While Taking Care of My Shut-In Little Sister, I Somehow Ended Up Ejaculating Inside a Beautiful Girl - Chapter 5: While Living My Usual School Life, I Somehow Got Accused of Two-Timing

Chapter 5: While Living My Usual School Life, I Somehow Got Accused of Two-Timing

“Morning~! You two are looking hot as ever today☆”

“Morning.”

“Hey, Tsuki-chan, morning!”

Normally, the spot where Usotsuki-chan meets up with me and Yuu would be closer to school. Lately, though, she’s been popping up at the weirdest times, and our run-ins with her have gotten more frequent.

“? Something up with you two?”

““…Nothing.””

Yuu and I tried to act normal.

But we both answered with stiff faces, in perfect sync, which only invited Usotsuki-chan’s nosy curiosity.

“Hey, hey, something definitely happened, right?☆”

Like a kid with a shiny new toy, Usotsuki-chan circled around us excitedly.

“You guys fighting?☆”

She looked thrilled.

“We’re not fighting. Right, Yuu?”

“Y-Yeah! Me and Ren-chan are super close!”

“…? Not fighting, huh? Then what’s up?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing, Tsuki-chan!”

“Ugh, suspicious~”

It took a few minutes for Usotsuki-chan to finally get bored of grilling us.

*

“…What’s your deal?”

“Hm~?”

“…”

Usotsuki-chan was skipping along beside me, her blonde twin-tails bouncing as if they were just as cheerful.

On my other side, Yuu leaned forward, glaring at her half-lidded, just like yesterday. It was like a sleepy puppy trying to intimidate—cute, honestly. But since I was also trying to figure out what Usotsuki-chan was up to, I didn’t interrupt this time.

“Oh, right! If you two are cool with it, how about we start going to school together again, like back in middle school?”

“Huh? No way, absolutely not.”

Yuu shot down Usotsuki-chan’s suggestion instantly, and I wasn’t exactly sold on it either.

We’re already cutting it close to being late, hurrying as it is. We’ll probably make it to school on time today, but—

I don’t always leave late, but I often end up rushing to school at the last minute.

It’s unavoidable because of my circumstances, and the school’s aware of it, but that’s just about me.

Dragging others into it isn’t exactly a great idea.

And, of course, I’m particularly worried about how this affects Yuu.

“Look, I’m usually running late as it is. It’d be a hassle to drag you into that, Usotsuki-chan.”

“But you go to school with Yuu-chan, don’t you?”

“Well… that’s because, you know…”

I glanced at Yuu, who let out an exaggerated “Poh~ ♥” and touched her faintly flushed cheeks.

“Am I in your way or something?”

“You’re in the way!”

Yuu’s blunt response aside, my concerns were different.

“It’s not that you’re in the way, but I don’t see the point for you. Our routes are different, you might end up late, and meeting up would mean taking a detour.”

In the end, if we try to meet up naturally during our commute, it’d be at a spot close to school. That defeats the purpose of coordinating, so it’s like yesterday and today—Usotsuki-chan has to go out of her way to join us.

“Hm, got it. So my inconvenience is the issue. Alright.”

After a brief explanation, Usotsuki-chan nodded easily, accepting it.

“But, like, think about it, okay? Is it cool if we meet up like this tomorrow too? You’ll give me permission, right?”

“Denied.”

Yuu’s still so harsh with her.

“What about you, Ren-kun?”

“I’m fine with it. But if I’m running late, don’t wait—just go ahead.”

“Gotcha~☆”

“Hold on, Ren-chan—!”

“Chill, chill.”

I calmed Yuu down while keeping an eye on Usotsuki-chan, who, as usual, seemed to be keeping things surface-level.

“Ren-chan, you’re way too nice, even to her…”

“Hey, that’s harsh, Yuu-chan~”

Usotsuki-chan laughed brightly, saying, “That kinda stings~,” but kept walking beside me, unfazed.

