Past experiences weigh heavily on Kasumigaoka Utaha, and every time she remembers them, she sinks a little deeper.
"Shall I begin now, senpai?"
Kato Megumi's tone was neutral, like clouds drifting at sunset. It was enough to pull Kasumigaoka out of her thoughts.
"Yes."
The memories had ended. Maybe she'd been a loser in the past, maybe she'd made the wrong choices. But she wouldn't make the same mistake again.
"Natsukawa-kun's habits…"
Kato tilted her head, thoughtful.
"He's pretty casual about food, but he loves coffee. Holds it with his left hand and doesn't like sugar…"
"Wait, Kato, I didn't mean those kinds of habits…"
The information was curious, even unknown to Kasumigaoka, but it wasn't what she was after.
She glanced at Eriri unintentionally, and seeing her interest, reaffirmed her intent.
"If possible, I want you to tell me his habits when dealing with girls. Subconscious movements, facial expressions…"
Kato was observant—everyone in the club knew that.
And although Kanade liked her more, he'd never pursued her like he had Eriri or Kasumigaoka.
That meant Kanade didn't see her as a romantic option.
He was always blunt with girls he didn't like.
In other words, Kato was out of danger.
The only threats were that girl from the "Service Club" and anyone else he might fall for in the future.
But that was manageable.
She just had to keep attacking until Kanade could only see her.
Maybe she failed once, but if he fell for her once, he could do it again.
The second time would be final.
She wouldn't let him go.
Intelligence was essential.
Love is war, and to win, you need strategy.
But reality doesn't always follow the plan.
"Small movements? Facial expressions?"
Kato tilted her head, confused.
"I can't see that kind of thing."
Kasumigaoka frowned.
Not even Kato could see the real self behind Kanade.
"It's fine, Kato, just say something…"
"Hey, Kasumigaoka, why are you making things so hard for Megumi? She doesn't have superpowers."
Eriri stepped in to defend her.
"Besides, it's hard to tell if what you said about Natsukawa-san is even true…"
Kasumigaoka didn't respond. She just looked at her with disdain.
A worthy loser with golden hair. She exposes herself just by speaking.
Didn't you say you were helping me because you admired my effort? Now it turns out you're doing it out of interest. Pathetic.
"In that case, let me demonstrate."
"As far as I know, when he's after a girl, he's completely indifferent to anyone else."
It's not fear of misunderstandings.
It's pure indifference.
As if saying: "I know what you think, but I don't care. Don't disturb my life."
Kasumigaoka knew that cruelty well.
At first, she thought it was caution.
But then she realized that whether the girl he liked was present or not, his attitude didn't change.
She felt uncomfortable.
Doubted his feelings.
Were they fake? How could he be so cruel?
Until, by chance, she saw him after a breakup.
She went to comfort him… but he had already recovered.
Rational, determined, kind, with humor.
And most importantly: he wasn't cold to her.
The version of Kanade she knew had returned.
"I thought it was the 'pill of regret' God had given me. I accepted it."
But it didn't last.
One day, he was drawn to someone else again.
You know what happened.
Another wall.
After that, he stopped trying.
Kasumigaoka spoke with emotion, but her face was blank.
As if telling someone else's story.
"That's all I know."
"I like my junior. The kind of love that requires only him."
Her expression was indifferent, but her words hit hard.
"Sawamura Spencer Eriri, I know you like Junior-kun too. I'm willing to compete fairly. But don't interfere in my relationship anymore."
She'd failed many times.
But only the first was her fault.
She would cherish future chances.
She'd be honest.
Eriri was an informant.
Kato knew it too.
So it didn't matter that both knew.
Her feelings were exposed.
Better to use honesty to lower their defenses.
"…"
Eriri was stunned.
Kasumigaoka's words were like thunder in a clear sky.
They shook her young heart.
Who is she? Why is she here? What will she do next?
Like the three philosophical questions.
Eriri felt like she'd just finished a good book.
She was only thinking about life.
Does she like Natsukawa Kanade?
It seemed so.
Maybe at first she didn't want to admit it.
She was stuck in her "childhood friend" role.
But now, facing her rival, she couldn't deny it.
"Hmph! I want to say the same thing!"
"Oh, really? Not bad, Eriri. Turns out you have a bold side too."
"What do you mean by that? Are you mocking me? I'll bite you!"
"Oh, in the end, you're still just a little fish…"
"Ugh! Damn fatty in black stockings!"
"Tsk, golden-haired loser."
"Cow monster!"
"…"
Kato Megumi watched the dispute without intervening.
She pulled out her phone and started playing.
I always think I shouldn't have come today.
I just got roasted by senior Kasumigaoka.
Nothing happy happened… or maybe something did?
Well, whatever. Let me play on my phone for a while.