Standing there behind me was Rui, her hair tied back and dressed in her tracksuit—her usual post-club look.
Maybe it was because my head had been filled with nothing but thoughts of her until just a second ago, but her sudden appearance sent a strange wave of tension through me.
"Th-this isn't a coincidence! You came here on purpose, didn't you?"
"Hehe... You're right. Practice wrapped up early today, so I just had to stop by."
Rui gave a calculated, bashful smile, looking up at me through her eyelashes.
"Why are you here again anyway? My mom’s coming home this evening, so I’m not home alone like I was the other day."
"Well... knowing you, Ryouta-kun, I figured you might be brooding over me not picking you as my recommender—clinging to the thought like some over-attached girlfriend."
"Wh— No! I-I wasn't thinking about that at all!"
She was so spot-on that I almost forgot to deny it for a second, but I managed to stammer out a rebuttal anyway.
I really have to wonder if Rui has some kind of clairvoyance. It's like she can see the future.
But... if she can see right through me and knows I’d feel this way, then why?
"Ryouta-kun... do you know why I want you to be my Vice President?"
"Is it... because I said I wanted the job?"
"No. I approached you before you ever said a word about it, remember?"
"Then... is it because of how I helped you in the past?"
Rui gave a small nod and gently closed her eyes.
"...Unlike me, Ryouta-kun, you aren't perfect."
"Wh-what’s with the sudden insult? Well, obviously. I can’t do everything you can, Rui."
"But, Ryouta-kun, you have things that I don't. They are qualities essential to my perfection—things I could never obtain myself. That’s why... I want you."
As she spoke, Rui slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze was intense and serious, leaving no room to doubt that her desire for me was absolute and sincere.
"Do you understand now?"
"...Uh, y-yeah."
I was caught between feeling complimented and insulted by her phrasing, but I could only take her words at face value.
Still, hearing her say "I want you" made a part of me feel genuinely happy.
I really am a simple man. One sentence from her was enough to blow away all the gloom in my head.
"Also, you know... if I'm elected, I'll give you a reward. I'll do something... amazing for you ♡"
"S-something amazing?!"
Are you kidding me?! Given the flow of this conversation... this time, for sure, it’s going to be the SM play I've been waiting for! It has to be!
"So, you’ll help me with my campaign, won't you?"
"Something amazing... Y-yeah! Leave it to me, Rui!"
"...You only give such enthusiastic answers at times like this, don't you, Ryouta-kun?"
Rui furrowed her brows, looking at me with suspicion.
What’s with that face? Does she think I’m only motivated by the reward?
I-I was planning to help her properly regardless!
"I bet back when you were Himesaki-san’s little dog, you were bragging about some noble cause like 'protecting me' while making that same lecherous face every single day, weren't you?"
"Wh-what! You’re the one who says suggestive things every time! Last time, I thought it was going to be SM play, but it turned out to be cheering for you at the Nationals!"
"Hehe... Well then, what if this 'something amazing' is exactly what you've been hoping for?"
"E-eh?"
"I'm just kidding. Anyway, the sun is going down, so I'm heading home. See you later, Ryouta-kun."
Leaving me with yet another tease, Rui walked away.
What I've been hoping for... Could she really... with me...
"I wonder if I can get an advance on that 'something amazing'..."
The desperate wish escaped my lips before I could stop it.