Today is the day of my date with Kei. However, there is something I intensely regret. What is it, you ask... Well, I went and said, "I'd like to go to a game center." That alone would be fine. But within a game center, there exists something that high school girls use on a whim with high probability. Its name is "Purikura," officially called "Print Club." I have absolutely zero good memories of this Purikura.

Whether it was taking them when I was dating Kei, or taking them with the Ayanokoji Group at Haruka's suggestion (though in that case, both Keisei and Akito were unenthusiastic, so I wasn't the only one looking miserable), in every instance, I maintained a completely expressionless face and wasted the Purikura fee. Therefore, I had resolved absolutely not to take any today, no matter what.

...Or so I thought. But, as expected, I was lured by Kei.

Kei: "Hey, since we came all the way to the arcade, let's take some purikura."

Kiyotaka: "Sorry, but I don't understand what you mean by 'since we came all the way'."

Kei: "Because you've never done it, right? Experience is important in all things, they say."

Kiyotaka: "I've heard about it from others. A horrific machine that forces you into poses you don't want to do and compels you to wear a smile you're not good at."

Kei: "What's that? That's just prejudice."

Kiyotaka: "Then can you imagine me doing that?"

Kei: "Of course I can... no, I can't. But isn't the unknown, which you can't imagine, more interesting than the known, which is easy to imagine?"

Kiyotaka: "You sound like you're saying something reasonable, but you're just trying to lure me into purikura."

Kei: "Jeez, isn't it fine? You asked me to be your guide for the arcade, right? Then at least go along with this much. Here, I'll pay the points."

Saying that, I was forcibly pushed inside the purikura booth.

'Well, now that I have emotions, I should be able to smile... probably. Though my lack of confidence might make it impossible.'

And just as expected, I maintained a blank expression, creating the dark history of an expressionless purikura on a first date.

Kei: "Geez, do something to smile!"

Kiyotaka: "How am I supposed to smile when purikura isn't even fun?"

Kei: "Well... you know, think of something fun, or whatever."

Kiyotaka: "I don't have a good image of smiling from a memory. For instance, wouldn't it be creepy if someone on the street suddenly started grinning?"

Kei: "The situation is completely different!"

Kiyotaka: "Is that so."

Kei: "Haa, well, whatever. Let's go next."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah."

Freed from purikura, I was finally able to enjoy myself.

After that, we tried fighting games, a racing game where you throw bananas and shells, and even medal games, but...

Kei: "You're way too strong! Is this really your first time? You lied, didn't you!"

Yes, I beat her too thoroughly. At first, I lost due to the difference in experience, but I got the hang of it midway and started winning consecutively. Kei, becoming desperate, kept challenging me and continued losing, repeating this pattern.

Kiyotaka: "You get used to it if you play. Besides, I didn't win that big in the medal games."

Kei: "Of course not! Medal games are about luck!"

Kiyotaka: "Ah, jackpot."

Kei: "~~~~~"

Kei let out a voiceless cry. But I thought it wasn't good to stay too long, so we decided to deposit the medals we earned and leave the game center.

Incidentally, when we tried to cash out the medals, an error occurred. When I asked Kei about it, she sighed and told me, "The machine ran out of medals inside because you won so much." After that, we had the staff handle it, registered for a medal bank, and left the store.

And now, Kei and I are having lunch at a family restaurant.

Kei: "Why did you get the jackpot there!? Having luck on top of everything else is like giving a club to an ogre!"

Kiyotaka: "I'm under a star of fate and calamity."

Kei: "That doesn't explain anything!"

Kiyotaka: "If you raise your voice too much, you'll bother the people around us."

Kei: "Geez~ you're so mean, Kiyotaka~"

Kiyotaka: "Too bad, no help is coming. More importantly, pizza."

Kei: "Ah, thanks."

I diverted the conversation by baiting her with pizza.

Kiyotaka: "Is it really okay to just go to karaoke after this?"

Kei: "Yeah. I heard a rumor that you're a good singer, Kiyotaka, so I want to hear you."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Then let's do that."

After that, it goes without saying that when we went to karaoke and Kei heard me sing, she got even angrier.

* * *

The next day, I welcomed the final day of my consecutive dates. Though it's called a date, this time it's with three people and starting in the afternoon, so in the morning, I trained with Rokusuke for the first time in a while, had lunch, and then headed out.

And then, I met one of the rendezvous partners earlier than expected, so I played a prank on the other person who was already at the meeting place.

Kiyotaka: "Guess who."

???: "Hyaa! K-Kiyotaka-kun!?"

Kiyotaka: "It's not me."

???: "Huh? But the voice is obviously..."

Kiyotaka: "Look behind you."

When I said that, the person—Airi—turned around.

Haruka: "Too bad, it was me!"

Airi: "Geez, it was Haruka-chan."

Kiyotaka: "I thought I'd get back at you for last time."

Haruka: "But Airi was too shy and couldn't do it, huh~"

Kiyotaka: "Actually, I wanted to do it to you, Haruka. But this is how it turned out."

Haruka: "By the way, where are we going first again?"

Airi: "I wanted to go to karaoke. I want to hear you sing, Kiyotaka-kun, and I want you to hear me too."

