Someone Like You

Asakusa Toru uttered what seemed like some rather outrageous remarks.

"If I had to put it that way, it would be to become a member of my faction and to become my ally in the future."

"Of course, not now. I estimate... I'll stay at this school for another 174 days."

"Diary."

The reason for this number is not simply because it's the day of the first-year graduation ceremony.

More importantly, it's because of today's diary entries.

[Today's record completed, this record is rated 'S', currently drawing rewards]

[Draw successful! Congratulations on obtaining the item 'Surprise Gift Box']

A long-awaited S-level rating.

However, it is not a reward that can be directly realized.

Rather, it is.

[Name: Surprise Gift Box]

[Category: Items]

[Effect: Surprise Gift Box that unlocks after a set time, will be unlocked in 174 days.]

[Note: "Here's a surprise gift for you; it will be exactly what you've been waiting for."]

There are timed rewards that will be unlocked precisely on the last day of the countdown.

What could be inside?

What do I want most?

Asakusa Toru knew the answer in his heart.

'Strength'

It's not just limited to small-scale activities within Advanced Nurturing; it goes far beyond the realm of common sense.

Strength.

Therefore, he will continue to undergo Advanced Nurturing for approximately six more months.

High school life.

The countdown has begun.

There is no possibility of retreating.

Therefore, he might need to pave the way a little in advance for off-campus activities.

Supporting Shinomiya Kaguya is the first step.

"Betrayal and disobedience... never mind." Shinomiya Kaguya sighed softly. "The Diary."

She felt like complaining about something.

But then I thought about the diary I've been reading up to today.

She felt somewhat relieved.

Although we often complain that serious people don't keep diaries, we have to admit that the diary format naturally carries a certain degree of emotional catharsis.

Even though Asakusa Toru would sometimes put on a facade and make a lot of joking remarks.

But the Diary, the words themselves, will constantly reveal his true nature.

The three characters 'Asakusa Toru' are given a unique and tangible form.

Therefore, the more Shinomiya Kaguya reads the diary, the more she understands this person.

What's that saying again?

"Constantly chatting with someone can create the illusion of being in a relationship."

Although Shinomiya Kaguya doesn't feel like she's in love at all, the logic is sound.

She would think she knows this person very well.

Reading a diary is like going through someone's inner world, like browsing through someone's past. In a sense, reading it every day is like possessing the other person's present.

Therefore, even someone as suspicious as Shinomiya Kaguya would have a slight feeling deep down about it.

I can trust him.

Is this considered a calculated scheme?

Shinomiya Kaguya didn't know.

But she knew that, having Asakusa Toru as she did now, she wouldn't be angry at such words.

Instead of getting angry over so-called attitudes.

Let me vent a little.

"When will this Diary end?"

Isn't it strange that the words "Diary" are mixed up in the conversation?

"You can stop now if you want," Asakusa Toru said nonchalantly, "If you're not afraid of being eavesdropped on."

"..." Shinomiya Kaguya was silent for a moment. "Although I feel that what I said earlier should have attracted attention long ago."

"But let's continue, Diary."

"Diary."

Strange keywords were uttered by both sides once again.

"In other words, I will become your accomplice, an accomplice in your subsequent, expanded spoiler activities, helping you to spoil other people's lives even more excessively, expose other people's dark histories, and criticize other people's flaws."

"Is that right?"

Shinomiya Kaguya translated Asakusa Toru's words with great precision, based on her own understanding.

"Hmm, removing the accomplice should be fine." Asakusa Toru nodded. "My dear accomplice is someone else; you'll have to find another identity to play the role."

His beloved accomplice, Miss Ichinose Honami, is, and can only be Ichinose Honami.

"... You have romantic feelings for me?" Quite out of the blue, Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly blurted out this question, followed by a decisive apology and rejection. "I'm sorry, but... I'm sorry, the closest relationship I can accept with you is only that of friends."

She couldn't imagine herself becoming a couple with this man, whom she already found terrible even just from glimpses of him in his Diary.

That would be amazing.

"The woman below"

"Diary."

"Mmm, the Diary." Asakusa Toru readily ended the digression. "But I still need to correct you, I can do more than just be a spoiler expert."

"I'm the kind of person who does have some aspirations."

