Regarding Class D’s search for a witness, an unexpected offer came from another class. It was Honami Ichinose from Class B.

After learning about the conflict between Class C and Class D, she found me wandering around looking for clues and, perhaps out of a sense of justice, offered to help find the witness.

However, we already had our own plan. Though I appreciated it, I politely declined.

“I see… well, Class D has its own way of doing things, right? Sorry for butting in.”

Ichinose scratched her head apologetically, but she was mistaken.

“No, I’m the one who turned down your goodwill. There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

“Really? Then let’s call it even!”

It had been a while since I’d seen such a bright, radiant smile—maybe since Kushida’s public persona.

Cheerful and energetic, yet with a kind of cuteness that could easily win over guys.

Class B, led by Ichinose… I found myself a little curious about what kind of class it was.

“…By the way, you’re dating Matsushita, right, Ayanokōji-kun?”

As expected, things between boys and girls spread quickly.

I didn’t think the rumors had reached other classes already.

Maybe couples like Hirata and Karuizawa, or me and Matsushita, had already become common knowledge throughout the school.

“Yeah. For about two months now.”

“Who confessed first?”

“Matsushita did.”

“I see… so you were the one who got confessed to…”

Ichinose seemed to be thinking about something.

Even the way she hummed to herself looked cute, like a small animal.

No wonder guys couldn’t ignore her.

Eventually, she spoke.

“Ayanokōji-kun, can I ask for some relationship advice?”

“Relationship advice.”

I ended up repeating it mechanically.

She’s asking me for relationship advice?

That’s a serious misjudgment.

But as she just said, I have a girlfriend—Matsushita.

So she must be assuming I have experience.

What a situation. Sorry, but she’s actually a fake girlfriend.

Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I stayed quiet.

“Yeah. Actually, a girl from Class B confessed to me.”

“A confession. From a girl.”

“I like her as a friend, but… I don’t really understand romance yet.”

Don’t worry, Ichinose. Neither do I.

“I’m not ready to date someone yet. So I’m planning to turn her down… but is there a way to do it without hurting her?”

“Rejecting someone without hurting them… that’s impossible.”

Good. At least this was a question I could answer.

If she’d asked something like, ‘She’s kinda mid but maybe good as a backup, what do you think?’ I’d have blanked out and just said ‘Yeah, sure.’

“A confession takes a lot of courage. If you reject them, they’ll be hurt, no matter what. I understand wanting to lessen that, but instead of using clumsy lines, it’s best to tell them your honest feelings. For both your sakes.”

“But…”

“It’ll be fine. She’ll understand. Even from just talking a bit, I can tell you’re kind and considerate. If she’s your classmate and likes you, she should know that even better.”

Of course, there’s no guarantee.

But I pushed forward anyway.

Given Ichinose’s personality, sincerity was the best approach.

If she tried anything complicated, she’d probably slip up from guilt.

And honestly, I was about to slip up too, so I wanted to end this quickly.

“Ahaha… hearing that is a little embarrassing. But you’re right. Chihiro-chan isn’t someone who wouldn’t understand me. Okay, I’ll tell her how I really feel.”

“That’s best.”

“Thanks today, Ayanokōji-kun. That really helped. You’re like a love master.”

“Please don’t spread that nickname. I’m begging you.”

I’d even pay private points if necessary.

That’s how undeserved that title was.

* * *

‘Never thought I’d be the one giving relationship advice.’

I haven’t even properly experienced romance, yet people think I have.

From now on, Matsushita and I will need to carefully align our story so no one finds out we’re a fake couple.

…Though, thinking about it, we go on dates and she makes me lunches.

Does this even count as fake anymore?

Maybe it just means we don’t go beyond kissing or something.

Well, whatever. We’re not at that stage yet.

We’ll figure it out when the time comes.

More importantly, the witness… Sakura.

Horikita suspected Sakura was the witness based on her behavior during the class announcement and the fact that she returned to the scene.

She couldn’t figure out why Sakura was at the special building at the time, but it’s worth asking her.

Still, I know nothing about Sakura.

First, I need to observe what kind of person she is.

“So, Matsushita. Could you go talk to Sakura casually?”

“I can, but what about you?”

“She seems quiet. If I approach her suddenly, she might get scared. I’ll observe from a distance.”

“Got it. I’ll follow your lead.”

Matsushita immediately walked over to Sakura and started talking to her in a gentle tone.

From this distance, I couldn’t hear what they were saying.

But Sakura seemed wary, while Matsushita kept chatting casually without revealing anything.

…Eventually, the topic shifted to me.

Both of them looked over.

When I waved, Matsushita smiled brightly and waved back.

Sakura also gave a small, timid wave.

“You really are frivolous.”

“I just waved at my girlfriend and a classmate. Anyone would do that.”

