Little Mutsumi had never dated before, and had rarely even interacted with boys her age. In this regard, she was like a pure white sheet of paper, waiting for someone to paint on it.
Although Soyo herself had never dated either, at least she had listened to her friends talk about it, and in order to win over Kaito, she had secretly researched many romance tips, such as [Three Sweet Words to Warm Him All Day], [Do This and He'll Never Leave You], [A Girl's Thousand-Layered Schemes]... she considered herself a theoretical master at least.
Mutsumi falling for someone this quickly was a little too fast.
'Something's not right. This is very suspicious.'
'Golden Week was only a ten-day holiday. Normally, in such a short time, even reaching a basic familiarity between a boy and a girl would already be good progress.'
'After all, this is love, not a vending machine. You can't just toss in a coin and start something.'
'Love is something sacred. How can it be so casual?'
Even for her, the reason she fell for Kaito was because of that touching damsel-in-distress moment, plus the fact that Kaito indeed had a face that could rival all under heaven, truly the most beautiful under the stars, she simply couldn't refuse...
'In fact, probably no girl can face that face and still say "no," right?'
'That is a special case. Can't be judged by normal standards.'
'Surely the person Mutsumi likes isn't Kaito-kun too, right?'
Soyo was amused by her own assumption.
'It feels more likely that Sakiko will call me in the next second, crying and begging for forgiveness while pouring out her sorrows.'
When something unusual happens, there's always something fishy behind it.
To prevent little Mutsumi from being deceived by some scheming playboy, Soyo quickly made up her mind.
'I have to help my friend screen the guy!'
Just then, Wakaba Mutsumi also hesitantly spoke up, "Soyo, can I ask you a question?"
"Hmm?"
Soyo pressed her hands together and smiled slightly, "Of course~ Ask anything, Mutsumi~"
"I don't understand how to make him realize my feelings."
In the green-haired girl's amber-clear eyes was a trace of confusion, her delicate willow brows slightly furrowed, showing a troubled expression, "I also worry that he might not like me."
Even though she was born in the starlight era, cute in appearance, and multi-talented, Mutsumi actually didn't have much confidence in herself.
And it couldn't be helped. She was born to a pair of parents with overwhelming control issues, and had followed the path they arranged since childhood, unable to have even a sliver of independent thought. Mutsumi's personality had long been mostly smothered.
A girl who grew up in such an environment might be delicate and beautiful, but had no vitality.
She hated this version of herself.
'So, putting myself in his shoes, Kaito-kun surely won't like such a boring girl, right?'
'After all, he also has Sakiko by his side.'
'Whether in looks, talent, or personality, Sakiko is not inferior to me in any way, maybe even better.'
"He doesn't know your feelings?", Nagasaki Soyo quickly picked up the key point, "That is to say you two aren't actually together?"
Wakaba Mutsumi lightly nodded.
The brown-haired girl thought for a moment, her slender fingers unconsciously playing with a lock of hair on her shoulder. She had initially assumed some scheming guy had used shady methods, but now, it looked more like a one-sided crush from little Mutsumi?
Still, seeing her friend's disappointed expression, she pressed her hands together and gently comforted, "Mutsumi, you're obviously so cute, you should be more confident in yourself, okay?"
"If you're still worried that he might dislike you, then why not start from the little things in daily life, and slowly build up his affection bit by bit."
"For example hmm, pay attention to the things he likes, so you both have more common topics to talk about."
"Or, when eating together, you could intentionally or unintentionally use his utensils, or drink from the same straw. This kind of indirect kiss behavior can effectively close the psychological distance."
Soyo spoke confidently, and Mutsumi seemed half-understanding, half-not.
At least to her ears, it all sounded quite reasonable.
It was Soyo's first time giving advice and acting as a strategist for a close friend. Usually, she only listened to others talk about these tactics while she silently watched as a bystander. This kind of putting theory into practice felt very novel and quite enjoyable for her.
After thinking about it, she directly proposed, "How about this, let's go have a coffee after school?"
"And while we're at it, let's invite the boy you like too."
'Just using words is ultimately too vague. It is better to see Mutsumi's crush in person, so I can observe his personality and then come up with a plan accordingly.'
'Also, I can help screen the guy for Mutsumi.'