He leaned forward slightly and raised his hand to support his cheek.

There are three desires that need to be satisfied.

He raised his other hand and held up three fingers.

"First is sex, a human instinct and the source of satisfaction. I put it first, enjoying it without becoming addicted or intoxicated by it."

Although Shinomiya Kaguya couldn't see it now, he still started bending his fingers.

"Secondly, it's about control. To put it bluntly, I actually have a pretty strong desire for control. I hate seeing things happen that don't go my way, whether it's good people getting bad rewards, bad people getting good rewards, or stupid people getting good rewards. I can't stand it. I'll make decisions on things I want to interfere with and influence arbitrarily, so I put it second."

Do as you please, follow your heart.

"The third is the pursuit of knowledge, not so much a thirst for knowledge itself, although knowledge is indeed quite important, but for me, perhaps what I desire more is the possibility called 'the unknown.'" After a pause, Asakusa Toru smiled, "In plain terms, I want to see how you react to all sorts of unexpected things."

"Although they are doing things that seem to be in a sequence, there is actually no order to them. You can't just assume that I am a person whose cerebellum developed before my brain developed based on this order. That's a false accusation."

Asakusa Toru shrugged.

"So, what's your answer?" he asked.

Explanatory words allow the other person to understand your true nature more deeply, and deepen mutual understanding by opening your heart.

If you want to cooperate, it's really not appropriate for only one party to understand the other.

"... To be honest, I'd really like to shake your hand." Shinomiya Kaguya didn't answer directly, but instead said, "But unfortunately, I can't go for Advanced Nurturing for the time being."

"If I have the chance, Diary —no, Asakusa Toru —I will personally come to pick you up on the day we agreed."

But her words were tantamount to an agreement.

Although Asakusa Toru's photo and corresponding survey information could be clearly seen on the previously collected first-year enrollment list.

But as expected, unless you see, experience, and feel it for yourself, your perspective will ultimately be too narrow.

So, as promised, let's meet in 174 days.

Before that, let me briefly speak on behalf of a world-class genius painter...

Hmm, foster aunt?

Anyway, this matter did her no harm; it's not a bad thing to befriend a world-class active oil painter.

Even she, a relatively sheltered young lady, had heard of Shiina Mashiro's name.

Although the fields are different, it's not a bad thing in the end.

"Then," Asakusa Toru raised his hand, "It's a pleasure doing business with you."

"Then, it's time to order."

I haven't had lunch yet.

"Yes, it's a pleasure doing business with you."

Shinomiya Kaguya hung up the phone.

"Is there anything you'd like to eat? It's on me." Asakusa Toru asked Hayasaka Ai after handing the phone back to its original owner.

" --Baumkuchen!"

Perhaps sensing that the conversation was over, Hayasaka Ai Shiina Mashiro, who had been standing next to Asakusa Toru, squeezed in next to him without realizing it and told him her preferences with an expectant look in her eyes.

Following her, Shiina Hiyori and Ichinose Honami also squeezed in and took their seats.

The four of them squeezed together, and soon Shiina Mashiro's body was pressed tightly against Asakusa Toru's.

But the girl didn't seem to mind at all; she just looked up at Asakusa Toru with longing eyes, anticipating the arrival of the Baumkuchen.

"Then we'll have to go to the convenience store."

Asakusa Toru shrugged, and just then, the waiter he had beckoned approached.

"Hey... you sell these? Oh, okay, well, bring me a Baumkuchen first, then..."

Order food, eat, and then...

It's time to get back to the Sports Festival.

Chapter 276 Someone Like You

[Voice Recorder]

Among the items drawn in the borrowing contest, Asakusa Toru took out the slip of paper he had drawn.

Then, the incredibly clear text immediately came into view.

"..."

What a coincidence.

Perhaps he was destined to win this Sports Festival, and even without manipulating the results of other people's matches, he could still achieve the best outcome he desired.

As the most unpredictable event in this Sports Festival, the borrowing contest could easily cost you first place if you weren't careful. Asakusa Toru had originally planned to manipulate the outcome.

But now it seems unnecessary.

I was thinking before that if I got a pet or a lover, should I bring Mashiro and the others along?

But thinking about it, he figured if he actually pulled out something like that, he'd definitely protest to the school and then have to pull it again.