**C O N T E N T S**
Prologue
Chapter 1: There's No Freaking Way I'm Not the Fiancée!?
Chapter 2: There's No Freaking Way We Can Blow Up Queen Rose! (※Thank God We Can't!)
Chapter 3: There's No Freaking Way Three People Can Date! (※It Actually Worked!)
Chapter 4: There's No Way Everything Can Work Out Perfectly, Right?
Epilogue
**Prologue**
Oh hey there, I'm totally an extrovert now! (laugh)
Ahh, sorry about that. Just been living my completely worry-free life over here (laugh)
Man, life is just so fun! (laugh)
Just recently, I managed to successfully erase my own past—and now I, Amaori Renako, have finally ascended to become the extrovert among extroverts, Grand Amaori Renako!
Now I don't even need that daily ritual where I stand in front of the mirror every morning and tell myself "I'm an extrovert...!" anymore.
The whole thing with my sister got resolved without a hitch too, and life is just way too perfect in every way.
The sun's really bright again today.
The sun...? Oh wait, you mean my radiant smile? (laugh)
Just kidding! (explosive laugh)
And so—
Spread out before me was this vast meadow of love and hope.
On this day, a Saturday at the end of November, lively voices were echoing through Ashigaya High, the school I attend. The so-called "Ashigaya Festival." In other words, Ashigaya High's cultural festival had begun. Tons of visitors from the surrounding area had come too, creating a completely different scene than usual.
With my sister's problems resolved, extrovert me had spent these past two weeks happily preparing for the cultural festival with my classmates. Who would've thought that me—a shut-in during middle school—would be helping out with cultural festival prep... People really can change when they put their minds to it... Back then, I hated people so much...
No! That past never happened anymore!
I was popular all through middle school!
I won the middle school beauty contest three years in a row. Everyone treated me like a princess wherever I went, and I was friends with absolutely everyone in school! I got confessed to every day, my shoe locker was always stuffed with love letters, and all the teachers totally adored me—those were the most amazing three years of my life!
Wait... no. Making your past "never happen" doesn't mean convincing yourself that convenient delusions are the truth... That's a mental illness...
Just as I was about to come back to my senses in the hallway in front of the classroom, I heard a shrill "Kyaa!!" from nearby.
I looked over. Standing there were my biggest Amaori Renako fangirls and absolute best friends who always shower me with attention—Hirano-san and Hasegawa-san.
"Amaori-san, you look so adorable!"
"Whoooa, I totally thought cosplay would suit you perfectly, and it totally does! Wow, I'm so happy! I'm so happy I get to see cute Amaori-san!"
Bathed in their sparkling gazes, I smiled sweetly.
"Ah, ahahaha. Really? Thanks ☆"
That's right. I was cosplaying on campus.
Not the hardcore cosplay stuff I did with Kaho-chan before though—this was just store-bought merchandise. A one-piece style nurse outfit. The kind of cosplay design you don't really see much these days. Pink colored. Plus the skirt was way shorter than my usual school uniform, and while I was terrified about showing my legs, everyone already knew how thick they were anyway, so I just had to steel myself...
White tights would hide everything. Tights are always a high school girl's seatbelt...
By the way, the nurse outfit had bloodstains splattered here and there, giving off this really ominous vibe. If a nurse like this showed up for a health screening, everyone would definitely leave ☆1 reviews saying "way too scary" on the hospital's review site.
And for good reason—Class 1-A's project was a haunted house.
A haunted house for the cultural festival! If I were allergic to extroverts, I'd probably be sneezing nonstop for the next 80 years, but hey! I'm an extrovert! So of course I'd totally do a haunted house for the cultural festival!
The idea came from Kaho-chan. Apparently she's been really into horror lately, and she came up with this backstory that twisted around existing urban legends. Her enthusiasm got the whole class fired up too. Before we knew it, our project was decided.
Something about a classroom rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a girl who got stabbed after a love triangle went wrong. I thought "Huh?" for a second there, but it's fiction. It better be fiction.
The prep was actually pretty fun, to be honest...
We covered the windows with aluminum foil to block the light, and wrapped black plastic bags around the fluorescent bulbs to create just enough safe lighting. Then we stacked up cardboard to make walls, turning the classroom into a maze, and plastered tons of newspaper all over everything.
Slapping bright red handprints all over the newspaper really brought out that classic haunted house atmosphere. This alone was pretty scary.
Then volunteers brought in creepy dolls, mannequins, kokeshi dolls—basically any object that would look unsettling in dim lighting—and we scattered them around everywhere, resulting in the birth of this totally inconsistent East-meets-West mishmash haunted house.
It definitely felt like a cultural festival project, but having made it all from scratch, I felt pretty satisfied with the result. Now I was even fond of it. Ahh, our precious little haunted house... It's gonna be sad tearing it down after the festival ends... I want to keep having classes like this... Actually, no I don't.
Anyway, that's why I was cosplaying as a bloody nurse.
Though when I really think about it, having a nurse in a ghost-haunted classroom doesn't make much sense world-building wise either... Oh well! I won't sweat the details! I'm an extrovert after all! (prejudice)
"Honestly, I'm not really good with scary stuff, but just getting to see Amaori-san in cosplay made me think the haunted house was totally worth it..."
"I totally get that... The cultural festival is just too amazing... I wouldn't mind if every day was the cultural festival..."
"Ahaha. That's a little too much praise ☆"
Hirano-san and Hasegawa-san's compliments soaked right into my heart...
Even though it was store-bought cosplay, Kaho-chan had secretly tailored the Quintet's outfits, so they actually looked pretty good. And I'd learned some makeup tricks from Ajisai-san recently, so my repertoire had expanded a bit.
Maybe I really have become an extrovert...
Even now, standing at the haunted house reception in the hallway in front of the classroom, I don't really mind all the stares. Sure, people passing by do gawk at me, but I can totally handle it.
Well, I still get nervous when strangers talk to me, you know? But the fact that I'm only feeling nervousness—and it stops there—represents immeasurable progress for me. Amaori Renako has leveled up way too much... I might really turn into the sun...
Then I heard a trembling voice.
"Eh... eh, eh, wait. Hirano, Hasegawa... you know this lady...?"
There was a small girl wearing an unfamiliar school uniform. She was backing away like she was facing some huge dog, retreating three steps while looking at me with terrified eyes.
Hirano-san broke into a huge smile.
"Ehhhh!? Nishiyama, you don't know her!?"
Same with Hasegawa-san.
"Amaori-san teamed up with us during the sports tournament! And she'll chat with you if you talk to her! Right, Amaori-san!"
"U-uh, yeah ☆"
"Seriously...? Eh, you guys had a high school glow-up...? Why...? I don't understand at all... Why...??"
The girl called Nishiyama seemed to have completely lost her mind.
I immediately grasped the situation. Hirano-san and Hasegawa-san had invited a friend from another school to the cultural festival. And they were showing me off...!
Seeing this side of Hirano-san and Hasegawa-san for the first time, I felt such deep empathy. If I were in their position, I would've definitely done the exact same thing. Nothing's more fun than introverts flexing on other introverts... Wait, I'm an extrovert though...
