Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 2 - Chapter 1.4

Literature Club Report – Summer Edition

<Everyone Has to Know the Engagement Is Voided!> by Chika Komari

“Sylvia Luczel-sama. I’m canceling our engagement.”

I’m speechless at the sudden declaration.

I’m suspected of the attempted murder of Baron Anne’s daughter.

Just now, the person who declared he was voiding our engagement in the reception room of my mansion is the crown prince of this country, First Prince Guillaume.

He’s my childhood friend. We’ve always been together. He was also my future husband.

He has curly blonde hair. His blue pupils are sparkling under his longer-than-mine eyelashes. A person’s heart can be captured instantly by those eyes. Rumors say that he has the Charm Eye ability. Honestly, I can understand that.

However, his eyes are only filled with anger and contempt right now.

Even though I know I can’t touch him, I still reach my hand out to the prince.

“Guillaume-sama…”

“Sylvia, go to the monastery if you want to defend yourself-”

“Wait! The graduation party hasn’t started yet!”

Prince Guillaume looked confused upon hearing that.

…Yeah, I’m in a so-called otome game’s world now.

I was an ordinary high school girl before getting reincarnated as the evil villainess in the otome game I love, Sylvia Luczel, a duke’s daughter.

The story progresses toward the True End with all of the flags I’ve been carefully planting.

So, today’s the finale of the game. It’s the graduation party of the kingdom’s magical school. Based on the plot, my engagement to Prince Guillaume is supposed to be voided at the party.

After that, my parents will break off their relationship with me, and I’ll be sent to a rural monastery. However-

“My efforts will be in vain if we don’t cancel our engagement during the party! What did you think I planted all those flags and did not go down the wrong routes for!?”

Damn, there are no witnesses aside from maids and the prince’s servants here. What a pain.

“Sylvia, what are you talking about…?”

The prince seems to think that I’m going haywire. He frowned and took a step back.

…The truth is, I’m actually freaking out as well.

The popular evil villainess Sylvia will find her happiness later in the DLC release. I scolded the prince during the party. Then, after seeing that, the domineering prince from the neighboring country falls in love with me.

“This woman is interesting.”

He’ll even say a line like that. That scene can’t appear if our engagement is voided here.

“A-Anyway, I can’t tolerate your disgusting acts toward Baron Anne’s daughter. However, your reputation will be ruined if I void our engagement in public. This is my mercy as your former fiancée.”

Uh, please don’t. I don’t need mercy like that. I’ll just be sent to the monastery if this continues.

“I got it. Anyway, let’s go to the party first. I’ll humiliate Anne-san there, and then you can come out and announce my crimes. We can void our engagement at that point!”

Very well. This is a bit incoherent, but I managed to return to the original route. I pinched up the bottom of my dress as I prepared to leave the reception room.

“W-Wait, our engagement is already voided…”

I can hear Prince Guillaume’s powerless voice from behind. I glared at the prince with my hands akimbo.

“Please stop! How can a First Prince drag his feet at times like this!? Please announce our voided engagement at the graduation party!”

“Hey, listen to me.”

“Shut up and go there! Please don’t forget about the documents of my crimes! Prepare the carriage!”

Indeed, I can’t waste any time here.

If I am going to progress toward my True End, everyone has to know our engagement is canceled-

*

…That’s the story.

Compared to my novel, which isn’t being read by anyone other than the Literature Club members, I feel like everyone wants to read more of this.

I hesitated about whether I should click “Like”. Komari frowned as she looked at her phone.

“What’s wrong, Komari?”

“Y-Yakishio just texted me…”

“Eh, you’ve been messaging her?”

When did they get so close?

“I-I jog with Yakishio f-from time-to-time l-lately.”

Komari sometimes jogs too? Ah, but, come to think of it-

“We talked about this during the closing ceremony, right? Wait, you really went with her?”

“I-It’s all because of Nukumizu…”

“Yes, I’m very sorry.”

I can only apologize.

After the first term’s closing ceremony, Komari wanted to create a chance for Yanami and me to talk alone. She told Yakishio she wanted to learn how to jog and got her away from us.

I didn’t expect them to actually jog together.

“You could’ve just said no.”

I casually remarked. Komari lowered her head in embarrassment after hearing that.

“I-I…can’t r-reject it…i-if someone f-forces me…”

She sounds like a hentai heroine.

“Explain everything- no, I can talk to Yakishio if you hate it.”

