Idiot, Idiot, Idiot

The study session lasted until a little past five in the afternoon.

Akimoto Yoichi, Nishida Yuki, and Kuroo Maya stayed at the Suzuran residence for dinner.

Naturally, Akimoto Yoichi served as the chef for the evening meal.

By the time everyone finished eating, it was already dark outside, and Kuroo Maya and Nishida Yuki planned to stay the night at Suzuran Ayano's place; it wasn't their first time doing so, anyway.

Back in middle school, they often held girls' pajama parties.

Although Nishida Yuki and Suzuran Ayano weren't exactly best friends, or even friends at all, the kind-hearted Suzuran Ayano invited Nishida Yuki along regardless.

She had expected Nishida Yuki to refuse, but to everyone's surprise, Nishida Yuki agreed immediately.

Ayano had no objections; they were all comrades working together on the student council election.

In passing, Ayano also asked Akimoto Yoichi.

Fukayama Natsuki became incredibly nervous at once.

Fortunately, after pinching her little cheek, Akimoto Yoichi turned down Ayano's offer, which finally allowed Natsuki to breathe a sigh of relief.

Otherwise, who knew what might happen at night if that Blondie were left to stay over.

"Akimoto-kun, do you have any plans for tomorrow, Sunday? Would you like to come over to my place to hang out?"

Suzuran Ayano stood at the doorway and looked at Akimoto Yoichi, asking.

She had been very happy today; she had eaten a lot of delicious Chinese food, and her study progress was much faster than when she was alone.

More importantly, Ayano knew that Akimoto Yoichi's home situation wasn't great. If he came to her house, he would be able to eat his fill, she would get to taste delicious cooking, and they could continue studying together—it was killing two birds with one stone.

"No, I have other things to take care of tomorrow, Sunday." Akimoto Yoichi shook his head.

Although he enjoyed the buff of having three heroines stacked together, he had already made plans not to study tomorrow.

Standing behind Ayano, Natsuki breathed a sigh of relief once more; she felt like her entire body was now stained with the scent of that Blondie.

It was for the best that she didn't have to see Akimoto Yoichi.

"I see, that's fine then. We'll see each other at school on Monday."

Ayano felt a bit regretful and waved at Akimoto Yoichi.

"Yeah, see you Monday." Akimoto Yoichi nodded, then walked into the light under the streetlamp with his hands in his pockets.

After watching Akimoto Yoichi leave, the girls returned to the living room.

Once everyone had finished tidying up after dinner, Ayano took two portions of reheated food out of the microwave.

She kept one for herself and handed the other to Fukayama Natsuki.

"I'm going to take dinner to my mom, so you should take some to that guy, Natsuki-chan."

Suzuran Mari had been writing her manuscript during dinner and hadn't come down to eat.

As for Fukayama Midori, he probably only had instant noodles to eat at this hour. They had forgotten about him at lunch, so it would be a bit pitiful to forget him at dinner too.

"Yes, okay, Ayano-oneesan." Fukayama Natsuki took the tray.

"I'll go with you, Natsuki. Actually, I'm in the same class as Midori-kun, and I'm his friend too."

At that moment, a smiling Nishida Yuki sidled up to Natsuki and took the meal from her hands.

"..." Suzuran Ayano was speechless at the sight.

Watching Nishida Yuki offer her services for no reason, she still didn't say a word.

"Hm? Nishida-senpai, are you very close with my brother?" Fukayama Natsuki had long since sensed the gunpowder between Nishida Yuki and Ayano, so she feigned ignorance as she asked.

"Of course. Midori-kun and I met at the entrance ceremony, which actually led to a small misunderstanding between me and Suzuran."

Nishida Yuki maintained her smile and elegance, speaking in a light, offhand manner.

"I see. Well then, follow me." Natsuki blinked and glanced at the back of Ayano, who had already headed up to the second floor.

The two left the Suzuran residence and walked toward the Fukayama family home.

Just as Natsuki was turning her little head to ponder the relationships between Nishida Yuki, Suzuran Ayano, Akimoto Yoichi, and her own brother, Fukayama Midori, a voice suddenly drifted into her ears on the night breeze.