Well, they're always hyping me up anyway. Since it's a special occasion, I decided to turn on the charm. This is also an extrovert's duty. An extrovert's noblesse oblige.
While acting adorably (or trying to look adorable), I gave an adorable (or trying to look adorable) greeting.
"I'm Amaori Renako. Hirano-san and Hasegawa-san are always taking such good care of me ☆"
"Hawaaaaaah...!?"
Nishiyama-san went even paler. And Hirano-san and Hasegawa-san's smiles grew deeper.
"After all, Amaori-san is one of Ashigaya High's top idol group, the Quintet!"
"She's friends with Oduka Mai-san and the most popular girl in class! Everyone treats her like a princess wherever she goes, she's friends with absolutely everyone in school, she gets confessed to every day, her shoe locker is always stuffed with love letters, and all the teachers totally adore her!"
That's way too much!!
What? Do extroverts have to just accept this kind of praise!? It's too heavy!
No, wait. I know what I'm supposed to say in situations like this.
Now's the time to unleash those words...!
Alright! I'm gonna do it! Because I'm an extrovert!
I made peace signs with both hands and gave my biggest smile.
"Ehh? Even if you praise me that much, all I can give you is a smile ☆"
"——————"
Nishiyama-san.
Slowly started falling backward.
Eh!?
"N-Nishiyama!?"
"Ahhhhh she got hit with Amaori-san's smile at point-blank range!"
"What's happening!?"
"Sorry, Amaori-san! We're used to getting burned by the Quintet's light so we can still handle it! Well, actually our heart rates are pretty dangerous right now!"
"Nishiyama doesn't live in an environment where she talks to cute girls so this is a fatal blow! Sorry but we'll have to cut the greetings short and excuse ourselves! Sorry, Nishiyama! We three stooges alliance need to return to the world of darkness!"
Nishiyama-san was firmly grabbed by both arms by Hirano-san and Hasegawa-san and dragged away.
"What just happened..."
My mumble slipped out.
Well, I mean... I probably would've had a heart attack on the spot too if Ajisai-san had done the same thing to me when I first started high school...
But have I somehow reached the same heights as Ajisai-san...? I looked down at my own hands, trembling like a tragic monster who'd become too powerful.
No way, no way... That can't be right... This is probably just the cultural festival non-daily life buff...
You know how when you run into a classmate you usually see in uniform on a day off, and they've got their hair all stylish or whatever, you suddenly get all fluttery... It's that kind of thing... Yeah...
Even though I call myself an extrovert now, being told I'm on the same level as Ajisai-san makes me feel hesitant. Ajisai-san is an angel, after all...
"Rena-chan~"
Ah, an angel's voice!
I turned to see Ajisai-san, who'd just gone out on a flyer distribution mission to advertise our haunted house.
Of course, Ajisai-san was cosplaying too.
Ajisai-san's costume was a nun's habit.
"Ohh..."
Even though I'd seen it so many times already, and we'd even gotten changed together, I could still feel fresh excitement. Delicious sweets taste good no matter how many times you eat them...
Ajisai-san wore a black and white, monochrome outfit with a veil-like head covering (apparently called a wimple) and her hair done up in a big braid.
Since it was cosplay for a haunted house, the skirt was naturally short with deep slits cut into it. Her legs covered in white tights were blindingly radiant, and the absolute territory that occasionally peeked out would definitely charm people of all ages and genders.
It reminded me of when we played ping-pong at that hot spring inn we went to together... Even though she's a nun, she looks like the physical embodiment of human worldly desires... No! I don't look at Ajisai-san that way!
This is dangerous. I almost looked. That was a close one. If the skirt had been even one millimeter shorter, who knows what would've happened. Thank god I'm an extrovert. (mysterious)
"Oh, Ajisai-san, that was quick."
"Yeah. Everyone took the flyers. They were all such nice people, I'm so glad."
Ajisai-san gave a relieved smile. Well of course—when faced with Ajisai-san, even bad people can't stay bad. Even habitual pickpockets would break down in tears and reform.
"But still..."
"?"
As Ajisai-san tilted her head, I mumbled with heated cheeks.
"Well... Ajisai-san, your nun outfit suits you so perfectly, it's so cute..."
I muttered my praise of Ajisai-san while looking away like a total introvert.
Come on! I worked up the courage for that!
Ajisai-san had told me before that 'when you think something's cute, I want you to put it into words!' So I properly put it into words!
I'm amazing! Rena-chan is growing!
"Ehh?"
Ajisai-san softly relaxed her cheeks with a gentle expression.
Then she made peace signs with both hands and smiled the cutest smile in the world.
"Even if you suddenly praise me like that, all I can give you is a smile~"
Uwaaaa——
I lost the ability to speak from the overwhelming adorableness.
The real deal has completely different destructive power. It's a miracle I didn't get completely vaporized.
Thank god Nishiyama-san wasn't here. Humans aren't built to withstand an angel's smile head-on... She definitely would've turned into a pillar of salt...
No matter how used I am to getting burned by this smile, there's no way I can ever get used to it!
Before I knew it, reception shift change time had arrived. After switching with Ajisai-san, I decided to wander around campus still in my nurse outfit.
Alright, time to enjoy my first cultural festival as an extrovert! I psyched myself up.
But no good...!
It was obvious when I thought about it. My soul isn't shaped like an extrovert's. I can only act extroverted because everyone around me treats me like one and hypes me up—once I'm alone, I'm just plain old Amaori Renako...!
Even casually looking at the exhibits, I felt awkward.
Everyone around me was having fun with their friends, but I was alone... I was the only one all by myself in the world...
Less than five minutes after leaving Class 1-A, my mental state had already reverted back to my shut-in days.
In the end, without friends surrounding me, I can't do anything...!
I can't even line up at a food stall by myself to buy yakisoba. People's stares bother me. I feel like someone's pointing fingers at me from somewhere.
'Ugh, Amaori-san is all alone (laugh)' 'Even though she's in the Quintet!? (sneer)' 'So sad lol'
I can almost hear voices like that. Being part of a famous group is nothing but a debuff.
And on top of that, wearing such a flashy outfit... what am I even doing...!
That's right. I have my most beloved place: the rooftop. If I could just make it to the rooftop, I'd figure something out. I'd kill the remaining time there. Then I could return to Class 1-A like nothing happened.
Only when I'm with everyone from Class 1-A can I become an extrovert. Whether that actually counts as being an extrovert... I decided to ignore that doubt with all my might. I was gonna cry otherwise.
But no good...!
The stairs leading to the rooftop were blocked off by a massive pile of desks and chairs taken from classrooms.
Uwaaaan!!
I panicked internally. Why would they do this?! There are people who can't survive without the rooftop! Just because it's usually locked off to prevent falls! This is so unfair!
If I had the cuteness to turn around here, go back the way I came, return to Ajisai-san who was probably at Class 1-A's reception, and sweetly ask 'I didn't really enjoy going around the cultural festival alone... can I stay with you?', I could've lived a little more skillfully.