*

We were about ten minutes from school when—

“So, lately, there’s been this rumor going around that I’m, like, doing enjo-kosai.” (Compensated Dating)

Usotsuki-chan dropped a bombshell with all sorts of implications.

“Pretty nasty rumor, right~?”

I’d never heard it before, but since it’s coming from Usotsuki-chan, I figured it’s probably not worth taking seriously.

“Well, I guess it makes sense. I’m the sinful type who’d steal a guy with a girlfriend~”

Her mischievous grin and gaze were aimed squarely at me.

“Who are you talking about?”

“Calm down, Yuu. It’s just Usotsuki-chan’s usual lies.”

I soothed Yuu, who looked ready to boil over. Honestly, these two are like oil and water in their usual interactions—how have they stayed friends this long?

“Y-Yeah, exactly! The ‘guy with a girlfriend’ doesn’t have to be Ren-chan. I know, I know, I just got heated for a sec. I totally trust Ren-chan!”

“You never know~ This player might be picking up girls somewhere. You can’t keep an eye on him all the time, Yuu-chan.”

Usotsuki-chan smirked wickedly, teasing Yuu, who was talking a mile a minute. But then she paused, looking surprised, like, “Oh?”

“Ren-chan would never cheat.”

Yuu said it with such confidence.

It’s kind of embarrassing to know I’m trusted that much.

“Ho~?☆”

Usotsuki-chan’s grin widened, like she was plotting something.

“Then maybe I’ll make him cheat right now~♡”

“Hey, hold up!”

My bad feeling was spot-on. Right in front of Yuu, Usotsuki-chan grabbed my arm and pulled it to her chest.

We ended up linked arm-in-arm, like a couple.

“~~~~~~!?!?”

Yuu’s eyes widened, and though she didn’t say a word, her reaction was swift.

She quickly wedged herself between me and Usotsuki-chan, grabbing both my arm and hers firmly.

“Efufu~ Just kidding—ow, ouch!”

Having been arm-in-arm with Usotsuki-chan, I could tell. Even if Yuu’s grip on my arm was gentle, the force she used to pry Usotsuki-chan’s arm off was intense. Sure, there’s a size difference between girls and guys, but Yuu’s got surprising strength. You wouldn’t guess it from her bare arms—what’s the deal with that power?

“Ow, so strong… You’re way too serious…”

Rubbing her forearm and looking wary of Yuu, Usotsuki-chan stepped back a bit. Smart move. You don’t want to push Yuu too far.

The milder someone usually is, the scarier they can be when they snap.

“Hm?”

I felt a tug on my right sleeve and glanced at Yuu.

“…!”

Our eyes met, but she quickly looked away.

Walking side by side, our right and left hands were close enough to touch.

She glanced at them, then at me, then away again. Her eyes darted restlessly.

Catching the meaning behind her gaze, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Here.”

“~♥”

I held out my hand, and our fingers intertwined, hesitantly at first, like we were testing the waters.

Holding hands like lovers—it’s surprisingly embarrassing.

Yuu, maybe feeling shy too, blushed and looked down, walking silently.

With her free hand, she kept fidgeting with the braid hanging over her left shoulder. Her lips twitched, not like she was holding back something to say, but like she was suppressing something else.

Yuu was acting like a shy borrowed cat, but we walked in a comfortable silence.

“~♪”

I glanced at Usotsuki-chan, who caught my eye with a smirk. Then she turned forward, humming cheerfully as she walked.

*

We made it to the classroom just before the bell, and I hadn’t even put my bag down when a barrage of insults came flying at me, loud enough not to bother anyone else.

“Hey, Hoshimiya! You’re the worst, man!”

“Hoshimiya, I’m disappointed in you!!”

“What’s going on? What’s the deal?”

The ones hurling abuse were Machida, the long-haired baseball club guy, and Masunaga, the buzz-cut-obsessed table tennis club guy—the “Machi-Masu” duo.

They were suddenly tearing into me, lowering my stock for no reason. Why am I getting this treatment? I asked for an explanation.

“I heard it! You’re dating Onodera Yuu from Class A, but you’re also going out with Tsukimi Yoruko!”