“G-Go die…”

I accidentally just said what I thought without consideration, but weren’t you too mean to tell me to go die?

“I-I don’t hate it. …The training i-is based on my s-stamina. S-She even g-gave me sneakers, a-and she carries me when I’m tired…”

Komari twirled her fingers. Hey, Yakishio is unexpectedly good at taking care of others. I guess I can just leave them alone.

“B-But, …i-it’s too tiring to start running at 6 in the m-morning.”

I would hate that.

“Well, but waking up early is good for your body, at least from a survey I’ve read.”

“…T-That’s just random BS, right?”

“So you do know.”

I checked the bookshelves again to finish this ASAP, starting from the “Ma (
マ
)” row.

After a while, Komari seemed to have remembered something and asked me.

“Y-Yakishio, …d-does she has any siblings?”

That’s sudden.

“Never heard of it, but I think she has mentioned that she has a little sister.”

“W-Well, …h-have you seen a-anyone with Yakishio o-on the streets lately…?”

I shook my head. What is this girl trying to get at?

“What’s wrong? Did something happen to her?”

“Uh, no, n-not really…”

Her mumbling is way too vague, but I shouldn’t interrogate her. Moreover, I feel like this is troublesome.

I stretched my sore back and continued working.

*

It took us 2 hours to complete the task. I bid farewell to Komari and walked towards the clubroom.

I briefly thought about going home right away. However, I changed my mind because the work had been more tiring than expected. Let’s take a break first.

I’m in the corridor that leads to the western building. Someone suddenly patted my shoulder.

“Nukumizu, you here for club activities?”

The person speaking to me is Mitsuki Ayano.

He was my classmate in cram school and Yakishio’s dream lover. He’s not just a tall, handsome guy with glasses. His grades are pretty good too.

He’s also going out with his cram school partner and classmate, Chihaya Asagumo.

Aside from that, he’s also a weird dude. For some reason, he always tries to talk to me whenever he knows I’m around.

“I had something to do in the library. But, why is Ayano here at this time?”

It’s almost 4 PM now. It’s a bit late to be in school during the summer holiday.

“I have some business too. By the way, is anyone in the Literature Club’s room? I want to return the books I’ve borrowed.”

“I’m going there right now. I can help you return them.”

“Sorry, can I leave them with you?”

Ayano handed the books over. There’s a finely crafted bracelet on his wrist. It doesn’t match his look at all.

“Is this really conspicuous?”

“Eh? It kind of stands out.”

Even though I’m not interested in the least, his facial expression totally tells me he wants me to listen to him. I gave up and nodded. This must be a part of interpersonal relationships.

“Chihaya gave me this. She said I have to wear it at all times. What a girl. Well, I was really surprised when I got this gift too…”

Unlike his words, Ayano’s face is covered in embarrassment. I see. This must be the so-called masochistic show of affection. It’s a breath of fresh air to see him like this because everyone else around me has suffered from rejection.

I thought about that while listening to him show off and responding with casual replies.

*

I came to the clubroom’s door after bidding farewell to Ayano. It’s not closed.

Did Komari come to the room? Or did someone forget to close it? I pushed the door.

“Hey, isn’t this Nukkun?”

“!”

I immediately closed the door.

The person inside the clubroom is Remon Yakishio. To be precise, it’s Yakishio in the middle of changing her clothes.

“Close the door when you’re changing!”

“Wait, what’s wrong with you?”

Yakishio ignored my panicking and walked out of the clubroom.

The buttons on her uniform are still not done up.

“Hey, why are you always taking your clothes off in front of others like it’s nothing!?”

“I have proper clothes inside. Also, I’m less exposed now than during normal practices.”

Yakishio tilted her head dumbfoundedly.

“…Always?”

By the way, this girl seems to have forgotten about what happened in the PE storage last month.

“It’s nothing. Alright, go in. Don’t change in the corridor.”

“Uh, please don’t push me.”

I pushed Yakishio back into the room and closed the door behind us. Phew, I managed to prevent a scene.

“Nukkun, you’re overthinking. Help me put this back in the bag over there, please.”

She rolled a towel into a ball and suddenly threw it at me.

I caught it. Her training clothes are inside the towel. I looked away and shoved it into Yakishio’s sports bag.

Wait, why am I in the clubroom? Come to think of it, isn’t this situation worse…?

I sat on a chair as I peeked over at her worriedly. Yakishio continued changing without the slightest sense of panic.

She’s finally wearing her uniform properly. I’m relieved.

