Love Combo

Shibuya, in the plaza.

Fukayama Midori already knew that the braided beauty before him was Ise Yuri.

Since she was the head of the disciplinary committee, it was no wonder Fukayama Midori felt she looked familiar; after all, disciplinary committee members were known for confiscating swimsuit magazines, novels, and manga.

As the head of the disciplinary committee, senior Ise Yuri was someone who made Fukayama Midori and his best buddy Tachikawa Tokuo turn pale with fear.

There had been several times at school when the manga belonging to Fukayama Midori and Tachikawa Tokuo had been confiscated by the disciplinary committee members led by Ise Yuri.

The nickname "Onimen Disciplinary Committee Head" was well-known to Fukayama Midori, referring to Ise Yuri's style of doing things—forceful, firm, and as merciless as a demon.

Of course, it also alluded to the fact that Ise Yuri was taller than the vast majority of girls, and her usual tense, stern expression was quite terrifying.

However, standing before the even taller Akimoto Yoichi, Ise Yuri still looked a head shorter, completely lacking the height and aura of the "Onimen" pressure.

Dressed in casual clothes, Ise Yuri looked exactly like any other girl.

Yet, Fukayama Midori couldn't understand why Akimoto Yoichi and Ise Yuri were appearing here together.

One was a Blondie, and the other was the disciplinary committee head known as the bane of all Blondies.

Was senior Ise Yuri actually waiting for Akimoto Yoichi?

"Using words like 'date' so casually is not a good habit!"

Fukayama Midori clearly saw that senior Ise was blushing because of Akimoto Yoichi's words.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Akimoto Yoichi played to his strengths of having a thick skin; he even proactively reached out to take Ise Yuri's bag.

Ise Yuri turned away, unwilling, but Akimoto Yoichi persisted.

In the end, Akimoto Yoichi successfully took the bag Ise Yuri was carrying, his glib excuses never ceasing.

"A date doesn't necessarily have to be between lovers; in fact, the original meaning of an appointment or date also applies to friends."

"Besides, I am very grateful to Miss Ise Yuri for agreeing to my request to lend me your first-year textbooks and giving me reference books for free. This is much better than buying new ones."

"To repay the great Miss Ise Yuri, please give me a chance to show my gratitude."

Not to mention Ise Yuri, even Fukayama Midori, standing to the side, felt like a giant lightbulb, completely superfluous.

"Hmph, hmph, Akimoto-kun, do you usually talk to girls like this?"

Ise Yuri crossed her arms under her chest, looking at the Akimoto Yoichi before her with a clear-eyed gaze.

"No, not at all. I never talk like this when I'm with Suzuran Ayano, Kuroo Maya, or Nishida Yuki."

Akimoto Yoichi answered quite seriously, even pointing at Fukayama Midori, who was standing awkwardly in place, not knowing what to do.

"If you don't believe me, ask classmate Fukayama how I talk to others."

"I only do this for senior Ise."

"Right? Classmate Fukayama?"

Eh? Why was he suddenly dragged into this?

Fukayama Midori, who had been considering how to excuse himself, was suddenly pulled into the conversation.

However, looking at Akimoto Yoichi and Ise Yuri, he could only nod and answer.

"Ye-yes, this is the first time I've seen Akimoto-kun talk to a girl like this."

When Akimoto Yoichi faced Suzuran Ayano, he was the type to listen; he wouldn't say much, just offer a few words of comfort.

As for Nishida Yuki, Akimoto Yoichi didn't give her a pleasant look at all. Fukayama Midori was indeed seeing Akimoto Yoichi talk to a girl in such a cheerful and proactive manner for the first time.

Was it really because she was the disciplinary committee head? Was Akimoto-kun worried about being targeted by her, so he was intentionally trying to curry favor?

"See! Right?" Akimoto Yoichi admired the blush gradually spreading across Ise Yuri's small face.

He liked this normal reaction from Ise Yuri; it wasn't the tsundere nature of Suzuran Ayano, nor the black-bellied nature of Nishida Yuki.

