When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

“…I see. So basically, you’re saying that just because you took care of her, a beauty who’s called a saint, you’ve ended up getting a share of her dinner every day and she even helps you unpack?”

“That’s right.”

“… Sato… doesn’t that seem a bit too pitiful, even for a delusion?”

“No! It’s really happening!!”

Recently, I’ve been getting a share of Fumiko’s dinner every night.

According to Fumiko, it’s because she’s “worried about my terrible diet”. Since it’s in a huge Tupperware container, I can’t finish it all at dinner, so I bring it as lunch.

When Nakano and I were eating together during lunch break, she probed into my lunch and I ended up telling her everything about my recent encounters with Fumiko.

As a result, Nakano has been looking at me with tremendous pity.

She definitely doesn’t believe me.

“… After all, what you’re saying sounds like the title of a story: ‘After nursing the popular saint at school, she started cooking for me in return! —And for some reason, the saint has taken a huge liking to me?'”

…Indeed.

“And the other party is a saint who boasts top-class popularity in the school. Such a beauty showing interest in you… Sato, there’s a limit to delusions, okay?”

She patted my shoulder, her expression saying ‘give me a break’.

“Interest… why would she?”

“Sigh… listen here, Sato. Normally, a girl wouldn’t go into a guy’s room, let alone one she has no feelings for, nor would she cook for him, or wait for him at the front door in the morning!!”

That’s… certainly true…!!

“So… Fumiko likes me!?”

“No, she’s either too serious or too kind.”

Somehow, she completely denied it.

Hey, what was all that conversation about?

“Well, I did say it was a delusion, but seeing this lunch box here… yum.”

As she said that, Nakano ate a piece of the pork-wrapped potato from my lunch box.

Ah, I was saving that for last…

“Sigh… so Sato has a girlfriend, huh.”

“No, we’re not dating, and she hasn’t even confessed to me.”

“But if the saint did like you and confessed, you’d go out with her, wouldn’t you?”

“…I wonder.”

“…See, you’re not denying it!!”

Well, I’m a guy… If a cute girl like Fumiko confessed to me, I might impulsively say okay! That’s the spirit of a man.

“Ugh!! Seriously!! It makes me mad that Sato might get a girlfriend when I can’t get a boyfriend!!”

“Why… why would that bother you… Anyway, Nakano, if you wanted to, you could easily get a boyfriend or two.”

I think Nakano’s style, appearance, and academic performance all match those of the top five beauties of Hekiryou Academy.

“No… I don’t think so. Considering my position.”

“Really? I think there are plenty of people in this school who don’t care about rumors or what others think… By the way, what’s your type?”

“Uh, I don’t really have a type…”

She crosses her arms and ponders.

“…If I had to say, someone who isn’t swayed by rumors or what other people say, who has a strong sense of self, who really sees me for who I am—and if we have similar hobbies…”

She said this much and then seemed to suddenly realize something as she looked at me.

“No, wait!! I didn’t mean it like that!?”

What’s she flustered about?

“No… because… huh?”

What’s she mumbling about while holding her head?

“Ah! That’s right!! I have a favor to ask, Sato!!”

“What, what is it?”

I recoil as Nakano suddenly leans toward me with a lot of energy.

People have their personal space, and I can’t hide my surprise at Nakano’s blatant invasion of mine.

Is she really that desperate?

“Let me see your underwear!!”

“…………What?”

Did she just say ‘underwear’? Just now?

Huh? Mine?

…Why?

“Hey, hey. What kind of joke… wait… your eyes are serious…”

“Why not? You enjoy being seen in your underwear, right? Right? Right!?”

“What the hell are you talking about? Hey, stop… if someone comes…”

“It’s okay! We’re on the rooftop where no one is around. I’ve locked the door… no one’s coming.”

“No… wait a minute… Nakano, let’s calm down? If you push me like this… hey, stop!!”

Ahhhhhhhhh!!

“You’re so slow!! Itsuki!! What have you been doing!!”

Right after entering the student council room after school, I delivered a strong chop to Akane’s head.

“What are you doing!!”

She glares at me while holding her teary-eyed head.

I’d appreciate it if she was grateful that I let her off with just a chop.

“Shut up! Because you put weird ideas into Nakano’s head, I…!!”

I was nearly undressed on the empty rooftop, my underwear was seen, and on top of that, I had to deal with an incomprehensible reverse outrage like, “Why are you wearing trunks! Aren’t you supposed to wear briefs!?” It was tough!!

I wanted to yell that, but I managed to suppress it.

Huff, huff…!!

“Well, let’s talk about the student council election.”

I sit down heavily on the chair opposite Akane.

“I heard from my sister, but is it really okay?”

“Helping with the election? There’s no need for Shinjo to worry. If you don’t want to, just say no.”

“I, I see… ehehe”

While embracing mixed feelings towards Akane, who is smiling happily as she says this, I decided to start the strategy meeting for the student council election.