If he turned out to be an excellent and dependable man, Soyo certainly wouldn't hesitate to offer her blessing.
But if he turned out to be a frivolous and unreliable playboy, then as a friend, she can't just sit back and watch Mutsumi walk into a fire pit.
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Chapter 110: Chihaya-san Whos Good at Running Away
[4 PM, Shuka Academy]
The distant clouds were dyed a warm orange by the slanting western sunlight, like cotton candy with orange flavor, making people want to take a bite.
The urgent after-school bell rang, and the restless students poured out like a stream; the noisy voices spread throughout the whole campus.
Before Kaito could finish tidying up his desk, a pink-haired big dog full of enthusiasm and clinginess jumped out.
"Hey hey, Kaito-kun!"
Chihaya Anon's gray beautiful eyes sparkled, and her cherry pink waist-length long hair flowed behind her like smooth silk. She slightly raised her face, her expression full of undisguised expectation, "I still haven't repaid the life-saving favor from last time. Let's go get coffee later. Let's go to RiNG, the most well-reviewed place nearby, my treat!"
"Saying 'life-saving favor' is kind of an exaggeration," Kaito shook his head. He only stopped a shrew from hitting someone on the train, how did it get elevated to a life-threatening situation?
"Not exaggerated at all!", Anon shook her head energetically, speaking righteously, "If Kaito-kun hadn't stepped in bravely at the time, I definitely would've gotten slapped in the face. Maybe even scratched by fingernails! Disfigured forever! And then I'd have an irreparable psychological trauma for life! In the end, I'd give up hope and jump from the school rooftop to end my tragic life"
Looking at the girl's "deep gratitude beyond repaying" kind of determined look, if he refused, she definitely wouldn't give up.
Kaito hesitated for a moment and was about to speak when his phone buzzed with a message notification.
The sender's avatar was a tiny cute cucumber cotton candy.
'Mutsumi?'
Kaito was a bit surprised.
Because they had to live together for at least three months, he and Mutsumi had exchanged contact info early on, but she rarely messaged him, she preferred to speak face-to-face.
'Let's see what this is.'
[Wakaba Mutsuki: Want to go for coffee?]
[Wakaba Mutsuki: *good girl.jpg*]
There was also a location attached, it's a caf called "RiNG."
'This address seems familiar.'
'Could it be that the caf Chihaya-san is inviting me to is the same one Mutsumi mentioned?'
The green-haired girl always seemed silent and quiet. It was rare for her to express such clear anticipation.
Kaito thought for a bit and still decided not to refuse. After replying [Okay] to Mutsumi, he nodded at Anon.
"Let's go then. But I might have a friend joining us. Is that okay, Chihaya-san?"
"F-friend?", Anon looked a little disappointed. She was hoping for a world of two, alone...
But thinking more carefully, this was a great chance to get into Kaito's social circle. She immediately waved her little hand, "Don't mind, don't mind! Bring whoever! I'll cover everything tonight!"
"No need to pay, I'll split the bill," Kaito didn't agree. If it were just him, letting Anon treat would be fine, consider it repayment, and it would also save her from constantly remembering the favor.
But since Mutsumi was coming, he couldn't do that, it'd feel like bringing someone to mooch.
"That won't do. Don't worry about me, I can handle this little expense," Anon was quite generous and was about to say more when she suddenly held her stomach, looking a bit flustered.
"Oops, probably drank too much water during PE earlier... Anyway, I'll go to the bathroom real quick, Kaito-kun, wait for me downstairs, I'll be right there!"
[A Moment Later]
The pink-haired girl walked past the quiet hallway, quickly arriving at the bathroom around the corner. She casually found an unoccupied stall, opened the door, and went in.
With the sound of "drip drip dribble," Anon let out a relieved sigh.
"Should've known not to drink that much", After taking care of the physical need, she came out of the stall, washed her hands at the mirror, tidied up her slightly messy hair, and prepared to leave the bathroom.
But someone blocked her path.
"Chihaya Anon, right?"
"You are", Anon felt something was wrong. She looked at the three unfamiliar girls blocking the door and instinctively frowned, "Can you let me through? I've got stuff to do."
"By 'stuff,' you mean shamelessly clinging to Kaito-kun, right?", The leading girl had purple hair, arms crossed, sneering coldly.