So that’s how you wear that bowtie… [TL: This is referencing the Special Intermission 1 in Vol.1.]

“Anyway, Yakishio, why are you changing here?”

“The Track and Field Club’s room is really tiny. First-year students are always the last. That’s why I always change here when I’m in a rush.”

Yakishio used her tiny portable mirror to carefully adjust the angle of her bowties.

“Forget about that. Why is Nukkun here? Isn’t it the summer holiday now?”

“I’m just here to help the library out. You forgot about this.”

The ‘this’ is Yakishio’s personal icon, her lemon hairpin, which is sitting on the table.

“Huh, I remember putting this into the bag. Why is it on the table?”

Yakishio picked up the hairpin confusedly.

“You take it off during track practice, right?”

“I always wear it. It’s just that I didn’t want to get it dirty since I cleaned it yesterday.”

I didn’t expect her to pay attention to things like this. Even though her inner personality is carefree, she’s a top-grade beauty in school. I guess she still spends time keeping up her appearance.

“Prez Tamaki texted me yesterday. We’re doing a club magazine, right?”

Yakishio adjusted her hairpin as she said that.

“Yeah, he said it’s a part of our summer holiday activities. I’ll change my novel a bit and upload it. What are you going to do, Yakishio?”

“What should I do? I can upload a picture diary, but writing something sounds nice.”

She carefully tidied up her bangs using a tiny, compact cosmetic mirror. After that, she clenched her fists and mumbled, “Good.” This girl is full of motivation.

Suddenly, a laidback notification sound played in the room. Yakishio took out her phone. Her face is brimming with a smile as she’s looking at the screen.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing. Well, I’ll be leaving-”

“Hey, you left your socks.”

“Not a big deal. Don’t mind it-”

Yakishio smiled and left the clubroom with light steps.

“I mind it…”

I picked up the socks with a handkerchief and threw them into Yakishio’s bag.

Sheesh, now I can finally rest in peace.

I took out my half-finished light novel and started reading, yet I couldn’t pay full attention.

I closed the book and stared at the ceiling in a daze.

There’s no one in the school- a boy and a girl who used to be close-

Hmm- …that’s impossible.

I shook away those terrible thoughts and flipped open the book again.

*

The next morning, as I groggily pushed open the door to the living room an enthusiastic voice came flying out at me. She sounded like she had waited for a long time.

“Onii-sama, good morning. Breakfast is ready.”

Kaju’s wearing an apron. She smiled and pulled out the chair for me.

“Good morning, Kaju. Did Dad and Mom already go to work?”

“It’s already 9, you know? They already went out.”

Is it already that late? I edited the novel I wanted to publish in the club magazine yesterday. I ended up staying up the whole night.

Kaju chuckled and put a huge plate of pancakes in front of me.

“Onii-sama, Kaju tried making fluffy pancakes today. Hope you like it.”

With that, Kaju added some sweet seasoning to it.

“There’s rice flour on the pancakes. Kaju also made sugar pickled white peaches. I’ll put all of them out for you, onii-sama.”

Kaju noticed some syrup on her finger. She hesitated for a moment before licking it off.

“Onii-sama, sweet and sour go really well together so I also prepared lemon water too. Please enjoy them together, okay?”

The pancakes in front of me are adorned with sugar powder and mint leaves. It’s as exquisite as the ones in a café.

“Thanks. Well, let’s eat.”

I picked up my knife and fork. Then, I noticed another serving of pancakes next to me.

“Kaju, you didn’t eat yet?”

“Yes, Kaju forgot about mine because I was so busy making breakfast.”

Kaju laughed shyly and rapped her knuckles against her head. Kaju made so much food that she ended up forgetting to eat her own. What an adorable little sister.

I wanted to move her plate to the seat in front of me. However, Kaju pulled a fast one and sat next to me.

“Well, onii-sama. Let’s eat.”

“Yeah, let’s eat.”

Our peaceful breakfast time begins. Just as I put my knife into the fluffy pancakes, Kaju slightly tilts her head. She’s looking at me timidly.

“Onii-sama went to school yesterday as well. Are you really busy lately?”

“There’s something I had to do for the club. I guess… you could say I was busy?”

Because I have been lazing around lately, I can’t really make a valid comparison to anything.

“But this is nice too, right? The friend onii-sama just made recently is Yanami-senpai, right? She visited us a few days ago.”

“Uh, I guess.”

I gave a vague answer as I stuffed my mouth full of pancakes.