“You’re two-timing! Two-timing!”

“Chill, I’m not two-timing. Also, it’s ‘Yakko,’ not ‘Yoruko.’”

“What…!? You’re already that far with Yoruko-chan!?”

“All hail the Two-Timing President! Double standards!”

“It’s Yakko, not Yoruko… Correcting her name doesn’t mean we’re closer. And ‘double standards’ doesn’t even apply here. God, your shtick is annoying.”

The more I tried to clear up their misunderstanding, the worse it got. I could feel the classmates’ eyes on me.

Some looks were outright contemptuous, others confused, and some were just curious, like they were watching a show. Seeing a few puzzled classmates, I figured my harmless-nice-guy persona had been mostly successful.

Until this morning, that is—when it’s all crumbling.

“Hoshimiya!”

“Hoshimiya!”

“Ugh, shut up with that. It’s a misunderstanding, I’m not two-timing.”

Honestly, I’m clueless about what’s happening. Thinking back to what Usotsuki-chan mentioned this morning about shady rumors involving her, I might need to look into this.

“…Jeez. So being ‘taken’ means you can get hit with this kind of crap too, huh…”

The emotions directed at me aren’t just because of others’ assumptions.

My personal reputation can shift things one way or another.

I hate to admit it, but I might’ve underestimated the risks of playing fake couple with Yuu.

*

The moment lunch break hit, I felt the classroom buzz with excitement.

“Ren-chaaan ♥”

Yuu appeared at the front entrance of the classroom, calling me in a sweet, almost cat-like voice.

She wore a bright, friendly smile, but it looked forced—something was off.

“Usotsuki-chan’s with you too?”

“Yup ♥ Thought we could eat lunch together ♥”

As for Usotsuki-chan, she looked drained, practically being dragged by the scruff of her neck by Yuu.

Unusually, she wasn’t sporting her usual cheeky grin.

“…(The rumor, huh?)”

“(Yup.)”

I whispered my guess about the topic, and Yuu nodded in confirmation.

If Yuu had believed the rumor that spread this morning, she would’ve come straight to me first thing.

Of course, sharp as she is, Yuu must’ve sensed something was up—maybe even something behind it—and decided to stay quiet for now. That’s probably it.

“Let’s go.”

“Sure ♥ I made bentos again today ♥”

“Looking forward to it.”

I’m used to the jealous or cold stares from people without partners, but now most of those have turned into looks of contempt.

It’s not even confirmed that I’m two-timing, yet they’re being pretty merciless.

Society’s quick to judge and condemn based on suspicion alone. School, this daytime confined space, is playing that role perfectly right now.

“…You okay with this?”

Yuu asked, concerned, as we boldly stepped into the hallway.

“Yeah. For now, let’s focus on gathering info.”

“If you’re okay with it, Ren-chan, then fine, but…”

She’s noticed the stares aimed at me too. If I asked her to clear up the misunderstanding, she’d probably jump to it, but… now’s not the time to act recklessly.

For now, playing the lovey-dovey couple with Yuu as usual seemed the safest—and maybe the most effective—move.

“I didn’t even do anything…”

Usotsuki-chan, being dragged by Yuu, muttered sulkily.

“If you’re gonna say that, then neither did I or Ren-chan!”

In Yuu’s hands, dragging Usotsuki-chan along, were three bentos.

Yuu’s so kind… Wait, on closer look, one of them was a convenience store bento.

She must’ve taken it from Usotsuki-chan temporarily. Yuu’s strong, huh.

“I think this rumor started because of you, Tsuki-chan.”

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing.”

“Uh.. uuu~!

Yuu and I leaned in, staring at Usotsuki-chan, who let out a groan.

“I didn’t do anything!”

Coming from her, that holds zero weight.

So, naturally—

“Let’s hear the full story at the station.”

“Lie, and this bento becomes bird food~”

“Nooo~! I don’t want an interrogation that feels like chewing eraser shavings with my rice!!”