Sadly, my half-baked pride got in the way...
At this rate, I might become some intermediate life form between extrovert and introvert, doomed to wander the school space forever... Such a tragic fate...
If only there was someone I knew around...
I should've tried harder to make friends.
There are two types in the Quintet.
The side like Ajisai-san, Kaho-chan, and Mai who really have lots of friends and broad social circles. And the side like Satsuki-san who only talks to specific individuals.
I was the latter type.
More accurately, I was the type who could piggyback on popular kids' friendships and talk when in groups, but knowing full well I couldn't maintain conversation one-on-one, I kept running away.
A third type...!
I'd gotten complacent sitting pretty in my Quintet position.
Life always has these moments where you have to pay for what you've been running from... Sure, I see kids I've chatted with a few times when walking down the halls... But there's no way I could just approach them and honestly say 'I'm bored, want to go around together?'...
What should I do? Maybe I should hang a sign around my neck that says 'Pitiful woman who couldn't become an extrovert but got an extrovert position anyway and developed an inflated ego.' Then maybe someone would talk to me. Hehehe...
Maybe I should just go home!
Just as I was about to be crushed by defeat while walking down the hallway, a saving voice rained down on me.
"Ah! Oneesan-senpai!"
That moderately bratty, high-pitched voice...!
"Seira-san!"
My face lit up as I turned around. An acquaintance... An acquaintance...!
"I was looking for you! But... what's with that creepy smile?"
"It's nothing! Wow, what a coincidence running into you here!"
Seira-san wasn't solo—she was in a party.
"Onee-chan..."
A pitying gaze stabbed at my skin.
"Ugh, little sister...!"
That's right, she'd originally said she was coming to visit. She saw me at a bad moment.
Seira-san in her school uniform was with my sister and Minato-san.
"Onee-san. Thank you for your help the other day."
"Oh, no, not at all..."
Minato-san politely bowed to me.
Ever since that incident when I barged into the Nashiji house, Minato-san seemed to show me proper respect. This kid is a good kid...
The not-so-good kids flanked me.
"We came all the way to visit onee-chan's high school... so why are you alone?"
I don't like those pointed remarks, little sis...
But with my sister, I could at least manage some back talk. I wagged my finger.
"I wanted to take my time and leisurely go around the cultural festival at my own pace without anyone bothering me. You wouldn't understand that, would you, little sister? This level of conversation (laugh)"
"Oh, I see. Well then, take your time."
"That said! This is all three of your first times at Ashigaya High, right!? Just for today, I'll specially give you a tour!"
I stepped in front of my sister as she was about to turn around and puffed out my chest.
Can't be helped! These inexperienced middle schoolers are such a handful!
"That's not what we care about though~"
Seira-san clung to my arm while stretching out her words in a sweet voice.
"Hey, beautiful and lovely oneesan-senpai~ Don't you have something you want to do for me~?"
"Eh? Hehehe, come on, even if you praise me that much, all I can give you is a smile~?"
"Don't get all pleased with yourself! Idiot! Dummy!"
This is bad. I seem to have chosen the wrong option. My smile doesn't work on this girl...!?
But it's my smile though...!
"She came to meet Mai-senpai," my sister casually threw me a lifeline.
But then immediately looked away.
"I told her it would be harsh to ask onee-chan to introduce them, given her current situation..."
"That's not it!"
Right, these guys saw that engagement announcement with Lucie-chan the other day and think Mai rejected me. Even though I screamed so much about how it was all a misunderstanding!
Seira-san changed her attitude from before and put on a cute smile along with a honey-sweet voice.
"But but~ it's a promise, right~? Please introduce me to Oduka-senpai soon ♡"
"I'd love to do that if I could, but—"
"But!?"
Onigawara Seira snapped at the end of my sentence. She's overflowing with aggression. Having "oni" in her surname fits perfectly...
"Mai's not at school today."
"Haaah!?"
Yeah, poor thing—Mai's schedule for the cultural festival day had been filled with work for months already.
She did participate in the haunted house prep several times and seemed to enjoy it. But since we knew she couldn't come on the actual day, we all consoled ourselves by saying 'We want to go around together next year~.'
By the way, Satsuki-san is also absent. She's apparently out sick, but if she later said 'I wasn't interested so I didn't go,' well, that would be so very Satsuki-san.
Seira-san deflated like she'd had her fangs pulled.
"Even though I came all this way~..."
"Well well, Seira. Can't be helped, so let's just go around normally? We can't come to a high school cultural festival that many times."
Minato-san patted her shoulder.
"Sigh~... I guess we should~..."
"Well then onee-chan, take us somewhere that looks interesting."
My sister pointed at me decisively.
That's pretty high-handed language toward me, someone worshipped as part of Ashigaya's Quintet, but if this gets me out of being alone, it's a small price to pay.
"Well then, there's this haunted house I'd recommend."
And so I returned to Class 1-A with three middle schoolers in tow.
"Come to think of it, onee-san's nurse cosplay is really cute."
"Oh, really? Thanks!"
She's praising me... Minato-san is such a good kid...
"You have such a great figure, you really look like Haruna's onee-chan."
Good kid! So cute! I want to give her allowance!
My sister immediately waved her hand with a straight face.
"Oh, it's fine, it's fine, Minato. You don't need to give her treats."
"You!"
What a brat. Can I still exchange sisters at this point!?
While waiting in front of the classroom.
"Uwaaaaaaaaah!"
Seira-san came tumbling out of the haunted house exit while screaming.
Seira-san pressed her back against the hallway wall and clutched her chest.
"Wh-wh-wh-what was that!?"
Then immediately, loud laughter echoed.
"Ahahaha! A customer who gets that scared is such a good guest, nya!"
The girl who appeared from inside the haunted house had a knife stuck in her stomach.
It was Kaho-chan. She'd been stationed in the haunted house all day playing the role of the scarer.
She was wearing a sailor uniform different from Ashigaya High's that she'd ordered online and damaged to give off the atmosphere of a Showa-era schoolgirl. That alone would just be cute, but around the knife stabbed in her stomach was all bloody and splattered. Running into her suddenly in the dark would be pretty scary.
She'd also let down her usually tied-up hair and covered one eye with her bangs, which added to the ghostly look.
According to the setting, she's the ghost of a girl who got stabbed after cheating in a love triangle. The oddly realistic setting is probably Kaho-chan's particular attention to detail.
I feel like I'm taking some damage from this too... but oh well.
A bit behind Seira-san, my sister and Minato-san also came out.
"Wow, high school cultural festivals are amazing!"
"Yeah, that was pretty thrilling. Making it all by hand is incredible."
The two of them were also startled when they saw Kaho-chan.
"Ehhhh...? So realistic..."
"They go this far...?"
Well, that's understandable... After all, this is ghost cosplay produced by super popular cosplayer Nagipo. There's no cutting corners whatsoever. (Apparently)
That said, under the sunlight, her pretty girl power definitely wins out. Kaho-chan smiled brightly and cheerfully gave a thumbs up.