Although I have told Kaju that I have friends now, I haven’t told her what Yanami’s like yet.

It’s not just because I’m embarrassed. I think things will be a mess if I tell her.

“How about we welcome her properly next time? Also, don’t forget about the interview.”

Please don’t do an interview. I took a sip of lemon water.

“Well, we are friends, but you don’t need to be so ridiculous. We aren’t close enough to go out together.”

“Everything has to start somewhere. Also…”

Kaju approached me with sparkling eyes.

“Yanami-senpai is a very beautiful girl on second glance! She has to learn the secret recipe of the Nukumizu family! Let’s start with miso soup, and then the basic Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine-”

Kaju won’t stop running her mouth. Well, let’s step on the break.

“Calm down. She is indeed a female friend. However, our relationship isn’t like that, alright?”

“Hiya, everyone will fall for onii-sama once they get to know you. Even if you two are just friends now, it’s time to start thinking about the future!”

Kaju seems to have suddenly thought of something. She got closer bit by bit.

“Don’t tell me onii-sama has his eyes on other girls in the Literature Club? There’s that tanned senpai who looks good as well and while I was surprised to learn there’s also a petite senpai, on second thought she can wear Kaju’s clothes... We can definitely get close from now on. So!”

I spread my hands and asked Kaju for a pause. She’s too excited.

“Listen, Kaju. Let’s calm down and count to 6. Here. 1, 2, 3…”

“4, 5, 6…”

After counting, Kaju put her hand on her chest and took a deep breath.

I patted Kaju’s head to praise her for finally calming down.

“Meow-”

Kaju keeps rubbing my hand. I used another to continue eating pancakes.

These pancakes taste really sweet. Then, a notification popped up on my phone on the table.

I looked at it subconsciously. It’s an unfamiliar name.

<Yana-chan: Are you awake? Let’s go to a café if you’re free, okay?>

…Okay, first of all, why is “Yana-chan” your nickname? Second of all, why should I go to a café with you?

My brain stopped processing the sudden invitation. Kaju went around my arms and sat on my lap.

“Onii-sama, this is Yanami-senpai, right? She’s inviting you for tea!”

“Uh, I guess.”

“Hanging out with a girl in a café must be nice.”

Kaju’s smiling brightly.

“This is literally a date.”

“That’s not how we are. Perhaps she wants to discuss something.”

What’s the correct reply in this situation? I took a deep breath.

She suddenly invited me to a café in the morning. If I remember correctly, Yanami went to her classmates’ party yesterday…

My instincts are warning me of danger.

Kaju stared at me. I quickly replied, <I’m really busy today.>

“Onii-sama, are you sure?”

“It’s fine. Also, it’s okay even if it’s not me she meets.”

A notification sound played. My phone is showing a text from “Yanami”.

Uwah, I said no already. Why is this woman being such a pain in the ass?

I hesitated. Kaju smiled and held my phone.

“You should go out, onii-sama. You shouldn’t make your friend wait.”

…I got it, so please get off my lap.

*

It’s 3 PM on the promised afternoon.

We agreed to meet at the café next to the city hall.

I arrived first. So, I casually observed the café as I waited for Yanami.

The vintage décor and soothing ambience here really calm one’s soul. Online reviews say that this café’s pancakes are as good as its waffles.

This is quite close to my home, but I have never visited it before.

“Thanks for waiting. Here is your iced coffee.”

“Oh, thanks.”

The waitress handed me a cup of iced coffee. I stared at the glass of water on the other side of the table nervously.

I’m in a café with another girl during the summer holiday.

Even though I denied what Kaju said earlier, this must be a so-called date, right?

Based on the light novels and manga I’ve read before, this counts as a date even if we’re not going out.

So, in other words, Yanami invited me out on a date, right?

The doorbell rang while I was restlessly mixing the syrup and milk in my coffee.

I quickly raised my head. Yanami had just stepped into the café.

She’s wearing a navy blue shirt with a knee-length light grey pleated skirt.

I have seen her in casual clothes before during the trip, but today Yanami’s appearance looks like she dressed for an outing, right? My back straightened seeing her in such a girly outfit.

With that outfit, so today’s really a date, right…?

Yanami walked straight to my table as soon as she spotted me.

“Uh, what’s wrong, Yanami-san? Why did you invite me out to a café so suddenly?”

I tried to force a smile to prevent her sensing my nervousness.