Usotsuki-chan’s oddly specific phrasing made me wonder if I’m a terrible person for finding it funny.

Stress so bad it ruins the taste of food, huh?

Maybe she’s been through something like that before.

Because she’s a liar.

*

“So, what’s the deal?”

We were near the second gym, in the spot between it and the pool.

The cherry blossom petals that had scattered long ago were mostly returning to the earth, and the area was just dirt and bushes. The only place to sit was the step by the gym’s back entrance.

Hardly anyone comes here, making it perfect for a private talk like this.

“Ren-chan’s two-timing?”

Yuu’s smile was strained, almost twitching, as she zeroed in—not on me, but on Usotsuki-chan.

“I-I don’t even know what’s going on…”

“Don’t lie. This morning, you were the one talking about how your ‘enjo-kosai’ got exposed or whatever.”

Wait, was that what she said?

“It’s not true! It’s just a rumor!”

Right. If Usotsuki-chan was actually doing sugar-daddy stuff, I wouldn’t know how to look at her anymore.

“But the fact that a rumor like that’s going around means you’ve pissed off a lot of people, right, Tsuki-chan?”

I get why Yuu would say that. If someone’s spreading rumors out of spite, that’s pretty nasty.

“Have I really done anything to make people that mad? What’s your image of me, Yuu-chan?”

“A lying good-for-nothing.”

“That’s harsh!”

Usotsuki-chan bent over, covering her face with both hands—crocodile tears, no doubt.

Doesn’t she realize that these little acts, repeated over time, chip away at her image and erode trust?

She’s no genius, but she’s not dumb either, so—

“I mean, I wouldn’t let some random old guy hold me!”

“So you’d let someone you know hold you?”

“I didn’t say that!”

Girl talk—or maybe just these two—left unchecked, this conversation was veering into weird territory.

“Hold on. Lunch break’s short, so let’s eat while we talk.”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

Yuu calmed down and handed me my bento for the day. I thanked her, took it, and spread out lunch on the gym’s step, ready to hear Usotsuki-chan’s side.

Oh, man, today’s bento looks amazing. The main dish is kani cream croquettes!

“…What?”

“Nothing~?”

As I scarfed down the ridiculously delicious bento, I glanced at Usotsuki-chan. She looked a bit grumpy and averted her eyes.

“Tsuki-chan. So, what’s the deal? Why’s this rumor going around? You really don’t have any clue?”

Yuu interrogated her with a blank, emotionless expression.

“No way I would! Besides, I’ve got Mizuno-chan, who I got close to during PE, helping me out. There shouldn’t be any more weird rumors… I think.”

“Mizuno-chan, huh?”

Hearing Usotsuki-chan’s explanation, Yuu gave a short, quiet “hmph” and nodded slightly. There was something loaded in her attitude.

“Mizuno? Isn’t she in your class?”

Yuu probably knows her, but they don’t seem that close.

“Yeah, she’s in Class C. I think—”

Yuu stopped picking at her side dishes, leaned closer, and whispered to me.

“(She’s got a crush on a first-year in the soccer club, I think. His name’s Sorimachi-kun, maybe? Also in Class C. As far as I know, it’s unrequited… for now.)”

“(Class C’s Mizuno and Sorimachi from the soccer club…)”

Unfortunately, I don’t know either of them. They’re not in my class, and with my limited social circle, making natural contact might be tricky.

Still, Yuu’s ability to instantly match names with profiles is impressive. Girls’ information networks are both a blessing and kind of terrifying.

“Hey, no whispering in front of me~!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

I apologized and made up some vague excuse to Usotsuki-chan. It’s not just that we don’t fully trust her (though that’s part of it), but we also don’t have a complete grasp of what’s going on around her.

“(This is turning into more of a mess than I thought.)”

“(Yeah… it is.)”

Yuu nodded, looking a bit fed up.

“(I don’t fully buy what Usotsuki-chan says, but we can’t just ignore it. Can I count on you to look into it?)”

