After Becoming a Counselor for Girls, I Ended Up Producing a Lot of Potential Girlfriends Who Became Mentally Ill

Chapter 16: A New Year’s Duel – Kujo vs. Shizuku

Standing side by side, we drew our fortunes.

I got “Excellent Luck”, and so did Kujo.

Should I take this as a sign of good things to come?

“…So, why do you have three charms for love fulfillment in your hand?”

“Doesn’t it seem like the effect would multiply?”

“You’ll anger the gods.”

With the awakened Kujo around, it seems like hardships are bound to follow.

“The love section of my fortune says, ‘Seize the opportunity.’”

“I hoped you’d notice you’re spinning your wheels by watching me.”

“Charms can serve more than one purpose, you know?”

Kujo averted her gaze.

Her eyes landed on Shizuku, who stood with her arms crossed, radiating tension.

“Seii-kun, Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year. You don’t look very happy, though.”

“Do you think I can stay indifferent after seeing you flirt with Saya-san up close?!”

She’s jealous.

Kujo must have fully anticipated this reaction. She’s terrifying.

“Nogami-san, don’t get so angry.”

“I’m not angry. I just find Saya-san’s motives a little puzzling.”

“You’re not being honest. You’re Seiichiro-kun’s childhood friend. You should act more confident.”

Shizuku glared at Kujo, then at me. She looked like a cat ready to pounce.

“…I apologize for losing my composure. However! Let me say just one thing.”

“Go ahead.”

Kujo maintained her pleasant smile, exuding the confidence of someone who had weathered many battles.

“If you close the distance too fast, it’ll backfire. That’s a mistake I’ve made before.”

“Thank you for the valuable advice.”

“This is just the beginning.”

Closing the distance.

Shizuku often criticizes Kujo when things don’t go her way.

Right now, Kujo’s approach feels like she’s hitting the gas the second the light turns green. It’s nerve-wracking to watch.

Of course, Shizuku isn’t much different—she’s just as intense.

I don’t exactly hate how they’re both trying to win me over.

But I’d rather not imagine things escalating further.

“Everyone has their own thoughts, huh?”

“Of course!”

“Not as much as Nogami-san, but I have my share.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

For now, the tension between the two eased on the surface.

It seemed like they were forcing themselves to stay calm. Whatever the case, as long as they didn’t clash openly, that was enough.

“How did your fortunes turn out, Seii-kun?”

Shizuku brought up the topic again.

“Kujo and I both got ‘Excellent Luck.’”

“Not bad at all, huh?”

“You sound like you’re downplaying it.”

“Well, I, Shizuku Nogami, got ‘Super Excellent Luck.’”

“That sounds like an S-rank result.”

“Look, see for yourself.”

Indeed, her fortune read”Super Excellent Luck.”

“This is my first time seeing such a result.”

“Fortunes these days are getting creative, huh?”

“My love luck is apparently the strongest, along with everything else. Ha ha ha!”

“Good for you. Last year, you got ‘Terrible Luck,’ didn’t you?”

Last year, Shizuku drew”Terrible Luck.”

She couldn’t believe it. The shock stayed with her, leaving her gloomy throughout January.

“Life balances happiness and misfortune equally. This year’s fortune has wiped out last year’s bad luck.”

“Sounds like gambling.”

“Life is about taking risks.”

Whether she’s actually feeling the effects of her”Super Excellent Luck” remains questionable.

“I want to take the lead too. It’s only natural.”

Just as Shizuku declared that, my uncle returned.

“Oh, Seiichiro. And you’ve got company. Impressive.”

“The other girl is Shizuku Nogami. We’ve known each other since middle school.”

“Ah, I think I’ve heard about her before.”

His reaction was a bit vague, but I let it slide.

“Anyway, you’ve got guts, Seiichiro—juggling two girls as a high schooler.”

“It’s not juggling! They’re just friends.”

“Even if you say that, their eyes tell the truth.”

He gave me a dreamy, teasing look.

“Despite doing two couple-like things with me, you’re so indifferent.”

“We’ve known each other for four years. Even I think of us as almost more than friends…”

My uncle grinned mischievously at me. It seemed like there was no escaping this misunderstanding.

“You’re young, Seiichiro. Enjoy it. Ha ha ha!”

“Laughing it off doesn’t help.”

“Be bold! You’ve got the talent to be someone great.”

Hearing his nonsense only left me more confused, so I decided to take it lightly.

“By the way, Uncle, I never got your name.”

Kujo smoothly changed the topic.

“Ah, it’s Jiro.”

“That’s a nice name.”

“Isn’t it? Jiro and Ichiro—like brothers.”

“Then, if I have a child with Seiichiro, will it be Saburo?”

“You’re jumping ahead, Kujo.”

“Hey!”

Weren’t they supposed to stop competing?

Was that a lie?

“Saya-san, you’re too naïve. If it’s me, Seii-kun’s child would be Juichirou.”

“That’s way too many kids.”

“Nice, nice. I love competitive girls. Seiichiro, tell me all about it when you get home.”

“Can everyone just stop putting me in the middle?”

