Kushida

"Um... Qiuyue, could you do me a favor?"

Qiuyue: (Kushida, huh...)

"Right now?"

"Well, I bought some things at the mall, but it seems there's been some kind of accident, and I need to go pick them up myself. I don't think I can carry them all alone, though... So... Qiuyue, please."

Qiuyue: (Why now of all times, and why ask me? Sigh, whatever. It's just a little thing. It'd be weird if I refused.)

"No problem. I can help with something this small."

Kushida beamed, gratitude shining in her eyes. Excitedly, she said, "Thank you so much, Qiuyue!"

"Wait a moment. I'll change into something to wear outside."

Qiuyue went back to her room, took some clothes from the closet, and changed. Once she was dressed, she closed the door behind her and looked at Kushida.

"Did I keep you waiting long?"

"Not at all~ I'm the one who asked you for help, Qiuyue. I wouldn't mind waiting as long as it took."

The girl's voice was incredibly sweet, and her smile was perfect. She felt just like a first love.

Qiuyue: (...You must be exhausted from putting on that act, Kushida...)

"Then, let's go."

The two of them arrived at the mall.

As Qiuyue felt the sun beating down on them, she thought she was about to roast. She complained, "It's unbelievably hot today. I'm drenched in sweat. Looks like I'll have to take a shower when I get back."

Kushida wasn't doing much better. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a tissue, took a few more, and looked at Qiuyue apologetically.

"...Sorry. If I hadn't needed you today... Here, take a tissue and wipe off your sweat. We're at the mall now, so it won't be so hot anymore, Qiuyue."

Qiuyue took the tissues from Kushida and wiped her face and neck.

Qiuyue: (You'd better actually need my help. Otherwise, watch out—I'll expose you as the Pink-Haired Schemer, all sweet on the outside and rotten to the core inside. Hmph...)

"Thanks for the tissues... You're right, it's much more comfortable in here. Ah... Air conditioning is the best."

Qiuyue sighed as if she'd been saved.

"...Haha... Sorry. How about we take a break here? That milk tea shop over there looks nice."

Qiuyue followed Kushida's gesture to a medium-sized shop with a few people sitting inside.

"Sounds good. Let's get something to drink and rest for a while."

Qiuyue and Kushida went into the shop and found a place to sit.

"Qiuyue, what kind of drink do you like? I'll go order for you."

"Anything sweet is fine."

"...Does that mean you don't like bitter melon or green peppers?"

..."

Qiuyue fell silent. Kushida looked as if she'd made a startling discovery.

"Oh~ I never would've guessed you had such a sweet tooth, Qiuyue."

"Isn't most milk tea sweet? I do like sweet things. So what?"

Qiuyue: (...What's wrong with liking sweet things? Seriously. I like what I like.)

Qiuyue sounded a little displeased.

"Nothing. Sweet-toothed, kid-palate Qiuyue is cute, too~"

"..."

Qiuyue: (You're cute! Your whole family's cute!... Why does that sound like I'm complimenting her?)

Seeing that Qiuyue had gone quiet after she teased him, Kushida went to the counter and ordered two milk teas.

After waiting a little while, she took the drinks from the server and returned to the seat opposite Qiuyue, holding one out to her.

"Here, Qiuyue. We ordered the same thing~"

Qiuyue took it.

"Thanks. How many points was it? I'll transfer them to you."

"No, no. You came all this way to help me pick up my things."

"Okay, then."

"You jerk!! Sneaking off to go on a date with Kushida behind our backs, huh? You beat us to it!"

"Yeah! That's so unfair!"

Qiuyue was drinking when someone suddenly grabbed him around the neck. He choked and started coughing violently.

"Ike, don't do that! You made Qiuyue choke. Let go!"

After Ike let go, Kushida took out a tissue and wiped the milk tea off Qiuyue.

Ike and Yamauchi stared, wide-eyed.

Once Qiuyue had caught his breath, he stood up and turned to berate the two behind him.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Can't you see I'm drinking? You sneak up on me like that—are you trying to choke me to death?!"

For the first time since arriving at this school, Qiuyue lost his temper. He cursed Ike and Yamauchi for nearly a minute.

"Okay, okay, calm down, Qiuyue. Ike, you should apologize, too."

After calming Qiuyue, Kushida puffed out her cheeks and scolded Ike.

"Sorry, Qiuyue. But you were secretly on a date here with Kushida behind our backs! What happened to the trust between us?! Kushida! This... isn't a date, right?"

Ike looked heartbroken, but by the end, he seemed a little deflated. He turned to Kushida and asked in a trembling voice.

Qiuyue: (Could this be what people online used to say in my past life—that you're afraid your bro will suffer, but even more afraid he'll drive off in a Land Rover?)

(But this Land Rover's a rare model. It's pink on the outside and black on the inside. It's got spikes and no brakes. I wouldn't take it even if it were free.)

Yamauchi ignored Ike as he tried to get an answer from Kushida. He put an arm around Qiuyue's shoulder, pulled him aside, and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"Qiuyue, didn't we agree we'd each pursue our own girl? You're not going after Kushida like I am, are you? Ike's interested in her, too."

Qiuyue immediately replied, "Don't worry about that. I'm only with Kushida because she asked me to help her. I'm not interested in her that way."

Qiuyue: (You say you're going after her, but I haven't seen you do anything. All talk and no action. You've really got me speechless.)

"Really?"

"Truer than gold."

Qiuyue: (Cut her open, and she'd be black all the way through. I wouldn't take her even if she were handed to me.)

"Then I'm relieved. We really are good bros."

Yamauchi's gloomy expression vanished. He hugged Qiuyue with a relieved smile.

Qiuyue: (Wait... These two are right here. They could do the job for me. Maybe I won't have to do anything at all.)

Seeing his chance, Qiuyue quickly spoke up.

"Actually, Kushida asked me to help her pick up some things today. Since Ike and Yamauchi are here, wouldn't it be easier if the two of them helped out, too? Right, Kushida?"

"Sure, sure. I'd be happy to help."

"Kushida, just tell us what you need. I'll do whatever you say."

"Oh, my friend just messaged me saying she's waiting for me in the Library. I'd better get going. Bye, Kushida."

Before Kushida could say anything, Qiuyue quickly took out his phone and pretended to check it. As soon as he finished speaking, he ran off.

Qiuyue: (Shiina, I'm sorry. You'll have to be my shield again.)

(...Why do I suddenly feel a chill? Could the Pink-Haired Schemer be angry? Sorry, forgive me. I promise I won't run off next time.)