And then after school.
As expected, after we left the classroom and walked for a while, we heard the sound of running footsteps coming from behind us.
"Hey, hey, would you like to go home together?"
The person who called out to me was, of course, Yoshino Asami (pseudonym).
Based on the impression I got of her personality during lunchtime, I had anticipated that she would initiate the conversation, so I gave the expected response.
"Yes, I have some business over there today, so I'd like to go with you."
"Hmm, I'll be heading home now."
I'll be taking away this unwanted intruder♪
"What are you talking about, Ellie? A little nuisance!"
"Hehe, see you tomorrow!"
Hey Nakagawa, I didn't hear anything about you planning to throw in an ad-libbed line like that.
Oh well. If she says that as my sister, it's unlikely to cause any offense, and I also want to settle the rumors that she likes me.
...I have a feeling it wouldn't make sense to do it to this Yoshino Asami (pseudonym). If it's no risk, low return, then there's no problem.
"Okay, let's go."
"Yeah!"
"So, the other day at the tea ceremony club..."
The girl in front of me continued chatting at the same pace as she did during lunchtime, even when we were walking home alone.
I wonder how they never run out of things to talk about. They must really enjoy talking to people.
...Okay, so this is definitely correct, right?
The environment is almost the same as yesterday, yet their personalities are so different. This can't be explained by a dual personality.
If this isn't a different person, then the only explanation is that they have a split personality.
"May I ask you just one question?"
"? What is it?"
"Well, how should I put it..."
"Yes, yes"
After a short pause, I asked the question.
" ?"you・teeth・who・is・
"......fart?"
"Don't play dumb. In fact, it looks like you're not even trying to hide it."
"Hey, stop it. What are you suddenly talking about?"
I'm Yoshino Asami!"
Are you still going to play dumb?
But there's no evidence...
If I continue to press her with this stubborn attitude, I feel like she might confess, but it might also give her a bad impression.
When trying to win over Yoshino Asami, it would be helpful to have the cooperation of her younger or older sister.
Hmm, well, how about this approach?
"No, you're definitely a different person."
Because, if it were really him, he wouldn't casually talk to the person he confessed to and rejected, would he?
"......picture?
Whaa
"What? Your sister didn't tell you?"
"Um, well, um, uh..."
"...Katsuragi-kun, is that really true?"
Unless you're going to definitively say it's a lie, responding with a question here can be interpreted as a declaration of surrender.
Let's just make things easier for him for now.
"That's a lie."
"You're kidding meeeeeee!!"
"Hahaha, if you were him, I would have become a very self-conscious man."
Come on, just give up and let it all out."
"Ugh... Katsuragi-kun is scary. How did you know?"
"If you don't think that's a different person, you're pretty stupid, don't you think?"
"Is it really that bad? She looks exactly like her older sister, so the idea that she's a different person wouldn't immediately come to mind, would it?"
"If their personality changed that much, it would be understandable if they were different inside and outside of school, but if they acted like that for no reason, anyone would think it's strange."
"Oh, I guess I made a bit of a mistake."
The girl in front of me scratched her head a little shyly, then cleared her throat and spoke again.
"Okay, let me introduce myself."
My name is Yoshino Ikumi. I'm Asami's younger sister."
At Ikumi Yoshino's suggestion, "It's not really appropriate to just stand around and talk," the two of them went into a nearby coffee shop.
After both she and I ordered something suitable from the waiter, I was the first to speak.
"Well then, let me hear your explanation as to why you were doing this."
Well, I can pretty much imagine it."
"Really?"
"Ah, in short, it's an investigation into the behavior of the boy my sister is worried about, right?"
"Uh, yeah. That's what it is."
The girl in front of me was visibly flustered.
I could tell from talking to him, but he's a very straightforward person, for better or for worse.
"Wait, Katsuragi-kun, did you know that your older sister was worried about you!?"
"That hopeless girl sitting nearby was gossiping about it, and yesterday when I turned around, our eyes met perfectly."
"Oh, big sister... that's way too obvious."
"But in everyday life, aside from those kinds of situations, she acts perfectly."
When I said that, Ikumi looked very surprised, and then her face became serious as she pressed me for an answer.
"How do you know?"
How much do you know?!
"How far? Let's see..."
...And it's not just this incident. Your sister's worries, and how to solve them.
I know all of that."
"Th-everything? That's not like I'm God!"
"This is simply a matter of building upon logic. Anyone can do it, even if they're not a god, as long as they have the right information."
But let me say this anyway."
After taking a breath, he declared.
"I am a god, a god of conquest!"
Ikumi looked stunned when she heard that, but after a short pause, she suddenly burst out laughing.
"What's the matter? Is it really that strange for me to call myself a god?"
"Haha, no, that's not it."
After laughing for a while, he looked straight into my face and opened his mouth.
"Well, I guess there's nothing we can do about it since it's God. I understand."
Katsuragi-kun, I need your help. Let's solve my sister's problem together!