Kiyotaka: "I see. I'm looking forward to it."

After that, we arrived at karaoke, ordered drinks first, and Haruka started singing.

Haruka: "Well, that's about it."

Airi: "Haruka-chan, you're really good after all!"

Haruka: "No, no, not as good as you, Airi."

Kiyotaka: "Do you two come here often?"

Haruka: "Sort of. There's no one else around, and a space without people you have to be mindful of is relaxing, right?"

Kiyotaka: "True. Actually, I come here often too. You can look forward to my singing."

Haruka: "Then shall we have Airi sing first? She might not be able to sing after hearing Kiyopon."

Kiyotaka: "You're overestimating me. But I've been wanting to hear Airi sing soon too, so please go ahead."

Airi: "Okay. Then I'll sing."

Saying that, Airi took off her fashion glasses, changed her hairstyle, and began singing in idol mode. The song she sang was "Koisuru ◯◯ Cookie."

Her score was... 97 points. The same as Yuki's record at the karaoke competition.

Airi: "How... was it?"

Kiyotaka: "Better than I imagined. As expected of an idol."

Airi: "Ehehe. Thank you."

Haruka: "Right? Airi's amazing."

Kiyotaka: "I like your singing too, Haruka."

Haruka: "Geez, saying stuff like that."

Airi: "I'm looking forward to your song, Kiyotaka-kun."

Kiyotaka: "Don't be so shocked you fall over."

Saying that, I finally took the microphone.

The song I chose was "Chiisana Koi no ◯◯," a karaoke classic and an easy-to-understand love song.

And the result was, of course, 100 points.

Haruka: "Whoa... he can even sing this well... This is insane."

Airi: "Kyu~~~" thud

Haruka: "Ah~ Airi collapsed. Good thing we had her sing first."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, it seems that way. I didn't think she'd actually collapse, though."

Haruka: "Well, hearing that, it's no wonder Airi collapsed."

Kiyotaka: "Was it that bad?"

Haruka: "No way it was bad. It was too good, actually."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Well, that's good. Anyway, it's a waste not to sing more, so let's sing something."

Haruka: "Then, how about a duet? There's a song I want to sing that has male and female parts."

Kiyotaka: "If it's a song I know, sure."

Haruka: "It's a famous song, so you definitely know it."

The song she proposed was "Uchiage ◯◯." Of course I knew it, so I readily agreed.

After we finished singing, Airi had woken up, so to help her relax, it was decided that Airi and I would do a duet next.

This strategy was successful. While singing, Airi's tension eased, and by listening to my singing while she sang, she got used to it. After that, she enjoyed karaoke without collapsing again.

After karaoke ended, we were brought to a spot overlooking the entirety of Advanced Nurturing High School. In other words, it was probably that kind of thing.

Airi, Haruka: "Kiyotaka-kun (Kiyopon), I like you! Please go out with me!"

Even I couldn't quite keep up with the situation.

Kiyotaka: "Um... can I confirm the situation?"

Haruka: "Y-yeah."

Kiyotaka: "I was brought here. You might think I'm being self-conscious, but I had considered the possibility of a confession."

Airi: "I-I don't think you're being self-conscious."

Kiyotaka: "But why was I confessed to by both of you at the same time?"

Haruka: "Well... Airi consulted with me saying she wanted to confess her feelings to you, Kiyopon..."

Kiyotaka: "And then?"

Haruka: "And then, she said she was nervous going alone. Since I also like you, Kiyopon, I suggested we go together. What about it?"

Airi: "So we said, no matter who is chosen, or even if neither is chosen, let's not hold grudges."

They must have gathered tremendous courage. Airi's speech has reverted to polite form. Even Haruka, with her frank personality, is hesitant.

Kiyotaka: "Well... I don't think I can choose just one of you two."

Airi: "...I see." sniffle

Kiyotaka: "Wait. I just can't choose one. I'm trying to say there might be a way to treasure both of you."

Airi: "That means..."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. I want to accept both of you."

Airi: "!" brightening

When I proposed this, Airi's face lit up as she looked at Haruka.

Airi: "Haruka-chan, it worked! Both of us succeeded!"

Haruka: "Well, that's true, but... Um, what about ethics and public image? Is that okay?"

Kiyotaka: "Ethically, it's fine if everyone agrees. Under mutual consent, it's not two-timing."

Haruka: "Ethics might be okay... but what about public image?"

Kiyotaka: "At this point, that's not really an issue. You know I'm close with many girls, right? There are even rumors that I'm going out with one of them."

Haruka: "...Yeah. So you weren't actually going out with anyone?"

Kiyotaka: "It's the opposite. I'm going out with all of them, with everyone's understanding."

Haruka: "You mean a harem!?"

Kiyotaka: "That's right. So public image doesn't matter anymore, does it?"

Airi: "Haruka-chan, there was a way for both of us to be happy after all. It might be different from ordinary happiness, but isn't this okay too?"

Haruka: "Hmm... Alright. I'll do that too. Take care of me, Kiyopon."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. I swear I'll make you happy."

With Airi's final push, Haruka was safely added to the fold as well.

'With this, there's only one target left.'