Shibuya, the plaza.
Fukayama Midori already knew that the braided beauty in front of him was Ise Yuri.
Since she was the head of the Public Morals Committee, it was no wonder Fukayama Midori found her familiar. The committee members confiscated swimsuit magazines and all kinds of novels and manga, after all.
Ise Yuri, the upperclassman who headed the Public Morals Committee, had once struck fear into both Fukayama Midori and his best friend, Tachikawa Tokuo.
A few times at school, the manga belonging to Fukayama Midori and Tachikawa Norio had been confiscated by the committee members Ise Yuri brought along.
Fukayama Midori had also heard the nickname "the Onimen Committee Chair." It referred to Ise Yuri's forceful, unwavering way of doing things—she showed no mercy, like a demon.
Of course, it also alluded to how she was taller than nearly all the girls and often wore a tense, frightening expression.
But standing in front of the even taller Akimoto Yoichi, Ise Yuri still came up short. She had none of the imposing height or aura of the "Onimen."
In her casual clothes, Ise Yuri looked completely like an ordinary girl.
Still, Fukayama Midori couldn't figure out why Akimoto Yoichi and Ise Yuri were here together.
One was a blondie, the other a blondie's natural enemy: the head of the Public Morals Committee.
And Ise Yuri had actually come here to wait for Akimoto Yoichi?
"Using a word like 'date' so casually isn't a good habit!"
Fukayama Midori could clearly see Ise Yuri blushing at Akimoto Yoichi's words.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Akimoto Yoichi put his shamelessness on full display. He even reached out to take Ise Yuri's bag.
Ise Yuri turned away, unwilling to hand it over, but Akimoto Yoichi persisted.
In the end, Akimoto Yoichi managed to take the bag from her, and he didn't stop trying to talk his way out of it.
"A date doesn't have to be between lovers. Originally, the word just meant an invitation, and friends could go on dates too."
"Also, I'm very grateful to Miss Ise Yuri for agreeing to help me by lending me your first-year books—and even giving me your reference books and the like for free. That's much better than buying new ones."
"To repay such a wonderful Miss Ise Yuri, please give me the chance to return the favor."
Forget Ise Yuri—even Fukayama Midori, standing off to the side, felt like a giant light fixture, completely unnecessary.
"Hmph. Akimoto-kun, do you always talk to girls like this?"
Ise Yuri crossed her arms beneath her chest and gave Akimoto Yoichi a clear-eyed look.
"No, not at all. I don't talk this way with Suzuran Ayano, Kuroo Maya, or Nishida Yuki."
Akimoto Yoichi answered earnestly, then pointed at Fukayama Midori, who stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do.
"Don't believe me? Ask Fukayama-kun how I talk to other people."
"I'm only like this with you, Ise-senpai."
"Right, Fukayama-kun?"
Huh? Why was he suddenly dragging me into this?
Fukayama Midori had been trying to figure out what to say so he could leave, but now he'd been pulled into the conversation.
Looking at Akimoto Yoichi and Ise Yuri, all he could do was nod.
"Y-Yes. This is the first time I've seen Akimoto-kun talk to a girl like this."
When Akimoto Yoichi was with Suzuran Ayano, he mostly listened and offered a few words of comfort.
As for Nishida Yuki, he never showed her a friendly face. Fukayama Midori really had never seen Akimoto Yoichi act so outgoing and proactive with a girl.
Was it because she was the head of the Public Morals Committee? Was Akimoto-kun worried she'd set her sights on him, so he was sucking up to her?
"See? Right?" Akimoto Yoichi said, admiring the blush spreading across Ise Yuri's face.
He liked how normally she reacted—not like Suzuran Ayano, who was a tsundere, or Nishida Yuki, who was a schemer.
Being with Ise Yuri made Akimoto Yoichi feel at ease. He didn't have to worry about being a blondie.
Was this what ordinary romance with an ordinary person was supposed to feel like?
"Let me make this clear: I only came because you wanted help with your studies and wanted to borrow my books, Akimoto-kun," Ise Yuri said, trying to regain her cool demeanor and emphasize her seniority.
"Of course. I think the same way. I won't date anyone before college."
Except for the Fiji Cup and getting things for free.
Akimoto Yoichi silently left that part out.
"Really?" Ise Yuri looked at him in a new light.
She knew how many beautiful girls surrounded Akimoto Yoichi.
Suzuran Ayano, Kuroo Maya, and Nishida Yuki were all beautiful enough to be school idols.
Kuroo Maya might have been just a little less pretty, but she could eat—and her big appetite was a plus.
"Of course. But Ise-senpai, you're the one who's lying," Akimoto Yoichi said, sizing her up.
If Ise Yuri had been one year younger, she definitely would've qualified as a heroine.
Looks-wise, she was no less attractive than the heroines. Add in her personality, and she might even have had an edge over them.
"You don't seem like someone who usually talks to boys at school, yet the moment you come out, you get approached."
"If things keep going like this, I'm a little worried. What if I get into Todai later and have no chance with you?"
Fukayama Midori wanted to pull out a notebook and carefully write down Akimoto Yoichi's approach.
"Hmph. That's impossible. Those guys only saw what I look like, right? They know nothing about what I'm like at school. I'm the head of the Public Morals Committee, and no one dares mess with me."
Ise Yuri answered with a perfectly serious expression. As far as she was concerned, this was a serious matter.
"If they really knew me, they wouldn't dare approach me so casually. My Wooden Sword would teach them a proper lesson."
"My looks and my personality together are what make me Ise Yuri. I don't want anyone flattering or sucking up to me because of my appearance. Anyone who comes near me just because of how I look isn't worth talking about."
"You're the only one who knows what I'm like at school and still dares to come near me, Akimoto-kun."
"Of course. What I value is your knowledge, Ise-senpai, and these old books filled with your notes. Your gentle personality and pretty face are just a bonus. I'm getting an amazing deal."
Akimoto Yoichi's response flowed as smoothly as ever.
Under Akimoto Yoichi's relentless advances, Ise Yuri finally gave in.
She turned her warm, flushed face away and looked toward Fukayama Midori.
"Thanks for earlier, Fukayama-kun. You were trying to help me out, right? Thank you."
At last, Fukayama Midori had managed to make himself a little relevant.
"Huh? Me? I didn't do anything, so you don't have to thank me. I should be thanking Akimoto-kun. Otherwise, I might've embarrassed myself again... Ahaha, ahahaha."
But she was the head of the Public Morals Committee, and Fukayama Midori couldn't act as naturally as Akimoto Yoichi. He was still trying to figure out how to make his escape.
"Mm, I should thank you too."
Akimoto Yoichi looked at Fukayama Midori without a hint of concern.
Ise Yuri wasn't a heroine, so he wasn't worried about a relationship option popping up between her and Fukayama Midori.
To Fukayama Midori, Ise Yuri was probably the subject of a high school legend.
"N-No, I was just doing what I should. I'm in the same department as Ise-senpai, after all. Besides, you didn't really need my help..."
As Fukayama Midori continued making polite conversation—
A hand suddenly slapped his back, accompanied by a strong scent of perfume.
A warm body suddenly wrapped around his arm.
"Sorry, Otaku-kun! I was a little tied up and got here late. I'm really sorry! Hm? Isn't this Otaku-kun's blondie friend? Whoa, the Onimen head of the Public Morals Committee is here too!"
At the worst possible moment, Nagase Kumari arrived.
Before you continue