Being with Ise Yuri, Akimoto Yoichi only felt relaxed, with no need to care about his status as a Blondie.

A normal romance—this must be what a romance between normal people felt like.

"Let me state this in advance: I only came out because you wanted help with your studies and wanted to borrow books, Akimoto-kun," Ise Yuri said, trying to regain her cold, imposing aura and putting on her senior persona.

"Of course, I think the same. I won't be dating until I'm in university."

Except for the Fiji Cup and freebies.

Akimoto Yoichi silently omitted that last part.

"Is that so?" Ise Yuri looked at him with newfound respect.

She was well aware of the beautiful girls surrounding Akimoto Yoichi.

Whether it was Suzuran Ayano, Kuroo Maya, or Nishida Yuki, they were all at a level that could be school idols.

Although Kuroo Maya's looks were a tiny bit behind, her ability to eat—her big-eater attribute—was a plus.

"Of course, though it's actually you who is lying, senior Ise Yuri," Akimoto Yoichi said, eyeing the Ise Yuri before him.

If Ise Yuri had been a grade lower, she definitely would have been included in the heroine lineup.

In terms of looks alone, Ise Yuri is no worse than the heroines, and when you add her personality as a bonus, she might even be better.

"It's strange, Ise-senpai doesn't seem to interact with boys on a daily basis, yet she gets hit on the moment she steps out."

"If things keep going like this, I'm a bit worried. What if I get into Todai later, but don't have a chance anymore?"

Fukayama Midori wishes he could pull out a notebook to properly record Akimoto Yoichi's smooth moves.

"Hmph, that's impossible. These people hitting on me are just looking at my appearance, right? They don't know what I'm like at school at all. At school, I'm the Disciplinary Committee Chair that no one dares to provoke."

Ise Yuri answers with a straight face; in her view, this is a very serious issue.

"If they truly understood me, they wouldn't dare to hit on me so easily. My wooden sword would teach them a good lesson."

"My appearance combined with my personality is the real Ise Yuri. I don't want to flatter or please anyone because of my looks. People who only approach me because they focus on my appearance are not worth talking about."

"The only one who dared to approach me while knowing what I'm like at school is Akimoto-kun."

"Of course, because what I value is Ise-senpai's knowledge and these old books that contain Ise-senpai's notes. Ise-senpai's gentle personality and beauty are just a bonus for me; I hit the jackpot."

Akimoto Yoichi's follow-up is as smooth as flowing water.

Under such a fierce offensive from Akimoto Yoichi, Ise Yuri ultimately admits defeat.

She turns her slightly flushed face away and looks toward Fukayama Midori.

"I should thank you too, Fukayama-san. You were trying to help me out of a tight spot, right? Thank you."

Fukayama Midori finally manages to gain a bit of presence.

"Ah? Me? I didn't really help with anything, no need to thank me. I'm the one who should thank Akimoto-kun, otherwise I might have made a fool of myself again... aha, ahahahaha."

It's just that since the other party is the Disciplinary Committee Chair, Fukayama Midori can't be as natural as Akimoto Yoichi, and he is still thinking about how to make an escape.

"Mm, I should thank you too."

Akimoto Yoichi looks at Fukayama Midori before him, feeling no concern.

Ise Yuri is not a heroine, so he is not worried at all about whether a favorability option will pop up between Fukayama Midori and Ise Yuri.

In front of Fukayama Midori, Ise Yuri is likely just a legend circulating in high school.

"No, no, I just did what I was supposed to do. After all, Ise-senpai and I are in the same academy, and besides, I didn't really need to help..."

Just as Fukayama Midori continues to speak politely.

Suddenly, he feels a pat on his back, accompanied by a rather strong scent of perfume.

A warm body suddenly hugs his arm.

"Sorry, Otaku-kun! I couldn't get away for a moment, I'm so sorry for being late! Hm? Isn't this Otaku-kun's Blondie friend? Whoa, the Onimen Disciplinary Committee Chair is here too!"

Inopportunely, Nagase Kumari has arrived.