By the end of my first year, I’d already come to terms with the fact that I’d live and die as a lonely, virgin, gloomy otaku.
I never could have imagined that within a single year, every friend I made would be a beautiful girl. I had somehow become a harem virgin—the ultimate oxymoron. Because of that unexpected turn of events, I was now deeply regretting the fact that I’d been so careless when filling out my school trip preference form.
I trudged into the classroom with Yuria and collapsed onto my desk, my face a mask of gloom.
"Haa... Am I really going to revert to being a lonely, gloomy virgin just for the school trip?"
"You're still a virgin right now, aren't you?" Yuria countered.
Yu-Yuria... You coldhearted girl...
You could at least throw me a bone and say one of those classic gyaru lines like, "In that case, want me to help you graduate? ♡"
"Anyway," I sighed, "where are you three planning to go?"
"Kyoto. Rui said the scenery there is beautiful in the autumn."
Kyoto... Hm? Wait.
What did I actually write down on my form?
"Good morning, Ryouta, Yuria! You’re both early today!"
While we were discussing the trip, Airi arrived at school.
"What were you two talking about?" she asked.
"Just how the school trip is right around the corner," Yuria replied.
"It really is! Airi, did you choose Kyoto too? What about Ryouta?"
"The thing is... Ryouta says he doesn't remember what he picked."
"What?! Oh, Ryouta! School trips are expensive, you know! You have to take these things seriously and choose carefully!"
"I-I'm sorry..."
Hearing that from Airi, who worked so hard despite her own struggles, made the lecture feel ten times heavier. More than anything, it just made me sink deeper into my seat.
Damn it! Why did I pick a place so half-heartedly that I can't even remember where it was?
"Now, now, Airi," Yuria said, waving a hand dismissively. "Back in our first year, he probably never dreamed he’d end up being this close to us."
"I guess that's true! We’ve been on so many dates this year that it feels like we’ve been close since the very beginning."
"I mean... I guess? Even I've been on plenty of dates with Ryouta, so it's weird to think it's only been six months since we really met."
Unlike the naturally earnest Airi, Yuria sounded strangely competitive for some reason.
Why were they even competing over "dates" with me? Besides, after she’d spent the last six months practically dragging me to Snoto and Anumate every other day after school, those shouldn't even count as dates.
"Good morning, everyone. You’re all here early today."
"Ah, good morning, Rui-chan!"
"Morning, Rui."
Before we knew it, Rui had joined the circle.
"Were you discussing how Ryouta-kun has no idea where he’s going for his school trip?"
"How do you always have a perfect grasp of the situation?" I asked, baffled.
"It’s just like a quiz. I only need a single keyword to deduce everything."
No, normal people can't do that!
As expected... actually, no, she was starting to transcend human comprehension entirely.
"Then please, lend me some of that incredible wisdom, Rui."
"Hah? Honestly, Ryouta-kun, isn't that a bit disrespectful? Usually, it's: 'Rui-sama, please grant your wisdom to this Perverted Taro, woof!'"
"Rui-sama, please grant your wisdom to this Perverted Taro, woof! Pant, pant."
"Ugh, gross...!"
"R-Ryouta turned into Rui-chan’s dog in a split second!"
D-Damn it... To think I’d reflexively become Rui's pet like that!
"I’m always training Ryouta-kun during our dates, after all ♡"
Rui was joining in on the date competition too... And just as I thought, she’d definitely been eavesdropping on our conversation earlier.
"But even you can't possibly know Ryouta's destination for sure, right, Rui-chan?" Airi asked.
"Well... it’s difficult even for me to state it as an absolute fact, but..."
"But? But what, Rui?"
Rui stroked her chin, thinking for a moment before finally speaking.
"Ryouta-kun's destination is... most likely Kyoto, just like ours."
"What? H-How could you possibly know that?"
"Hehe, I wonder why?"
Rui gave a fearless, mischievous smile.
Wh-What was that supposed to mean...?
"Setting that aside, everyone, we have an all-school assembly today. The Student Council appointment ceremony is part of it."
The appointment ceremony... That meant the new Student Council members would be officially announced.
I knew Himesaki and I were joining, but I wondered if there would be anyone else...