the topic turned to cats—
She instantly became passionate.
In just a short while, she'd probably spoken more than she did during an entire school day. Komi, meanwhile, was happily immersed in talking about cats.
And since she was writing—
Her communication disorder had improved quite a bit for the moment.
Once the breakthrough was found—
The plan could take shape nicely.
After Yukino and Komi finally calmed down a little—
Haruto spoke:
"Perfect timing—the school festival is coming up, and each class will have its own activities and decorations. If we can convince everyone to use a cat theme for the class decorations—Then during the preparation process, Komi's love for cats will become a bridge for communication, helping her make friends.
Komi-san's drawing skills are above average, right? You could be in charge of drawing the blackboard. That kind of activity draws attention—so she wouldn't need to start conversations herself. People will naturally come talk to her."
Listening to Haruto's detailed plan—
The three girls all nodded in agreement.
Yuigahama looked at him with admiration.
Super reliable!
Maybe she could ask Haruto for help with her own problems too?
She thought as much.
"The plan's set then. But… Komi-san will need a bit of a change."
Yukino spoke up.
As brilliant as the plan was—
If Komi still gave off that full-force icy aura when nervous—She might scare away quite a few people who wanted to talk to her.
If that happened, the plan could even fail.
"Let's use cat ears. Since the class theme will be cats, it makes sense for everyone to wear cat ears, right?"
Yuigahama suggested.
It was a good idea.
Eye candy mode: ON.
Haruto casually reached into his bag and pulled out a whole pile of cat ear accessories.
Realistic ones, too.
When worn, they could even move—
As if the wearer had actually grown cat ears.
When Haruto dumped the pile of cat ears on the table—
The three girls were dumbfounded.
Who in their right mind carried around this many cat ears?
Still, these were just common white-grade items that came from draws in his Kamui space.
Although surprised, the girls each picked one.
Komi chose a black pair of cat ears and put them on.
They were light.
They didn't feel very real.
She instinctively reached up to touch them.
The texture felt nice.
Just as she was about to find a mirror to see herself—
She met Yukino's gaze.
In Yukino's eyes, little hearts were practically floating.
Her breathing had grown heavy.
She looked like a total cat-loving maniac.
She was about to pounce and pet Komi like a real cat.
This sudden change startled Komi, who quickly stepped back two paces. Luckily, Haruto stepped in, flicking the forehead of the hardcore cat lover.
Yukino finally returned to normal.
Her obsession with cats was truly severe.
Even girls with cat-like features could trigger her strongly.
Meanwhile, Komi found a full-length mirror in the clubroom. Looking at the soft, wiggling cat ears on her head—
Her eyes turned back into bean eyes again.
Too cute!
Yukino and Yuigahama also tried them on.
What could be said? Girls + cat ears was a perfect combination.
The two stood in front of the mirror, marveling at their reflections. Although embarrassed, they had to admit it was adorable.
"Haruto-kun, where did you buy these? I want to get one too!"
Yuigahama asked excitedly.
Haruto shook his head.
"Got them by chance—you probably can't buy them anywhere."
After all, they were system lottery prizes.
Unless the Foundation reverse-engineered them with tech—There was no way to get the same ones outside.
Hearing that, Yuigahama looked disappointed.
Such cute cat ears—though wearing them in public might be embarrassing,
She would've loved to wear them at home just for fun.
"But I have plenty, so I can give you one."
Haruto added.
At that, Yuigahama immediately cheered happily.
While the three girls admired their cat ears—
Haruto took out his phone.
He picked the perfect angle and snapped a photo of them.
Cat-ear Yukinoshita Yukino, cat-ear Komi Shouko, cat-ear Yuigahama Yui.
Adorable and rare.
Of course he had to keep it as a memento.
With the cat ears—
Komi's unapproachable aura when nervous was instantly cut by half. After all, cats were so cute—even if cold, people would still want to approach.
As for the remaining half—
"How about using makeup to slightly change her eye shape?"
Yukino suggested as she examined Komi.
Komi's natural eyes were tsurime—upturned outer corners.
Also called slanted-up eyes.
The outer corners were raised, giving her eyes a downward-eight shape that made her look sharp and hard to approach.
Characters with this trait often also had a tsundere personality, adding a sense of gap moe. Or they were cool older-sister types who carried an air of cold elegance to the extreme.
Komi was the latter.
Only her exterior was cold—her inner personality was soft.
If makeup could slightly soften her upturned eyes—
Her sharp gaze could be improved.
It was just that—
"Do any of you know how to do makeup?"
Yukino asked.
The three girls looked at each other.
For a moment, they were all at a loss for words.