"Why?"
Iroha couldn't comprehend it.
Helping someone else chase your own boyfriendhow was that not bizarre?
"Probablybecause seeing you reminds me of the time I had a big crush on Rei Ao. So I wanted to lend you a hand, hehe~"
Yui scratched her head sheepishly.
"Yui"
Yumiko's feelings got complicated. Yui really had been like that back then.
"And don't forget Yukino!"
Yui pointed to Yukino.
"She was sincerely trying to help you too!"
"No, that was just my responsibility as Service Club president."
Yukino wouldn't admit to any real feelings about it.
She had simply committed to help and couldn't just drop it, that was all. After the matter with Iroha, Yukino well knew not to promise things so lightly. Much like agreeing to help Rei Ao with "that matter," it only led to her own difficulties.
"Senpai"
Hearing their straightforward explanations, Iroha felt her bit of resentment melt away.
"Hey, you guys quit with the emotional scene! It's so sappy it's making my skin crawl!"
Yumiko waved an arm, cutting short the tender moment.
"Anyway, Irohawhatever you plan, you're not to spill a word about it, got it?"
"Mhm, I know that much already~"
Iroha stuck out her tongue playfully. She wasn't dumb.
And not just about Yukino etc. being in a relationship with Rei Aowords about visitors from another world, if she said that out loud, she'd be labeled insane.
"Uh, so Iroha, you probably don't need to keep up that 'chase Rei Ao' scheme anymore, right?"
Yui asked timidly. No way could everyone in that big group all share a single boyfriend. Yui thought Iroha might just abandon the pursuit.
Yet Iroha suddenly flashed a bright smile.
"Hehe, I, Iroha Isshiki, am not the sort to give up so easily~"
She scanned all three of them.
"So, Senpaiplease keep helping me chase after Rei Ao-senpai!"
Early morning. The Early Summer Observational Diary of Ai Hayasaka
Today, Miss Kaguya was once again low in spirits. The latest exam results had hit her hard, giving me fewer tasks to do, so my schedule's freer. I've utilized my free time to follow and observe Rei Ao.
From what I've found, he's had close interactions with multiple lovely girls:
Transfer student Hyodo Michiru,
Ex-star Sakurajima Mai,
Secret LN writer named "Kasumigaoka Utaha," (?)
Secret doujin artist SpencerSawamura Eriri.
Anyway, it strongly suggests not only is Rei Ao superhuman, but potentially a "scumbag," some time-management master.
I shall keep following him
"So it seems she's realized Rei Ao's uniqueness?"
Hiding behind the wall to watch him and scribbling notes, Hayasaka hardly noticed a bob-cut girl right next to her. Indeed, it was Katou Megumi, from her earlier records. Because Katou had noticed someone secretly tailing Rei Ao and the girls around him, she used her ability to see what Hayasaka was up to.
But seeing the record and that it was only the mention of "observation diaries," Megumi decided it was no big threat. Moreover, if Rei Ao must have known, and he hadn't objected, neither would she.
Casting a sidelong glance at the obviously "gyaru" style but carrying on spy-like behaviors, Katou Megumi thought:
"Looks like the type Rei Ao might enjoy."
~~~
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Chapter 563: Yukino's Suspicion, Kei's Invitation
"Mother?"
Having finally rested again and recovered her strength, Haruno came downstairs, trying to take a breath.
In her heart, she hoped her mother wasn't home, because she really didn't know how to face her mother right now
After all, spending an entire day at home doing that kind of thing, she couldn't believe her mother wouldn't have heard.
And she had no idea how to explain it.
Fortunately, as Haruno wished, Mother really wasn't at home.
"Phew"
She let out a sigh of relief and walked over to the living room.
But then, she suddenly noticed that on the nearby dining table, there was a covered dish of food.
Quietly heading up to take a closer look, she saw there was a note on the table:
"Haruno, here is some food I prepared for you on the table. Yukinoshita Miyuki."
" "
Haruno's lips twitched slightly.
So, Mother did know everythingand specifically avoided her, to spare her the awkwardness.
That only made Haruno feel even more embarrassed.
"Ugh"
She sighed, forced to just accept it.
Growl
Her stomach rumbled nonstop.
Well, this was the situation, so she might as well eat first.
While she was eating, Haruno's body kept undergoing a variety of transformations.
First she turned into Yukinoshita Miyuki's appearance, then FutabaMai various forms of the girls from Rei Ao's side she had seen. After that, she changed into Yukino's form, looking completely identical.
