After making that promise—or rather, receiving that order—from Himesaki, I spent the rest of my morning classes completely zoned out.
Despite officially becoming her "dog," Nozomi Himesaki hadn't issued a single indecent command yet. There was something unsettling about not knowing what she was actually planning.
If her goal was truly to shatter Rui’s perfect reputation, she could have just leaked the photo and been done with it. The fact that she’d gone through the trouble of negotiating suggested she wanted to get her hands on the guy closest to Rui—meaning me.
I’d technically become her dog, sure, but so far her commands lacked any real edge. They were about as sharp as a butter knife. And now lunch together? Give me a break. Was she confusing me for a friend or something?
No... there was still a possibility. Maybe she was trying to lure me into a false sense of security. She’d wait until we were in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by everyone, and then drop some outrageously perverted command on me.
Yes, that had to be it.
Not bad, Himesaki... I can't believe I actually let my guard down.
"Hehe... Ryouta-kun? Why are you grinning like that?"
I was still smirking to myself while packing up after fourth period when Rui spoke up from beside me. I couldn't let her suspect a thing.
"Oh, n-no, it's nothing! Just... thinking about a light novel! Yeah, the latest chapter of Opa-sui dropped today, and it was pretty wild."
"...Hmph. I see."
Rui fixed me with a frigid stare, her voice completely devoid of emotion.
"W-what is it, Rui? If you have something to say, just say it."
Crap... she couldn't have found out I’m Himesaki’s dog already, could she? No, with her, anything was possible. She was Rui Kuroki, after all.
"I've been curious about something for a while now."
"...Y-yeah?"
"Ryouta-kun, look. You have some... trash on your shoulder."
"Eh?"
Trash? On my shoulder?
After pointing it out, Rui gently reached her hand toward my shoulder. Oh, so that was it... just a bit of lint. She’d been narrowing her eyes so sharply I thought she was peering right into my soul again, but she was just looking at a bit of debris on my clothes. I’d gotten nervous for nothing. I was definitely overthinking things. No matter how sharp Rui was, she couldn't possibly know about this—
"—A strand of bright red, rather long hair. I wonder how this 'trash' got there. You’d have to be standing quite close to someone with hair like this for it to rub off, wouldn’t you?"
"..."
I was struck speechless. Was she for real?
My brain ground to a halt from the sheer shock. No, get it together! If I didn't deny it now, she'd only get more suspicious. Surely she was just fishing for information.
"Red hair? What are you talking about? I don't know anyone with hair like that."
"......Is that so?"
"Anyway, I've got things to do! I have to get going! Sorry, Rui!"
I practically bolted from the classroom, fleeing as fast as my legs could carry me. That was way too close. Based on everything I knew about her, it felt like Rui had already realized something was up.
Still... I'd only become that girl's dog to protect Rui. I had nothing to feel guilty about. I just needed to embrace my role as my junior's little doggy with pride.
"Heh... Look at me, working in the shadows to protect the girl I love. I'm actually kind of cool."
"What are you smirking about all by yourself, Ryouta-senpai?"
"Whoa! H-Himesaki..."
While I was getting carried away on my way to the courtyard, Himesaki called out to me from behind.
"Don't tell me, Ryouta-senpai... were you trying to go somewhere else? And you were laughing because you were imagining me eating all alone!"
"I was just heading there now! Geez, everyone’s so suspicious today. What did I ever do to deserve this?"
"I haven't the slightest idea... But if you were actually planning to show up, then you're a good boy. Well then, shall we head to the courtyard?"
"O-oh. Sure."
Himesaki started walking ahead with a light step, the large bento bag she held with both hands swaying as she went. She seemed to be in a really good mood for some reason.
Did she really want to eat with her "dog" that badly? My expectations for anything scandalous were pretty low at this point, but I figured I might as well accompany my master for her lunch.