Suddenly, my schedule after class became fully packed. I wouldn't have any time to visit that game club anymore.

I guess I'll put off meeting Himeko's little sister for now.

I have to go to the main character group's club first. Walk home with Kana. And after that, Yae will be waiting for me at the station.

Starting next week, I'll remember to put the time in to relax. I'll really get exhausted if I keep filling up my schedule like this.

Because of my choice to target the girls from my class, it got this hectic for me. Back in middle school, I got more time to relax since I didn't set my sight on any of my classmates. Even if most of them were dating someone.

Now, I have to be mindful of Aya, Satsuki, Nami, Kanzaki, Mori and Harada. Ah. Let's add Shio as well.

I couldn't ignore them after all. Especially the two at my sides.

The remaining classes after lunch break passed by uneventfully. Well, it's just normal and no one stood out to entertain us next.

Sakuma went first. He's still aiming to be a regular after all. But before leaving, she stared at Satsuki for a good 2 minutes first. I really have to find the time to talk to him. What he's trying to do earlier was clear to me. There's just something off about him

Aya is still content from yesterday so she went on ahead after saying goodbye to us. She still has that book she wanted to read and there's always the Messenger where we can talk.

Now there's only Satsuki and me. She's slowing down again on purpose. I guess she really wants to talk to me. She still has that same look she had earlier

"What's wrong?"

Since she's not saying anything, I took the initiative to ask her first.

"You heard earlier, right?"

She answered.

Earlier? Is she talking about their mock game? They got thrashed by the 3rd years. But that's to be expected. Is she feeling down because of it?

"You know, it's fine even if you lose. They are already veterans."

I tried cheering her up.

Well, it looks like this is why she stays behind. The loss was hanging over her head.

"I know about that, idiot. I just want to prove that I deserve the spot they gave me."

She finished packing up her things then she turned to me. I couldn't get a good look at her earlier but now, I can see that she's really worried about that. It's showing on her face.

This must also be why she slowed down. She doesn't want to go to practice while feeling down like this. I guess this foul-mouthed girl wants me to cheer her up.

"You know, they wouldn't give it to you if you don't deserve it."

"But…"

Right. They saw something in her. If she will lose heart after one loss, they will be disappointed.

"What is this? Are you not confident anymore?"

Satsuki didn't answer me but she nodded her head.

Was she embarrassed to word it out?

"This girl… You've been playing basketball since middle school, right?"

"Back then I only got into the regular team during my third year."

"I see. So you think you don't deserve this position now?"

"The way we lost yesterday, I couldn't get the rebounds that should've been easy. What if I fail like that during the practice match?"

Ah. This foul-mouthed girl can be like this as well. Usually, she always looks confident like nothing can trip her. But now she's showing me her weakened state.

"Did they tell you the purpose of that mock game?"

I asked her. This girl seems to be focusing on the mistakes she made and failed to analyze the game itself.

There are now fewer students left in the classroom. The main character group has already left but Nami is still at her seat, probably waiting for us to finish our conversation.

"To show the difference between us?"

"No, idiot. Ah. Anyway. If I have to guess, it's specifically for you and maybe for their juniors as well but you're the most likely reason."

Ah. I called her an idiot. Will she get mad?

"I'm not that special. I only have these long legs that got me the Center position. Why would they do it for me?

Satsuki sighed. She's thinking too much. Looks like admitting her to the regular team as a 1st year gave her this much pressure.

"This girl… they're probably showing you how High School basketball was played. It's to prepare you for that practice game. How did the game go?"

"…It was too intense that most of my teammates were already tired after 10 minutes into the game."

"See. That's how it is. That's how hard the game you will be playing next week."

"Then why didn't they tell me?"

When I explained, the look on her face was slowly recovering. Though most of it was just my guesses, that's enough to cheer her up. 

"I don't know. I'm just guessing here. Maybe they want you to realize it by yourself."

"I see, you might be right. Thank you, Ruki."

She gave me her rare bashful smile when she said that.

"How is it? Did I cheer you up?"

"You call that cheering me up?"

"Maybe? Well at least, your confidence is back. I'm glad."

"Idiot. Come with me."

She grabbed me by the arm and stood up but we were blocked by Nami when we're about to leave the room.

"Sorry, Maemura but I have to borrow this guy from you."

"Huh? Why?"

Satsuki looked at me, her eyes asking what's this about.

"He's going to our club to try it."

Nami answered then Satsuki looked at me with a questioning gaze.

"She's right. But Nami, 5 minutes. Give me 5 minutes to talk to her."

Satsuki needs more than words to cheer up and I want to give it to her as well.

She alternately looked between me and Nami and after a while, she let go of my arm and sighed.

