Strategist Girl

Morning. After stopping her phone alarm three times, Iori finally woke up.

In the living room, she expected to hear her brother Shuugo’s voice urging her to hurry up and eat…

“…Onii-chan?”

No response. In fact, there was no sign of Shuugo, who should have been in the kitchen.

Iori noticed something placed on the table. Store-bought bread and a toaster. Looks like she’s supposed to make toast.

And there was a note.

“I have to leave for school early today, so you’ll have to make your own breakfast! You’re on your own for lunch too, with your allowance!”

“Good morning, Shuugo-kun.”

“Morning, Katayama…”

They had arranged to meet at a park just a short distance from the school. Katayama had made it just in time, rushing over in the heat.

“Whew… it’s hot… By the way, why did we agree to meet this early?”

“Well, if we leave early, we don’t have to worry about things at home, right?”

“Oh.”

Today, there wasn’t enough time to prepare breakfast and lunch, so Shuugo left bread and a toaster, along with a note.

Now that he thought about it, if they left early, Iori would have to do everything herself.

“Well, I guess this is the first act of rebellion, huh?”

Katayama chuckled softly.

But seriously… it’s hot. Not hot enough to be unbearable, though.

Early July.

Summer was just around the corner. Fans and a stash of ice were essential, and the early signs of summer were beginning to show. It was time to switch to summer uniforms.

Our school’s summer uniforms were said to be particularly cute within the prefecture.

And indeed, Katayama, wearing hers, could feel the gazes of the boys as the silhouette of her underwear faintly showed through the thin fabric, and her white, glowing upper arms peeked out from the sleeves.

“Shuugo-kun? Why are you staring at me like that?”

As Katayama leaned in closer, I felt embarrassed and quickly averted my gaze.

I can’t just say I was admiring girls’ summer uniforms!!!

To divert attention, I changed the subject.

“Anyway, isn’t it too early to go to school?”

“That’s why we’re killing time here.”

“In this heat?”

Despite being morning, the sun was already scorching. If we continued like this, our summer uniforms would be drenched in sweat by the time we got to school…

Then, Katayama proudly pulled something out of her bag.

“I brought something to accompany us! Ta-da! Ice cream~! I bought it at the convenience store on the way here~”

“Wow!”

Normally, ice cream in the morning might seem odd, but in this heat, it’s unbeatable. Plus, Par*co is divine!! (TL: I think they’re referring to Marco)

She handed me a chocolate coffee flavor, and we sat together on the bench. It was shaded, so it was a bit cooler there.

“Mmm, it’s so delicious and cold~”

“Katayama, you always eat so appetizingly.”

“Well, it’s because it’s delicious~”

Katayama is not only skilled at making sweets but also cooking in general. On top of that, she loves food. With all the eating she does, it’s a wonder where all those nutrients go…

“Shuugo-kun?”

“It’s nothing. Sorry about that.”

“Why apologize?”

I accidentally glanced in the direction of her chest. Summer uniforms… is this your temptationmmm.

Thanks to the ice cream, my body has cooled down a bit, and it’s about time to get to the point.

I wasn’t called out here by Katayama just to have ice cream in the morning.

“…Starting from today, right? The thing that’ll make Iori go ‘Gyah!'”

Katayama started on her second ice cream without much surprise.

“What are you planning?”

I only heard about making Iori go ‘Gyah!’. I’ve left the strategy entirely up to Katayama.

While still enjoying her ice cream, Katayama spoke.

“Hmm, first, I think it’s about putting some distance with Iori-chan.”

“…Distance? But we live in the same house, isn’t there a limit to that?”

“Not all at once, but gradually. And then, just when she starts to wonder, ‘Have we been growing apart lately?’ that’s when we’ll really kick things into gear. Probably around summer vacation.”

Taking it slowly, huh? That makes sense. If we suddenly create distance, it’ll raise suspicions and ruin the plan.

“By the way, during summer vacation, Katayama, are you…”

“Of course!”

“Is that okay? Summer’s coming up, which means there’ll be exams.”

Katayama’s reaction is straightforward.

This seems like a similar situation to the last pop quiz…

Pop quizzes cover material that’ll be on the test. Which means, getting a failing grade is dangerous. Failing could mean summer vacation spent in remedial classes.

“I’ll study properly, I promise.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“That’s mean! But if Shuugo-kun checks up on me, I’ll be fine.”

“Huh?”

I’m going to check up on her directly?

Katayama crushed the ice cream wrapper in her hand and approached me.

“Studying for the test. Let’s do it together, just the two of us at my place.”