I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me - Chapter 77: Aira and the School Festival ⑤

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. The yakisoba and sausages are all gone.”

“Ha!? Are you serious? Did you eat all that by yourself?”

“As if I could finish all that in the time you were gone. I gave some to my friend.”

“Oi, that was my money you used to buy them…”

Aira and Ryoma wandered around the festival stalls, walking side by side.

“I did feel bad, okay? But I also thought, you know, I had no idea when you’d be back… and you did break our promise.”

“Ugh… can’t argue with that…”

Aira was making it clear—if he had kept his word, she wouldn’t have done it. A fight he had no chance of winning. Ryoma had nothing to say in return.

“Well, if I’m being honest… the situation’s a bit complicated, and I can’t go back to that table anymore.”

“A complicated situation…? Well, if even you are being vague about it, then yeah, I figure it’s something serious.”

“Thanks for not pressing me on it.”

A lot had happened while Ryoma was away. If she went back to that seat, Ikki would be there. And Kanon, Ryoma’s ex, would probably be there too.

There was no way she could return now.

“You don’t have to thank me. No point dwelling on what’s already done.”

“Ryoma-senpai, you’re so mature about this. Most people would at least complain a little, you know?”

“I did complain. I literally said, ‘That was my money’.”

“Not like that. I mean, something more like, ‘Don’t just spend my money however you want!’—you know, getting actually mad. ‘Cause, like, even if you broke your promise, that doesn’t mean I had the right to do what I did…”

“If you feel guilty about it, that’s enough for me. Honestly, I’m the one who should’ve been more careful. It’s not fair to put a high schooler in this position.”

Ryoma had always respected Aira’s sharp mind and quick thinking. That’s exactly why he felt responsible. He should’ve handled things better.

“Seriously, what is with you, Ryoma-senpai…? You act all nice like this, like, on purpose so you can be popular, huh? You’re such a people-pleaser.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not nice to just anyone.”

“Yeah, right. I don’t believe that.”

“You don’t have to. I already broke a promise, so I’d rather not make myself look any worse in your eyes.”

“Wow. Convenient much? Idiot.”

She wasn’t really scolding him. If anything, there was something warm in her tone.

Aira reached out, grabbing Ryoma’s arm over his sleeve.

Her grip was gentle—firm, but without any trace of anger.

“Let go of my arm.”

“Pfft. Idiots need smart people to look after them. We make a perfect balance.”

“That’s not what I meant… They’re pointing at me.”

“What?”

“Malice.”

“Haha, what, is there an assassin at this school or something?”

“Future leaders of society, apparently…”

Aira wasn’t aware. How could she be? That murderous aura wasn’t aimed at her—it was locked entirely on Ryoma.

Whether they were Aira’s fans or just nosy guys watching too closely, the moment she grabbed Ryoma’s arm, the pressure spiked. It felt like having a bayonet pressed against his throat.

“Hey, Aira.”

“Hm? What’s up?”

Despite being under that silent attack, something suddenly came to Ryoma’s mind.

“You said you gave the food to your friend. What about mine? The part I was eating—do you still have it?”

“…Oh. Uh. That? Yeah, I threw it away.”

Aira’s fingers instinctively dug into his arm. She was flustered—more than she meant to be.

Giving away her own leftovers was one thing, but handing off his? That’d be way too weird. No one would be okay with that.

So she went with the safest answer.

But her reaction was a little too quick. A little too decisive.

“Aira… I thought you were all about not wasting food.”

“…W-well, Ryoma-senpai, your leftovers are gross. That’s different.”

In reality, she ate them.

“Couldn’t you have at least sugarcoated that a little? …Wait. You did throw it away, right?”

“I said I did! What’s with the interrogation?”

She had gobbled it all up.

“I dunno, just seems like the kind of thing you’d pull—tricking your friends into eating my leftovers just for fun.”

“EXCUSE YOU?! I would never! If anything, I’d eat them myself!”

“Ha! Yeah, no way you’d—wait. What?”

She said it too fast. She wasn’t thinking.

“You ate them? You actually ate them?!”

“…!!!”

She snapped her head away so hard her twin-tailed blonde hair whipped through the air.

Her pale neck was fully exposed to him, but there was no way she’d turn back now.

“…I didn’t eat it. That gross, half-eaten thing. Just look at its shape.”

“First off, let’s apologize to the person who made that frankfurter.”