Immediately, her hand was grabbed by the other girl.

"Natsuki-chan, I actually know what happened to you! I understand completely, because I was treated in the exact same way by that Blondie, Akimoto Yoichi!"

Looking at the girl who had been so elegant and noble just moments ago, now holding her hands and looking at her with a miserable, pathetic expression like a female slave, Fukayama Natsuki was a bit dazed.

However, Natsuki's gaze fell upon the meal that Nishida Yuki had carelessly placed on the ground.

That was the dinner her brother, Fukayama Midori, was supposed to eat, yet Nishida Yuki had set it on the floor, and her little leather shoe had even lightly kicked the plate.

"Uh, are you talking about those photos?" Natsuki gathered her thoughts and tentatively replied to the girl before her.

She remembered seeing Nishida Yuki and a woman in a kimono who looked similar to her on Akimoto Yoichi's phone.

So, what Nishida Yuki was talking about now likely referred to those photos.

"That's right, those photos."

So that was it, those photos. Those photos included pictures of Mrs. Suzuran, and Akimoto-kun had used them to threaten Natsuki.

Nishida Yuki now understood how Akimoto Yoichi had resolved his conflict with Fukayama Natsuki, a hint of a smile appearing in her eyes.

Those photos hadn't been taken by Akimoto Yoichi, but by her.

Natsuki had clearly misunderstood Akimoto Yoichi, and Akimoto Yoichi had chosen to cut the Gordian knot, bringing Natsuki to heel.

Now, besides Akimoto Yoichi, the only person who knew the truth was Nishida Yuki.

However, she had no intention of helping Akimoto Yoichi explain things to Fukayama Natsuki; instead, she wanted to insert herself into the situation.

"From now on, we're in the same boat. I hope we can help each other, so if anything comes up, you can tell me."

"As fellow victims of Akimoto Yoichi, sticking together is our only path to salvation."

"If you have any ideas, you can discuss them with me, and we can defeat that big lecher Akimoto Yoichi together! You didn't see my photos, did you?"

"N-no." Fukayama Natsuki shook her head quickly; she naturally understood that she couldn't admit to having seen those photos of Nishida Yuki. "Then, has Nishida-senpai seen my photos?"

"Not at all. I was a victim before Natsuki-chan, so naturally, I haven't seen Natsuki-chan's photos."

Nishida Yuki put on a look of relief, responding to Natsuki's fishing question.

Fukayama Natsuki was very clever; she was deliberately using this question to test her. Was she worried that she would spread those photos of Mrs. Suzuran?

But unfortunately, Akimoto-kun had claimed all those photos for himself.

"I see. Then we must keep this secret together; I don't want to end up trending online," Fukayama Natsuki said, feeling reassured.

However, she still didn't trust the Nishida Yuki standing before her.

It was only because none of the other girl's photos showed anything explicit, unlike the level of exposure in the photos of Mama Mari.

Natsuki wasn't stupid; she wouldn't easily trust this young lady.

What if Nishida Yuki was actually an accomplice of Akimoto Yoichi, here to fish for information and deliberately test her?

"Of course. Well, I'm heading back now, you should come soon too, Natsuki-chan." With that, Nishida Yuki waved at Fukayama Natsuki and turned to walk toward the Suzuran residence.

"Eh? Don't you want to see my brother anymore?" Fukayama Natsuki asked, looking at the food Nishida Yuki had left on the ground at her feet.

"I don't want to make Suzuran-san too hostile toward me for the time being; that isn't my top priority right now."

Then why did you say you were bringing food to Onii-chan in front of Ayano-nee-san?

Hadn't that already provoked Ayano-nee-san's dissatisfaction?

Now that things had reached this point, why give up so suddenly?

Watching Nishida Yuki return to the Suzuran house, Fukayama Natsuki could only think that she was a strange person.

Picking up the food left on the ground, Fukayama Natsuki headed toward her own home, just a few steps away.

She reached the doorway and looked at her front door, finally letting her shoulders relax completely. Although she felt relatively relaxed at the Suzuran house, Akimoto Yoichi was there.