“(Ugh…)”

Yuu puffed out her cheeks, clearly unhappy.

“(I’ve said this before, but I’m not being extra nice to Usotsuki-chan. If she ended up refusing to come to school, you wouldn’t feel great either, right?)”

“(I wouldn’t care…)”

Yuu said that, but Usotsuki-chan is a rare friend we can both be ourselves around. Neither of us could honestly say we’d be fine if she were gone. Yuu would never admit it, though.

When I mentioned the possibility of Usotsuki-chan becoming a shut-in due to bullying, I was actually thinking of an even worse tragedy.

Lately, she’s seemed more worn out and unstable than she lets on.

Either way, we need to deal with this ASAP.

“(Please, Yuu. You’re the only one I can ask for this.)”

“(…Fine. If you’re that insistent, Ren-chan…)”

After some half-hearted negotiation, Yuu reluctantly nodded.

“(I’ll look into it. You just act normal, Ren-chan.)”

“(Thanks, I owe you. If there’s anything I can do to help, just say so. I don’t know how useful I’ll be, but I’ll do whatever I can.)”

“Anything!?”

Yuu’s face turned bright red, like it caught fire, and she raised her voice. What’s with her?

“(I mean, within my limited social circle and abilities. Don’t expect too much.)”

“(…Oh, right, yeah. For this situation, I mean. I might need to ask you for something later, so be ready, okay?)”

“(Got it. I’ll keep a low profile till then.)”

“More whispering~!!”

I apologized to Usotsuki-chan, who’d already polished off her convenience store bento, and our lunch break ended with us eating and planning our next steps.

*

After school, things didn’t let up.

“Hoshimiya, I’ll believe you if you say the two-timing thing’s a misunderstanding… but it’s not cool, you know. Get that through your head.”

“Liar. You don’t actually believe me, do you? Just go to your club already.”

Machida, my classmate, furrowed his brows dramatically while scolding me. Why’s this guy acting like he’s my dad? His eyebrows are trimmed, but they’re slightly uneven—it’s driving me nuts.

“Hoshimiya, I believe you’re loyal to Onodera, but… what about Tsukimi Yoruko? You just gonna ditch her?”

“You too, Masunaga? Her name’s Yakko, not Yoruko. Go to your club already.”

The Machi-Masu duo kept preaching at me with sour faces, but I could tell—they were totally enjoying this.

““Alright, off to club. Good luck, Hoshimiya!””

They said their piece and left the classroom.

“…Whatever.”

On the flip side, their teasing gave me more chances to explain myself to others, which was actually helpful. Not sure how aware they are of that, though.

“Alright, then.”

I finished packing up to head home.

I took my time on purpose, of course, because I was waiting for someone.

“Sorry to keep you waiting~! I’m late, my bad ♥”

Yuu appeared at the classroom’s back entrance, holding her bag with both hands and smiling primly.

“Nah, I just finished packing.”

I stood up as usual, but I couldn’t help noticing something, no matter how much I tried to ignore it—the stares from the few classmates still in the room.

“[…]”

“You were sleepy this afternoon, huh? Was the bento too much? ♥”

“Nope, it was perfect. Helped me power through.”

“Hehe ♥”

Yuu probably knows my social standing in class has taken a hit, but she acted completely unfazed, calling out to me in her usual cute way.

“Let’s go, then ♥”

“Yeah.”

Feeling the suspicious, watchful eyes on me, I left the classroom as if nothing was wrong.

*

As we walked down the hallway, I heard footsteps rushing up from behind. Not someone just passing by—someone clearly coming for us. I turned around, and a moment later, Yuu did too.

“Hey, you two!”

A cheerful voice called out, catching our attention.

“What’s up?”

“We’ve got business with both of you!”

The speaker had a bizarrely exaggerated, almost stereotypical “ojousama” tone. She was a tall girl with long blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and refined features. For a girl, she was pretty tall.

“It’s about Yakko-san.”

She wore a headband, boldly showing off her forehead, yet she didn’t look childish—probably because of her mature face.