Uncle seemed to have taken a liking to both Kujo and Shizuku.

In the end, it turned into a competition of who could show more love. Apparently, rules are made to be broken.

From this New Year’s visit to the shrine, I witnessed their rivalry heating up again.

It seems this year, my role as a counselor will come with endless challenges.

—

Chapter 17: The Next Person to Consult Is Shiraishi

When I returned to my uncle’s house, as expected, I was confronted.

While enjoying the New Year’s osechi (traditional Japanese food), I had to think about how to respond to the questions.

“This year, I’ll challenge myself to get 100 girlfriends!”

“Don’t increase them like they’re just friends.”

“Starting from zero is tough. Starting from one to a hundred is easier!”

“You’re too drunk, so I think you should rest…”

My uncle’s personality, which loved to tease, was only worsened by alcohol. He wasn’t much of a drinker, and it hit him quickly.

His face was bright red, and he was bothering other relatives too. Though they showed displeasure, he got along fine with the family. It was strange.

Despite having complaints, my uncle was the relative I was closest to. Compared to others, I couldn’t talk as actively, especially when compared to Jiro-san.

Once the meal was over, I was kicked out for a while.

It wasn’t because I had done something wrong.

It was for the New Year’s money.

“Seiichiro, I’ve made it extra generous this year!”

As I received the money, I noticed that Jiro-san’s envelope was unusually big.

When I looked later, Jiro-san’s New Year’s money was more than twice what it was last year. His mood had been too high from the alcohol.

From here on, expenses would rise with the connections I had with Kujo and Shizuku. This unexpected extra income was very much appreciated.

Our family’s New Year’s Day is mostly spent lazily at home. Eating, sleeping, or watching TV—it’s a very relaxed day.

When I had some free time, I checked my messages and found a bunch of “Happy New Year” messages.

I began replying to each of them.

Kujo: Happy New Year! I was really happy to meet you at the first shrine visit. I’m looking forward to more days where I can see you during the winter break and beyond. I love you ♡

It was so direct.

At this point, I wondered if there was any kind of game left, but I understood that this was part of Kujo’s strategy.

Shizuku: Happy New Year! We haven’t met yet, but from now on, we’ll meet every day. My New Year’s resolution is to watch Yuria-sama’s anime 100 times. I wish you luck, Seii-kun.

This felt like a message from a different world line. I hadn’t met her yet, but it couldn’t be true because it had to be the same Shizuku.

As always, her writing was swift and sharp.

“Next…”

I continued replying to my current and previous consultation partners.

Shiraishi: Happy New Year! Last year, you helped me a lot with my worries, and I’m really grateful. That person has calmed down a bit, but I still want to talk to you face-to-face. I’m free from the 2nd day of New Year’s onward, so if you could consider it, I’d appreciate it. I look forward to hearing from you this year as well.

Her email was polite and long, reminding me of the thoughtful tone of a formal message.

Gratitude and plans for future consultations.

Honestly, I was free during the first few days of the new year. If I wanted to, I could make time.

“Happy New Year. If you need to consult, I’m free tomorrow afternoon. How about we meet at…?”

I suggested our high school as the meeting point.

The school was open for special practices due to an upcoming club competition.

I aimed for that.

“I never expected to get a consultation during New Year’s.”

It was, of course, a first-time experience. It felt very special.

I wanted to handle this properly. I decided to review everything I knew about Shiraishi again.

Shiraishi’s network of friends wasn’t very wide. Her shy personality often led her to go along with things, and sometimes she made unfavorable moves.

Her cute looks and personality probably led her to attract the attention of Kujo’s ex-boyfriend, Sasamoto. Shiraishi had almost no experience in love. She said she only had a boyfriend for a short time.

Of course, that was her side of the story, so I wasn’t sure how true it was.

“All I have to do is satisfy the person in front of me. That’s it.”

I told myself that and prepared mentally for tomorrow.

Both lunch and dinner had been extravagant—sushi and katsu. I was devouring all the best meals for the year in just one day.

I made sure to get enough sleep. I ended the New Year’s special TV shows early and told my relatives goodnight.

Maybe because of last year’s exhaustion, I was able to sleep soundly for the first time in a while.

On the second day, I had some ozoni (New Year’s soup) and quickly got ready to head to school.

I left.

When I arrived at school, I noticed that the gymnasium was unusually noisy. The final practice before the competition was underway, and the atmosphere was different.

The weather was clear, as it usually is on New Year’s Day. I wonder if it’s a coincidence or fate.

We had arranged to meet at a bench, and I warmed up with a coffee I bought from the vending machine.

“I’m sorry for the wait.”

Shiraishi was there, looking a little tense.

“Happy New Year! I mean, more like, let’s continue today.”

“Y-yes!”

As usual, she lacked confidence and energy.

“Did you enjoy your New Year’s holiday?”

“It was about the same as everyone else, but I had fun. I got to see lots of my favorite idols and comedians, so it was enough for me.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Who are your favorite idols…?”

She had mentioned them a few times before. I pretty much knew who they were.