"Not sure what your definition of 'clinging' is... but this has nothing to do with you, right?"
Anon stepped back a bit, hands crossing to guard her chest, while her eyes subtly searched for possible escape routes.
Lies don't hurt, truths are the sharpest knives.
"Nothing to do with me? Ha! You sure dare to talk!", The purple-haired girl's face darkened instantly, laughing angrily.
"A mere transfer student, and you're this bold?"
The other two girls behind her also stepped forward threateningly, forming a semi-circle, cutting off Anon's exit.
'This is bullying, right?'
'Trying to gang up on someone?'
Since when has anon-chan ever taken this kind of crap.
She used to be student council president. The top of her class's social circle. Had uncountable fangirls.
Even if she transferred and started over, not just anyone can trample on her.
"Did I say anything wrong?", Anon counterattacked without hesitation, "From what I know, Kaito-kun does have a few close female friends, like Miura-san and Gotou-san. But among them you don't seem to be included, do you?"
"Too scared to go after them, so you gang up on me when I'm alone. Truly disgusting."
"You!", The purple-haired girl was furious, her face contorted for a moment, obviously she'd been hit where it hurt.
School bullies usually target the loners with no friends.
Miura Yumiko, being top-tier popular, was never short of friends. So even though people knew she was close with Kaito, even in the same club, no one dared to mess with her.
Bocchi was the same.
Though she was socially anxious, she gave off the image of a cool, aloof beauty. Seemed unapproachable. Plus, she was close to Yumiko, so nobody dared to provoke her either.
But Chihaya Anon
Just a transfer student, new here, no friends. Yet she had the guts to cling to everyone's Kaito-kun.
Is there an easier target than this soft persimmon?
But the soft persimmon they imagined didn't tremble, she fought back, sharp and fierce, stabbing right to the heart with every word.
The purple-haired girl was practically fuming. She raised her hand with a shout, "Teach her a good"
"Teach your damn self!"
Anon suddenly charged forward, bumping her hard to the side, successfully breaking open an escape path.
The pink-haired girl ran while still having the mood to look back and stick out her tongue.
"Want to catch this lady? Try again in your next life! Bleh bleh bleh~"
'Hmph! When it comes to fighting, I might not have much experience.'
'But when it comes to running away, anon-chan here is a pro!'
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Chapter 111: Chihaya Anon: The Minotaur Was Me All Along?
"Why are you panting so hard?"
Outside the school building, looking at the pink-haired girl with sweat beading on her forehead, Kaito was a little puzzled, "It's like there's a ghost chasing you from behind."
There was, of course, no ghost behind her, but women fighting over a man were even scarier than ghosts.
Chihaya Anon patted her not-so-curvy chest, once again showing a face full of energy, "It's nothing, I was just worried you'd wait too long Let's head out right now!"
She had no intention of tattling.
After all, Kaito wasn't her father, he had no obligation to help her with this kind of issue. Even if she did complain, it would be unjustified and out of place.
Moreover, Anon herself was also full of suppressed anger.
'You're timid and afraid to talk to the boy you like, so you're jealous that I can openly approach Kaito-kun?'
'Isn't that just bullying the honest girl?'
From childhood till now, Anon had never suffered such grievance.
If she hadn't run fast just now, she would've surely been severely taught a lesson, right?
Too excessive actions, maybe they wouldn't dare, but things like pulling her hair or spitting at her, those humiliating moves would definitely happen.
Anon wasn't some holy saint who turns the other cheek, much less a masochist. Of course, she'd retaliate.
And the method of revenge was simple.
'Since you like Kaito-kun so much, then I'll steal your beloved right in front of your face!'
'This Minotaur warrior, anon-chan will be me for sure!'
[T/N: Minotaurs = Cuckold]
'Once I successfully capture Kaito-kun, I have to kiss him a hundred times in front of you, a hundred times!'
[RiNG]
This was a livehouse that combined drinks and desserts, with professional performance and practice rooms, a beautiful environment, thoughtful service, and reasonable prices, thus, it was deeply loved by students from nearby schools.
Not just Shuka Academy, even elite girls' schools like Tsukinomori had many girls who loved coming here for afternoon tea, where they could enjoy delicious drinks and sweets while watching performances by their favorite bands.