She seemed to be half-Japanese. Unlike Usotsuki-chan’s dyed hair, hers looked natural.

“Nijouin-san…”

Yuu’s murmur clued me in. So this half-Japanese girl’s name is Nijouin?

A straight-up Japanese surname, no middle name or anything. Not that I care.

“Good day, Onodera-san.”

“G-Good day.”

Yuu returned the greeting but seemed a bit intimidated. Yeah, this girl’s probably not her type.

I subtly stepped forward, positioning myself slightly between them, and introduced myself calmly.

“Hey, I’m Hoshimiya.”

“You’re the one dating Onodera-san, right?”

“You’re well-informed.”

“Of course, you’re quite famous. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Nijouin.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

An anime-character-level, over-the-top way of speaking in real life? That’s new.

But somehow, she pulls it off. I’m not discriminating, but her foreign blood gives her this almost unfair visual charisma.

…Anyway, she came to us for a reason, right? I’ll ask on Yuu’s behalf.

“You said you’ve got something to talk about regarding Usotsuki-chan?”

“—!”

Her eyes and cheeks twitched slightly at the mention of “Usotsuki-chan.”

Judging by her less-than-positive reaction to the nickname, is she on Usotsuki-chan’s side?

“You two seem quite close. What a… charming nickname.”

“Yeah. Like with Yuu, we’ve got this long, messy history. We’re just friends who don’t hold back, you know?”

“I… see.”

Nijouin’s face showed a mix of shock, disbelief, and reluctance to accept it.

Despite her complex expression, she cleared her throat with a cough and recomposed herself.

“My business with you two is simple. You’re aware of that rumor, I presume?”

“Aware? We’re kind of the main characters in it.”

“In that case—”

Nijouin’s gaze sharpened for a moment, flicking between me and Yuu.

“—just to confirm, is the rumor true?”

“No way.”

“Nope.”

Yuu and I denied it in near-perfect sync.

“…I see.”

She let out a sigh of relief, as if our confident tone and expressions reassured her.

For someone who called it a “confirmation,” she didn’t seem all that certain to begin with.

“Honestly, it’s been a hassle for us too. We don’t know where the rumor started, but Usotsuki-chan’s our friend. That hasn’t changed, even after Yuu and I started ‘dating.’”

“I… understand.”

Hoping to fish for some info, I decided to share something safe first. It’s a neutral detail, just a conversation starter, nothing unnatural.

“Are you and Tsuki-chan close, Nijouin-san?”

Yuu jumped in, following the flow of the conversation.

“…Since the start of the school year, during PE… yes, we became friends!”

“R-Really?”

Yuu, slightly overwhelmed by Nijouin’s high energy, gave a relieved smile.

It’s surprising, Usotsuki-chan’s social circle.

She’s got connections with unexpected people in unexpected places.

Honestly, I can’t even imagine what kind of relationship she has with the girl in front of us or how they talk.

“Take good care of Tsuki-chan, okay?”

“No need to tell me that!”

Nijouin puffed out her chest confidently.

W-Wow, they’re… big…!

I won’t say what, exactly.

Okay, fine, a quick clarification.

Her uniform looks like it’s about to burst, or like you could balance something on top—that kind of level.

“…Ren-chan.”

“I didn’t see anything.”

Yuu’s voice, laced with a chilling edge, snapped me back, and I hurriedly straightened up.

Nijouin tilted her head, puzzled by our cryptic exchange.

Well, anyway, it’s great to know Usotsuki-chan’s making friends besides us.

“I was hoping you two, as friends of a friend, might lend us your cooperation!”

““Cooperation?””

We tilted our heads, and Nijouin puffed out her impressive chest again.

“The Yakko Tsukimi Rescue Plan!”

““…Oh, got it.””

Yuu and I exchanged blank looks before turning back to hear Nijouin out.

*

What Nijouin shared was all about the environment surrounding Usotsuki-chan.