It was all exactly the same as Yukino.
This was the "gift" of protection that Rei Ao had given her:
[Name]: Yukinoshita Haruno
[Level]: 1
[Ability]: "Dragon Power", "Shapeshifting Demon", "Rei Ao's Blessing", "Inherent Device: Many-faced Mask"
It was also proof that she had become his.
"So this is that amazing power, huh."
Now that she had actually obtained it, Haruno felt a surge of wonder at its mystique.
Besides, right now, she and Yukino actually had no differences in "level," did they
Thinking of a certain matter regarding Yukino, Haruno opened the chat group.
Yukinoshita Haruno: "Yukino-chan, you there?"
"..."
Yukino saw the private message and didn't want to answer, but that was her sister, so she had little choice.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "What is it?"
Yukinoshita Haruno: "Aww, Yukino-chan is so cold to her sister. Now I'm so hurt~"
Yukino was speechless. This was exactly the troublesome trait of her sister.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Forget it, never mind then."
Yukinoshita Haruno: "Hey now, if you don't want to talk, I guess I won't tell you about Rei Ao, then~ Ciao~"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Wait!"
As soon as she saw Rei Ao mentioned, Yukino couldn't remain indifferent at all.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "What do you mean by something about Rei Ao?!"
But no matter how she pressed, Haruno refused to reply, which frustrated Yukino even more.
She began recalling the conversation from last night, before the party started, when Haruno asked her about something related to Rei Ao.
It was that question she was too embarrassed to answer
She'd asked if Rei Ao was that strong, if he could truly satisfy everyone
Wait a second
She froze. Her eyes dilated with alarm.
What does my sister mean by saying she personally "confirmed it?"
She recalled how Rei Ao had escorted Haruno home last night
"Could it be at that time?!"
Clenching her lips, Yukino realized she needed to verify this.
Hence, she opened the chat group.
Rather than message Rei Ao directly, she started by asking Mai and Futaba, the two who stayed at Rei Ao's place
Meanwhile, Rei Ao himself was currently confronted by a silver-haired young girl.
"Shirogane kouhai, why are you here?"
On his way back to class during break, he ran into Shirogane Kei.
For second-year and third-year classes, the math buildings were different. For her to show up here was definitely unusual
"Uh, Rei Ao-senpai"
Facing Rei Ao, Shirogane Kei was quite shy.
"II came to thank you, Rei Ao-senpai!"
"Oh, that thing before? You already thanked me, didn't you?"
Rei Ao waved his hand.
He honestly hadn't expected Shirogane Kei to still remember such a small favor.
"Mm"
Shirogane Kei lowered her head. For a moment, she didn't know what to say, especially with passersby possibly watching.
"Shirogane, it seems you're uneasy. If it's inconvenient to talk here, we can find somewhere else."
Sensing her awkwardness, Rei Ao proposed proactively.
They changed location to a deserted stairwell.
Shirogane Kei was obviously more at ease now than before.
"Thank you, Rei Ao-senpai."
She showed genuine gratitude, relieved she no longer had an audience.
"It was no big deal."
"Alright, Shirogane, what did you want to tell me? Here, you can say anything."
"Yes. Actuallymy dad, after hearing how you helped me, he's been very, very amazed. And my brother he really admires you. So my dad wants to invite you to our place, as a way to say thanks."
Shirogane Kei's voice was meek and flustered, and she kept sneaking peeks at Rei Ao from under her lashes.
At this, Rei Ao had to chuckle.
"Truly, there's no need for all that formalityhelping out was just something I do for classmates."
"II know."
Kei also felt embarrassed, biting her lip.
"But my dad said he can't help it, he's just very curious about your unbelievable academic achievements. And my brother is also a big fan so, well"
"Your brother?"
Rei Ao blinked.
"ShiroganeShirogane Miyuki?"
"Eh?!"
Shirogane Kei's eyes went wide in shock.
"Does Rei Ao-senpai know my brother?"
""
Rei Ao felt a bit awkward.
He knew of Shirogane Miyuki, but they hadn't had any personal interaction.
The notion of being admired by a guy gave him a bit of an eerie vibe.
"I've just heard of Shirogane Miyuki as a classmate, that's all."
He dodged the topic politely.
"But if that's the case, I suppose I can pay a visit, talk a bit."
Of course, not for the father or the brotherhe wasn't into guys. He was interested, presumably, in Kei's invitation or anything else that might happen around it.
~~~
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Chapter 564: Arriving at Shirogane Household... (Bonus Chapter)
After school.