Aira had completely self-destructed—something that wasn’t like her at all. She had let her guard down a bit too much, simply because she was enjoying being with Ryoma again.

“You got a problem with it?! S-so what if I did eat it?! At least I didn’t waste it! And it’s not like I could’ve given your leftovers to my friends anyway!”

“That’s not the point. I respect that you don’t waste food, but you didn’t have to force yourself to eat mine. What’s the point in suffering through that?”

She was flaring up like a firecracker, but Ryoma remained calm. He was more concerned about Aira herself than about the fact they’d technically shared an indirect kiss.

“I didn’t hate it…”

“Then say that while looking at me. We’ll start from there.”

“Ugh…!”

Aira groaned, twisting her head back toward him with a reluctant glare. If she was already caught, then the last thing she wanted was for him to think she had eaten it begrudgingly.

Because, honestly? She hadn’t.

“Aira… you totally forced yourself. Your face is red, and you’re about to tear up.”

“Whose fault do you think that is…? Ugh, seriously…”

She was terrible at keeping a poker face. She always had been. And now, after trying so hard to keep it together, she was at her limit.

“Ryoma-senpai… do I look really bad right now…?”

“Yeah, like you’d rather be anywhere else but here with me.”

“That’s not what I meant! And that’s not it either! This is bad because people are totally gonna tease me now…”

For someone as dense as Ryoma to notice, it meant everyone had already picked up on it. That she was embarrassed. That she was having fun. That she was flustered.

“I-I’m gonna go touch up my makeup. You just wander around or something!”

“Aira, you still look beautiful.”

“Th-th-th-that’s not the issue! Stop making it worse! You absolute idiot!”

“Ah…”

Ryoma watched as Aira, face still burning, used her twin-tailed hair to shield her cheeks before bolting toward the school building.

No doubt, she was heading to her classroom—to grab her makeup pouch and try to regain her composure.

(I won’t lose, no matter what… Next time, I’ll be the one setting the pace…)

After fixing her makeup a little in the girls’ restroom and taking her time to relax and calm herself, Aira steeled her resolve once more.

Using her phone’s screen as a mirror, she took a detour around the back of the school building, giving herself some extra time for a final check before heading back to Ryoma.

But as fate would have it, misfortune struck at the worst possible moment.

“Oh wow, you’re super cute. Bet you’re really popular, huh?”

“…! Who the hell are you? That’s sexual harassment.”

Aira’s shoulders stiffened as an unfamiliar man suddenly spoke from behind, his hand brushing against her shoulder. She instantly smacked it away, her brows furrowed in disgust.

“Whoa there, feisty one. That just makes it even more fun to break you, doesn’t it?”

“…”

A sharp whistle cut through the air. The man in a white hoodie stuffed his hands into his pockets and slowly closed the distance between them. Aira took a cautious step back, her sharp gaze locked onto him.

“Seriously, a pick-up artist at a school festival? So gross.”

“Come on, let’s at least introduce ourselves first. Name’s Makoto. I’m actually a graduate from this school.”

“Like I care. Just leave already. Touching someone’s shoulder out of nowhere is seriously disgusting.”

“You’re just imagining things. Man, gyarus really have no manners. Ever heard of common courtesy? How about introducing yourself back?”

Golden hair, a flashy gold watch, and a bulky frame. His rough demeanor carried an oppressive air, one that made Aira instinctively wary.

“Whether I introduce myself or not is my choice. If anyone here lacks manners, it’s you.”

“That’s no way to talk to your elders.”

“Maybe try becoming someone actually worthy of respect before demanding it… Well, whatever. I’ve got better things to do than waste my time on you, so I’ll let you off the hook this once.”

Her instincts screamed at her to get away. Aira turned on her heel, picking up her pace to leave the scene.

But before she could escape, he moved—fast.

“Hold up. You’re way too cocky, girl.”

“H-Hey, what the hell!?”

A sharp pain shot through her wrist as he grabbed it with a grip so tight it felt like it was cutting off circulation.

“How about keeping me company for a bit? But first, we gotta fix that bratty mouth of yours.”

“—Mmph!?”

Before she could call for help, his hand clamped over her mouth.

The back of the school building was a stark contrast to the lively festival on the main grounds. Here, it was deserted.

And in this isolated place, Aira had been caught—by none other than Makoto, the very man responsible for tearing Ryoma and Kanon apart.