"Well, it's only the customers' screams and wails that bring me back to life, after all."
Kaho-chan looked genuinely happy. A born entertainer...
"Just earlier I made a cocky couple who came in burst into tears too."
"That's so cruel!"
"Ahaha. Just kidding, just kidding."
Kaho-chan smiled like a kitten with narrowed eyes. Is she really though!?
Ajisai-san, who'd been at reception, also came over.
"Everyone coming out is surprised, but they all look like they're having fun. The haunted house is a huge success."
"Yup!"
Kaho-chan grinned and thrust out a peace sign. So cute.
Oh, that's right.
"Seira-san, Minato-san. These two are—"
I decided to introduce Kaho-chan and Ajisai-san to the middle schoolers. (Of course, Seira-san and Kaho-chan already knew each other)
These two had helped me with my sister's truancy issue. Including Mai and Satsuki-san who weren't here, it wasn't unrelated to them. Especially for Minato-san.
"Ah... so that's how it was."
Minato-san bowed deeply, just like she had with me.
"Thank you so much for your help back then. I really, truly appreciate it."
"Don't mention it."
Ajisai-san waved both hands and smiled as their representative.
"I'm glad we can see all three of you getting along again like this."
I'd told the Quintet members about the general situation. I thought they had a right to know, since they'd helped me out so much.
That my sister's truancy was caused by fighting with Minato-san. That Minato-san's older sister was my former classmate who didn't get along with me. But Minato-san loved and believed in her sister, which made things complicated. And that Seira-san had been working hard to get the two of them to make up. That kind of thing.
I left out details like Komachi becoming truant or me being bullied by Komachi, and gave them an explanation along those lines.
"We really caused you so much trouble. Thank you."
My sister also bowed. Both Ajisai-san and Kaho-chan casually accepted the apology with 'don't worry about it.'
Watching that scene, I somehow felt relieved.
This really was the end of my sister's situation. That's how it felt.
My eyes met Ajisai-san's. Ajisai-san moved her lips slightly without making a sound.
'I'm glad it worked out.'
I felt like she was saying that to me.
I got a little embarrassed and scratched my cheek.
But, well, yeah.
It was a strange feeling.
In the hallway of my high school, people who shouldn't be there were all gathered together.
Seira-san looking bewildered after being teased by Kaho-chan. Minato-san smiling while feeling grateful. My sister blushing age-appropriately while being looked after by Ajisai-san.
Looking at everyone like that, I thought:
I'm glad.
Because right now, I feel so happy.
And so, my first high school cultural festival came to an end.
When cleanup time came and we had to tear down all the cardboard we'd worked so hard to build... that was just as fun as making it had been.
"I'm home~"
I came back from the cultural festival after-party and leaned against the living room sofa still in my uniform.
Phew... I totally exhausted my communication skills today... My facial muscles won't even move anymore...
But it was fun...
For the after-party, we went to an okonomiyaki restaurant with everyone from class.
Class president Shimizu-kun and Kaho-chan had acted as organizers and reserved the place ahead of time. Just by answering Kaho-chan's invitation of 'You're coming, right?' with 'I'll be there!' I got to join the after-party. Just having reliable friends makes life such easy mode...
In front of my classmates, I can put on my extrovert mask... I got to recover lots of extrovert power... Well, I am an extro(abbreviated) though...
After lying on the sofa scrolling through my phone for a while, I noticed there was a cake box on the dining table.
I drifted over and peeked inside. And it was my favorite chocolate cake from my favorite cake shop too.
"Mom, where'd this come from?"
I called out to my mom who was doing dishes in the kitchen.
Someone's birthday? Or an anniversary?
"Oh, Haruna bought that."
"Haruna did...?"
My sister who got home first was currently taking a bath.
Just then, she came out. She appeared in the living room with a bath towel wrapped around her body.
"Oh, onee-chan, welcome home."
"I'm back. Thanks for coming to visit today."
"No no. Thank you for having us. I got to meet Ajisai-senpai and Kaho-senpai too."
"So what's with this cake?"
My sister was vigorously rubbing her hair with the towel on her head.
"Just eat it?"
"Eh?"
"That's the kind you like, right?"
"Um..."
I stared back at Haruna with my mouth hanging open.
"You mean it's for me?"
"Well, yeah."
"Why???"
At my perfectly reasonable question, my sister acted like she was playing dumb.
"No reason. It just happened."
It just happened...!?
"The sister who usually wants to split convenience store purchases down to the penny, and it 'just happened'...? Eh, what's going on!? You're saying there was no intention whatsoever in the process of going to a cake shop and ordering my favorite chocolate cake!?"
"You're so loud! If you don't want it, that's fine! I'll throw it away!"
"No no, I'll eat it, I'll eat it!"
I protected the cake box from my glaring sister. Why 'I'll throw it away' instead of 'I'll eat it then'? That logic is too extreme...
"I just want to understand the intention..."
My sister pointed at me as I sneakily grabbed a fork from the kitchen.
"There are lots of things in the world we don't understand, but people somehow live without understanding them. Onee-chan doesn't know why a fork is called a 'fork' either, right?"
"The etymology of 'fork' comes from the Latin 'furca,' meaning rake or a stick split in two. One theory says the prototype was discovered in 6000-year-old ruins in Turkey—"
"Shut up and eat! Nerd!"
I just showed off some knowledge I'd read during my hobby of Wikipedia browsing, but got hit with terrible abuse.
Feeling crushed, I sat down and mechanically brought cake to my mouth.
"Um... it's delicious."
"Good for you."
"But what was the real intention... The only reason I can think of for Haruna to buy me cake is that she wanted to thank me somehow after that recent incident got resolved, but since Haruna isn't honest, she decided to casually buy cake instead..."
"Seriously shut up and eat. I'll kill you."
My sister's eyes were too scary, so I seriously decided to shut up.
Saying 'I'll kill you' in front of our parents is way too much. Sure enough, my sister got scolded by mom for her rough language. Of course she did.
Still, even eating in silence, the cake was delicious.
Hmm... What a nice day.
The cultural festival was fun, and the after-party was fun too.
Coming home to find my favorite cake waiting for me.
School life is going smoothly, and my relationship with my girlfriend is good too.
I wonder... Lately I feel like my luck has been way too much on the upswing.
They say the goddess of fortune smiles on people who work hard. There are definitely periods when everything you do goes well. Luck is invisible but it definitely exists. Reading the flow is the trick to living life skillfully.
That's right, let me check my horoscope. Maybe it'll say something like 'Buy a lottery ticket right now.'
I input my birthdate on some random site and look at the results. So exciting.
'Super Bad Luck' appeared.
Wait.
Love Luck: Total defeat. Nothing will go right for you this week. Try keeping a low profile!
Study Luck: Collapse. Failure is the mother of success! No matter how many times you fall, get back up! Don't worry about it!
Friendship Luck: Plummeting. Are the kids you think are your friends really your friends? Start doubting people!
