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!?

After school.

Before I knew it, it was time to go home. I had been busy with various things for the upcoming meeting between the club and the committee.

Akane and the others had already gone home, so I was alone.

As I was walking home after texting Hiyori that I was on my way, a certain person was waiting for me.

“Oh, Mr. Kando, what a coincidence.”

It was Shion Kanzaki, the vice president of the student council, who also serves on the election committee.

She seemed to have been at the committee meeting today, but…

“I just finished preparing for the committee’s joint meeting. Would you like to join me?”

I wanted to doubt whether this was really a coincidence, but I had no reason to refuse, so I nodded.

“Mr. Kando, how’s the preparation for the meeting going?”

“Well, it’s going along. But why do I, the vice president, have to attend the joint meeting of the committee and the club?”

Normally, it’s Akane, the student council president, who attends these meetings.

Moreover, I was originally the vice president nominated, but now I have the ridiculously long title of vice president, general manager of the club association, and general manager of the committee association.

This is just absurd.

“That’s simple. You’re the only one who can lead those people.”

The leaders of the club and committee associations are all students from families with some of the top power in Japan. They all have abilities befitting their lineage, and have influence in the school equivalent to the student council.

Even Aoi-san seemed to have had a stomachache from nerves the day before the meeting.

“If Shinjo-san or Komomiya-san were to attend, it would only cause chaos. To be honest, I don’t think they would listen to anyone but you.”

“That includes you too.”

“Hehehe.”

“No, not hehehe.”

As we were having such a casual conversation, a ridiculously long white limousine was parked at the school gate.

“Would you like me to drop you off in front of your house?”

“Are you sure? Well, I’ll take you up on that.”

I decided to accept Shion’s kindness and got into the limousine.

Inside the limousine, there was a long sofa stretching sideways, a long table with drinks, and a TV.

As always, it’s so VIP.

“Please, Mr. Kando.”

As soon as I got in the limousine, Shion asked me to sit next to her, so I did. The sofa was so plush, I wondered if we were really in a car.

“Would you like some non-alcoholic sparkling wine?”

“……I’ll take it.”

I clinked glasses with her and was drinking non-alcoholic sparkling wine when my smartphone vibrated.

Hmm, is it from Akane?

“Make sure to keep our plans for tomorrow!! You didn’t forget, did you!?”

…Tomorrow, I’m going to go out somewhere with Akane.

I don’t know where we’re going because Akane said she’ll decide, so I don’t know either.

Oh, shoot. I read the message. I was planning to reply when I got home, but I guess I’ll do it now.

Otherwise, she might call me up saying, “Why are you ignoring my messages!?”

“By the way, you’re going out with Akane Shinjo tomorrow, aren’t you?”

Shion asked, her eyes sharpening as she seemed to sense my situation.

“…You seem to know a lot.”

“Yes, she was talking about it happily.”

Shion answered with a smile.

At first glance, she always seems to be smiling, but I can tell. Shion is in a bad mood right now. No, she wasn’t until just now. She became upset when the conversation turned to Akane.

That girl… was she that disliked by Shion?

“By the way, Mr. Kando…”

“Y-yes.”

I inadvertently switched to polite language.

“You and I are partners, aren’t we?”

“That’s right…”

“That’s what I thought, right? Then isn’t it your role as a partner to take care of me?”

“Eh? Is that so… No, you’re right. I think so too.”

“That’s good to hear… then, if you’ll excuse me.”

With that, Shion took off her shoes, placed her head on my knee, and lay down on the sofa.

“Mr. Kando?”

Shion and I can understand each other’s intentions without exchanging words.

As proof, Shion understands my intentions without having to speak.

However, it’s not just Shion. I can also understand Shion’s intentions to some extent without exchanging words.

“…Thank you for your hard work today. I’m watching you. This time, until the end.”

I stroke her head and offer words of comfort.

“…Your words and actions are naive, but that’s okay.”

It seems I gave the correct response. Shion’s mood visibly improved. I’m glad… really glad.

But Shion’s hair… it’s incredibly silky. I wonder what kind of shampoo she uses.

“Mr. Kando, you’re free the day after tomorrow, right?”

It sounds like she’s assuming I am, but the day after tomorrow… is Sunday.

“I don’t have any particular plans.”

“Right now, I’m being comforted by you. Since we’re partners, I need to comfort you as well. And as it happens, we’re both free on Sunday, so I’ll spend the day taking care of you.”

“H-How will you do that?”

“How about a zoo where you can interact with animals like guinea pigs, otters, and doctor fish?”

“Eh… What’s that? I really want to go.”

“Hehe, then it’s decided.”

What should I do? I’m genuinely looking forward to it…

“Well, it seems we’ve arrived?”

The moment Shion got up, the door of the limousine was opened.

“Ah, I have a request for Sunday, is that okay?”

“…I suppose it can’t be helped. I did say I would take care of you.”

“I want to eat an egg sandwich, homemade, for either lunch or breakfast, either is fine.”

“Oh, come to think of it… I’ve made those a few times, haven’t I? Do you like them that much?”

“It’s not that I like them… I just like the egg sandwiches that Shion makes, not any others.”

Upon saying this, Shion’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…Really, you’re something else.”

Shion turned her face away poutily.

Late night.

“…Phew, I guess it’s about time to go to sleep.”

It’s currently 3 a.m., and I’ve been talking with Futaba.

“What? We don’t have school tomorrow. We can still go on. Your outing with Akane doesn’t start until the afternoon, right?”

Wait, isn’t that too much information?

“No, I really need to sleep soon or it’ll affect me tomorrow.”

“But still… hmm, Itsuki, who do you value more, me or Akane!?”

“That’s something a girlfriend would say…”

“Well, leaving the joke aside, it would be a problem if you overslept. Shall we call it a night?”

“Hmm… Oh?”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“No, I just stretched and saw outside the window…”

“Yeah?”

“The moon is beautiful. You should look at it too, Futaba. It’s a full moon tonight.”

“……………….”

“Futaba?”

No reply…

“Ah, yes. I just looked. It’s a full moon.”

Ah, so she didn’t reply because she went out onto the balcony.

“The moon is always beautiful. Well, good night~”

“Good night.”

I yawned and ended the call.