A few days had passed since Tsukumo-san's visit. While a few days weren't enough to change the world, Satoru had certainly become a different person. Perhaps she had been completely captivated after seeing Tsukumo-san's Reverse Cursed Technique, because she spent every spare moment stalking Shoko. It usually ended with Shoko brandishing a scalpel and Satoru making a hasty retreat.
'I didn't think she'd start bothering me too...'
After being kicked out by Shoko, Satoru would find me and beg me to summon the Round Deer. I was starting to find it a bit tedious, but I couldn't bring myself to flatly refuse her. Fortunately, both Satoru and Suguru were currently out on missions, giving me a moment of peace.
"Hey, you bastard. Why exactly are you in here resting?"
Shoko, sitting across from me and buried in medical texts, looked up and glared with narrowed eyes.
"Well... it's boring to rest alone. Don't you feel the same?"
"No. I definitely don't. In the first place, I'm not 'resting,' I'm working. There just happen to be no patients right now, so I'm taking the time to study."
"Come on. What's the harm? You might as well take a break since I'm here to visit anyway."
When I spoke with such brazen thick-skinnedness, Shoko let out a deep sigh.
"You're getting more shameless by the day. I can't tell if you're rubbing off on Gojo and Geto, or if you're taking after Mei-san..."
I shrugged casually.
"Hmm... not really? I don't think I'm that shameless. Speaking of Mei-san, that reminds me. I have a promise to keep with her and Sister Utahime. I almost forgot."
Shoko's head snapped up, her tone suddenly chilling.
"Hah...? What kind of promise?"
Feeling slightly pressured by the sheer intensity Shoko was radiating, I answered honestly.
"Last time, when I stayed out and brought back gifts for everyone, I ran into the seniors first. They asked me where their gifts were..."
"And? What did you promise?"
"I told them the next time we're all free, we'd go out to the city and spend some time together. And that I'd buy them whatever they needed."
Hearing this, Shoko nodded very slowly, her silence heavy.
"Good grief. What are you, a 'Rental Boyfriend'? Going out on dates as a substitute for gifts?"
"What? A 'Rental Boyfriend'...? What's that?"
Shoko flinched at my question and shook her head quickly.
"No, nothing. It just popped into my head."
'Rental Boyfriend? The nuance of that... feels a bit strange.'
As I stared at her, Shoko avoided my gaze and muttered.
"W-What? Why are you looking at me? Besides... isn't that great for you? Going out with Utahime-senpai and Mei-san, since you like them so much?"
"It's not about 'great.' We're just hanging out together. You should come out with us next time, too. Though I know it's hard for you to find the time."
"What, all together? Being in a noisy crowd is fine, but when I rest, I actually like to rest."
"I don't mind a group, and I don't mind just the two of us, either."
Shoko looked at me, and her face suddenly flushed a deep red.
"Just the two of us? ...That wouldn't be so bad."
She spoke while brushing her hair over her face to hide her expression. Finding her reaction puzzling, I looked around the room and changed the subject.
"Anyway... did you finish the senbei I bought you?"
Shoko gave a small nod.
"They were good. Buy more. How did you even remember that I don't like sweets?"
"I'm usually bad at remembering the big things, but I'm good with the small details. For some reason, your words just stick in my head. I think your relaxed way of speaking makes things more memorable."
At my words, Shoko lowered her head even further.
"...Is that so? Well, thanks for that. Now go back and rest. I'm going back to studying."
"Ehh... what a shame. Work hard, then. I'll be in my room, so come find me if you're bored."
Shoko just waved her hand dismissively to shoo me away. Leaving the infirmary and heading back to my room, I thought to myself.
"Man... she could have at least looked me in the eye when she said goodbye."
"Oh? I wonder who we're talking about, Touya-kun."
Turning at the sudden voice, I was met by Mei-san. Even in her casual wear, her striking physique was impossible to ignore.
"Ah, Mei-san. No missions today?"
"Yes. Thanks to that, I'm enjoying a sweet period of rest. I was just walking around to soak up some sunlight before coming up. It seems Touya-kun has some free time today as well."
I nodded.
"Yes. I was bored, so I was chatting with Shoko in the infirmary. Satoru and Suguru are out on a joint mission."
Mei-san placed a finger to her lips, appearing to think for a moment before speaking.
"Touya-kun... you seem to really like Ieiri-san."
I flinched slightly at her words but tried to force a natural smile.
"Ha... ha... Is that so? She's just a friend like any other. It's not like Shoko is particularly special or anything."
To my defensive reply, Mei-san gave a meaningful smile.
"That's exactly what I meant. I was thinking about how much Touya-kun cherishes his friends. Were you thinking something else?"
I grumbled internally at her response.
'Tch. Teasing me again. You definitely said it like that on purpose.'
"Haha... was that it? I thought you were saying I played favorites."
"Oh, heavens no. Touya-kun would never do that. Right? You're going to take good care of our cute Utahime and me as well."
"Of course. Just let me know when you two are free. If I don't have a mission, we'll head out."
Mei-san's eyes crinkled as she smiled.
"Fufu... then I shall look forward to it. It's quite the steal, getting something as expensive as Touya-kun's time for free."
"Haha... hearing it put like that is a bit of a burden. I feel like I have to do something spectacular."
Mei-san's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, and then she let out a soft laugh.
"My, then of course you must. I have high expectations. I'm only teasing, though; any time spent with Touya-kun is wonderful. As I told you before, it's an investment."
'There it is again. An investment... Just how highly does Mei-san value me that she treats me this well? Or is it just because I look like an easy mark? Surely not.'
As I pondered that, Mei-san spoke as if she had finished what she wanted to say.
"Well then, I'm going up to wash up. I'll be going now. Unless... you want to come along?"
I waved my hands in frantic refusal at her suggestion.
"Whoa! What are you saying? Please, just go rest!"
Mei-san laughed and waved as she walked away, but then she paused as if she remembered something and looked back at me.
"Ah, right. Utahime mentioned... she wanted to go out with Touya-kun separately from me. Make sure you're well-prepared."
Having truly said everything she wanted, she disappeared. I stared blankly at her retreating figure before the realization hit me.
"So... she means they want to meet me one-on-one? And both of them separately?"
'Isn't this... getting a bit dangerous?'