Apparently, she’s in the same Class A as Yuu and Usotsuki-chan, but with her larger-than-life personality, it’s no surprise she stands out like a sore thumb. Early in the school year, during a multi-class girls’ PE session, she ended up as an odd one out when pairing up.

So did Usotsuki-chan, and the two hit it off (or so she claims) after being paired together.

It’s almost a tearjerker of a friendship story. Calling them “leftovers” might be too harsh, but it’s basically a bond born from mutual commiseration.

Now, about the rumor that’s not only affecting Usotsuki-chan but has started dragging me and Yuu into it.

I’d heard some shady rumors about her before, but how did things get this bad? …Or maybe we let it fester by ignoring it.

Finally deciding to take it seriously, I’m shocked by the strange environment surrounding Usotsuki-chan.

Even Yuu didn’t know some of this—Usotsuki-chan’s been helped or ignored by people in ways we didn’t expect.

Nijouin, who keeps a close eye on her, has been filling in those gaps with useful info.

“Mizuno-san has been working hard on our behalf. Thanks to her, we’ve managed to keep the worst of the rumors from spreading further.”

“The worst rumors?”

“Oh, you haven’t heard? That Yakko-san’s been doing enjo-kosai, or that her body count is in the double digits… Of course, it’s all baseless nonsense.”

Ugh, that’s graphic. We already knew about the enjo-kosai rumor from Usotsuki-chan herself, who said she was troubled by it.

Whether the rumors are true or not, it seems the enjo-kosai one has been floating around. It hasn’t spread too widely yet, but still.

Thanks to Mizuno, a girl who’s been helping out earnestly, things haven’t blown up… That’s the gist of it.

Alright, things are starting to make sense.

“If those rumors spread further, it’ll get even worse.”

“Yeah, no kidding.”

Looking genuinely worried, Nijouin crossed her arms and sighed.

Her arms framed her… ample assets, making them—

Whoa, they look even bigger when she lifts them like that…!

“Ren-chan. Are you messing around?”

“Sorry.”

Yuu glared at me, her cheeks puffed out.

I was just resting my eyes for a second! How does she always know what I’m thinking?

“Anyway, I’m just so, so worried about Yakko-san…”

Nijouin sighed again, her face full of genuine concern.

“I was so worried, I could only sleep eight hours last night.”

“That sounds like plenty of sleep.”

If anything, that’s almost too much.

“—I get the picture. We’ll talk to Mizuno too. Thanks, Nijouin-san.”

“No, no, I’ll do my own part as well. I can’t wait to see Yakko-san moved to tears by our friendship!”

Laughing with an “Oh-ho-ho!” Nijouin walked off down the hallway in the opposite direction.

Another intense character drawn to Usotsuki-chan, huh.

Now, what’s next—

“Mizuno-chan already left, I think. She wasn’t in the classroom.”

Yuu had already checked, anticipating my next move.

“Nice work, as expected. In that case—”

“Tsuki-chan bolted out of the classroom as soon as school ended. She didn’t seem to have any plans today, though…”

“…”

Yuu tilted her head cutely, murmuring, “Why’s that?” She might not realize it, but when it comes to protecting our fake relationship or anything tied to it, she gets intense.

Like a bear defending its territory—okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but she gets a bit aggressive.

That said, it probably explains why Usotsuki-chan fled like her life depended on it. We’ll have to visit her place or message her to get in touch today.

If that’s the plan, I’d like to swing by Usotsuki-chan’s house on the way home.

But…

The more I think about Yuu scaring Usotsuki-chan into bolting, the more it feels like a real possibility, even if it sounds like a joke.

“Ren-chan? What’s up?”

Despite being fed up with getting dragged into Usotsuki-chan’s mess, Yuu acted as normal as ever around me.

“Lost in thought?”

“…Nah, it’s nothing. Let’s head home.”

“Okay ♥”

It’s a weird, delicate situation, but I think it’s better if I contact Usotsuki-chan on my own.

It feels like we’re tangled in some murky, sticky mess we can’t quite see, and it’s a bit unsettling.

Here’s hoping this gets resolved quickly.