"Idiot. It's fine. Go with her. I'll go to my club as well. See you tomorrow."

Satsuki left the classroom after leaving those words.

Err. It's a waste but I guess it's fine for now. That foul-mouthed girl already recovered enough. I'll see her tomorrow anyway.

"That girl, back in Middle School, she only has eyes for the idiot behind you. But to think that she will also fall into your hands."

Nami uttered when Satsuki's figure disappeared from the room.

This scary girl. So she already knew about them even back then.

Well, she's an observer so I guess this was to be expected.

"Sorry for ruining your chance to be with her but we have an appointment first."

"It's fine, I can have more chances with her soon."

Nami still doesn't know that Satsuki is already mine. 

In her mind, Satsuki is like her, a target that I am trying to conquer.

"This guy…"

"What?"

"Nothing. You're really back to the guy that I took interest in."

"I still like you, Nami. But it's you who made me recover. This emotion and this desire. I have to balance them."

Even with her confident look, she will still have a reaction whenever I tell her I like her.

She tried to brush it off but I could see how it affected her.

"Haa. I don't know if what I did earlier was good or not."

"If you were to ask me, it's good. It cleared up my mind about what I should do with you."

Right. It really cleared up my mind. Earlier I couldn't explain it but I was being bitter. Her hug let me recover.

I remembered that I already had an initial hold on her. It's only a matter of how I can steal her from Ogawa during our act.

"As long as the plan worked out then I have no complaints."

"Don't worry about it. Let's go?"

She nodded and went to her seat to get her bag. After that, she went back to me and we both left the room. 

The destination was still the Club Building

I held out my hand, asking for hers.

"Not now. Don't you want to hide it to our classmates as well?"

Well, I'm just trying to take my chances.

"Ah. You're right. Then lead the way."

I increased my pace and walked next to her. She took a glance at me for a bit.

"Kazuo wants to meet you first."

"I see. Did he know about me trying to steal you?"

"If he knew about that, do you think he would agree?"

Well, he surely won't. So this means he only knows that I will act as her boyfriend.

I'll try to befriend him then and using that as a springboard, he won't be suspicious about us.

"I see. I now know what to do."

"This guy, that smile. You're thinking of something bad again."

This scary girl, I've just thought of it and she already picked it up from my smile.

"Is it bad if I befriend him?"

"You're really the worst, Ruu."

She already told me that a lot of times but now, her tone seems different.

"You can tell him about my intention to you, you know."

"If I did, there would be no point to follow the plan."

We arrived at the Club Building, though there were other students looking at us, I didn't feel the need to be as covert as before. We're just walking together anyway.

But yeah, when I think back to how I acted before, I never did something like this. Everything was done covertly. Calling the girl somewhere we can be alone, walking with her only when there's no one else.

Now, I'm getting bolder. Is it because of the changes that happened to me? Maybe.

This isn't that bad. I just need to keep it in moderation or the rumors will grow into something big that it might implicate the girls.

If it's only about me then I don't care but if it includes their names then I have to prevent that.

"I told you before, you don't really need to do this. You're being too kind to them."

"Maybe I am. But I want to keep the harmony between us."

Harmony. This girl, does she not understand that by bringing me in there, I will break that harmony she's trying to protect?

Should I tell her? No, if it's her she clearly knows what will happen. But what if I'm just assuming that she knows?

Haa. Let's ask her.

If it was before, I wouldn't do this and turn this into my advantage.

"Well, it's your decision, Nami. But what if my appearance breaks that harmony?"

"What do you mean?"

"They all know you're into Ogawa. That's a well-known rumor even back when you're in middle school. They will find it even stranger that a new classmate has taken that place beside you."

"I see. You're worried about that. Ruu, tell me. Are you actually against this plan you created?"

"Why will I be against this? You provided me with a path to steal you. I only thought you missed that point."

"This guy I already thought about that, you know me. You're the one who comes up with that condition. Why are you suddenly advising me against it?"

Err… Now I'm speechless. Nami's right. I put up that condition in exchange for the wishes she was supposed to grant. We'll act like real lovers during it.

She's just granting me the reward she promised. There's no other reason but that.

Ah.

I see. This is my feelings for her again. I'm thinking about what will be better for her.

I should really start balancing it. It's fine to act on my feelings for the girls that're already mine but for a target like Nami or Mori, I shouldn't let it control my decisions.

"You're right. Forget what I said."

"This guy, what am I to do to you? Haa. Anyway, we're here."

Only now did I notice that we already arrived at another empty clubroom.

This girl. How did she know a lot of empty rooms?

Upon opening the door, Ogawa could be seen sitting in a corner. He was waiting there and when we entered, his gaze immediately landed on us.