Now that she was back home without Akimoto Yoichi, Natsuki suddenly felt an urge to cry.

Having suffered grievances outside that she dared not tell anyone, all the pent-up frustration seemed to well up the moment she returned home.

"Onii-chan, I'm home." Opening the door, Fukayama Natsuki suppressed her emotions.

But as soon as she stepped inside, she saw Fukayama Midori in the living room, clutching a controller.

The screen was playing a game, and he was currently in the middle of a boss fight.

Even though he heard Natsuki's voice behind him, Fukayama Midori didn't turn around.

Natsuki, who had originally wanted some comfort, walked over to Fukayama Midori in a huff and deliberately slammed the food she was holding onto the table, which was already piled high with cup noodle containers.

"I'm home! Onii-chan!" This time, Natsuki shouted at the top of her lungs.

Looking at Fukayama Midori, who hadn't even glanced at her once, she felt incredibly sad.

"I know, I know, don't be so loud, Natsuki." Fukayama Midori remained glued to the boss's health bar.

He had been playing games all day, and this was the final level.

As long as he cleared it, he might get a very rare divine artifact, and Fukayama Midori wasn't paying any attention to Natsuki beside him.

"You! Onii-chan, you idiot!" Natsuki instantly spiraled.

The expectations she had held while standing at the door turned to ash in an instant.

Stomping her feet and biting her lip, Natsuki looked like a child with nowhere to vent the grievances she had suffered.

"What is it now? What's your problem? Don't bother me now, let's talk later, okay? Five minutes, I'll clear this in five minutes!"

Fukayama Midori still didn't notice a thing, his hands moving in a rapid sequence as the game character on the TV screen unleashed a finishing move.

Unfortunately, the next second, the power cord was pulled out.

Clutching the plug, Fukayama Natsuki glared at Fukayama Midori, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I'm going to live at Ayano-nee-san's house! I don't care about you anymore! Idiot, idiot, idiot! I'm never talking to you again!"

Throwing the plug at Fukayama Midori's face, Fukayama Natsuki turned and ran out of the house, leaving a bewildered Fukayama Midori behind.

She had tried to attract Fukayama Midori's attention; she wanted to receive his concern and hoped to get a little comfort from her own brother.

Today, she had endured far too much.

She had been dragged by her tongue by Akimoto Yoichi, avoided being discovered by Ayano, and then been threatened and coerced into sitting on someone's lap and meowing.

These were all heavy blows for Natsuki, but she dared not vent her feelings or reveal her weak side while at the Suzuran residence.

She was afraid of being found out by Ayano, and just as afraid of being noticed by Akimoto Yoichi.

Therefore, Natsuki had tried to seek a little care and support from Fukayama Midori, even though she didn't expect him to be able to rescue her from Akimoto Yoichi's clutches.

But at the very least, Natsuki hoped that Fukayama Midori would notice her.

As it turned out, Fukayama Midori remained completely oblivious to her distress, and at that moment, Natsuki only felt heartbroken.

"What's her problem? Doesn't Natsuki know I'm about to clear this level!?" Fukayama Midori complained, watching Natsuki turn and run away.

Seeing the food Natsuki had just set down, Fukayama Midori put down his game controller and scratched the back of his head.

"Why was Natsuki acting so worked up? Did something happen?"

"Forget it, it probably isn't anything important anyway. Akimoto-kun is still at the Suzuran house today, so he's probably just going on again about not letting that shrew Suzuran get stolen away or something. Who cares about that violent girl who slaps people anyway?"

"I'll apologize to Natsuki tomorrow. I need to get some rest early tonight; I have a meeting scheduled with Nagase-san tomorrow."

He took out his phone and looked at the email correspondence between himself and Nagase Kumari.

Even though she was a gyaru, Nagase Kumari was unexpectedly gentle and considerate, and she even shared his hobbies in anime and manga—she was completely different from Suzuran Ayano.

Come to think of it, this was the first time he would be going out alone with a girl since growing up.

This should count as a date, right?

A look of anticipation appeared on Fukayama Midori's face; he couldn't wait for the next day to arrive.