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Even though she'd just been teased and lightly threatened in the most annoying way, Megumi Kato was actually kind of happy.
For the first time in her life, a boy had come up to her, started a conversation, and even asked for her phone number! And not just any boy—it was Andrew, the guy who had been sitting behind her ever since elementary school.
Megumi's heart was fluttering. She glanced at her phone and couldn't help but feel a little excited.
How's he gonna mess with me next?
She'd always been ignored and invisible—no one had ever even bothered to mess with her.
Of course, Andrew was probably just joking around. He wasn't actually going to bother her.
At most, he might call her once in a while for a casual chat.
But feelings come from talking, from doing things together, right?
There's no beginning without some kind of interaction.
Anyway, Megumi Kato was already decided—she was going to be his familiar.
Later, during the mid-morning break—
Yumiko Miura walked over to Mahiru Shiina with her friends—glasses-wearing Hina Ebina and cheerful Yui Yuigahama—to hang out and chat.
"Hey Shiina, do you have someone you like? A guy, I mean?" Yumiko asked curiously, staring at Mahiru with sharp eyes.
Hearing the question, Mahiru's mind immediately brought up Andrew's face.
Back then, she probably would've said no—that she was too focused on studying and didn't have time for love.
But now… Looking at Yumiko, who had a great figure and a pretty face, Mahiru remembered how that jerk Andrew had sneakily peeked at Yumiko and Yui more than once. Her heart suddenly felt a little sour.
So she smiled and replied, "Yeah, I do."
Yumiko's heart clenched, and her face turned stiff with nerves.
"Who is it? Tell us! We promise we won't say a word! And as a trade, I'll even tell you who I like!"
Girls' secrets are meant to be exchanged, after all.
If only one person shares, it's not fair. It could lead to drama.
Yui and Hina also leaned in close, eyes sparkling with gossip energy.
"Who's managed to win over our angel?" Yui teased. "Come on, Shiina, you can tell us! We won't spill it, promise!"
Hina nodded hard. She really wanted to know.
She had the tightest lips among them, after all!
Mahiru glanced at Andrew from the corner of her eye, her face a little warm. Yumiko's face immediately turned pale.
No way… Is it Hayama?
Please no!
She didn't want to compete with an angel like Shiina.
She genuinely liked Mahiru and wanted to stay friends.
With her three friends staring at her expectantly, Mahiru pursed her lips, then said quietly, "It's Andrew. I feel like we're kinda alike… But don't tell anyone, okay?"
The second she said it, Yumiko, Yui, and Hina all stared wide-eyed.
"Andrew?!" Yui blurted out in shock. She hadn't seen Mahiru and Andrew talk much at all.
So that's Mahiru's type?
Andrew was definitely good-looking, but he totally gave off shut-in vibes—always glued to his computer after class, playing games.
Hina adjusted her glasses, a thoughtful look on her face.
There's definitely a story between those two…
Yumiko, on the other hand, let out a big sigh of relief and even laughed. "Ohhh, it's Andrew? You two might actually work out!"
As long as it wasn't Hayama, Mahiru could like anyone she wanted!
Thank goodness—their friendship was safe!
Mahiru's cheeks turned a little red. Honestly, she'd mostly said it out loud to mark her territory.
They were friends, sure, but if any of them tried to flirt with Andrew, then they were declaring war.
That's just how it was.
"So, Yumiko," Mahiru said with a smile, "now that you know my secret, shouldn't you return the favor?"
Normally, Mahiru wouldn't have pushed. She would've let Yumiko dodge the question gracefully.
But not this time.
She couldn't let any of them get ideas about Andrew.
That man was hers to spoil.
Yumiko saw the curiosity in Mahiru's eyes and blushed a little herself.
"It's… Hayama. I've known him since middle school, and we became close friends…"
"Ohh, I see…" Mahiru nodded, totally unsurprised.
She'd already noticed Yumiko acting way too flirty with Hayama. Her tone, her little pouts, her clinginess—total princess mode.
And with other guys? Completely cold. She either ignored them or treated them with that haughty attitude of hers. Total two-faced behavior.
Still, Mahiru wasn't very optimistic about Yumiko's chances with Hayama.
The reason was simple:
Hayama Hayato, just like her, had carefully built up his image.
He was polite to everyone, always smiling, always knowing what to say. He kept the group harmony, cracked jokes, never offended anyone… basically the walking definition of a people-pleaser.
How could someone like him give up all that praise and admiration just to favor one girl?
Love is selfish.
Even Mahiru herself didn't want any other girls getting close to Andrew—so how could anyone else be different?
Based on how Hayama treated her, Yumiko didn't stand a chance.
"Don't tell anyone, okay?" Yumiko said seriously.
The other three nodded quickly.
Though honestly, they were all thinking the same thing:
Girl, please. Anyone with eyes already figured that out. Your "secret" wasn't much of a secret.
Then the three of them turned their heads toward Yui, eyes full of mischief.
"Your turn, Yui!" they teased.
Yui blushed bright red, nervously fiddling with the hem of her shirt.
"Umm… I don't think there's anyone I especially like right now. Can I skip?"
"Nope!" Yumiko glared. "Shiina and I already spilled. Don't even think about escaping!"
"If you don't have someone you like, then at least tell us what type you like."
Yui tilted her head, thinking.
"Hmm… First off, he has to like animals—my family has this dog named Sablé, and he's super important to me."
"And he's gotta be strong, someone who can protect me. He can't look worse than Andrew or Hayama… and I'd prefer someone gentle and kind."
When she finished, Mahiru and Yumiko immediately looked at her with suspicion.
They were thinking the same thing for different reasons:
Mahiru was convinced Yui's type sounded exactly like Andrew.
Yumiko thought it sounded like Hayama Hayato.
"Uh… why are you two looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?" Yui asked nervously.
"It's fine, don't worry," Yumiko said with a smile, waving it off. "You passed."
They'd keep an eye on her, though. For now, Yui was still a good friend—not a rival.
"Alright, next up… Hina, it's your turn!"
All three girls turned toward Hina Ebina in sync.
Hina blushed and put her hands on her cheeks, but didn't back down.
"Rather than a specific boy I like… I'm more into boys liking boys!"
"Like, take Andrew and Hayama for example! Hayama's so gentle and kind, he totally gives off uke energy! And Andrew, he seems all soft, but there's a sharpness in his eyes—he's definitely the type to absolutely spoil the one he loves. Just imagine those two—ahhh~!"
"Okay, stop right there!" Yumiko quickly covered Hina's mouth. "Asking you this was a mistake! You pass, but please—just stop talking!"
Girl, we asked what kind of guy you liked…
And you took that as an opportunity to drag us into your BL fantasy world?! Our ears are traumatized!
"..."
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