Big Adventure

It was another perfectly ordinary day. Sunlight filtered through the thin clouds and lazily spilled over the earth.

U Amakusa walked at his usual unhurried pace and, as always, arrived at the classroom.

If not for what had happened yesterday, he might have thought today would be a pleasant one.

He should have just kept choosing Truth.

But U Amakusa had gone and picked Dare.

Though, to be fair, it was all because some jerk named Shimizu kept teasing him about Kamuro.

If he kept choosing Truth, he was afraid Shimizu would pry every last secret out of him.

U Amakusa could still remember the smug look on Naoki Shimizu's face. He also couldn't understand why he kept losing.

"Oh my, oh my~ So U-kun, who's so good at video games, is actually terrible at rock-paper-scissors~ What a surprise~"

Yeah, now my fists are getting itchy.

If he used his psychic powers, would this kid still be running his mouth?

He just couldn't be bothered to use them.

As soon as U Amakusa entered the classroom, Naoki Shimizu charged straight at him like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.

He draped an arm over U Amakusa's shoulder and said with a lecherous expression, "So, when are you going to do yesterday's dare~?"

Damn it! When a tiger falls on hard times, even dogs bully him!

U Amakusa gritted his teeth and flung Naoki's arm off. "Why the rush? There's still plenty of time."

Naoki Shimizu wouldn't let it go. "Don't put it off. It'll be better for you if you get it over with early."

"Shut up! Just wait!"

Naoki Shimizu chuckled. "That won't do. Though I don't think you'll actually manage to get your hands on it."

No kidding! How could I possibly get it?

Why would anyone come up with a dare like this? What kind of Truth or Dare is this? Is it bootleg or something? I've never heard of this before!

Ask someone of the opposite sex for an article of clothing and put it on.

What the hell kind of twisted mind came up with this?

"Don't worry. I'll honor the bet."

With that, U Amakusa waited for his chance and caught Kamuro alone. Don't ask how he managed it.

He'd simply intercepted her on her way to the bathroom.

"Kamuro, I have something to tell you."

"Huh? Spit it out."

Of all the girls U Amakusa knew, Kamuro seemed to be the only one he could do this to without explaining why.

Besides, Kamuro had probably gotten used to it by now. Nothing this pervert did seemed strange to her anymore.

But... her thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened between her and U Amakusa.

Her heart began to beat out of rhythm, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

It was only because U Amakusa looked so serious right now.

Is this pervert about to confess to me? Why is he suddenly being so serious?

What if he really does confess...

No, no! Why am I even thinking like this? Even if this pervert is kind of good-looking...

I would never fall for a pervert like him!

Kamuro quickly turned her head away, hugged herself tightly, and pursed her lips. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead from nerves.

"Kamuro..."

Kamuro's eyes wandered, her gaze shifting restlessly as she tried to look unconcerned. In truth, she was deeply unsettled. She gave a small hum and said:

"W-what?"

In a corner nearby, the Three Scoundrels watched with rapt attention. General Shimizu even took out his phone, ready to film at a moment's notice.

Well, spend enough time around bad influences and you'll turn bad yourself.

Sanada, who was a model student in both looks and character, had even been led astray by Naoki Shimizu.

U Amakusa wasn't calm, either. He was usually thick-skinned, so this shouldn't have bothered him.

But for some reason, knowing the Three Scoundrels were watching made him feel awkward, as if he might burst out laughing at any moment.

Don't panic. Don't panic. Take a deep breath. Deep breaths.

After letting out a long breath, U Amakusa straightened his expression and looked at Kamuro with utmost sincerity.

"Could I borrow some of your clothes to wear?"

"No way!"

After getting his answer, U Amakusa flicked his bangs and grinned smugly. It was just what he'd expected. Nothing more to say.

Whether he could pull it off or not, U Amakusa had done it.

But...

"What did you just say?"

"Hm?"

Kamuro had turned her head away and hadn't dared to meet U Amakusa's eyes. Now, she was back to normal, staring at him as if she wanted to pierce right through him.

U Amakusa didn't think much of it. He had no idea what was going on, but a sudden chill ran through him.

Brr, why does it feel so cold?

Maybe the weather's just like that today.

U Amakusa paid it no mind and glanced discreetly at the Three Scoundrels.

Around the corner, Sanada and Satoshi Satonaka were both giving him a thumbs-up, their expressions full of approval.

But... Naoki Shimizu was the exception. He had one finger raised and seemed to be saying something.

Of course, U Amakusa's hidden skill—being a little bit good at everything—came in handy. He read Naoki's lips and figured out what he was saying.

Naoki Shimizu was saying: "Don't try to weasel out. There's one more."

I know! I don't need you to remind me! Am I the kind of person who'd weasel out?

In fact, if Naoki Shimizu hadn't reminded him, U Amakusa had planned to bluff his way through it. If I don't think it happened, and you don't think it happened, then it never happened.

Meanwhile, Kamuro's slightly shy expression changed completely in an instant.

She'd done all that mental preparation, only for the pervert in front of her to say he wanted to wear her clothes?

He'd gotten so serious just to say that?

If they weren't so close to the classroom, Kamuro thought she might have lost her temper and taught U Amakusa a lesson.

Of course, Kamuro had no idea that her expression was about to change again.

As for Kamuro asking U Amakusa to repeat what he'd just said? He wasn't about to say it again.

Who did two dares in a row? Besides, he hadn't actually completed the first one. It would've been even weirder if he had.

If he was going to say something, it would be about his second dare.

The Three Scoundrels around the corner had no intention of letting U Amakusa get away with the first dare. They'd come to watch the next one all along.

Naoki Shimizu had his phone recording now, and his eyes were practically glowing as he watched U Amakusa.

U Amakusa was just as nervous, but this time, it wasn't because of the Three Scoundrels.

Kamuro, by contrast, was no longer nervous like before.

U Amakusa stared straight into Kamuro's face, thinking back on the time he'd spent with her. He didn't feel any aversion at all.

If he had, he probably wouldn't have been able to say it.

"Kamuro, I like you."

"Get lost..."

Kamuro had originally wanted U Amakusa to repeat what he'd said before. She'd never expected her earlier thoughts to actually come true.

Even if the timing wasn't quite right.

"Eh...? Huh...? W-what!?"

The sudden confession turned her face bright red. She looked like a ripe tomato, and she became so flustered she could barely speak.

Her hands had nowhere to go. One moment she was tugging at her clothes, the next she was waving them around helplessly. Even the ponytail tied on the right side of her head swayed back and forth.

"I... you... y-you... what are you saying? I-I would never... like a pervert like you!"

Seeing Kamuro like that, U Amakusa already knew the answer. Nearby, Satoshi Satonaka and Sanada both nodded repeatedly.

So that's how it is. She's a tsundere.

Only Naoki Shimizu still wore a frown, fretting over whether U Amakusa had any chance at all.

Kid, it's not your fault. Go home and eat.