“…………”

Yanami didn’t say anything. She sat down and chugged the water in one go. After that, she fiercely slammed the cup down on the table.

She mumbled quietly.

“…Let the world end.”

Something happened, I can already guess what it is.

“What happened at your classmates’ party yesterday?”

Yanami reacted to the word “classmate’s party”. Her shoulders began to quiver.

“…I knew it. Even though I knew this would happen, it’s useless trying to rely on book learning when it actually happens in front of me, right?”

Yep, this isn’t a date.

I’m half relieved. I leaned back on my chair.

“Uh, were they flirting in front of you?”

“That started a month ago already, okay? By now, I have a heart of steel that wouldn’t miss a beat even if they played ‘I Love You’ in front of me.” [TL: I Love You, the game where people flirt with each other and the first person to get embarrassed loses.]

Yanami put an elbow on the table and looked at the menu. She doesn’t seem energetic.

“Also, they don’t really flirt in front of everyone anymore.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“That’s not what I’m getting at. It’s the way they help each other collect the trash during dinner. The natural way in which they help carry each other’s stuff. It’s this naturalness I’m talking about.”

Yanami shook her head and continued.

“The way they make eye contact after subconsciously looking at each other at the same time. How they share the same point card, use the same notification sound, have color matched clothes and accessories. Finally, how they go home together automatically without any need for words -”

Yanami stole my glass of water, chugged it in one go and then slammed the cup onto the table again.

“They have already gone that far, get it!? They are already at the calm newlywed stage now! It’s only been a month! How far do they want to go!?”

They can go as far as they want girl.

Yanami is running out of breath. I asked the waitress to refill our cups.

“Oh, and can you change my cup as well?”

“…Huh? You don’t like the fact I used your cup so much you need to get a new one?”

It’s because I don’t like drinking from a cup used by someone else.

“Well, what will Yanami-san order?”

“Did you just ignore me…? Hmm, I’ll get a cream soda.”

“Eh, you’re not getting pancakes?”

I thought she had come to this café for the pancakes.

Yanami watched the waitress leave silently. She spoke up in a serious tone.

“Nukumizu-kun, pipe down and listen to me. Somen is carbohydrates. …In other words, it has sugar.”

Yeah, I know.

“I was deceived by its cold and smooth appearance. …it looks really tiny, so people think ‘isn’t it fine to eat this?’ Wouldn’t you feel cheated if you got fat because of eating something like that?”

“Uh, so you ate too much somen and got fa-”

“I didn’t say I got fat, okay!?”

Yanami interrupted.

“But cream soda has even more sugar.”

“Drinks don’t count. People say you won’t get fat from eating ice cream either.”

The waitress brought the cream soda as I listened to Yanami’s mysterious theory.

The cream soda here uses genuine green soda water and is topped with vanilla ice cream. Yanami immediately pointed her phone toward it.

“You’re taking a photo?”

“I’m posting it on Ins. Yeah, that’s a nice photo.”

Ins, …it’s an app for posting photos, right?

I think people used to talk about food going to waste just to get good photos, but I don’t have to worry about that happening if it’s Yanami.

Yanami clicked on her phone numerous times before showing me the screen.

“Look, isn’t it nice? Remember to like it, Nukumizu-kun.”

“I’m not using Ins. …Hey, isn’t that my hand at the corner?”

Indeed, this vibrant ice cream soda photograph includes my hand too. That’s like hearing noise in the background when watching a top-tier movie.

“Eh, you’re right. Aren’t Nukumizu-kun’s fingers too slim? Have you been eating properly?”

“I am. You should take a new photo, right?”

“But I already posted it.”

Yanami ate ice cream as she tapped on her phone. She suddenly realized something. Her eyes lit up.

“…You should know I’m giving you hints, right?”

“Uh, what do you mean by that?”

Yanami crossed her legs chicly. She swept her bangs backward. This girl sure is something else.

“Nukumizu-kun, even I want to let other people guess about me sometimes.”

“So, what’s that got to do with this?”

“It’s a hint, spreading the fact that I’m with a guy on Ins. You know, the ones used to show off boyfriends or pin down other girls.”

“Oh, the ones that make celebrities get incinerated by hate?”

This is a sidenote. For some reason, all of the female seiyuu I like always have a same-age "little brother".

“…But wait, Yanami-san is just a normal person though, right?”

“Look, my friends already have big reactions to the photo I posted. They ask who I’m with and whether I have a boyfriend.”

Yanami showed me her phone.