“Can you still say that after seeing that?”

Following Horikita’s gaze, I saw Ike and Yamauchi glaring like demons again.

Do they have nothing better to do?

Just then, Matsushita gestured for me to come over.

Since she knows I wouldn’t approach Sakura forcefully, it must mean Sakura called me.

I walked over.

“You called me?”

“Yeah. Sakura wants to talk to you.”

“Is that okay?”

“Yes.”

With her permission, I listened.

“What is it, Sakura?”

“Um… Ayanokōji-kun, have you bought any appliances since coming here?”

What kind of question is that?

Still, I answered seriously.

“No. The ones in my room are enough.”

“I bought a hair iron. They said we couldn’t bring ours from home.”

“Maybe they want us to spend points on expensive items.”

“So… what about the appliances?”

“Um… more like the store…”

An electronics store?

I’ve browsed one at Keyaki Mall before.

But Sakura and electronics don’t really match.

Is she secretly a tech enthusiast?

…No, that still wouldn’t explain asking me.

“There are some weird employees there, right?”

“Weird?”

As Matsushita spoke, I noticed Sakura’s reaction.

A slight sense of relief—but more than that, visible discomfort.

“Yeah, like guys who target cute girls and won’t leave them alone. Didn’t bother me, but I saw one harassing a Class B girl.”

“I see.”

If Sakura experienced that, it must’ve been terrifying for her.

She nodded vigorously at the “creepy” part.

“…Is that what you wanted to talk about?”

“Y-yes. Actually…”

She glanced around nervously.

“Maybe we should move somewhere else?”

We moved to a bench near a fountain.

I stood in front of Matsushita instead of Sakura so I wouldn’t intimidate her.

Sakura spoke hesitantly.

“There’s… a strange employee at the electronics store. I like cameras, but I couldn’t bring mine here…”

“So you tried to buy a new one.”

“Yes. And then he talked to me… the way he spoke, the way he looked at me… it was really scary.”

She hugged herself, trembling.

How intense must it have been to scare her this much?

Even I found it disturbing.

It couldn’t have been just a normal conversation.

She couldn’t continue speaking.

There’s clearly more, but she couldn’t say it.

“If you need to go to the store again, let me know. I’ll go with you.”

“Same here.”

“Th-thank you…”

She seemed slightly wary of Matsushita, but not of me.

In fact, maybe even somewhat comfortable with me.

That’s unexpected.

“You’re okay with Ayanokōji-kun?”

“Ah—sorry! He’s your boyfriend, but I made him come…”

“No, it’s fine. I just thought you’d be uncomfortable around guys.”

“I am… but his eyes aren’t scary… maybe because you’re here…”

Matsushita glanced at me, then looked away.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“He probably only looks at Matsushita-san.”

“Hey, stop, that’s embarrassing.”

She poked my side.

Cute.

Even so, Sakura’s problem remained unclear.

But we exchanged contact info, so that’s fine for now.

“So, do you like girls like Sakura?”

“Not bad, but conversation might be difficult.”

“I mean her looks. She’s cute and has a big chest.”

“Yeah, it’s big.”

“Hey! Don’t say that in front of your girlfriend!”

That’s unfair.

I was just agreeing with her.

“So you like big ones?”

“No, I just agreed with you.”

“Then you don’t like them?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“See!”

This is going nowhere.

Most guys like bigger chests, but that’s just one factor.

Matsushita has a great figure and looks.

There’s nothing lacking.

“Still, you’re my girlfriend.”

“…That almost got me. But I’m not letting you dodge.”

“So what do you want?”

“I’m testing your type.”

She pulled me to sit and showed me photos of gravure idols.

She’s clearly just teasing me.

“Is she cute?”

“…Not sure.”

“And this one?”

“I don’t know.”

“This one!”

“Hmm.”

“Answer properly.”

Then I noticed something.

“Matsushita. Show me that one again.”

“You like girls like Sakura after all?”

“That’s not ‘like Sakura.’ That is Sakura.”

“Huh?”

The idol was named Shizuku.

Same looks, but a completely different expression.

No glasses either.

Easy to miss.

“Wait… really?”

Matsushita examined it closely and realized.

“…You’re right. Sakura’s a gravure idol.”

“That explains her situation.”

We searched her blog and found disturbing posts.

“‘Do you believe in fate? I do. We’ll always be together.’ ‘I always feel you close.’ ‘Did you notice when our eyes met?’ …This is disgusting!”

Even I found it creepy.

For Sakura, it must be far worse.

“This was posted right after she enrolled. That employee is likely involved.”

“Let’s report it.”

“After confirming physical evidence.”

We obtained letters and photos from her room.

Reported everything to the teachers.

They acted quickly.

For now, Sakura is safe.