In an empty classroom at Shuchiin.
"Let's begin the first briefing session!" declared Kasumigaoka Utaha, arms crossed.
"Eri, please take notes on the key points."
"Why me? Do it yourself."
Eriri pouted, annoyed.
A mere Kasumigaoka giving orders? Where was her dignity?
"Because I borrowed the classroom and I have information about the second-year student you're interested in. Are you sure you don't want it?"
"Fine! Just so we're clear! I'm only here because you're bad at reserving rooms. It's not for anything else!"
Eriri stood and walked to the podium.
Kasumigaoka didn't respond. She simply nodded.
To her, Eriri wasn't a threat.
Too weak as a romantic rival.
What mattered was that Eriri and Kato were friends, and she needed Kato's help.
Using "information about Natsukawa Kanade" was just bait to lure this idiot in.
"Kato, you're close with the younger generation. If possible, I'd like you to share what you know about them."
"Eh? Me? I just reconnected with Natsukawa-kun…"
Kato Megumi raised her hand, uncomfortable.
"It's fine. Just tell me what you know about your junior. Habits, behavior, anything. The more detail, the better."
Kasumigaoka trusted Kato completely.
Though Eriri was useless, she had been pursued by Kanade, so something could be rekindled.
But Kato wasn't easily swayed.
No matter how well she knew Kanade, whether she liked him or not, she wouldn't change her strategy.
Because Kanade wasn't fickle.
Eating together, spending time alone, helping with materials…
He always informed the girl he liked if he was meeting someone else.
A perfect defense.
No room for outside interference.
How could she not like someone like that?
Even Kasumigaoka Utaha admitted it.
She wasn't a demon who enjoyed manipulating emotions.
Maybe before, when she didn't understand her feelings for Tomoya Aki, she would've toyed with him.
But since Kanade had enlightened her, she couldn't ignore his effort.
The knight who saved the princess from the mire.
His self-sacrificing spirit moved her deeply.
But he was exhausted.
Always available.
Made her lunch every day.
Took care of her when she was angry at Aki Tomoya.
Never complained, even when used as a punching bag.
Remembered her preferences. Protected her completely.
She was about to confess something to Kanade… but couldn't.
Not out of immaturity.
But because if she liked someone, she had to show her true self.
Kanade's feelings were real.
But that kind of devotion wasn't what she wanted to see.
Should he be hers?
If he was tired, he could sleep more.
No need to rush.
She could enjoy lunch with him, no matter what they ate.
No need to prepare a nutritious bento every day.
Used as a punching bag?
He should've scolded her!
It was her fault. Why did he endure it silently?
Kasumigaoka didn't understand why Kanade seemed so humble in pursuing her.
As if he'd lost himself.
That's why, that day, she rejected him.
"Sorry, Junior-kun. I don't love you like this. Please take better care of yourself…"
She didn't explain the reason.
But she felt he understood.
Often, just a glance was enough for Kanade to know what she wanted.
How could he not grasp this hint?
She joyfully hoped he would change.
That he'd see her as she truly was.
But she discovered something she didn't want to accept:
Kanade seemed to have given up on pursuing her.
Since the rejection, they hadn't been alone.
No messages.
No invitations.
When she looked at him, there was no tenderness in his gaze.
She knew he was sad.
She thought he just needed time.
She gave him space.
Though she couldn't start a conversation, she could observe him.
She waited for signs of change.
But time passed.
Even the sports festival ended.
She thought he'd bounce back, but heard nothing.
And then… she saw him.
Walking down the hallway with Eriri, chatting and laughing.
Is he being fickle?
No! Unforgivable! Flirting is the worst!
He said he only liked her.
But now he was getting close to that blonde loser.
As if saying, "If you don't like me, someone else will."
She couldn't stand it.
She sought him out. Wanted an explanation.
She thought if Kanade was sincere, she could forgive him.
But she was rejected.
"Sorry, senpai. You have the right to refuse, and I have the right to give up. It's over. Please don't contact me privately again. I'm afraid Eriri might misunderstand."
She was stunned.
What are you talking about, Junior? Refuse? I didn't refuse. I just wanted to see you for real!
"No, you misunderstood, I didn't…"
"Ah, Eriri! There you are. I've been searching for you for years."
"Ugh! I told you not to shout my name like that outside! What if someone hears, idiot?!"
"What's the big deal? Doesn't this show we have a good relationship?"
"Who, who gets along with you?! Hmph, I'm ignoring you, I'm leaving!"
"Wait up…"
Kasumigaoka watched them walk away, their silhouettes swallowed by the evening light.
…
...
......
Unforgivable! I'll never forgive you, Eriri!
You must've said something to your junior that made her misunderstand everything!
Since then, Kasumigaoka dedicated herself to sabotaging their relationship.
She guided Eriri back to the path of "childhood friends."
Destroyed their private time.
Intervened whenever she could.
Hateful? Despicable? A harpy?
Call her whatever they wanted.
She wouldn't let Eriri steal her happiness!
Thanks to her efforts, the two ended as she wanted:
Eriri rejected Kanade's confession.
Maybe it was because of what Kasumigaoka told her:
"Before chasing you, my junior chased me—and failed."
That might've made Eriri think Kanade was just looking for a substitute.
Or maybe Eriri couldn't let go of her feelings for Tomoya Aki.
After all, she was a loyal "childhood friend."
But in any case, Kasumigaoka got what she wanted.
Next step: comfort the heartbroken boy and win him back.
But she couldn't do it.
Not because she didn't want to.
But because she couldn't.
The next day, Kanade quit the club.
Left the Line group.
Vanished from all contact channels.
But it didn't matter.
If online contact fails—ask for a meeting in person!
It was embarrassing to admit, but her junior knew her better than she knew him.
She didn't even know what class he was in.
All vacation was wasted.
She didn't see him once.
Finally, the new semester began.
With her poor social skills, it took her a while to find his class.
But it didn't matter.
This was just another obstacle in the adventure!
She found the class.
Asked someone to help set up a meeting.
The answer: Kanade was busy with club activities.
She followed his trail.
Arrived at a place called "Service Department."
A strange name.
A strange feeling.
As if opening the door would reveal something that mattered too much.
But the arrow was already drawn.
And she wasn't one to hesitate.
"Excuse me…"
She opened the door.
And saw him.
The boy who'd been on her mind day and night.
He had the same smile as always.
But it wasn't for her.
"…"
"Hello, how can I help you?"
It was a very beautiful girl.
Even… even Kasumigaoka Utaha admitted it.
The girl in front of her was beautiful.
Almost as attractive as herself, though—by her judgment—with disproportionate breasts.
She couldn't even beat Eriri in that department.
She didn't answer the question.
Just stared at Natsukawa Kanade.
But he showed no intention of greeting her.
No recognition in his eyes.
No discomfort.
Not even surprise.
"I-I… I might've come to the wrong place."
She tried to stay calm.
But the moisture in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
"Sorry to bother you."
She turned on her heels and left.
She didn't walk. She fled.
Because she understood, without anyone saying it, that she'd lost him again.
As if she'd never had him.
As if everything they'd built—glances, gestures, shared silences—had meant nothing.
And the worst part wasn't that he was with someone else.
The worst part was that he no longer saw her.
Not like before.
Not like someone who mattered.
Kasumigaoka Utaha stopped in the hallway, unsure where to go.
The closed door behind her felt heavier than ever.
And for the first time, she wondered if the problem wasn't him.
But her.