Life Luck: Extinction. Your life might seriously be in danger! You should buy a shelter right now!
What punchy content this turned out to be...
What kind of site is this? Is this some harassment-specialized fortune site called 'Miss Fortune!'? Let me try my sister's birthdate...
Normal results...
So that means my fortune is really terrible...?
"Ow!"
Just then, I bit down on something hard.
I cautiously explored my mouth with my tongue. It seemed to be a lump of sugar. Mixed into the cake...? I mean, that's totally impossible though...
The impossible was happening. I stared intently at the sugar lump I'd pulled out with my finger. Suddenly, I noticed there was a cut on my palm.
"Huh... did I cut myself without realizing...?"
I might have gotten hurt by cardboard or something during the cultural festival cleanup. Once I became aware of it, I felt like a throbbing pain was starting.
"Oh my..."
Mom, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, made a disappointed sound.
"Renako's rice bowl broke."
She held up the broken bowl to show me.
Eh...
"Wh-why...?"
"Who knows? Maybe there was a crack inside. Look, it's split perfectly in half."
Mom showed me the bowl that looked like it had been cut with a legendary sword and laughed, saying "I'll have to buy a new one."
I stared down at my half-eaten chocolate cake and fell silent.
...This isn't like a sign that bad things are going to happen, right?
I stayed looking down for a while...
But then! I looked up with a smile.
Ahaha! Just kidding!
Fortune? Bad luck? That's ridiculous! Luck is just probability fluctuations! Sometimes things swing up, sometimes down—that's totally normal. Getting depressed and saying 'my luck is bad' over stuff like that is just too foolish.
A flow? No way. (laugh)
There isn't one, right...
When I tried to grab my phone, it slipped right out of my palm. The phone unluckily fell right onto my pinky toe...
"Ngh!"
Sharp pain shot through me. A vital spot on the human body...!
While I was writhing in agony, someone came stomping into the living room.
It was Haruna in her pajamas, looking frantic.
"O-onee-chan!"
I looked up with tears in my eyes from the cold sweat, gritting my teeth.
"...?"
"Um, um, um!"
I wonder what this is. I can see déjà vu beyond the pain. Last time, I'm pretty sure after this my sister thrust her phone at me...
My sister thrust her phone at me.
"Did you see!? This!"
There was a big photo of Mai displayed on it.
"Eh, what!? Am I time-leaping!?"
"That's not it! This! Read it! The article!"
"O-okay..."
Pressured, I read through it.
It said:
'Oduka Mai's Second Engagement Announcement—'
Queen Rose representative model Oduka Mai announced that she is engaged once again. Oduka reported: "To all the fans who always warmly support me, and to all the related parties who have taken care of me, I have an important announcement to make. This is sudden news and I apologize for the personal matter, but I have become engaged to a woman I have been in a relationship with."
Regarding the previous engagement announcement, a correction was made stating it was misinformation.
"Eh!?"
No way... Eh...!?
W-wait, Mai!? You're kidding, right!?
This time for real... about me!?!?
When the fiancée problem erupted before.
"I might have to make you wait a little while until I figure something out... but please trust me, both of you."
That's what Mai told us.
So she must have worked really, really hard to win the engagement cancellation from her mother.
And as part of the deal, she publicly announced about me—
Light flashed before my eyes. A scene appeared in my head. Me surrounded by tons of reporters. Microphones thrust at me. Strobe lights flashing constantly, crowds demanding comments, bathed in envious stares from all directions. Like a modern-day Cinderella. This would be so troublesome! What's gonna happen to me now~!?
"Onee-chan! Look, here! Look!"
"Huh?"
My sister, who'd been shaking my shoulders, pointed further down in the article.
'The partner is a Japanese childhood friend from a family they've had close ties with since childhood'
Looking back at my sister, I shouted.
"I was Mai's childhood friend!?"
To me saying that, my sister replied:
"...Sorry, this was kicking you while you're down, wasn't it..."
"Eh!?"
She looked at me with pitying eyes, like she was feeling sorry for some delusional woman who couldn't accept that she'd been dumped ages ago.
...Eh!?!?
And then an even bigger shock.
This time the article included a photo of the partner's face.
I was about to be shocked to my very core.
That partner was—
"—Haaaaaaaaaaaaah!?"
Koto Satsuki.
Her composed face seemed to be staring at me from the other side of the screen.
**Chapter 1: There's No Freaking Way I'm Not the Fiancée!?**
It was the day before Ashigaya High's cultural festival was set to begin.
Hanatori Hitoe sat cross-legged in front of the drum washing machine at the Oduka household, just staring blankly at the clothes getting tossed around inside.
"...Haah..."
Once every two minutes. Like a drum rotating at a predetermined speed, sighs escaped her.
Her eyes, which normally reflected sharp light like polished mirrors, drooped sleepily like those of a sleep-deprived cat.
This was a face she would never show in front of her master, Oduka Mai.
All of this was because... she just couldn't muster up any motivation.
Hanatori had never once changed her approach to work based on whether she felt energetic or motivated.
She was a respectable working adult who could always complete her duties with iron will, no matter what. Hitoe-chan so impressive! That's what she prided herself on.
But she was wrong.
Now she realized for the first time that throughout her long working life, for all 365 days, she'd never lost motivation for even a single second.
Well, that was only natural. She had wanted to take care of Oduka Mai-sama. Even though there were plenty of annoying client interactions and tedious management paperwork that came with the job, none of it bothered her.
No... come to think of it, there had been just one time in the past.
A moment when the thread snapped completely.
But anyway.
This time, the engagement between Oduka Mai and Lucie Lefebvre was announced.
Ever since then, Hanatori had been completely out of sorts.
She'd known Lucie well since childhood. Whenever Mai visited France for work, Hanatori always accompanied her.
Height: 168 centimeters. Weight: light as a feather, and her appearance was truly that of a European fairy.
Despite her pale skin and hair, she radiated a brilliant presence. Like Oduka Mai, she was one of the chosen few blessed ones, a masterpiece created by God.
If she weren't in this line of work, she would never have the chance to witness such a miraculous beauty up close in her lifetime.
Lucie was undoubtedly a rare flower. Among Earth's 8 billion people, in terms of beauty and grace, no one could be more suitable for Mai than her...
But there was someone.
Overcoming astronomical odds, just one person.
Only Hanatori knew this. That's why the pain in her chest wouldn't subside.
Koto Satsuki.
She was the one in 8 billion.
"...Koto-sama..."
Her small whisper was swallowed up by the vibrations of the drum washing machine.
Oduka Mai's childhood friend and a long-haired beauty. While she might inevitably pale in comparison to Lucie in terms of glamour and recognition, only Hanatori knew.
More than any influencer in the world, more than any person in power, Satsuki was the most suitable partner for Mai.
Because Hanatori had seen it.
The moment when Satsuki protected Mai.
This was back when Mai was still in elementary school.
While Queen Rose had now established itself as a solid original brand, back then they didn't even have their own building and were in a much more unstable position.
