Confession

When Kobeni Higashiyama returned to the Reading Club's clubroom, Asaba Kotone had yet to touch the food. He had planned to wait until she came back so they could eat together.

"You're back already?"

"Yeah, Xiao Qian said I didn't need to walk her out..."

Kobeni Higashiyama had never been good at keeping secrets. Whenever something weighed on her mind, it showed on her face.

For instance, she was far too embarrassed to tell Asaba what she had just said to Xiao Qian, but a flustered look had crept onto her face all the same.

Asaba Kotone naturally noticed, though he didn't think much of it.

He assumed it was some private family matter between Kobeni and her younger sister, Xiao Qian, and never considered that it might involve him.

"You went to all that trouble to cook, and class starts soon. Come on, let's eat."

Asaba Kotone beckoned to Kobeni Higashiyama.

"Okay!"

Kobeni Higashiyama promptly sat down beside Asaba Kotone.

As they began eating, Kobeni Higashiyama was so anxious to see Asaba's reaction that she kept stealing glances at his face, forgetting to even move her chopsticks.

Asaba Kotone certainly noticed her gaze. After a couple of bites, he offered his verdict. "Mm... this is really good."

He wasn't just saying something nice. He meant it-the food really was good.

Besides, having a girl his age cook for him was a rather special experience in itself.

"R-really?"

Kobeni Higashiyama immediately lit up with delight.

"Of course."

Asaba Kotone nodded.

[Kobeni Higashiyama's affection +5%]

[Kobeni Higashiyama's affection has reached 50%. Achievement reward obtained: Constitution +1]

Now that Kobeni Higashiyama's affection had reached fifty percent, the fifth page of the album should have unlocked.

Asaba Kotone summoned the album with a thought and turned to its fifth page.

The person unlocked on that page was Aki Hayakawa.

Just as Asaba Kotone had suspected, Aki Hayakawa was bound to appear in the album sooner or later.

His affection with Aki Hayakawa certainly wouldn't start at 0% like the others. The progress displayed in the album was already at 40%.

However, he hadn't received any Constitution rewards yet. Perhaps he would have to interact with Aki Hayakawa for the first time after unlocking his page to receive the activation and achievement rewards, which would total five Constitution points.

Once Asaba Kotone had settled things with Kobeni, it would be time to visit Tokyo Public Safety.

Aki Hayakawa's affection wasn't far from 50%, at which point he could unlock the album's sixth page.

After afternoon classes ended and they finished cleaning, they gathered in the Reading Club for their usual club activities.

Asaba Kotone, Kobeni Higashiyama, and Rika Matsumoto-it was still just the three of them.

Asaba Kotone had no intention of recruiting new members. After all, he wouldn't be staying at this school much longer. Recruiting would surely draw a crowd, and he had neither the time nor the inclination to manage that many people.

He had founded the Reading Club specifically for Kobeni Higashiyama in the first place.

"By the way, did you bring in all these books, Asaba?"

Kobeni Higashiyama had actually noticed the books at lunchtime and wanted to ask about them then, but she had been so focused on cooking that the question slipped her mind.

"Yeah, I borrowed them all from the library. A Reading Club needs books, right?"

Asaba Kotone didn't say he had bought them. If he did, Kobeni would surely feel guilty again.

"This is wonderful!"

Kobeni Higashiyama was delighted.

With so many books in the Reading Club, she wouldn't have to run to the library every day anymore.

"You're so thoughtful, Asaba. You actually borrowed these books especially for our little Kobeni, didn't you?"

Rika Matsumoto offered her guess.

"Yeah, that was part of it."

Asaba Kotone admitted it outright.

There wasn't the slightest trace of embarrassment on his face, and he had admitted it so frankly that Rika Matsumoto was taken aback.

She had been hoping to see him blush.

Still, this was a good thing. Asaba's straightforward personality was good for little Kobeni.

If he were as shy and reluctant to express himself as she was, the two of them would have a hard time making any progress.

Only after hearing Matsumoto and Asaba's exchange did Kobeni Higashiyama realize he had done this for her.

She had wondered before whether Asaba had founded the Reading Club for her, but at the time, she had thought she was getting ahead of herself. Now, though, it seemed that really was the case...?

Just then, Rika Matsumoto asked that very question. "Then let me take another guess. Did you also start this Reading Club especially for little Kobeni?"

"Yeah, that's right too."

Asaba Kotone nodded slightly, making no attempt to hide it.

Rika Matsumoto's mouth fell open in surprise. Then she immediately hugged Kobeni Higashiyama beside her and whispered in her ear, "Are you still worried, little Kobeni? Isn't it obvious that Asaba likes you too?"

Blushing, Kobeni Higashiyama nodded, unable to meet Asaba's eyes.

Even now that things had come this far, she still couldn't believe Asaba liked her too.

Asaba Kotone could vaguely hear what Rika Matsumoto was whispering to Kobeni.

He said nothing and didn't deny it, tacitly acknowledging it.

"What are you waiting for? You can tell Asaba how you feel right now. I'm sure he'll say yes."

Rika Matsumoto urged her on in another whisper.

Kobeni Higashiyama still hesitated, her face growing redder.

After being encouraged first by her sister Xiao Qian and then by Matsumoto, she did feel a little tempted to throw caution to the wind. But she was terrified that Asaba would reject her or even come to dislike her. If she did nothing, at least they could remain friends, so she still lacked the courage to confess.

Seeing little Kobeni hesitate, Rika Matsumoto deliberately provoked her. "If you won't do it, I'll confess to Asaba first. I'd hate to miss my chance with a boy who's so kind and capable too~"

"N-no!"

The provocation worked remarkably well, and Kobeni Higashiyama couldn't help blurting out an impassioned protest.

"Oh~?"

A triumphant smile curled at the corners of Rika Matsumoto's lips.

"Ah... no, that's not what I meant..."

Kobeni Higashiyama hurried to explain. She wasn't forbidding Matsumoto from confessing to Asaba, nor did she have any right to. She had simply gotten carried away for a moment.

"If you don't want me to beat you to it, why don't you hurry up?"

Rika Matsumoto continued urging her on.

Kobeni Higashiyama bit her lower lip. This time, she really was going to take the plunge. Her heart pounded harder, and the blush on her cheeks spread all the way to her ears.

"A-Asaba!"

Her hands instinctively clutched both sides of her hem in an awkward grip. She could barely hear anything but the pounding of her own heart.

She cast everything else aside, her voice ringing out loudly.

"I like you!"