Before the Second Class, the School Swimming Pool (Continued)

After Keima Katsuragi finished speaking, he added,

"I've read all the novels you recommended to Elsie earlier, too."

"Really? You've read all of them, Keima-kun?"

Shiina Hiyori's words seemed to carry a hint of delight, and a glimmer appeared in her eyes.

Keima-kun has read all these books?

And...

Did he read them because of me?

In Shiina Hiyori's heart, a feeling of happiness gradually welled up.

"That one has a twisting, exciting plot, and the ending really surprised me. The writing in this one is very delicate..."

Keima Katsuragi listed the qualities of each book.

In a sense, everything he said was true.

He really had read them all—though, of course, it had been to clear certain games.

And since he thought Shiina Hiyori most often "respawned" in the library, he had also left plenty of borrowing records there.

Today, that had indeed come in handy.

"These are some of my favorites, too!"

"Keima, we have really similar tastes!"

Shiina Hiyori happily clasped her hands together and smiled. Her gentle smile was as lovely as an angel's.

"But Hiyori, if you have any other novels to recommend, be sure to tell me! I'll definitely borrow them from you!"

"Of course!"

Shiina Hiyori hadn't lent him any books today.

But she was even happier.

It was the feeling of knowing that someone else cared about something she cherished, too.

She felt more and more that she and Keima Katsuragi really clicked.

Maybe... they were kindred spirits.

I'm so glad I met Keima-kun.

[Name: Shiina Hiyori]

[Affection: 37]

[Affection: 45]

[Affection: 50]

"Did Keima-kun not accept the gift Hiyori gave him?"

From across the room, Airi Sakura watched everything with some confusion. She couldn't hear what the two of them were saying.

For some reason, Airi Sakura actually felt relieved.

Just then, the café door opened, and the person Keima Katsuragi had been waiting for finally arrived.

Elsie.

She might have been an unreliable demon, but Elsie was the only person Keima Katsuragi could rely on right now.

After all, she was the only one who knew about the so-called攻略 plan.

So, on the way there, Keima Katsuragi had sent Elsie a message.

He'd been in a hurry, so he'd only had time to send her the most important information.

"攻略ing Shiina. Café. Distract Sakura."

Keima Katsuragi figured that no matter how dense Elsie was, she ought to be able to understand that.

Sure enough, Elsie had made it to the café.

Now all she had to do was find a way to quietly take Airi Sakura somewhere else...

Keima Katsuragi looked at Elsie. She wore a confident smile that seemed to say, "Leave it to me."

That smile made Keima Katsuragi feel that something was very wrong.

"Airi, there you are! What a coincidence!"

Her loud voice rang through the café, startling Airi Sakura so badly she nearly fell off her chair.

"E-Elsie?"

Airi Sakura turned to look.

For an instant, she even considered denying that she was Airi Sakura.

After all, she looked so different from before.

But Airi Sakura quickly calmed down.

Elsie had just called her by name. Pretending not to know her wouldn't work.

"What a coincidence, Airi!"

Elsie plopped down in the seat beside Airi Sakura, then turned and looked in Keima Katsuragi's direction with exaggerated deliberation.

"Oh! Big Brother! You're here, too! What a coincidence!"

The only response she got was the dazed look on Keima Katsuragi's face.

What are you doing?

I told you to distract Airi Sakura and then make an excuse to take her somewhere else!

Why are you shouting her name?!

What if Shiina Hiyori hears you?!

Elsie had completely misunderstood Keima Katsuragi's meaning.

She thought he wanted to get Airi Sakura's attention while he was on a date with Shiina Hiyori, too!

"Oh, Elsie and Airi? You're here, too?"

Hearing the commotion, Shiina Hiyori turned around and spotted Elsie and Airi Sakura.

"I, I..."

Airi Sakura's face immediately turned bright red. She hurriedly lowered her head to avoid making eye contact.

After all, it was better not to tell them she'd been following the two of them around.

But she soon realized that might seem rude, so all she could do was awkwardly nod.

"I-I just happened to want to come here for a cup of coffee..."

"I see. Why don't you join us?"

Shiina Hiyori had put her books away. She smiled at Elsie and Airi Sakura.

"Sure! Airi—oh, Po-chan said we should use nicknames, so that means Airi-chan! Come on!"

"Y-yeah..."

Airi Sakura knew she couldn't refuse now, so she followed Elsie and steeled herself as she walked over to Keima Katsuragi's table.

Elsie glanced at the seats. Keima Katsuragi and Shiina Hiyori were sitting opposite each other, and a knowing smile crossed her face.

God of Conquest must want to speed things up, so he wants Airi Sakura to join them, too!

Then I should help him out!

I've grown, too. I won't hold God of Conquest back anymore!

With that thought, Elsie sat down beside Shiina Hiyori.

Watching this, Airi Sakura's mind went completely blank.

W-wait!

Elsie sat beside Hiyori?

Then... then...

That meant she had no choice but to sit beside Keima-kun?

They usually sat beside each other when they studied, and they were desk mates at school, too, but... there was still a little distance between them.

In a moment... she'd be sitting on the same sofa as Keima-kun.

They'd be super close.

S-so, so, so nervous!

At the thought, Airi Sakura's face flushed, and her heart pounded.

"Airi, you don't look well. Are you feeling sick?"

Shiina Hiyori asked with deep concern.

"N-no! I'm just... just a little hot..."

As she spoke, Airi Sakura sat down beside Keima Katsuragi.

She could practically feel his warmth.

I-I-I'm so close to Keima-kun!

"S-so hot... haha..."

Airi Sakura answered awkwardly. To make sure she didn't give herself away, she had to take off her jacket.

Like Shiina Hiyori, Airi Sakura was dressed casually today. On top of that, she was wearing a jacket—

In her mind, that counted as part of her disguise.

Underneath was a fitted blouse that showed off Airi Sakura's impressive figure completely.

"You look different from usual today, Airi."

Shiina Hiyori studied Airi Sakura. If Elsie hadn't called her by name and she hadn't had her distinctive red hair, Shiina Hiyori might not have believed at first that the girl in front of her was Airi Sakura.

Now that she thought about it, Airi really is pretty.

"I, I..."

Airi Sakura was at a loss for words. She didn't know how to respond.

She had deliberately changed her appearance to investigate something about Keima Katsuragi. She absolutely couldn't tell them that!

W-what should I say...

"It's the weekend, after all. There's no dress code, so everyone can show a side of themselves that they don't usually get to show at school."

Keima Katsuragi immediately smiled and came to Airi Sakura's rescue.

Meanwhile, in his heart, he wanted to tear Elsie apart.

What was going on?!

Wasn't I asking you to help get Airi Sakura away from here?

Not only had you failed, you'd brought her right in front of Shiina Hiyori.

Have you lost your mind?!

Now he wasn't even thinking about raising anyone's affection. He was just trying to figure out how to keep it from dropping!

"I'm seeing you like this for the first time, Airi. You look really pretty..."

Shiina Hiyori smiled.

"I, I..."

Airi Sakura lowered her head, embarrassed. Several seconds passed before she spoke again.