Though Hanatori had been promoted to manager, due to staff shortages, she did whatever needed doing. Sales, paperwork, helping with household chores at the Oduka family home—it was all part of the job.
Everything was for the sake of letting Oduka Mai shine in this world.
Together with company president Oduka Renée, Hanatori had a dream. Mai's presence was essential to making Queen Rose known to the world. Oduka Mai was a raw gem that would emit light endlessly as long as it was polished. So everything was for Mai's sake—Hanatori threw everything aside and pushed forward.
Mai-sama never uttered a single complaint, carrying the company's name on her shoulders for her mother's sake, handling a schedule packed down to the minute.
Having all her private time stolen away, it should have been Hanatori who was closest to seeing young Mai growing exhausted.
Hanatori should have been watching the whole time as Mai slept like a log during the brief moments in the car rides to and from work, then straightened her posture to face work again.
She should have known that Mai wasn't Hanatori's savior or god, but just an elementary school girl.
With a body weighing less than 40 kilograms, Mai continued to bear the weight of the employees' livelihoods, her mother's dreams, and her own faith.
So when Hanatori heard that Mai had sabotaged her work, along with the earth-shaking shock, she felt like she'd somehow been expecting this day to come.
And she realized her own shallow nature for unconsciously averting her eyes from it all along.
After desperately bowing her head over and over, apologizing to all the related parties.
Hanatori decided to resign.
Of course. Even though she knew that quitting wouldn't erase her sins, she couldn't stay with Mai any longer.
She wasn't worthy of Mai.
If she had simply failed to notice Mai's will and missed her SOS signals, that could still be forgiven as foolishness due to incompetence.
But she had allowed the young princess who trusted her to be overworked out of her own base desire to show Mai off to the world, and had hurt her.
Unlike Renée, she hadn't even truly believed in Mai's happiness.
'Will Hanatori-san stay by my side?'
Even though she'd decided to stay by Mai's side when asked that.
Her heart shattered.
Still, when she received contact from Renée in her fragile state of mind, she thought she'd fulfill one last job before disappearing.
She took out the car to pick up Mai. Apparently Mai was at a friend's house.
That's when Hanatori realized she didn't even know about Mai's friendships. While she could perfectly manage the thousands of photos of Mai—knowing which order and timing they'd be released to the media—she couldn't name a single classmate.
The car carrying Renée arrived in front of an apartment building.
Renée stepped down into the colorless world. Renée, who was probably as shocked as herself, was trying to fulfill her duty as a mother properly.
Compared to that, she was...
After parking in a nearby lot, she followed Renée. Hanatori had made up her mind. She would apologize to Mai, quit her job, and return to Saga.
She'd have an arranged marriage as her parents wished and live a life suited to her station. It was all wrong for someone like her to reach for the light—
And then Hanatori witnessed it.
'Don't take her away!'
A single girl stood with both arms spread wide, blocking Renée's path.
She looked like any ordinary black-haired girl.
But she was different.
'Mai just wanted to play with us, she didn't do anything wrong! My mom says playing is a child's job! Don't do terrible things to Mai!'
Behind that girl was Mai.
Mai was crying with hiccupping sobs.
'Mai doesn't have to go anywhere! She can just become our family! I'll always stay with her—!'
There was light there.
Someone had to reach out their hand to Mai. And a girl Mai's age had done exactly that. Standing before that Renée whom even adult Hanatori feared, not backing down even one step.
Hanatori's shattered heart was remade once more before that scene.
That's right, she thought.
Exactly right.
Mai should always be with this girl.
There was no way she could make Mai happy. But maybe she could help ensure these two stayed together forever.
No, she had to. That was her atonement.
And so—
Ever since then, Hanatori Hitoe decided to live her life for Oduka Mai and Koto Satsuki.
Hanatori shook her head and stood up in a daze.
In the end, she couldn't fulfill her vow.
She believed she could now truly wish for her mistress's happiness from the bottom of her heart, but...
There wasn't just one path to Mai's happiness. She had become much stronger than before. Strong enough to find her own happiness. So wanting Mai and Satsuki to be together was probably just her own ego in the end...
...No, even so. For Mai's sake, she had to somehow overturn this engagement with Lucie.
Regardless of whether Hanatori liked it or not—Mai already had someone important she'd chosen for herself. Protecting Mai's happiness surely meant nothing other than that.
That's right. This wasn't the time to be losing spirit. There were still things she could do for her master. Hanatori steeled herself again. First, the rest of the housework. Fight on, Hitoe-chan.
After working for a while, just as she finished her tasks, she heard the front door open.
It was Mai. She'd said she'd be coming home directly from Queen Rose headquarters today. Hanatori headed to the entrance to greet her master.
"Welcome home, Mai-sama..."
"Ah, I'm back, Hanatori-san."
There, she spotted a black-haired beauty and her eyes widened.
"...Koto-sama."
"It's been since the pool the other day, hasn't it, Hanatori-san. I'm just dropping by for a bit."
"Y-yes. Of course."
Seeing the two of them side by side, her lingering feelings rose up again.
That said, even after Mai chose her own lover, Hanatori wanted Satsuki to remain a good friend and continue getting along with her. That was Hanatori's heartfelt wish.
"I just finished talking with Mama. I thought I should tell Hanatori-san too."
Mai smiled at Satsuki. Satsuki crossed her arms with her usual composed face.
"Do whatever you like."
I wonder what this is about.
Her heart was pounding strangely. She felt like she might indulge in some convenient delusion.
No, no. She should stop these base thoughts. That was only for the time before bed when she fantasized about married life.
By the way, Mai and Satsuki had (in Hanatori's fantasies) lived 27 lifetimes together, and were now (in Hanatori's fantasies) living their 28th life. Last night (in Hanatori's fantasies) Hanatori had purchased honeymoon tickets for the two of them. Dreaming about what kind of happy days the married couple would spend day by day was Hanatori's small hobby. The problem was that every time the two (in Hanatori's fantasies) died of old age, (the real) Hanatori would sob uncontrollably for a while and be unable to focus on any work.
Anyway.
Hanatori mobilized all her nerves to create a natural-looking smile.
"What is it? Don't tell me Koto-sama is going to help with modeling work again?"
Satsuki sighed softly and murmured.
"...That might be nice too."
!?
With those words, Hanatori's feelings nearly soared to heaven.
Would she get to see Mai and Satsuki side by side again? And both of them having grown so truly beautiful at that. Her heart wouldn't stop racing. It felt like Mai's, Satsuki's, and Renée's birthdays had all come at once. Ah, Mai-sama, how much more joy do you intend to bring me—
And then, Mai put her arm around Satsuki's shoulder and smiled brightly.
"Actually, I've decided to get engaged to Satsuki."
—
Satsuki nodded casually, saying "That's how it is."
Mai smiled at Satsuki saying "Well, I'm happy."
Satsuki frowned at Mai saying "Are you planning to tell everyone?"
Mai to Satsuki "I'll leave the timing of the official announcement to Mama. But Hanatori-san is like family to me. I should report—"
Satsuki "Fine. Do as you like."
