A few minutes later—
Under the confused gazes of three women, Kamishiro and Iori returned in high spirits.
Judging by the looks on their faces, it didn't seem like they'd just had a negotiation. More like… they'd just had a wholesome double trip to the bathroom or something.
Chisa asked uncertainly, "You're done?"
"Yup, all done!"
"Perfect outcome!"
Kamishiro and Iori both smiled, clearly pleased with the result of their negotiation.
Each had gotten exactly what he wanted.
Iori had been slightly hesitant after agreeing, but when Kamishiro mentioned:
"Yamamoto and the others are going to lose their minds with jealousy."
That single sentence wiped away any doubts Iori had.
After all, Yamamoto and the gang had already accepted Chisa as his girlfriend.
Something that would drive them crazy… it could only be that!
The final step to becoming a man!
Just the thought of it made Iori's face light up with giddy anticipation.
He was so hyped he grabbed Kōhei and pulled him up.
"Kōhei! Stop sleeping, come on, the party's already started!"
"Maya sama… my Maya sama…"
But Kōhei didn't respond—he was once again lost in his own mental world.
Seeing this—
Kamishiro felt a flicker of guilt in his oversized conscience.
He stepped forward and comforted him.
"Kōhei! Is that the extent of your love?!"
Everyone: ???
They stared at Kamishiro, utterly baffled by what side he was even on.
Was he trying to provoke things now that he'd gotten away with it?
Dancing on the edge of a cliff?!
"But… Maya sama…"
Kōhei looked pitifully at Kamishiro. It was because he cared so deeply that he was so heartbroken after hearing the news.
Kamishiro's expression suddenly softened. "As true fans, even if we're hurting inside, shouldn't we still silently wish Maya's happiness?
It's her choice. If she can find joy with that person, isn't that enough?!"
"Kamishiro…"
Kōhei stared at him, trembling—were those tears in the eyes of this serial playboy?
Recalling Kamishiro's words, Kōhei's own eyes began to well up.
As a true fan, he understood what it took to say something like that. The emotional strength it required.
He also knew—Maya sama wasn't an idol. It was normal for someone like her to have someone she liked. It totally fit the image of Magical Girl Rarako.
Magical girls are bold with love and hate—they wouldn't back down over something like this!
In that moment—
Kōhei smiled with newfound clarity.
"To think… you'd be the one to wake me up in the end, my dear friend…"
Bang!
"That's right! As a true fan, I wholeheartedly wish for Maya sama's happiness!"
Kōhei jumped up and raised his glass with passion.
Even though he was crying rivers, he shouted his words with a beaming smile.
Even if Maya sama had someone she loved—so long as she was happy, he would always support her!!!
Maya sama!!!
"That's the spirit, Kōhei! Let's toast to her!"
"Cheers!"
"To Maya sama!!!"
"..."
Watching the two get all fired up for seemingly no reason, Iori and the others just stood there silently.
They've completely hoodwinked the poor guy…
Kōhei!
Don't learn from him! Of course Kamishiro can bless her—he's the male lead!
Though they did feel a little sorry for Kōhei, both Iori and Aina remembered the bribes and threats from earlier.
And immediately, any sympathy vanished. Yeah… better to just keep Kōhei in the dark.
It's better for everyone this way…
As for Chisa and Hanabi?
One wasn't interested at all, and the other was completely Team Kamishiro.
They certainly weren't going to spill anything.
So, with all that settled…
There was only one thing left to do!
"Cheers!"
"Kōhei, your attitude is amazing. You're a model fan!"
"Tonight, we drink 'til we drop!"
"To Maya sama!"
Watching Kōhei chug drinks like mad, Kamishiro nodded with satisfaction.
Excellent—this version of Kōhei is full of life.
And just like that, his conscience stopped hurting altogether~
Looking around at everyone, Kamishiro's face suddenly broke into a big smile.
It might've all been coincidence—
But still…
"To our second Okinawa night!"
"To everyone being able to dive together again!"
"To creating beautiful memories!"
"To Maya sama's happiness!!!"
"To the sea!"
"Cheers!!!" ×5
As she watched the smiling faces of the people around her, Hanabi couldn't help but feel a touch of envy in her eyes.
The atmosphere was so warm...
Just as Hanabi was feeling a little out of place, she suddenly felt her glass clink against another.
Looking up, she saw Kamishiro smiling at her. "Cheers~"
Hanabi froze for a second, then felt a warm current flow through her heart. She softly replied, "Cheers~"
Because Kōhei was overly emotional, this drinking party ended a bit earlier than usual.
After all… Kōhei was chugging like crazy! Not just himself—he kept forcing drinks on Kamishiro, Iori, and even Cakey.
Even their high tolerances couldn't keep up!
Thud~
The moment Kōhei collapsed, the party was officially declared over.
"Phew… finally down. Honestly, today really was too much for the guy."
Seeing Kōhei completely out cold, Kamishiro finally let out a sigh of relief.
Only now did he truly feel like he had survived!
"Kouhei is already amazing... Even after being heartbroken and vomiting so much blood, he could still drink that much…"
He's practically a war god!
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Kouhei with a bit more respect.
This guy Kouhei really always manages to surpass the limits of the human body effortlessly.
"Maa, so what are you going to do now? Even Maya admitted she likes someone. Kouhei will find out sooner or later, right?"
Iori teased Kamishiro. That's why, as long as Kouhei is around, Iori always believed he'd have a chance to get his IOU back!
"No! He won't!"
Kamishiro was absolutely certain. As soon as he got back to izu, he'd cram some chemistry and figure out how to make a drug that causes memory loss!
If he didn't care about side effects, something like that was easy to make!
Hmm… if that really didn't work...