“My close friends have some intense reactions. That photo is indeed really powerful.”

“I have a question. What’s the point of doing this?”

Yanami squinted her eyes and stared straight at me.

“You want to force me to say it? From my own mouth? For real?”

“…My bad.”

“I like your honesty. Ah, even Kasumi-chan replied too. We haven’t talked in a while.”

Yanami stared at her phone in satisfaction. Her face suddenly turned serious.

“What?”

“…Honestly, the boys I was close with in middle school always text me right after the party.”

“Oh.”

“They really are quite taken with me. Now I understand how scarily popular I am.”

“Ah, yes, yes, yes.”

A half-assed answer is all I can give. I decided to drink my coffee. The ice cubes have melted already.

Yanami keeps twirling the ice cream melting into her soda. She looked at me. Is she… trying to make me ask her about her popularity?

“Well, so, are you about to go out with any of them?”

I gave up and asked her. As for Yanami, she’s now twirling her long spoon with a chic expression.

“Hmm, I’m still not planning to have a boyfriend for now. I don’t feel like it.”

“Emmm.”

“The girls are also worried about me and tried to introduce boys to me. The guys always try to invite me out to eat as well. …Hmm?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think the guys who asked me out all have something in common. Uwah, even Tanaka invited me too.”

Yanami frowned and scrolled down. She suddenly looked up at me like she had just realized something.

“Nukumizu-kun, don’t tell me they think I’m easy!? 'It’s easy to pull this woman because she’s just been rejected? Let’s hit on her first, anyway!’ Is that the case!?”

“Uh, how should I put it. …Yes, probably.”

She actually noticed it. You should’ve just immersed yourself in the joy of being popular.

With an aching sadness, I added some syrup to my iced coffee.

“But, think about it. Perhaps one of the guys actually does like you.”

“…Are you aware that you’re being very mean right now? And just so you know, I don’t want to hang out with guys too much for a while.”

I see. Also, I want to know which classification I belong to in her mind.

Yanami finished the last of the ice cream on top of her cream soda. She wistfully twirled the soda with her spoon.

“That’s all of the ice cream…”

“Yeah, how tragic.”

I gave her a smartass answer before glancing outside. A cheerful girl from Tsuwabuki High School walked past.

Our iconic 4 bowties, her short hair fixed with a lemon hairpin and a healthy tan on her slim arms and legs…

“That’s Yakishio, right?”

“Remon-chan?”

Yanami drank her soda spoonful by spoonful as she looked in my direction.

“She’s wearing her uniform today too?”

“Huh! Lower your head, Nukumizu-kun! Quick!”

Yanami suddenly grabbed my head and slammed me down onto the table.

“Ouch! Eh, what’s wrong!?”

“Don’t raise your head! She’ll see us!”

“It’s just Yakishio. What’s wrong-”

I immediately swallowed my words.

She’s not alone. The person next to her is Mitsuki Ayano. Her dream lover.

Yakishio is walking shoulder to shoulder with Ayano with cheerful steps. Her face is totally that of a girl deeply in love.

“Why are the two of them…”

Didn’t Yakishio give up after learning Ayano has a girlfriend…?

Yanami hid behind the soda glass. She watched the two of them.

After the two disappeared, Yanami slowly raised her head.

“…Nukumizu-kun, this isn’t good, right? Going out alone with a guy who has a girlfriend during a holiday is cheating, right?”

“But, think about it. They are friends, right? For example, Yanami-san and Hakamada going out alone isn’t cheating, right?”

“It is cheating, right?”

“…Well, if you say so.”

It can’t be helped if they are cheating. We can only watch their immoral relationship from afar.

Yanami picked up her glass and chugged the remaining soda. She wiped her lips with a handkerchief and put the cup down.

“C’mon, let’s go, Nukumizu-kun! Finish your drink!”

“Eh? Where?”

“You actually need to ask? To follow those two, obviously!”

Yanami stood up. Is this the so-called ‘love to watch the fun’? Her eyes are shining.

“Nope, I’m not interested.”

“Eh?”

I poured milk into my iced coffee. I purposefully added milk after finishing half of it. This allows me to enjoy the rest as milk coffee.

I enjoyed the coffee. Yanami gave me a cold, hard stare. She tapped on the check.

“I’ll leave without paying.”

“…Seriously?”

It’s scary to rebel against Yanami. …Hell no, she’s just a pain in the ass.

I finished the remaining coffee, sighed, and stood up.