The Story of How Beautiful Yandere Girls Started Getting Closer to Me, Saying They Want to Take Care of Me - Chapter 36-37

Chapter 36: Favorite Things

“Wha!?”

When Producer-san asked that, Hinase Akari looked surprised. Her cheeks turned red, and with a slightly shy expression, she replied:

“D-Do we really look like that!?”

“Yeah, you two look like a perfect match.”

As Producer-san said that, Hinase lowered her gaze slightly, appearing embarrassed.

But Producer-san, watching her reaction, murmured to himself.

“So, you’re not dating… But still.”

Then, alternating his gaze between me and Hinase, he muttered, “I see,” before lifting the corners of his mouth in a small smile.

Turning to me, he asked:

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Sorakaze Ritsu.”

“Alright, Ritsu-kun.”

“R-Ritsu-kun!?”

Hinase quickly lifted her face in surprise, mumbling something, but Producer-san continued speaking.

“Ritsu-kun, as Akari-chan’s friend, what do you like about her?”

“P-Producer!? What are you asking────”

“Well, Akari-chan trusts you enough to bring you here and seems really close to you. So, I was wondering if there’s something about her that you like.”

“What I like about Hinase…”

That didn’t take much thought.

“I do have things I like about her.”

“Wha!?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hinase let out another surprised gasp, but Producer-san quickly continued, so I focused on him.

“I want to learn more about Akari-chan from her friend’s perspective to understand her better for work. Could you tell me?”

“I see… If it’s for work.”

If it’s for Hinase, then I have no reason to refuse.

With that in mind, I opened my mouth and spoke about what I liked about her as a friend.

“She’s always cheerful and smiling, which I really like.”

“L-Like…!!”

“Hmm, what else?”

As always, Hinase seemed to be making a fuss beside me, but I couldn’t figure out why, so I ignored it and continued.

“Also, even though she’s always cheerful and smiling, she’s not oblivious to what’s going on. She’s thoughtful and often cares about me. I like her kind nature, too.”

“L-Like…! Like…!!”

“That’s nice. Anything else?”

“Then────”

Just as I was about to speak,

“I-I can’t take this anymore! I’m going to die~!!”

Hinase, who was standing beside me, suddenly exclaimed.

She covered her face with both hands and ran toward the green screen.

“Hm, maybe I overdid it. But I see, Akari-chan makes that kind of face in front of the boy she likes.”

Producer-san muttered something quietly, as if I wasn’t supposed to hear it.

…Even with her face covered, I could see that Hinase’s cheeks and ears were flushed red.

“She’s been making a fuss for a while now. What’s wrong with her?”

Since I didn’t understand the reason, I asked.

Producer-san looked at me, smiling mischievously.

“I wonder what’s up with her.”

Saying that, Producer-san followed after Hinase toward the green screen.

My role—to confirm that Hinase was focusing on her school classes—was already done.

So, I had no reason to stay here any longer. But…

“…”

Since I was here anyway, I decided to stick around and watch Hinase’s shoot.

After a little while, Hinase came out wearing a different outfit and stood in front of the green screen.

Finally, the photoshoot began.

“…She’s amazing.”

I’d seen Hinase on magazine covers a few times, but watching her precisely strike the requested poses and expressions in person made me realize just how talented she was.

No wonder she was a popular model.

Actually, seeing her like this again… Hinase really is────

Akari-chan is amazing, isn’t she?”

Just as I was thinking that, Producer-san returned to my side and asked.

“She really is… Honestly, I’m surprised.”

“Akari-chan is always great, but today, she seems to be in even better form than usual.”

Looking toward Hinase at the green screen, Producer-san turned back to me and asked:

“Akari-chan said she’s been working hard on her studies lately, but she’s also been taking on more jobs. I was worried about her health. Is she really managing school okay?”

I see.

It wasn’t that Producer-san doubted her focus in class or only cared about her studies.

He was genuinely concerned about her physical and mental health as she juggled increasing work and academic responsibilities.

In that case, I should reassure him with the truth.

“Yes. She’s attending her classes properly, chatting with her girlfriends during breaks, and even studying with me.”

“…I didn’t know why she suddenly started taking her studies seriously, but I guess that explains it.”