He thought he might as well learn hypnosis or something. He believed his adorable Miss Mori would be happy to teach him~
"…I seriously don't know where you get that confidence from. Even if we keep quiet, aren't you afraid Maya san might expose you?"
Aina looked at Kamishiro with contempt and kept glancing cautiously toward Hanabi.
She would always stand firmly on the side of her bestie!
(;?＿?)
"Probably… maybe… she wouldn't go that far…"
Kamishiro's eyes darted around. Weren't older girls supposed to be considerate?
Like Hanabi—she knew all about his messy past but never said anything. Top-tier big sis!
If only she hadn't spent the whole night pinching his love handles while drinking…
(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)
Hanabi: Hmph╯^╰
Just because she didn't say anything didn't mean she wasn't jealous!
Don't let her cool demeanor fool you—Hanabi simply felt the time wasn't right yet.
Once they got back, she'd cook that crab bastard first!
She couldn't allow Nayuta to get anywhere near this dead pigeon. The pigeon is hers!
Feeling her soft grip Kamishiro sighed, grabbed the mischievous hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Alright, if that's how it is, then let's call it a night. Time to sleep~"
He stretched lazily and casually threw an arm around Hanabi's shoulders as he stood up.
Time for their little couple's time~
As he hugged her, Hanabi's expression turned unnaturally stiff.
She wasn't as shameless as Kamishiro and could only pretend to be in her usual "work mode" to mask it.
But…
It didn't work at all!
Feeling how warm her face was, Hanabi couldn't believe just how red she must be.
Aaaaahhhh!!!
Stupid pigeon!
Why'd he have to say it out loud like that?!
Hanabi gripped him even harder.
This affectionate display was a devastating blow to the others, especially Aina!
Aina: {{(°△°;")}}
Eh?!
Did he just cheat on her bestie right in front of her?!
Not only that, but he also hurt her feelings too!
"No way!"
Aina slammed the table and stood up. She couldn't let the two of them share a room again!
"Ah? Why? Isn't this the same as yesterday—everyone brings their own roommate back?"
"Yesterday was a mistake!"
Aina's face flushed. Yesterday, she had no idea Kamishiro would be here!
Now that everyone was gathered, they definitely couldn't repeat yesterday.
Whether it was Kamishiro or Iori—
She would not allow it!
"An accident that had you and Kouhei in the same room?"
"That was just me not wanting him to die in the street..."
Kamishiro shrugged and didn't tease Aina any further. Instead, he turned to Kitahara.
"What do you think, Kitahara?"
He originally expected Kitahara to say something like "whatever."
Most likely, Chisa would side with Aina.
That way, he could match them up as a pair...
And he could whisk Hanabi away for their romantic night.
Perfect!
But to Kamishiro's surprise…
"I think Kamishiro's right!"
???
Under everyone's puzzled looks, Iori clapped Aina's shoulder like a king entrusting something to his most reliable general.
"Cakey, I'm leaving Kouhei to you! Just dump him somewhere with a newspaper."
Kamishiro: "You don't really need the newspaper, honestly."
Chisa: "Kouhei's so unlucky to have you two as friends"
Chisa rolled her eyes at Iori. The clever girl had already guessed why he and Kamishiro were making the same choice.
Back on the first day, Iori had mentioned wanting to get his advanced diving license while in Okinawa.
If he went with anyone other than her, that plan would get exposed!
And then he wouldn't get to indulge his childish little wish~
Chisa didn't mind.
It was just two rooms. Iori brought her to Okinawa; helping him cover something like this was no big deal.
However—
To Aina, it looked completely different.
Chisa had just thrown a seductive glance at Iori… and didn't reject his plan!
Those two… they definitely had something going on!!!
Aina's imagination ran wild. She could already picture them sneaking into the same room together!
She was so flustered she almost ended up like Kouhei.
She felt like her youth was ending again!
"What's wrong, makeup zombie?"
Iori looked at her, confused. Her face had been gradually turning hopeless since earlier.
"N-Nothing. I just suddenly feel like there's no hope for the future."
"..."
Kamishiro's lips twitched. She was obviously spiraling into some unhealthy fantasies.
As expected of a die-hard romantic drama fan—her imagination never runs dry.
But still…
Kitahara didn't act as he expected?!
Kamishiro sensed something fishy!
After all, agreeing to the arrangement meant allowing him to stay with Hanabi tonight again.
And Kitahara's murderous morning glare was not a lie!
If he could endure that, there could only be one explanation!
Kitahara must be planning something even bigger!
With that thought, Kamishiro looked at Iori with suspicion.
"Kitahara, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
At that—
Iori froze slightly, then smiled, "Didn't we say while drinking? Everyone's meeting up in the afternoon to go diving.
In the morning… Kamishiro, you wouldn't want to wake up early anyway, right?"
Hearing that, Kamishiro was now absolutely certain!
This bastard was going to make his move in the morning!
But...
Kamishiro didn't expose him. This actually worked in his favor.
Because… he also had a secret plan for tomorrow morning!
Whatever Kitahara had up his sleeve, Kamishiro believed his surprise was more important.
He'd give everyone a huge shock tomorrow!
"I see, just like Kitahara, to be so thoughtful."
"Not at all. I just drank too much and won't be able to wake up early."
They exchanged smiles again—just like the ones they shared earlier in the corner each hiding their own motives~
Only Aina and Kouhei still looked like a pair of lovable idiots.
One was mourning her youth slipping away…
The other—judging by his face—was probably deep in a dream about his idol's wedding to someone else.
Crying and shouting "Maya sama," it was honestly hard to watch.
Really, they should've just dumped him by the roadside—then at least no one would have to see it!
Just as everyone was about to head back to the hotel—
A familiar figure who shouldn't have been there suddenly appeared before them.
Rie?!