Airi's Memories: Kiyoharu, the Manzai Master

Chihaya Airi still remembered the situation of changing clothes when she and Kiyoharu-kun were in the same room for the first time.

At that time, they were still in high school. Ito Kiyoharu was a famous handsome young man in his second year, and Airi was also in her second year, famous in a different way.

After the incident on the sports field, Airi added Kiyoharu on LINE, trying to carefully study Kiyoharu's peculiar characteristic of not making her feel disgusted when they had physical contact.

"Ahem, Chihaya-kun... you're quite talented."

In the home economics elective class, looking at Kiyoharu, who stood out conspicuously among the girls, the teacher Matsuhashi Hana gave an awkward yet polite smile.

There was no rule stating that boys couldn't take home economics. However, for the men studying at Chihaya Academy, their future was all directed towards becoming elite members of society. In this country, traditional elite men would not care about trivial matters like home economics; they would leave everything to their wives.

Moreover, Kiyoharu's grades consistently ranked in the top three in the humanities department, and his future career survey indicated "University of Tokyo Faculty of Law," making him a definite future legal pioneer. His appearance in an apron in home economics class was too incongruous.

"Thank you for your compliment, Matsuhashi-sensei." Kiyoharu smiled without baring his teeth, casually playing with the silicone spatula in his hand. "I've enjoyed cooking since I was young, and my hands have been itching lately. I hope to get a chance to practice."

"Of course, of course. If Ito-kun has excellent culinary skills, it would be great to set an example for your classmates," Matsuhashi-sensei replied with a perfunctory smile, but secretly she was dismissive.

Among the many girls who chose home economics, there were not a few from prestigious families. Many of them had been trained from a young age to be perfect wives, and their skills were indeed not bad.

Ito Kiyoharu?

If she remembered correctly, he was a "problem-solver" from a common family who got into Chihaya Academy through his academic achievements. Did they expect him to be a good cook?

Ito Kiyoharu might not have even seen the expensive ingredients that the young ladies encountered daily.

However, when Kiyoharu took out his own ingredients and seasonings from his insulated container, all doubts became meaningless, as he had clearly entered a different league.

"Ito-kun, would you like to try Chinese cuisine?"

"Not try. Showcase."

That day, he simply made three dishes.

Stir-fried beef with chili, Twice-cooked pork, and Mushroom soup.

His classmates eagerly tasted them, sharing and finishing them until the plates were empty.

He took off his apron, folded it neatly, and set it aside. Kiyoharu washed his hands at the sink, rolling up his sleeves to reveal attractive muscle lines.

Chihaya Airi was watching him, and he also glanced in Airi's direction.

Earlier, they had arranged on LINE to attend this elective class together.

Why did they make such an arrangement? It was probably because Kiyoharu declared that his dream was to marry into a wealthy family and live a life of leisure, which was met with merciless mockery from Young Lady Airi.

"You don't think knowing how to study and solve problems qualifies you, do you?"

Kiyoharu was extremely confident. To prove that he was qualified, he said he would show Airi his skills. Thus, Airi saw him tossing the wok. Honestly, she had seen the Chinese chefs hired by her family toss the wok before, and she felt there was some indefinable difference between them and Kiyoharu.

Moreover, tossing the wok in a home economics class, enduring strange looks from a bunch of girls, and still being proud about it – didn't he have any sense of shame?

Tsk.

This guy really had no shame.

Kiyoharu finished class a little early. His cleanup work was quick, as if he had been doing housework alone for many years. Even Matsuhashi-sensei couldn't find any fault, so she let him go.

Still in the quiet corridor during class hours, Chihaya Airi stood with her hands behind her back, her curious gaze fixed on his retreating back.

"How was it, Young Lady?"

"Call me Chihaya-kun. The title 'Young Lady' is too common. There must be over a hundred young ladies studying at this school."

"But in my opinion, only you can be called a true Young Lady."

"Oh?"

"It's not flattery, but I heard that after graduating from junior high school, you've already started handling the practical aspects of the family business and doing a very good job. You're much stronger than a flower grown in a greenhouse." Kiyoharu crooked his mouth, unsure if it was exaggeration or teasing. "Your father even lets you lead a team to collect debts."

Hearing this, Airi's gaze suddenly turned cold. "You investigated me?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Very few people know about this."

"But someone always knows. Ah, strictly speaking, I did investigate you, after all, entering the Chihaya family is the highest priority in my ideal scenario."

"?"

"You dislike men, but you still need to find someone to marry to fulfill your obligations, right? I think I'm the best choice."

To verify if Kiyoharu was a good choice, before the end of the class, they went to the locker room together.

The children of the school board members had their own private changing rooms and didn't need to squeeze into the public ones. Chihaya Airi simply pulled Kiyoharu into her exclusive room.

"Young Lady, what are you doing?"

"You said you wanted to help me fulfill my obligations, right? Fine, let's see if you have the self-control." Chihaya Airi smirked slyly. "Now, turn around and face the wall. I'll change clothes right behind you. After I'm done, I'll record it. If your expression shows even a hint of disgust... I'll cut off your dirty, filthy thing."

"What do you mean by 'a hint of disgust'?"

"It's that look men have when they look at me, the way their minds can't help but think of lewd things."

"In that case, forget it. I might indeed be unable to help myself. I'm sorry, I can't guarantee I won't be inadvertently moved. Your charm is right here, Young Lady. It's too much to ask to test me with this."

"If you can't even turn around and wait for me to change, how can you be my fake boyfriend? Don't tell me you think my father is easily fooled?" Chihaya Airi impatiently pushed Kiyoharu, forcing him to face the wall.

As expected, touching him voluntarily didn't make Airi feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, seeing Kiyoharu's wronged expression made Airi find it amusing and want to tease him.

There was no other way; Kiyoharu had to accept the challenge.

Airi had already developed quite well back then, with curves that were on another level compared to other high school girls. It was hard not to feel something when such a young lady was rustling behind him, changing out of her home economics uniform into her school uniform.

However, this was a test of sorts, a threshold.

If he passed, Kiyoharu's plan to "borrow a shield to block an axe" would have a chance of being implemented.

Kiyoharu had to gather his spirits, recalling all the sad things from his past life.

He couldn't help but chuckle when he thought about G2 defeating RNG.

"...What are you laughing at?"

"I just thought of something happy. How about we just chat instead, Young Lady? Once we're engaged, I can chat with you while you change. Doesn't that sound a little interesting?"

Airi thought Kiyoharu was a bit off.

To have a man in such an intimate situation acting as cheerfully as if he were in a comedy skit was beyond her.

Her thoughts drifted back to the present.

In the narrow fitting room, Airi looked at Kiyoharu's flustered expression, suddenly grabbed his collar, and yanked him hard.

Kiyoharu found himself unexpectedly pressed against her.

"Hey, didn't you say you liked to chat? Hurry up, chat with me and keep me entertained while you change my yoga pants."

"...That might be a bit difficult."

"I don't care."

A smile of pure delight spread across the young lady's lips. Ah, bullying Kiyoharu-kun was the most fun.