Seeming to have figured something out, Producer-san nodded before asking me a serious question.

“Hey, Ritsu-kun. This is a serious question… Do you think you might ever like Akari-chan romantically?”

—

Chapter 37: Want Me to Show You?

“About Hinase… in a romantic sense…”

I glanced over at Hinase, who was currently striking a pose for a photo shoot, and started to think.

Hinase was undoubtedly attractive as a person of the opposite sex.

Not just her appearance, but her personality—kind, cheerful, and bright.

Lately, I’ve even come to admire the way she’s been working hard at studying, which she probably doesn’t like much. But…

“At the very least, not right now.”

“That’s rare, saying ‘not right now’ when talking about whether you like someone. Why is that?”

This ties back to something I discussed with Shirayuri-senpai on a day out not long ago.

“Right now, I don’t have the financial or emotional capacity to pursue a relationship. So, even if I were to have romantic feelings for someone, I probably wouldn’t realize it, nor would I want to acknowledge them.”

Even if I were to develop or recognize such feelings in my current state, all that would await me would be days of struggling with the gap between those emotions and reality.

It’s better not to carry such feelings at all.

This belief has taken root in me, making the idea of being romantically attracted to someone feel like something from another world.

“Most high schoolers seem more carefree, acting on their impulses, but you’re serious and responsible. Calm and collected, unlike Akari. Maybe that’s why you’re such a good match,” the producer murmured softly, his voice too quiet for me to hear.

I wondered what he said, but before I could ask—

“I’m done!”

Hinase’s loud voice rang out as she ran over to us.

She looked at me and asked eagerly:

“Sorakaze! You were watching the shoot, right? How did I do?”

“I could tell how seriously you’ve been working as a model. You did great.”

“Ehehe…”

Hinase smiled, clearly pleased, her cheeks relaxing.

Then, the producer leaned in close to Hinase’s ear and whispered something.

“Akari, you seemed to perform better than usual today. Was it because someone you like was watching?”

“Wh-what?! It’s not like that at all!”

Hinase’s loud response to the producer’s unheard whisper caught my attention.

The producer chuckled softly and said, “Good work today. You’re free to go,” before walking away toward the large camera setup.

“Geez…”

Hinase sighed in exasperation, watching him leave.

“What did the producer say to you, Hinase?”

“Huh?!”

Startled by my question, Hinase immediately waved her hands in denial.

“N-nothing! He didn’t say anything important!”

“I see.”

Judging by her reaction, that didn’t seem to be the case, but if she insisted, I’d leave it at that.

Afterward, Hinase and I headed toward what appeared to be her dressing room so she could change out of her shoot clothes.

Walking side by side down the hallway, I spoke up.

“I heard from the producer that you’ve been taking on more work lately.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“I don’t mean to pry, but does that mean something’s been bothering you?”

“N-no, not really. It’s not like I’m troubled or anything.”

Hinase blushed and glanced at me for a few seconds before averting her gaze.

Whatever her reasons, she didn’t seem to be in any serious trouble.

“Alright then, that’s good to hear.”

After a brief silence, Hinase turned to me and asked:

“…Were you worried about me?”

“If I was, it’s only because you’ve been considerate of my situation. I wanted to return the favor.”

“…!”

Hinase blushed, lowering her face slightly as I spoke my honest feelings.

After a few more moments of quiet walking, we reached a door with a sign that read “Hinase Akari.”

“So, this is your dressing room?”

“Y-yeah!”

Hinase nodded, pulling out her key and unlocking the door.

I thought she would enter to change right away—but she didn’t move.

“…Hinase?”

Confused, I called out to her. She blushed again before saying:

“Sorakaze… can you come inside with me for a bit?”

“Huh? Aren’t you about to change?”

“I am, but… just for a little while. Please?”

“…Alright.”

Not sure what she was planning, I wondered if it was something she didn’t want others to overhear.

With that in mind, I followed her into the dressing room.

The room was spacious for one person, equipped with a table, chairs, and a mirror.

Inside, Hinase turned to face me, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“Hey, Sorakaze. I’m about to change into my uniform, but… during that, do you want me to show you my boobs for a bit?”