Chapter 45

The next day.

After school today, the planning meetings for the upcoming sports festival would begin.

The student council sports committee would handle the main organization, with class representatives like Satoru and Reika joining to support.

“Sorry for just throwing it on you, but I’m counting on you to look after Ruri, yeah…?”

“Sure thing. You just focus on club activities and do your best.”

Seiya apologized with a sheepish smile, but to Satoru, those words were more of a warning—a signal that Ruri would likely go on the offensive.

In other words, he could prepare mentally and physically in advance, which, in a sense, was very helpful.

After seeing Seiya off, Satoru unconsciously let out a deep breath, rolled his shoulders, and did a few light stretches.

“Hehe, and what exactly are you warming up for?”

“Well, judging by the signs, the pre-attack movements have already started, so I’m preparing to dodge accordingly.”

“As a knight, wouldn’t it be more fitting to endure the attacks with a shield rather than dodging?”

Reika had approached with amusement in her voice as she spoke to Satoru, clearly entertained by his odd behavior.

“But if I defend, that means I have to take the hit. Even if I block it, some of the damage still gets through, right? So dodging’s better.”

“What you say makes sense. But let’s assume the attacker has high offensive power and executes precise strikes. Are you sure you can dodge them?”

“Guh…!”

Reika’s words pierced Satoru with frightening accuracy.

His opponent was the epitome of a social butterfly—charming, outgoing, and extremely experienced with the opposite sex.

And Satoru? A gloomy introvert who generally avoided complicated social interactions and couldn’t even hold a proper conversation with any girl besides Reika.

He’d talked a big game about dodging, but now he suddenly felt like there was no way he could actually do it.

“…I don’t think I could do it.”

“I’ll be blunt. You have no chance of dodging completely. The difference in your base stats is on another level.”

“You didn’t have to say it that clearly…”

“How foolish. Planning a strategy without properly evaluating your opponent’s strength—just like how you always are when challenging me. This isn’t a game, you know?”

“You’re right… Okay. Full defensive mode from now on.”

“Good boy. I like kids who know their place.”

Incidentally, both Satoru and Reika were completely serious during this conversation.

They were speaking quietly enough that no one else could hear them, but if someone did happen to catch this exchange, they would no doubt be completely confused.

“Well then, be very careful, alright? Even now, I can’t help but worry about you.”

“Wait—don’t go yet. Stay with me a little longer.”

“Oh my, how passionate. What’s wrong? Getting lonely all of a sudden?”

“…No, my intuition tells me she’s going to burst into this room any second and say, ‘Let’s go together!’ I need you here to throw her off.”

“…That’s such a sneaky strategy, but it’s probably the most reliable method. Yes, I suggested you take that approach. And your instincts are abnormally accurate, especially when it comes to bad things.”

“Right? So I figured I’d be safe if—”

“Takashima-kun, are you here~!?”

Before Satoru could finish, Ruri came into the classroom at a quick pace.

“Incredible instincts. With this, our future is looking a bit safer.”

“My body’s going to die from stress though.”

“Ah, Takashima-kun! Looking forward to working with you… okay?”

The moment Ruri spotted Satoru, she tried to approach him with a cute, bubbly tone—but then her expression stiffened completely when she saw Reika next to him.

“Yeah, looking forward to it.”

“Oh my, Amamiya-san. Likewise, let’s do our best.”

“We should be heading to the meeting place soon, right? Let’s go together!”

…She completely ignored Reika’s comment and kept the conversation going.

Or rather, it was more accurate to say she was acting like Reika didn’t even exist.

And then, she proceeded to take action just as she’d likely planned from the start.

“…How crude. Such an obvious move. If the guy already saw through your plan, it’s game over.”

Even if it was in a whisper, the fact that Reika said that aloud was questionable in itself.

The two girls quietly exchanged sparks.

Just that alone was enough to give Satoru a splitting headache.

“Come on! Let’s go!”

Ruri forcefully came up beside him and pushed his arm.

That push got Satoru moving, with Reika and Ruri following in step on either side of him.

And just like that, he found himself in an extremely bizarre situation—sandwiched between the two most popular girls in the entire grade, walking through the halls.

It felt like an ulcer was about to form in his stomach.

(I need stomach medicine…..dear sister, please save your miserable big brother…)

Of course, no such plea could reach her. All that happened was his little sister, who was already home ahead of him, let out a cute sneeze.