Blackmailed with a scandalous photo of Rui, I had effectively become Himesaki’s "dog."
We had exchanged LIME contact info afterward, and she told me to be ready for her summons at a moment's notice, but...
A mixture of anticipation and anxiety gnawed at me; ever since I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about what kind of orders she might give.
"A beautiful junior’s dog, huh..."
I stared at the photo of Rui and me that Himesaki had given me, lost in thought.
Back during the Inter-High, I had told Rui that I wanted to become the vice president. To think that Himesaki interpreted that as a confession... give me a break.
"Me, confessing to Rui... As if I could ever do something like that."
It was true that I prided myself on knowing more about Rui than any other boy. I knew she had a side that was far too much of a perfectionist, and I had even saved her from a crisis in the past. On top of that, she even sent me the occasional risqué selfie.
That was exactly why I thought it would be good if I could become vice president to support her. I shouldn't have had the kind of feelings Himesaki was assuming... or so I thought.
"...Hm? A call?"
My smartphone started ringing. When I checked the screen, it was Tanaka. I’d told her about the letter earlier, so this was likely about that.
"Yeah, hello."
"Hi, hi, Ryouta-kun! How are we doing today?"
Tanaka’s energy was high—unnervingly so. Had something good happened to her? No, she was probably just vibrating with the urge to tease me.
"Well, since it’s you, Ryouta-kun, I figured you were moping around because it turned out not to be a love letter after all. So, how’d it go?"
"Well, you’re pretty much spot on. It wasn't a love letter. Not even close."
"Eh... it really wasn't? Gosh, I'm sorry... I guess I'm just rubbing salt in the wound now."
"Sh-shut up! There’s more to the story! Just be quiet and listen!"
After silencing Tanaka, who was mocking me under the guise of sympathy, I got to the point.
"Actually..."
I told her everything—how it was Himesaki who had summoned me, and the whole ordeal where she blackmailed me with the photo of Rui and me together.
"I see... To think Himesaki-chan would actually do something like that."
"Right? I was blindsided."
"And so, Ryouta-kun, you've officially become Himesaki-chan’s dog?"
"Y-yeah. For Rui’s sake, I didn't really have any other choice."
"But a dog... that means you’re going to do perverted things, right? Does that mean you’re going to be doing some licking?"
"No, apparently licking is off-limits."
"Ugh, you actually asked if licking was okay? Ryouta-kun, you’re freaking disgusting."
This girl. She was the one who brought up the licking in the first place, and then she immediately flipped the script to make me the creep.
"But well, if it’s for Kuroki-san’s sake, I guess it can’t be helped. I think you showed some backbone in your own way, Ryouta-kun. I've gained a tiny bit of respect for you."
"Getting respect from you doesn't make me happy in the slightest."
"Hey! Why not!?"
Tanaka barked back, sounding genuinely ticked off. I mean, even if Tanaka praised me... well, you know.
"By the way, how did things go on your end? Weren't you summoned by a teacher or something?"
"Oh, that? Well, let's just say the world has finally started to recognize my true worth."
"Huh?"
"I can’t say anything more because I’m under a confidentiality agreement, but basically, I’m on the path to becoming the ruler of the world. You should probably start sending me tributes while I'm still feeling generous, Ryouta-kun."
I didn't really get what she was talking about, but whenever Tanaka got cocky like this, it never led to anything good. I decided it was best to just ignore her for now.