Popular Chocolate

"Another fulfilling day."

As the reputation of U Amakusa's fortune-telling spread, the number of clients grew, and U Amakusa was naturally overjoyed.

Now, with at least 10 clients a day, he was pulling in over 50,000 private points daily.

He had originally considered lowering his prices, but given the current situation, there was no need at all.

The first-years had no concept of the importance of points, while the upperclassmen had at least some savings, and most who came for readings were asking about romance.

Boys would grit their teeth and pay the points just to save face in front of girls; regarding this, U Amakusa only had one thing to say.

Still so young, with nothing but lewd thoughts in their heads.

But... these things were only temporary; U Amakusa wouldn't be doing this for much longer, not once this first month was over.

Name: U Amakusa
Gender: Male
Class: Class A, First Year
Private Account: 29,360.
Actual Hidden Points: 14,798,283.

Seeing such a massive amount of points, U Amakusa felt the corners of his mouth stretching all the way to his ears. This was different; this was earned through his own labor.

Why shouldn't he be proud of points earned through his own hard work?

"Welcome."

U Amakusa looked at the person who lifted the tent flap, and that single glance made him freeze for a moment.

Yare yare.

Sakura was well-versed in the rules and paid the 5,000 private points upfront, perhaps having learned about it online.

"Hello, Sakura-san. Please write the question you wish to have divined on the paper."

"Ah, oh... okay." Sakura picked up the pen, looking somewhat flustered.

Fortunately, U Amakusa was using a feminine voice; if it had been his natural male voice, he suspected Sakura might have bolted out the door.

Though, it seemed... U Amakusa didn't actually have a door here.

I want to make friends who understand my heart.

Understand your heart? Are you also looking for the "genuine article"?

She was a girl who clearly disliked loneliness, yet her own timidity kept her isolated.

"Sakura-san, making friends requires mutual effort. If you don't reach out to others, they won't reach out to you. No one is born to constantly offer a warm face to a cold shoulder."

"...But... no... it's nothing."

Sakura's expectant expression instantly shifted to disappointment, as if she shouldn't have held onto hope in the first place.

"Blindly fearing things won't change anything, Sakura-san."

My talk therapy won't change anything either.

"I... watching everyone having fun together... I... I can't join in. Perhaps only a dim, dark corner is suitable for me."

In his half-month of fortune-telling, this was the only time U Amakusa stood up. His expression was focused and solemn as he carefully picked up the crystal ball with both hands.

Inside the crystal ball, flickering lights began to appear. The glow was faint and sporadic at first, then gradually became bright and frequent.

Combined with the dark, enclosed space of the tent, the surrounding scene instantly became dreamlike, as if they were standing beneath a vast, boundless night sky, the points of light resembling brilliant stars.

Sakura looked around in utter astonishment, her mouth slightly agape in a small "O" shape.

Because of this, U Amakusa was finally able to see her delicate face, which she always kept lowered.

Her fair skin radiated a soft luster, her lips were as pink and tender as delicate petals, and her eyes, clear and bright, were currently reflecting the starlight.

"Sakura-san, why do you think you are dim? In my eyes, you are just like the starry sky in this scene—shining brightly."

Only then did Sakura return from the starlit sky. She had heard U Amakusa's words clearly, and this encouragement felt piercingly sharp in her ears.

Subconsciously, she wanted to lower her head again and shake it to deny his words; she wasn't shining, she wasn't a star.

But U Amakusa stopped her, not letting her bow her head any further.

"I know you want to say I'm just spouting empty words, just trying to encourage you, but I can tell you sincerely: this is no lie. You are truly, undeniably shining."

Behind the screen, there were countless fans of Sakura; even if there were only a few, they were still your fans.

U Amakusa had read the original work, and he couldn't bring himself to hate this kind-hearted girl.

He took an object and placed it on the table, pushing it straight toward Sakura until it stopped right in front of her.

"Do you remember this?"

Seeing the item U Amakusa pushed over, Sakura's pupils dilated, and she began to stammer incoherently.

"Th-this, y-y-you are... the one from that time...!"

"It seems you do remember." As he spoke, U Amakusa removed the mask from his face and extended his hand, just as he always did.

"It's not our first time meeting, so... please take care of me, Sakura. I'm U Amakusa from Class A."

The chocolate on the table shimmered under the light of the crystal ball; there was no doubt that this was the same popular chocolate from the supermarket.

U Amakusa's bright smile, set against the current atmosphere, felt like a brilliant ray of sunlight piercing through layers of gloom, its lethality maxed out.

Sakura's cheeks flushed red. Flustered, she took U Amakusa's hand, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "P-please take care of me too."

Is someone like me actually being remembered?

Thinking this, Sakura felt her cheeks grow even hotter.

Coming for a fortune-telling session today... was truly a wonderful decision.