The moment I confirmed it, the classroom erupted.
The girls screamed, “Eeeeek!!!” while the boys roared, “Whoa!!!” The chaos from earlier somehow reached a whole new level.
“Sena-sama?! I’m so obsessed that I’ve bought every magazine he’s been featured in!”
“And Kuga Sakurako! She’s our goddess! Minase, you’re so lucky to know someone like her!”
“Their commercials have millions of views online!”
“Minase-kun! Please, I’m begging you—introduce me to Sena-sama!”
The class was officially a madhouse. I could only sigh and munch on my sandwich, wondering how my simple life turned into this circus.
“Wait, what? Introduce you? To whom—”
“Amane!!!!”
Whoa! That startled me. Don’t just scream like that right next to me, you moron Takuto. You’ve been quiet this whole time, and now you interrupt me mid-conversation? Even your harem and the rest of the class look shocked.
“Um, uh… do you know Kuga Sakurako’s contact information?”
“Huh? What’s this about all of a sudden?”
“I-I mean, it’s not for anything weird! I just… want to thank her.”
“Thank her?”
At this, the harem girls' faces turn pale.
“Yeah, about a week ago, she found and returned my commuter pass at the station. But when I saw her face, I got so nervous I couldn’t thank her properly…”
Oh, I see how it is. And judging by how the harem girls look ready to faint, they’ve figured it out too.
“So, basically, you fell in love with Kuga Sakurako at first sight when she returned your pass, and now you want to meet her again, huh?”
“Wha—?!”
Bingo.
“That’s ridiculous! There’s no way Takuto would do something like that!”
“B-big brother, you’re joking, right?”
“Takuto-san! Don’t listen to this nonsense!”
While the harem girls go pale, Takuto’s face is burning red.
“Me… falling in love with Sakurako-san at first sight…?”
Yeah, buddy. Even this oblivious protagonist finally has his spring awakening. Meanwhile, the class erupts into an uproar.
“He’s already got three gorgeous girls following him, and now he’s fallen for Sakurako too?!”
“Sakurako joining his harem? Over my dead body!”
“That man must die here and now!!!”
“Men, arm yourselves!!!”
“Uooooohhh!!!”
Wow, the male students sure are aggressive when it comes to girls. But the female students? They’re even scarier.
“What are you even saying, Mamiya-kun? The only ones suitable for Sakurako are Ichinose-kun or Sena-sama.”
“Totally. Sure, Mamiya-kun is good-looking, but he doesn’t hold a candle to Ichinose or Sena.”
“Plus, he’s dense and can’t read the room. Why are those three girls even in love with him?”
“Oh, isn’t it just the typical romantic comedy trope?”
“Ah, makes sense. But honestly, I hate harem protagonists.”
“Same here. They’re so insulting to women.”
“Exactly!”
“Right?!”
The girls’ critique cuts deep. Takuto doesn’t seem to hear any of this, lost in his own world, but his harem girls clearly heard. Their faces are red with embarrassment as they lower their heads.
* * *
The lunch bell rings, and the commotion finally dies down as the teacher for the next class enters. Everyone reluctantly returns to their seats, though I can still feel their curious glances aimed at me.
Wait. I didn’t finish my lunch! Ugh, just my luck! Haru went out of his way to buy it for me, too. I guess I’ll eat during the next break.
* * *
Throughout the day, classmates tried to ask me more about Takuto, Haru, and Sakurako, but between my lunch, Takuto pestering me, and his harem glaring daggers at me, no one managed to get anything out of me.
* * *
Now it’s after school. As I’m packing up to leave, Takuto, unsurprisingly, insists, “Let’s go home together!” Dragged along by him, I find myself followed by his harem, who keep glaring at me as if I’m the villain here. For the record, I have zero desire to walk home with him.
When we reach the school gates, there’s a crowd gathered, causing a stir. Curious, I ask a nearby student what’s going on.
“They say Kuga Sakurako is here for a photoshoot!”
“What?!”
Takuto, his harem, and I all shout in surprise. Before I can process what’s happening, Takuto grabs my hand.
“Amane, let’s go see her!”
Ignoring the protests of his harem, Takuto pulls me straight toward the commotion.
As we approach the photoshoot, it seems to be break time. Kuga Sakurako is mingling with the gathered students, flashing her professional smile for fan service. Takuto, already red-faced, marches right up to her.
“Um, uh! Thank you for finding my commuter pass the other day!”
The surrounding students murmur, “Wait, does he know her?”
“And… and I’ve liked you since the moment I saw you! Please, go out with me!”
Whoa, talk about direct. The students are left speechless, while the boys start yelling things like, “I love her too!” and “No, I do!”
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