Satsuki Mai
Death—
Her vision turned pure white. Voices grew distant.
While Mai and Satsuki continued their playful conversation.
At that moment, Hanatori Hitoe's heart completely stopped for about three seconds...
＊＊＊ ＊＊＊
"What's going on!?"
As if piercing through the cloudy sky, my—Amaori Renako's—scream echoed as I held my head in my hands.
After the cultural festival ended, on the first day of the new school week, I'd come to the rooftop first thing in the morning.
I'd been called out by the person in question—Koto Satsuki.
It was getting pretty cold to be outside in just my uniform, but I knew this wasn't something we could talk about inside the school.
I thought peace had finally returned after my sister's problem was resolved...
I have to interrogate her... When Satsuki-san gets here, I have to bite into her like a crocodile and interrogate her...
What's even going on with Mai...
First Lucie-chan, now Satsuki-san... Are you Amaori Renako...!?
No, I'm different...! It's more like... well, you know. Dammit! I can't say anything! Anyway, this isn't about me right now, it's about Mai and Satsuki-san!
I heard the sound of the door opening with a clank.
I whipped around.
"Hey!? What's going on!? I seriously have no idea what's happening! April Fool's is still way off, right!?"
I rushed toward her like I was about to grab her.
Then.
"Kyaa!"
"Ah, eh?"
The person there was a gentle beauty with soft, flowing hair. It was Sena Ajisai-san.
Her red face was close. She looked at me with startled eyes, and I hurriedly backed away.
"S-sorry!"
"N-no. Rena-chan, you got called out here too..."
Ajisai-san, looking flustered, held her chest and smiled shyly.
"So you too, Ajisai-san...?"
"Yeah. Satsuki-chan said she wanted to explain properly..."
"Hmm..."
I put my hand to my chin and groaned.
"...What do you think about this whole situation, Ajisai-san?"
"I'm thinking there must be some circumstances behind it..."
As expected of the saint who symbolizes humanity's goodness, Ajisai-san who combines both strength and kindness.
If invading aliens said they'd choose one random human sample from Earth and decide whether to destroy humanity based on that person, I'd definitely want Ajisai-san to be chosen. Then Earth would be safe forever after.
I can't be like this!
"What if Satsuki-san really likes Mai and got involved in stealing someone's love...!"
When I brought my face close and appealed to her, Ajisai-san lowered her eyebrows and smiled.
"That's... I wonder. I don't know, but I don't think she'd do it this way..."
"But it's Koto Satsuki!?"
"U-uh, yeah. It's Satsuki-chan, right?"
This is bad. Ajisai-san and I have a difference in perception.
Suddenly, there's something called 'Personal Construct Theory.'
It's a theory that people each have evaluation standards called constructs, and they see the world through those lenses.
What that means is, for example, when one book gets both 'Super interesting!' and 'Seriously boring!' as completely opposite reactions, this is said to be why.
Some people in this world prioritize story, others prioritize characters, some think it's boring if it's not a happy ending—everyone has completely different judgment standards. This is caused by differences in each person's personal constructs.
In other words, it's just a matter of 'whether you like it or not'—pretty blunt.
So when evaluating something or giving opinions, it's important for each person to be aware of their own constructs, that kind of thing.
Now, turning to Koto Satsuki.
I think Satsuki-san is an incredible person. She's beautiful, smart, hardworking, cares about her friends, and is kind in her own way.
But... but.
I know that Satsuki-san sometimes does strange things.
The FPS challenge she threw at Mai is a prime example. At that time, Satsuki-san said something like the winner would marry me. And when I asked about it later, apparently it was just going with the flow. When Mai's involved, she decides her whole life on a whim. That's who Satsuki-san is.
In other words, you never know what Satsuki-san might do. If someone picked a fight with her and she said something like 'Then I'll marry Mai' as a retort, I wouldn't find it strange...
"Ajisai-san, you need to be more aware of your own constructs..."
"Eh, me!? And what's a construct...?"
"When judging anything, Ajisai-san's eyes have a strong filter of 'all people are good people'!"
"That's not true~"
"That's only because Ajisai-san is a good person—not everyone else is good! I wouldn't be surprised if Satsuki-san said something like 'Actually, I love stealing other people's things. My hobby is stealing lovers. I thought about what would damage you the most and this is what I came up with'!"
"That's a rough emulation."
"No way! Satsuki-san would totally say that! She's always stabbing vital points with knives from blind spots! What a fine skill! Why don't you become an assassin!?"
—Killing intent.
I turned around. There was Satsuki-san with her arms crossed and a Buddha-like expression, and Mai with a bright smile.
Ashigaya High's two great leaders. The appearance of these incredibly beautiful girls made the rooftop suddenly brighten.
Contrary to my inner feelings!
"Hey there."
"You've been saying quite a lot about me."
"Um, well..."
I panicked.
"But Satsuki-san definitely prefers stealing lovers to being cuckolded, right!"
"Netorare...? Netori...?"
Ajisai-san repeated the words with lots of question marks floating above her head. Wait!
"You can't use such lewd words, Ajisai-san!"
"Ehhh!?"
Ajisai-san's face turned red in an instant.
"Let's ignore the idiot and start talking."
Satsuki-san cut me down. Yes ma'am...
And so, all four members of the Quintet except Kaho-chan gathered on the winter rooftop.
First, Mai bowed deeply.
"First of all, I'm sorry. I've caused you all worry again."
"Um..."
"No, Mai-chan. But what happened?"
"Right. Let me explain from the beginning."
Mai began speaking in a calm tone.
"I was working to get the previous engagement announcement retracted, but Mama wouldn't listen to me at all."
No way.
"There are still two years until I'm of marriageable age, but knowing how thorough Mama is, it's not hard to imagine that she'd gradually close off all my options while I'm taking my time. I wanted to avoid being constantly on the defensive."
Mai's mother had apparently gotten worried after Mai held that matchmaking party before, and was trying to secure Mai's future early.
Mai had been fighting to do something about this recently, but it didn't seem to be going as she hoped.
It wouldn't be proper for me to comment on other people's family affairs. But... the relationship between Mai and her mother doesn't look very healthy.
A mother who's the president of a big company and her daughter who's the company's representative model. It would be difficult to judge their relationship by the standards of a normal family, but...
"But then, someone reached out to help me."
Mai's face brightened up.
"A very important, kind-hearted best friend who's always been by my side."
Three pairs of eyes focused on her.
The very important, kind-hearted best friend closed her eyes modestly.
"It's not that big a deal."
"Hehehe."
Mai smiled with genuine joy.
"Even a heroic act of putting your body on the line to save someone gets dismissed as 'not that big a deal.' My best friend is shy and extremely noble. I'd like to present her with a personally-made trophy."
"I don't want it..."
Satsuki-san wrinkled her brow in genuine distaste. Mai, thinking even that was just her being embarrassed, laughed.
"Um, so what exactly...?"
When I pressed for details, Mai puffed out her chest like a parent whose child had won first place in a relay race.
