"Mio, if I want to know whether someone likes me or not, what should I do?"
Yumiko Miura's question pulled Mio Shirai out of her focused eating. She looked up, a little puzzled, and said, "I already told you about this before, didn't I? The simplest way is just to confess directly~"
Then something seemed to click, and her brow furrowed slightly. "Wait, no — that won't work. Some people will say yes to a confession even if they don't actually like you."
"Then what besides confessing?"
"Besides confessing, you just have to pay attention during everyday interactions. Things like how they act around you, their tone of voice, even the way they look at you."
"Because the eyes of someone in love? Those can't be hidden~" She finished her little speech, then demonstrated right then and there — turning to Yumiko with the most heart-melting, doe-eyed gaze she could manage.
"Something like this," Mio said, pointing at her own face with a soft smile.
Yumiko had to admit, the look was incredibly captivating. But she felt a vague helplessness wash over her. Mio's personality was unpredictable at the best of times, and her acting was practically flawless — half the time Yumiko couldn't even tell when she was being serious.
In that kind of situation, observing her was pointless.
"Anyway, why are you suddenly asking this? Are you planning to confess to Hayama-kun on Christmas?"
"No, that's not it... I just started feeling like Hayato doesn't see me as anything special. Like I'm just a friend to him." Yumiko looked away, a hint of guilt in her eyes.
As someone who'd transmigrated into this world, Mio already knew exactly what was going on — but she couldn't exactly say that out loud. All she could do was soften her voice and say, "Hayama-kun is amazing, sure, but so are you, Yumiko. I really believe there's someone out there who's even more suited for you than he is."
"...Thanks."
Yumiko gave Mio a long, searching look. I think I've already found the person you're talking about.
After a beat, she asked again: "So... how do you tell if someone's gay?"
Mio blinked at her. "Wait — don't tell me you're suspecting Hayama-kun of being gay?"
"No, no. Just... asking out of curiosity."
"I honestly don't know much about that. But if you really want an answer, I'd ask Ebina-san."
That snapped Yumiko out of it. Right — her best friend Hina Ebina was basically an expert in that department. She'd gotten so wrapped up in gathering intel on Mio that she'd completely forgotten about her.
Without another thought, she pulled out her phone, found Hina's contact, and sent the question over.
Hina didn't reply right away, though. Probably hadn't seen it yet.
Yumiko didn't dwell on it, turning her attention back to Mio. "Mio, do you have anywhere you want to go this afternoon?"
"I'd love to say that anywhere is fine as long as you're there — but if I had to pick, somewhere indoors with heating would be ideal."
Yumiko glanced out the window at the grey sky, then gave a small nod. "In that case... want to go to an internet café this afternoon?"
"Huh?"
Even Mio hadn't expected that suggestion. But honestly? She kind of did want to see what a manga café in this world was like.
She nodded without hesitation. "Why did you suddenly think of a manga café, Yumiko?"
"Indoors. Heated. A private space just for the two of us. I thought it was a pretty good pick."
"Not bad at all — looks like you're almost ready to graduate from dating training."
"No." Yumiko shook her head. "I think I need more practice."
If I 'graduate,' I can't use practice dates as an excuse to ask her out anymore. And while she could always find other reasons to spend time with Mio, something about it just felt... different without that.
After finishing lunch, Mio followed Yumiko to a nearby internet café.
The curious look in Mio's eyes said it all — this was clearly her first time at a place like this.
Well, this body's first time, Mio thought. Before she transmigrated, back when she was still a student, she used to love hanging out at internet cafés. That stopped once she got her own PC. After that, it was only when friends dragged her along.
By the time she finished mentally reminiscing, Yumiko had already reserved a private room and was looking at her with an amused expression.
"What are you spacing out about?"
"Just thinking about the past. Do you come here often, Yumiko?"
"Not really. Every once in a while. Anyway, let's head in."
Mio followed her into the private room.
It wasn't big, but it was more than enough for two people — two PCs, and even a game console in the corner.
If the me from before — the gaming-addicted high schooler — had walked into a place like this, she probably would've tried to move in.
...Well, technically you could live here. Probably.
As she switched on the PC, she asked, "So what do you usually do here, Yumiko?"
"Play games, read manga, have some alone time. If you want manga, just grab whatever off the shelves outside. Drinks are free too~"
"The soundproofing seems pretty average," Mio mused. "I guess that rules out doing anything weird in here."
She'd been hoping to see Yumiko flustered — but instead, Yumiko's expression didn't change at all. She just looked right at Mio and said, "As long as you can keep quiet, it's fine."
Then she casually scooted a little closer, her gaze turning... dangerous.
Not that it threatened Mio in the slightest. The room was tiny anyway — there was nowhere to retreat to. So she just stayed where she was and watched Yumiko's little performance play out.
In the end, Yumiko only moved close enough to sit beside her. Nothing else.
Watching Mio's smug expression, Yumiko pressed her lips together. Someday, she thought, I'm going to make this white-haired little menace regret teasing me.
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