How the hell did Nozomi Himesaki know what Rui and I had been talking about?
I had only just made it back to Natsuhama City from the Kanto region. I was about to head home when this mysterious underclassman, Nozomi Himesaki, flagged me down.
The setting sun burned crimson behind her, its light bleeding into her red, half-up hair.
"So, what exactly were you and Kuroki-senpai talking about? You looked like you were bowing your head and begging her for something... Was it a confession, by any chance?"
"N-No! Rui and I aren't in that kind of relationship!"
"'Rui,' huh? My, Ryouta-senpai, you're on a first-name basis with Kuroki-senpai?"
Well, if we're going there, why were you calling me by my first name the second we met?
"We're just in the same class. We're friends, that's all. There’s nothing shady going on."
"Hmm, I see. But I've heard Kuroki-senpai is the picture of purity—someone who barely even speaks to boys. Don’t you think that’s a bit odd?"
Good grief, this girl was relentless. One thing after another... It was like facing a machine-gun pitching rotation.
"Look, Himesaki-san. Is there really any need to pry into your senior's private life like this? If you're that interested in Rui, why don't you go ask her yourself?"
"But that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm asking the person involved."
"Wait... what?"
"To begin with, I'm not actually interested in Rui-senpai at all."
What on earth was she talking about?
Before I could process it, Himesaki took a smooth step forward, closing the distance between us.
"It's you I'm interested in, Ryouta-senpai."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried a sharp edge.
The look in her eyes... there was something in them that reminded me of Rui.
"Interested in me? W-Why!?"
"Why? Because you're close with the legendary Rui Kuroki. You're on intimate terms with Airi Miyama, every boy's dream girl, and Yuria Ichinose, the school's top gyaru. And then there's that Tanaka girl, who’s ranked second in our year. I've been watching you for a while... and more than anything, I want you for myself."
"Y-You want me!?"
Unbelievable. To think a gorgeous underclassman like Himesaki would feel that way about a literal water flea like me.
I’d actually planned on approaching her first once I joined the Student Council... though Rui would almost certainly murder me if I did.
"I lived abroad for a long time, and since coming back to Japan, I've been bored to tears. There’s been nothing interesting at all... until I learned about you at the Cultural Festival. I've done quite a bit of research on you since then."
"W-Well... I guess I've become enough of a celebrity to be known by the underclassmen."
"............Hehe."
"Uh, Himesaki-san?"
"My apologies. I just couldn't help but smile, thinking about what it'll be like once I finally have you."
It was a strange sensation—different from Rui's fearless, confident smile.
Tanaka had described her as a model student, but there was definitely something "off" about her.
"I have a very greedy nature when it comes to things I want. But I'll leave it at an introduction for today."
"Oh... right. Okay."
"I'm looking forward to the second semester, Ryouta-senpai. See you then."
Himesaki spun around and walked away without looking back.
Seriously, what was that girl's deal?
She said she wanted me... Does this mean my popular phase has actually, finally arrived for real this time!?
(Summer isn't even over and I'm already looking forward to Valentine's Day next year...)
Every year, my Valentine's haul consisted of department store chocolates from my mom, a tiny Tirol Choco from my sister, and that strangely massive, pink, heart-shaped handmade chocolate from Tanaka.
"Hm?"
As I walked home, my head filled with delusions of romance, my phone buzzed with a LIME notification.
『Yuria: Here's my address. Come over at 10:00 tomorrow. I'll be waiting.』
A LIME from Yuria.
The first "visit a girl's house" event of my entire life.
"Guh. There's no doubt about it... It's coming. My popular phase is finally here!"
I continued on my way, completely swept up in my own hype like the delusional otaku I was.