Although walking Itou to the Game Club was done easily, I still somehow got stuck there because of a certain someone.

Miura-senpai coincidentally opened the door just as we were about to separate.

In almost an instant, her expression went from puzzled to a hint of delight and unusual interest.

With her eyes quickly scanning the two of us, she probed while showing an interested smile.

“Oh? Now, this is a surprise. For you to come here together. Tell me, does this mean something?”

It’s a good thing that I stopped holding Itou’s hand halfway through. Or else, this girl would reach a conclusion right away. Even so, just the simple fact that I escorted Itou here would make her imagination run wild.

“What can this mean, Koto-senpai? This guy ran into me and volunteered to do so. He’s like a stain stuck in my clothes.”

Alright. That’s a very defensive answer. Contrary to that, her face was red from the neck upwards. I just don’t know if Miura-senpai can pick that up.

Let’s see. This is a good time to tease her. I refrained earlier because of the atmosphere. But at this moment, it would also suspend whatever idea was building up in Miura-senpai’s head.

“Hmm? Is that what happened? Why do I seem to remember you asked me to bring you to your sister? I see. It must’ve been a dream.” I crossed my arms and put a hand on my chin. I exaggerated my movements which instantly made Miura-senpai snort from how absurd it was.

On the other hand, Itou who’s still acting out her tsundere trait turned to me. Upon spotting the smirk on my face, she derisively clicked her tongue and playfully nudged me.

By doing so, it also allowed her to regain her composure. The color of her face gradually returned to normal. “Yeah. You’re dreaming. Who are you to be asked by me? Beat me in a game first then we’ll talk.”

She then crossed her arms and raised her chin proudly.

Yeah. My teasing had no effect on her this time. It even helped her recover.

Nonetheless, I still played along with her.

“Well, I’m your… who am I again? Anyway, is that your flawed game? I’m afraid you’re going to rig it in your favor.”

“You! I already fixed its flaws!”

“Yeah. You say that but surely, you’re going to cheat!”

“Senpai! Look at this guy!”

Although this might look like we’re really close to banter in front of Miura-senpai, that doesn’t matter. As long as we didn’t admit to it, the senior could only come up with her own speculation.

“My… What a wonderful chemistry you two have. Looks like my sister will have a great rival.”

The last part came out as a murmur but it was loud enough for me to hear. Add to that, she was looking at me when she said it.

A rival to Komoe, huh? Surely, Itou could beat her many times over. And well, I had no idea if Miura-senpai was serious about that or not. Probably just her assumption, right?

Acting like I didn’t hear what she said, Itou and I continued to banter. And sure enough, the commotion soon gathered the attention of those inside their clubroom.

One by one, they showed up, peeking from behind Miura-senpai.

As always, when those boys saw Itou acting so natural around me and with nary a grace of her high-class lady trait, they all looked at me with hostility. Well, except Hashimoto and Nishimura-senpai; the President of the Game Club and Miura-senpai’s boyfriend. As for the other girl, the one who got into a fight with Itou, she’s staring at us with the same interest as Miura-senpai.

She didn’t look as mean as Itou described but like they said, you can never truly know someone unless you interact with him or her.

“Alright. You two, that’s enough. You’re going to disturb the club next door.” A few minutes later, before Itou became truly incensed at how I tried to tease her, Miura-senpai went in between us, stopping our banter.

She faced Itou first and fixed the girl’s posture before turning to me, “Onoda-kun, why don’t you stay for a while? Play a game or two with us?”

Should I? Well, I think this is the time for me to make an exit. I glanced at Itou and communicated with her through eye contact.

After seeing her nod slightly, I refocused on Miura-senpai, “I appreciate the offer, senpai but I still have my own club to attend to. Maybe next time?”

“I see! Alright, thanks for escorting Maaya-chan here.”

“Mhm. Anytime.”

Upon saying that, I turned around and left. I didn’t bother greeting the other members of their club or even Hashimoto. It’s pretty trivial by now. If they’re going to think I have a connection to Itou then so be it.

As if they would dare turn that into gossip. It would damage the image of their idol, after all.

Time passed and the club hours eventually ended.

Even when I showed up late again, the reaction from Ishida-senpai or the other girls was already close to nothing. They’re already used to it. Besides, they seemed busy with something.

And so, I spent my time there not disturbing the girls while also reading the book summaries Aya wrote for me.

I would be the last to write the scenario, after all. That’s why to keep it consistent with the whole story, we decided that I should wait until Ishida-senpai finished hers before I would start doing mine.

Well, when we got the chance, I got to hear another update from Rae concerning Yoko-san. Although still wary of me, the dam that she built around herself already broke.

Bit by bit, the feelings she prevented from leaking out came out like a surge. Nonetheless, she couldn’t tell Rae everything all at once.

It’s kind of heavy. Furthermore, even the knowledge girl was failing to comprehend everything right away. She’s going to try and talk to her every time though. And honestly, that’s for the best.

Rather than remain disconnected even if they’re that close to each other, Rae was finally about to regain the first one who accepted the knowledge girl as a friend and little sister.

Around thirty minutes after the bell, I finished walking the girls to their stations.

Having planned to come and check on my first task as the Disciplinary Officer, I first went back to the school and looked for Eguchi-sensei, informing her of my plan on how I would convince Komoe to return.

Once that was done, I visited Shio in her private room.

Well, she’s not going home yet because of work so I took this chance to spend some time with her and invited her to dinner tonight. Fuyu might not come today and even if she did come, we’d just think of an excuse about why my homeroom teacher was eating dinner in our house.

As if it was that easy!

Anyway, I left the school soon after that and began my walk to the Miura Household.

Or so that’s the plan.

As soon as I stepped out of the school gates, a familiar car stopped right in front of me.

A few seconds later, the door to the backseat opened and from within the car, the ringlet girl stared at me with a cheerful smile on her lips, “Hop in, Junior-kun. I’ll take you to your destination. You won’t reject me this time, will you?”