"Um, Senpai, maybe I should just take a taxi?"
Shirogane Kei looked at her slightly worn-out bicycle, only now recalling that Rei Ao was also going to her house.
It wouldn't be so appropriate to have him go along while she rode her bicycle, or have her push it as they walked. That just felt awkward.
"No need. There's a bike right hereand it has a rear seat, doesn't it?"
Rei Ao patted the bicycle, seeming rather interested.
"Thinking about it, I haven't ridden a bike in ages."
"Eh? Rei Ao-senpai, you're saying"
Shirogane Kei thought of a rather unimaginable possibility.
"If you're not afraid, I can ride the bike and take you along. You just show me the way. How about it?"
"N-no way! How could I let Senpai take me along like that!"
Besides, her old bike seemed completely mismatched with the crisp and immaculate image of her Senpai.
"But I can't have a girl carry me, a grown guy, around on a bike."
Speaking thus, Rei Ao got on the bicycle and gestured:
"Come on."
"All right."
Shirogane Kei couldn't argue further; cheeks flushing, she sat sideways onto the back seat.
As soon as she sat, she realized she didn't feel the bike tilt or jolt at all.
So steady!
But Rei Ao didn't start pedaling. He turned around and gently reminded her:
"Sitting like that without holding onto anything is pretty dangerous, you know."
"Ugh"
Blushing fiercely, Kei's fingers only pinched the corner of Rei Ao's clothes.
Rei Ao, seeing this, could only sigh wryly:
"What's thisworried you'll tear my clothes?"
Saying this, he directly took her hands and guided them around in front of him, so that they clasped at his waist.
"This is safer."
"Eh?"
"Hold tight, here we go!"
"Ahhh!!"
Arms around Rei Ao's waist and abdomen, Shirogane Kei felt three distinct sensations:
1. Embarrassment. This was her first time in such close contact with a boyespecially a Senpai she admired and respected!
2. A strong sense of security. Even riding as a passenger, she didn't feel any bumpiness or swaying. How on earth was Senpai riding so steadily?
3. Such a well-built figure. Even through her arms, she could feel how tight and toned Rei Ao's physique was. It was both solid and pleasant to lean on.
Because of that, while hugging Rei Ao's midsection, Kei couldn't help pressing her fingers inward at his abdomen. There was arather irresistible feeling!
Moreover, the two of them traveling together on one bike had a certain romantic vibe.
Shirogane Kei found herself secretly peeking at Rei Ao's side profile.
"Senpai's so cool and handsome."
No wonder so many girls at school liked to talk about him.
She found herself getting rather mesmerized.
Fifteen minutes later.
"We're here, right?"
Rei Ao's reminder finally broke Kei's daydreaming. She looked around and only then noticed that, unknowingly, they had arrived at her house!
Reluctantly, she removed her arms from around Rei Ao and hopped off the back seat.
"Senpai, this is my home"
Saying that, she dropped her head. The place was not only in a rundown neighborhoodher house itself was an old building in poor shape.
She couldn't help feeling self-conscious.
"My family's poorso"
She worried Rei Ao might look down on such a house.
But Rei Ao was never that kind of person. He reached out and patted her head gently:
"So what? There's no need to feel embarrassed. I'm not the sort to care about that."
"Senpai"
Shirogane Kei blinked in gratitude.
Even her brother didn't pat her head so gently!
"Since I'm here already, won't you invite me in?"
Rei Ao smiled.
"O-of course, Senpaiplease follow me!"
"I'm home!"
"Why so late today? Don't tell me that old bike broke down again?"
A voice came from a young man who was buried in his booksShirogane Miyuki. He didn't even look up.
"Give me one more week of part-time work and I can buy you another new bicycle."
"See? Your Brother's pretty nice to you, so you shouldn't call him 'Hey' all the time."
"What are you talking about?!" she snapped, instantly vexed.
Then Kei cleared her throat, turned to Rei Ao and announced:
"I've brought Rei Ao-senpai over!"
"Huh? Rei Ao?!"
Hearing that, Shirogane Miyuki jerked up, startled.
He hurriedly turned and saw the older boy behind his sister. His eyes, shadowed with mild exhaustion, lit up with awe.
"You're Rei Ao?! Um, can I ask youhow to raise my grades even further? I've seen your repeated top scoresand I think you're my idol"
Seeing her brother fawn like a star-struck fan, Kei instantly delivered a swift kick to his shin:
"Hey, don't just babble nonsense! You're making Senpai uncomfortable!"
