Volume 4 Chapter 8 – Shutou Household – 3

| Shutou Kinuko

Leaving Kyousuke-kun alone in the room, I headed to the kitchen. While preparing tea and some snacks, I pondered. He’s entered the house. He’s been in the room. What’s next?

“Hey.”

“What is it?”

“How about we work together?”

“You could just order me around since I’m your underling.”

This girl… she’s determined not to take any personal risks. Well, can’t blame her. She’s still a second-year middle schooler.

“No. I don’t want you using that as an excuse.”

“Tch. Ugh, no way~… Just being in the same room as Kyousuke-san is enough for me. I’m not risking anything more than that.”

I get it. I understand perfectly well. I’ve been thinking about it this whole time.

Since Kyousuke-kun discovered me, that date might be off the table now. Today might be goodbye.

Back in elementary school, when he rescued me from those upperclassmen who were bullying me, that was the closest I’d ever gotten to him.

That time, he took my hand and helped me up—so close.

They had taken my favorite pin badge, dirtied it. They pulled my long hair, making me cry. He took them down, got my pin badge back, held my hand, smiled gently, and washed it at the park. He said the clover was cute. Told me I’d look good even with short hair, and then put the pin back on me.

I got that close.

But.

“…Probably, today’s… the first and the last.”

“A chance? Why?”

That picture of Haruharu… it’s been that way since middle school for Aika-chan. And Kyousuke-kun hasn’t smiled like that since middle school, second year…

How many times did I cry in frustration?

“That picture of Haruharu. Aika-chan was melting. Her whole demeanor changed. She might be invincible now…”

“Naruse Aika’s whole demeanor?”

As detached as she’s always seemed, she would toy with Kyousuke-kun without hesitation. It’s like a total reversal. And it wasn’t just a fling. Something definitely happened. But that’s not the issue.

“The witch doesn’t know Aika-chan’s true nature.”

“Huh? That girl’s nothing, right? What are you so afraid of?”

…It seems it’s impossible for anyone outside our circle to see it. To perceive the obsessively affectionate Aika-chan. She’s perfected her exterior.

“The original twelve of the Round Table, even when we added Momoko-chan after her transfer, couldn’t stand a chance against her.”

“That was in elementary school, right? That doesn’t count, that doesn’t count.”

We thought the same back then. At first. When we entered middle school, we split into those who’d abandon the elementary school ways and those who wouldn’t. Those of us who stuck with it tried all sorts of tactics.

“…Even in middle school. Three whole years, and we still couldn’t get close to Kyousuke-kun. Not even Sei-chan or Ruri-chan.”

“So that’s just the skill of the Round Table members… No, by middle school, you’d have thought of some strategies… involving others, using teachers, we’re classmates after all, and there’s school events too… Plus, with all the data you’ve collected… And you still couldn’t. Was she that formidable?”

Aika-chan was involved in every single event, just like in elementary school. How many moves ahead was she thinking? It was impossible to understand.

“That obsessively affectionate Aika-chan. She had Kyousuke-kun wrapped around her finger. And now, she had that expression, melting in bliss.”

“And so, you changed your approach?”

If that lovestruck girl shows that face, no one stands a chance. She’ll do everything she can to keep Kyousuke-kun from even being here.

And yet, today, he is here, right now.

So there’s still hope.

“If that obsessive love fully blossoms, I won’t stand a chance. She’s aware of the stalking. She’s letting us hang ourselves. Next time, I’ll probably get reported.”

“So, you’re admitting it?”

Yes, I admit it. If I don’t admit it now, I won’t get what I want.

“I can’t afford to worry about appearances. That’s why I need your cooperation.”

“So you’re serious, Kinukinu… This really is serious, then…”

“If I wait for the Round Table to make contact and decide on a course of action, I’ll lose this chance. Today’s the only opportunity.”

“…True. Two-on-one, no family around, no one will hear even if we make noise, and tomorrow’s Sunday… ufufu.”

Apologies to the Round Table, but waiting for instructions and a strategy will mean missing this opportunity. I’ll make the first move. I’ll even use the witch.

“Do you understand now?”

“Y-yes, yes, yes! …For this precious time, this opportunity given by Mamiya Haruka, I, Shutou-senpai, am deeply grateful.”

This girl… she plans to hide this from the other witches. Or maybe she plans to take the same approach as me. Well, can’t blame her. Sei-chan and Ruri-chan can meet at school. As for Haruharu and I… from tomorrow, it’s back to the darkness behind a lens cap.

So.

“We’ll work together to charm him. Alone, he might slip away. So we’ll take turns by the door.”

“That’s the plan? But how do you plan to get him to play along? If he refuses, that’ll be too much to bear…”

Right. If he refuses, it’ll be devastating. But with Aika-chan in the picture, stalking will be sealed off starting tomorrow. I won’t be able to chase after him.

…And the rest of my life would be spent with nothing but the photos I’ve collected… I can’t accept that.

“I’ll use punishment as leverage.”

“Punishment? Oh, for the picture. How do you plan to use that?”

Kyousuke-kun hasn’t decided on a punishment yet. If I claim that I’m enacting it myself, he’ll find it hard to stop me or refuse. And then, a strike that goes beyond his imagination. A blow that will stick in his memory. Make him realize I’m a woman. Yes.

“I’ll go fully nude, body paint only. That’s the only way.”

“What the heck are you even saying?”