Want to See Me in a Swimsuit? Dream On!

The school building, in the hallway.

Arisu and Sae stood facing each other. Sae asked, confused, "What do you want with me?"

"I'm here to help you!"

"Help me? I don't see why I'd need help from a first-year."

Sae put her hands on her hips, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

Arisu, by contrast, was perfectly composed, as if she already had Sae right where she wanted her.

"I can help you avoid being expelled by Kato Satsu—and even get him expelled instead."

At those words, Sae's expression changed, but she quickly forced herself to stay calm. "I don't understand why he'd want me expelled. Kuraku and Matsuyama were the ones who went looking for trouble with him. They brought that on themselves."

"Just before Kuraku was expelled, he made a secret deal with Kato Satsu."

Arisu spoke without haste. Every word landed like a heavy hammer, pounding at Sae's heart again and again.

"Kuraku handed over all his points to Satsu. In return, Satsu had to get you and Matsuyama expelled."

"Your homeroom teacher was there when they made the deal. Just ask, and you'll find out for yourself if it's true."

At that, Sae leaned weakly against the wall. Her pupils shifted; she was clearly badly shaken.

Seeing the effect her words were having, Arisu picked up the pace and spoke with even more force.

"If you do what I say, you won't just avoid expulsion—you can also get back the points Kuraku and Matsuyama gave Satsu."

"Think about it?"

Sae didn't answer right away. She stared at Arisu in shock, her earlier disdain completely gone.

The fact that Arisu had dug all this up meant she had real skills—at the very least, she was better at this than Sae.

"What's your plan?"

Once she saw that Sae had taken the bait, Arisu smiled faintly and slowly laid out her plan.

Sae was left gaping once she understood the full plan.

She no longer looked down on Arisu. In fact, she was beginning to fear the petite girl before her. Instinct told her she must never make an enemy of Arisu, or she might not even know what hit her.

After a long while, Sae finally stammered, "O-one last question. Why are you helping me?"

"You could carry out this plan yourself. Wouldn't you rather keep all those points for yourself?"

Arisu's expression changed. She gave Sae a sweet smile, and all trace of her earlier scheming air disappeared.

"I was going to handle it myself... once I'd settled things with my class."

"But apparently, someone can't wait that long. So I'll just have to do a good deed."

Arisu slowly turned and walked away. The crisp tap of her cane against the floor—tok, tok—somehow fell into rhythm with Sae's heartbeat.

"All right. Let's begin the show."

After leaving those words casually behind, Arisu disappeared at the end of the hallway.

Meanwhile, the swimming class competition had begun. The teacher had cheerfully put up five thousand points as the prize for the winner.

"Is it really okay to forfeit, Satsu?" Hasebe asked, seated beside him in the stands.

"Why would I compete? I'm disabled, so there's no way I'd win. Just look at all the muscle on Sudo and Koenji."

"By the way... could you put some clothes on first?"

As he spoke, Hasebe hurriedly covered his eyes with his hand. Satsu laughed. "What's wrong? I'm in swimming class. What's the problem with dressing like this?"

"You pervert!"

Seeing that Satsu didn't seem to care at all, Hasebe simply shut her eyes and turned her head away.

"Hahaha!"

"Hey, think I could get the contact info of one of those girls over there?" Satsu asked, changing the subject.

Hasebe cracked one eye open and glanced at the girl Satsu was secretly pointing at. Then she said, unconcerned, "Go ahead if you want. What do I care?"

"But don't say I didn't warn you: Sakura is famous for being bad at talking to people. You'd be better off choosing someone else."

"You don't want to get shot down, do you?"

Seeing everything unfold exactly as he'd imagined, Satsu struggled to keep the grin off his face.

No! I can't laugh yet! (Kato Satsu)

All I have to do now is say that line! (Kato Satsu)

"How about we make a bet? If I get her contact info, we'll go to the pool together this weekend. If I don't, you can pick whatever you want."

"No way!"

Satsu asked confidently, and Hasebe rejected him without the slightest hesitation.

"So that's what you were after! You want to see me in a swimsuit! Not a chance. Why would I make that bet with you?"

Satsu was dumbfounded. What was wrong with this girl? She wasn't following the script at all.

At this point, she's supposed to scoff and say she doesn't believe me, then accept the bet.

Then I win in a glorious victory!

Satsu clutched his head, full of regret. If only he'd tried a different approach.

"You've been reading too many novels," Hasebe said, mercilessly taking the mickey out of him.

"Are you really that confident? Other than Kikyo, I can't think of anyone in our class who has Sakura's contact info."

"Worth a shot. So, you really won't consider the bet?" Satsu asked, still unwilling to give up.

"Want to see me in a swimsuit? Dream on!"

Hearing her answer, Satsu finally gave up on seeing Hasebe in a swimsuit by winning a bet.

Still, he had to go ask for Airi's contact info. After all, Sakura Airi was essential to his character-collecting plan.

For some reason, Satsu suddenly felt nervous. Maybe it was because if he messed up this first conversation, things would be even harder from then on.

Airi was much shyer than Satsu had imagined.

As soon as he approached her, she turned her head away, looking frightened, as if he were going to eat her.

Faced with that, Satsu didn't start with an ordinary greeting. Even if he could read minds and keep any conversation going, what could he do if the other person didn't say anything?

"I've read your blog. It's really cute, Shizuku."

Airi immediately looked at Satsu in disbelief. Then she asked timidly, "Could you... not tell anyone?"

"Of course—if you're willing to exchange contact info with me."

As he spoke, Satsu smiled and held out his phone.

Airi slowly reached out, but didn't take it right away. She stared at Satsu's phone, her expression conflicted.

"We're just becoming friends. You wouldn't want anyone else finding out about this, would you?"

I've always wanted to try saying that. I feel like I'm in a Japanese adult film! (Kato Satsu)

At last, Airi bit her lower lip, closed her helpless eyes, and took Satsu's phone.

Tears glimmered in her eyes, and Satsu couldn't help feeling as if he'd done something wrong.

"Hey! We're not actually making a Japanese adult film!" (Kato Satsu)

Hasebe, watching from the side, was stunned. Was it really that easy? But why did Sakura look like she'd been bullied?

That night, Satsu lay in bed, thinking about what he should message Airi.

I'd better think carefully about my opening line, or this really will turn into a Japanese adult film. (Kato Satsu)

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. When he looked, he saw a message from Arisu.

"You still owe me a perfect dinner, Kato."

At that, Satsu quickly typed two words on his screen.

"Of course!"