You Like Her, Don't You?

Ise Yuri had left. Her visit hadn't been for nothing.

Besides reminding Akimoto Yoichi that black tea, green tea, and jasmine tea were all good choices when he was sweaty, she'd also left him her phone email address.

She wasn't a heroine, but girls like her were just as important to Akimoto Yoichi.

"Akimoto-kun, is this the kind of girl you like?" Nishida Yuki asked suddenly.

Suzuran Ayano and Kuroo Maya looked over, curious too.

After all, Ise Yuri was widely recognized as outstanding at Izuki Academy.

Putting aside her award-winning kendo skills, she was also tall and did well in her studies.

Ise Yuri was the very definition of talent and virtue.

People were more likely to admire and respect her than to say they liked her.

Naturally, outstanding people earned the respect of others.

But she was the head of the Public Morals Committee, and that really did keep a lot of people from confessing to her.

So far, the only person brave enough to do something like that had been Akimoto Yoichi. He'd actually managed to break through Ise Yuri's defenses.

Judging by his attitude, he was clearly serious.

Even though Akimoto Yoichi was usually indifferent to other girls, acting like all he cared about was studying.

This was the first time they'd seen Akimoto Yoichi take an interest in a girl.

"Why shouldn't I like her? She's pretty, good at studying, and has a great personality. I've got no reason not to like her."

Akimoto Yoichi shrugged and started gathering his things.

It was already past five in the afternoon, and the school clubs were gradually wrapping up their activities.

He finished the green tea Ise Yuri had given him and tossed the bottle into the trash. Then the group headed for the activity prep room. Once they'd collected their bags and things, they could go home.

"Come to think of it, Akimoto-kun, you said before that you liked girls who could help you study, right?" Ayano said, recalling.

"Whoa, Akimoto-kun, are you saying you asked Ise-senpai for her phone email so you could get free tutoring from her?"

Nishida Yuki put on an exaggeratedly shocked tone.

The fool with twin tails, Kuroo Maya, took the bait immediately.

"Really? Akimoto-kun, did you ask that scary head of the Public Morals Committee for her phone email just so you could freeload off her? You weren't actually trying to hit on her?"

Useless at everything but gossip.

Chewing on a salted potato cracker, Kuroo Maya leaned in close to Akimoto Yoichi.

"Take a guess." Akimoto Yoichi tapped Kuroo Maya on the head and stole her snack.

But Nishida Yuki wouldn't let it go.

"Akimoto Yoichi, are you really interested in Ise Yuri? She's older than you, you know. Three years older."

Nishida Yuki wasn't smiling as she said it. She fixed Akimoto Yoichi with her dark eyes.

She stepped in front of him and asked.

Seeing how serious Nishida Yuki was, Suzuran Ayano's smile faded too. She slowly turned to look at Akimoto Yoichi.

"I'm not going to date in high school. I won't even consider it until college." Akimoto Yoichi looked straight into the eyes of the heroine in front of him, who seemed liable to go off the deep end at any moment, and answered.

Nishida Yuki immediately went back to her usual gentle, graceful Young Lady smile.

It was like spring had arrived and the clouds had cleared.

"Is that so? I see." With her hands behind her back, she bounced a few times along the school hallway in her indoor shoes.

"I knew you couldn't go looking for another girl while ignoring me and these two."

"If you did, the game wouldn't be any fun."

"A little animal that only eats the food I feed it is so much cuter."

Crazy.

Those were the words that came to Akimoto Yoichi's mind.

"Is that so? You're not planning to date in high school, Akimoto-kun? Looks like you're sure to get into Todai." Ayano smiled and repeated what Akimoto had said.

"Ahahahaha! With Akimoto-kun's looks, there's no way he'll find a girlfriend anyway."

Kuroo Maya had such a sweet little mouth. Kids really did say the darndest things.

"I can't find one? Then I'll make you my girlfriend, Maya. If you dare say no, I'll yank on your twin tails every day!" Akimoto Yoichi threatened the silly girl with twin tails.

"Ayano-chan! Save me!"

"You shouldn't have said that. I can't save you."

"Ah! How cold! Ayano-chan, didn't we promise to be best friends for life?"

"But Akimoto-kun's not bad. Would it really be so terrible to be his girlfriend?"

"But Grandpa says I'm still a kid. If I get a boyfriend, he won't give me New Year's money!"

"Oh, so you just want the New Year's money?!"

"Of course! Grandpa gives me a hundred thousand yen every year."

"No wonder you're always eating so many snacks. Give me your New Year's money!"

"I've spent almost all of it! I'm broke! Don't tickle me, Ayano-chan!"

"..."

Kuroo Maya and Suzuran Ayano started horsing around.

Nishida Yuki and Akimoto Yoichi walked behind them. Then Nishida Yuki asked again, as if it were just a passing thought.

"Akimoto-kun, Ise Yuri really is cute, isn't she? You like Ise Yuri, don't you?"

It was like trying to get something out of someone once they'd let their guard down.

Akimoto Yoichi turned to look at Nishida Yuki and met her gaze as she watched him with her head tilted.

He didn't look away. Calmly, he replied, "What's it to you? Mind your own business. Don't think that just because I play this Student Council game with you, you're my dad."

Akimoto Yoichi knew full well that with Nishida Yuki, he had to give her a good smack before she got carried away and started pushing her luck.

"Hehe~ So mean, Akimoto-kun. You're scary." His words had an immediate effect, and Nishida Yuki backed off.

"I went out of my way to help you, and you still treat me like this. You're the only person in the world who'd do that, Akimoto-kun."

"Stop acting crazy." Akimoto Yoichi glanced at Nishida Yuki and ignored her.

Ise Yuri wasn't a heroine. She didn't have the heroines' buff traits, but even without buffs, her intelligence could still help Akimoto Yoichi a great deal.

For him, that was actually a point in her favor.

The heroines all had their own personality issues, more or less. Of course, as long as he didn't go groveling at their feet, he didn't need to worry too much about that.

Back in the activity room, Akimoto Yoichi packed up the mascot costume.

Ayano and the others gathered the flyers and other things, then picked up their bags.

Nishida Yuki sat there with her chin in her hands, watching them.

"We're heading out. Tomorrow's the weekend, so don't forget to come over and cook with us." Ayano reminded Akimoto as she left.

"That's right! I'll bring lots of ingredients too!" Kuroo Maya's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Got it. I won't forget."

Akimoto Yoichi waved goodbye to them.

After they left, Akimoto Yoichi turned to Nishida Yuki beside him and called out, "All right, Young Lady. Let's go play piano in the music room."

Before Nishida Yuki could answer, he headed for the door.

"Okay!" Nishida Yuki's lips curled up. She stood and hurried after Akimoto Yoichi.