I Was Reincarnated as a Mob, and After I Kept Listening to the Losing Childhood-Friend Heroine’s Complaints, I Somehow Maxed Out Her Affection Rating - 24

Chapter 24: An Awkward Invitation

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Yuuta’s POV

During lunch break, I sat with Kaede in a quiet spot where no one else came, and we ate our bentos together.

“Hey, listen to this.”

“

Mm?”

Moments that started with “Hey, listen to this” were usually never good news.

“On our last day off, you know how there were two roll cakes in that bag?”

“Roll cakes? Ah, yeah, there were.”

“Yeah. He said he forgot that he was supposed to eat them with me.”

“…What.”

My fork stopped moving. The reason there had been two roll cakes at that time. So Kaede had basically… Eaten the one that was supposed to be for Shouma and her. I finally understood. The dots connected.

“He was like, ‘Ahh, I totally forgot,’ and he laughed.”

“Huh…”

Ah, so that was what happened. I nodded inwardly. Shouma had probably bought those roll cakes to make up with her. He wanted to eat them together, strengthen their bond again. But if he forgot about that, then… Did he even really want to make up?

“That’s really just like Shouma.”

Kaede shook her head with an exasperated expression.

“And like, he told me, ‘Let’s eat together next time,’ again.”

“…Yeah?”

“I mean, I guess it’d be better if we made up.”

“…Well, yeah, you probably should.”

When I said that, Kaede went, “Right, right,” and started playing with her hair. But her expression didn’t look convinced at all. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were staring somewhere far away. It was probably her way of showing she didn’t really want to make up with him and seriously, Shouma. Trying to challenge her to a rematch with roll cake, was he thick-skinned or just painfully oblivious?

Well, he brought this on himself. He’s the only one who hasn’t noticed.

I muttered that internally and took another bite of my bento.

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Shouma’s POV

After school, I casually took out my phone.

“…For now, I should ask Mio for advice.”

If I was stressed enough to wonder whether to apologize to Kaede, then talking to someone else was the better choice. Thinking that, I typed a message.

『Hey, Mio. I really should apologize to Kaede, right?』

Seconds after I sent it, a reply came instantly.

『Of course you should. The fact that you’re hesitating now is already a minus.』

“…No mercy. Mio really is an S.”

Then another message, immediately after.

『Why not invite her to that sweets shop after school? Operation: “Use sweets to lower her guard during the apology.”』

“Don’t give it a name…”

But she was right. The plan was convincing enough. Honestly, how was she better at handling my relationships than I was?

“…Alright. Let’s do it. No point in running.”

I headed toward the classroom and spotted Kaede just as she was about to leave.

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Kaede’s POV

After school. I was at the shoe lockers, changing into my outdoor shoes.  I had promised myself I’d go straight home today without stopping anywhere.

“Hey—Kaede!”

Ugh, here he came.

Just from the sound of my name being called, I could smell trouble.

“…What? You’re unusually cheerful today.”

“Do you want to go get some sweets?”

“Isn’t your invitation way too casual? Also, won’t Mio get mad?”

As soon as I snapped back at him, for some reason Shouma puffed out his chest proudly.

“She approved it. Actually, she told me to go with you.”

“Huh, I see.”

Surely Mio-chan called it something like “Operation Sweets Make-Up” or something. Then Shouma probably went, “Understood!” and came straight here. He was really easy to read.

“So, where?”

“The shop with that strawberry roll cake we didn’t get to eat together last time.”

“…Ah. That place.”

How badly did he want to eat that with me? Honestly, I’d eaten it just recently, and I didn’t want it again anytime soon.

“Yeah. Today, we’re getting our revenge.”

“But… I don’t have money.”

Reading my mood perfectly, Shouma immediately replied.

“I told you, it’s my treat. Don’t worry about it.”

“A treat? …Oh?”

I smirked and raised a finger.

“Then maybe I should order the premium one?”

“…Stop. Seriously stop. Don’t direct-attack my wallet.”

“So weak!”

He opened his wallet, checked the contents, and let out a deep sigh. His expression was so funny I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Like, normally if you’re inviting someone on a date, you’d act cooler, you know?”

“Well, yeah, but… Can’t you go a little easy on me…”

“Fufufu, I’m kidding.”

Students walking by started whispering as they looked over at us.

“Eh, Kaede-chan’s going on a date.”

“Is Shouma cheating?”

“No, judging by her energy, isn’t he the one getting dominated?”

…Too many comments. Seriously.

“Fine, let’s go. I do want to eat some roll cake.”

“Oh, great. Glad you changed your mind…. 

“But I really can’t order the premium one…?”

“…You… You’re definitely planning to order it even if I said no.”

“Of course?”

“‘Of course?’ My ass!”

Even while holding his head in frustration, Shouma walked fast.It was honestly a hassle, but if he was treating me…

Well, why not? It was free for me. And so, in the end, I gave in to Shouma’s “slightly awkward invitation” and followed him to the department store.

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