"Satsuki said she'd volunteer to be the fiancée. I'm sure no one else would have worked. It was because it was Satsuki's proposal—someone Mama has known since childhood—that she agreed, saying 'If it's you.'"
"Don't get the wrong idea, Amaori, Sena."
Satsuki-san turned her gaze toward us.
"Let me be clear—I have no intention of actually marrying Mai."
Satsuki-san declared this in her usual tone.
No intention...?
"I'm putting on an act to drive away the fiancée. I'll stay in the position of fiancée until Mai reaches marriageable age, then break off the engagement with some appropriate excuse. Then you all can go back to dating openly."
At those words, Ajisai-san and I naturally looked at each other.
Yes, while it might not be entirely normal, Ajisai-san, Mai, and I were all dating each other in a three-way relationship. You could say this was making the situation more complicated.
I digested Satsuki-san's words. So that means...
Before I could say anything, Ajisai-san asked in a small voice.
"You mean... lying to her mother...?"
Mai caught her breath slightly.
Ajisai-san hurriedly waved both hands.
"Oh, sorry. I'm not trying to blame you two, it's just... I was curious."
"That's right."
Satsuki-san declared it brazenly.
"We're deceiving her."
Then she looked at Mai beside her.
"What? The one who did something selfish like 'forcibly deciding on a fiancée' first was her side. You don't need to feel guilty, Mai. Or what?"
Satsuki-san spread her hands, gesturing toward us.
"Are you going to give up? On your lovers?"
This time, Ajisai-san and I fell silent.
A brief silence fell.
From outside came the scattered greeting voices of students arriving at school.
...I wonder. I can't tell whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
But I think I'm happy that I can maintain my current relationship with Mai.
"Mai already chose, didn't she? Not that girl, but Amaori and Sena. If that's the case, hesitating now is pointless. Listen, to choose means—"
I reflexively continued Satsuki-san's words.
"...not choosing anything else."
I gasped. I'd interrupted at a key moment.
Satsuki-san nodded with a resigned expression.
"Exactly. Even Amaori understands that."
Mai smiled gently.
"No, it's fine. Thank you, Satsuki. For being considerate and deliberately speaking that way. I understand what I need to do too."
"...Well, that's how it is. Please make sure to act like proper fiancées in public. Don't let anything slip."
Satsuki-san made sure to drill this into us.
...Anyway, I understood the reason why Satsuki-san was announced as the new fiancée, but.
There was still something bothering me.
"Um... why are you going so far to help us, Satsuki-san?"
Satsuki-san moved her eyebrows suspiciously.
"...Why, you ask?"
"Well, I mean..."
I thought it was a situation without much benefit for Satsuki-san.
Though it would also be very much like Satsuki-san to reach out with good intentions when Mai was really in trouble...
I wonder what this unsettling feeling is. I can't express it well, but something feels off.
Is this also because of my constructs?
Like, there's probably some ulterior motive anyway...
Satsuki-san sighed softly.
"I don't really want to say this myself, but—"
She glanced at Mai.
"Is it so surprising that I'd help Mai without considering my own gain?"
"N-not at all—"
As I was flustered by her direct statement, Satsuki-san said:
"Then just think I'm doing it for Sena."
"Eh... me?"
To Ajisai-san, who'd suddenly been brought into the conversation, Satsuki-san spoke quietly.
"...Yes. I don't care about Mai and Amaori, but Sena would be sad if things stayed as they were. I owe you quite a bit. I'm just paying it all back at once."
"Satsuki-chan..."
"Besides, when you get down to it, I haven't done anything that major. Mai and I just had a talk with her mother. There'll probably be more things to do related to the Oduka family going forward, but that's nothing special either."
...Is that how it is?
But Satsuki-san specifically saying she was doing it "for someone" didn't seem very much like her usual self.
If you asked me what exactly felt different, I'd be stumped, but...
"That said, the situation has gotten a bit complicated. I understand why Amaori is confused."
"Well, yes."
She was right. As Satsuki-san said, unexpected information kept coming at me one after another, so I was probably confused.
Satsuki-san took out a notebook from her pocket.
"So let me draw a diagram of your current situation."
Ajisai-san and I were surprised at the same time.
"A diagram!?"
Satsuki-san, having finished drawing the diagram, frowned suspiciously.
"What is... this Five-kun?"
"What are you talking about? Have you forgotten how Five-kun has been helping me all this time? He's my emotional support."
"I see... It doesn't matter, but personifying replaceable objects makes your impression terrible."
I had no idea what Satsuki-san was talking about, but we recently got a PS5 at home. The specs got a major power-up too. The body is smart and cool, and I'm head over heels for Five-kun. I probably won't be starting up my PS4... or should I say Four-kun... anymore.
Anyway, this diagram seems roughly accurate.
"Love... saying it so clearly like that..."
Ajisai-san, who had been peeking at the diagram with me, got embarrassed and fidgeted. So incredibly cute.
"So then."
Satsuki-san snapped the notebook shut.
"This solves the problem with her mother. You don't need to worry about anything. Things will probably still be noisy around Mai for a while, but once that storm passes, you can go back to the three of you dating happily like before."
Satsuki-san brushed her beautiful hair and smiled thinly.
"Congratulations, you three. I hope you continue to be happy."
I definitely have this feeling of "is this really okay?"
But under the circumstances, this might be the best strategy. After all, it's a method that Mai and Satsuki-san, who know Mai's mother well, came up with together.
At the very least, Mai's stress should be significantly reduced. Mai dealing with conflict with her mother did look really tough to watch...
I'm not a representative good person of humanity like Ajisai-san, so I ended up suspecting Satsuki-san one-sidedly, but in the end, Satsuki-san is kind.
She's been worrying about Mai since they were children.
But still...
I was still bothered, so just as we were heading back from the rooftop to the classroom, I secretly asked Satsuki-san.
"Hey, Satsuki-san."
Mai and Ajisai-san went down the stairs. Only Satsuki-san stopped.
"...It's not actually because you really like Mai... is it?"
At my question.
Satsuki-san slowly turned around.
Satsuki-san had a sardonic smile pulling at the corner of her mouth.
"You idiot."
Then she brought her face close to mine.
Almost like a whisper.
"Mai likes you."
At those words, I didn't know what to say and just nodded.
"Y-yeah."
That was it.
After staring at me for a moment, Satsuki-san walked away as if she'd suddenly lost interest.
...Um.
Cold wind blew through under the gloomy cloudy sky.
In the end, that brief exchange only made me realize that I didn't understand anything about Satsuki-san at all.
***
With the cultural festival over, all of Ashigaya High's big winter events were finished. I thought peaceful days would flow by toward winter break, but...
A Mai whirlwind like a hurricane was raging through the school.
Well of course! That makes sense!
Mai and Lucie-chan's engagement felt like something from a different world, but this time the partner was Satsuki-san.
After all, two incredibly gorgeous fiancées were contained in the same class. In this day and age of Reiwa, even just two top-caste girls dating normally would cause a huge commotion, but this came with a media announcement. It would be stranger if it didn't become a topic.