Haruka approached Airi. "What do you say? Should we go to the pool?"
The two had only known each other for a few days, but they could already be called good friends.
How did they meet?
Haruka accidentally discovered that Airi was a gravure model, found it interesting, and started interacting with her until they became close friends.
Airi was a shy girl, while Haruka was the complete opposite. They seemed to complement each other perfectly.
Airi was slightly startled. "Eh? Go to the pool?"
She reflexively glanced toward Ryunosuke, her gaze appearing somewhat dreamy. Anyone could see that she was in love.
Haruka showed a mischievous expression, intending to help her friend. She walked with her hands behind her back, hopping lightly toward Ryunosuke, then tapped his shoulder.
"Hello! Akasaka-kun, do you have free time on Saturday? Would you like to accompany two beautiful girls for a swim?"
Haruka looked at him with a "you know what I mean" expression, while subtly showing off her perfect figure, even better than a model's.
She was really trying hard for her best friend, even using "physical temptation" tactics to help Airi.
Airi's face flushed red. She could only look down silently, because deep down she also hoped Ryunosuke would come along.
Ryunosuke set down his schoolwork and looked at Haruka with confusion. "I don't think we're that close, are we?"
Haruka responded casually, "Don't say that. We're classmates, it's natural to invite each other to hang out, right?"
"That may be natural, but being invited out by two girls isn't."
Haruka felt helpless. "Are you even a guy? Two beautiful girls invite you out and you refuse."
Ryunosuke answered in a flat tone, "I'm busy, I don't have time."
This was the first time Haruka had met a man who was so difficult to win over.
Actually, it wasn't that Ryunosuke didn't want to go, but he genuinely couldn't. He already had plans with his actual girlfriend, Morishita Ai, so he didn't have free time.
Haruka began to doubt her own charm seeing Ryunosuke's resolve. Usually, the lecherous men out there always looked at her body with lust. Why today did she meet someone who wasn't tempted by wealth or women?
Her mother was a model, and Haruka inherited her mother's superior genes; her body proportions were equivalent to a top model's. However, this was what caused her many problems. Because her body developed too quickly since middle school, she had always been the center of men's attention.
That was why Haruka hated men so much. Except for Ryunosuke, perhaps. Because this man was quite interesting.
Since the second day of school when she joined the student council, Haruka had already started noticing this man. At present, her interest was still limited to curiosity, not yet directed toward romantic feelings.
In the end, facing Haruka's relentless pressure, Ryunosuke was forced to agree. He had to ask his girlfriend for permission to shift their date to Sunday.
Seeing her plan succeed, Haruka struck a victory pose toward Airi. "Yay~ I successfully invited him for you, Airi-chan~"
Airi's face immediately heated up. She frantically approached Haruka and pushed her away.
"Eh eh eh? I'm helping you, why are you doing this?"
"S-s-shut up! Don't interfere!"
Haruka smiled mischievously. "Shy Airi is so cute."
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Time passed quickly until Saturday arrived, the day Haruka invited Ryunosuke to swim. But unfortunately, all their classmates ended up coming too.
The reason was that Hirata took the initiative to invite everyone to play together. Everyone agreed, so they came in droves.
Seeing the other friends arrive, Airi felt a bit disappointed. She actually wanted to spend more time alone with Ryunosuke.
Since their separation half a month ago at the Chairman's office, the two had never communicated again. Airi didn't have the courage to ask whether they were actually "dating" or not. Because Ryunosuke never gave a clear answer. She was trapped in unrequited love.
Meanwhile, Ryunosuke deliberately kept a bit of distance from Airi because he already had Ai as his official girlfriend. At that time, he was under the influence of a "chuunibyou attack" so he wasn't normal and did many things that crossed the line, which made Airi misunderstand and think he liked her. Although he did like Airi (limited to a 2D character in his previous life), that was a different matter.
Now Ryunosuke was confused about how to deal with Airi. The two stood side by side in silence.
Seeing this situation, Haruka "shamelessly" pushed Airi toward Ryunosuke while whistling like a female delinquent.
"Whew wheew~"
Ryunosuke looked at Haruka with annoyance, but he didn't say anything. He did need to talk seriously with Airi.
Airi stood in front of Ryunosuke with a blushing face.
The other students were busy with their own business, giving the two of them space. Only Kushida was watching them, and for some reason, her heart felt slightly uncomfortable.
Everyone was already wearing swimsuits. Because no one invited Suzune, that shadow leader of the class didn't come here as in the original story. Ayanokouji didn't invite her either; he actually invited Megumi. He was currently very interested in that girl because he wanted to learn her "assassination techniques."
Megumi wore a flat expression. "I've told you many times, Ayanokouji-kun, I don't know any assassination techniques..."
Ayanokouji showed a "do you think I'll believe that?" expression.
Megumi sighed softly. "I've told you my thin presence is innate... if I could teach you, I would have already, Ayanokouji-kun."
"Oh..." Ayanokouji showed a disappointed face like a small child.
Megumi then coaxed him like calming a kid. "Good boy... although I can't teach you the disappearing technique, I can teach you how to read situations."
Ayanokouji's eyes sparkled. "In that case, can I learn to read minds?"
Megumi: "... I've told you I don't have superpowers, Ayanokouji-kun."
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
On the other side, Ryunosuke and Airi, who had already changed into swimsuits, didn't immediately get in the water. They looked for a shady spot and sat down. Both were silent, not knowing where to start the conversation.
Ryunosuke knew his chuunibyou actions back then had made Airi fall for him.
It wasn't that he didn't like Airi; honestly, he liked almost all the female characters at this school (limited to affection for 2D "waifus"). But he knew that was wrong. He now had a girlfriend. He had to be honest with Airi before everything became even more wrong.