After school.

I was at the shoe lockers.

There was a supermarket time sale today.

Last time I got interrupted by Takatsuka-san’s confession drama, but this time I’ll enjoy bargain day life properly.

Clenching my fist before the lockers and steeling myself for the sale—

“Hey. Heading home?”

“Wah!”

Takatsuka-san appeared behind me.

“Then let’s walk home together.”

She hugged me from behind and I panicked.

Because beneath the hoodie she usually hides there’s a large chest and when she hugs me, it presses against me.

“We haven’t done an after-school date yet right? Just drifting home together sounded fun. You’re free anyway.”

“I’m not free.”

I slipped from her grasp.

“I have something important to do. I can’t indulge you.”

I had to buy ingredients for Mitsuki and Umi’s meals.

“Something more important than me huh?”

Her eyes gleamed dangerously.

Because I helped a teacher earlier, the shoe area was empty except for us.

“If you won’t go with me, I’ll call Iwabuchi Ayami instead.”

“Why her? She’s unrelated.”

“She is. I can trouble you. I like seeing all sides of someone I like.”

What a personality.

“Go wherever you want, but tomorrow she might become my fan. My main interest is you, but she could entertain me.”

“Don’t involve her.”

“You’re bold when it’s about her. I like that and feel jealous.”

She took my hand.

“So after school is mine.”

“…Fine.”

“Wonderful. Since meeting you, life sparkles.”

“Mine’s getting gloomy…”

“If you liked me it’d be happy.”

She pulled me out of the building.

Sorry Mitsuki. No discounted chicken today. No triple pudding for Umi.

Seeing animals like her made me think she wasn’t bad, but I was wrong.

She’s awful. Truly awful.