Behind the school building, as usual, there wasn’t a single sign of anyone around.

‘…Could it really have just been a prank?’

Filled with disappointment, I put my hands on my knees.

In the end, curiosity got the better of me and I chose to respond to the sender of the letter.

Of course, I hadn’t forgotten about the time sale either.

I planned to finish this errand first and then rush to the supermarket.

‘Well, whatever. I figured it’d turn out like this anyway.’

It’s unsettling to think I’d receive enough ill will to be pranked like that, but staying here longer would be exactly what the culprit wanted.

‘This might be punishment for neglecting Mitsuki and Umi even for a moment. Sorry, you two.’

Just as I was about to leave the back of the school building—

“Hayama-kun? Now now, where do you think you’re going?”

A female student appeared, blocking my path.

Short black hair with blue inner color, silver earrings glinting by her ears and a height that forced me to look up.

“You came all this way after all.”

“Eh… T-Takatsuka-san?”

“That’s right. Takatsuka Reo.”

Takatsuka-san smiled brightly after making her unexpected appearance.

Backlit by the sunset, she looked almost haloed and I nearly found myself entranced.

“I’m glad you remembered my name.”

“Um, I read the letter in my shoe locker…”

“Ah, that was me. Sorry, I accidentally left it unsigned.”

“No, that’s fine, but why would Takatsuka-san call me out here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Takatsuka-san stopped right in front of me and stretched both arms toward me.

“Because I like you.”

She pulled me into an embrace and I felt completely enveloped by her.

It wasn’t just the sweet scent, strangely unfitting for her boyish image, yet all the more captivating that surprised me.

Something soft was being pressed against my chest!?

I couldn’t tell under the hoodie, but does Takatsuka-san actually have quite the figure!?

Unfortunately, even if I look girlish, I’m still properly male inside.

Being pressed against a girl’s body doesn’t let me stay calm!

“U-um, stop. We haven’t even talked properly yet and being this close is… embarrassing.”

“Ah, sorry. I couldn’t help it. You’re cute, it makes me want to touch you for no reason.”

C-cute…

No, I can’t let myself be swayed by Takatsuka-san.

This isn’t the time to get flustered by her nice voice!

She released me, though she still stood right in front of me at a distance that kept me tense.

“Do you… really like someone like me?”

“I told you already. I’ve been interested in you for a long time. I’ve never felt like this before and thought dating you might be nice.”

Unbothered by how flustered I was, Takatsuka-san leaned closer as she spoke.

She looked beautiful even from afar, but up close she was truly on another level. Her fine skin showed none of the roughness common in adolescence. It was natural beauty that no app or editing could reproduce, leaving me unable to move even mentally.

“Um… I’m a guy, you know?”

“I know. So?”

“You’re popular with girls so I thought you were only interested in girls…”

“That’s not exactly it. I do like girls more than boys though. Boys are fine as friends, but lacking as lovers; they’re all spineless. Girls are fun to talk with and when they fall for me they become prettier, which is interesting.”

“Then I’d be outside your interest too…”

“You’re different. You’re cuter and more girlish than most girls.”

“Huh?”

“I thought the ‘Ranking of Who You’d Want as a Bride’ was a stupid event, but seeing you changed my mind. You definitely have something that makes me want you as a bride.”

I never imagined that silly event would make Takatsuka-san notice me.

But even if she’s the one confessing, I can’t accept it.

I like Iwabuchi-san.

I’m not so shallow that I’d switch feelings just like that.

“Um… I have someone I like…”

“…I see. Who?”

Her expression shifted slightly colder.

I couldn’t meet her eyes and fidgeted.

“My classmate… Iwabuchi-san. From girls’ basketball…”

It was my first time telling someone about the person I liked.

Just that brought a strange sense of accomplishment.

I like someone.

So I can’t date you.

I thought that settled it.

After all, she’s the ‘Prince’ who lacks nothing as a partner. She’d have plenty of others.

“I see. Iwabuchi…”

“Yeah. So—”

“But you’re not dating her, right?”

“Huh? Well… no…”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

Before I knew it, she’d closed the distance until my back pressed against the wall.

She placed her palm on the wall beside my face.

A kabedon.

“So it’s just unrequited love, right?”

“Y-yeah…”

Already close, she brought her lips near my ear.

“If you’re not dating and it’s just one-sided, then if you come to like me, there’s no issue with us going out.”

Her confidence was overwhelming.

But she is the most popular girl in school.

Iwabuchi-san and I are just classmates.

If what Takatsuka-san said happened, it wouldn’t betray Iwabuchi-san.

Still, there’s one big problem.

“…I don’t like you…”

Because I like Iwabuchi-san.

“You can think that for now. Soon you’ll be mine.”

She spoke with absolute certainty.

“I don’t care if you have someone else. I’ve claimed girls like that before. You’re no exception.”

A dangerous statement.

“I’m a guy, it’s different from girls who like you…”

“It’s the same. If there’s a girl inside you, I’ll find and take it.”

She smiled.

But unlike before, this wasn’t accepting it felt possessive and forceful.

The image of her as the righteous and kind ‘Prince’ was shattered.

Now she seemed a tyrant determined to take what she wants.

“So I’ll spend as much time with you as possible. Do as you like, you'll come begging to date me soon anyway.”

“…I like Iwabuchi-san. If I switched that easily, I wouldn’t truly like her.”

I pushed back.

My feelings weren’t fleeting. They were admiration and wanting to support her, that’s why I love Iwabuchi Ayami.

“You’ve got spirit. That makes conquering you worthwhile.”

She seemed to treat me like a game target.

“I think you shouldn’t hold back. Compared to hopeless love, being with me will be happier and more pleasant.”

“Don’t decide it’s hopeless! And I’m not enjoying being with you right now!”

“Fufu. Nice. I thought you were quiet, but you’ve got boldness too.”

She didn’t take my anger seriously at all.

“Maybe I’ll conquer Iwabuchi first. If I make her mine, your crush disappears and you’ll have no choice but to like me.”

“Then target me only! Iwabuchi-san has nothing to do with this!”

“Excellent. You’re not as obedient as I thought; you’ve got your own will. If you were just a doll, I’d refuse you.”

She lifted my chin with her hand.

“I really like you. So here’s an advance celebration for when you become my lover. Take it.”

Her face drew closer, filling my vision.

Her lips sealed mine.

Unfamiliar with this, I forgot to breathe and nearly suffocated when she pulled away.

“W-why?”

My voice sounded strangely sultry even to myself, confusing me further.

“That was your first kiss in advance for when we’re lovers. If you become mine, I’ll give you as many as you want. As lovers, you’d belong to me and I to you.”

Drained of will to resist, I was embraced again, unable to push her away, becoming like her pet doll.

“Well then, see you tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the day we’re lovers.”

She released me, turned away, then looked back with a sly grin.

“Oh and one more thing.”

“S-still!?”

“From hugging you, I realized you really are a boy.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’ve got something nice. Makes me more interested.”

“Wha!?”

My face burned with embarrassment.

“I’ll definitely make you mine. Bye.”

Blowing a kiss, she waved and left.

Left behind, I stood stunned.

“Geez! What’s with her!?”

My shout echoed behind the empty school building.